The Sourwood 5K is hosting a Practice Run each of the next two Wednesday evenings = July 29th and August 5th. They’ll start at 5:30pm and follow the exact course of the August 8th Sourwood 5K. Athletes of any pace or experience are welcome to join this free 5K practice run starting at the Cheshire Fitness Club. No registration is required but please do let us know that you’re coming via phone 828-669-1092 or email Sourwood5K@eventmercenaries.com. Check out www.Sourwood5K.com for course review.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sourwood 5K Practice Run on Wednesday Evening
The Sourwood 5K is hosting a Practice Run each of the next two Wednesday evenings = July 29th and August 5th. They’ll start at 5:30pm and follow the exact course of the August 8th Sourwood 5K. Athletes of any pace or experience are welcome to join this free 5K practice run starting at the Cheshire Fitness Club. No registration is required but please do let us know that you’re coming via phone 828-669-1092 or email Sourwood5K@eventmercenaries.com. Check out www.Sourwood5K.com for course review.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Banzai Memorial Half Marathon to benefit Whitmore | Saipan Tribune
Banzai Memorial Half Marathon to benefit Whitmore
In an attempt to have Jamie Whitmore compete in the 2010 XTERRA Saipan Championships, organizers will be donating proceeds of the 4th Banzai Memorial Half Marathon and 10K Fun Run for the inaugural XTERRA Saipan winner's return trip here. 
Whitmore is recovering from cancer and missed the last two editions of XTERRA Saipan Championships.
Several months before the Crown Jewel of the series of XTERRA races unfolds next year, organizers of the Banzai Half Marathon are hoping to raise enough money to defray the cost of Whitmore's return trip to the island. Local triathletes are hoping to bring Whitmore back on Saipan either as a guest or as a participant in XTERRA.
The Banzai race-fundraiser for Whitmore will be held on Sept. 12.
Brad Ruszala, one of the organizers of the event, is expecting to have between 65 to 100 competing in the race starting and ending at the Banzai Cliff.
Registration is at 5:30am, while the half marathon will kick off at 6pm and the fun run at 7am. Entry fee is $15.
This year's defending champions are Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel and Mamiko Oshima-Berger.
Kabiriel, who is also known as “Road Runner Bunny” topped last year's Banzai race in one hour, 31 minutes, 50 seconds, passing his 2007 record of 1:31:51. He was runner-up to record-holder Eli Torgeson (1:18:10) in the second edition of the annual event. Ronald Villafria was second last year with his time of 1:41: 55 and Yosh Gabaldon finished after clocking in at 1:44:27.
Oshima-Berger claimed the first three editions of the Banzai half marathon and posted a record last year after capping the 19-mile race in 1:35.27. She crushed her own mark of 1:38: 09 in 2006. In 2007, Oshima-Berger clocked in at 1:41:46. Maimi Shimizu and Monica Yamaguchi made it to the Top 3 after submitting 137:27 and 2:01.44, respectively.
Other finishers were Tamio Nishikido (1:49.38), Louie Tenorio (1:58:09), 2006 champion Yoshi Suzuki (2:00: 22), Keum Bae Ji (2:00:37), Florian Braig (2:02:54), Joshua Berger (2:06:13), Andrea Ozawa (2:11:31), Nate Hawley (2:12:08), Kanae Quinn (2:12:09), Renato Calage (2:24:22), Manny Sitchon (2:31:29), and Cesar Fortaleza (2:35:51).
Matt Mancao ruled the 10K run in 26:10, followed by Nate Mateo (28:34), and Fred Camacho (30:37). Mieko Carey won the women's fun run with her time of 29:48, beating Melody Matson (39:03) and Kathy Pagapular (39:38).
Running marathons to raise money for safe drinking water
abc7news.com VIDEO
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A Bay Area woman who nearly lost her life in a PG&E electrical vault explosion four years ago is raising money in San Francisco this weekend for a cause dear to her heart.
The accident changed Lisa Nash's life and motivated her to create a nonprofit that brings safe drinking water to impoverished countries around the world.
This weekend, a group of runners is taking part in the San Francisco Marathon, as part of Nash's run for water team.
Nash created blue planet run after the accident in August of 2005. She was walking on Kearny Street when the sidewalk exploded underneath her.
"I was essentially blown up in downtown San Francisco," Nash said. "I went through two years of rehabilitation and long hospitalization and I got out of that and I decided there was no time like the present and I didn't want to waste a minute."
