USATF-NE Headline News

The Annual Meeting of USATF New England will take place on Sunday, September 22 at the Westin Waltham Hotel, 70 Third Avenue, Waltham MA 02451 at I-95 Exit 27-A.

Athlete of the Month presentations start at 4:00 p.m. and the business meeting begins at 5 p.m. All USATF-NE members as of August 1 age 18+ on the meeting date are eligible to vote. We hope all clubs will have at least one representative at the meeting.

There will be elections for sports chairs and athlete reps (board officers are in the middle of a two year term). Anyone interested in running for these spots can contact the office. Reports on 2013 and future projects will be presented and the selection process for the 2014 Road Race Championship Grand Prix will be discussed. One change to the association bylaws will be presented for vote, and delegates to the national meeting will be selected.

The full meeting agenda and positions open for election will be posted by August 23 at USATF-NE board page.

Bob Cedrone spins the 98 pound weight.
Photo: Gary Dixon

USATF New England throwers threw their weights around and returned from the USA Masters Throws Championships with a variety of medals. In the throws pentathlon (shot, weight, hammer, discus, javelin), Mary Roman (Mass Velocity) won in the W75 age division, Ron McConnell (Vergennes VT) won M50 and Tim Morse (Twilight Throwers/Hingham MA) was 3rd M55.

The Superweight results found Roman and McConnell winning second golds, and Twilight Throwers sweeping the M55 division, Joseph Benoit, Bob Cedrone (Stoughton MA), and Morse going 1-2-3. The final event of the the weekend, the Ultra Weight Pentathlon - those are _really_ heavy implements - gave Roman a third win, Kevin Gleason (Twilight Throwers/Lowell MA) and McConnell medaling at 2-3 in M50, and Benoit, Cedrone, and George Castelli producing another Twilight sweep.

Find all the implement weights and distances thrown at the Results page.

Photo: Carlene Vaitones

USATF New England and the New England Walkers hosted the 25th annual USA vs Canada Junior Race Walk Match at East Boston Park on August 4. The longest continuously contested national team match for both countries, the US won both the men's and women's team titles. Though no association athletes qualified for the 5 walker USA teams, several local club walkers were able to experience the international event by racing as guest competitors.

Complete RESULTS and photos on the USATF-NE walk page.

Christin Doneski is USATF-NE Athlete of the Month
Photo: www.scottmasonphoto.com

Christin Doneski of Hopkinton, New Hampshire, is USA Track & Field - New England's Athlete of the Month for July 2013.

During the month, the member of Whirlaway Racing Team secured wins in both the masters (age 40+) and overall divisions of the USATF-NE Mountain Running Circuit with locally leading placings in the final two circuit races. At the Loon Mountain race in Lincoln NH on July 7, Doneski was the overall and masters women's winner in a record time for the 40+ division. Two weeks later at the Cranmore Hill Run in North Conway, NH on July 21, which served as both the U.S. Mountain Running Championships and the NACAC (North American, Central American and Caribbean) Championships, she had another strong outing. Against a national field, she was first New England finisher, second in the 40+ division, and 12th overall in the women's race. She closed the month on July 27 by placing first master and 7th overall at the USATF-New England 5 Mile Championship run held at the Carver Cranberry 5 Mile, leading her team to the 40+ win.

See the full list of USATF-NE Athletes of the Month.

Clare Martin medalled in the 1500m at the 2013 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships.
Photo: Emily Martin

New England youth won fourteen medals at the USA Junior Olympic National Championship last week. Emma Fitzgerald (Braintree MA) won three medals in the 15-16 division - heptathlon 1st, 4698 points; javelin, 2nd 149-5; high jump 4th 5'5". Alva Hicks (Providence RI) had two medal placings in the15-16 division - hammer, 2nd 160'2"; discus, 8th 117'4".

In field events, Owen Russell (Attleboro MA) was third in the 15-16 hammer, 175'9", TJ Noonan (Waltham TC) was third in the 17-18 javelin at 182-1, and Brooke Kane (Granite State Flash) was fourth in the 11-12 high jump at 4-11.

On the track, Maxwell DiMuccio (Sentinel Strider) was fifth in the 11-12 3000 10:19.11; Caroline Fischer (Granite State Flash) was fifth in the 11-12 1500 4:59.64; Gabrielle Vandendries (Waltham TC) was seventh in the 13-14 3000, 10:45.08; Nolan Allen (Waltham TC) was 7th in the 13-14 3000m race walk, 17:53.80; and Clare Martin (Waltham TC) was eighth in the 13-14 1500 meters, 4:53.06.
Scoring in the combined events was Kyle Faddis (BAA Masconomet), 7th in the 13-14 pentathlon, 2586 points. (With over 200 individual events, we apologize if we've missed anyone).

The 2014 Junior Olympic Nationals will take place in Houston, Texas, July 22-28.

Kate Hails (259) was third in the women's race.
Photo: USATF-NE

Tim Ritchie (BAA) and Stephanie Reilly (Team RUN) led the field at the Carver Cranberry 5 Mile USATF-NE Championship in Carver MA. The three time championship race had 538 finishers in warm but not oppressive conditions.

The men's race came down to a finish kick, and Ritchie was stronger down the homestretch as his 23:59 was 4 seconds faster than Ruben Sanca (Whirlaway). Depth of finishers gave the B.A.A. the team win by a 1:59 margin over Team RUN. Women's winner Reilly won her third NE Championship of 2013 by almost a minute over the B.A.A.'s Carly Shea (27:48-28:43). New Balance Boston, the only club with two finishers in the top 10, were women's team winners. 115 of the top 135 finishers overall sported club affiliations.

After a masterful performance at the US Mountain Championship a week ago, Christin Doneski (Whirlaway) was first 40+ and 7th overall. Whirlaway swept the 10 year division honors as Maria Servin was top 50+ (3rd over 40), and Karen Durante took the 60+ group. The club won both the 40+ and 50+ team honors as well.

Men's age groupers were led by Binney Mitchell of Green Mountain AA and Burlington VT ran to his first New England Championship masters win. Also top place in their divisions were Mark Reeder (Gr.Lowell RR, 50+), Richard Larsen (Sugarloaf Mt.AC, 60+), and Denny Leblanc (Gr.Lowell RR, 70+). Whirlaway men matched the club's women's 40+ and 50+ team titles, and Cambridge Sports Union won their third straight 60+ trophy.

Full Results are posted online.

Race 5 in the Grand Prix heads to the Massachusetts North Shore in six weeks with the Long Gull 10K in Gloucester on September 15.

The USATF Junior Olympic Nationals opened on Monday in steamy conditions in North Carolina, and five New England association athletes earned medals on the first two days of competition. Emma Fitzgerald (Braintree MA) won the gold medal in the 15-16 heptathlon with 4698 points. Other taking medals were Alva Hicks (Providence RI) 2nd, 15-16 hammer, 160'2"; Owen Russell (Attleboro MA), 3rd, 15-16 hammer, 175'9"; Nolan Allen (Arlington MA/Waltham TC) 7th, 13-14 3000m race walk, 17:53.80, and Kyle Faddis (Boxford MA/BAA Masconomet), 7th, 13-14 pentathlon, 2586.

The competition, with over 5000 entrants in age groups from 7-8 through 17-18, continues through Sunday. Follow the results at usatf.org or watch action at www.USATF.tv.

Morgan Arritola (Ketchum ID) wins the USA Mountain Running Championship atop Cramore Mountain.
Photo: www.joeviger.com

Sunday's Cranmore Hill welcomed international and local runners to an event that served multiple functions in the national and New England Mountain Running calendar. The event hosted the USA Mountain Running Championship, the annual North American / Central American / Carribean (NACAC) title race (with finish order USA - Canada - Mexico in both men's and women's scoring), the and the races closed the 2013 USATF New England Mountain Circuit. The scoreboard posted 279 finishers in the separate women's and men's races who rolled multiple loops over the roughly 4K loop in a down-and-up format to mimic the 2013 World Mountain Running Championship course.

As the 2013 USA Championship, the race doubled as the USA team selection race, and the top 4 women and 6 men "selected themselves" by finish place for the Worlds in Poland this the fall. Women's race winner Morgan Arritola (Ketchum Idaho) a 2010 Olympian in cross country skiing, ran 42:31 for her two laps, 19 seconds up on Stevie Kremer (Crested Butte CO). USA Olympic marathoner Magdalena Boulet - who noted that this was the toughest race she'd ever run - placed third. An hour after the women's start, the men took to the course. Joe Gray (Renton WA/Club Northwest) won his fifth NACAC title and the US crown, surging up the last uphill to clock 56:23 and besting Zachary Ornelas (Ann Arbor MI) by just 5 seconds, and 2011 World Champion Max King by 22 seconds.

The top New England finishers both sported Whirlaway Racing Team colors, Christin Doneski placing 12th overall, just ahead of NE scorers Kristina Folcik (Northwood NH) and past World Champion Kasie Enman (Huntington VT/BAA) who is returning from maternity leave. Doneski was also 2nd overall in the 40-44 division; other division winners were Jackie Shakar (50+, CSU/Sutton MA) and Elaine Dill (60+, Monson MA). Western Mass Distance Project, with Dawn Roberts, Ashley Krause, and Abby Mahoney in 18-29-20, were team champions. Pacing NE men was Eric MacKnight,11th overall and 10th US in 1:01:14; men's age groupers were topped by Todd Callahan (40+, Beverly MA/Gate City Striders), Paul Bazanchuk (50+, Center Conway NH/CMS), Len Hall (60+, Enfield NH/GCS), and Peter Orni (70+, Ashburnham MA/NMC). Gate City beat CMS for the team win by just 3 seconds.

Over 80 runners earned Mountain Goat status - running the full 5 race mountain circuit and earning a guaranteed entry into the 2014 Mount Washington Road Race. Full Results here with circuit final scoring to be posted this week at the Mountain/Trail page.

Meredith Nelson, a fixture in Rhode Island's road running scene for 40 years, died suddenly on Friday at age 69. Her career was as an elementary school teacher in the Warwick RI Public School system, though she was known in the sport for her work in road race management. She founded Organization Plus Road Race Managment Services, both managing and timing events, but also spent much time advising new events of all sizes in the Ocean State and supporting local runners, helping make the state's road running scene one of the most active in the country many years before the current running "boom". She helped set the standard in New England for quality road race results in days before computers and chips. Merri had also served as a member of the USATF New England registration committee s in the organization's formulative years in the early 1980's.

2013 National Masters Outdoor Championship, Olathe, KS
Photo: Chris McConnell

The USA National Masters Track & Field Championships ran in Olathe, Kansas for the first time, and many local masters headed west for the four days of competition. The meet was a few weeks earlier than usual, but that didn't keep competitors from being in peak form.

Leading the gold rush for New Englanders, as usual in recent years, was Flo Meiler (79, Shelburne VT/Mass Velocity) who brought home a basket of medals in the W75 division - pole vault 6-0; long jump 8-9.5; 80m hurdles, 21.70; 200m hurdles 52.03; discus 64-5; and pentathlon 3434.

Katrina Geurkink (Hanover NH/Thor's Stone AC) had four wins in the W50 division throws; hammer 113-0, shot put 36-4.75, weight 35-6, and discus 104-4. A pair of women had two wins; Mary Roman (Norwalk CT/Mass Velocity), W75 hammer 76-3 and weight 33-6 and Barbara Jordan (So.Burlington VT/Mass Velocity) W75 100 17.75 and triple jump 19-9.

Other Individuals also making the top step of the podium were Rebecca Connolly (Wilmington MA/Mass Velocity) W45 pentathlon 2643; Buzz Gagne (Concord, NH/Twilight Throwers) M65 javelin 154-8; Warren Graff (Merrimack MA/Mass Velocity) M65 300 hurdles, 54.93; Jerry LeVasseur (Brunswick ME/NE 65+ RC), M75 10,000 m 1:03:53.86; Tim Morse (Hingham MA/Twilight Throwers) M55 weight throw, 55-11; and Carl Wallin (Lebanon, NH/Thor's Stone), M70 shot put 44-3.25.

Mass Velocity Track Club finished fourth in the team scoring, as 120 clubs were represented. Check the Full Results from the meet.

Competing on the same stage that world class competition has set world records on, youth from New England and five other associations had three days of spirited competition at Icahn Stadium in New York City at the USATF Region I Junior Olympics. A new schedule went off well, and despite the sun and heat, the stadium and neighboring structures provided adequate shaded for participants and spectators. The host New York association presented a well run event for well over 1500 youth.

The New England association had large participation and produced a representative share of champions and medal winners. Those finishing in the top 5 (top 2 in combined events) are eligible to advance to the National meet July 22-28 in Greensboro North Carolina.

Check the Complete Results from the weekend. The Region I meet is scheduled for New England in July 2014.

Alex Niemiec, a senior at Chicopee Comprehensive High School, is USA Track & Field - New England's Athlete of the Month for June 2013. On June 8 at the New England High School Track & Field Championships in New Britain Connecticut, Niemiec won the long jump with a distance of 24'11", breaking a 21 year old meet record and bettering second place by 1'7". Just 5'7" tall, Alex also placed third in the high jump at the New Englands at 6'6" and has a season best of 6'8".

Niemiec also won those two events (high jump/long jump) at the Massachusetts State Meet on June 1. The freshman-to-be at Springfield College was also named Massachusetts Gatorade Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year during the month.

See the full list of USATF-NE Athletes of the Month.

Lisa Wilson (GBTC) took the shot put, discus and hammer throw titles at the USATF Club Nationals. (Photo: Tom Dederian)

Lisa Wilson (GBTC) took the shot put, discus and hammer throw titles at the USATF Club Nationals.
Photo: Tom Derderian

Lisa Wilson (Greater Boston TC) won three throwing events at the USATF Club Nationals, helping her club to a fourth place finish in the USA National Club Championship held at Icahn Stadium in New York. The UMass alumna took the shot put (13.88m), discus (46.59m) and hammer (55.81m) for 30 of the club's 85 points. The meet was won by Central Park Track Club (216.5) followed by Norfolk Real Deal (VA) in 153. The only other women's winner from New England was Hope Rathnam (GBTC) in the steeplechase, 11:46.00.

In the men's results, Andre Reid (GBTC) was the only winner from the association putting the shot a strong 18.73m/61'5 1/2". Teammate Brian Powlen had the only other NE medal performance, third in the discus at 60.98m. Greater Boston was top New England team in 7th (29 points) behind Garden State TC (277) and Central Park TC (150).

Icahn Stadium is a Class I IAAF Certified facility, one of only 4 in the USA. Complete results are at the USATF website.

Six New England youth - age 16-17 in 2013 - had top 6 placings at the US Trials meet for next month's World Youth Track & Field Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine. Emma Fitzgerald (Braintree MA) won the 500g javelin in a new meet record 167'10" and placed third in the heptathlon with 4682 points. Adam Kelly (Barrington RI) was third in the 5K hammer 225'3", and fellow Ocean Stater Bianca Donadio (Providence) was sixth in the girls 3K hammer, 162'9". On the track, Maddie Berkson (Providence) was fourth in the 800, 2:09.03, and Garrett O'Toole (Weston MA) finished fifth in the 1500, 4:05.05, while in the long jump, Andre Bolze (Hingham MA) was fifth in the long jump, 22'3 1/2" (and also ran the 200 meter trials). Athletes faced hot weather with several competition times delayed by storms. None of the New Englanders were selected for the USA team, which was through a committee selection based on a combination of place, performance and other criteria.

Sunday at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championship in Des Moines, Iowa, USATF NE board member Justin Kuo, an official at this year's USA Championship, was presented the "GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD" on behalf of the City of Boston by the president of the USA Track & Field Alumni Association, Sharrieffa Barksdale. The award reads

"The USATF Alumni Association presents the 'GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD' to the City of Boston For Your Heroic Acts of Bravery, Personal Courage and Self Sacrifice, while providing protection, aid and comfort to the victims and their families following the tragic events at the 2013 Boston Marathon. Your acts symbolize the spirit and tradition of competition, which is the embodiment of the USATF Alumni Association. We are inspired by your selfless service and commitment to the City by the Citizens of the City.
USA Track & Field Alumni Association.
Champions in sport, Champions for Life.

Justin noted afterward, "I was honored and humbled to accept the award on behalf of all those involved with the 2013 Boston Marathon." For all of us back in New England, thanks, Justin.

Bryant Wang won both the 110 and 400 hurdles
Photo: Tom Derderian

The USATF-New England Open and Masters Track & Field Championship took place at Regis College on Sunday. Running on the lead-in to this week's heat wave, it drew over 200 open and masters competitors. Greater Boston TC repeated as team champions, edging Dare 2 Dream and New Balance Boston on the men's side, with FAST TRACK and Mass Velocity finishing 2-3 in the women's standings. The Preliminary Results will be finalized on Tuesday.

Next meet on the NE schedule is the MIT Summer Meet 1 on Sunday, June 30 with many events for youth ,open, and masters (no long throws).

Young Women's 400 meter hurdles
Photo: Vera Vaitones

A record crowd took part in Saturday's USATF-New England Junior Olympic Track & Field Championship at Fitchburg State University. The 776 entrants was over 150 more than ever before, and both track and field event areas had little quiet time from 9:45 a.m. to 6:30 PM, as more flights and sections were required to service all 6 age divisions. The Fitchburg State facility again proved to be the ideal site for the JO meet; thanks to their staff and the many officials who put in a long day.

All results need to be reviewed before being posted as final, but the Preliminary Results can be found at our website. They will be finalized on Wednesday morning, at which time the top 8 in each event may register at CoachO.com for the Region I JO Championships to be held at Icann Stadium in New York City July 5-7.

Region I Information - Note the format has changed since 2012.

Tim Ritchie continued his successful road racing season by placing fourth at the USA half marathon championship in Duluth MN on Saturday. The BAA runner ran 1:02:29 and earning $4000 for his effort. Winner Mo Trafeh (Duarte CA) clocked 1:01:17, ahead of 2008 Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi (1:02:22). Read a summary at RunningUSA.org

Women's start at Hollis Fast 5K
Photo: Wayne Flannigan

Tim Ritchie (BAA) and Erica Jesseman (Dirigo) took advantage of the point-to-point downhill course to win New England titles at the Hollis Fast 5K on Thursday evening. The pair ran the second fastest men's (13:48) and women's (15:31) 5K times in New Hampshire road racing history in the rainy conditions.

The race had its largest participation ever, and closed to all but USATF-NE members well in advance of the day; there were 1397 finishers with 22 runners breaking 15:00. Men's team wins went to BAA over Western Mass. Distance Project in the open division, Dirigo RC who got the better of Whirlaway in both M40 and M50, and CSU in M60. Whirlaway women swept the open/40/50 team trophies.

Full race results. Series standings will be posted at the GP pages after verification.

Four new members will be inducted into the Mt.Washington Road Race Hall of Fame on the eve of the 53rd running of the 7.6 mile uphill challenge. Runners Jonathan Wyatt, Simon Gutierrez and J'ne Day-Lecore own a significant number of wins and records among them. But just as important an inductee is Bob Teschek whose 29 year directorship brought the event to a new level and international prominence.

The Hall of Fame began with the 50th running of the Mt. Washington Road Race in 2010.Check out the race history at mountwashingtonroadrace.com.

James Randon running the 3000m at the 2013 ISTA League Championships.
Photo: Desiree Sheff

James Randon, a senior at the Middlesex School in Concord, MA, is USA Track & Field - New England's Athlete of the Month for May 2013. On May 23, James ran 4:09.39 in the "Dream Mile" at the Adidas Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium in New York City. Randon's mark was the 8th all-time Massachusetts scholastic outdoor mile. His successful spring season also included a win in the 1500 meters at the Brown Springtime Open with a time of 3:49.43 (2nd fastest high school time in the US for 2013), the Independent School Championship 3000 meter title in a meet record time of 8:20.80, and New England Prep School Division III championships at 800 and 1500 meters.

See the full list of USATF-NE Athletes of the Month.

Whirlaway runners Brandon Newbould and Christin Doneski led 131 runners over about 7 miles of multiple up-and-down trails at Bretton Woods NH on Sunday. Doneski was also top 40+, wtih Jackie Shakar (CSU) and Elaine Dill repeating their 50+/60+ positions from the first two races. Men's age division winners were Todd Callaghan (40+), Len Hall (50+) and John Martin (60+). Facing unseasonable heat, the Mountain/Ultra/Trail committee determined that those who did not finsih will still get participation credit for "Mountain Goat" status.

The third event in the 2013 USATF-NE Mountain Circuit, the fells race was added after the cancellation of this year's Pack Monadnock race. A fells race is unique in having a starting and finish locations, but giving several options to get from beginning to end; a shorter route is likely more difficult that the longer path.

Dave Dunham has posted circuit standings and stats at his blog.

For the fifth consecutive year, National Running Day, promoted by Running USA, will help new runners get started, or prompt longer time runners to try a fresh aspect of the sport on Wednesday, June 5.
"National Running Day is a wonderful way to bring people together to promote running and its many benefits. Running USA and its members encourage everybody to invite a friend or group to run on June 5 to celebrate the essence of running," said Ryan Lamppa, Running USA's media director.

For runners looking to use the day to put a new twist on their own running, USATF-NE hosts the third Mini-Meet of the season at M.I.T. in Cambridge MA at 6:30, with low-key events from 100 meters to the mile for ages 6 to 60+ on Steinbrenner Track.

More about National Runing Day and Running USA at RunningUSA.com.

The 2013 USATF-NE Mountain Circuit completed the second race at Mt.Wachusett on Saturday with a new distance and new course. The long used uphill road route and recent rolling loop of pavement and rugged trails gave way to a 10K up-over-the-top-and down route this year.

Whirlaway teammates Eric MacKnight and Brandon Newbould went 1-2 with Jacob Barnett (SRR) taking bronze. Women's results had the top 3 within 22 seconds; Abby Mahoney (WMDP), Kristina Folcik and top master Christin Doneski (Whirlaway). Additional overall division winners: M40+ Todd Callaghan, GCS (7 overall); M50+ Craig Fram, WRT; M60+ Brandon Kowloon (CT); M70+ George Gilder; W50+ Jackie Shakar, CSU; W60+ Elaine Dill. Full Results, and soon-to-be-posted photos by Scott Mason .

Series races run the next two weekends in the build up to Mt.Washington - the new Bretton Woods NH Fells race on June 2 and Mt.Ascutney VT on June 9. Find the links at usatfne.org/trail. Circuit scoring should be posted early this week at the website.

A pair of Massachusetts preps moved high into the all-time state rankings in the mile, running in blustery conditions at the adidas HS Dream Mile held in the adidas Grand Prix meet, an IAAF Diamond League competition, in New York City on Saturday.

Middlesex School (Concord) teammates James Randon (9th) and Garrett O'Toole (14th) ran 4:09.39 and 4:12.12, respectively, Randon's time ranking him 8th all-time Mass. outdoor miler, and O'Toole's mark is in the top 20 after doing pacesetting duties. Finishing second in the race, Connecticut's Henry Wynne (Staples) set a new state record of 4:05.04. Thanks to Larry Newman for the stats.

In the men's 5000, New Hampshire's Ben True ran 13:16.94, just shy of his personal best for the distance. Results, stories, and photos at diamondleague-newyork.com.

Online entry is now open for the June 22 USATF-NE Junior Olympic Track & Field Championship meet at Fitchburg State University. Online is the only method of entering, using the CoachO.com system, at usatfregistration.com/meet/entry/ma_usatfyouth02/. Be sure to read the entry rules and restrictions. Entry will be open through midnight, June 19. Both officiating and volunteer help is needed, as the past two years have been the largest NE Junior Olympic meets ever in the association.

