Regional News
SPECIAL Coverage: Beijing Olympic Games
August 21, 2008 from USATF press release (BEIJING) Felix wins second silver: The women's 200 was another matchup between U.S. and Jamaican sprinters, with the heavyweights being defending gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica and silver medalist Allyson Felix of the United States. Campbell-Brown got out very well, leaving Felix to play catch-up after a slow start and around the curve. There was no catching the Jamaican, however, as she powered home to win in a personal-best 21.74, with Felix second in 21.93. It was the second-fastest time of Felix's career. Kerron Stewart of Jamaica was third in 22.00, with a hard-closing Muna Lee (College Station, TX) just out of the medals, fourth in a personal-best 22.01. Marshevet Hooker (Austin, TX) was fifth in a personal-best 22.34.
Young, Ominami Win America's Finest City Half Marathon
August 18, 2008 By Patrice Malloy from Running USA wire (SAN DIEGO CA) For the first time since 1987, an American male has claimed the overall victory at the 31st America's Finest City Half Marathon Presented by Nissan held this Sunday morning in San Diego. Justin Young of Colo. put his training regime to the test, winning in 1 hour, 5 minutes and 46 seconds.
Franklin "Bud" Held Named USATF Athlete of the Week
August 13, 2008 from USATF press release (INDIANAPOLIS IN) Franklin "Bud" Held has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after setting new World and American age group records in the pole vault and hammer throw at the 2008 USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Spokane, WA.
OC Marathon Marathon May Take New Route
August 12, 2008 from www.dailypilot.com / The Orange County Marathon is likely leaving Irvine and scampering over to Costa Mesa, bringing with it money for local hotels, restaurants and businesses, race organizers said.
America’s Finest City Half Marathon Presented by Nissan Professional Field Announced
August 9, 2008 from press release (SAN DIEGO CA) Defending women’s champion Hiromi Ominami of Japan and her identical twin sister, Takami Ominami, last year’s runner-up, will headline the women’s professional field at the 31st America’s Finest City Half Marathon presented by Nissan (AFC Half), announced the race organizer.
American Record Holders Dominate Team USAs Womens Distance Lineup
August 7, 2008 from USATF press release / Olympic Trials runner-up and 2006 USA Indoor champion Alice Schmidt (Chula Vista, CA) will be making Olympic debut after finishing second at the Olympic Trials in 2:00.46. Schmidt has the second-fastest U.S. 800m time this year of 2:00.01, which earned her a second place finish at the Nike Prefontaine Classic in June.
Worthen and Gustafson Win San Francisco Marathon
August 4, 2008 from press release (REV) (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) Running in ideal, mid 50-degree temperatures, Chad Worthen of Sacramento, CA and Lauren Gustafson of Millbrae, CA registered victories at The San Francisco Marathon.
Send Off Ceremony for 2008 Summer Olympics Marathon Runner Ryan Hall
August 1, 2008 from press release (BIG BEAR LAKE, CA) There will be a Send Off Ceremony for 2008 Summer Olympics Marathon Runner Ryan Hall
WHERE: Big Bear Middle School, 41275 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
WHEN: Monday, August 4, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team Making Final Preparations
August 1, 2008 from press release / California's Julie Swail Ertel, who had a stellar 2007 with wins at USAT Elite Nationals, the Pan American Games, and the ITU Cancun World Cup, earned her second Olympic appearance, but first in triathlon. She won a silver medal in 2000 on the U.S. water polo team.
The San Francisco Marathon(TM) Attracts Local and Worldwide Participation
July 28, 2008 from Running USA wire (SAN FRANCISCO CA) When over 19,000 entrants line up for The San Francisco Marathon(TM) and its companion two half-marathons and 5K Run / Walk on Sunday, August 3, San Francisco attorney Tony Rossmann won't be among them. The 67-year-old, long-time Bay Area runner from Oakland has already run his 26.2-mile marathon race over the event's scenic route.
Reyes, Kibii Debut at and Win Wine Country Half Marathon
July 25, 2008 from RunningUSA wire (SONOMA, CA) On Sunday, Sergio Reyes of Palmdale, CA cruised to victory in the fifth running of the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon in 1:07:02, beating runner-up Cheyne Inman by two minutes. Reyes charged up Duhig Hill first and then gradually lengthened his lead throughout the race. Allen Wagner of San Diego was third in 1:09:32.
California's Skaden Share Mens Title, Kimball Takes Womens Crown at USA 100 Mile Trail Champs
July 21, 2008 from USATF press release (INDIANAPOLIS) Mike Wolfe (Missoula, MT) and Eric Skaden (Folsom, CA) combined efforts through the last 25 miles for a "shared" victory in 18:59:10, while Nikki Kimball (Bozeman, MT) won the women's title in 20:18:12, Saturday at the USA 100 Mile Trail Championships. This year's event was hosted by the 2008 Tahoe Rim Trail 50K/50M/100M Endurance Runs.
Pacific Association Athletes Set Records at USATF Region 14 Junior Track & Field Champs
July 16, 2008 from press release (FOLSOM, CA)--Kenneth Walker of Oakley, Calif. led a number of young Pacific Association/USA Track & Field (PA/USATF) athletes who set association records at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Region 14 Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, held July 11-13 at Laney College (Oakland, Calif.) and Granada High School (Livermore, Calif.).
New Issue: July/August

On the cover is high school sensation Jordan Hasay at the Golden West Invitational, a tune-up before the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field.
In this issue you'll find . . . Trail Shoe Reviews, Golden West Wrap up, Roundup of CA Athletes at Olympic Trials Marathon, Adidas poster The Runner's Schedule Calendar, And much, much more!
Team USA Roster Set for Beijing!
Photo: California's Bryan Clay shown here with his son, is a medal contender in the decathlon. An experienced American team featuring 15 Olympic medalists, 31 World Outdoor Championships medalists and 11 individual outdoor American record holders will represent the United States in track & field competition at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Californian Takes Gold at Junior World Champs!
In the women's 100 meter final Tarmoh (San Jose, CA) had the best reaction to the gun (.154) among the eight finalist and drove out hard from that quick start. With Great Britain's Ashlee Nelson offering a solid challenge, Tarmoh remained ahead of the field and sped to an 11.37 victory into a -0.4 headwind.
SPECIAL: U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Californian Shannon Rowbury entered the Olympic Trials as the prohibitive favorite in the women's 1,500 meters, and she delivered in convincing fashion . . . .and crossed the finish line in 4:05.48
German Fernandez: Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year
July 3 2008 from Running USA wire (RIVERBANK, CA) In its third decade of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in partnership with RISE Magazine, has announced German Fernandez (file photo) of Riverbank High School (Riverbank, Calif.) as its 2007-08 Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year.
Western States 100-mile Endurance Run Cancelled Due to Fires
Due to the unprecedented amount of wildfires that have struck northern California in recent days and the health risks that have been associated with these wildfires, the 35th running of the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run has been cancelled. The Board of Trustees of the Western States Endurance Run has consulted with many local and state race partners, including the U.S.
Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay Set for November
June 26, 2008 from press release (Monterey Bay CA) The sixth annual presentation of the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay will take place on Sunday, November 9, 2008, drawing both elite runners and recreational enthusiasts to compete in a variety of running/walking events over two days.



