Competition resumes tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. at the George Finnie Stadium at Baldwin Wallace College. Admission is free.

Young sets another record
Just as she did during day one of the USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Young, competing for the Throw1deep Club, needed only one throw to improve her own W70 American record of 12.53m/41-1 in the weight throw. Young heaved a 12.73m/41-9 bomb on her first attempt to surpass the record she set in 2008. She also holds the W65 American weight throw record of 13.04m/42-9, which has stood for the last six years.

Former Texas Longhorn sets American record in M75 100m
Robert Whilden of Houston, Texas has set multiple records at both the international level and at his alma mater, the University of Texas. Whilden, who competes for the Houston Elite Track and Field Club, can now add another American record to that list. He crossed the line in the M75 100m in a blistering 13.67 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 13.72 seconds set in 1992 by Payton Jordan.

Whilden, who already has the distinction of holding the world record in the M70 100m at 12.77 seconds, was .13 seconds from matching the world mark in the M75 division.  Aside from being an elite Masters athlete, Whilden was once a world class sprinter at UT; earning three All-American honors, running on three world record setting 440-yard relay teams, and he also was a finalist in the 200m at the 1956 Olympic Trials.

Midwest Masters T&F Club’s Welding sets American record
Ruth Welding of Elk Grove Village, Ill. set the W55 American weight throw record when she launched the weight 13.60m/44-7 – furthering the previous mark of 13.50m/44-5 thrown by Myrle Mensey in 2002. All of Welding’s six throws measured more than 12m, with two sailing past the 13m barrier. Her recording setting throw came on her fifth attempt of the day and each measured throw would have been long enough to earn her gold in the W55 age division.

Stephens improves own W35 American mark
All but one of Jennifer Stephens’ weight throws surpassed her previous American record of 10.60m/34-9, which she set in 2009. Stephens, of Fairfax, Va. heaved a throw of 11.75m/38-6 to improve her American record by more than a meter. She will continue to compete for the Potomac Valley Track Club on day four in the high jump.

Notable Performances:

Magdalena Kuehne, of Tujunga, Calif. duplicated her own pending W80 American record when she tripled jumped 5.68m/18-7.75. Kuehne, who competes for the SC Striders Track Club also jumped 5.68m/18-7.75 earlier this month.

Ohio athletes who won national championships on day three of competition:

M40 – John Wirtz, Avon Lake, Ohio, discus, 52.20m/171-3
M45 – Landen Summay, Cincinnati, Ohio, 800m, 2:03.04
M65 – Stephen Robbins, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, 100m, 12.51
M65 – Ronald Legg, Beach City, Ohio, 10,000m, 40:52.96
M80 – Jack Greenwald, Seville, Ohio, 100m 16.42
M85 – George Roudebush, Chardon, Ohio, weight throw, 7.03m/23-0
M85 – Denver Smith, Louisville, Ohio, triple jump, 6.03m/19-9.5
M85 – George Riser, Lyndhurst, Ohio, 100m 17.97
M90 – John Means, Richmond Heights, Ohio, 100m, 18.13

W50 – Christine Ganz, Broadview Heights, Ohio, 10,000m, 37:12.23
W60 – Mary Harzler, Gahanna, Ohio, 3k shot put, 9.48m/31-1.25
W60 – Mary Harzler, Gahanna, Ohio, weight throw, 14.17m/46-6
W70 – Monica Ols, Parma, Ohio, 100m, 28.59

3,000m splits enough to set American records
It has been confirmed that Mark Green of Reno, Nev. and Chris Schmid of Wooster, Ohio both set American records yesterday in the 3,000m race walk en route to winning their 5,000m race walk events. Green, who competed in the M55 division, split 15:03.03 for 3,000m, bettering the previous record of 15:35.73 set by James Carmines in 2000. He finished the race in 25:33.88, running a near perfect race as evident by his seed time of 25:30.00.

