Thank you for all your emails the past couple of days. We currently do not have a firm date set yet for the Distance Challenge party, but as soon as there is something to announce I promise it will go out through email, Twitter, and here at www.austindistancechallenge.com.
Congratulations again to all who completed the DC this year, and we look forward to celebrating with you soon and handing out your shiny new jackets!
Run With Joy!
Local duathlete Derick Williamson led wire to wire in the Men’s Full Track, finishing over one hour ahead of his closest competitor. Along the way, Williamson garnered titles at IBM and Decker and top-10 finishes in the other four events. Said the 28-year-old of his experience, “It's the kind of event that the running community can rally behind and look forward to year after year. I think it adds a great element of competition to the local scene and the addition of the half track was a brilliant idea to get more folks involved in the series and excited about running.”
With a new training group launched and eyeing his first marathon, Williamson knew that the ADC would have him prepared to tackle the
On the women’s side, Jennifer Harney defended her title from last year by edging out a four minute victory over Ivi Kerrigan. Harney – who bettered her time by 18 minutes from the previous season – closed out the competition with a personal best 3:20 in the marathon.
New to the Distance Challenge this season was the Half Track. For runners wanting a shorter version – albeit still a challenge – they had the option of participating in the SiLabs Relay, a 10K, two 10-milers, and three half marathons. Nearly 300 runners took advantage of the opportunity, with 80 making it all the way to the finish line of the Austin Half Marathon. Valerie Hunt and Gordon Alexander took top honors, both leading wire-to-wire. Hunt, a 38-year-old who has been a familiar face in the
The same was so for Alexander, who along with his personal bests gathered an age-group award at the RunTex 10-Miler. The 49-year-old city employee entered the final races holding a commanding lead, and finished over 45 minutes ahead of his closest competitors.
The Distance Challenge will conclude with a celebration party where all finishers receive their jackets, medals, and age-group awards. The event is currently slated for some time in mid-March and all participants are invited - whether they completed the ’09-’10 season or not. We will notify you as soon as a date is decided! Final rankings can be found at www.austindistancechallenge.com and any inquiries can be sent to michael@gilbertsgazelles.com.
http://news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=267606
Runner determined to finish race at all costs
2/22/2010 8:29 AM
By: Lesley McCaslin
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Wilkin was less than a mile away from the finish line when he collapsed. | |
One runner was faced with that exact question at this month's Austin Marathon when he thought his race was over.
"I had trained a lot. I was very hydrated. I had seven ‘goos’ that morning. I had water at every water stop and then around mile 24, I started feeling out of it a little bit," Austin Marathon runner Kurt Wilkin said.
Wilkin was less than a mile away from the finish line when he collapsed.
"At 25 and a half or so, I thought I had crossed the finish line, and I was just relaxing. The next thing I know, people are waking me up, pouring water on me," he said.
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"It was a little scary at the time. Especially knowing my wife and kids were there wondering where Daddy was," Wilkin said.
But that's just where the story begins.
"I convinced the doctors to let me go and finish the last few blocks of the marathon," he said.
Wilkin would not settle for finishing the race another day. He wanted to finish it right then, and he convinced his wife to take him back to the same spot where he thought he had failed.
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Although the race took a little longer than he had planned, Wilkin did finish it. | |
Although the race took a little longer than he had planned, Wilkin did finish it.
"In seven hours versus three hours and 53 minutes," he said.
Kurt Wilkin said he's now telling his wife, no more full marathons. He said he’ll stick to half marathons from now on.
Good friend and parter to Gilbert's Gazelles Dr. Ross Bomben of Performance Health will be bringing his many years of medical knowledge and personal experience for an injury prevention clinic on Saturday, January 30th.
All are invited to hear Dr. Bomben speak on the different ways for runners to prevent common injuries such as ITBS, Plantar Fasciitis, Shin Splints, Runners Knee, and many others.
Before becoming a chiropractor, Dr. Bomben was a track and field athlete, a two time All-American, a two time PAC-10 decathlon champion, and a Junior National Decathlon champion. After retiring from athletics, he became a personal trainer, massage therapist and track coach. Now ,Dr. Bomben focuses on chiropractic and wellness care in Austin, Texas. His background gives him a unique perspective and access to elite professional and Olympic level coaches and consultants.
Since becoming a chiropractor, Dr. Bomben has treated hundreds of patients with conditions ranging from headaches to stress fractures of the foot. In 2008, he earned a certification as a Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (CCSP) and in 2009, he furthered his specialization by becoming certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). These certifications better prepare him to diagnose and treat your condition. Dr. Bomben continues his commitment toward the highest standards of excellence and clinical competence.
