MICHIGAN RUNNING NEWS - March 5, 2003 - v.2, no.18

Sponsored by:

The Great Race, Elkhart, Indiana http://www.thegreatrace.net

The Borgess Run http://borgessrun.com

The Crim Festival of Races http://crim.org

2003 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon http://www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com

Dundee Internet Services http://dundee.net

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__/ MARCH/APRIL MICHIGAN RUNNER MAGAZINE FEATURES 25 MOST INTERESTING RACES

__/ MICHIGAN INDOOR TRACK SERIES CHAMPIONSHIPS, SATURDAY, ANN ARBOR

__/ ANNE AND JOHN GAULT TIME THE WORLDS BEST 10K

__/ RUNNING NETWORK TV: NANCY CLARK'S "FOOD GUIDE FOR MARATHONERS"

__/ EVERYONE'S IRISH DURING THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY RACING SEASON

__/ REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR 2004 WALT DISNEY WORLD MARATHON WEEKEND

__/ DANCES WITH DIRT 2003: SOLD OUT

__/ MARI CHANDLER RUNS INDOOR 1500 ON TV

__/ CORRECTION: SHAMROCK SHUFFLE ON SUNDAY, MARCH 23

__/ MICHIGAN RUNNER TV SCHEDULE OF SHOWS

__/ RACE CALENDAR Jennie McCafferty-Editor

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__/ MARCH/APRIL MICHIGAN RUNNER MAGAZINE FEATURES 25 MOST INTERESTING RACES

The March/April 2003 Michigan Runner magazine is truly a special issue. To celebrate our 25th year of publishing, we are launching a series of stories about Michigan's 25. Editor Scott Sullivan begins the series with "Michigan Runner's 25 Most Interesting Races." In the categories "Mega Races, Other Classics, Only in Michigan and Oddities", Scott, with assistance from the memories of Ron Marinucci, Art McCafferty, Ed Kozloff and Steve Webster, reminds us of the remarkable variety of on-going, past and one-time-only events.

May/June will feature the top 25 men and women runners; July/August will highlight the most influential Michigan people in running; September/October will choose the most gifted high school runners; November/December will review the top 25 books about running. Finally, the editors (Mike Duff, Dave Foley, Jennie McCafferty and Scott Sullivan) will look back over 25 years of Michigan running in the January/February 2004 issue.

March/April also includes the annual "Best of Times", "the 2003 Event Calendar", Charles Douglas McEwen's feature about world-record holder Amy Dodson, columns by Scott Hubbard, Tom Henderson, Doug Kurtis and Bob Schwartz and more. Michigan Runner is available at running stores and by subscription. http://michiganrunner.net.

__/ MICHIGAN INDOOR TRACK SERIES CHAMPIONSHIPS, SATURDAY, ANN ARBOR

The best indoor high school track and field performers will compete for the state championships this Saturday at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Field events begin at 12:15 pm; running events begin at 1:00 pm. The format encourages lots of participation: distance runners can choose to run one of three distance events. Sprinters and hurdlers can choose to run one of three events. All competitors can participate in additional relays and field events. For more information see http:// michtrack.org.

__/ ANNE AND JOHN GAULT TIME THE WORLDS BEST 10K

Last week we mentioned Paula Radcliffe's world record at the Worlds Best 10K in Puerto Rico. John Gault sent us this news about Gault Race Management's role in this historic race:

"Anne and I timed "The Worlds Best 10K;" we have done so for 3 years. Pedro Zapata is the Caribbean Championchip timer and works for Rafael Acosta who is the director of the Teodora Macosso bridge. We went to San Juan to train their people and because Pedro is busy with the many other details of the race we have continued to do the timing as a favor. Raffy continues to amaze me with the caliber of athlete he gets. He had the top three women there and although Lorna Kiplegat reinjured a hamstring while on a training run Radcliffe didn't need anyone to push her. If you consider the temperature and wind, her effort has to be one of the best ever. The women's record is still a little soft so don't expect it to last too long."