Schmid, one of the many local Ohioans to earn national championships so far at this meet, competes for World Class Racewalking in the M60 division. He demolished the previous American record of 15:51.80 set by Norm Frable in 2007, splitting 15:06.29 for 3,000m. As was the case with Green, Schmid emerged victorious in his age group, winning gold with a time of 26:05.80.
For full results of the USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2011/USAMastersOutdoorTFChampionships/schedule.asp.

Cleveland man sets world record
Running faster than most runners half his age, Khalid Mulazim of Cleveland, Ohio, set the world record in the 400m by posting a time of 50.18 seconds. Mulazim, who competes for Southwest Sprinters TC, broke Fred Sowerby’s previous world record of 50.20 seconds set in 1994. Although the 400m is considered a relatively short race, he still managed to gap the rest of the field by nearly five seconds.

When Mulazim was asked how long he thought his world record could stand the test of time, he was quick to respond, “about a month” noting how he plans on running a sub-50 second 400m in the near future.

Best 90+ athlete in the world breaks another record
Perhaps the most inspiring performance of the day was turned in by Ralph Maxwell, 91, of Alamo, Tex. in the pole vault. Maxwell soared over 1.43m/4-8.25 to win his age division and eclipse the previous world record of 1.42m/4-7.75 set by Vic Younger of Australia in 2003. Maxwell’s world record performance comes only three weeks after he solidified his status as the best 90+ athlete in the world by winning the 2011 World Masters Athletics Championships in the decathlon with a total of 7069 points.

Having already clinched the victory in the M90 division, he decided to withdraw from the competition after clearing the record setting height. Maxwell, who is also a renowned vocalist and song writer, then demonstrated some of his other talents at the end of the competition when he began singing for fans and reporters.

Wilson hurdles into the record books
Thaddeus Wilson of Oxnard, Calif. won the M60 100m short hurdles with a world record time of 14.37 seconds. He bettered the previous record of 14.62 seconds set by Courtland Gray of the United States in 2004.

In a race where results are so often determined by fractions of a second, Wilson powered over the hurdles and won in dramatic fashion, bettering his nearest competitor by a whopping 2.18 seconds. Wilson who competes for the Pacific Coast Track Club battled a slight headwind of .4 meters per second on his way to setting the world record.

Mulazim was only one of many Ohio residents to earn a national championship title during day two of competition. Other Ohio runners who won gold medals today are:

M30 – Timothy Budic, Berea, Ohio, 3000m steeplechase, 9:55.05
M50 – Charles Greene, Dayton, Ohio, javelin, 52.43m/172-0
M60 – Chris Schmid, Wooster, Ohio, 5000m race walk, 26:05.80
M70 – Grover Coats, Warrensville Heights Ohio, long jump, 4.08m/13-4.75
M70 – John Sloan, Hartville, Ohio, hammer throw, 29.12m/95-6
M85 – George Roudebush, Chardon, Ohio, hammer throw, 19.44m/63-9
M85 – Denver Smith, Louisville, Ohio, pole vault, 1.70m/5-7
M80 – Jack Greenwald, Seville, Ohio, 400m, 1:35.66
M90 – John Means, Richmond Heights, Ohio, 400m, 1:42.69

W50 – Lynn McConnell of Quaker City, Ohio, 5000m race walk, 43:15.76.
W60 – Mary Hartzier, Gahanna, Ohio, discus, 25.30m/83-0
W70 – Rita Matz, Lebanon, Ohio, discus, 18.78m/61-7
For full results of the USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2011/USAMastersOutdoorTFChampionships/schedule.asp.

Gilbert Salazar of Long Beach and Beth Woodward of Orrville, Ohio were the men’s and women’s winners of the 15th annual Surf City USA Marathon in Huntington Beach, CA on February 6, topping a record field of 3,300 entrants.

Salazar, 38, completed the 26-mile, 385-yard course in two hours, 35 minutes, two seconds. Bryce Williams of San Diego was second in 2:45:34.

Woodward was timed in 3:00:59, 3:23 ahead of runner-up Bonnie Axman of San Diego.