Join us in the RunTex Riverside Annex building from 9:15-10:00 a.m. and save yourself the trouble of getting injured!
The goodie bag that runners in the 3M Half Marathon receive is unsurpassed for its useful, fun stuff. But the goodies that Mother Nature dished out on Sunday morning at 3M weren’t quite so welcome.
The tempest that blew in from the north on Saturday afternoon howled all night long and when the race was scheduled to begin at 6:45 a.m., the gusts were measured at well over 20 mph. That tempestuous wind which came down from the northwest proved especially problematical for the 3M race organization which received reports that some of its barricading (plastic traffic cones) had been blown all over North Austin.
APD blew the whistle and ordered all the blown barricading had to be replaced (and weighed down with sand) before the race would be allowed to start.
"In the interest of safety," said 3M race director Matt Fagan, "we had to comply with APD. We had no choice."
Fagan sent out crews to replace the blown cones which necessitated a 45-minute delay. Although race announcer Evil Evilsizer kept the sold out crowd of 5500 runners aware of the situation, the delay created all sorts of problems. The two toughest were most runners had shed their clothes, warmed up and got situated in the starting grid, anticipating the 6:45 start.
When the delay was announced, nobody quite knew how long it would be so most stayed put—and got cold. Some huddled together, while others retreated to their cars.
Andrew Middletown, the former UT runner who now lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, found a heated truck used by race officials and squeezed in with several other runners. They stayed warmed, but when the race finally got going there was only time for a brief warm up and many found their muscles had tightened and were beginning to cramp.
Others, like Keith Pierce of Cedar Park, just made do. "I was all geared up and ready to go," said Pierce who would finish seventh, "but I just rolled with the punches and made the best of it I could."
By the time 3M finally got underway about 7:30, the wind hadn’t dropped its intensity one bit. Which made for some tough running in the first couple of miles which was right into the teeth of the wind. There were some stretches that were aided by a tailwind and others where a crosswind was strong enough to blow some runners across the roads.
Wind be damned, Luke Watson came out smoking. The 29-year-old former Notre Dame star, fought the headwind by himself and blew through the first slightly uphill mile in about 4:40. After four miles (reached in 19:53) of solo running, Watson had a 20-second lead on a tightly bunched pack that included Wesley Keating, a former UT—Pan American star, Ethiopians Badu Merdessa and Abiyot Endalu with Middleton, who is from College Station and now trains under Greg McMillan in Flagstaff, hanging onto the back.
"I’ve raced against Luke a few times in cross-country while we were in college so I had some idea what to expect from him," said Keating afterward. "Early on, I just didn’t want him to get too big of a gap on us."
Between the fourth and fifth mile on Anderson Lane, Keating quickly began to close the margin on Watson and soon assumed the lead role with Merdessa, Endalu and Watson maintaining close contact. Watson was the first to let go and then Endalu. At 10 miles, just before the turn onto the two-mile Duval downhill, only Merdessa was within shouting distance of Keating.
But the Ethiopian could never make up the difference and Keating flew past DKR and then onto the final straightaway on Trinity to the finish in 1:03:22. Merdessa took second in 1:03:51 with Endalu third in 1:04:17. Middleton, who was using 3M as a tuneup for his second attempt at the marathon in Los Angeles in March, cruised into fourth in 1:04:48, ahead of Watson in 1:05:47. Shadrock Songak was sixth in 1:06:13.
First Austin-area runner was Keith Pierce in seventh in a PR of 1:06:33 which certainly certifies him as one of the favorites going into the Austin Marathon on February 14th. Pierce has been—by far--the hottest runner in town since moving here last fall, winning the Cedar Perk 5-Miler, the Run for the Water 10-Miler and the Thundercloud Turkey Trot. He was the first American (fourth overall) at Dallas White Rock Marathon in December in a PR of 2:22:53.
"I was just hoping to run 1:08," said Pierce who is a teacher and cross-country coach at Vandegrift High School in Leander. "So I’m definitely pleased with how I ran today."
The masters men were led by 40-year-old Brad Seng who won a close duel in 1:09:46 with the ageless one—49-year-old Paul Zimmerman—who was just one second back. John Reich, 40, was third in 1:11:07, former Arizona State All American Mike Scannell, now 47, was fourth in 1:11:19 and 41-year-old Jeff Shelton of Buda was fifth in 1:12:10.