Dan Harper (BAA) won the NE 10,000m championship at Boston Twilight #2
Photo: Tom Derderian

Dan Harper (BAA) and Sydney Fitzpatrick (New Balance Boston) won USATF-NE 10,000 meter championships in races held with New Balance Boston Twilight Meet #2 at U.Mass-Lowell on Saturday night. Harper recorded a commendable 30:25.92 for the overall win, followed by Stephen Polito (NBB, 31:09.96), and Brian Masterson (Dartmouth, 31:17.89). Fitzpatrick clocked 34:17.57 and finished second overall in the women's race, won by Sarah Cummings of NYAC. Larissa Park (Somerville RR) and Melissa Nash (BAA) finished 2-3 in the NE title standings, scoring points for their club. The full USATF-NE Championship meet will be held on Sunday, June 23, at Regis College. Online entry is available at the Track page.

Full 10,000m results, and Twilight Meet 2 complete results

The 2013 USATF-NE Mountain Circuit opened on Sunday at the Sleepy Hollow Race in Huntington VT with their largest field ever, 168 finishers. Leading the way in the event, which also served as the USATF-NE Mountain Championship, were Josh Ferenc (BAA) and Christin Doneski (Whirlaway), with the latter also taking Masters honors. Todd Callaghan (Gate City), in fifth, was Men's Masters Champ. Winning in the 50+ division were Ernest Brake (CMS, 10th overall) and Jackie Shakar (CSU), and in the 60+ division, John Martin (CCAC) and Elaine Dill (GSH). AcidoticRACING won both team titles.

Full Results and Photos by Scott Mason (to be posted shortly).

The 117th Boston Marathon, held on April 15, is recipient of USA Track & Field - New England's Athlete of the Month award for April 2013. This honor is being given to the B.A.A., to all who ran the marathon, to all who assisted with the race in any capacity, to all who participated as spectators, to the first responders and medical personnel in the finishing area, and especially to all who have suffered losses. It is the first time an event has been named as the recipient of the award.

James Joyce Ramble M70 team and individual winners, and Jan Holmquist.
Photo courtesy of Jan Holmquist

The 30th unabridged edition of the James Joyce Ramble hosted the 2013 USA Masters 10K on Sunday, and New England association clubs and runners were well represented at the top of the results. Kara Haas (Gr.Lowell/Chelmsford MA) was overall women's winner in 37:51, and Kent Lemme (Gr.Springfield/Pittsfield MA) ran 2nd overall among men at 33:08. Jan Holmquist (68, Liberty AC/Burlington MA) earned the top overall age graded performance in 46:06, with Norm Larson (57, GreenMtAA/Burlington VT) second male age-graded, 35:49.

Local clubs taking team wins included CMS (M40+), Whirlaway (M50+), NE 65+ (M70+), Greater Lowell RR (W40+), and Liberty AC (W60+).

The ideal weather and Dedham's Endicott Estate setting, the separate masters' "wave" start, and the efficient operation were well received by participants, and the race is looking to extend the championship agreement for up to 3 more years.

Results and Photos

In the results of the 2013 Boston Marathon, New England competitors ran to awards in several age division competitions. Sheri Piers (Dirigo RC, Falmouth ME) was second Female Master (and 20th overall) in 2:39:25, 1983 Boston Marathon winner Joan Samuelson (Freeport ME) was first W55 in 2:50:29, and Whirlaway RT's Reno Stirrat (Quincy MA) was second M55 in 2:47:17.

New England clubs won both Open team titles. Men Open was won by the B.A.A. (Tim Ritchie, Ryan McCalmon, Ian Nurse) and Women's Open by Dirigo RC (Sheri Piers, Erica Jesseman, Mary Pardi).

Top finishers from the New England states:
MA: 25.Tim Ritchie (Boston/BAA) 2:21:31; 21.Hilary Dionne (Boston/BAA) 2:39:34
NH: 46.Brandon Newbould (Nottingham/Whirlaway) 2:25:45; 69.Alexandra Varanka (Amherst/NBB) 2:54:35
RI: 181.Jason Reilly, Cumberland, 2:37:27; 99.Karolyn Bowley (Middletown) 2:57:41
VT: 233.Todd Smith (Bristol/GMAA) 2:39:00; 176.Meghan Lout (Bristol/GMAA) 3:02:42
ME: 32.Robert Gomez (Saco/Dirigo) 2:22:53; 20.Sheri Piers (Falmouth/Dirigo) 2:39:25
CT: 59.Joseph Darda, Willamantic, 2:28:03; 84.Laura Brustolon (Mystic/BAA)
Wheelchair: 30.Jason Fowler, Belmont MA, 1:57:01

More results at baa.org. Publication of further results beyond the 17580 official finishers will be addressed by the BAA in the near future.

Like nearly everyone touched by the bombings at the finish of the Boston Marathon we are shocked, angered, and sad. We are shocked because we are the governing body of sport, recreation, and essentially, play. People compete in the marathon and follow the race as something aside from the horrors of the world, but are now part of those enormities. We are angry because people have been hurt and murdered for reasons that cannot possibly justify the crimes, and we are sad because of the pain and loss in our community. Most officers and employees of USATF-NE were at the marathon. Some worked as volunteers at the finish line so were quite close to the explosions. Others were racing or watching. We are relieved that none were hurt. At USATF we have held safety in the utmost importance in conducting events when we issue sanctions. As we wish the best recovery to those injured and their families we will spend the coming months thinking hard about how to make our sports the safe and joyous events they are intended to be.
Tom Derderian, president USATF-NE

USATF-New England is saddened by the bombings at the finish of the Boston Marathon, and convey our sympathy and prayers to all affected by the violent acts on Monday. We appreciate the work of and thank the many first responders, volunteers, and event staff and officials whose immediate and selfless efforts assisted injured individuals and maintained an orderly completion of the event. Our organization stands ready to support the work of city of Boston and the BAA marathon as both move forward.

Any official announcements from the Boston Athletic Association on any aspects of Monday's events will appear on their Facebook page, TheBostonMarathon.

The support organization for donations organized and supported by the city of Boston, Mayor Menino, the Governor, and John Hancock is onefundboston.org.

Middle School race winner Gabrielle Vandendries (Brookline) and second placer Jasmine Tiamfook (Wellesley) are also members of Waltham TC.
(Photo: Steve Vaitones)

Sunday's "warmup events" for the 117th B.A.A. Boston Marathon included both participation numbers and fast times. In the B.A.A. 5K the men's race came down to a sprint finish for the third straight year. Ethiopian Olympic silver medalist Dejen Gebremeskel became the first non-US winner in the 5 year history in an event record time of 13:37. The reigning BAA Distance Medley women's champ, New Zealand's Kim Smith out of Providence RI, took her first step toward a repeat with a 16:14 win in the women's division; training partner Molly Huddle took third in 15:28. Over 5300 runners took part in the run.

In the B.A.A. Miles, the pro races over the three lap route were won by 2008 Olympic silver medalist at 1500m Nick Willis (New Zealand, 4:03.3) and Brenda Martinez (California, 4:51.4). The scholastic races featured 2 runners from each town along the marathon route. High school mile victors were Melissa Lodge (Hopkinton) and Gabe Montague (Newton), and middle school kilometer champs were Gabrielle Vandendries (Brookline) and John Lara (Boston). Lots of stories and pictures at baa.org.

A javelin clinic with former world record holder Tom Petranoff will be held on Tuesday, April 16 from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. (Mass. school vacation week) at Faxon Field in Quincy MA (146 Coddington St, Quincy MA 02169). Hosted by USATF-NE with the support of the Quincy Track Club, the clinic is for high school age throwers and up of all abilities. The focus will be on basic training skills and technique development.

The fee is $10 per individual, with coaches free if they bring at least one athlete. The info / participant form is available here.

The BAA at 125 - Historical volume now available.

The Boston Athletic Association enjoyed 125 years of sport with a celebration in December of 2012, and now an official history of the organization is available, just in time for the 117th running of the Boston Marathon on Monday.
"The BAA at 125" by John Hanc covers the background behind the club's founding in 1887, its growth, and the development of one of America's oldest athletic organizations through facts, stories, and photographs in an attractive format. There are several book signings scheduled over Marathon Weekend.

A review of the book can be found at RunBlogRun.com

Several quality performances were turned in by New England athletes at USA National Road Race Championships last weekend. At the USA Women's 10 Mile Championship with the Cherry Blossom Festival 10 Mile in Washington DC, Katie DiCamillo (New Balance Boston) and Heather Cappello (BAA) placed 6-7 in the championship (13-14 overall) in times of 55:19 and 55:31. Overall winner Caroline Rotich of Kenya ran 52:46 and US Champion, former Tufts 10K winner Janet Bawcom, recorded a US Record for 10 miles for a women's only race in the in the all-women's elite competition with her time of 53:28.

At the US Men's Club Team National 8K run at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago, the Greater Boston TC men placed 16th of 25 clubs. Led by Brennan Bonner's 24:52 time, GBTC averaged 25:15 per runner; also scoring in the 4 runner total were Ryan Irwin (25:20), Brian McNamara (25:23) and Chris Kibler (25:25). Hansons-Brooks was overall winner, averaging 23:27 per finisher.

USA Track & Field selected USATF-New England Officials certification chair Laurie Boemker (Cranston RI, RI TF Officials Guild) to represent the USA at the Women in World Athletics Seminar hosted by British Athletics in Birmingham, Great Britain, April 12-15. The program, staged in collaboration with UK Sport, European Athletics, and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), is part of the British Athletics Officials Conference, and is a unique, interesting, and demanding program designed to develop more women for officials and leadership positions in the sport.

Boemker is a National Technical Official and Master Referee, having served in those capacities at last summer's US Olympic Trials, and at this winter's USA Open and USA Masters indoor Championship meets. She also serves on the USATF Officials Championship Selection Committee.

On a grant from USATF-NE, the Greater Boston Track Club men's team will be traveling to Chicago, IL this weekend for the first ever USATF national club team 8 km championship to represent the association. The team members are Brennan Bonner, Brian McMamara, Matt Haringa, Ryan Irwin, and Chris Kibler. The championship has a 28 minute 8km qualifying time. Twenty-six teams are entered. GBTC is the only team from New England and is traveling on a USATF-NE grant awarding them $150 each and will receive lodging from the meet and additional support from their club. Team prize money ranges from $3,000 for first to $1,000 for fifth. The championship is part of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k taking place on Sunday April 7th in Grant Park, IL. The Hanson's Brooks project won last year's team race and have two teams entered this year.

From the list of teams entered, the Greater Boston team is coming from the greatest distance. No teams appear to be from the south or the west coast. USATF-NE president Tom Derderian says, "We are pleased to support this first-ever national team championships by sending our association team. GBTC is in second place in the NE road race Grand Prix. It is our hope that by doing so we are helping the establishment of a championship that will grow and endure as has the cross-country club championships." The NE team leading the Grand Prix, Western Mass Distance Project, won a travel grant for last year's cross-country." The grant recipients are limited to once every two years. The grant program is described here: NE Grant program.

Race link

Ben True of Hanover, New Hampshire, is USA Track & Field - New England's Athlete of the Month for March 2013. On March 10, Ben won the USA 15K Road Championships in the Jacksonville (FL) River Run, running 43:38 for his 4th career USA Road Championship win. On March 24 at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, True's 6th place finish led the American team to the silver medal behind Ethiopia. This was the highest U.S. men's team placing at this event since 1984, and highest U.S. individual placing since 1995.

True, who represents Saucony, also earned recognition as USA Track & Field's National Athlete of the Week. He was also New England Athlete of the Month for September 2012. See the full list of USATF-NE Athletes of the Month.

The 2013 USATF-NE Mountain Circuit has a change in the schedule. The June 2 Pack Monadnock Race is being replaced due to an inability to get use of Miller State Park for the race. Paul Kirsch, USATF-NE Mountain/Ultra/Trail Chair, has worked with the Bretton Woods Fells Race, which will move to the same date, June 2 - an important decision in selecting Bretton Woods. Fells running is a different twist on mountain racing - runners are given several option to cover the distance between start and finish; the race will be about 5 miles. Details on the course are still being finalized and will be posted on the association website when available.

The Boston Athletic Association enjoyed 125 years of sport with a celebration in December of 2012, and now an official history of the organization is available starting this month. "The BAA at 125" by John Hanc covers the background behind the club's founding in 1887, its growth, and the development of one of America's oldest athletic organizations through facts, stories, and photographs in an attractive format.

A book launch event will take place on April 10 at Hopkinton High School; it's open to the public but reservations are required - baa125.eventbrite.com - and there are several book signings scheduled over Marathon Weekend.

A review of the book can be found at RunBlogRun.com

Local masters athletes earned records, wins, and medals at the USA Masters National Indoor Track and Field Championships held in Landover, Maryland, over the weekend.

Leading the local medalists were two triple winners; Sarah Lawson (GBTC/Waltham MA) won the W50 60, 200, and 400, with Bill Spencer (NE 65+ RC/Litchfield NH) mining gold in he M75 800, mile, and 3000. Double golds were earned by Bob Cedrone (Twilight Throwers/Stoughton MA) in the M55 weight and super weight, and Dennis Melanson (Mass Velocity/Westwood MA) in the M80 60 and 200. Carl Wallin (Thor's Stone/Hanover NH) won the M70 shot put and spun 2 silvers (weight (behind a world record)/super weight). Other individual winners included Katrina Geurkink (W50, Thor's Stone, Weight), Susan Loyd (Mass Velocity, W55, 400), and Mary Roman (W75, Mass Velocity, weight), along with Joseph Benoit (Twilight Throwers, M50, super weight), James Tylock (M50, Patriot PV, pole vault), and Edgar Holmes (Thor's Stone, 75, weight).

Improving his own performance set at the NE Masters meet in January, Antonio Palazzo set the American record M85 in winning the superweight throw (6.14m/20'1").

A record 1,044 entrants ages 30-95+ from 14 countries and 47 states were entered in the championships. More information on the USA Masters Indoor Championships along with complete results can be found at usatf.org. The USA Masters Indoor meet returns to Boston in March of 2014.

Team USA men ran to their highest place at the World Cross Country Championship since 1984, earning silver medals at the IAAF World event on a wintery course in Bydgoszcz, Poland on Sunday. Leading the charge was Ben True (Hanover NH / Saucony), who placed sixth over the tight six lap circuit that totaled 12 kilometers.

True's placing was the best US finish since 1995 when Todd Williams placed ninth; True is coached by Dartmouth distance mentor Mark Coogan, himself a World XC veteran. Ethiopia won the team gold, and Kenya's Japhet Kipyegon was individual winner.

Capping a successful trip for the USA, the senior women and junior men both placed fourth and the junior women sixth. The Junior men's race had local connections with winner Hagos Gebrihwet (Ethiopia) having won the 3000 at February's New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, and the top US finisher being Maine HS alum Matt McClintock. Check out an interview with Ben True at RunBlogRun.

Kevin Johnson (Western Mass Distance Project) won the 2013 New Bedford Half-Marathon.

Kevin Johnson (Western Mass Distance Project) and Stephanie Reilly (Team RUN) both made it two wins in two tries in 2013 USATF-NE Grand Prix race with strong wins at the New Bedford 1/2 Marathon on Sunday. Neither had problems in the cool and slightly breezy conditions in the Whaling City, where a record 3135 completed the course.

Reilly's winning time ensured a women's team win by RUN by 55 seconds over the BAA, and Johnson's margin up front, defeating defending champ Matt Pelletier, gave WMDP enough time to hold off the BAA by 2 minutes. The Unicorn squad did score a victory in the men's M40+ division over Whirlaway, who in turn was top team in M50+, W40+, and W50+. Cambridge Sports Union (M60+) took the final team title.
Top 40+ finishers were Sheri Piers (Dirigo) and Chris Magill (BAA, 2nd overall), 50+ were led by Pete Bottomley (Dirigo) and Maria Servin (Whirlaway), 60+ by Linda Jennings (GTD) and Rich Larsen (Sugarloaf), and M70+ by Harry Carter (BAA).

This was the 36th edition of the race, hosted by the Friendly Sons of St.Patrick on their namesake's day. Full story and results at the newbedfordhalfmarathon.com. The GP series breaks until Thursday, June 13, when the Hollis (NH) Fast 5K hosts the series' third event. GP scoring / standings will be updated on Tuesday.

Adam Petti (Sentinel Striders/Raynham MA) and Ben Bosworth (Gr.Boston TC/Boston) won their respective age divisions in the 1500 meters at the USA National Youth Indoor Championships held in Landover Maryland. Petti ran 4:33.35 to win the 15-16 division, and Bosworth won the 17-18 division with a time of 4:16.40. Petti was a double winner, also bringing home a gold in the 3000 meter in 9:38.52. The only other top 3 finish by a New England athlete was a silver by Olivia Thorsgaard (Cambridge Jets/Waban MA) in the 13-14 triple jump - 29'1 1/4".

Ben True (Hanover NH / Saucony) won his fouth career USA Road Championship on Sunday at the Jacksonville (FL) River Run 15K on Sunday. True's time was 43:38, and the top 5 were witin 8 seconds of each other. Tim Ritchie (BAA/Boston) placed sixth in a personal best 44:01, and New England product Sean Quigley, now in Boulder CO, was fourth, also in a PB.

Top New Englander among women was Katie DiCamillo (New Balance Boston/Providence) in 50:40 (PB). BAA's Heather Cappello was 13th and Sheri Piers (Dirigo/Falmouth ME) was 22nd and first master.

Full story and results at the USA Running Circuit site.

Dartmouth junior Abbey D'Agostino (Topsfield MA) won two titles, and Terrence Gibson (Rockland MA/Worcester State) and Chris Stadler (Belmont MA/Haverford) each won a won gold at NCAA Division Indoor Championship meets over the weekend.

At the Division I meet in Arkansas, D'Agostino took the lead with a mile to go and ran to the win in the 5000 meter run in 15:28.11, and returned on Saturday for a win in the 3000. Other local placers in the Division I meet were Katie Matthews (BU, 5000, 5th 15:42.27); Martina Salander (Harvard, Pentathlon, 5th, 4209); Katrina Coogan (Georgetown/Exeter NH) 7th, 3000, 9:11.79 and Distance Medley (anchor), 6th; and Nathan Pierre-Louis (Indiana/Waltham MA), Distance Medley (400m leg), 4th).

In the Division III held in Illinois, Gibson, a Worcester State sophomore, ran his season best at the right time in winning the 60 meter hurdles in 8.04 for the school's first male national champion. A junior at Haverford in Pennsylvania, Stadler led the pack in the 5000 meters with a 14:27.74 clocking, just 4 seconds off his personal best. Silver medalists included Lauren Kuntz (MIT, Pole Vault), Targie Gervais (Westfield St, 60), Ashanta Little (Wheaton, 400), Ryan Wedzgowski (Keene St, mile), and Tufts University (men's distance medley) Earning bronze medals were Addie Tousley (Middlebury, 5000), Tanasia Hoffler (Williams LJ), and Middlebury (women's distance medley). From neighboring Lewiston ME, Bates College senior David Pless won the shot put (60'3") and was 2nd in the weight throw to become a 7 time indoor all-American.

At the Division II nationals in Alabama, there were 11 All-American finishes by New Englanders, the highest being a pair of thirds by Corey Thomas (Stonehill) in the high jump at 6'11 3/4" (also 8th in hurdles) and Starr Nathan (AIC) in the long jump, 19'8 3/4". Other medalists: Michael Biwott, AIC, 5th, 5000; Nick Staley, Stonehill, 5th, high jump; Glarius Rop, AIC, 6th, 5000; Antoinette Toussaint, UMass Lowell, 7th, Pentathlon; Elisabeth Monty, UML, 8th, Hurdles. Also, relay placers were AIC 4th-men's distance medley, and UMass Lowell, 4th-women's 4x400, 5th-men's 4x400, and 5th-men's distance medley.

D'Agostino and Stadler are both alumni of USATF-NE member club Emerging Elite. All championship results can be found at tfrrs.com.

USA Track & Field has awarded the hosting of the USA Masters 10K Road Race Championship event to the James Joyce Ramble. The event will be part of the 30th annual running of the Ramble on Sunday, April 28, in Dedham MA.

Several issues led to USATF Masters being without a 10K on the schedule, and a bid was submitted. The Ramble's reputation for holding a quality event, having quality fields, and having hosted New England championships led to a unanimous approval of the USATF Masters Long Distance Running committee. It took several weeks of fine tuning the agreement and contract.

There will be a separate online entry process for the championship division of the race. Entry will require USATF membership. $10,000 in masters only prize money will be awarded. A detailed summary of the championship, along with the entry link, will be up at both jjramble.org and usatfne.org by March 12.

We hope all New England clubs with Masters road running components will field teams, as success this year could lead to a multi-year agreement between USATF Masters and the race.

Community College of Rhode Island distance runner Robert Allen defended two national titles at the National Junior College Indoor Track & Field Championships last weekend. The Cranston Rhode Island native won both the mile (4:15.40) and the 3000 meter (8:32.75) in the meet held at Texas Tech, giving him six national JC titles in his career.

Two other CCRI athletes also competed in the championship; Steven Vazquez (Central Falls RI), 12th, high jump, and Dan Duquette (N.Attleboro MA), 21st, 800.

Read the full story at CCRI Athletics.

USA Track & Field - New England Athlete of the Month for February 2013 is Boston University senior Allison Barwise. At the New England Intercollegiate Indoor Track & Field Championships held at Boston University on February 22-23, Allison won the pentathlon with 3976 points, breaking a 23 year old championship meet record. Within the pentathlon, she high jumped over 1.84m / 6'0.5" which ranked 9th in the US for the season as of the end of the month. On February 17th, she jumped 1.78m to win the high jump at the USATF-New England Championships held at Harvard, and on February 2, she was fourth in the New Balance Grand Prix.

See the full list of USATF-NE Athletes of the Month at USATF-NE awards page.

Joe Hagan was approved as the new men's LDR chair for USATF-NE to fill a vacancy through September's elections. Joe lives in Reading MA, and is a member of the BAA.

USA Nationals in New Mexico had several New England representatives in the results. Mary Saxer (NYAC/Boston MA), who trains at MIT, placed third in the pole vault, clearing 15'1". Running at mile high altitude put distance runners at a disadvantage, but Joanna Murphy (New Balance Boston) placed a solid 7th in 9:46.74. NBB teammate Jennifer Hegarty was fourth in the masters invitational 3000 in 11:48.11. Bp.Hendricken RI HS alum Jake Freeman won the men's weight at 77' 1-3/4".

Full results at www.usatf.org.

The Needham TC Northeast Youth Indoor Classic, originally postponed from February 10, is now cancelled. A scheduling issue at Boston University is forcing the cancellation, as there are no other facility options. Full information, including refund policy, is at the club website, www.needhamtrack.org The meet will return to the schedule in 2014.

Stephanie Reilly (TEAM RUN) won the 39th Annual Jones Group Realtors 10 Mile Road Race in Amherst, MA.

Kevin Johnson (Western Mass Distance Project) and Stephanie Reilly (Team RUN) were first across the finish in the Jones 10 Miler as the 2013 USATF-NE Grand Prix series. The significant changes from predictions even 4 days out made for a decent race day, as a period of wet snow flakes during the race didn't make the course unrunnable. Most travels out to Amherst were without incident, though some areas of the association did have rough weather that prevented travels.