The race also drew capacity fields of 15,600 for its half-marathon and 1,000 for a one-mile charity run. With 400 entrants for a kids run, the total number of registered runners was 20,300, general manager Amy Tomchak said.

The increased participation continues a pattern of recent years.

Entrants for the marathon went from 2,300 in 2009 to about 3,200 runners last year while there were 12,000 registrants for the 13.1-mile half-marathon in 2009 and 13,600 last year, according to Tomchak.

One factor in the race’s growth is increased participation by runners from outside of California.

Between the marathon and half-marathon, all 50 states were represented in the race, with 40 or more runners each coming from Idaho, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Minnesota and Wisconsin, Tomchak said.

“We continue to be a little stunned at the national attention that this event brings, though it is an ideal setting for professional and amateur runners alike,” Tomchak said.

“The beach atmosphere and typically mild winter weather provides an attractive option. People across the country have been training in snow, blizzards and driving rain. Getting to come here in February to run for a surfboard medal is a postcard opportunity.”

The marathon and half-marathon fields also included runners from 18 foreign nations, topped by Canada and the United Kingdom, Tomchak said.

The Surf City USA Marathon was named among the nation’s top five marathon experiences by Marathon and Beyond.

The 26-mile, 385-yard scenic and flat marathon course includes about eight miles along a beachfront running path that is eight feet wide in some places, one reason for the field’s limited size.

The race began on Pacific Coast Highway between the Pacific Ocean and Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, then quickly passes the Huntington Beach Pier.

Miles two through nine went through Huntington Beach’s Central Park and miles 9 through 15 the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Miles 16 through 25 were on a beachfront running path paved over the sand.

The final mile took runners along Pacific Coast Highway to the finish line, also near the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Surf City USA Marathon served as a fundraiser for the Free Wheelchair Mission, an Irvine-based nonprofit group that builds and delivers specially engineered wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations.

The Run for Mobility raised more than $1.8 million in its first five years, Tomchak said.

The 2011 Ohio Northern Polar Bear Indoor Marathon took place at the ONU Sports Center on January 30th. The course was either 211 (marathon), 105.5 (1/2 marathon), or 70.3 (per person in the relay) laps on the indoor track (200 meters per lap). A member of the ONU Cross Country and Track & Field team counted each runner’s lap and record his or her times.

David Giammar of Columbus was the fastest marathoner, running 3:01:32 while Marit Janse of Fenton, MI was the first female in 3:46:54. Local runner Jeff West of Ada led the half marathoners, running 1:26:05 while Aimee Vavrek of Bellaire led the women, running 1:48:52.

A total of 23 runners completed the marathon while 11 finished the half marathon.

Registration for the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will open to the public beginning at midnight (CST) on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at www.chicagomarathon.com. The 34th annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2011, starting and finishing in Chicago’s Grant Park. Registration will be open to the first 45,000 registered participants.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the most prestigious marathons in the world, and is one of the five “World Marathon Majors.” Each year, the event delivers a fast course and builds upon a longstanding tradition of supporting the Chicagoland economy and more than 150 nonprofit organizations which raise money to advance local, national and global causes. Chicago Event Management (CEM) manages the annual event.

Participation in the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will directly benefit youth running programs in Chicago. Two dollars from each entry, along with a dollar-for-dollar match by Bank of America, will be donated to Chicago-based youth running and fitness initiatives.

The fee to register for the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is $145 for U.S. participants and $170 for participants outside of the U.S. Registration will close when the participant capacity of 45,000 is reached. More information on the race, registration and how to get involved is available at www.chicagomarathon.com.

In perhaps the biggest upset in Walt Disney World Marathon history, Fredison Costa of Brazil upstaged countryman Adriano Bastos to win the 18th Disney Marathon on Sunday morning and abruptly end Bastos’ six-year dominance at Disney.

After finishing second to Bastos at last year’s Disney Marathon, Costa, 33, crossed the finish line first this time, posting a time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, 15 seconds, to lead the field of more than 17,000 runners who ran through all four Disney World theme parks along the 26.2-mile course. Bastos, who had won the past six Disney Marathons and seven of the last eight, finished 15th (2:45:09). Michael Wardian from Arlington, Va. (2:27:37) was runner-up followed by Paul Nielsen from Orlando (2:31:45).

