Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Monthly Question

In February 2012, we asked our Newsletter subscribers our first Monthly Question.

Runner's World recently gave the Saucony Men's ProGrid Guide 5 it's Editor's Choice award. 
What running shoe would you give an award to, and why?

Here are a few of our great responses:


I would give the Brooks Adrenaline an award because the shoe rocks!! It has amazing stability control and improves overpronation in a remarkable way. I don't think I'd be a distance runner if it weren't for these shoes!! It also comes in a road, trail and gortex version!!!

- Lisa M.

The award should go to the Brooks xls gel running shoe (#883439472989) for people with heel spurs and other sore foot issues, people who need to be nice to their feet.

- Deborah G.

I have three nominees: 1) the ASICS GT-2160 is a durable training shoe with excellent cushioning, 2) the Saucony Kinvara 2 is my go-to racing shoe because of its combination of light weight and adequate cushioning, and 3) the Saucony Peregrine, the trail cousin of the Kinvara, weighs in at only 10.2 oz. while offering outstanding protection against the hazards of the trail.

- Tom M.



I would give an award to my Salomon XT Wings2 for the following reasons:
-They are equally comfortable on roads and trails, and have enough traction for the latter without hindering the former
-Excellent forefoot padding
-Lightweight and flexible but still supportive
-Comfortable right out of the box
-Fancy laces mean my shoes won't EVER come untied
-Bright colors make them more fun to run in
-LOTS of reflective (not just a dab on the toe) makes me easier to see

Really though, I would give the award to all of my Salomon shoes- the Wings 1 and 2, the Crossmax, and the red pair I have in Goretex (best winter shoes ever!). 

- Skye G.



Thank you Lisa, Deborah, Tom and Sky!  

Runner's Story


Here is a wonderful and inspirational story we received from Jennifer in response to our February newsletter request for runner's stories.

Runner's Story #1 February 2012:  Jennifer's Teenaged Daughter

Hi Amber,

I have a teenaged daughter. She is amazingly sweet, thoughtful, kind, and intelligent. Like most parents, I found that she and I started to drift apart and I was worried that she might not continue to make the best choices for her life. The final straw was when she stopped confiding in me and was beginning to hide things from me. I had to do something to strengthen our bond without compromising my role as her mom. I was training for my first marathon and had never had a running partner, running was always my solitary healing, thinking, and stress-relieving time.  But the only thing I could think of to force us to communicate was to take her to work with me and bring her on my training runs at lunchtime so she could have an opportunity to earn back my trust.  The rules were simple, no electronics on the run.  I know... this was incredibly harsh, especially for me since I always rock out while I run.  To her, this was the gravest of punishments having to give up two weeks of her summer running with her mom when she wasn't completely bored sitting around an office all day.

The first day was rough, she cried on the way to work that it was a cruel and unusual punishment.  At lunch, we hardly ran much distance at all before she had to stop and walk.  I felt like I was getting nowhere but I set up the punishment and I meant to keep it, even if it meant I wouldn't be getting very effective training for a couple of weeks.  So we walked, then ran, then walked, I started playing games with her that I play in my own head, "just make it to the mailbox", and when we were almost to the mailbox "just make it to the light post", etc.  She laughed and groaned jokingly and eventually, after pushing herself a little farther than she expected, we would walk and laugh.  We both had an excellent time.  I decided that she needed some special motivation, there was a grocery store about a mile away from the office, nearly all uphill, if she could make it without walking to the top the of the hill we would stop and get a coke then walk back.  On her fourth attempt up the hill, she returned coke in hand.  The next day we took a trip out to the lake to run around a small portion of Lake Washington.  It was great, we were talking, joking, motivating, and pushing one another - okay, well I was pushing and motivating her but it was great fun none the less.