__/ RUNNING NETWORK TV: NANCY CLARK'S "FOOD GUIDE FOR MARATHONERS"

"Whether this is your first week as a marathoner or you're putting the finishing touches on your training diet," Nancy Clark speaks your language," says John "the Penguin" Bingham in his introduction to Nancy's new book: Food Guide for Marathoners. We talked to Nancy just before she ran the 2003 Walt Disney World Half Marathon.

__/ EVERYONE'S IRISH DURING THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY RACING SEASON

Silliness gets a little confused with serious racing as the racing season begins to ramp up with St. Patrick's Day races.

--St. Patrick's Parade Corktown Races, Sunday, March 16, 12:30 pm, Detroit.

The United Irish Societies sponsor this popular Detroit race in the Irish Corktown neighborhood. Everyone will finish the 4 mile or or 1.5 mile runs/walks in time to watch Detroit's St. Patrick's Day Parade. Start is at the old Tiger Stadium on Michigan and Cochrane. http:// motorcitystriders.com.

--Shillelagh, Flushing, Saturday, March 22, Noon

"You don't need a Shillelagh (leprechaun's walking stick) to run this 14th annual four miler, but you might want to bring a sweatshirt. Race starts from Fluishing High at noon and finishes at the corner of Cherry and Main streets. "We try to do something special with the t-shirt," says Anne Gault of Riverbend Striders, which coordinates the race. Register online at http://gaultracemanagement.com.

--Charles Douglas McEwen.

--Spectrum Irish Jig 5K, East Grand Rapids, March 15

West Michigan's traditional race-season kickoff has a new course for its 20th edition, starting and ending at East Grand Rapids Middle School. Gun sounds at 9:00 am. Last year's Jig drew close to 2,800 runners, most wearing green and some dressed as leprechauns. There's a $3,400 pot 'o gold ain prizes for the speedy. Irish-style fellowship and shenanigans for all. http://spectrum-health.org.

--Scott Sullivan

-- St. Patrick's Day Pot 'O Gold, Flint, Monday, March 17, 5:30.

Always held on St. Patrick's Day itself, the Pot 'O Gold in Flint features other traditions, too. The team competition is part of the fun. Look for the Oakland University Men's Cross Country team wearing their traditional dresses. Both the kids run at 5:30 pm and the four mile at 6:00 pm start at the Character Inn, at the Crim starting line. http://completerunner.com.

__/ REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR 2004 WALT DISNEY WORLD(R) MARATHON WEEKEND

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend features a half marathon, 5K, and expo, too. Register soon as these races fill up early. As the Disney folks say, "Any marathon will challenge your strength and test your endurance. Only one will encourage you to run away with your imagination." I agree; there's nothing quite like running through Cinderella's castle and singing along with "Zippety-Do-Dah". The 2004 weekend is January 9-11, 2004. Register today at: http://www.disneyworldsports.com/marathonroadraces and let your imagination run.

__/ DANCES WITH DIRT 2003: SOLD OUT

"On Saturday, March 1st, the 275, five-person team relay limit was filled in just a few short hours during a cold day In Hell, Michigan. On a first come basis, teams came in person to enter their teams for the September event. After the sign up rush, runners left the warmth of the campfire to run, slip and slide in the extreme winter terrain.

Dances With Dirt, the Midwest's premier and severe adventure run and relay is slated for September 6, 2001. Over 1,600 extreme trail running athletes from around the world will converge for this romp in the Swamp and test of human endurance.

Saturday, March 1st was the first of a series of monthly "Pre-Dirt Runs" leading up to the September event. These no cost runs are open to all at no fee. The pre runs allow racers to preview (RUN) the 15 legs of the course and gives the "shut out" runners an opportunity to be a part of the DWD excitement."

-- Dances with Dirt Press Release

__/ MARI CHANDLER RUNS INDOOR 1500 ON TV

As ESPN covered the USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships on TV last Saturday we noticed that Alan Webb got a lot of verbal air-time as he ran to a 7th place in the 1500 behind Jason Lunn's first place. A half hour later, former Central Michigan star Mari Chandler also ran for a 7th place finish in the 1500. Winner Regina Jacobs got most of the attention, but it was fun watching the East Tawas native compete with the nation's best. Chandler is competing with the Nike Farm Team.