Costa, who now lives in El Paso, Texas, ran near the front of the lead pack early in the race, but then quickly charged into the lead well before the 10-mile mark and then steadily pulled away, winning by more than six minutes.

“I felt very strong the entire race, probably could have pushed the pace if I had to,” recounted Costa, who aspires to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games. “The weather was great and I knew the course very well after running here last year.”

Leah Thorvilson from Little Rock, Ark. was the top women’s finisher (2:42:11), celebrating her 32nd birthday by pulling a mild upset of her own in halting Lisa Mizutani‘s streak of back-to-back Disney Marathon women’s victories. Karen Simmonds-Brady from Auburn, N.Y. was second (2:51:14) and Jessica Crate from Melbourne, Fla. was third (2:51:53). Mizutani from Japan was 12th (3:05:18).

Pat Bragassa, 48, of Rigby, Idaho was the top men’s Masters Division finisher (age 40 and over) in 2:38:41, while Myriam Grenon, 42, from Canada won the women’s Masters Division (2:58:30). In the wheelchair division, Krige Schabort of Cedartown, Ga. (1:47:13) won for the third straight year and Shannon Schaffer of Kissimmee, Fla. (2:47:39) was the first wheelchair woman to cross the finish line.

On Saturday, Tim Young of Rochester Hills, Mich. edged Hansons-Brooks teammate Sage Canaday, 1:05:35 to 1:05:51, to win the 14th Walt Disney World Half-Marathon. For the women, Jenny Scherer, Delavan, Wis., was the top finisher, clocking 1:17:35.

The 2011 Disney Marathon and Half-Marathon also shattered its own marathon/half-marathon combination record total with 35,447 finishers as of Sunday; the 2010 event had 34,055 combined finishers, the previous all-time record.

In all, runners from all 50 states and 60 other countries took part in a variety of Disney Marathon Weekend events, such as the Disney Family Fun Run 5K, Mickey Mile and Mickey Marathon Kids Fest and the Disney Half-Marathon in addition to the Disney Marathon. And once again more than 5,000 runners put themselves to the ultimate test – Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, running the half-marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday.

Many runners are celebrating their accomplishments by participating in Marathon Monday – all runners who participated in the marathon receive complimentary entry into Walt Disney World the day after the race.

Registration for the 2012 Disney Marathon Weekend opens March 2011. To register or for more information on all runDisney events, visit: www.rundisney.com

18th Walt Disney World Marathon
Orlando, FL, Sunday, January 9, 2011
MEN
1) Fredison Costa (BRA), 2:21:15
2) Michael Wardian (VA), 2:27:37
3) Paul Nielsen (FL), 2:31:45

WOMEN
1) Leah Thorvilson (AR), 2:42:11
2) Karen Simmonds-Brady (NY), 2:51:14
3) Jessica Crate (FL), 2:51:53

14th Walt Disney World Half-Marathon
Orlando, FL, Saturday, January 8, 2011
MEN
1) Tim Young (MI), 1:05:35
2) Sage Canaday (MI), 1:05:51
3) Jay Lumpkins (FL), 1:08:45

WOMEN
1) Jenny Scherer (WI), 1:17:35
2) Mandy Yates (OH), 1:19:07
3) Christina DeRosa (NY), 1:19:49

Complete results and more at: www.disneyworldmarathon.com

If you’re filling out dates on your new 2011 calendar, be sure to block out January 11, 2011 for Fleet Feet Sports!

Fleet Feet Sports Cincinnati is the host of the new running documentary “Hood to Coast” at Springdale Showcase Cinemas.

This is a special, nation-wide, one-night event where you can not only see the film, but also watch a live panel discussion including some of America’s greatest names in distance running!

If you’re not familiar with the Hood to Coast, it’s one of America’s largest relay events in which 1,000 teams (12,000 runners) in 2,000 vans cover 197 grueling miles from Mt. Hood in Oregon, to the Pacific coast.