After the summer passed and into the school year, she started talking about the running they were doing in PE and how she was faster than so many kids and had great stamina and was working toward a 5 k.  By this time, my mileage was getting pretty intense, I started running over 10 miles every weekend when a wild thought struck me.  I was reading that book "Born to Run" when I learned about pacers.  I had never heard of a pacer but I though it might be nice to have someone to finish the race with me for the last mile or so.  So I asked my daughter if she'd be interested, the next thing I knew, she was running the last mile of my 14 mile training run with me.  She was great!  I didn't realize it at the time, but she did all the things for me that I did for her on those first few runs, pushed me to finish without stopping, encouraged me, and even grabbed water for me.  She trained with me to the point that she was ready to be my pacer for the last three miles of my marathon rather than just one.  We both look fondly back on our two weeks spent running together, our relationship mended, and we are closer than ever.  She even gave me permission to author this note and submit it for publication.  Perhaps we'll have another 2 weeks together this summer, but for fun rather than punishment this time...

Jennifer

Thursday, February 23, 2012

World Marathon News


January 15, 2012

U.S. Marathon Olympic Team Named

On January 14, 2012, USA Track & Field and the Houston Marathon Committee hosted the men’s and women’s Olympic Trials Marathon to determine the three men and three women who will represent the United States in the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. This was the first time in history that both the men’s and women’s U.S. marathon trials were held on the same day at the same site.

U.S. Olympic Trials Women’s Marathon Results

PlaceAthlete NameAgeResidenceAffiliationTimeBack
1Shalane Flanagan30Portland, OROregon TC Elite2:25:38+0:00
2Desiree Davila28Rochester Hills, MIHansons-Brooks Distance Project2:25:55+0:17
3Kara Goucher33Portland, OROregon TC Elite2:26:06+0:28

U.S. Olympic Trials Men’s Marathon Results

PlaceAthlete NameAgeResidenceAffiliationTimeBack
1Meb Keflezighi36Mammoth Lakes, CANew York Athletic Club (NYAC)2:09:08+0:00
2Ryan Hall29Mammoth Lakes, CAAsics2:09:30+0:22
3Abdi Abdirahman33Tucson, AZNike2:09:47+0:39

Seattle Marathon News


February 14, 2012

UW Medicine Signs on for Seventh Year as Medical Sponsor of Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon

For the seventh consecutive year, UW Medicine has signed on as the medical sponsor of the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon 2012 to be held Sunday, November 25, 2012, just east of the Experience Music Project on 5th Avenue between Harrison and Mercer Streets.
UW Medicine’s team of healthcare professionals will include physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and athletic trainers, who will be stationed along the course and at the finish line. Skilled in caring for endurance athletes, each team member will be on hand at medical tents designated with a large red cross and located next to water stations. Medic One paramedics also will roam the course on bikes in between the medical stations, and HAM radio operators along the course will have a direct line to the main medical facility at the finish to assist in getting on-course medical care or in providing transportation for those in need. After crossing the finish line, marathoners can head inside the Victory Recovery Area for less acute medical needs and to rehydrate.
This year’s marathon also marks the 12th anniversary of UW Medical Center’s (UWMC’s) sponsorship of Team Transplant, a group of UWMC organ transplant recipients, faculty physicians, staff, family and friends who have participated in the Seattle Marathon since 2001 to raise awareness about organ donation. The team was founded and is coached by Alysun Deckert, a UWMC dietitian and past Olympic trials qualifier. UW Medicine has been a leader in organ transplantation in the Northwest for more than 40 years. The first kidney transplant in the region took place at UW Medical Center in 1968, the first heart transplant in 1985, and the first liver transplant in 1990. It is the only medical center in Western Washington to perform adult heart, liver and lung transplants.
From its beginnings in 1970 when a group of friends from the University of Washington decided to hold their own marathon, the Seattle Marathon Family of Events has grown into the largest combination marathon/half marathon in the Northwest and one of the top ten largest in the U.S. That first marathon 42 years ago sported 38 runners. This year, more than 17,000 participants are expected for the marathon and half marathon walking and running events.
To learn more, or to sign up to run, walk or volunteer, visit www.seattlemarathon.org.