Johnson, a repeat victor, led a string of 5 WMDP pale blue in the top 11 to secure the team victory over GBTC, while Reilly's win, by close to 4 minutes, gave RUN the needed margin for the team title over Whirlaway. Other team winners went to Whirlaway men's 40+, 50+, and women's 40+, Gate City Striders men 60+, and Cambridge Sports Union women's 50+.

The first lists of GP scoring will be posted on Wednesday.

Next up is the New Bedford Half Marathon on Sunday, March 17. Entry is closinig on March 1; see the race website, www.newbedfordhalfmarathon.com.

University of Connecticut swept the men's and women's team titles at the 45th annual New England Intercollegiate Indoor Track & Field Championships at Boston University. The Husky men scored 164.5 points to easily top Rhode Island (97.5) and Northeastern (74), while their women totaled 149.33 points,ahead of Providence (54) and Holy Cross (51.33).

Five women's and two men's individual records were broken; Ada Udaya (New Haven) in the 60 meters at 7.48, Madalayne Smith (UConn) in the 60 hurdles at 8.47, and Ana Groff (UConn) at 1:12.96 in the 500 on the track, with Victoria Flowers (UConn) spinning 69'6.25" to add 9" to her own record in the weight. Allison Barwise (Boston U) won the pentathlon with 3976 points to erase a 23 year old best. On the men's ledger, Cory Duggan (UConn) pushed the pole vault mark up to 17'3", and Trent Baltzell improved the heptathlon mark to 5227 points.

Three relay records turned over this year. The Providence women's distance medley ran 11:30.75 to better Middlebury's year old mark, Connecticut women broke their own 6 year old record in the 4 x 400 at 3:42.41, hile Boston University men broke a venerable 33 year old standard in the 4 x 400 meter relay, clocking 3:09.45 which bettered the 3:10.70 set by a BU squad in 1980. The 2013 time is the second fastest ever run by a New England college team indoors.

The "New Englands" always has a high level of spirit and competition as the season closer for many teams. Full results and history at www.neicaaa.org.

From director Dave Martula as of 9pm on Friday evening:
The 10-miler will be held this Sunday, February 24th. However, the starting time has been changed to 1 PM.
Check the race website, sugarloafmac.org. for any other news.

The USATF New England road race Grand Prix is scheduled to open at the Jones Group Realtors 10 Miler on Sunday, but snowstorm predictions may alter the event.

As of Thursday afternoon, the race is on. However, the club will now decide after Saturday at noon as to the race status - delayed, postponed, canceled.

Check the race website, sugarloafmac.org regularly for changes in status. We'll post on this site, on Facebook, and alert club contacts.

Gabriel Arcaro and Elizabeth Tevnan were winners at the third annual Mass. Scholastic Weight Throw hosted by USATF-NE with the sponsorship of Twilight Throwers. Arcaro (Burlington) threw 58'1.25", the longest throw in meet history. Tevnan (NDA Hingham) won the girls throw in 39'3.75" after placing third in 2012. Nine schools were represented this year, the largest number ever. The meet follows several clinics and competitions this season as part of a grant to develop the event. A similar program with the hammer will take place this spring.

Results at usatfne.org/track.

USATF-NE Youth 200 meter event.
(FinishLynx photo)

The annual youth meet at the Reggie grew by a large number with over 220 entrants competing on Wednesday. Full results can be found at usatfne.org/track/.

Four New England cross country runners had successful races in Ireland as part of the annual exchange with the Ras na hEireann. Mary Kate Champagne (New Balance Boston), Eric Ashe (BAA), and Sam Alexander (BAA) earned trips through their finish in the 2012 USATF New England Cross Country championships, while Joan Bohlke won the 2012 Tour de Patrick series last spring.

The crew shook off jet lag in the Armagh Road Race on February 14, a day after landing on the Emerald Isle. The multi-lap event through the city (3K women, 5K men) had Ashe and Alexander at 10th (14:21) and 17th (14:32) in a race that found the top18 within 25 seconds, with Champagne and Bohlke 5th and 17th (in a race won by Providence College alum Mary Cullen).

On Sunday at the Ras na hEireann International Cross race at the historic Battle of the Boyne site, Champagne and Bohlke took gold and bronze in the women's race, with Ashe and Alexander third and fourth in the men's field

The exchange has been coordinated with Rhode Island's Charlie Breagy, director of the CVS/Downtown 5K and other major Rhode Island races; Charlie grew up representing Dunleer AC and is still a member of that club which hosts the Ras. More details on both races at rasnaheireann.com.

Greater Boston TC men and New Balance Boston women were team champions at Sunday's USATF NE Track & Field Indoor Championship held at Harvard on Sunday. The overwhelming majority of the 650+ entrants made it through the snowstorm to take advantage of the quality facility.

There were two performances that bettered the USA National Meet qualifying standards; sprinter Shelby Walton (unattached, Boston) won the 60 meters in 7.62, and Joanna Murphy (New Balance Boston) raced most of the 3000 by herself to close in 9:18.57. Murphy was the sole competitor to earn the available travel bonus to USA Nationals in 2 weeks.

The meet also closed the indoor season Grand Prix competition, with middle distance runners Caitlin Malloy (New Balance Boston) and David Chorney (BAA) taking those prizes. At the meet, Chorney anchored the winning Distance Medley Relay.

The full results, pending updates and corrections, are found at usatfne.org/track/.

The USATF-NE Indoor Championship meet runs at Harvard University's Gordon Track on Sunday with a full schedule of events. Most events are open, but there are some entry standards. Several masters only events are on the schedule.

Entry at this point is online only, and closes at 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 14; there is no day of event entry. There is up to $6200 in performance based prize money, and a social follows the meet at John Harvard's in Cambridge. The meet entry, online link, and prize money and social information/links are all at the track page.

With the major storm bearing down on New England this weekend, two large local track and field meets have been cancelled. The two day Boston University Valentine Invitational, a major national event set for Friday and Saturday February 8-9 is cancelled with no make-up date.

The Needham Track Club Youth Meet set for Sunday, February 10, is also cancelled. The club is looking at alternative dates later in the season. The USATF NE website will announce any changes. Also see needhamtrack.org.

The MIT Coed Invitational Meet II, originally scheduled for Saturday, February 9 has been cancelled.

The Tufts meet has been postponed to Sunday.

The Reggie Lewis Center is closed Friday and Saturday.

USA Track & Field - New England Athlete of the Month for January 2013 is Erik Nedeau (New Balance Boston / Belchertown MA). The Amherst College head coach teamed up with Chris Simpson, Scott Weeks, and Mark Gomes (all age 40+) to set a new world masters indoor record in the 4 x 800 meter relay; his anchor leg of 1:58.4 brought the team home in 7:58.12. "Ned" also won the Masters Mile at the Greater Boston TC Invitational on January 20 in 4:21.16, and on Feburary 2, was second in the New Balance Grand Prix masters mile.

See the full list of USATF-NE Athletes of the Month at USATF-NE awards page.

Saturday's New Balance Grand Prix event sold out earlier than any of its 18 years, and fans were treated to a show worthy of a sell out. Part of the 2013 USA Indoor Championship Series and an IAAF international permit meet, a mix of local, national and world stars posted quality marks in the 2 1/2 hours. Olympic 10,000 silver medalist Galen Rupp of Oregon ran the second fastest US time ever at 3000 meters, 7:33.67, chasing a World Junior Record performance by Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) in 7:32.87, Olympic gold medalist Jenn Suhr of New York cleared the season's best height in the world in the pole vault at 15' 7 1/4" with two attempts following at the world record, and scholastic phenom Mary Cain of New York ran turned in a new HS record for 2 miles, 9:38.68, good for third overall running with the "big girls". Many other international competitors fill the overall results.

The two scholastic regional challenge relays pitting teams from the New York and Boston areas, were full of lead changes, and even the "warm-up" events that opened the meet got the crowd excited; the Cambridge Jets won their fifth straight youth 4x200 in a come from behind charge on the anchor leg, and the masters mile, won by 45 year old Brad Barton of Utah, had Amherst College coach Erik Nedeau (New Balance Boston) just a second behind in 4:25.82.

Check the results and photos at short interview at newbalanceindoorgrandprix.com.

As the indoor season hits its stride, the Running Network asked USATF CEO Max Siegel seven questions about the current season, the year just finished, and activities that USATF is taking on at the national level. Check the short interview with him at RunBlogRun.com.

Antonio Palazzo set a US record in the weight; nephew Bob, meet facility director, also competed in the meet.
(SV photo)

Three pending US masters age group records were set at Sunday's East Region / New England Masters Masters Indoor Championship held at the Providence Career and Technical Academy facility.
The individual record setter was Antonio Palazzo (Twilight Throwers / North Providence RI) in the superweight throw. The 85 year old bettered the existing mark in the 25 lb weight four times in the competition, with his best of 6.68 meters / 21'11" to be submitted for record consideration.

Two relays clocked record times. The men's 4x800 relay 35+, with two runners returning from a record run in New York City on Friday, broke a 9 year old standard set at the 2004 Nationals in Boston. Chris Simpson (Eliot TC), David Cahill (GBTC), Mark Gomes (Miami FL), and Greg Hammett (CMS) teamed to move the baton around in 8:09.65. Simpson and Gomes doubled back from legs on Friday's M40 relay foursome.

To conclude the meet, the women's 2x200 foursome of Sarah Lawson, Diane Pomeroy, Beth Clark, and Latrica Dendy bettered the existing W40+ time for the event by 3 seconds in 1:53.74.

Team scoring had Mass Velocity and Twilight Throwers finishing 1-2 with 24 clubs scoring points. Complete results are found at usatfne.org/track.

Mary Kate Champagne took second place at the NCAC XC Championships in Jamica.
(Photo: Mike Scott)

Mary Kate Champagne (New Balance Boston / Providence RI) led Team USA to a second place finish at the North American/Central American/Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships in Jamaica on Saturday. Selected based on her finish in the USA Fall Cross Country Championship, she responded by turning in the top US performance, and fourth overall - under a second out of the bronze medal. She'll be competing at the Ras na hEireann international cross race in Ireland with several other New England runners on February 17.

NACAC results at RunningEventsJa.com.

Olympic silver medalist in the 10,000 meters, Galen Rupp of Oregon, ran the fifth fastest indoor mile ever recorded at the Boston University Terrier Classic on Saturday. With a bit of early help from pacesetters, Rupp broke the beam in 3:50.92, over six seconds ahead of Providence College alum David McCarthy (3:57.22), putting him #2 on the US list behind Bernard Lagat's 3:49.89. Five runners in the feature race, plus the winner of the second section, broke the 4:00 barrier, including Northeastern University's Erik Jenkins in fourth (3:58.11). Full meet results at lancertiming.com.

Two New England masters middle distance runners teamed with a native New Englander and a New Yorker to better the world masters 40+ 4 x 800 meter relay at the Armory Track Facility in New York City on Saturday. Eliot TC's Chris Simpson (Somerville MA) and Amherst College coach Erik Nedeau (New Balance Boston / Belchertown MA) passed the stick with Stoughton MA HS and Northeastern U alum Mark Gomes (Miami FL) and regular visitor to the area Scott Weeks (Syracuse Chargers/Cortland NY) in passing the baton around the 3200 meters in 7:58.11, bettering the listed M40 world mark by 9 seconds. A short video and interview can be found at masterstrack.com.

Two time Olympic medalist in the high jump, John Thomas, passed away on January 15 in Brockton at age 71. The first man to clear 7 feet in the high jump indoors - accomplishing this at the 1959 Millrose Games while a Boston University freshman - Thomas went on to clear that barrier over 190 times during his career, including a career best of 7'3 1/2" and three outdoor World Records (including once at the New England collegiate championships held at M.I.T.)

His career coincided with the height of the "Cold War" in the early 1960's, and his two Olympic appearances were hyped as battles against another world record holder, Valery Brumel of the USSR. Thomas won a bronze medal as a teenager in 1960 in Rome, and a silver medal in 1964 in Tokyo where he tied the winning height but Brumel had fewer misses. Overall, he was a nine time USA champion.

The Cambridge MA native and long time Brockton resident, who also competed for the B.A.A. and was part of their recent 125th anniversary celebration, was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1985. Among his positions during his professional career, "JT" coached at Governors Academey and Boston University, and served as athletic director at Roxbury Community College.

Long time runner and race walker John Gray passed away on January 10 at the age of 88. A member of the North Medford Club, John competed in the Boston Marathon 34 times with 6 top-35 place finishes. He finished 11th in the 1964 Olympic Trials marathon held in Yonkers NY. He was also an avid race walker, earning many New England championship and national age group medals and writing a book, "Racewalking for Fun and Fitness". A schoolteacher and coach in Massachusetts through much of his life, John closed his career on Cape Cod working as the sports editor of the Cape Codder in Orleans for twelve years.

Ruben Sanca and Lindsay Willard accept their Athlete of the Year awards.
Photos by Joe Navas

USATF New England award winners for 2012 were recognized at the second annual Awards Banquet held in Stoneham MA on Saturday evening. Attended by 145 members, the evening included a buffet dinner, program, and awards.

Athletes of the Year, selected by an online vote, were Ruben Sanca (Whirlaway) for the men, and Lindsay Willard (BAA) and Abbey D'Agostino (Dartmouth) sharing the women's award. Club of the Year was also a tie vote, shared by Western Mass. Distance Project and the Whirlaway Racing Team.

Division winners in the various event Series received an embroidered blue vest with a "2012 Series Winner" designation. Every Association championship event and every event winner were listed in a program that included photos of Athlete of the Year nominees and a color montage of association events from 2012.

Ruben Sanca, New England champion in cross country and at 10K on the roads who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games at 5000 metes for his native Cape Verde, was also the featured speaker for the evening with a presentation and slide/photo display on his experiences getting to and competing in the London Olympics.

Suggestions for next year are welcome as planning and promotion for next year's event will start shortly.

USA Track & Field - New England Athletes of the Month for December 2012 is Mary Kate Champagne (New Balance Boston/Providence RI). At the USA Cross Country Championship on December 8, she was the first New England runner, placing 14th and leading her New Balance Boston team to third place overall. Champagne won the New England championship on November 18, and was first New England athlete this fall at both the USA 5K and 10K Road Championships.

See the full list of 2012 Athletes of the Month at USATF-NE awards page.

Voting is open for the USATF-NE 2012 Male and Female Athlete of the Year, as well as Club of the Year. All 2012 or 2013 members can vote via the link: http://go.usatfne.org/aoy

The winners will be announced at our Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 12; all members are welcome to attend.

Voting is open through January 8th.

An Introduction to Race Walking clinic will be held on Sunday, January 6, at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire. The hour long introduction to the event will begin at 11:00 a.m. There is no charge for the clinic.

The session will be oriented toward youth through high school, but is open to all ages and abililities. The basics of good technique and training for short distance competitions will be presented. The event is presented by USATF New England with the support of Golden Spikes Track & Field Club.

Info Flyer

The sports highest honors each year are handed out at USATF's Jesse Owens Awards Banquet. This year, the event will be broadcast for the first time. Catch the ceremonies on Thursday evening, December 27, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on NBC Sports Network.

Renew your USATF Membership Card today!

USATF membership is annual and runs through December 31. Unless you obtained your membership after November 1, or have a multi-year membership, it's time to renew.

The membership remains at $30 for those over 18, and $20 for youth age 18 and under. Current membership provides the opportunity to participate and score in USATF events and series throughout the year, offers discounts at the USATF online store, with over 20 companies, and in some New England events, provides a level of sport accident insurance, and supports our many programs including the expanding coaching eduction program

You can download a form to mail in with a check or you can renew online at this site.

There will be two Introduction to the Weight Throw for scholastic throwers held at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston on the next two Mondays, December 24 and 31, at 11:00 a.m. While not a high school event in any state except Rhode Island, the weight throw - 20 pounds for girls, 25 pounds for boys - is a traditional indoor event. These clinics will start with the very basics of the event, and are the first of several clinics leading to the 3rd annual Massachusetts Scholastic Invitational Weight Throw on Wednesday, February 20, at the Reggie Lewis Center. The clinics are free, and hosted by USATF New England with the support of the Twilight Throwers.

Info Flyer

The 2nd Annual Awards Banquet and Social takes place on Saturday, January 12, at the Montvale Plaza function hall in Stoneham, Mass. The event kicks off at 6:00 pm with a cocktail hour and appetizers, followed by dinner with guest speaker, and a night packed full of music and dancing.

Local Olympian Ruben Sanca will speak on his participation in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The evening will continue with the much-anticipated awards presentation, featuring awards from all of our athletic disciplines - Road, Track & Field, Cross Country, Mountain/Ultra/Trail and Race Walking - including awards for the various series and circuits, special awards, and New England Association Athletes of Year. All Series divisional winners will receive an embroidered Lands End down vest.

Individual tickets are $35 which includes hors d'oeuvres, dinner and entertainment. Ten person tables may be reserved by clubs for $300. We recommend clubs a table to ensure members can take part in this annual tradition in the presence of their teammates and fellow competitors.

Full banquet information and ticket order forms can be found at the awards page. Individual tickets and table tickets are available by mail using the banquet ticket request form. Tickets may also be purchased on-line via the usatf online order site.

We hope to see you all there. Questions can be directed to Jim Garcia at awards@usatfne.org or 978-846-4050.

Waltham Track Club and Caroline Fischer ran to the highest finishes at the USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Albuquerque New Mexico last weekend. The altitude of over 7000' affected some performances of those particiapants from sea-level locations; over 2300 competitors from around the country took part in the event at the city's Balloon Festival Park.

The Waltham girls placed second in the Midget (11-12) division. The team was led by Michaela Jones fifth overall in the day's largest race, 263 finishers. Fischer, running for Granite State Flash, was runner-up in the Bantam (9-10) girls race by just 1/10 second, moving up a place from her 2011 appearance.

Also on the team medal podium was Nashua PAL, taking bronze medals in the boys Sub-Bantam (age 7-8) competition with top finisher Nicholas Dahl placing 18th. Two other top ten individual placings were earned, both in the Youth (13-14) Division; David Principe, Sentinel Striders, 4th in Youth Boys, and Madeline Hunt of Granite State, 8th in Youth Girls.

New England Club placings and the top individual in each race:
Sub Bantam Girls: 19.Julia Valakatgis, Bradford Huskies; >br /> Bantam Girls: 2.Caroline Fischer, Granite State Flash; 5.Granite State Flash 136 (15 teams);
Midget Girls: 5.Michaela Jones, Waltham TC; Team RUN; 2.Waltham TC 119; 11.Granite State Flash 276; 20.Gr.Lowell RR 505 (23 teams);
Youth Girls: 8.Madeline Hunt, Granite State; 5.Granite State Flash 149; 15.NC Surge, 367 (18 teams);
Intermediate Girls: 28.Stephanie Mattson, Sentinels; 6.Sentinel Striders 127 (8 teams);
Young Women: 15.Maeve Westover

Sub Bantam Boys: 3.Nashua PAL; 18.Nicholas Dahl, Nashua PAL; Bantam Boys: 19.Ashton Burnett, Sentinel Striders; 5.Granite State Flash 154; 6.Nashua PAL 155 (12 teams);
Midget Boys: 16.Samuel Toolin, Sentinels; 11.Sentinel Striders 289; 13.Nashua PAL 341 (23 teams);
Youth Boys: 4.David Principe, Sentinels; 9.Nashua PAL 297; 14.Sentinel Striders 367;15.NC Surge 371 (21 teams);
Intermediate Boys: 51.Tucker McNinch, Lenox MA; 8.Sentinel Striders 200 (9 teams)
Young Men: 35.Geoffrey Kazlow, Green Mountain AA;

Results of all 12 races are at usatf.org.

New Balance Boston women took a close third place at the USA Cross Country Nationals held in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday. Led by New England champ Mary Kate Champagne and Katie DiCamillo in 14th and 19th, respectively, NBB scored 97 points behind Team USA Minnesota and Boulder Running Company (92). Greater Boston TC was 12th with 388 points (Kyle Feldman 31st) out of 24 clubs and 222 finishers over the 6K course.

In the men's 10K race, the Boston Athletic Association was first local squad, placing seventh with 179 in the field of 42 clubs. They were led by Eric Ashe in 22nd. Also representing New England were Western Mass Distance Project (9, 319, Sean Duncan 72nd), New Balance Boston (12, 399, Dan Kramer 68th), and Greater Boston TC (27, 745, Chris Kibler 141st). Hansons-Brooks Distance Project won with 50 points; 338 men finished.

In the masters men's 10K, Greater Springfield Harriers placed second in the M40+ division led by Francis Burdett, tenth overall and third M45-49 among the 295 men's masters competitors. Dirigo RC was 7th and GBTC 12th of 18 in the same division. Greater Lowell was 6th of 14 in the M50 results, with John Barbour 4th M55-59. Denny LeBlanc (GLRR) ran to a bronze medal in the M70 category.

Top local finisher among 91 masters women was Liane Pancoast (W50, Gr.Lowell RR) in 53rd, and GLRR was the only club fielding a scoring squad, placing 5th of 8 in the W50+ standings.

Complete results of all divisions at usatf.org

USA Track & Field - New England Athletes of the Month have been announced for October and November 2012.

October AOM is Eric Ashe (B.A.A./Brighton MA). On October 28, Ashe won the Cape Cod Marathon in 2:26:13 with a two minute margin of victory in his debut at the distance. On October 7, he was the first American finisher and 6th overall at the BAA Half Marathon, and October 20, scored for the B.A.A. at the Western Mass Distance Project XC Festival race.

There are co-winners for the November Athlete of the Month - Catarina Rocha (Peabody MA) and Elinor Purrier (Richford VT). On November 24, Rocha, a senior at Peabody Veterans High School, won the Footlocker Northeast Regional cross country race at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City. She dominated the girls field, winning by 19 seconds with a 17:49.5 clocking for the 5,000 meter course. On the same day, Purrier won the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regionals in Wappinger Falls, New York, timing 18:09.4 for that 5,000 meter circuit; the Nike Cross is a club event, though Purrier ran unattached. Both girls advanced to the respective national championships for these events in December.

Running in her third Footlocker final, Catarina Rocha (Peabody MA) placed second at the National Cross Country Championship meet in San Diego on Saturday, just four seconds out of first. The only New England girl in the 40 runner field, she had previously placed 31st (2010) and 7th (2011) in the meet.
In the boys' race, won by Robert Cheserek of New Jersey, Jonathan Green (St.Johns Shrewsbury/Berlin MA) placed 22nd, followed by Trevor Crawley (Cumberand RI) in 38th and Chris Alvarado (Fairfield CT) in 39th.

Read more about Rocha's history with the Footlocker race in an article from the Peabody Patch. Full race results are at footlockercc.com

The 2013 USATF-New England Grand Prix Series is now set, selected by an e-mail vote of the membership. A total of 441 votes were cast during the voting period through December 2, and Slate A with the marathon vote winner will compose the 2013 series with the following schedule:

Sun Feb 24 - Jones 10 Miler, Amherst MA
Sun Mar 17 - New Bedford Half Marathon, 13.1M, New Bedford MA
Thur, Jun 13 - Hollis Fast 5K, Hollis NH
Sat Jul 27 - Carver Cranberry Classic 5M, Carver MA
Sun Sep 15 - Lone Gull 10K, Gloucester MA
Sun Sep 29 - Nahant 30K, Nahant MA
Sun Nov 3 - Manchester Marathon, Manchester NH

A non-binding vote on having a New England Road Relay championship in 2014 had a majority of positive votes.
The vote was the final step in the process in which a selection committee consisting of the Long Distance Running Chairs and representatives from the clubs created a ballot based on scheduled dates of bidding races.

