Running Journal Race Calendar  

Kathrine Switzer, who broke down the gender barrier in long distance running when she ran the 1967 Boston Marathon, will be the the keynote speaker and guest of honor at the Space Coast Marathon weekend Nov. 26-27 at Cocoa Village in Florida. The race director of the 1967 Boston Marathon tried to physically remove her from the course but she was rescued by male runners. She completed that race and many others, winning the 1974 New York City Marathon. You can meet Switzer Nov. 26 at Running Zone from 10 a.m. to noon or at the Space Coast Marathon and Half Marathon Health and Fitness Expo at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center Complex that afternoon and will sign copies of her book, "Marathon Woman," which will be available for purchase. She will speak that evening at the pre-race dinner and will present awards on race day.

The Nashville Striders have a unique relationship with a local prison - a running program and race for prisoners. The 10th Annual Jaunt for the Joint will be held Oct. 5. Inmates at the Charles Bass Correctional Complex in Nahsville, TN, have been training for the event. A sign on the prison's recreational field, where the event will occur, says, "Home of the CBCX Stripers and Jaunt in the Joint."

Casey McDermott, new track coach at Troy University, was the winner of the Life is a Beach 5K trail run at Dothan, AL. She finished in 17:55 and all the men were behind her. Way to go, Casey! Second place went to high school junior Sean Kent, who was the overall male winner.

Running advice from Sharon Marks, president of the River City Runners & Walkers Club, Parkersburg, WV: "Remember to smile. It will make it appear easier."

Savannah (GA) Striders members preparing for the Nov. 5th Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half Marathon ran very well in the Sept. 3rd Milestone Half Marathon. Sarah Batt was first overall female finisher and Meghan McGreevy was second. Winning age groups were Cat Smiley, Andy Edwards, Chris Batt, Bill Bennett and Janice Rodriguez. Placing second in age groups were Shannon GaNun, Tharon Lambert and Sylvia Howle. Placing third were Tommy Black and Todd Smiley.

The Striders also have a new club logo. Members chose between three designs in a club contest. Winning design was from Lexi Wood, a student at Savannah College of Art and Design, who is majoring in advertising and illustration. Lexi has won numerous awards and her artwork was recently showcased at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

New Orleans Track Club to its members: "Because you choose to support NOTC through membership, NOTC is able to provide maintenance to the cross country course in City Park, support Girls on the Run, and also also allows us to support other organizations in the city with special projects and assist other non-profits in fundraising. For 23 years, your dues and entry fees have allowed us to produce five free races and three track meets every summer."

Peninsula Track Club, serving the Newport News region, is the oldest running club in Virginia (1955) and is involved in more than 35 events annually. It has more than 600 members, including six new CPR and defibrillator trained personnel available for races.

The Knoxville (TN) Track Club team won the 30th annual 200-mile Hood to Coast relay in Oregon in late August. The track club's team had finished third in 2009, then second last year. Average mile pace for the team was 5:26. Team members included Brad Adams, Jason Altman, Andy Baksa, Ethan Coffey, Stewart Ellington, Chris Kane, Michael Mentz, Elijay Shekinah, Darren Brown, Alan Horton, Max Paquette and Michael Spooner. There were more than 20,000 participants.

 Join a running club - There are many benefits to joining the local running club in your area, not the least of which is a lot of encouragement and enjoyment. Running clubs do a lot for local communities, too. Besides, you'll have more fun socializing with runners in your area. You can find information on local running clubs on the Running Journal website (www.running.net). Just click on "Resources" at the top of our page, then click on "Regional Running Clubs" in your state.

Esther Dill, who produced the North Carolina Road Runners' newsletter for the past five years, has resigned because her husband has taken a position with another racing organization - the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Replacing her as newsletter editor is Meri Kotlas.

Marshall Ulrich, famed ultramarathoner and author of "Running on Empty," will speak to members and prospective members of the Greater Fort Lauderdale (FL) Road Runners. The event will be held Oct. 6 at George English Park on Sunrise Boulevard at 8:30 p.m. Autographed books will be on sale for $20. The location is the meeting place for the club's weekly 6:30 p.m. Thursday club fun run with the talk occurring after the run.

Roy Benson, legendary track coach, will speak to the Florida Striders on Oct. 6 with dinner starting at 7 p.m. at the Orange Park Kennel Club. Benson is the founder of the Smoky Mountain Running Camp, which he has directed for 38 years. He's also an author.  

Personal stories are welcomed at Running Journal. If you have a special story to tell about running,whether about yourself or others, write it and send to RJ@Running.Net. Include a photo.

Website Articles

Patrick Makau runs world record with 2:03:38

Makau has crowned the 38th BMW BERLIN MARATHON with a world record. The 26 year-old Kenyan clocked 2:03:38, beating Haile Gebrselassie and improving the record of the Ethiopian by 21 seconds. With a dramatic surge after 27k defending champion Patrick Makau had dropped Haile Gebrselassie well behind. While the Ethiopian later dropped out after the 35k mark he lost another world record to Patrick Makau on a miserable day for him: The Kenyan had passed the 30k mark in 1:27:38, eleven seconds quicker than Haile in 2009. Split times will be officially ratified as world records if times were taken by official referees. That was the case in Berlin on Sunday. Click here for the rest of the article.

 Does Running Make You Live Longer?

 By Lena Hollmann

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