It dawned on Nash that with 25 years of experience in corporate marketing, she could put her skills to good use. And with that, the Blue Planet Run Foundation was born.
"There are 2 million people that are killed every year because of safe drinking water diseases and 90 percent of them are children under five," Nash said.
Sunday's marathon is a reunion of sorts for people who have participated in previous Blue Planet Run marathons. Some have even come from other countries to run for this cause.
"If us getting together for this San Francisco Marathon, having a little reunion for the SF Marathon if that can raise a few dollars, save a few lives, then it's all worth," Scotland native Paul Rogan said.
"It's not charity, it's giving people what they need to help themselves," Nash said.
The goal of Blue Planet Run is to provide safe drinking water to 200 million people by 2027.
The accident changed Lisa Nash's life and motivated her to create a nonprofit that brings safe drinking water to impoverished countries around the world.
This weekend, a group of runners is taking part in the San Francisco Marathon, as part of Nash's run for water team.
Nash created blue planet run after the accident in August of 2005. She was walking on Kearny Street when the sidewalk exploded underneath her.
"I was essentially blown up in downtown San Francisco," Nash said. "I went through two years of rehabilitation and long hospitalization and I got out of that and I decided there was no time like the present and I didn't want to waste a minute."
It dawned on Nash that with 25 years of experience in corporate marketing, she could put her skills to good use. And with that, the Blue Planet Run Foundation was born.
"There are 2 million people that are killed every year because of safe drinking water diseases and 90 percent of them are children under five," Nash said.
Sunday's marathon is a reunion of sorts for people who have participated in previous Blue Planet Run marathons. Some have even come from other countries to run for this cause.
"If us getting together for this San Francisco Marathon, having a little reunion for the SF Marathon if that can raise a few dollars, save a few lives, then it's all worth," Scotland native Paul Rogan said.
"It's not charity, it's giving people what they need to help themselves," Nash said.
The goal of Blue Planet Run is to provide safe drinking water to 200 million people by 2027.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Grandmother of eight tackles off-road triathlon
The Frederick News-Post Online - Frederick County Maryland Daily Newspaper
What’s it like: Grandmother of eight tackles off-road triathlon
This is one in a series of stories that goes behind the scenes to explore the unusual, memorable, quirky things people do -- and go through -- in the course of their lives.
Danielle Ranno, a 34-year-old New Market resident, nurse and mother of three, was surfing the web not too long ago and found what she thought would be a fun event for her and mother do together.
Danielle figured her husband, Paul, could watch the kids Sunday at the Rocky Gap lake beach while she and her mom, Lynne Collard, 59, tackled the XTERRA-
series off-road triathlon at the gorgeous state park in Flintstone.
Three-quarter mile open water swim, 14-mile mountain bike trek, followed by a 5-mile trail -- just a nice, girls-only, summer day kind of thing.
Collard, a grandmother of eight, beat her daughter by 20 minutes, finishing in 3:24:59.
"I passed her on the first loop on the mountain bike trail," Collard said, smiling shyly. "I told her 'Keep going.' 'Way to go.'
"She told me, 'I don't know about this sport of yours.'"
Except for chasing her four kids, Collard didn't work out regularly until she was in her 40s. But she set her goals high, completing the Marine Corps Marathon at age 45 and later completing the Columbia Triathlon. She became a personal trainer, and ultimately fell in love with mountain biking as she turned 50.
Now nearly 60, she hardly fits the stereotypical gnarly mountain biker demographic, but she rides almost every day either at Gambrill State Park, the Frederick watershed or northern Montgomery County parks.
"I'm making up for lost time," Collard joked.
Her youngest daughter, Gabrielle Dunn, 30, a planning director for Frederick city, often serves as her mountain bike partner. Collard's oldest daughter, Nicole Kunkel, is biding her athletic time as she raises five kids. Her 27-year-old son, Christian, the youngest of her children, works out but does not race.
"We're all kind of crazy," Collard said of herself and her daughters. Of her son, she said, "We'll get him to something soon."
At the Sixth Annual XTERRA EX2 Off-Road Triathlon at Rocky Gap, Collard was the oldest woman competitor by five years. With three men, she tied for oldest competitor overall -- and her times were right the mix with the guys.
She and her daughter described the course as tough, but fair.
Danielle lost a toe clip on her mountain bike, yet was able to continue despite being a relative novice to the sport. The mountain bike segment included a few "rock gardens" as they're called in the sport, as well as a challenging climb up "Evitt's Revenge," wide fire roads, smooth grassy sections and lakeside single-track.