The USATF New England office will be closed Wednesday, November 28, through Friday, November 30, as we will be at the USATF national Annual Meeting. No services including processing sanctions and certificates of insurance, will be available during that time period.

You can follow the national Annual Meeting activities at usatf.org.

Online voting for the 2013 USATF New England Road Race Grand Prix continues until Sunday, December 2, at midnight. Voting requires USATF membership and password.

Links to the bid summaries and voting page are at usatfne.org/gp. Results will be announced on Monday, December 3.

Because of the number of additional t-shirts which were ordered at the Mass. State Middle School Meet, and because they were in odd size lots, the production of the shirts has taken longer than expected. They will arrive in our office on Monday, and we'll start shipping the nearly 300 shirts out as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.

New England high school runners ran to top finishes in the qualifying meets for the two scholastic cross country national events to be run in December.

In the Footlocker Northeast regional held at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City, Catarina Rocha (Peabody MA) was a convincing winner, leading the girls' field by 19 seconds. Massachusetts state division I champ Jonathan Green (Berlin MA/St.John's Shrewsbury) placed second to the acknowledged top seed in the country, Edward Cheserek of Newark NJ. Along with Trevor Crawley (6, Cumberland RI) and Chris Alvarado (8, Fairfield CT), these individuals are among the top 10 from each of 4 regions to qualify for the national meet in San Diego on December 8.

At the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regional, the top 2 teams and 5 individuals not on teams make the finals held in Portland Oregon. Elinor Purrier (Richford VT) was the individual girls race winner, followed by Taylor Spillane (Champlain Valley Union VT), and Colin Bennie (Wachusett/Princeton MA) and Nathaniel Adams (Lexington MA) and James Randon (Middlesex/Concord MA) were third, fourth, and sixth among boys, all head west next week. Top teams were Hawks/Bp.Hendricken RI, 5th (boys) and Rocks/Bp.Feehan MA, 3rd (girls).

Results at footlockercc.com and runnerspace.com.

Because nearly 300 additional t-shirts were ordered at the event itself, and because they were in odd size lots, the production of the shirts has taken longer than expected; we'll be shipping them out as soon as we receive the order. Thanks for your patience.

Online voting for the 2013 USATF New England Road Race Grand Prix is now up and running. Voting is open to USATF New England members age 18 and over. Each athlete may vote once, and 2012 or 2013 membership number and password are required.

There are three slates to choose from. A committee of chairmen and club reps reviewed the submitted bids and put together slates that had both calendar and geographic balance. The slates and a summary of all bids, as well as the link to the online voting, are found at usatfne.org/gp. Please review the bid information before voting.

Voting is open now and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday December 2. The final 2013 GP schedule will be announced on Monday afternoon, December 3.

Willem Landis (909) of Middlebury VT earned a spot on the Nationals starting line, placing 17th in the Midget Boys race at Regionals.
Photo: Angela Cobrin-Landis

New England youth runners won six of twelve races and advanced the majority of club teams for Nationals at the Region I Junior Olympic XC Championships held on Long Island on Sunday. The top three clubs and the non-club runners in the top 20 finishers in each race, qualify for Nationals in Albuquerque New Mexico on December 8.

Individual winners in four girls age-group races included Caroline Fischer (Granite State Flash/Bantam), Michaela Jones (Waltham TC/Midget), Amy Laverty (NC Surge/Youth), and Maeve Westover (Boston/Young Women), and the pair of boys champions were David Principe (Sentinel Striders/Youth) and Benjamin Platt (Granite State Flash/Intermediate).

An unprecedented 21 of 25 Region I teams moving on to the finals will be from the New England association, including divisional sweeps.
Sentinel Striders (RI) won four races (Intermediate Girls, Youth Boys, Intermediate Boys, Young Men) and added two medal teams; Granite State Flash (NH) had two wins (Bantam Girls, Youth Girls) plus three more teams; Nashua PAL Striders (NH) won SubBantam Boys and and four additional teams, and Waltham TC (MA) won Midget Girls. Also advancing teams were NC Surge (RI, 2 teams) and Greater Lowell Road Runners (MA) and BAA Masconomet (MA) with one 1 team each.

Full team and individual result of the meet are posted at our cross country page.

Good luck to our youth runners in December!

Leaders at the USATF New England Cross Country Championships in Westfield MA.
Photo: Tom Derderian

Boston Athletic Association and New Balance Boston won the team titles at the USATF New England Cross Country Championships Sunday at Stanley Park in Westfield Mass. The race was held at a venue different than Franklin Park for the first time since 1992 due to course construction, and the new course proved popular with competitors. The men's open race distance dropped down to 8K to accommodate the traditional course used in the Whip City park.

Neither the move nor change in distance changed the dominance of the B.A.A. men. Though individual winner Ruben Sanca (GBTC) outkicked the B.A.A.'s Brian Harvey down the finish stretch, the latter led a 2-3-4-5 (and 8 in the top 13) yellow-and-blue finish. Their 23 points easily outdistanced hosts Western Mass. Distance Project (63) and Greater Boston TC (83) among 10 scoring squads.

In the women's race, Mary Kate Champagne (New Balance Boston) outsprinted Rolanda Bell of Central Park TC for the overall win and her first New England championship win on the 6K course. After missing the team trophy on a tie-breaker last year, NBB scored 35 to better Greater Boston by 7 points, as 7 NE clubs scored. Masters ran with the open runners, and Greater Lowell RR took home both the team title and individual masters winner in Trish Bourne . Liberty AC was top 50+ and 60+ team, led by division winners Joan Miller and Jan Holmquist, with Mary Harada completing the Liberty tradition as 70+ gold medalist.

The always competitive masters race opened the day on the 8K multi-loop circuit, and Greater Springfield Harrier swept the individual medals; Mike Nahom, Kent Lemme, and Hollywood Francis Burdett going 1-2-3 to lead their team over Dirigo RC 35-60 among the 8 clubs. Mark Reeder led the 50+ crowd as well as his Greater Lowell RR club to the win, and Bruce Bond did the same for the Greater Boston TC in the 60+ division. Denny Leblanc earned the 70+ win.

Individual prize money was included this year for all division, courtesy of sponsorship by the Boston Athletic Association. The meet also closed the USATF-NE Cross Country GP, the results to be posted after scoring verification. View the full meet results at usatfne.org/cross/.

All three collegiate division championships ran on Saturday with local successes in each race.

In the Division I meet at Louisville Kentucky, Providence College women, led by Sarah Collins in fourth, scored a surprising second place finish behind favored Oregon. Dartmouth's Abbey D'Agostino, who missed much of October due to an injury, placed second individually, as the top 3 placers finished within one second. Other NE teams included Connecticut (8), Boston College (19) and Harvard (31).

At the Division II meet in Joplin, Missouri,Jeff Viega ( UMass.Lowell ) and Glarius Rop (American International College) placed 6-7; AIC was 11th team, Bentley 26th, and Stonehill 30th in a field of 32. Jeptui Cherutich of AIC, in 16th, was top local women, with Stonehill 23rd in the team totals.

Division III was contested in Terre Haute, Indiana with strong New England representation. Williams and MIT women were fourth and sixth, respectively, as Kerry Lambert (Amherst) and Adddie Tousley (Middlebury) placed 2-3. Also scoring among the 32 schools were Middlebury (11), Amherst (16), and Bates (19). Mens' results found Bates, Tufts, and Middlebury 6-7-8, with Williams (12) and Bowdoin (16) all in the top half of the field. Individual ranks found Tully Hannon (Bates, 5) and Coby Horowitz (Bowdoin, 9) in the top 10.

Links to full results of all races can be found at at www.ustfccca.org.

High School cross country in the region came to a close with the Massachusetts all-state cross country championships run at Northfield Mountain. Lowell (D1) and Pembroke (D2) were boys winners, with Peabody (D1) and Bishop Feehan (D2) taking girls' titles. Results of all races can be found at ma.milesplit.com.

Ellie Goyette (Nashua PALS) at the New England Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Amherst NH.
Photo: Vera Vaitones

Results of the New England Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships held at Freestyle Farm, Amherst NH on Sunday, November 11, 2012, have been posted at USATFNE.ORG.

View the full results at usatfne.org/cross/.

U.Mass.Lowell senior Jeff Veiga and American International College (Springfield MA) senior Jeptui Cherutich, winners at Sunday's NCAA East Region Division II qualifying races in Nashua NH, were selected as the Region's Runners of the Year. Both will be competing at the Nationals in Joplin, Missouri, on November 17. Bentley University (Waltham MA) men qualified for Nationals for the first time in 9 years, and second year coach Kevin Curtin was recognized as East Region Coach of the Year.

Three time winning girls team - Diamond Middle School of Lexington.
(Photo: Steve Vaitones)

The fourth annual Massachusetts Middle School XC Invitational held at the Tewksbury town fields drew representatives from over 150 schools, and had 2 runners cross the finish line of the day's 8 races. Then event, run by USATF New England, was sponsored by the Boston Athletic Association, and supported by Tewksbury HS XC and Track Boosters.

There were six grade races, and one team championship race. Girls winners were Alexandra Barrett (Higgins/Peabody, grade 5-6), Michaela Jones (Pike/Andover, grade 7), Alexandria Madamba (Melican/Northboro, grade 8), and Clare Martin (Brown/Newton - fastest time).
Boys winners were Alex Cravens(Home School/Woburn, grade 5-6), William McDonnell (Thurston/Westwood, grade 7), Josh Molvar (Home School/Newburyport, grade 8) and Christian Herlihy (Clarke/Lexington, fastest time).

The girls' team from Diamond of Lexington was the winning squad for the third straight year, scoring 62 points ahead of Mountview (Holden). The boys from Hopedale were surprise winners with 76 points over 2-time champions R.J.Grey (Acton).

Full results at Cooluunning. Next youth cross country race is the New England Junior Olympics Sunday November 11 at Amherst NH.

The meeting for bid presentations for the 2013 USATF-NE Grand Prix will be held Monday evening, November 5, at 7:00 p.m. at Gosman Athletic Center, Brandeis University, South Street, Waltham MA. This is the same site as the past few years.

The meting is solely for each bidding race to make a presentation and for members to ask questions. Later that week, a committee will review all bids and present several slates of events to voted on online sometime after November 12; voting will be open for about a week.

Cape Cod Marathon winner Eric Ashe.
(Photo: Steve Vaitones)

Eric Ashe (BAA/Boston MA) led 1026 finishers through Falmouth in his debut at the distance at the 34th Cape Cod Marathon and USATF-NE Championship on Sunday morning. Runners were challenged by increasing winds during the course of the race as the event beat the hurricane to the finish.

Ashe hadn't planned on a fall marathon, but October training and racing (6th at the BAA Half Marathon) indicated he could turn in a respectable time. Maintaining a solid pace in the final miles run solo along Surf Drive, his 2:26:13 put him 2:06 ahead of Brandon Newbould (Whirlaway/Nottingham NH) at the tape.

Former professional triathlete Kate Pallardy from New York, women's overall winner, ran a personal best 2:52:30, with Helen Dinan next across the line in 2:59:14; Dinan's placing tied her for the overall women's win in the 2012 USATF-NE Grand Prix.

NE Masters winner Joseph Koech (Team RUN, (2nd overall 40+) was one of ten 2012 Grand Prix division winners to complete their season with the marathon, and 60 finishers earned "Ironrunner" status for finishing all 7 Championship races during the year, taking home stylish jackets for their accomplishment.

Whirlaway men were team winners over three time defending champion CMS, and the Whirlaway women swept the three women's divisions honors. Somerville Roadrunners led both the 40+ and 50+ men's scoring, and Winners Circle completed the team rankings with the M60+ win.

The 2012 Cape Cod Marathon marked the retirement of Court Bird as Race Director after over 30 years at the helm.

Preliminary - and ultimately final - results, along with half marathon and relay lists, are at Cape Cod Marathon.com. Full Grand Prix team and individual scoring will be posted usatfne.org/gp by the end of the week after final results are posted.

Other coverage can be found at New England Runner and LevelRenner

The colors of fall in New England are club uniforms at cross country events.
(Photo: Tom Derderian)

The Western Mass. Distance Project Cross Country Festival in Westfield earned the respect of the clubs competing in the first of what should become an annual event, as many of the area's top open harriers put the course for the upcoming New England Championship to the test.

Brian Harvey was first across the finish over the traditional Stanley Park 8K course, and with four B.A.A. runners in the top 5, the gold and blue won the team win over New Balance Boston in a six team field. Kyle Linn Feldman (GBTC) pulled away in the final field loop to take women's honors over Erin Dromgoole (New Balance Boston) on the 5K circuit, as the B.A.A. completed a sweep of team titles.

These teams and many others will be back on the same course on November 18 for the USATF-NE Championships and the top teams will be off to the club nationals in Lexington, KY on December 8. Men masters will run a separate championships at the championship meet. Be sure you and your club get in on the action - enter now!

Results, as well as the championship entry, are on the cross country page. Video and interviews can be found at the LevelRenner site

The Boston Athletic Association today announced that registration for the 2013 Boston Marathon has closed, and applications for entry are no longer being accepted. Registration began on September 10 and were accepted on a rolling admission basis through Thursday morning. For the second year, registration for the Boston Marathon allowed the fastest qualifiers to enter early during the process, resulting in an orderly system.

Due to an increased demand by runners to participate in the Boston Marathon and for the first time since the 1990 race, the qualifying times for all categories were adjusted and made more stringent by five minutes.

“While we would like to accept everyone who has qualified and would like to run, field size limits are in effect to ensure the best possible event experience for all,” said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director.

The field size for the 2013 Boston Marathon has been set at 27,000 official entrants, the same as the most recent two years. Eighty percent of the field is comprised of athletes who have met the qualifying standards. The balance consists of invitational entrants and those who run for local charitable organizations. The B.A.A. will mark the 25th year of its Official Charity Program in 2013. Since 1989, between the B.A.A.’s program and principal sponsor John Hancock Financial’s Non-Profit Bib Program for the Boston Marathon, more than $150 million has been fund-raised.

The qualifying window for the 2014 Boston Marathon began on September 22, 2012; registration dates for the 2014 race have not been established.

2012 Tuft's 10K for Women, Boston MA
(Photo: Tom Derderian)

The holiday weekend had more than its share of national championships and national quality events where New England runners turned in worthy performances.

On Sunday in Boston at the BAA Half Marathon, the third leg of the inaugural BAA Distance Medley, Kim Smith (Providence RI) won the women's division in 1:10:57 and with it, took home the $100,000 series prize, the largest non-marathon prize in all of road running. Running a bit conservatively with her nearest rival early on, as she had the time lead after 2 races, a surge around 9 miles got her the lead and she finished just 5 seconds off the course record. She'll be running the New York City Marathon on November 4. On the men's side, Allan Kiprono had trailed the pair of series leaders by 6 seconds after two events, but used a 1:01:44 course record to take the series. There were a race record 5421 finishers.

At the Chicago Marathon, Western Mass Distance Project men were the team winner led by Sean Duncan (Gardner MA) in 44th, 2:24:59 and Kevin Johnson (49th, 2:25:43) as all five scoring members set personal bests. Somerville Road Runners were fifth team. Tsegaye Kebede set a course record of 2:04:38 in becoming the first Ethiopian to win at Chicago. Top New England female were Lori Gray (adiNE/Waltham MA) 15th in 2:44:25, and Alexandra Varanka (New Balance Boston/Amherst NH) 35th in 2:54:17.

At the Medtronics Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis, BAA's Jeannette Faber, based in Portland OR, was the women's winner in another Personal Record (now in more than 10 straight races) in 2:32:37, earling $17,500, with Sheri Piers (DirigoRC/Falmouth ME) 9th in a PR 2:36:59 and second in the USA Masters Marathon Championship. Third in the men's results was former Mass. HS champion Sean Quigley (now in Colorado) in 2:15:06.

Also on Sunday was the USA 10 Mile Road Race Championship held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Behind men's winner Mo Trafeh (46:56) came two New Englanders in the top 5; USA 5K champion Ben True (Saucony/Hanover NH) was silver medalist in 47:19, and Tim Ritchie (BAA/Brighton MA) took fourth in 47:25, his highest USA Championship placing ever. On the women's side, Katie DiCamillo (New Balance Boston/Providence) was a solid fifth in 54:35 behind winner and US Olympian Janet Cherobon-Bawcom (53:43).

The Columbus Day tradition of the Tufts 10K for Women in Boston again served as the USA Women's 10K Championship. Overall winner Hellen Jemutai of Kenya was a runaway winner in 32:30 (after finishing third in the BAA Half Marathon), having as much as a 30 second lead after 3 miles. A pack of close to 20 Americans behind her didn't break up until the final mile. Winner Chelsey Reilly (Oakland CA) was fastest down the stretch and clocked 32:41 in her first 10K ever to win the USA crown. Best of local runners was Mary Kat Champgne (NBB/Providence) in 15th/33:50 PB, and Andrea Walkonen (Hanover NH) in 16th/33:51. New Balance Boston, B.A.A., and Greater Boston TC placed 3-4-5 in the team standings. 5427 crossed the finish line on Charles Street.

Dartmouth men won the 100th anniversary edition of the New England Intercollegiate Championships on Sunday at Stanley Park in Westfield MA, outpointing runner-up Boston College 83-123. The Big Green was in centennial form as they also were winners of the first event in 1912. Overall winner Mike Biwott, a freshman from American International College of Springfield, had a 25 second cushion, as teammate Glarius Rop (9th) missed becoming the second runner to win the meet four times (Bob Black of URI is the only runner to do so). 1912 winner was Olympian and World Record Holder Norman Taber of Brown.

The women's meet is not quite as old. That race found Boston College taking their third straight team title with a over Vermont. Individual winner was Monica Adler of Boston University. 37 teams scored. Results

The previous day, Wesetfield State hosted the James Early Invitational on the same course where many smaller New England schools opted to compete; 40 colleges contested that event. The NE Collegiate meet moved to Westfield from the Boston area this year due to construction at Franklin Park. The Stanley Park course will be used for the USATF New England Championship on Sunday, November 18.

Ben True of Hanover, New Hampshire, is USA Track & Field - New England's Athlete of the Month for September 2012. At the USA 5K Road Race Championship held with the CVS Downtown 5K in Providence on September 16, True defended his title, winning in 13:52.0 to become the first two-time consecutive winner of the USA 5K title in 30 years.

A 2009 graduate of Dartmouth where he earned all-American honors in three sports, True was 6th at the US Olympic Trials in the 5000 meter run. He represents Saucony. See the full list of USATF-NE Athletes of the Month.

Jan Holmquist (Burlington MA / Liberty AC) is the USATF National Athlete of the Week from her winning performance at the USA Masters 5K Championships held with the Syracuse (NY) Festival of Races on Sunday.

Holmquist won the 65-69 division in 21:19, ahead of her target mark for the race. The time received an age-graded score of 101.15, which was far above the next best age graded time; a 100 score is at world class level. The full press release can be found at usatf.org.

Her Liberty Athletic Club teammates Sue Gustafson (23:19) and Lenore Webber (24:36) completed the 65-69 age group sweep giving Liberty the W60+ team title.

In the mens' races, Frank Hurt (White Mtn Milers/Laconia NH) won the M75-79 category. Three New Englanders earned silver medals; Francis Burdett (Gr.Springfield/Worcester MA) in the men's 45-49 division in 15:53, Pete Bottomley (Dirigo RC/Portland ME), M50-54 in 16:33, and Keith Woodward (GMAA/Stowe VT) M60-64, 17:45. Green Mountain AA, with Woodward, Peter Davis, and Ed McSweeney was second team in the M60+ results behind Atlanta TC (with former CMS ace Jerry Learned running third for ATC).

The 2012 New England Cross Country Series reaches its mid-point on Sunday at the Wayland XC Festival in Wayland MA. The series is heating up as runners from around the region compete for over $3500 in team and individual prize money. With three races remaining on the schedule (best four of five races counting toward scoring), team standings and individual scoring for the open, master, senior and veteran divisions are wide open – so, it’s not too late to get in on the action!!!

Following the Wayland race will be the 1st Annual Western Mass Distance Project Invitational at Stanley Park in Westfield MA on October 20th. The series will culminate with the New England Cross Country Championships, also at Stanley Park, on November 18th; the championship race is weighted at X1.5 the other points. So rally your teammates, lace up your spikes and find out how you stack up to the toughest off-road runners in the region.

A staple on the USA Race Walk Championship schedule for over a decade, the 2012 USA 1 Hour Race Walk will take pace at the Bentley University track in Waltham MA on Sunday. Separate women's and men's hour races - scored by the distance covered on the track in 60 minutes - will be divided by a novice and youth quarter hour open to all interested athletes. There will be plenty of experienced coaches and athletes on site to give personal introductory clinics as well.

Details and entry info can be found at usatfne.org/walk.

A Columbus Day running tradition for 36 years, Tufts HealthPlan 10K for Women will hit the streets of Boston at 12:00 noon on Monday. The race will again serve as the USA 10K Road Race Championship, ensuring a national caliber field. Team scoring is also part of the competition with 5 places of prize money; clubs need to specifically declare their teams of up to 5 runners with 3 to score by time. Online and onsite entry are both available. See the Race Website.

2012 Kerouac 5K, Lowell MA
(Photo: Tom Derderian)

Under light rain and overcast skies, B.A.A. runners Dan Hocking (Dover NH) and Brielle Chabot led deep fields through the finish line in Sunday's USATF-NE 5K Championship held with the Jack Kerouac 5K run by the mills of Lowell MA. The race utilized the old Brewery Exchange course which served as the NE championship several times through 2002. The 710 finishers more then doubled the 2011 results list.

Hocking's 14:46 was one of four times under 15:00, and 31 runners were at 16:00 or better. Chabot, clocking 17:10, was one of nine women under 18:00. Masters winners both represent Whirlaway; new NE Masters LDR Chairman Joe Navas and Christin Doneski, who clinched the GP Series title with her fifth win of the season.

The B.A.A. was a clear winner on the men's side, but behind the Unicorn, places 2-6 were within 58 seconds. Whirlaway led the women's scoring (in all three divisions) as BAA's strong frontrunners were not backed by a full 5 runner team. GP standings will be updated on Tuesday at the website.

Full Results

Tom Derderian (Greater Boston TC) was elected as president of USATF New England at the organization's annual meeting on Sunday. Additionally, seven new members were elected to serve on the USATF NE Board of Governors.
The meeting began with recognition of Athletes of the Month from the past 12 months. General organizational reports and a presentation by the New England Distance Project followed.

Both Officers and Sports Chairs were up for voting in 2012. Returning vice presidents Jim Garcia (GLRR) and John Oleski (MassVelocity) will be joined by first time board member Victoria Barnaby (GBTC). Eric Narcisi will serve as Secretary, while Stephen Peckiconis (CSU) remains as treasurer.

For sports committees, five new chairs move onto the board; Jason Cakouros (HFC Striders / Cross Country), Gary Circosta (GBTC / Men's Long Distance Running), Yvonne Green (New Balance Boston / Track & Field), Joe Navas (Whirlaway / Masters LDR), and Leigh Petranoff (Turbojav AC / Youth).

Continuing in in their positions are Lisa Doucett (CSU / Women's LDR), Paul Kirsch (White Mtn Milers / Mountain-Ultra-Trail), Justin Kuo (NEWalkers / Race Walking) and Mike Travers (Mass Velocity / Masters Track and Field),

Athletes representatives completed board elections; holdover Will Feldman (GBTC) will be joined by Jim Burgoyne (Twilight Throwers) and Jason Ayr (Western Mass Distance Project).