The new running documentary,follows four unlikely teams on their epic journey to conquer the race. The film captures the love, dedication, and insanity of the every day runner as well as the excitement, pain, and humor of the unprepared first timer. Their stories are reminders that no matter who you are, you can push yourself beyond where you thought your limits were.

In addition to showing the documentary, the evening will include a live Red Carpet broadcast as well as a panel discussion including appearances from: Alberto Salazar, winner of the Boston and Comrades marathons, Mary Decker Slaney double-medalist in the 1982 World Championships, and Bart Yasso the “Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World magazine, to name a few.

The film is described by one reviewer as “an incredibly uplifting and entertaining tale about joining together with people and taking on something you’d never be able to do by yourself. It just doesn’t get much better than that, so do yourself a favor and see this as soon as possible.”

We hope you’ll come see it with us!

Tickets are on sale now at www.hoodtocoastmovie.com, so don’t miss your chance to join us at the movie theater as we a celebrate the sport of running!

The Air Force Marathon has announced that they will open registration for the 2011 marathon on Saturday, January 1^st, with special sale pricing for New Year’s Day.

The 15^th annual event will be held on Saturday, September 17^th at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. In addition to a full 26.2 mile marathon, runners can also compete in a 13.1 mile half marathon, a 10K run or a 5K race.

Marathon organizers are encouraging runners to register early this year. “In 2010, every single event sold out, with more than 12,000 runners registering,” said Molly Louden, Race Director. “We are increasing our race caps to 13,000 this year in order to accommodate those runners who didn’t register in time last year, but we fully expect to sell out even earlier this year,” she added.

The Air Force Marathon also offers two pre-race meals: the Breakfast of Champions and the Gourmet Pasta Dinner, both to be held on Friday, September 16. Tickets to both events can be purchased during race registration, and both events sold out in 2010. There will also be a two-day Sports and Fitness Expo on September 15 and 16^th at Wright State University’s Nutter Center, and this event is free and open to the public. In 2010, the combined events brought an estimated $3.5-$4.7 million into the Dayton region over the three-day period.

To take advantage of this special New Year’s Day pricing, runners must register online at www.usafmarathon.com. For more information, call the Marathon office at 257-4350.

The Air Force Marathon is presented by Northrop Grumman, USAA and Boeing. It is held annually on the third Saturday in September to celebrate the anniversary of the U.S. Air Force. To commemorate our rich history in flight, each year one aircraft is chosen to be highlighted, and in 2011 the featured aircraft will be the B-1B Lancer. The B-1 Bomber is the backbone of America’s long-range bomber force, providing massive and rapid delivery of precision and non-precision weapons against any potential adversary anywhere around the globe on short notice.

LAS VEGAS – (December 5, 2010) – A party-like atmosphere and ideal running conditions greeted more than 28,000 entrants at the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & Half Marathon to Benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

Elton John and Tina Turner lookalikes were on hand to kick off the race that featured more than 300 running Elvi, a Run through Wedding ceremony and a start line extravaganza like no other, but it was an epic post-race performance by rock star Bret Michaels that stole the show.

“Never in the history of running has there been a finish line concert that generated more excitement and as much enthusiasm as Bret Michaels,” said Scott Dickey, President of the Competitor Group. “The energy was amazing and after 26.2 miles, to see thousands of runners jumping up and down with their arms in the air was incredible. This was the perfect marriage of running and entertainment on a day that can’t be referred to as anything less than monumental.”

At the 6th edition, U.S. 50K record holder Josh Cox (left, PhotoRun) won the men’s marathon, while Dorota Gruca took the women’s race on her 40th birthday. Cox, 35, who trains with Mammoth Track Club, won in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 5 seconds to earn his first ever Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series victory. Steve Dekoker of Seattle was second in 2:31:21, a personal record (PR) for the Brooks Sports employee.