About UW Medicine

UW Medicine trains health professionals and medical scientists, conducts research to improve health and prevent disease worldwide, and provides primary and specialty care to patients throughout Seattle/King County and the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) region. UW Medicine includes: Harborview Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, Valley Medical Center, UW Medical Center, UW Neighborhood Clinics, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine and Airlift Northwest. UW Medicine also shares in the ownership and governance of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance with Seattle Children’s Hospital and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and in the ownership of Children’s University Medical Group with Seattle Children’s Hospital. UW Medicine has major academic and service affiliations with Seattle Children’s Hospital, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Veteran’s Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, and the VA Hospital in Boise, Idaho.
To learn more, visit www.uwmedicine.org.

Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon 2012


Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon 2012

Sunday, November 25, 2012
5th Avenue between Harrison and Mercer Streets, east of the Experience Music Project.

Marathon Walk 7:15am
Half Marathon Run 7:30am
Half Marathon Walk 7:45am
Marathon Run 8:15am
Note: wheelchair events start five minutes before the running events.


From its humble beginnings in 1970 when a group of friends from the University of Washington decided to hold their own marathon, the Seattle Marathon Family of Events has grown into the largest combination marathon/half marathon in the Northwest and one of the top ten largest in the U.S. That first marathon 42 years ago sported 38 runners. This year, 17,000 participants are expected for the marathon and half marathon walking and running events. Join us November 25th for Seattle's Original Hometown Marathon.


Rolling course with hilly sections and scenic views of downtown Seattle and Lake Washington. RRCA and AIMS certified 26.2 and 13.1 mile courses. For your safety, absolutely no animals, bikes, or inline skates allowed on the course or in Memorial Stadium and the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. Strollers will not be allowed on the course at any time.


To find out more or to register visit our webpage...

2012 Seattle Marathon 10K Race: Presented by Next 50 Seattle Center



Seattle Marathon 10K Race

presented by Next 50 Seattle Center

SATURDAY
AUG.25.12

8:00 AM

Seattle Center

Mercer St. & 2nd Ave. 

Event Info

The Seattle Marathon Association has teamed up with Seattle Center to bring the Seattle Marathon 10k Race: Presented by Next 50 Seattle Center. Held on Saturday, August 25th, this is the summer 10k race you've been waiting for. The race is being held in conjunction with and benefits the Seattle Center 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2012 and will be an event you won't want to miss.
Special Promotions: Stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter for special promotions related to the 10k Race!

The Course

In Seattle Marathon style, the 10k will start and end at Seattle Center, traveling through downtown Seattle, past Pike Place Market overlooking the waterfront piers before turning around to head onto the Alaskan Way viaduct. The course then heads north on Aurora through Queen Anne, turning back around and exiting at Mercer to finish near the International Fountain.


To find out more or to register visit our webpage.

2012 Seattle Marathon 5K Race: Presented by South Sound Running



Seattle Marathon 5K Race

presented by South Sound Running

Saturday, Nov 24, 2012

8:30 AM

Seattle Center – Mercer St. & 3rd Ave.

$30 through May 31, 2012



Event Info

If you’ve never been involved with the Seattle Marathon family of events, the 5K Run/Walk is a great introduction! This 3.1 mile race is perfect for both runners and walkers. Use it as a warm-up for the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon, or create a fun, family outing to burn off some of those Thanksgiving Day calories. Treat your out-of-town guests to stunning views of Seattle while doing something healthy for the entire family.

The Course

The 5K start is at the Seattle Center near 3rd & Mercer, travels south down 5th Avenue, turns right on Cedar Street, turns left on 2nd Avenue, continues down 2nd Avenue until the turnaround point at Seneca Street, then heads back up 2nd, and lastly finishes by the International Fountain at Seattle Center. The 5K course USATF certification number is WA 10060MN.


To find out more or to register visit our webpage.