The women’s race wasn’t quite as competitive as the men’s race. The defending champion—Belaniesh Gebre of Ethiopia (1:11:17 last year)—was training in Flagstaff which was buried by a record 4 ½ feet of snow a few days ago and couldn’t make it out to Austin. That pretty much left the door open for Herut Mandefro, also of Ethiopia.
Aziza Aliyu of Ethiopia led right from the gun at the Gateway Shopping Center and tucked in among a group of men. But Aliyu was nursing a hamstring problem and the cold winter only aggravated it. She led for the first nine miles, but along North Loop (just before the 10th mile), Mandefro assumed command for the first time.
Mandefro maintained a short lead coming down Duval and posted a time of 1:14:24 for a 10-second victory over her countrywoman. Claudia Camargo was third in 1:15:32.
First Austin-area woman was 27-year-old Nora Colligan who was 10th in a 90-second PR of 1:21:32. "I’m very happy with the way I ran," said Colligan who is pointing for Boston. "I was just hoping to run around 1:22 so this was great."
The battle for women’s masters supremacy had a compelling race between 42-year-old Catherine Barrera and 45-year-old Cindy Salazar. Score one for Barrera who ran brilliantly to win in 1:26:03. Salazar, disappointed she didn’t break 1:27, was second in 1:27 on the nose. Jennifer Fisher, 42, was third in 1:27:55. Glenda Adams, 42, used steady pacing to take fourth in 1:29:13 and 2-year-old Kim McConnell held on for fifth in 1:29:15.
This was the fifth race in the six-race Austin Distance Challenge. The final race is February 14th with the Austin Marathon and Half.
Almost all of the races in the Austin Distance Challenge are held on tough, hilly courses that aren’t especially conducive to fast times. The relatively flat IBM Uptown Classic 10-K is the exception, but all of the other races in the series are extremely hilly. The 3M Half Marathon—the fifth of six races in the Austin Distance Challenge—is also on a hilly course. But, it’s a mostly downhill course which is ideal for setting a PR.
One of the best half marathons in the country, 3M has earned a substantial national recognition due to its lightning-fast, north-to-south course, peerless race organization and logistics. But it’s the course which has runners coming back every year in droves.
The point-to-point course starts in the far reaches of north Austin at the Gateway Shopping Center and plunges south on a mostly downhill trek toward downtown (there are a few short uphills) through neighborhoods and skirts the UT campus where it finishes on Trinity Street. The finish line borders Waterloo Park where all the post-race festivities (and dry clothing pickup) are held.
Making the course even faster are long straightaways and if there’s a north wind, it’s at your back for much of the race. The weather for 3M has usually been ideal and this year appears to be no exception. Race morning forecasts indicate that it should be clear with temps in the low 40s at the start. You might need light gloves, but not much else, other than normal running gear.
One change for the 16th annual 3M Half is that it will begin at 6:45 a.m. (rather than 7) at the traditional starting spot on Stonelake Boulevard (between Baby A’s and the Embassy Suites) right outside the Gateway Shopping Center in north Austin. Race officials urge runners to arrive in the starting area no later than 6 a.m. The earlier you can get there the better, as traffic on MoPac is always a mess.
With 5500 runners expected for 3M, parking is also a nightmare. The best places to park are at Gateway near Dave & Busters, Sam’s or in the parking garage closest to Microsoft. Following the race, there will be transportation back to Gateway, beginning at 8 a.m. and running until 11. Race officials urge runners to park at Gateway as there is much more parking than near the finish.
Although there’s a two-person relay and a kids run, almost all the registrants are in the individual half marathon and most are hoping for a fast time
There’s always plenty of incentive to run fast at 3M. The race boasts one of the premier half marathon courses in the country and it has drawn the attention of elite runners from around the world. Total prize money of $18,250 tends to get the top runners’ attention. Winners get $1500 (with incentives for event records) and goes down through the top 10. There’s also prize money in the masters divisions, wheelchair and military.
Last year’s men’s champ—Martin Fagan, who set the event record of 1:01:05—is not running 3M, but Belaniesh Gebre of Ethiopia, who won the women’s division in 1:11:17, is. She will be challenged by Hirut Mandefro.
The men’s field has several top-flight contenders, including Alfred Cherop, Badu Worku Merdessa and Shadrack Songok. Top Americans include Luke Watson and Andrew Middleton, the former UT star from College Station, who lives and trains with McMillan Elite in Flagstaff.
