Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year: Futsum Zeinasellassie
In its 27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS announced Futsum Zeinasellassie of North Central High School (Indianapolis, Ind.) as its 2011-12 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Zeinasellassie was surprised with the news at school by three-time USA 12K Cross Country champion Dathan Ritzenhein, who earned Gatorade Michigan Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year honors in 1999-00 and 2000-01.
“When I received the award, it was a really significant moment for me, so it felt great to surprise Futsum with the news and invite him into one of the most prestigious legacy programs in high school sports,” said Ritzenhein, the former American record-holder at 5,000 meters and USA Track & Field’s brightest hope for a medal in the 5K or 10K at the 2012 games. ”Gatorade has been on the sidelines fueling athletic performance for years, so to be recognized by a brand that understands the game and truly helps athletes perform is a huge honor for these kids.”
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Zeinasellassie as the nation’s best high school boys cross country runner. A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Zeinasellassie from nearly 250,000 high school boys cross country runners nationwide. Zeinasellassie is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July. Read more
Surf City USA Marathon Evolves into Premier Travel “Destination” Race
The Surf City USA Marathon is not only the largest combined oceanfront marathon and half marathon event in California, it has evolved into a premier travel destination for domestic and international runners.
The award-winning race attracts more than 20,000 participants and 45,000 spectators from all 50 states, 1,000 U.S. cities and 18 foreign countries. Staged on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, 2012, detailed information is available at www.runsurfcity.com.
Myriad reasons account for the growing appeal, ranging from the development of running clubs to the unique ocean-front course (voted 2nd most favorite in the nation by readers and fans of Marathon and Beyond), but the allure of Surf City and its mild winter weather is clearly strong. Participation from Arizona, Illinois, Colorado, Washington and Nevada has spiked recently; all boast 100 or more runners. Several states feature 50 or more runners—Illinois, Oregon, Texas, Utah, New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Massachusetts. Canada tops international registrations followed by the UK, Australia, Mexico, Italy and Japan.
Another major draw is Huntington Beach itself, boasting seven miles of beaches and an iconic pier that is home to international surfing competitions. Many runners spend time hiking in the spectacular Bolsa Chica wetlands while others embrace Surf City’s namesake surfing culture via the Surfers’ Hall of Fame and International Surf Museum along with world-class retailers like Huntington Surf & Sport and surf-stoked restaurants like the famed Dukes, named after legendary Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku. Read more
Register Now for the 15th Annual Chicago Half Marathon
Enjoy this Race Along Picturesque Lake Shore Drive, September 11, 2011
Registration is open for the 15th Annual Chicago Half Marathon and 5k on September 11, 2011 where 20,000 runners will hit the scenic Chicago streets, starting and ending just south of the Museum of Science and Industry in Jackson Park.
Runners will enjoy a beautiful half-marathon course along Lake Shore Drive, starting and finishing in Jackson Park, offering scenic views of the iconic Chicago skyline. Runners will experience entertainment along the course and the benefit of water and Gatorade Endurance at 11 water stations throughout the course including the start and finish. Participants will also receive a custom finisher’s medal and a commemorative technical long-sleeve t-shirt. Read more
Virgin London Marathon 2011: 35 new Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, the official authority on record-breaking, confirmed that 35 new Guinness World Records were achieved at the 2011 Virgin London Marathon; more than at any time in the event’s history. 150 runners were provided with on-the-spot verification as they attempted to break records ranging from the Fastest Marathon Juggling a Football to the Most Rubik’s Cubes Solved Whilst Running a Marathon.
Superman, AKA David Stone from Exmouth in Devon, flew through the finish line in a time of 2 hours 42 minutes and 46 seconds, smashing the record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Superhero in the process. Hot on his heels was Sheffield’s Jon Morgan who, dressed as Fred Flintstone, recorded a time of 2hours 46minuted and 59seconds breaking the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Cartoon Character.
Male runners wearing ‘female nurse’ uniform always go down well with the marathon spectators, but Kevin Harvey, a 36 year-old physiotherapist from Birmingham, proved no laughing matter with a finish time of 2hours 52minutes and 26seconds, breaking the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon in a Nurse’s Uniform. Arguably the most impressive run on the day came from Carl Creasey who attempted the Fastest Marathon Carrying 60 lb pack. A Sergeant serving in the Royal Marines, Carl from Ipswich achieved an agonising new record in a time of 4hours 50minutes and 56seconds.
Marathon stalwart John Sandford Hart from Mudeford achieved two Guinness World Records with Fastest Marathon Completed on Crutches – one leg (6h 24m 48s) and Most Marathons Completed on Crutches (6). Read more
Philadelphia’s Get Your Rear in Gear Registration Booming
The Greater Philadelphia Region is looking forward to more than twice the attendance at Philadelphia’s third annual Get Your Rear In Gear, presented by the Stop Colon Cancer Now Campaign, new 10K and 5K Run/Walk to be held in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Martin Luther King Drive (AKA West River Drive) on Sunday, March 20, 2011. To date, more than 2,000 participants are registered and the number is growing daily.
Organized by Mount Laurel, NJ resident and PCVB Sales Director Maria Grasso, this annual event is part of awareness and fund-raising efforts during March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Both survivors and those lost to colorectal cancer will be honored. Grasso lost her own father and grandfather to the disease and hopes that more people will get the message how early detection can make a difference in survival.
“Statistics tell us that more than 150,000 are diagnosed every year and 50,000 do not survive,” said Grasso. ”Many of those people are from this region. We want to change those numbers.”
Stop Colon Cancer Now, a community of 200 outpatient surgery centers and more than 700 physicians specializing in digestive tract treatment, including the prevention of colon cancer, also returns as presenting sponsor. The centers are affiliated with AmSurg Corporation, America’s leader in specialized outpatient surgery centers.
At the event, those visiting the StopColonCancerNow.com tent to talk with doctors of Main Line Endoscopy Center West and Main Line Endoscopy Center South to get answers to questions about digestive health, colon cancer risk factors and the importance of screening. Visitors to the tent will be invited to schedule their screening. StopColonCancerNow.com has a goal of scheduling 100 at risk individuals for screening during the race. Former Philadelphia Eagle and colon cancer survivor Vince Papale will also be at the tent from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Read more