Weekly Rundown
for August 26, 2004

The USA wins Olympic Bronze in the Women’s Marathon!  Deena Kastor came from behind to win the women’s bronze medal with a time of 2:27:20 on the hilly Athens Course.  Deena was only 1 minute behind Japan’s Mizuki Noguchi who won the gold in 2:26.20. Kenya’s Catherine Ndereba captured the silver with a 2:26:32.  The Unites States’ Jenny Rhines finished 34th overall with a 2:43:52 and Colleen De Reuck finished 39^th overall with a 2:46:30.  Stay turned for the men’s marathon coming Sunday, August 29.

All of our friends from the Battle Creek Road Runners are now on our group E-mail!   Many of you have already been on our list, but for those who are new, please let us know if there is anything you would like to share with the group via our Weekly Rundown by Monday evening of each week.  The Kalamazoo Area Runners and Battle Creek Road Runners are currently exploring opportunities to partner or combine to better serve our running communities.  We will keep you posted as plans unfold…..

Does anyone need a last minute Dances with Dirt Substitute? Molly Sherrard knows a very fast young lady who would love to run with your team.  If you have a spot available, please E-mail Molly at mollysherrard@hotmail.com.  (Sorry- Molly herself has already committed to team Quick n Dirty)

Here is a special message from Gazelle Sports…..
Want to be immortalized in the 2005 edition of Gazelle Sports' Events Calendar?  We want to include YOU in the design. This next year, as we celebrate 20 years of operation, we invite you - our friends - to submit pictures or personal memories of events that have impacted you in West Michigan over the past 20 years.   The photos and essays we choose from submissions will be part of our 2005 Events Calendar. If we use your submission, we will reward you with a $50 Gazelle Sports gift certificate!   Deadline for submissions is October 15, 2004.  Please label your submission with your name and address, and indicate if you would like your submission returned to you. Send submissions to:

 Tessa Emenheiser
 Gazelle Sports
 214 S. Kalamazoo Mall
 Kalamazoo, MI 49007
 Or e.mail: temenheiser@gazellesports.com
 Questions? E.mail Tessa or call her at 269/342-5996.   Thank you!

Don't forget to check out LOCAL RUNNER HAPPENINGS Below - your name could appear at any time!  Check out our special Dances with Dirt Preview Section to view our local teams in the running (and to see who among us are thrill-seeking and insane enough to take part in this hilly, swampy, muddy and wet 100 kilometer relay held in Hell, MI)

There will be a WMU Track Workout on Tuesday, August 31 at 6:00 pm.  See you there.  Group Contacts will be Dave Walch and Steve Hicks.

Missed the deadline for Chicago?  Didn't win the New York Lottery?  Don't despair.  There are still plenty of fall marathons to choose from.  See our list below for other great options! 

Here’s one more reminder:  Please take the time to print out and complete your Kalamazoo Area Runners  renewal application and send it back to us.  We want to keep you on our list!

Visit our website, www.kalamazooarearunners.com for more news and information!

Here's what's coming up...

SPECIAL EVENTS AND RACES

Saturday, August 28
It is here this Saturday folks.  If you want to experience the thrill and excitement of a big city marathon without having to do 26.2, then The Crim Festival of Races 10-mile run is for you.  This truly is the Coolest Race in Michigan as they claim.  The festival not only includes the 10-mile, but also an 8k and a 5k.  This event is usually televised, is jam-packed with elite runners, and features a seeded start for those who have completed a certified 10k below 7:00 minute pace.  You don't have to be an elite runner to enjoy this fun-filled event, however.   See www.crim.org for all the details.  This one is truly worth the trip

Looking for something new and completely different?  How about the Human Race, a 6K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Funwalk (Starts at Cereal City and runs down Linear Park) 

Date:        Saturday August 28th
Time:        Race Starts  8:30 a.m.
Place:        Kellogg's Cereal City - Beautiful Battle Creek, MI
Pre Registration Amount:  $15.00
Day of Race Registration: $20.00