The meeting concluded with voting for National Annual Meeting delegates.

Information on the new board members, the various reports distributed at the meeting, and full minutes will be posted next week on the Board page.

New Englanders Ben True (Hanover NH) and Molly Huddle (Providence RI) led a fast field through downtown Providence to win the 2012 USA National 5K Road Championships at the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K on Sunday.
The race had one of the deepest US fields in race history, and the men's race was not decided until the final 100 meters when True, 6th in the Olympic Trials 5000m, kicked by Andrew Bumbalough for the win by a fraction of a second. Seven of the top 10 recorded Personal Best road 5K times behind True, who defended his title.

Eleventh in the Olympic Games 5000m, Huddle, who lives just over a mile from the course, had more comfortable margin of 4 seconds on Neely Spence in the women's contest, where there were also 7 PB among the first 10. She was also victorious here in 2010.

The New York AC outran the B.A.A. for the men's team win by 49 seconds, and the New Balance Silicon Valley women were a minute better than the Greater Boston TC. The 23rd edition of the race had 4444 finishers, and included 21 well-attended youth races in addition to the feature event. Full results are at www.cvsdowntown5k.com

The Rhode Island 6 Hour will serve as the USATF NE Ultra Distance Championship for the fourth time. The race will take place in Warwick (RI) City Park on Sunday, November 11. Placing in the 6 Hour is based on the total distance covered in the time period. The course is a paved, slightly rolling loop of 2.7 miles in Warwick City Park and is closed to traffic. Splits of Marathon, 50 K, and 50 Miles will be marked. There is also a (non-championship) relay being contested at the same time. Relay teams can consist of 2 to 6 runners with runners completing as many laps as they wish before handing off to a teammate.

For complete information on the event, go to ri6hour.com.

Masters javelin thrower Buzz Gagne (Twilight Throwers / Penacook NH) is the USATF New England Athlete of the Month for August 2012.

Gagne won the javelin in the age 65-69 division at the USA Masters Track & Field Championships in Lisle Illinois with the longest throw of the year for thhe age group, 161'7". In July, he won the event at the New England Masters Championships. He ranks in the top 10 all-time world rankings for both the 60-64 and 65-69 age divisions.

Local runners returned from the USA 10K Trail Championship race held last Saturday with a variety of medals. Overall winner on the challenging course which crosses the Eastern Continental Divide twice, was David Roach of North Carolina who clocked 41:21.

Todd Callaghan (Gate City Striders) placed third 40+ and eighth overall, just 52 seconds out of the first master spot. One place behind, Dave Dunham (CMS) won the M45 division, and Len Hall (GCS) was third M50. Adding Bill Newsham, Chuck Landry, and Bob Mulvaney, Gate City Striders placed as third open team and second masters team.

Due to the construction on the cross country course at Franklin Park, the Boston Mayor'S Cup cross country races will not be held in 2012. A plan to run an alternative course at the park ultimately overlapped with the final project map, which includes repairs to Bear Cage Hill, Glen Road, and Playstead Field. The golf course was not an option, and no other viable course was found in the city or surrounding area.

The adult races will not be rescheuled, though USATF-NE is planning to run a smaller youth-only event on the original October 28 date. The Boston Athletic Association, sponsor of the Mayor's Cup, will continue to support cross country this fall with sponsorship of the Massachusetts Middle School Invitational on November 3, and support of the USATF New England Championship on November 18.

Open runners should check the USATF-NE XC schedule and the GP, which offer opportunities every 2 weeks from September 23 to November 18.

The USATF-NE XC GP opened its five race series on Saturday at the Thomas Chamberas 6K at Great Brook Farm in Carlisle MA. Justin Lutz (BAA) was a convincing winner, Amelia Landberg (GBTC) won the women's race, and Greater Boston TC won both team titles. The 10th annual event saw its largest participation ever this year.

Other races in the GP series are the GBTC Festival September 23, Wayland XC October 7, Western Mass Distance Project races October 20, and the USATF New England championships on November 18. Series scoring will be posted mid-week.

The Annual Meeting of the USATF New England association will take place on Sunday, September 23 at the Hilton Garden Inn Waltham, 420 Totten Pond Road, Waltham MA 02451 at I-95 Exit 27-A.

Athlete of the Month presentations start at 4:00 p.m. The business meeting begins at 4:45 p.m. The meeting is moved to Sunday this year to encourage more participation than a weeknight meeting. All USATF-NE members as of August 1 who are age 18 on the meeting date are eligible to vote. We hope all clubs will have at least one representative at the meeting.

Elections for all board positions - officers, sports chairs and athlete reps - take place this year. Anyone interested in running for these spots can contact the office. Delegates to the national meeting will also be selected.

Reports on past and future projects will be presented, and the selection process for the 2012 Road Race Championship Grand Prix events will be discussed.

The full meeting agenda can be found at the USATF-NE board page.

Director Steve and President Steve receive the associations Award, flanked by Associations Committee chair Karen Krsak, USATF CEO Max Siegel, and USATF President Stephanie Hightower
Bill Roe photo

USATF New England was recognized at last weekend's USATF Associations Workshop for their continued excellence of programs and operations on the local level. Only 5 of the 57 associations nationwide, New England among them, achieved all 19 accreditation standards for association operations in 2011. President Steve Viegas and Managing Director Steve Vaitones attended the three day event where a variety of practical sessions on local association management were presented, and where ideas were traded outside meetings with representatives of other associations.

Corey Leslie's 3:58.98 became the first sub-4:00 miler in Rhode Island history.
Photo: Dave Wilbur Timing

US Olympic Trials steeplechase finalist Corey Leslie (Ohio State U) gave over 600 fans and youth participants the result they were looking for as the first outdoor sub-4:00 mile run ever was recorded in Rhode Island on Tuesday evening. A field of six runners toed the starting line of the two year old Exeter-West Greenwich track in the attempt to break the classic time barrier.

With no designated pace-setter - a rarity in such attempts - most or the field shared the front spot through splits of 59, 1:59, and 2:59 when Leslie and AJ Acosta put a small gap on the challengers. A strong stretch run found the clock stopped at 3:58.98. He was followed by Northeastern U. senior Eric Jenkins in 4:00.13 and Notre Dame grad Daniel Clark in 4:00.29, quality times for late in the track season.

The event, which will become an annual event and add women in 2013, was put together by Charlie Breagy and Bob Rothenberg as part of the EWG weekly youth meets, which have drawn up to 300 participants a night. The race was dedicated to North Kingstown HS runner Austin Gaudreau who was critically injured in a car crash last month and still hospitalized. Several of the elite milers will compete in this Saturday evening's Falmouth Mile, the warm-up event for Sunday's Falmouth Road Race.

Race summary and photos at the RunRhody facebook page.

Jordan Samuels is USATF-NE Athlete of the Month.
Photo: Kikki

Jordan Samuels (Cambridge Jets / Medford, MA) is the USA Track & Field (USATF) - New England Athlete of the Month for July 2012. At the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships in Baltimore, Maryland, the last week of July, Samuels was a double medalist in the Boys' Intermediate (15-16) age division, earning 4th place in the triple jump with a mark of 44'11.75" and 5th place in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 14.87. He also won three events at the Region I Junior Olympic meet on July 8 to qualify for Nationals, and was a 2 event winner in the scholastic division at the Bay State Games on July 14.

See the list of all Athlete of the Month winners at usatfne.org/news/

The smallest state could be making big noise in the mile in a week. A field of national ranked milers will toe the starting line at Exeter/West Greenwich High School in Rhode Island on August 7 with the sole purpose of becoming the first runner to break the four-minute barrier for the men's outdoor mile. The milestone clocking has never been accomplished outdoors in the state.

Run in conjunction with the Exeter/West Greenwich Youth Meet program, the race will run mid-way through the evening's youth meet. Among those Invited to compete for the event are AJ Acosta of Eugene, Oregon, who owns a personal best of 3:53.76 seconds. Other elite runners in the field are Jordan McNamara of Team Nike Oregon TC (3:54.89 PB), Christian Hesch of Hollywood, California (3:58.68 PB), and Northeastern University's Eric Jenkins (3:59 PB). Several past and present Rhode Island high school standouts will also be in the field.

There is no charge for spectators to watch the potential for history to be made. The mile race will run at 6:30 p.m. in conjunction with the final E-WG Youth Series Meet (five meets held for youth ages 4-14). Exeter/West Greenwich High School track is located just off I-95 at 930 Nooseneck Hill Road (Rt 3) in West Greenwich. More notes and updates at runrhody.com

Caroline Fischer ran a personal best in the 1500 to win a medal.
Photo: Granite State Flash

Nineteen New England youth brought their summer track and field season to a close with medal winning placings at the USATF Junior Olympic Nationals in Baltimore MD last week. Besides the eight athletes from the first two days noted in an earlier post, eleven additional youth turned in a top 8 finish and medal winning performance. Some events had fields of 50 or more competitors qualifying out of 16 regional meets. A trio of locals came home with two awards.

Jordan Samuels (Cambridge Jets/Medford MA), Intermediate (15-16) division, placed fourth in the triple jump (44'11.75") and fifth in the 110 hurdles (14.87). Midget (11-12) division thrower Kathleen Collins (NH Thunder/Strafford NH), was fourth in the discus (87-3) and seventh in the min-javelin (96-4). Emma Fitzgerald (Braintree MA) added a third in the javelin to her earlier heptathlon medal.

Rhode Island's Sentinel Striders brought home three medals in distance events; David Principe (9:14.33) and Matthew Bouthillette (9:18.90) went 2-5 in the Youth (13-14) 3000, and Samuel Toolin (4:45.07) was sixth in the Midget 1500.

Waltham TC matched that team tally with third place finishes by Michaela Jones, Midget 3000, 10:47.76, and TJ Noonan, Young Men javelin, 189-7, to go with Nolan Allen's 5th in the race walk.

Additional local medal winners included: Jacilyn Briggs (PatriotPV), 3rd, Young Women Pole Vault, 12-03.5; Caroline Fischer (Granite State Flash), 4th Bantam 1500, 5:13.33; Innovation Academy Intermediate 4x800 relay (Lee DiMattia, Hendel Laurole, William Paulo, and Nicholas Scarsdale), 5th, 8:32.33; Vincent Cirillo 7th, Sub-Bantam (7-8) shot put, 24-5.75; and Eli Shearer (Colrain MA), 8th, Youth triple jump, 37-5. Several others were in the top 10.

The full - and impressive - results are at usatf.org.

Brian Harvey (BAA) and Kyle Linn MacQueen (GBTC) were leaders of the pack at Saturday's USATF New England 5 Mile Championship race at the Carver (MA) Cranberry Classic. The 582 finishers were 144 more than the 2011 edition.

Harvey led six runners under 25:00 for the 5 miles, clocking 24:21, as BAA teammate Colman Hatton edged defending champ Kevin Johnson (WMDP) by one second for the silver medal; Johnson retains the top spot in the 2012 series. MacQueen, coming off a PR filled track season, ran 28:39 for the women's win. 29 seconds up on Lory Gray (adidas New England). Lindsey Willard (BAA), in 7th, added to her commanding 2012 series lead. Both individual winners led their teams to victory as well.

Top 40+ runners were Whirlaway runners Joe Navas and Maria Servin (9th overall), and like the open winners, were first on their winning masters teams. Whirlaway also ran to hard earned team wins in both 50+ divisions and Cambridge Sports Union was the strongest 60+ club by 14 seconds over Greater Lowell.

Series results will be posted on Tuesday evening after scoring reviews. Race six in the series runs on Sunday, September 30 at the Kerouac 5K in Lowell; that race will utilize the a former championship course that finishes at the Brewery Exchange.

Eight New England athletes have made the awards podium as the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships opened in Baltimore MD. The first two days featured the hammer, race walks, and combined events.

The hammer produced six medalists from the New England association in four age groups. Charlie Ionata (Barrington RI) brings home the gold in the Young Men's division, with Carlos Magnum and Clarence Gallup (both Providence Cobras) finishing behind him in 2nd and 6th. Leia Mistowski (Narragansett RI) was silver medalist in the Intermediate (15-16) competition, and Maggie Dufault (Warwick RI) won bronze for Young Women. Gabriel Arcaro (Burlington MA) rounded out the hammer podium positions with a fourth among the Intermediate Boys.

Emma Fitzgerald (Braintree MA) placed fourth in the Intermediate Girls Heptathlon, and Nolan Allen (Waltham TC) earned a rare medal for a New England athlete in the Midget (11-12) Boys 1500 meter racewalk, taking 5th in a personal best 8:39.92.

The meet runs through Sunday, July 29. Follow the results at usatf.org.

Cayla Hatton, 2012 grad of Phillips Andover (MA) Academy, placed 4th in the 5000 meter run at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Spain. Winner of the USATF NE cross country championship last November, she was the only New Englander on the team.

Hatton's time of 15:50.32 was a personal best, and 14 seconds out of the medals. Buze Diriba of Ethiopia won the race in 15:32.94, 1/100 over her teammate, and Hatton split Kenyans who finished 3-5. Read about all World Junior Championship events at iaaf.org

Ruben Sanca (Dorchester MA), who starred for UMass Lowell in track and field and cross country, will represent his native country, the Cape Verde Islands, at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He is currently one of just three athletes from Cape Verde to qualify for the 2012 Games. He will run the 5,000 meters, the first round taking place on Wednesday, August 8.

Sanca, who immigrated to the U.S. from Cape Verde when he was 12, graduated O'Bryant HS in Boston, and currently competes for the Greater Boston Track Club. He won the USATF-NE 10K road championship in June, and the USA Club Nationals 10,000m earlier this month.

Outdoor track and field athletes have been selected as state winners of the Gatorade Track & Field Athletes of the Year for the 2012 season. Massachusetts middle distance runner Josh Lampron of Mansfield, heading Villanova in the fall, earned a rare honor of being picked for a second straight state honor. Classical HS of Providence had both Rhode Island winners.

The winners from the USATF New England states:
MA - Lampron; Carla Forbes, Newton North, Jumps
NH - Romario Bailey, Stevens, Sprints/Jumps; Hillary Holmes, Exeter, Jumps
RI - Joe Velez, Classical, Throws; Maddie Berkson, Classical, Middle Distance
VT Jacob Ellis, Brattleboro Union, middle distance; Mollie Gribbin, S.Burlington, Jumps

The Gatorade Player of the Year program recognizes 50 state winners in Track & Field. Complete press releases on all winners can be found at playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.

Greater Boston TC took third place in both the men's and women's divisions, and overall, at the 12th annual USA National Club Track and Field Championship in Nebraska. Friendly rival Central Park TC of New York won their third straight title.

Among their 19 athletes in Omaha, Greater Boston had three individuals winners; Daniel Colina (javelin), Ruben Sanca (10,000), and Lisa Wilson (discus). Kateema Riettie of CPTC, winner of the New England championship meet javelin, set a meet record in that event in Nebraska.

A pair of Boston University athletes, both Olympic Trials qualifiers, won bronze medals at the North America/Central America/Caribbean (NACAC) Under 23 championship meet held in Guanajuato Mexico. Allison Barwise was third with a jump of 5'8.5", and Katie Matthews placed in the 10,000 at 36:21.29.

Abbey D'Agostino, of Topsfield, MA, is USA Track & Field - New England's Athlete of the Month for June 2012. At the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon on June 28, Abbey came in the 5th in the women's 5000 meter run. Her time of 15:19.98 was only .19 behind 3rd place and bettered the Olympic Games "A" qualifying standard.

A 2010 graduate of Masconomet Regional High School, she just finished her sophomore year at Dartmouth College. At the Olympic Trials, she had the fastest time in the preliminary round of the women's 5000. On June 17, Abbey won the NCAA Division I women's 5000 meters in 16:11.34 to become the first national champion in the 38 year history of women's track & field at Dartmouth.

Molly Huddle (Providence / Saucony) became the second Rhode Islander to earn a spot on the 2012 US Olympic Track & Field team, finishing second in the 5000 meters on Thursday evening. Her time of 15:14.40 was just a second behind winner Julie Culley. Dartmouth sophomore Abbey D'Agostino (Topsfield MA) placed fifth in a personal best 15:19.98, a scant two tenths out of third. In the men's 5000, Ben True (Saucony/Hanover NH) finished sixth; winner Galen Rupp had earlier won the 10,000, becoming the first such double winner in 60 years at the US Trials.

Three New England products - Andrew Wheating, Russell Brown, and Brian Gagnon - are in tonight's 1500 meter semi-final. All results can be found at usatf.org.

The trio of men's javelin throwers for this year's US team in London has a strong New England presence. Brown University alum Craig Kinsley (Providence RI) and Methuen MA native Sean Furey will wear the Olympic uniform in London after placing 3-4 at the Olympic Trials on Monday; the top 2 finishers in the Trials event had not achieved the required Olympic "A" standard, so placers beyond 3rd earned the team berths. Kinsley was an NCAA champion while at Brown and trains in Providence while Furey is a two time Mass. HS State Champion in 1999-2000 and Dartmouth record setter who now lives and trains in California.

In the preliminaries, Benjamin Lincoln (Hingham MA/Wake Forest) was 14th in 233-3; he was a 2 time Junior Olympic national medalist in the youth ranks.

Geoffrey Mutai successfully defended his B.A.A. 10K title on Sunday, running away from a stellar field on the streets of Boston, finishing in 27:29, the fastest time in the world thus far in 2012. Women's winner Kim Smith of Providence, a New Zealander who will run the marathon at the Olympic Games in London, set a new course record 0f 31:36, besting 2011 winner Caroline Kilel and 2012 Boston Marathon winner Sharon Cherop. 4560 competitors finished the 2nd leg of the B.A.A. "Distance Medley" series.

Results are at baa.org.

Six time World Mountain Running Champion Marco De Gasperi of Italy, dominated the field at the 25th annual Cranmore Hill Climb on Sunday. Enjoying a week in New Hampshire after the Mt. Washington Run, De Gasperi won by almost 3 minutes over Jim Johnson (CMS) in 38:46. CMS runners took 2-3-4 to win the team prize. Women's winner Kelsy Allen ran 52:43 ahead of Joan Bohlke in 53:54.
The fourth race in the 2012 USATF-NE Mountain Circuit featured a new course with a shorter first lap and longer second lap, both equally as tough as past versions. The race has used many variations of up/down and uphill only through the quarter century. The NE Moutain Circuit Standings updated through and posted at coolrunning.com, courtesy of Dave Dunham

The USATF New England Junior Olympics Track and Field Championship meet at Fitchburg State University crested 600 entrants for the first time ever as youth from ages 7 to 18 competed to earn medals and advancement positions. The meet fortunately avoided thunderstorms that rolled through Massachusetts in the afternoon, so ran in a timely manner.

Entry for the Region I meet to be held on Long Island July 6-8 will be available Wednesday morning and will be open through Sunday, July 1. The top 8 finishers in each event from the New England meet are eligible to advance with entry info at the CoachO.com. website.
Be sure to check the current time schedule as the original schedule posted several weeks ago has changed.

Results are linked at the Track page.

The Boston Athletic Association announced today that Guy Morse will retire from the organization after 28 years of service. He has served as the race director for the Boston Marathon (1985-2000), BAA Executive Dirctor (2000-2010) and BAA Director of External Affairs (2010-2012). Many of the major developments within the B.A.A.'s brand and with the Boston Marathon have come under Morse's guidance.

Morse noted, "I have been delighted to contribute to the B.A.A. as we have moved towards a highly professional model, and I cannot be more pleased that the B.A.A. and its many events, especially the Boston Marathon, stand on solid ground." President Joanne Flaminio echoed those thoughts. "The B.A.A. brand has never been stronger, and the Boston Marathon has never been more popular or experienced greater demand than it has in recent years. Guy’s expertise and leadership have played a key role in that".

The full press release will be found at baa.org.

The 2012 USA Olympic Track and Field Trials got started on Thursday with the hammer (taking place at the Nike campus in Beaverton OR). In the women's throw, Keelin Godsey (North Adams MA) was fifth in a personal best 231'3", less than a foot from the bronze medal. In the men's results, RI native Thomas "Jake" Freeman was eighth in 231'0", Harvard assistant coach Chris Bryce (Waltham MA) was 15th, 218'2", and last weekend's New England meet champion Mike Lauro (Providence RI/LSU) placed 20th in 212'0".

The remainder of the meet will take place at the University of Oregon over the next ten days. The Trials is considered the overall best meet in the country. USA team members will "select themselves" by placing and achieving the required Olympic standards; a number of New Englanders and New England natives will be competing. The schedule, results, and television schedule can be found at the USATF website.

Online entry is now available for the USATF Level I Coaching School taking place at Regis College in Weston MA July 20-22. Level I is a 21 hour course for coaches of all levels - youth, scholastic, club, college - which presents track and field instruction through a structured sports science approach, using common terminologies, and will cover all event groups. This is a classroom and hands-on school, not a clinic.

Application is online only along with the Information and Schedule. Note: The 2009 school we hosted closed out at 100+ participants.

Ruben Sanca (GBTC) and Brett Ely (BAA) led the fields in Sunday's USATF-NE 10K Road Race Championship held at the Newton 10K in Newton MA. Sanca, a candidate for the Cape Verde Olympic Team, outkicked Kevin Johnson (WMDP) - a 2 time GP event winner so far this year, down the finish stretch to win by just 1 second, 30:16 to 30:17. Ely, the 2011 USATF-NE Runner of the Year, led a 1-2-3 finish by the BAA women, clocking 35:32. The Newton 10K had 988 finishers, the largest field in race history, and one of the deepest 10K in New England in the past year.

Johnson led the upstart Western Mass. Distance Project to their first ever team title, placing 5 in the top 15. Ely led a 1-2-3 B.A.A. finish that gave them a comfortable gap in winning the women's division. Whirlaway took four team titles - M40, M50, W40, and W50 - and Greater Lowell was best team among M60.

The first time championship was well received by competitors and clubs. Results. Team and individual Grand Prix standings will be updated late on Tuesday.

Matt Pelletier (West Greenwich RI) is the USA Track & Field New England (USATF-NE) Athlete of the Month for May 2012. On May 27 at the 24th KeyBank Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, Pelletier won in 2:21:30 with a 5 minute margin of victory. This was his fourth win at Vermont City. In March, Pelletier won the USATF-NE half marathon championship at the New Bedford Half Marathon in 1:06:31.

Brandon Newbould and Joan Bohlke took their second straight USATF-NE Mountain Circuit race wins at Sunday's Pack Monadnock 10 Mile in Wilton NH. The pair had won over the mostly trail surface Mt. Wachusett last weekend. Newbould, finishing in 1:02:03, edged Justin Freeman and Kevin Tilton by 27 and 42 seconds, respectively, as the trio were three minutes up on fourth place. Bohlke clocked 1:16:47, 35th overall, and almost 4 minutes ahead of Kelsey Allen.

At the circuit midpoint, Todd Callaghan (GCS) is both the men's overall and 40+ circuit leader, with Martin Tighe (50+), Rich Miller (60+) and Frank Hurt (70+) also leading their divisions. Similarly, on the women's side, Karen Encarnacion (SRR) also tops the open/40+ ranks; Jackie Shakar (50+) is number 2 overall, with Elaine Dill (60+) sixth in the results.

Standings are now posted at the Mountain/Trail page.

Online entry is now available for the Juen 17 USATF-NE Open Track & Field Championships at Regis College. Entry can be found at the USATF website. Entry info / schedule is at the New England track page.