Also entered are the cream of the Austin road racers: Keith Pierce of Cedar Park (winner of the Run for the Water 10-Miler and the Thundercloud Turkey Trot), Derrick Williamson who won the Decker Challenge and the IBM 10-K, Josh Keena of the US Army and masters stud Jeff Shelton of Buda who, after a couple years of low-key running, has been running brilliantly (winner of the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Half masters division).
The field for this year’s race has been capped at 5500 and there will be last-minute registration at packet pick up on Friday and Saturday at 3M. If you can’t get up there to pick up your race packet, there will be race morning packet pick up from 5:30-6 a.m. near the starting line. If you pick your packet up at the race site on Sunday morning, there will be a $5 charge.
Again, packet pick up will be at 3M and not at RunTex where it is normally hosted. The 3M Innovation Center at 6801 River Place Boulevard will have packet pick up from 7-7 on Friday and 8-6 on Saturday.
To get to 3M off MoPac, go west on 2222. At the top of the hill, go right at the second light (River Place Blvd.)and then go right at 3M Drive.
Beneficiary of 3M is the Any Baby Can Foundation of Austin.. The sponsoring 3M Corporation has guaranteed a $30,000 donation to the foundation from race proceeds. Over the years, 3M has raised more than $350,000 for worthy Central Texas charities.
And just to repeat: 3M starts at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, not 7 a.m. as in years past.
An Arctic blast lowered the temperature in Central Texas to the teens this weekend, as runners lined up for the RunTex 20 Miler.
With the temperature hovering around 18 degrees at the race’s start in front of Georgetown High School, most runners were dressed in full winter gear.
But the sun came out, and the fact that there was no wind made for pretty good running weather. That, plus the fact that the rolling country side east of Georgetown is great for running.
“I loved the course. It was beautiful,” said women’s winner Desiree Ficker. “Big open farmland. Once the sun came out, I really started to enjoy it.”
Local hero Gilbert Tuhabonye has never been a big fan of the cold. But like most runners in the 20-Miler, he wanted to get in a good 20-miler as he rounded out his training for the Austin Marathon.
Running solo, he opened up easy with a six-minute per mile pace, passing through the first ten miles right at 60 minutes before picking it up to around 5:50 or so..
“The cold bothered me somewhat,” said Tuhabonye.”First, I probably overdressed. And second, it was so cold that it was hard for me to drink at the water stops. I’d say anything over 35 degrees would be ideal for me.”
Tuhabonye, who placed second in the Austin Marathon last year in 2:31:58. is entered again this year, and like many others, used the 20 miler as one of his final long runs leading up to the marathon on February 14.
“The goal for me today was to see how I’ll feel running the marathon and to get in a long run,” he said after breaking the tape Navigating in 1:59:01, a 5:57 pace. Joining Tuhabonye for the Austin Marathon will be aces Keith Pierce and Derick Williamson on marathon day, and he plans on racing hard.
Williamson, who leads the Distance Challenge series, finished second in 2:01:45, with Ficker finishing third overall (2:06:01), topping the women’s field. Adam Reiser took fourth (2:06:02) and Todd Withycombe rounded out the top five in 2:08:23.
“The goal for me was just to get in a good training run,” said Williamson. “This week and next week are pretty big training weeks for me, and I plan on racing 3M, so the last thing I want to do right now is trash my legs.”
Dominating the women’s race Ficker settled in to a comfortable 6:18 pace, running with Reiser much of the way.
“It was pretty cold out there. The first mile was really slow,” she said. “I think I was still frozen. But then the sun came out, and I started running around 6:15 pace, clipping out the miles and enjoying it.
Ficker is planning on running 3M and then the Austin Marathon as she gets in shape for the triathlon season next spring and summer, but may throw in a marathon along the way.
“I’m thinking about doing London,” said Ficker, who finished tenth in the New York marathon last fall, second among American women.
Jennifer Harney took second in 2:20:47, with Ivi Kerrigan pulling up third in 2:26:22.
“Today was my longest run,” she said. “I’m only running about 35 miles a week,” said Harney who hopes to run around 3:10 for the marathon. I ran the Austin Marathon last year with two stress fractures, so I’m keeping my mileage low and trying not to get injured.”
In the 20-Miler, Michael Budde (2:10:09) and Marlene Hicks (2:32:51) were the top masters of the day
Michael Madison won the 10 mile race in 58:07, with Jill O'Neal taking the women’s title in 1:07:41.
Runners have just two weeks before the 3M Half-Marathon. Set for January 24, it’s the final race in the Distance Challenge before the full marathon.