This is a Brand New First Time Race presented by the Volunteer Center of Battle Creek. This race/walk  offers a unique opportunity for individuals, families and businesses to work together to raise funds for various non-profit organizations in Calhoun County.  You won't want to miss Kellogg Character's Tony the Tiger and Friends will be on hand to meet and greet all participants.  Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers in each age group.  (Special Commemorative Edition Kellogg's Cereal box with the Winner's Photo on the box) Runner-up awards to the next four male and female finishers of each age group (Same box only smaller).  To register early (and save $5) call 269-966-4189 or visit the website for additional information and an application form.  Go to:  www.volcenterbc.org

No, you didn’t miss it!  The Hastings Summerfest  5k Run also takes place August 28, 2004 (please note the change from the Gazelle calendar, which states August 21).  See www.signmeupsports.com/Events/Index_Events.asp?EventID=25187 for all the details and to sign up.

Saturday, September 11, 2004
The infamous Dances with Dirt 100K Relay, 50K Ultra or 50 Mile Ultra takes place today in Hell, MI with lots of local teams among the 320 in the running.  It is too late to sign up for this years relay (if you are thinking about securing a spot for next year, make sure you send a representative from your team, check in hand, to the registration run held next February!)  Intrigued?   See www.danceswithdirt.com for more details!

Please note the correction in the date of the Grape Lake 5k Run/Walk from the Gazelle Calendar.  This takes place September 11, 2004, not September 4.  This is a fast, flat 5k run in the heart of Paw Paw.  Visit www.lakeviewcares.com for more information.

A third option for something a little different is the Kazoo Area Foot Chase held in Portage.  See www.kazoofootchase.com for more information.

Saturday, September 18, 2004
This is it, folks, the final event in our Club Championship Series, the Peacock Strut 10k and 5k Races are today at Celery Flats in Portage.  Here's a hint: You can gain about twice the points by running both of these events!  See www.classicrace.com to register online and for more information.

Saturday, September 25, 2004
The Run for the Son 5k will also be held at the Celery Flats in Portage.  For online registration and details check out www.classicrace.com. This is a great one for the kids and raises funds for the Kalamazoo Deacons Conference.

The first annual Run for the Hounds 10k kicks off at 8:30 today at the Fort Custer Recreation Area.   For more information, contact Sue DeHollander at 269-665-9633 or visit www.scfg.org for more information.

UPCOMING MARATHONS

 September 11, 2004
North Country Trail Run 26.2 & 50 Mi Trail Runs in Manistee, MI www.stridersrun.com

 September 12, 2004
Mile High City Marathon, Denver, CO www.milehighcitymarathon.com 

September 18, 2004
Air Force Marathon, Wright Patterson AFB, OH www.Afmarathon.wpafb.af.mil/ 

September 26, 2004
Boulder Backroads Marathon, Boulder, CO www.boulderbackroads.com

 September 28, 2004
Fox Cities Marathon, Fox Cities, WI www.foxcitiesmarathon.org 

October 2, 2004
Road Runner Akron Marathon, Akron, OH www.akronmarathon.org 

October 3, 2004
Lakefront Marathon, Milwaukee, WI www.badgerlandstriders.org/marathon

 October 9, 2004
Whistlestop Marathon, Ashland, WI www.whistlestopmarathon.com

 October 10, 2004
LaSalle Chicago Marathon, Chicago, IL www.chicagomarathon.com*** Now Closed to New Entrants

 October 17, 2004
Des Moines Marathon, Des Moines, IA www.desmoinesmarathon.com 

October 24, 2004
Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon and Half Marathon, Detroit, MI www.detriotfreepressmarathon.comPlease note the correction in the Date on this one!