The USATF-NE Mountain Circuit is now 2 races along following Saturday's Wachusett Mountain Run in Westminster MA. The winners in the event's 20th running had different levels of competition; Brandon Newbould (Whirlaway / Nottingham NH) led Eric MacKnight (Albany Running Exchange) by just 3 seconds and third placer Jim Johnson by 9 seconds, while Joan Bohlke (Waltham MA), venturing off the track for her first mountain circuit event, had a convincing 1:23 margin. The 2012 course was again a mixed road/trail route of 2 up-down segments over 4.7 miles.

Age group winners were Todd Callaghan (M40, Gate City), Martin Tight (M50, CMS), Bob Sharley (M60, Newport RI), and Frank Hurt (M70, White Mountain Milers) for men, and Dawn Roberts (W40, Gr.Springfield Harriers), Jackie Shakar (W50, Sutton MA), Elaine Dill (W60, GSH), and Carrie Parsi (W70, Liberty AC) for women. The circuit reaches the half-way point this coming Sunday in the longest race of the series, the Pack Monadnock 10 Mile.

On Sunday, almost 2500 runners completed the 24th KeyBank Vermont City Marathon in Burlington. Winner Matt Pelletier (RI), New England 1/2 marathon champ in March, earned his record fourth title in the capital city with a time of 2:21.30, 5 minutes up on second place. Kasie Enman (BAA/Huntington VT) ran 2:43:126 minutes, 6 minutes ahead of BAA teammate Caroline Bjune; Kasie's winner's purse was doubled to $5000 given that she was a home-state athlete winning the event - the first ever Vermont woman to do so. Results and stories at runvcm.org.

Keri Lambert of Amherst College and Dominique Kone of Colby won national titles at the NCAA Division III Collegiate Championships in Claremont California. Lambert won the women's steeplechase in 10:27.32, while Kone won the 100 meters by .20, clocking 10.24 - the fastest time turned for the century by any NE runner this season.

Best events for the 6-state region were men's steeplechase with 4 of top the 6, and women's triple jump with 3 of the top 4. Williams women were 5th with 23 (80 scored) and Middlebury men were 9th with 19 points (84 scored). Top 3 finishers:

200 2.Briana Wise, Worcester State, 24.33
1500 2.Margo Cramer, Middlebury, 4:26.18
400 Hurdles 2.Jamie Simmons, MIT 60.36
Triple Jump 2.Tanasia Hoffler, Williams, 40'7.5"; 3.Ashley Dell'Aira, Wheaton, 40'6.75"
Discus 2.Kelly Allen, Tufts, 150'5"
Hammer 3.Amina Avril, Williams, 181'2"
10,000m 2.Michael Schmidt, Middlebury, 30:32.84
Steeplechase 3.Jack Davies, Middlebury, 8:54.61; 3.Brian Fuller, Springfield, 8:56.05
Discus 3.David Pless, Bates, 173'11"

Full results at deltatiming.com.

Six events on the schedule of the June 17 USATF-New England Track & Field Championship will feature $100 performance bonuses. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1912 Olympics, there will be Centennial Challenges in the 100, 1500, Pole Vault, and Long Jump. There will also be point value challenges in the javelin and steeplechase, and the meet's outstanding male and female performer based on IAAF scoring tables will also be eligible for a $100 bonus. Bonuses will be limited to the top finishing USATF-NE members in an event with no remaining collegiate eligibility. See the list of events, standards, and complete eligibility, and the meet entry form at the Track and Field page.

Online entry for the June 23 USATF New England Junior Olympic meet is now open. Entry is through the CoachO.com system found at usatfregistration.com/meet/entry/ma_usatfyouth02/.

The basic Junior Olympic entry info and meet schedule can be found here. It's preferred that clubs should enter all their athletes, not have individuals enter. Entry closes on Wednesday, June 20 at midnight.

A change in advancing for 2012 - the top 8 finishers in each event in each age group at the New England meet will advance to the Region I meet at Long Island July 8-10. This is an increase from top 6 in previous years.

Two warm-up meets are being hosted by the Amherst NH TC on June 9 and 16. See the links at the Track page.

Long time official and outstanding athlete from the 1950's, Bob Rittenburg, passed away on Monday, May 21. The Reading resident was one of only 2 Massachusetts athletes to ever win two events at a high school national meet, and had an outstanding collegiate career at Harvard. In 1956, he placed 5th in the US Olympic Trials 400 intermediate hurdles, and then went on to participate in some of the first Masters National indoor track & field championships in the 1970's.

Besides being an avid track official, in recent years he served as researcher and historian for the Mass. HS Track & Field Hall of Fame. As much as a sportsman, he was known in track circles for his kindness and interest in people. He was the father of current Brookline (MA) athletic director and former coach Pete Rittenburg.

Kevin Johnson took his second win of the 2012 New England Grand Prix series and Emily Kroshus led the women's field at Saturday's Bedford Rotary Memorial 12K in Bedford NH. Warm but pleasant temperatures and bright sun were tempered by the shaded course as 511 runners completed the race,

Johnson, representing the new Western Mass Distance Project, was matched by Nate Jenkins (CMS) through the opening 3+ mile loop of the figure 8 course, but pulled away to a new course record of 36:51 over the 2nd circuit. Kroshus recorded a time of 43:52 to lead a BAA sweep, as teammates Lindsay Willard (44:24) and Caroline Bjune (44:44) chased her to the finish line on the Bedford HS track.

Age group winners performed well, with both 40+ winners - Joseph Koech (RUN) and Maria Servin (Whirlaway) in the top 10. Robert Cipriano and Karen McGahie led the 50+ runners, Jerry Learned and Karen Durante (Whirlaway) topped the 60+ crowd, and Denny Lelanc (GLRR) and Jane Levesquewere first NE 70+.

In team totals, Central Mass Striders were men's open and 40+ winners, with Whirlaway (50+) and Gate City Striders (M60+) also securing titles. Women's team wins were spread among the B.A.A. (Open), Whirlaway (40+) and CMS (50+).

Full results are posted, and updated GP standings after 3 events will be ready on Monday after review of results. The series continues on June 10 at the Newton (MA) 10K.

Several New England masters passed on the association 12K to race at the USA Masters 8K held at the Run for the Dream 8K in Williamsburg VA, all making the awards platform. Vermont men took medals back to the Green Mountain State, with Bill Dixon (Gr.Lowell RR / Bennington) winning the M65-69 division in 30:46, and Green Mountain AA's Norm Larson (Burlington) placing second in the M55 division in 27:27; Larson's age graded performance of 92.91 was the best among men's times. On the women's side, Linda Jennings (Going The Distance / Tewksbury MA) was 3rd in the W55 standings in 35:10.

Two New England competitors were winners at the recent National Division III Junior College Championships in Alfred, New York. Robert Allen of Community College of Rhode Island added an outdoor title to his two indoor wins this year, taking the 1500 in 3:55.99, a new meet record; he also was 2nd in the 5000 meters. Jasmine Bien Aime of Roxbury Community College won both the 100 and 200 in meet record times of 12.11 and 24.49, respectively. Anthony Giorgi of Northern Essex Community College was bronze medalist in the 110 Hurdles at 15.75, as was Cassandra Gustafson of CCRI in the javelin at 32.15.

Others earning NJCAA All-American honors were, from RCC, Tyshey Carmichael (100, 4th, and 200, 6th), Shawn Lawson (100, 4th), and Oswaru Johnson (High Jump, 6th), and from NECC, Gabe Frias (Hurdles, 6th) and Dan Busta (Javelin, 6th).

A new event opened the 2012 USATF-New England Mountain Circuit, as 135 finishers conquered the mulitiple loops of the Sleepy Hollow Mountain Race in Huntington VT, directed by 2011 World Mountain Running champion Kasie Enman who trains over the course. The race replaced the traditional opener at Northfield Mountain which completed a 10 year run last year.

First over the 6 mile mostly grass circuit was Josh Ferenc, who clocked 39:17 for a 1:07 margin over Kevin Tilton with Jim Johnson third another minute back. Todd Callahan was top 40+ in 5th, with Martin Tighe (17th) and Rich Miller (34th) taking the other decade group wins.

Women's winner Bridget Ferrin-Smith, running 52:17, also had over a minute gap on second, as she was followed by Ashley Krause (53:46) and Jennifer Johnson (54:14). Anne Bliss (4th overall), Jackie Shakar (7th) and Moira Durnin (16th) topped the 40/50/60 age groups. Women's placings.

The series will continue on May 26 at Wachusett Mountain.

Sheri Piers (Dirigo RC / Falmouth ME) is USATF New England's Athlete of the Month for April 2012. The marathoner was first American at this year's Boston Marathon, running 2:41:55. She finished tenth overall and second master, and despite the sweltering conditions, her time was just 3 minutes off her 2011 result that was run in perfect conditions.

Thrower Carl Wallin (Thor's Stone AC / Lebanon NH) is the USATF New England Athlete of the Month for March 2012. At the USA Masters Indoor Championships in Bloomington, Indiana, the former Dartmouth College coach won national titles in the 70-74 age group in the weight throw and super weight, and also placed second in the shot put. Earlier in the season, he set a US record in the super weight.

Coming from almost a minute behind with just 4 miles to go, Wesley Korir (Kenya) ran down two countrymen in the final miles to win the 2012 Boston Marathon. His 2:12:40 was a hard earned time, and most of his 26 second margin of victory came in the final half mile of the race. Such was the day that Mathew Kisorio, running second and just 20 seconds behind at Cleveland Circle, crossed the line nearly 6 minutes behind the winner

Also coming from way back, top American Jason Hartman (Colorado) placed fourth overall in 2:14:31, that placing giving him a World "A" standard, as the top 10 finishers in the five World Marathon Majors earn that designation regardless of actual time.

On the women's side, the margin of victory was just 2 seconds for the second straight year as Sharon Cherop outlegged countrywoman Jemima Jelagat Sumgong 2:31:50 to 2:31:52. Top American was Maine's Sheri Piers of Falmouth and the Dirigo RC, tenth in 2:41:55 (and 2nd master).

The Wheelchair finishes again provided excitement, with men's winner Joshua Cassidy (Canada) setting a new course and world best time of 1:18:25, and Shirley Reilly defeating 5 time winner and defending champion Wakako Tsuchida (Japan).

Top local finishers by state: Massachusetts: David Bedoya (GBTC/Somerville) 2:29:34; Hilary Dionne (BAA/Charlestown) 2:51:56; New Hampshire: Tim Perry (Contoocook) 2:45:08; Christin Doneski (Whirlaway/Hopkinton) 3:12:06; Rhode Island: Patrick Leahy (N.Providence) 2:57:51; Lisa Cecchi (Middletown) 3:28:20; Vermont: Todd Smith (Charlotte) 2:49:34; Megan Malgeri (GMAA/Burlington) 2:59:56; Connecticut: Scott Mindel (New London) 2:27:15; Maureen Terwilliger (Guilford) 3:18:44; Maine: Nick Wheeler (BAA/Rockland), 2:33:30; Sheri Piers (Dirigo RC/Falmouth) 2:41:55;

There is plenty to read and view on the race at all running related websites starting at bostonmarathon.org.

Once again, local clubs swept the team races at the Boston Marathon. The host Boston Athletic Association repeated as both the open men's and women's division winners, and added the masters' men's bowl this year. The men's team totaled 7:48:48 with Greater Boston TC 6:59 back. The women's team clocked 8:47:41, 42 minutes ahead of Somerville Road Runners. The BAA / SRR 1-2 finish was also the order in the masters men's competition, though just 1:08 separated the squads. Whirlaway Racing Team made it to the stage again for the women's masters win (9:55:09) ahead of Winners Circle RC.

Other New England teams in the top 10 were SRR open men (8th), Whirlaway masters men (5th), GBTC open women (7th), and Wampanoag RR (8th), Gr.Lowell Roadrunners (9th), and Gate City Striders (10th) among masters women.

Forty years of women running Boston will be celebrated at a presentation and discussion on Friday evening, April 13 at 7 PM at the Hopkinton High School Auditorium. WBZ news anchor Lisa Hughes moderates a panel of the pioneering women - including 4 of the original official field of 7. A reception will follow the program. There is a $5 donation with just 200 seats available. See fastandfabulous.eventbrite.com.

The Stanford Invitational has a well deserved reputation of hosting some of the fastest track distance races in the country, and this year's meet proved no exception. 2011 NE Runner of the Year Tim Ritchie (BAA) placed 7th in one of the fastest 10,000's ever run by a New Englander, clocking a huge Personal Record 28:44.86; former Harvard harrier Daniel Chenoweth was two places back in 28:46.87. Katie DiCamillo (New Balance Boston) was runner-up by under a second in the women's race at 32:31.97, another exceptional PR, with Boston U's Katie Matthews 8th in 32:44.58.

Over 5000 meters, Dan Lowry of Brown was eighth in a university record 13:34.49 and the second fastest ever by an Ivy League runner;. Teammate Olivia Mickle broke the oldest Bruin record on the books by 40+ seconds, as her 33:59.26 bettered the standard set in 1981 by Ann Sullivan Hird (now a top masters competitor in NE championship events). Full results.

The World Masters Indoor Championships was a late season meet this year, though there was still plenty of snow in Finland. Mary Harada (Liberty AC / Newbury MA) won three silver medals in the W75 division; 800 (4:10.30), 1500 (8:02.08) and 3000 (17:16.23). Shigeki Makino (Mass Velocity / Weston MA) brought home a 4x200 relay gold medal as the USA team won the M45 division in 1:37.04. Full results at www.usatrf.org

Jim Wilcox, 1942 - 2012
(USATF NE photo)

Jim Wilcox, officials certification chairman for USATF New England, passed away on Wednesday in his home town of Fall River MA. An official who worked events from local Junior Olympics to USA Championships, he was a past president of the Massachusetts Track & Field Officials Association as well as a respected basketball and football official.

The RI Track Coaches Association will add nine members to the RITCA Hall of Fame at their dinner on Friday.
The group of inductees covers several areas of the sport. Leading the way as athletes are Mark Strawderman - a three time all American and URI's only 17 foot pole vaulter - and Phil Kane, an all American while at Villanova (Chariho and Rogers HS grads, respectively). Strawderman also is being recognized for other contributions to the sport. Additional honorees to be recognized this Friday are official and coach Matt Hird, journalists Carolyn Thornton (Providence Journal) and Steve Mazzone (The Call), and coaches Jim Caron (Ponagansett), Kevin Mulligan (Lincoln), and, posthumously, Ed Warnock and Joe Foley (Tolman). Service awards will be presented to state TF administrators Ray Dwyer and Charley Sweeney.

The RI Track Coaches Association website is www.ritca.com.

Women's bronze medal winner Lindsay Willard and race director Dan McCarthy
(USATF NE photo)

Past New England marathon champions Matt Pelletier (2008) and Hilary Dionne (BAA) (2011) led a record field of over 3000 entrants in ideal weather at the New Bedford Half Marathon, race 2 in the 2012 USATF-NE Grand Prix series. Pelletier had a lengthy battle with Nate Jenkins (CMS) before pulling away for the win, 1:06:31 to 1:07.05, withi 10 Mile champ Kevin Johnson third. Dionne separated herself from the competition a bit sooner and clocked 1:19:07 over Amelia Landberg (GBTC, 1:19:53).

After a successful indoor track season, Kara Haas (adidasNE) moved up in distance to take the master win - and place 4th overall, while Keven O'Neill (BAA, RI) was NE champ and 2nd overall male 40+. Robert Cipriano (SomervilleRR) and Ellie Tucker (Winners Circle) won the NE 50+ titles, Marshall Randolph (CSU) and Karen Durante (WRT) the 60+, and Denny LeBlanc (GLRR) 70+ (2nd overall).

The B.A.A. swept the team trophies in open divisions for second straight race (placing 6-10 in the men's standings) and won the men's 40+. Whirlaway also won three divisions (M50, W40, W50), and CMS (M40) and CSU (M60) secured the remaining titles.

The series continues on May 19 at another 30+ year old event, the Bedford NH Rotary 12K. Team and individual GP standings are at the GP page.

The USATF New England 5K Championship race has a change event and date.

The new 5K Championship will be the Jack Kerouac 5K on Sunday, September 30, in Lowell MA.

It is the 10th running of the Kerouac event, and the race is already part of the NE Runner Pub Series, which avoids a potential conflict. Change your calendars to note this update!

Full release

The 2012 Outdoor Track & Field Schedule, covering Open and major collegiate and high school meets, is now posted on the website at the track and field page. It will be updated regularly during the season. Please forward any additions or corrections to office@usatfne.org.

Greg Moschella (Nitehawks SC/Westborough MA) and Jordan Samuels (Cambridge Jets/Malden MA) picked up multiple wins at the USATF National Youth Indoor Track & Field Championships over the weekend. Moschella, in the Youth (age 13-14) division, earned three gold medals; 200 (25.33), 400 (55.36), and triple jump (34'9.75"). Samuels, in the Intermediate (age 15-16) division, matched the TJ win in 42'8", won the 55 Hurdles (8.00), and took 2nd in the 55 (6.77).

Other New England competitors earning gold medals were Ahmad Lewis (Dare 2 Dream/Boston) in the Intermediate 200 in 23.38 (and bronze in the 400, 54.34) and Andrew Theall (Waltham TC/Newton MA) in the Youth pole vault. Olivia Thorsgaard (Cambridge Jets/Newton MA) ran to silver in the hurdles - 9.86 - and placed fourth in both the high and long jump.

FULL RESULTS.

The Chariho RI HS 4 x mile relay established a new national record and Carla Forbes won the triple jump at National Scholastic Championships at the New Balance Armory in New York.
The Chariho quartet of Bryce Kelley, Dan Kilcoyne, Jake Kilcoyne, and Mike Marsella, who won the New England 4x800, passed the stick over 4 miles in 17:20.20 to lower a 3 year old mark. Forbes, the 2010 TJ winner and defending long jump champ, spanned 42'5.25" for a 1 foot margin of victory, missing the national Junior class record by 1/4". The distance improved her personal best of 42'1.5 set last summer; she doubled up with a 5th in the long jump at 19'7".

Joe Velez (Classical/Providence) 2nd, Weight, 75'6" and Ruben Horace (Warwick RI, 71'6") went 2-3 in the weight throw, and La Salle Academy RI ran to three top 6 placings in relays (2, 4x800, 9:02.84; 4.Sprint Medley, 4:03.24; 6.Distance Medley 12:00.30) to lead New England placers. Other individuals and teams placing in the top 6: Marshfield MA, 3, Distance medley, 10:12.12; Dakota Dailey Harris, La Salle, 3.High Jump, 5'9.25"; Casey Teska, Stow, 3.Pole Vault 12'8.75"; Hilary Holmes, Exeter NH, 3.Pentathlon, 3484; Swardic Mayanja, Newton North, 4.Shot Put, 59'6.25; Julie McConville, Hingham, 4.Two Mile 10:36.36; Kris Horn, Titans/Pembroke, 5.Pentathlon, 3483; Titans/Pembroke MA, 5.Distance Medley, 10:12.43; Chelmsford MA 5.4x200 1:30.24; Olisa Obiefuna, Saugus MA, 6.Triple Jump 47'9.25"; Kevin Conway, Westerly RI, 6.Weight 66'.25"; Marthaline Cooper, Classical/Providence, 6.Weight 52'10.75"; Providence/Hope, 6.4x200, 1:42.04. Winner of the Freshman mile was Liz Holmes of Foxborough MA in 5:02.49.

Results are at NationalScholastic.org.

USATF-NE Runner of the Year Tim Ritchie continued his progress in 2012, placing third at the USA 15K road race Championship held at the Gate River Run in Jacksonville Florida on Saturday. The Boston-based B.A.A. runner, who broke 4:00 for the mile in February, recorded a 44:41 for the distance,just four seconds out of second. The championship was won for the third year in a row by Mo Trafeh in 43:23. The Women's had a New England flavor, with 2011 Tufts 10K and BAA 1/2 marathon winner Janet Cherobon-Bawcom won her 4th USA title in 6 months in 49:41 and Molly Huddle (Providence / Saucony) placed second in 49:57.

Results at runnerspace.com.

The NCAA Division III indoor track & field New England region athletes and coaches of the year were announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) today.

Men's Track Athlete of the Year is Ben Scheetz of Amherst College. The senior recorded the fastest indoor time in Division III history in the 800 Meters at 1:47.43, as well as the fastest DIII times of the regular season in the Mile, 1000, and 600. Women's Track AOY is Middlebury senior Margo Cramer, who clocked the fastest time of the season in the Mile and helped Middlebury achieve the season’s fastest time in the Distance Medley Relay. She also won NE DIII Championships in the 800 and Mile and ran on Middlebury’s winning DMR.

In the field, recognized performers are Tanasia Hoffler of Williams and David Pless of Bates. Hoffler, a junior, won the New England DIII Championship in both the long and triple jumps this season and will compete in both events at Nationals where she is the highest seeded in the triple jump. Also a junior, Pless will compete in the NCAA Championship in both the shot put and weight throw. He set a school and ECAC DIII record in the shot at 58-10¼ (17.94m)

Accolades go to three coaches. Mathew Lemaire of Worcester State is recognized as Women's program Coach of the Year. In his fifth year at the helm of the Lancers, Lemaire guided his team to the MASCAC Championship and placed sixth at New England DIII Championships with their highest point total ever. The team set 13 new school records this season. Al Fereshetian of Bates is men's Coach of the Year, as the Bobcats won both the New England and ECAC Division III crowns. Assistant Coach of the Year honor for both Men's and Women's Programs goes to Nicole Wilkerson of Middlebury who is in her tenth year at Middlebury,

The NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships runs Friday and Saturday with live coverage at www.NCAA.com.

Carla Forbes, a junior at Newton North (MA) High School, is the USA Track & Field - New England's Athlete of the Month for February 2012. On February 26 at the Massachusetts All-State Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center, Carla won the long jump with a leap of 20' 1 1/4", winning by more than two feet and ranking her 2nd in the U.S. this indoor season. The jump broke the six year old mark set by Arantxa King. She also placed second in the 55 meter dash by .01 and anchored the state champion 4 x 400 relay to the season's fastest time by a New England scholastic team. The previous weekend, Forbes won two individual events and the relay at the Division I Championships, breaking the DI long jump record (also owned by King).

Freshman distance runner Robert Allen from Community College of Rhode Island won two events at the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Track & Field Championships last weekend. The Providence resident was first in both the Mile and 3000.

At the Columbia Last Chance meet in New York, competitors were looking for performances that might qualify them for the three divisions of NCAA championships. Northeastern sophomore Eric Jenkins and Julian Matthews of Providence ran their second sub-4:00 miles of the season in 3:59.71 and 3:59.71, placing second and third, respectively, in the event.

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced their NCAA Division II indoor track & field region athletes and coaches of the year with three individuals from the New England association given East Region honors.
Men's Field Event performer for the season is Corey Thomas of Stonehill. A junior from Brookline, Mass., Thomas cleared 7-2 1/4 (2.19m) in the high jump to win the New England Championships and was runner-up at the Northeast-10 and BU Valentine meets. The defending national champ is the number 5 seed in 2012.

Women's Track Event honors go to Amy Varsell of Bentley. The junior won the 800 in both the Northeast-10 (a meet record) and New England Championships, and will compete in the NCAA D II Nationals with a season-best 2:12.16 seed.

Women's Coach of the Year for the region is Gary Gardner of UMass Lowell. In his tenth year at the helm, Gardner led the River Hawks to victory at the Northeast-10 Championships, and the UML 4×400-meter relay has a No. 5 seed nationally.

The NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships set for in Mankato, Minnesota; www.NCAA.com will provide live coverage of the meet.

New England youth scored several wins at the USATF East Region Indoor Youth Championship held in Toms River, New Jersey on Sunday. A pair of competitors had three wins each; Jordan Samuels (Cambridge Jets) won the Intermediate Boys (15-16) division - 55 hurdles (meet record), 55 dash, and triple jump, and Greg Moschella (Westborough MA) scored gold in the Youth Boys (13-14) division - Triple Jump, 200, and 400. Also placing first were Olivia Thorsgaard (Cambridge Jets) in the Midget Girls (11-12) high jump (meet record) and Andrew Theall (Waltham TC) in the Youth Boys pole vault.

The top 6 finishers in each event qualified for the national youth Indoor Championship in Illinois in 3 weeks. Results are at usatfnj.org.

Kevin Johnson, two time 2011 New England road champion, and NE fall cross country champ Jenn Donovan moved up in distance to take the season's first road race championship titles at Sunday's Jones Group Realtors 10 Miler hosted by the Sugarloaf Mt. AC in Amherst MA. Temperatures in the mid 30's were tempered by wind gusts, as Bob Hodge's 25 year old course record withstood another year of challenge.

Johnson, sporting the colors of Greater Boston this year, forced the pace to thin the field to three toward the end of the race, and led Nate Jenkins (CMS) and Eric Ashe (BAA) around the finish loop to finish in 51:12. Donovan (New Balance Boston) scored her first GP road win, the 58:39 giving her a minute cushion over Lindsay Willard (BAA).

Masters winners for the men were Binney Mitchell (GMAA, M40), Robert Cipriano (Somerville RR, M50), and race founder Tom Derderian (GBTC, M60), and Christin Donseki (Whirlaway, W40), Ellie Tucker (Dirigo, W50), and Karen Durante (Whir, W60) taking women's honors.

The B.A.A. showed up ready for team action, and with 10 of the first 16 across the line were easy winners. The gold and blue also took the women's win, but just 5 minutes up on the surprising Somerville Road Runners, which recorded their highest ever finish. CMS were solid winners in the M40 competition, Whirlaway continued their masters' successes of the past, taking the women's 40+ and both 50+ crowns, and Greater Springfield were fastest among the 60+ men's squads.

Results will be verified and posted with a link to results at usatfne.org/gp. Note, new for this year - individual masters scoring is now by 5 year age divisions. The series will continue at the New Bedford 1/2 Marathon on March 18.

Registration begins opens today for the the entry lottery for the 2012 Mt. Washington Road Race. Runners can register for the lottery between February 15 and March 15; entrant drawing is done March 16. The race takes place on Saturday, June 16.

The 52nd "Race to the Clouds" will serve as the USA Mountain Running Championship and selection event for the USA men's team to compete in the World Mountain Running Championships in the fall.

All the specifics are at mountwashingtonroadrace.com.

New Englanders and B.A.A. teammates Brian Harvey and Justin Lutz had a productive weekend of racing in Ireland. Based on their finish at the 2011 New England Cross Country Championship, the pair was invited to race at the Armagh Road Race and the Ras na hEireann International Cross Country race. This exchange, offered by Charlie Breagy, CVS/Downtown 5K race director and athlete coordinator of the Ras hosted by his home Dunleer AC, has gone on for over 10 years.

At the multi-loop 5K on the roads in Armagh, Harvey was a close fifth in 14:01 with Lutz in 24th at 14:44; it was the fastest edition ever of that race. Three days later in the Ras, held at the site of the Battle of the Boyne, Harvey took the silver medal over 6K (18:03) and Lutz placed 7th (18:33). Several other Americans also took the trip over to the Emerald Isle, including winner Landon Peacock (17:50), and team scoring had USA topping Ireland.

Results at armaghroadrace.com and rasnaheireann.com

It was one of New England's coldest weekends this season, but action on the track was hot locally and regionally. The Boston University Valentine Invitational hosted both quantity (244 finishers in the men's mile) and quality; matching the Terrier meet 2 weeks earlier, 5 men ran better than 4:00 for the mile including winner Rich Peters of BU (3:57.83), Lowell HS alum Brian Gagnon (3:57.91), Northeastern's Eric Jenkins (3:59.18) and Julian Matthews of Providence; Gagnon and Jenkins went under 4 for the first time. Katie DiCamillo won the women's 5000 in 16:01.71. Across the river, the best college Division 3 long jump in the country was turned in at the MIT Co-Ed Invite, 25'6".

At the Millrose Games held at the New York City Armory, Mass Velocity TC fielded three masters 4 x 400 relay teams with two division wins; the M50+ ran 3:56.33 and the M60+ ran 4:15.87 for wins, with the 40+ foursome clocking 3:45.60 for third. In the Larry Byrne New Balance Boys' High School Mile, Mike Marsella of Chariho RI HS placed second in 4:14.68.

On the national scene, US indoor records were turned in over the weekend by Galen Rupp (2 mile, 8:09.72), Lagat (5000m, 13:07.18) and Jillian Camarena-Williams (shot put, 65'3.25").

The Winter National Cross Country Championships in St.Louis drew a smaller than usual field as Molly Huddle (Providence RI/Saucony) was just pipped at the finish to place second, while Phillips Andover Academy's Cayla Hatton opted to "run up" in the Senior Women's 8K race instead of the Junior race and placed a creditable thirteenth. In the masters event, Tim Van Orden (CMS, 12th), Eric Morse (Ctl VT Runners, 21st) and Dave Dunham (CMS, 22nd) ran solid races; former NE runner Rusty Snow, now in California, placed second master.

At the Reggie Lewis Center on Sunday, Needham TC hosted the Northeast Indoor Classic for youth, drawing their largest field ever which included teams from New York and Canada.

Chiara Del Piccolo of Williams College was named the Division III Women’s Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2011 cross country season by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Del Piccolo was the NCAA Division III cross country champion for the 2011 fall season and has accumulated a cumulative GPA of 3.56 through the fall semester.

Del Piccolo also took the win at the NCAA New England Regional and NESCAC Championships in the fall. Scholar Athletes are determined from among those who earned All-Academic status and placed highest individually at the most recent NCAA Championships.

Adrienne Thornton, a senior at O'Bryant High School in Roxbury, MA, is USA Track & Field - New England's Athlete of the Month for January 2012. On January 14 at the East Coast Championship meet in Providence, Adrienne broke the Massachusetts state record in the girls 20 pound weight throw with a toss of 51' 8 3/4", the leading indoor throw in the nation at that point in the season. It was the second time this indoor season she has broken the state record in the event. Thornton also is ranked top 5 in Massachusetts in the shot put and is a capable sprinter and hurdler.

A full list of USATF-NE Athletes of the Month are at usatfne.org

Providence Cobras won the youth relay at the New Balance GP meet.
(Photo: Vera V)

In front of another sell-out crowd, Jenn Suhr set a new US record of 4.88m/ 16'0" in the pole vault at the New Balance Grand Prix meet Saturday evening at the Reggie Lewis Center. It was the third national record Surh has set in this meet over the years, and she recognized the Boston crowd for their support. The top ranked vaulter in the world for 2011 is now the #2 women's vaulter ever indoors.

A field that included numerous World and American recordholders and world competition medalists treated the house to 3 hours of exciting competitions. A facility record of 37.07 was set in the 300 meters by Olympian DeeDee Trotter, and the most exciting event may have been the men's mile where world 5000 meter champion Mo Farrah fell in the first lap but got up to clock a personal best 3:57.92 for fourth in the mile.

Local talent turned in some top performances on the blue-and-blue stage as well; Winner of the NE Open XC race last fall, Cayla Hatton (Phillips Andover) placed second in the girls Junior mile at 4:51.37 after leading for 7 of the 8 laps, and Joel Hubbard (Marshfield MA) took silver in the boys mile (4:14:35). The Boston - New York Relays went to New York clubs, top performances coming from Acton-Boxboro TC - 4:03.14 for third in the girls 4x400 - and Titans TC - 7:55.86 silver medal in the gun-to-wire battle in the boys' 4x800. Providence Cobras won the always exciting Youth Relay, and Kent Lemme (Gr.Springfield Harriers) was top New Englander in the Masters Mile at 4:29.89.

Full results are at newbalanceindoorgrandprix.com

The USATF East Region and New England Masters Indoor Championships returned to the Providence Career and Technical Academy track with increased numbers and produced several new pending National records age group by three New Yorkers. Nene Davis, 51, threw the 12 pound weight 17.29 meters, Pat Peterson, 85, clocked marks of 14.32 (60), 54.70 (200), and 2:28.76 (400), and Mary Louise Michaelson, 70, brought the division 3000 meter record to 13:15.88. In the team scoring, New England clubs MassVelocity and Twilight Throwers went 1-2.

Thanks to Providence Classical Coach Bob Palazzo (himself contributing points to the Twilight Throwers team total) and his team that supported the meet with helpers. The masters meet is the only non-high school event held at the PCTA track, and masters appreciated the quality facility.

Results

Chariho HS crushed the Rhode Island state indoor 4 x 800 record at the Charles Sweeney Last Chance meet on Sunday. Their winning time of 7:54.3 was 10 seconds better than the previous mark set by South Kingstown in 2009, and ranks second national. More RI HS notes at ritca.com.

The four minute mile is a long standing standard of excellence for middle distance runners, and another local runner was added to the list of local runners who have achieved the mark this past weekend. At Saturday's Boston University Terrier Classic, 2011 USATF-NE Runner of the Year Tim Ritchie (B.A.A.) clocked 3:58.49 for second place in the seeded section of the event, running sub-4 for the first time. Race winner David McCarthy of Providence, NE XC Champion in 2010, ran 3:55.75. Ritchie doubled back with a 8:05.48 personal best 3000 meter for an exceptional day at the races. BAA teammate Brian Harvey ran a PB 7:59.76 in fourth.

A pair of records marked the results. In the 4x400, U.Mass-Lowell ran a New England collegiate indoor all-time best time of 3:09.39. The masters quartet of Jayme Fishman, Doug Williams, Andrew Darien, and Chris Simpson from the Eliot Track Club relayed 10:55.10 in the distance medley, a US (and possibly a world) masters best. In the women's tallies, B.U.'s Katie Matthews ran the fastest collegiate 5000 of the season, 15:52.80.

Full results are at lancertiming.com

(In another fast mile at Penn State, Westerly RI HS product Andrew Springer ran a PB 4:01.17).

At the USATF sponsored "US Open" meet on Saturday night at New York's Madison Square Garden, two Bay State scholastic runners placed 2-3 in the competitive invitational high school mile on the classic 11 lap to the mile oval - quite a differnt experience from their familiar home Reggie Lewis Track. Wesley Gallagher (Pembroke) and Nick Christensen (Peabody) ran 4:20.01 and 4:20.23, respectively, behind the winning 4:19.86, with Chris Cogliano (Bp.Guertin NH) placed 8th. In the girls' race, Rhode Island sophomore Maddy Berkson (Classical/Providence) finished sixth in a time of 5:02.77. Results of the first annual meet, marking the 99th year of indoor track at Madison Square Garden, are at usatf.org.

The National and state "Gatorade XC Runners of the Year" were announced on Thursday, with a boy and girl from each state recognized for their performances from last fall, with academic and character components factored in. The winners in the six New England States:

ME: Abby Leonardi Kennebunk; Matt McClintock, Madison
MA: Catarina Rocha, Peabody; Wesley Gallagher, Pembroke
NH: Courtney Hawkins, Milford; Colton Hamm, Merrimack Valley
VT: Elle Purrier, Richford; Malcolm Plunkett, So.Burlington
RI: Molly Keating, LaSalle Academy; Mike Marsella, Chariho
CT: Reid Watson, Glastonbury; Connor Rog, Fairfield Prep

National XC runners of the year for 2011 were Molly Seidel (WI) and Futsum Zeinasellassie (IN). Stories and profiles are found at espn.go.com

Marblehead MA native Shalane Flanagan took the first spot on the US Olympic women's track & field team in winning the US Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston. Living in Portland Oregon, the now three time Olympian finished in a career best and Trials record 2:25:38. The second and third spots went to runners who recently had the same placings at the Boston Marathon; silver medalist Desiree Davila (2nd, 2011 Boston) and bronze medal winner Kara Goucher (3rd, 2009 Boston). The top 5 women were under 2:30:00.

First New Englander across the line was Heidi Westover (Walpole NH) in 15th at 2:35:45, with Rebecca Donaghue (New Balance Boston) 17th in a debut 2:35:57 and Jeannette Faber (B.A.A.) 21st in a personal best 2:36:50. Others association runners in the results were Sheri Piers (Dirigo, 24th, 2:37:09), Meagan Nedlo (Marblehead MA, 49th, 2:41:06 PB), Kasie Enman (B.A.A., 53rd, 2:45:25), Heather Cappello (B.A.A., 54th, 2:43:07), Kristin Barry (Dirigo, 83rd, 2:45:43), Erica KJesseman (Scarborough ME, 88th, 2:46;11), Jodie Conway (Framingham MA, 104th, 2:48:02), and Jess Minty (New Balance Boston, 148th, 3:02:14); Brett Ely and Diana Bowser did not finish among the 183 runner field.

The men's marathon team will be composed of three veterans of the Olympic Games - Meb Keflighizi, Ryan Hall, and Abdi Abdirahmen, as for the first time at the Trials, the top 4 men finished under 2:10:00. Braintree MA native Sean Quigley, who qualified at a shorter distance race, clocked 2:14:12 for 16th in his debut at the full 26.2 miles, and and Zach Hine (S.Hadley MA) had a personal best 2:16:40 for 31st. Alex Crabill (Boston, 52nd, 2:20:17) and Lucas Meyer (BAA, 54th, 2:20:21) were the other New Englanders among the 83 finishers (111 starters).

Full results at usatf.org.

Jack Pilla, 53, of Charlotte Vermont started the year on a gold medal note, winning the M50-54 division and placing 17th overall at the USA 100 Km Trail Championship race held in Bandera Texas on January 7. Pilla's time was 10:46:32, making him the only New Englander to complete the event which had 215 starters and 153 finishers. Winner Timothy Olson of Oregon ran 8:28:40 for the 62.2+ miles.

Full results at tejastrails.com.

The Boston Athletic Association announces that defending champions Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel will return to the Boston Marathon no April 16 to defend their titles.
Mutai's 2011 winning time of 2:03:02 was te fastest marathon ever run on a certified course. He followed that up with a course-record (2:05:06) win at the 2011 ING New York City Marathon in November. Kilel won the women's race in a three way sprint finish down Boylston street, her 2:22:36 giving just a 2 second margin.

The third largest marathon in the US, 2012 will mark the 27th year of financial sponsorship by John Hancock Financial. See bostonmarathon.org for more race news and information.

The Waltham TC at the 2011 National JO Cross Country Championship
(photo: Waltham TC)

The Waltham Track Club Youth Girls cross country team is the USATF-New England Athlete of the Month for December 2011. The team won their division (age 13-14) at the USA Junior Olympic National Championships on December 10 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Youth Girls race was the largest of the 6 girls races at the national meet. Team members are Leah Brams, Rebecca Grusby, Lauren Ilsley, Sonya Jampel, Courtney Aylaian, Zoe Gompers, Charlotte Sykes, and Lindsey Mogan.

Find the complete list of monthly award winners at usatfne.org on the awards page.

Three US Masters Relay bests in the 11th annual Lou's 4 x 1600 Relay, run following the B.U.Mini-meet #3, closed out the 2011 competitive year at Boston University on December 31. Fourteen teams required two sections to be run, with records in each.

The Whirlaway Racing Team Men's 50+ foursome of Mike Cooney, Paul Doe, Paul Hammond, and Craig Fram carried the baton in 19:17.61, breaking the old record by a whopping minute and half (old mark 20:47.8). Fastest leg was Cooney's opening 4:44.45. Three of the four also have a stake in the existing M40 4 x 1600 record set 9 years ago.

In section 2, Liberty AC Women's 60+ foursome bettered their own mark set a year ago; Sue Gustafson, Regina Wright, Lenore Webber, and Jan Holmquist relayed in 28:57.57 (Holmquist fastest at 6:40.09), pulling down the year old standard by 35 seconds. While many records are set by runners just turning the new age group, Liberty's four runners ranged from 64 to 69.

A men's 70+ mark had not been recorded until race; the New England 65+ RC quartet of Jerry LeVasseur, Joe Cordero, Harry Carter, and Bill Borla ran 29:06.20 for a first time record (fast leg - 6:19.05 by ) The mark will be listed as a "national team" record, as all four do not have their USATF club membership with NE65.

The overall race was won by the new Club Janji, whose anchor, Mike Burnstein, turned in the day's fastest leg at 4:20.09. Full results with all split times will be posted Monday at usatfne.org/track.

Based on her finish at the USA Fall Cross Country Championships, Katie DiCamillo (New Balance Boston / Providence RI) will be representing the USA at the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country International Challenge in Scotland on January 7. The 2010 New England and Mayor's Cup Champion finished ninth at the Nationals to earn the USA uniform.

The full US team can be found in the press release at usatf.org.

Reigning World 1500 Meter Champion Jenny Simpson will open her 2012 season, and 1500 meter bronze medalist Matthew Centrowitz will make his professional track debut on February 4 at the 2012 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix at Boston's Reggie Lewis Track and Center.

Simpson become the first American woman to win an outdoor world 1500 title since Mary Slaney’s victory at the inaugural IAAF World Championships in Helsinki 1983. "Track fans at Reggie Lewis have shown that they particularly appreciate the distance races so I am looking forward to hopefully giving them a glimpse of things to come this summer", said Simpson.

Centrowitz' World Championships medal was an impressive end to a standout season that included victories at the NCAA Championships and USA Outdoor Championships. He announced last month that he will forgo his last year of NCAA eligibility at the University of Oregon and will have his indoor track professional debut in Boston.

Since it began in 1996, the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix has showcased nine US and six world records, and has brought Olympians and World Champions to the intimate confines of the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. Ticket ordering and meet information for meet, the second stop in USA Track & Field's Visa Championship Series, can be found on-line at www.nbindoorgrandprix.com or by calling 1-877-TIX-TRAC.

If you need extra motivation to get prime seats for the traditionally sold-out meet, you can save 15% off the price of your tickets from now until December 24. Visit the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix ticket page or call 1-877-849-8722 and use the promo code "DEC2011" when purchasing your tickets to receive a special 15% holiday discount! This offer is only good until 11:59PM EST on December 24!

Past New England champion runner Ken Mueller passed away on December 9 at age 75. He ran his first Boston Marathon in 1959 and completed the race 19 times with a best of 2:22.26. A long time resident of Bellingham and member of the Boston Athletic Association, Ken competed in road, cross country, and track events on the national, regional and local level, and earned championship gold medals at all levels. He taught physical education for many years in the Woonsocket RI school system.

Daniel O'Donoghue runs to an All-American 24th palce in the Midget Boys race
(photo: Emer)

Waltham Track Club Youth (13-14) Girls and Nashua PAL Sub-Bantam (7-8) Boys ended their seasons as gold medalists, winning their divisions at the National Junior Olympic meet in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Saturday; well over 2000 competitors from around the country took part.

Led by Leah Brams (24th overall, 11th team scorer), Waltham totaled 131 to win by 12 points over San Diego RoadRunners, with Granite State Flash fourth (164) in the same race. The Youth Girls race was the largest girls race of the day, had the closest top 5 team scoring of all events, and the best New England team showing in the meet.

Nashua PAL Gate City were top in the first year of Sub-Bantam (age 7-8) national level competition, with top finisher Nicholas Dahl placing 24th.

Granite State Flash Bantam (9-10) Girls also made the awards podium placing third; their 91 points matched second place, but they were edged on the tiebreaker fifth place finisher.

Top individual placings were a pair of bronze medal runs. Caroline Fischer (Granite State Flash) ran to third in the Bantam (9-10) girls race, and Samuel Toolin of Sentinel Striders matched that in the Bantam Boys run, one place ahead of Noah Strout of Nashua PAL who also won an individual medal.

New England Club placings and the top individual in each race:

Sub Bantam Girls: 9.Morgan Nault, Granite Sate Flash;
Bantam Girls: 3.Caroline Fischer, Granite State Flash; 3.Granite State Flash 92, 11.Greater Lowell RoadRunners 255 (14 teams);
Midget Girls: 33.Cecelia Orcutt, Team RUN; 6.Waltham TC 197; 8.Granite State Flash 232 (20 teams);
Youth Girls: 8.Rylee Gillen, Team RUN; 1.Waltham TC 131, 4.Granite State Flash 164 (23 teams);
Intermediate Girls: 16.Maeve Westover;
Young Women: 16.Erica Notini, Nashua PAL; 4.Sentinel Striders 100.
Sub Bantam Boys: 9.Peter Crapsey, Bradford Huskies; 1.Nashual PAL Gate City,45 (5 teams)
Bantam Boys: 3.Samuel Toolin, Sentinel Striders; 5.Nashua PAL Gate City 157, 10.Sentinel Striders 219 (17 teams);
Midget Boys: 24.Daniel O'Donoghue, Waltham TC; 10.Waltham TC 281; 13.Nashua PAL Gate City 339 (24 teams);
Youth Boys: 20.Eli Moskowitz, Granite State Flash; 7.Granite State Flash 206, 9.Sentinel Striders 240; 13.Nashua PAL Gate City 331 (25 teams);
Intermediate Boys: 44.Arthur Whitehead, Nitehawks; 9.Granite State Flash 195 (13 teams);
Young Men: 7.Ben Bunnell, Green Mountain AA;

Results of all 12 races are at usatf.org/events/2011.

The Boston Athletic Association men and New Balance Boston women took fifth in their respective races at the USA Cross Country Nationals held in Seattle Washington on Saturday. An event record 1,226 athletes in two open and two masters championship competitions which featured America's top post-collegiate club teams from across the United States vying for top honors as the nation's top cross country team. The championships offered a total prize purse of $30,000.

Led by New England champ Tim Ritchie in 13th, and Brian Harvey in 21st, the B.A.A. men scored 179 points for fifth place and $1000 at the "club nationals". Repeating as team champions were McMillan Elite of Arizona with 72 points. Other local teams in the 358 runner field were New Balance Boston (23rd, 650), Greater Boston TC (27th, 753), and Greater Boston B (27th, 750) (45 teams). Men's race individual winner John Gray of Team USA Minnesota ran 29:38.

In the women's race, Katie DiCamillo (New Balance Boston / Providence RI) was first local home for the second straight year, improving her placing to 9th in a field of 265. With New England champion and clubmate Jenn Donovan in 22nd, New Balance Boston placed fifth with 169 points. The B.A.A. women, with Diana Bowser and Kasie Enman in 29-30, placed sixth and Greater Boston TC was 12th and all well in the top half of the 32 team field. Overall winners were adidas/Team Rogue Elite (74 points), and Brie Felnagle (WA, 19:54).

Among the 356 men's masters competitors, Sandu Rebenciuc (Greater Springfield Harriers) was second overall and New England masters champ Pete Hammer (B.A.A.) ran to sixth overall, both earning silver medals in the M40 and M45 divisions, respectively. Greater Springfield placed second M40 with 72 points behind Atlanta Track Club (22). Also representing the area in the 21 team M40 totals were Dirigo RC (6th, 201 pts) and Greater Boston TC (11th, 314 pts).