The 5-mile trail run included rooty trails, open flats and a big stone-faced climb.
"The run was like a rock scramble," Collard said. "There was one stretch where it was like climbing over a building -- on all fours -- not a lot of running going on. It was a challenge."
"I took a spill running," Ranno said, chuckling. "What run, anyhow? I was rock climbing."
Both agreed that simply getting outdoors -- breaking the fitness center routine and testing themselves -- was the best fun.
"The gym does get a little boring," Ranno said.
"The way I look at it," Collard said, "is you can go to a gym every day, but you still need to take it outside and see what you can do. And it gives you
something to look forward to."
At the finish Sunday, Collard was greeted by her son-in-law and Danielle's three little ones, Noah, 9, Sidney, 5, and Delaney, 2.
"I figure it's good for them to see their grandmother rockin' the bike out here," Collard said. "I guess I'm not the usual grandmother sitting in the rocking chair -- although that's a good thing, too.
"They still call me 'Old Grannie' anyhow. Even when they're rootin' for me. They yell, 'Go Old Grannie.'"
What’s it like: Grandmother of eight tackles off-road triathlon
This is one in a series of stories that goes behind the scenes to explore the unusual, memorable, quirky things people do -- and go through -- in the course of their lives.
Danielle Ranno, a 34-year-old New Market resident, nurse and mother of three, was surfing the web not too long ago and found what she thought would be a fun event for her and mother do together.
Danielle figured her husband, Paul, could watch the kids Sunday at the Rocky Gap lake beach while she and her mom, Lynne Collard, 59, tackled the XTERRA-
series off-road triathlon at the gorgeous state park in Flintstone.Three-quarter mile open water swim, 14-mile mountain bike trek, followed by a 5-mile trail -- just a nice, girls-only, summer day kind of thing.
Collard, a grandmother of eight, beat her daughter by 20 minutes, finishing in 3:24:59.
"I passed her on the first loop on the mountain bike trail," Collard said, smiling shyly. "I told her 'Keep going.' 'Way to go.'
"She told me, 'I don't know about this sport of yours.'"
Except for chasing her four kids, Collard didn't work out regularly until she was in her 40s. But she set her goals high, completing the Marine Corps Marathon at age 45 and later completing the Columbia Triathlon. She became a personal trainer, and ultimately fell in love with mountain biking as she turned 50.
Now nearly 60, she hardly fits the stereotypical gnarly mountain biker demographic, but she rides almost every day either at Gambrill State Park, the Frederick watershed or northern Montgomery County parks.
"I'm making up for lost time," Collard joked.
Her youngest daughter, Gabrielle Dunn, 30, a planning director for Frederick city, often serves as her mountain bike partner. Collard's oldest daughter, Nicole Kunkel, is biding her athletic time as she raises five kids. Her 27-year-old son, Christian, the youngest of her children, works out but does not race.
"We're all kind of crazy," Collard said of herself and her daughters. Of her son, she said, "We'll get him to something soon."
At the Sixth Annual XTERRA EX2 Off-Road Triathlon at Rocky Gap, Collard was the oldest woman competitor by five years. With three men, she tied for oldest competitor overall -- and her times were right the mix with the guys.
She and her daughter described the course as tough, but fair.
Danielle lost a toe clip on her mountain bike, yet was able to continue despite being a relative novice to the sport. The mountain bike segment included a few "rock gardens" as they're called in the sport, as well as a challenging climb up "Evitt's Revenge," wide fire roads, smooth grassy sections and lakeside single-track.
The 5-mile trail run included rooty trails, open flats and a big stone-faced climb.
"The run was like a rock scramble," Collard said. "There was one stretch where it was like climbing over a building -- on all fours -- not a lot of running going on. It was a challenge."
"I took a spill running," Ranno said, chuckling. "What run, anyhow? I was rock climbing."
Both agreed that simply getting outdoors -- breaking the fitness center routine and testing themselves -- was the best fun.
"The gym does get a little boring," Ranno said.
"The way I look at it," Collard said, "is you can go to a gym every day, but you still need to take it outside and see what you can do. And it gives you
something to look forward to."At the finish Sunday, Collard was greeted by her son-in-law and Danielle's three little ones, Noah, 9, Sidney, 5, and Delaney, 2.