 October 31, 2004
Grand Rapids Marathon, Grand Rapids, MI www.cooladventures.net 

October 31, 2004
Marine Corps Marathon, Washington DC www.marinemarathon.com 

November 7, 2004
New York City Marathon (by lottery or qualifier), New York, NY ***Now Closed to New Entrants  

November 25, 2004
Atlanta Marathon, Atlanta, GA www.atlantatrackclub.org 

November 28, 2004
Seattle Marathon, Seattle, WA www.seattlemarathon.org 

GROUP RUNS

Saturday, August 28
The Gazelle Sports/KAR Marathon Training Program meets today at 7:00 am.   The Gazelles, Gnus and Impalas will be embarking on 16, 18 and 20-mile jungle runs.  Starting location will be sent to program participants via separate E-mail. 

LOCAL RUNNER HAPPENINGS

What a difference cool temperatures and flat terrain make!  Thank you Chris Crowell for abandoning the hills!  Gazelles, Gnus and Impalas, you all looked spectacular as you flew down Riverview Drive Saturday morning.   Early indications predict that we may have quite a few Boston Qualifiers among the herds.  The leading Gazelle Gals pushed the speed limit ever higher (we think they were trying to race the cars on Riverview Drive) by zipping through the 13- mile course at a blistering 6:56 (or about a 3:02 marathon) pace- now if only it were that easy the second 13.2 miles!  Gazelle Gals Sherry Selby and Kelly Elder stuck close to the leaders with spectacular runs!  By the way, Sherry is not only an awesome runner, but also the mother of 4 girls, three of them 13 year-olds!  Isaac Jeganathan is in the running for the “Most Improved” as he churned out some quick miles while Lindsay Steinberg wins the “Good Citizen” Award.  Lindsay observed a man had lost his wallet and ran off in hot pursuit to return it to him!  What a great opportunity for the running community to set a good example for others!  LeAnne Fried was joined at the 6.5-mile mark by husband Carl and canine mascot “Pre.”  Hey - what marathon is Pre (short for Prefontaine) running anyway?  Yes Ron Reid and Jenny Stewart, there are others amongst the herds running Detroit, including John Gray and we think “greenies” Julie Delbridge and Lori Snyder (please correct us if we are wrong)!   By the way, Ron along with training partner Wendy Avenetti decided to take a detour this Saturday, leading several of the pack astray!  Thank you Charlie Crouch, Charlie Broberg and Judy Way for your course support!  Judy is on sabbatical from Marathon Training this year, but is still keeping the legs moving by tossing the watch and running for the sheer joy of it!  Monica Martin is getting psyched about running her very first Marathon - Chicago!  Great runs Kelly Trail, Jane Rolfe and Mark Chicoine!   Strong finish Tammy Mills!  Want to know why Mark VanArendonk and Pam Seacrest sport T-shirts every Saturday that say  “Bene Vivit” on them?  For a hint, see the Sneak Peak at the Dances with Dirt section below.  Chances are that Greg Amidon may be the proud owner of one of these too.

Rumor has it that KAR member Darla Brown did awesome at her very first triathlon last weekend in Three Rivers, winning 2^nd place in her age group.  Awesome Job!  We also heard that KAR’s Carrie Hybels has caught the triathlon bug as well!

It was great to bump into Bill Krasean running with his daughter, Kate, at the Kal-Haven Trail.  Bill is KAR’s official timeclock keeper and even more importantly, an all-around super nice person. 

Best of success to all those running the Crim Saturday including Jim Bronson, Charlie Crouch and Bruce Watson!

Just how popular is this Dances with Dirt 100 K Relay???  Here’s a Sneak Peak at who among the Kalamazoo Area Runners and Battle Creek Road Runners will be there.  A record 320 teams will be competing at this year’s event to be held in Hell, Michigan on September 11 with a bunch of local teams in the running!  Those highlighted in red are KAR/BCRR members who are warped enough to participate in this unique event!  What we really want to know is how these teams came up with their names?????