2012 Seattle Children's Kids Marathon



Seattle Children’s Kids Marathon

Saturday, Nov 24, 2012
10:00 AM
Start is at 5th & Harrison Ave
Staging is in Memorial Stadium
Race length: 1.2 miles
Cost: $20

Event Info

The Seattle Children’s Kids Marathon is structured to allow children—kindergarten through eighth grade—to complete a full 26.2 mile marathon at a rate that is fun and safe for their growing bodies “one mile at a time.” It also encourages them to read 13 books and perform 13 do rights (good deeds).

What is a Marathon?

In ancient Greece, Phidippedes ran from the plains of Marathon to Athens to report about the Persian War. That is where the marathon got its name. Thousands of years later, people still run, but now they do it for fun.
About half a million people run marathons every year! People who run marathons train a lot. Your body must be in good shape to run a marathon. A marathon is 26.2 miles. The Seattle Children's Kids Marathon will get you on your way to being physically fit.

To find out more or to register visit our webpage.

World Marathon News



GEOFFREY MUTAI & MARY KEITANY UPHOLD KENYAN TRADITION BY WINNING AIMS/ASICS WORLD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The world running organisation the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and awards sponsor ASICS are delighted to announce Kenyan athletes Geoffrey Mutai and Mary Keitany as the male and female AIMS/ASICS World Athletes of the Year for 2011.
Keitany and Mutai’s outstanding achievements were given global recognition during a presentation in the race village for the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon.
Race Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon and AIMS PR Manager for Asia, Nathan Clayton presented Keitany & Mutai with the acclaimed Golden Shoe Trophy during an awards ceremony at a media event in advance of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, taking place on Friday, 17 February 2012. As a result of her World Record breaking performance of 1:05:50 in last year’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, Mary Keitany was awarded the AIMS World’s Fastest Time Award (presented in recognition of World Record Breaking performances) at the same time.
In 2011 Geoffrey Mutai (30) became the first person in history to win the Boston and New York marathons in the same year with record times in both. He won the Boston Marathon in the fastest time ever recorded for a marathon at 2:03:02, almost three minutes faster than the course record. However, due to wind assistance and overall drop on the point to point course this time could not be ratified as a world record. Geoffrey would return to Boston in June to compete in the inaugural Boston Athletics Association (B.A.A.) 10k where he won in a State record and personal best time of 27:19. In November of 2011, Geoffrey won the New York Marathon in a course record time of 2:05:06, slicing 2 minutes and 37 seconds off the venerable event’s 10 year old course record.
Mary Keitany joins a very exclusive club with her second AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year award, her first coming in 2009. Mary is one of five female athletes who have won the award more than once. The others are; Lornah Kiplagat (NED, 2 wins), Paula Radcliffe (GBR, 3 wins), Tegla Loroupe (KEN, 4 wins) and Uta Pippig (GER, 2 wins). 
Mary began 2011 in blistering form, winning the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in a World Record time of 1:05:50 In March she won the London Marathon in a personal best time of 2:19:19, making her the fourth fastest woman at that time over the marathon distance behind only Paula Radcliffe, Catherine Ndereba and Mizuki Noguchi.
The AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year Awards were founded in 1992 and are decided each year from nominations made by the 310 member races of AIMSPrevious female winners include Liz McColgan (GBR), Uta Pippig (GER), Tegla Loroupe (KEN), Naoko Takahashi (JPN), Catherine Ndereba (KEN), Paula Radcliffe (GBR), Mizuki Noguchi (JPN), Lornah Kiplagat (NED) and Constantina Dita (ROM). Previous male winners include Benson Masya (KEN), Dionicio Cerón (MEX), Vincent Rousseau (BEL), Paul Tergat (KEN), Josia Thugwane (RSA), Ronaldo da Costa (BRA), Abel Antón (ESP), Gezahenge Abera (ETH), Josephat Kiprono (KEN), Khalid Khannouchi (USA), Stefano Baldini (ITA), Jaouad Gharib (MAR), Haile Gebrselassie (ETH), the late Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) and Patrick Makau (KEN). 
AIMS President Paco Borao comments: “It is an honour for AIMS to recognise these fantastic Kenyan athletes with the AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year Award. Both Geoffrey and Mary demonstrated exceptional form last year which is reflected in their outstanding achievements. It is with great pleasure we recognise their achievements on behalf of the 310 members of AIMS in over 95 countries throughout the world. I would like to give special thanks to Nathan Clayton, Race Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon and AIMS Continental PR Manager for Asia for his work in making these presentations possible as part of this fantastic event.”
Geoffrey Mutai comments: “I am honoured to win this prestigious award. I know how many great Kenyan athletes have won it in the past and it is a great honour to be named in the same company as them. I’m happy to be back in the RAK half marathon, which is a great race. For me it’s a good preparation on the way to the Boston Marathon. I would like to thank AIMS, their members and award sponsors ASICS for presenting me with this trophy.”
Mary Keitany comments: “To be named as AIMS/ASICS World Athlete of the Year for a second time in my career is an incredible honour. To be presented this award alongside my fellow Kenyan Geoffrey makes it all the more special. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to AIMS for their support and award sponsors ASICS for this prestigious award.”
Race Director, Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon and AIMS Continental PR Manager for Asia, Nathan Clayton comments: “I am delighted to host this presentation at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon. It is especially pleasing to welcome Mary back to the race where she broke the Half Marathon World Record in 2011 and Geoffrey as a past winner of this event. I would like to thank the AIMS board for choosing this event as the host of such a prestigious ceremony.”