__/ CORRECTION: SHAMROCK SHUFFLE ON SUNDAY, MARCH 23

In last week's news we listed the Shamrock Shuffle with the wrong date. The popular 8K prize-money race is on Sunday, March 23. Running Network TV will be there to capture the action. Thanks go to Jason Ruge for catching the error. http://shamrockshuffle.com.

__/ MICHIGAN RUNNER TV SCHEDULE OF SHOWS

The Michigan Runner TV Show (http://michiganrunner.tv) is featuring the following Internet Television shows this season. Some shows will be also be featured on the Running Network (http://runningnetwork.com).

**Interviews**

Dick Beardsley- Staying The Course (Now Showing)

Keith and Kevin Hanson-Olympic Development Program Part I (Now Showing)

Nancy Clark-Food Guide for Marathon Runners (Now Showing)

Frank Shorter-Catching the Cheaters (Begins showing March 7)

John Goodridge-Coaching College Distance Runners

Keith and Kevin Hanson-Olympic Development Program Part II

Allan Steinfeld-Directing the New York Marathon

Mark Will-Weber- The Quotable Runner

**Events**

Michigan Indoor Track Series Championship (High School)

Running Fit-Trail Marathon and Half Marathon-Pinckney, MI

Shamrock Shuffle-Chicago, IL

Forest City Marathon and Half Marathon- London, Ontario

The Great Race-Elkart, IN

Heart Run-Washington, DC

Komen Race for the Cure(R), Detroit, MI

Crim Festival of Races, Flint, MI

Celebrate Westlake, Westlake, OH

Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank International Marathon

25th Annual Big Bird Run-Roseville, MI

Belle Isle 33rd New Years Eve Run, Belle Isle, Detroit, MI

__/ RACE CALENDAR

Saturday, March 8

* Born to Run in Support of Hepatitis C, Sterling Heights, Dodge Park, 10:00 am, 5KR/W, Sherry, (586)983.3679, cain1501@comcast.net

* Michigan Indoor Track Series Championship, Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, 1:00 pm, Richard Chenault, 734-747-8235, chenault@rc.net

Sunday, March 9

* Churchill's Half Marathon, 13.1 MR, Monclova, Ohio, 1:00 pm, Tony Bayford, 419.472.09077, http://www.toledoroadrunners.org

Sunday, March 16

* St. Patrick's Corktown Races, 4MR, 1/4M Kids., 1. MR/W, 12:30 pm, Detroit, http://motorcitystriders.com

Monday, March 17

* St. Patrick's Day Pot 'O Gold, 4MR/W, kids' run, Flint, 5:30 pm, http:// completerunner.com

Saturday, March 22

* Shillelagh Four Mile, 4MR/W, Flushing, John Gault, 810.659.6493, http://riverbendstriders.com

Sunday, March 23

* LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle, 8K, 5KW, Kid's Run, Chicago, http:// shamrockshuffle.com

Saturday, March 29

* Martian Marathon and Half Marathon, 26.2 MR, 13.1 MR, 20MR, 8:00 am, Northville, 248.347.4568, http://martianmarathon.com

Saturday, April 5

* Flushing Township Run, 1/2 marathon, 5K, 9:30 am, http:// gaultracemanagement.com

Saturday, April 26

* Borgess Run for the Health of It, 1/2 marathon, 5KR/W, 5K judged racewalk, 8:40 am, http://www.borgessrun.com

* Road Ends Trail Run, 5MR, 9:00 am, Pinckney, http:// trailmarathon.com

Sunday, April 27

* Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, 26.2 MR, relays, 10KR, 8:20 am, http:// clevelandmarathon.com

* Running Fit Trail Marathon and Half Marathon, Pinckney, 8:00 am, http://trailmarathon.com

Wednesday, April 30

* The Fit 5K, Novi, 6:30 pm, http://runningfit.com

Michigan Runner family of Websites:

Michigan Runner http://michiganrunner.net

Michigan Runner Archives http://michiganrunner.com

Michigan Runner TV http://michiganrunner.tv

Running Network: http://runningnetwork.com