"I figure it's good for them to see their grandmother rockin' the bike out here," Collard said. "I guess I'm not the usual grandmother sitting in the rocking chair -- although that's a good thing, too.
"They still call me 'Old Grannie' anyhow. Even when they're rootin' for me. They yell, 'Go Old Grannie.'"
Blind athlete to compete in XTERRA race
VAIL VALLEY, Colorado — For Boulder triathlete Michael Stone, crossing the finish line of the Beaver Creek XTERRA race on Saturday in Colorado's Vail Valley will be more than an athletic accomplishment to mark off 
his list or the completion of a tough workout. For Stone, 40, completing the off-road triathlon will be a conquering of his own fears as well as a way to inspire and encourage others, who like him, struggle with blindness. Although he has competed in Ironman competitions and endurance races all over the world, Stone said that the XTERRA will push his limits. He'll compete the championship course of the race — a mile swim, 15-mile mountain bike ride and six-mile trail run — behind his guide and friend, Ivy Koger, who will yell out warnings and directions to Stone. His goal is to qualify for the national XTERRA race in Utah and the world competition in Maui later this year.Stone was diagnosed five years ago with a degenerative eye disease called cone/rod dystrophy, which impairs the light receptors in his retina. Instead of living in darkness, like many people imagine blindness to be like, Stone's world keeps getting painfully brighter. He often can't see contrast, and his vision is dotted with blind spots. At times, he can see well enough to bike or run on pavement, and at times, he said he might as well just close his eyes.“It's like you're trying to read something, and someone is shining a couple of flashlights in your eyes,” he said. “I can't necessarily see the terrain all the time. Shadows are the worst — if it's shaded, it's like wearing a blindfold.”
his list or the completion of a tough workout. For Stone, 40, completing the off-road triathlon will be a conquering of his own fears as well as a way to inspire and encourage others, who like him, struggle with blindness. Although he has competed in Ironman competitions and endurance races all over the world, Stone said that the XTERRA will push his limits. He'll compete the championship course of the race — a mile swim, 15-mile mountain bike ride and six-mile trail run — behind his guide and friend, Ivy Koger, who will yell out warnings and directions to Stone. His goal is to qualify for the national XTERRA race in Utah and the world competition in Maui later this year.Stone was diagnosed five years ago with a degenerative eye disease called cone/rod dystrophy, which impairs the light receptors in his retina. Instead of living in darkness, like many people imagine blindness to be like, Stone's world keeps getting painfully brighter. He often can't see contrast, and his vision is dotted with blind spots. At times, he can see well enough to bike or run on pavement, and at times, he said he might as well just close his eyes.“It's like you're trying to read something, and someone is shining a couple of flashlights in your eyes,” he said. “I can't necessarily see the terrain all the time. Shadows are the worst — if it's shaded, it's like wearing a blindfold.” The inspiration
The biggest challenge of the race will be mountain biking, a sport Stone picked up a few months ago — he said he loves it, but it also “scares the hell” out of him. And understandably so. He will be navigating tough climbs on rocky roads and making his way down narrow, sometimes technical singletrack, with only Koger's wheel and directions to guide him. Part of the race's draw is that the off-road aspect is a new challenge for Stone. The race's events are representative of the outdoor sports that Stone has shied away from as his vision has gotten worse.He was inspired to compete while working on a book, which is set for release this fall. The book is a collection of vignettes gathered from people who, despite dealing with blindness, have gone on to live extraordinary lives, said Stone. “I saw people who saw far worse than I did doing amazing things,” he said. “That's when I realized I had become one of those people who was living in a significant amount of fear.”Before Stone was diagnosed, he had stopped skiing, trail running and hiking out of frustration and fear. Last winter, he began skate skiing and rediscovered the joy of the outdoors.“I was doing it and loving it,” he said. “I loved being in the trees and hearing the wind. Just because I don't see the stuff that well doesn't mean I don't appreciate it.”He realized he was fearful of everyday tasks, too, such as navigating his way through an airport and having to ask a stranger for help. “That's what pushed me to do something different,” he said. “With Ironman races, the only thing I could do more would be to do them faster, and that wasn't enough.”