Seattle Marathon Association


Who we are

The Seattle Marathon Association (SMA) is a non profit organization governed by a ten member Board of Directors. It is proud of its commitment to providing a quality running event in the Pacific Northwest, providing our sponsors with maximum exposure in association with the event and making a positive social and economic impact on the city of Seattle. Using the Visitors and Convention Bureau Statistics, a conservative positive economic impact to the Seattle economy is five million dollars per year. With the current growth trend of the Seattle Marathon, the economic impact could double within three years.

Our Mission

To produce an annual Seattle Marathon event, the quality of which is a credit to our sponsors and the communities we serve. We encourage participation by runners, walkers and volunteers of all skill levels.

History

The Seattle Marathon began modestly in 1970 when a group of friends from the University of Washington decided to hold their own running event. 38 runners started the first annual event, with 31 of them completing the full 26.2 miles. From these modest beginnings the Seattle Marathon Family of Events has risen to become one of the largest and most influential mass-participation runs on the West Coast, being ranked by Runners World Magazine as one of the top 20 marathons in the United States. In 1999, a Seattle Kids Marathon was added, which allows children of all ages to run a "full marathon" one mile at a time. 357 children participated the first year, and the event has grown to 2,300 in 2011. Through the years, Seattle Marathon runners have donated their money to the marathon's designated charities.

Growth

The growth of the Seattle Marathon and its ancillary events has been impressive in recent years. There has been steady growth year after year, and we expect this trend to continue. More than 11,000 people participated in the marathon and half marathon running and walking events in 2011, and over 40,000 people passed through the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon EXPO 2011 in the two days leading up to the main event on Sunday morning. The geographical reach of the Seattle Marathon continues to grow year after year as well, with all 50 states and many nations represented at the 2011 event. In 2008 a 5K Race was added on the Saturday morning before the marathon events. It has grown each year, with 2011 seeing more than 850 participants. In the Seattle Kids Marathon, an impressive 53 different schools were represented. The Kids event has gained the attention of physical education instructors throughout the metropolitan and surrounding areas, and several school districts have begun to include the program in their overall curriculum. Additionally, we have had other groups such as the Girl Scouts participate in the program, as well as elementary school children from Montana and Colorado (running in their home states, as part of the Seattle Kids Marathon program). In 2011, a summer 10K was added along with a kids fun run that brought in over 850 entrants in its first year. In 2012, the Seattle Marathon 10K will be presented by Next 50 Seattle Center and will coincide with Seattle Center's 50th birthday celebrations.