“The game plan was to get the ball rolling on the back half,” said Cox, who is training to challenge the 50-kilometer world record in January at P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona where he set the U.S. mark in 2009. “I kept the horses in the barn during the first half. I was taking it one mile at a time. I was trying to keep my pace under control.”

Gruca, who lives in New Mexico, finished in 2:44:36 after taking the lead near the 20-mile mark. She won in Las Vegas for the first time after placing third in 2005 during one of the most thrilling finishes in Las Vegas marathon history, as four-runners sprinted to the finish. Beth Woodward of Orrville, Ohio took second in 2:59:04 and Beth Walsh of Encinitas, Calif. was third in 2:59:05.

“I was trying to keep the same pace the whole time,” said Gruca, who placed 30th in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Marathon competing for Poland. “I just wanted to be finished around the 22-mile mark. It’s hard. I’m very happy. I’m just going to celebrate.”

Scott Bauhs won the men’s half-marathon in 1:02:39. It was a 25-second PR and another break out performance for Bauhs, who made his road racing debut in 2007 at the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon where he came out of nowhere as top U.S. finisher. Bauhs’ new Mammoth Track Club teammate Patrick Smyth, a 7-time NCAA All-American out of Notre Dame, finished second in 1:03:31. The two ran side-by-side hitting the 15K split in 44 minutes, 20 seconds when Bauhs, 24, made his move.

“It was a great event, the atmosphere here was as good as any race I’ve ever done,” said Bauhs, whose personal best was over a minute slower than Smyth’s entering the race. “Running down the strip with the masses on my left and all the people watching, with the bands and all the giant casinos, was better than I could have imagined.”

U.S. Olympian Jen Rhines won the women’s 13.1-mile race in 1:14:57. Rhines, 36, a three-time NCAA Outdoor Track 5000m champion, has represented Team USA at three Olympic Games competing in three different events.

“It was a really fun race because the crowds were great on the first half and it was really exciting all the way up the Strip,” said Rhines, who finished more than 3 minutes ahead of the runner-up. “Today had a really good vibe and now I’m looking forward to playing some poker.”

Californians Scott Parsons and Sandy Rush won the wheelchair marathon in 1:47:08 and 2:29:26, respectively.

The event attracted more than 28,000 entrants who began the race in 44-degree temperatures, running along Las Vegas Boulevard along both sides of the Las Vegas Strip. One out of three runners competed in their first marathon or half-marathon, including retired professional boxer Fernando Vargas.

“I have never run in an event like this in my life, I wanted to take it easy and then I started picking it up and I was feeling good,” said Vargas, the two-time world champion who fought six title fights in Las Vegas throughout his career. “It was awesome.”

Vargas was joined at the half-marathon start line by 3-time Super Bowl champion Roger Craig and “Bachelor” stars Jason and Molly Mesnick, who renewed their wedding vows with 70 other couples at the event’s infamous ‘Run Through Wedding,’ which was held at the Venetian. Also making appearances were TV actors Gregory Michael “Greek”, Heather Hemmens “Hellcats” and Nicole Sullivan “$#*! My Dad Says.” At the start line in support of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, were Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez from “The Bachelorette”.

6th Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Las Vegas, NV, Sunday, December 5, 2010

MEN
1) Josh Cox (CA), 2:25:05, $2000
2) Steve Dekoker (WA), 2:31:21, $1500
3) Stalin Barros (ECU), 2:31:52, $1000

WOMEN
1) Dorota Gruca, 40, POL, 2:44:36, $2000
2) Beth Woodward (OH), 2:59:04, $1500
3) Beth Walsh (CA), 2:59:05, $1000

5th Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas ½ Marathon
MEN
1) Scott Bauhs (CA), 1:02:39, $1000
2) Patrick Smyth (CA), 1:03:31, $750
3) Matt Loiselle (CAN), 1:05:12, $500

WOMEN
1) Jen Rhines (CA), 1:14:57, $1000
2) Nicki Archer (GBR), 1:18:01, $750
3) Johanna Bonfiglio (CA), 1:19:07, $500

For complete results, photos and more, go to: http://las-vegas.competitor.com