Making the most of it
Stone battled with his vision throughout his life as he struggled in school and with team sports. No doctor seemed to be able to tell him what was wrong. His vision got worse and Stone, a former resort and hotel developer, would take all day to read a spreadsheet or document. He remembers being crushed when he couldn't pass the eye test for a driver's license. A specialist finally diagnosed his disease in 2004. The doctor's reaction was to ask Stone, “How have you gone through life like this?”Now, Stone races to raise money for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and the new goal has added purpose to his efforts. He is also a personal coach and trainer, especially for people struggling with some sort of physical or psychological problem.“I like working with people with some sort of challenge, such a big weight loss or a disability — ‘can't do' kind of people,” he said. “I just want to help people make the most out of each and every day. You have to realize there will be challenges and you will fall down but its how you get up that matters.”
Sideline support
Learn more about Michael Stone and other vision-impaired athletes racing for the Foundation Fighting Blindness at www.fightingblindness.org/goto/xterra
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Get ready for Sourwood 5K Road Race/Walk
Get ready for Sourwood 5K Road Race/Walk
(July 16, 2009 12:15 AM) The 21st running of the Sourwood 5K Road Race/Walk will be Aug. 8 in conjunction with the Sourwood Festival. The race will again feature the Cheshire Pump & Run where runners earn deductions off their 5K times for doing pre-race bench presses. The “Pump” portion begins at 6:45 a.m., and the 5K starts at 8:30 a.m.The 5K course features rolling hills, shade and two aid stations. Both events are held at the Cheshire Fitness Club, 25 Jane Jacob Road in Black Mountain. Entry fees are $20 for the 5K until Aug. 1, $25 after, and $25 for the Pump & Run, $30 after Aug. 1.For more information, call Event Mercenaries at 669-1902, e-mail Sourwood5K@eventmercenaries.com or visit http://www.sourwood5k.com/.
BlackMountainNews.com: This Week in the Valley
Sourwood 5K
2009 marks the 21st running of the Sourwood 5K, a premiere road run/walk held Saturday, August 8, in conjunction with the Sourwood Festival. Also returning this year is the Cheshire Pump & Run where participants earn deductions off their 5K times for doing bench presses pre-race. Both events are held at the Cheshire Fitness Club, 25 Jane Jacob Road in Black Mountain. Check out the events newly launched Web site – http://www.sourwood5k.com/ – for event info, online registration, Pump & Run rules, and course maps. Paper applications available at Cheshire and area merchants. Contact 669-1902 or Sourwood5K @eventmercenaries.com."
2009 marks the 21st running of the Sourwood 5K, a premiere road run/walk held Saturday, August 8, in conjunction with the Sourwood Festival. Also returning this year is the Cheshire Pump & Run where participants earn deductions off their 5K times for doing bench presses pre-race. Both events are held at the Cheshire Fitness Club, 25 Jane Jacob Road in Black Mountain. Check out the events newly launched Web site – http://www.sourwood5k.com/ – for event info, online registration, Pump & Run rules, and course maps. Paper applications available at Cheshire and area merchants. Contact 669-1902 or Sourwood5K @eventmercenaries.com."
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Off-road triathlon takes place in Dockton
The XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon took place on Sunday, July 12, in Dockton. Of the 96 competitors, none were from Vashon. The race began and ended at Dockton Park and consisted of a brisk swim in the Puget Sound and a cross-country bike ride and run.
Jason Jablonski of Wen-atchee took first place with a time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 42 seconds. CalPortland and local land owners allowed event organizers the use of their property for the race, and CalPortland furnished prizes for the top three male and top three female finishers.
Jason Jablonski of Wen-atchee took first place with a time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 42 seconds. CalPortland and local land owners allowed event organizers the use of their property for the race, and CalPortland furnished prizes for the top three male and top three female finishers.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Off-road racing, Nebraska style
The XTERRA America Tour, the country's premier (or at least most visible) series of off-road races, is making its inaugural appearance in Nebraska on Saturday, August 15th, giving Midwestern, dirt-loving masochists just 7 weeks to train.The XTERRA B.O.L.T. (Branched Oak Lake Triathlon...or, if you prefer, Barf On Legs, Tires...or Bring On Lunch Time!), an off-road triathlon scheduled to be held at Branched Oak State Park, features a 1km swim (broken into 2 500m laps), a 21k mountain bike, and an 8k trail run. (You can read trail reviews and get directions to the park here.)Although the solo entry fee is a bit pricey ($75), chip timing will be used for splits, and the race promotors are going to give away a whole bunch of schwag. In short, the whole thing should be a lot of fun. If you don't barf on your tires.Also, for all of you Nebraskans who can't afford to fly to Darfur but are interested in witnessing human suffering, volunteer opportunities abound.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
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