In the M55-59 individual scoring, Norm Larson (Green Mountain AA) and John Barbour (Gr.Lowell RR) won gold-bronze for the 55-59 division, and led their clubs to 9th and 10th, respectively, for M50+ clubs (17 teams).

In the masters' women's 6K race, Top New Englanders among the 152 finsihers was Trish Bourne (W45, GLRR) in 43rd, 24:51. Only one club fielded a scoring squad, The W50+ Greater Lowell RR led by Liane Pancoast placing 7th.

Complete results of all divisions at usatf.org

Seven scholastic runners from the New England states enjoyed the pleasant San Diego weather and met national elite counterparts at the 33rd Foot Locer Cross Country Championships in San Diego on Saturday. Maine runners were top regional runners in both races.

Two girls represented the six state region; Abbey Leonardi of Kennebunkport ME placed 4th in 17:36 in her third national appearance, and Catarina Rocha (Peabody MA), in her second Footlocker final, was 7th in 17:38. Winner Molly Seidel (Hartland WI) clocked 17:22.

In the boys race, five first time finalists from New England were led by Matthew McClintock (Madison, ME) in 15th at 15:32. Behind him were Connor Rog (Fairfield CT, 18th, 15:35), Jonathan Green (St.Johns/Shrewsbury MA, 22nd, 15:46), Christopher Allen (King Phillip/Norfolk MA, 24th, 15:47), and Joel Hubbard (Marshfield MA, 35th, 16:10), all racing well in the elite field of 40 runners. Boys winner Edward Chererek (St.Benedicts, Newark NJ) completed an undefeated season, running 14:51.5 for a 1 second win.

Results and stories at footlockercc.com

Several New England competitors and administrators were recognized by sports committees at the USATF Annual Meetings held in St.Louis last week. Among athletes, the Mountain/Ultra/Trail Running Council named Kasie Enman (Huntington VT/BAA) as their Mountain Runner of the year, and the duo of Tim Van Orden (Bennington VT/CMS) and Jackie Shakar (Sutton MA/CSU) as the masters men's and women's Mountain and Trail ROY's.

Masters Track & Field selected Flo Meiler (Shelburne VT/Mass Velocity) as their female co-athelte of the year. Teammate Barbara Jordan (Burlington VT) was an athlete honoree for the age 75+ division.

Race Walking Committee gave its "Mike Riban Award" for long term service to NE chairman Justin Kuo (NEWalkers/Brookline MA). The late marathon legend Clarence Demar was formally inducted into the US Track & Field Hall of Fame with five other individuals.

Full information on the USATF Annual Meeting and awards can be found at usatf.org.

Eight New England states officials were selected to officiate the 2012 USA Olympic Trials Track & Field meet in June. The selections were done at the USATF Annual Meeting. Those heading to the Trials in Eugene, Oregon, are: Joe Bullock (Swansea MA, shot put), Nicole Bullock (Swansea MA, hammer), Bob Gidari (Deering NH, discus), Justin Kuo (Brookline MA, Electronic Distance Measurement), Rick Lajoie (Holyoke MA, long/triple jump), Pat Lavelle (Holyoke MA, hammer) Tom Meagher (Duxbury MA, starter), and Lance Turley (Laconia NH, hammer)

Several other officials received assignments at major USA Championships; Dave Grant (Keene NH, Junior Nationals, shot put), Sarah Grant (Keene NH, Junior Nationals, discus/javelin), Jim Wilcox (Fall River MA, Indoor Nationals, Clerk).

Three New England school clubs and several at-large individuals lined up against the country's top ranked teams at the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) at Portland (OR) Meadows Race Track on Saturday. The group qualified a week earlier with a top 2 finish at the Northeast Region meet in Wappinger Falls NY.

Pembroke MA placed 18th in the boys race, with teams from Champlain Valley Union VT (21st) and Hamilton-Wenham MA (22nd) in the girls run. Top individual finishers from New England were the NE HS champions in November; Mike Marsella (Chariho, RI) in 19th (the first RI individual qualifier for the meet) and Elle Purrier (Richford, VT) in 32nd and New England HS champ. Full results at runnerspace.com.

Voting is closed for the 2012 USATF-NE Road Race Grand Prix, and Slate "B" received an absolute majority of the 400+ votes cast online. The line-up for the coming year will be:

February 26 - Jones 10 Mile, Amherst MA
March 18 - New Bedford Half Marathon
May 19 - Bedford Rotary 12K, Bedford NH
June 10 - Newton 10K, Newton MA
July 28 - Carver Cranberry 5 Mile, Carver MA
September 23 - Legacy 5K, Dedham MA
October 28 - Cape Cod Marathon, Falmouth MA

Details on races will be posted next week.

Greater Boston TC - Club of the Year
(Photo: Roger Perham)

The first USATF-New England Association Awards Banquet was held on Saturday in Stoneham MA with 130 members in attendance. The evening included a buffet dinner, program, and awards emceed by Andy Schachat, "the Voice of New England Running", and was co-ordinated by association President Steve Viegas, Vice President Jim Garcia, and Greater Boston TC coach and co-director Tom Derderian.

The evening included awards from all of athletic disciplines, including Road, Track & Field, Cross Country, Mountain/Ultra/Trail and Race Walking, and Track & Field. The Athlete of the Year awards went to Brett Ely and Tim Ritchie, both members of the BAA, with Greater Boston TC earning the Club of the Year honor.

All division winners in the various event Series received an embroidered blue vest with a "2011 Series Winner" designation. Special awards went to President’s Award recipients, and winners of the Road Running Grand Prix, Cross Country and Mountain Circuit, and were presented by association officers.

Nationally recognized sports nutritionist and GBTC member Nancy Clark, gave a presentation on sports nutrition and videos on the arduous Mount Washington Road Race were shown.

Suggestions for next year are welcome as planning and promoting the event will begin earlier for 2012.

Online voting for the 2012 USATF New England Road Race Grand Prix is extended through November 30, as an email blast to all members was late in being sent out. Voting is open to USATF New England members age 18 and over. Each athlete may vote once, and membership number and password are required.

The three slates to choose from can be found and voting done at This Location.

The voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30.

USATF New England Board member Justin Kuo (NEWalkers / Brookline MA) was named as an "A" level road race course measurer, one of only 75 in the world. A measurer and the final review person for all courses measured for certification in Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine, Kuo is also chair of the USATF Records Committee; congratulations and thanks go out for his dedicated work locally. For information on road race course measurement and certification, check usatf.org.

First place Gwenyth Winship with 4th place Waltham Leah Brams
(Photo: Granite State Flash / Justin Platt)

The strength and numbers of the New England association youth cross country were evident at the USATF Region I Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships held in Queensbury NY on Sunday. At the end of the perfect day for running, New England clubs composed 21 of the 29 teams qualifying for the National championship in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on December 10.

The local contingent won the team title in 9 of 12 divisions and came home with half of the individual gold medals. Granite State Flash topped four divisions (Bantam/Midget/Youth Girls and Youth Boys), Sentinel Striders had two wins (Young Women, Youth Boys) and Nashua PAL Gate City (Sub Bantam Boys), Waltham TC (Midget Boys), and Green Mountain AA (Young Men) each had one victory. Individual Winners in New York were Samuel Toolin (SS, Bantam), Caroline Fisher (GSF, Bantam), Jessica Ewing (GSF, Midget), Gwenyth Winship (GSF, Youth), Dage Minors (GMAA, Intermediate), and Ben Bunnell (GMAA, Young Men).

Full results are posted at CoachO.com.

The three NCAA collegiate divisions held their cross country championships this weekend, with New England runners and teams visible on results.
At Monday's Division I National at Indiana State, Abbey D'Agostino (Dartmouth) placed third, just 1.7 seconds away from the top step. Winning team Georgetown had three New Englanders in their seven; Emily Jones (Harvard MA), Kirsten Kasper (N.Andover MA) and Katrina Coogan (Exeter NH). Lone NE rep Boston College finished a creditable 12th (Jillian King, 38th) In the men's tally, a pair of local products and an NE collegian earned all-American honors; Ryan Collins (Mansfield MA/Wisconsin) was 23rd and Mark Amirault (Westwood MA/Virginia) was 27th, followed by Dan Lowry (Brown) in 28th; Providence, the only NE team, placed 22nd (David McCarthy, 41).

Divsion II and III were held on Saturday. On a snow-covered course in Spokane Washington, Glarius Rop (AIC) led the New England qualifiers in 17th, with U.Mass Lowell and Stonehill placing 20 and 21, respectively. Top women's finishers were Jeptui Cherutich (AIC, 43rd) and Tara Dooley (Bentley, 49), and Stonehill and Bentley checked in at 19th and 22nd.

On the DIII women's scoreboard in Winneconne Wisconsin, Chiara Del Piccolo of Williams brought home the gold with a 5 second margin over the 6K circuit; the Middlebury duo of Margo Cramer and Addie Tousley were 5-6, and Amherst's Keri Lambert was 8th. New England teams were also visible at the front with Middlebury second, Williams third, and MIT fifth, with Amherst (11) and Tufts (20) also in the mix.
In the men's competition, Brookline MA alum Mike Burnstein placed 10th overall leading his Washington U team to a bronze medal, with Coby Horowitz (Bowdoin, 13) and Matt Rand (Tufts, 19) top local scorers. Team placings by NE schools were all in the top half of the field - Williams (6), Bates (7), Tufts (9), Middlebury (13) and Bowdoin (15).

Full results at www.ncaa.org

Online voting for the 2012 USATF New England Road Race Grand Prix is now up. Voting is open to USATF New England members age 18 and over, each athlete may vote once, and membership number and password are required.

There are three slates to choose from. A committee of the road running chairmen and club reps reviewed the submitted bids and put together the slates to minimize fit among the races and within other events. The slates can be found and voting done at This Location.

The voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22. The final schedule will be announced on Wednesday, November 23.

Jacob Meier and Ethan Randall head to the finish in the Midget Boys 3K
(Vera Vaitones photo)

Freestyle Farm in Amherst NH, a working equestrian farm, was the site of the New England Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships on Sunday on a perfect day for running. Ably hosted by Amherst Track Club and site director George Bower, the meet had 597 finishers in the six divisions, the largest ever NE JO XC meet. Results are posted at usatfne.org/cross.

Clubs winning one or more divisions included Green Mt. AA, Granite State Flash, Nashua PAL Gate City, Sentinel Striders, and Waltham Track Club, with seven total clubs having teams qualify for the next round; the top 3 or 4 clubs (depending on size of race), as well as individuals finishing in the top 25 in each division advance to the Region I meet on Sunday, November 20, in Queensbury NY. The information brochure for Region I is at usatfadir.org.

Entry for the meet is online only on Monday night through Thursday, Nov.17, at 5 p.m. at CoachO.com.

The National meet is on Saturday, December 10, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Top 3 teams and individuals in the top 20 at Region I advance. Find the nationals brochure at usatf.org

Heather Cappello of Arlington, Mass. and the Boston Athletic Association has been named USA Track& Field-New England Athlete of the Month for October 2011. At the 11th Annual B.A.A. Half Marathon run on October 9, Heather was third overall women's finisher with a time of 1:13:44 - the fastest by a New Englander this year. The time earned her a spot in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials to be held in Houston in January, 2012.

Find the complete list of monthly award winners atusatfne.org on the awards page.

The National meet is on Saturday, December 10, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Top 3 teams and individuals in the top 20 at Region I advance. Find the nationals brochure at usatf.org

Tim Ritchie and Jenn Donovan added additional New England cross country titles to their resumes at Franklin Park on Sunday. Sunny and seasonally cool temperatures in the 40's and 50's with a damp course made for an ideal cross country day (though numbers were down from 2010 in each race).

The overall winner of the women's race was prep Cayla Hatton, a student at Phillips Academy not running for the school. A Conneticut native, Hatton was sixth at the Mayor's Cup (3 places behind Donovan), and defeated a number of national caliber harriers on Sunday; not running a scholastic season, she's below the radar coming into the big HS national meets. Donovan (New Balance Boston, 20:58) improved her time from last year to add a third NE title to those won in 2008 and 2009.

Women's team scores found both the B.A.A. and New Balance Boston with 37 points, but the tiebreaker of best 5th runner - by one place - gives the gold to the B.A.A.

A year ago, Ritchie (B.A.A.) was NE champ but second overall. This year, he repeated with the overall win in 30:25, a few seconds off his previous run. The winner also led the B.A.A. to a comfortable win at 20-44 over New Balance Boston.

The B.A.A. also had the masters men's victor over 8K in Pete Hammer, just a tick ahead of GMAA's Binney Mitchell as the top 5 were within 5 seconds. Dirigo RC's depth gave them a 36-64 margin over GMAA. Breaking out the age groups, Dirigo also the 50+ with GMAA taking 60+ divisions, as Pete Bottomley (Dirigo) and Tom Derderian (GBTC) were individual division winners.

Women's masters ran with the open 6k runners, and Jess Cover (GMAA) brings the gold home to Vermont, and led the team to the 40+ win. Cambridge Sports Union won the 50+, and Liberty AC was the only club to field a scoring trio for 60+ and 70+ divisions; top individuals at 50/6070+ were Jacqueline Shaker (CSU), Nancy Clark (GBTC) and Carrie Parsi (Liberty).

Full individual and team scores are found at usatfne.org/cross/

This Sunday's November 6 Amherst NH Preliminary Junior Olympic Meet / course preview meet is cancelled; potential for damage to both course and parking areas is too great just a week before the NE JO meet, as well as because this is a working farm.

Course tours have been added on Saturday November 12, the afternoon before the NE meet - 2 to 4 p.m. only - and there are course walks on race morning. Please check amhersttrack.org for maps and details.

Note: Those are the only times to preview the course. Any unauthorized running at Freestyle Farm may result in not being able to run in the JO meet!

On-line entry at CoachO.com ends on Wednesday November 9 at 11:59 pm

The on-line entry for the November 6 USATF New England Open/Masters Championship will now close on Thursday, Nov 3, at 6 p.m. Link at www.usatfne.org/cross/.

The November 6 Amherst NH Preliminary Junior Olympic Meet / course preview meet looks like it may be cancelled due to snow on the course and parking areas. Please check amhersttrack.org before going to the meet. A decision will be made by early Friday afternoon.

USA Track & Field announced today the selection of all-time track and field greats Clarence Demar, Gail Devers, Maurice Greene, Vince Matthews, and standout coach Bob Timmons, into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. The five will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, December 3, at the Jesse Owens Hall of Fame Banquet held in conjunction with 2011 USATF Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri.

Demar, a seven-time winner of the Boston Marathon, is inducted in the Veteran Athlete category, retired for longer than 25 years. Born in 1888, Demar never quit running or quit fighting until his death in 1958. In 1910, he was advised by doctors to give up running because of a heart murmur; that was one year before Demar won his first of a record seven Boston Marathons between 1911 and 1930. He competed in a total of 33 Boston Marathons, his final one at the age of 65.

An athlete far ahead of his time, Demar was known for weekly running from Keene, NH, to Boston and back, a total of over 90 miles. For the past 33 years, Keene has hosted the Clarence Demar Marathon. In addition to his feats in Boston, Demar was the bronze medalist in the marathon at the 1924 Olympic Games, and qualified for the 1912 Olympics. He was inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in 2000. He died June 11, 1958.

Patrick Rich (CMS/Hamilton MA) and Hilary Dionne (Charlestown MA) both recorded personal best times to lead the field at the 34th Cape Cod Marathon and USATF-NE Championship in Falmouth on Sunday morning.

Rich came from 3 minutes back at 19 miles to take the win in 2:28:54, while Dionne led the women from the start. Conditions on the Cape were breezy, and, except for several large puddles, the area avoided the storm that ravaged much of New England.

The day proved wrong the often-stated "you can't PR at Cape Cod", as many in the top 10 and on the top teams recorded personal bests. Second woman Laura Brustolon (BAA) improved by 13 minutes, and bronze medalist Kevin Alliette (Whirlaway) was 10 minutes better than before.

Masters winners were George Adams (CMS, 12 overall) and Meredith Dutton (GCS), with Robert Cipriano (SRR, 16 overall) and Lisa Zappala (Whirlaway) taking the 50+ and CSU teammates Marshall Randolph and Diane McLaughlin the 60+ division NE champion honors and Giuseppe Giannone (North Shore Striders) winning the 70+ division (no women).

CMS men used a 1-7-10 finish to take their third straight team marathon title by 8+ minutes over RUN and Whirlaway, and the BAA women, with 2 under three hours, built a formidable 51 minute margin over Whirlaway and CMS. The Somerville Road Runners trio of Jonathan May, Cipriano, and Joe O'Leary used team running to place 15-16-17 - and 3/4/5 over 40 - for the masters' gold. Whirlaway took women's 40+, men's 50+ crowns, and Cambridge Sports Union completed the team titles with the M60+ win.

The results closed with 909 marathon finishers, with a more non-starters than usual due to travel issues (a group from Martha's Vineyard was stranded as all morning ferries were cancelled due to high winds). Results - preliminary at this time - are at CapeCodMarathon.com; full Grand Prix team and individual scoring will be posted usatfne.org/gp/ on Tuesday after verifying the many scorers.

A USATF New England Coaches Education Committee has been established to help develop coaching programs in the association. The committee Chairman is Dave Kerin of Wolfeboro NH; Dave is a USATF Level II certified coach in multiple event groups, a lead instructor, and a member of the USATF Development and Coaches Education Committee.

The mission of the committee is to create and present coaches education and athlete instruction programs within the New England association to increase the level of coaching proficiency, working to improve the quality of instruction to and performance by athletes in the region. The compositon of the working committee will be five to seven individuals representative of youth, scholastic, collegiate, and club coaches, and will address all event groups. Members will have a have a minimum of USATF Level I coaching education and be a member of the USATF Coaches Registry.

Programs will be geographically distributed, cover all event groups (jumps, throws, sprints/hurdles, endurance), and be address a wide range of abilities from youth to masters, and from developmental to regional caliber to elite. Regular communications on coaching topics will be posted on the Coaches Education webpage.

As a starting project, a Level I Coaching School is planned for this July. Several introduction to event clinics are being formulated for the comng indoor track and field season. Information will be posted on the website, and specifically at www.usatfne.org/coaching.

Two New Englanders brought home medals from the USA 50 Mile Championship held in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, on October 23. Dave Martula (Sugarloaf Mt AC / Hadley MA) won the age 60-64 division in a time of 8:15:43, and Len Hall (Enfield NH) took second in the M55-59 division with an 8:32:58.

Winner Michael Wardian (Arlington VA) ran 5:33:46, just a week after a busy visit to New England when he placed third at the ING Hartford Marathon and won Maine's Mt.Desert Island Marathon. Results are at usatf.org.

David Nightingale (NYAC) finishes the Mens' 8K with a time of 23:46
(SV photo)

Lauren Centrowitz (Pacers New Balance / Virginia) and David Nightingale (New York AC / NYC) added their names to the winners' trophy at the Boston Mayor's Cup cross country races on Sunday at Franklin Park in Boston. With over 1300 entries from age 10 and under to age 60+ contesting 6 different races, the Mayor's Cup had record numbers and exciting finishes in the 22nd annual event directed by USATF New England with the support of Boston Parks and Boston Center for Youth and Families.

After the second of three loops on the 5K course, the only competition for Centrowitz, a 7 time all-American while at Stanford, was the lead bike, as she ran to a 17 second victory in her first race at the historic venue. The men's race was quite another story, as a pack of nine headed up Bear Cage Hill together with a kilometer remaining, and six were still in contention for the win around the final turn. Only 5 seconds separated the top 6 finishers as Nightingale's 2 second win was the second by a NYAC runner in as many years. New Balance Boston women and New York AC men took home the Squires Cups for team wins.

Almost 400 youth covered the familiar 1.1 mile course in three age group races, with numerous personal bests on the familiar 1.1 mile course despite soft and soggy footing in spots. Five clubs were represented among the six winners The age 11-12 boys race found all three medalists clocking the same time, as Daniel O'Donoghue (Waltham TC) just pipped Tim Davis (RUN) and Kyle Faddis (Masconomet MS) at the line. Team winners included Bradford Huskies, Granite State Flash, Nitehawks Sports Club, and Waltham TC.
There were an astounding 455 finishers in the Franklin Park 5K - the largest ever field to take to the starting line in a cross country race at the facility - many giving cross country or a run in Franklin Park their first try and adding to the local cross country running tradition.

Thanks to sponsors Boston Athletic Association and adidas, the Mayor's Cup Cross Country Races gives elite, recreational, and youth runners one of the best Cross Country racing experiences in the country. Read the summaries and find results at baa.org.

The on-line entry process for the November 13 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships at Freestyle Farm in Amherst NH is now open at CoachO.com

Follow this to the Direct Link.

2012 USATF membership begins on November 1, so new members may want to wait until that date to get membership and enter. Reminder that this year, all entrants must have their date of birth verified before entering the meet.

In anticipation of its upcoming 125th Anniversary in 2012, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced the establishment of a three-race series. The B.A.A. Distance Medley will begin with the B.A.A. 5K on April 15, 2012, followed by the B.A.A. 10K on June 24, and the B.A.A. Half Marathon on October 7. Each of the three races will have its own prize purse. In addition, the male and female series champions will earn $100,000 in prize money.

Scoring for the B.A.A. Distance Medley will be based on total, elapsed time. For example, someone who runs 14:00 minutes at the 5K, 29:00 at the 10K and 1:04:30 for the Half Marathon would end the series with a time of 1:47:30. The scoring system is intended to maximize interest in the series among runners, the general public, and the media.
Everyone who completes all three races will be awarded a special commemorative medal for the series in addition to receiving a finisher’s medal for each race. Youth races will be held in conjunction with each event. Registration for each event will be held on the B.A.A.’s web site www.baa.org, and athletes contending for the series title will be posted to a leader board on the B.A.A. web site.

“B.A.A. races offer runners uncommon racing opportunities in Boston,” said Thomas S. Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director. “We appreciate the partnership we enjoy with the Mayor’s Office which highlights this renowned, running city. "

"In 2012, the B.A.A. Distance Medley will give Boston a series of races unique to the sport and is yet another way we are promoting our neighborhoods and our citizens,” said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “Together with the B.A.A., we are encouraging health, fitness and an active lifestyle by providing inspirational opportunities in which anyone may participate.”

Joe Donahue, long time Throws Coach at Northeastern University and contributor to track and field, passed away on October 10. A Scituate MA resident, he guided and inspired athletes from league qualifier to national champion and Olympian. Read a tribute to coach Donahue at gonu.com.

Janet Cherobon-Bawcom heading into Boston at the Tuft's 10K Race Race for Women
(SV Photo)

Columbus Day weekend has become a high-powered and high-volume competition few days with the B.A.A. Half Marathon and Tufts Health Plan 10K finding world level competitors joining almost 12,000 runners on the streets of Boston and Cambridge (not to mention another 1000+ at the New England Collegiate Cross Country Championships). Janet Cherobon-Bawcom (Rome GA) was front at center in both road races in pulling off an unprecedented double win.

Sunday's Half Marathon's 8:00 a.m. start avoided the brunt of the unseasonably warm conditions, and times were the fastest recorded in the association this year. Winners in the record 5,253 runner field had slightly different paths to the laurel wreath. Men's winner, Ethiopian Ali Abdosh (1:03:36), was the strongest of an international pack of frontrunners, making a decisive move at 11 miles but was only assured of the victory at the finish line, the top 3 closing within 12 seconds. Cherobon-Bawcom, who achieved her US citizenship last November, matched strides with 2010 winner Caroline Rotich for more than half the race, but forged a significant lead in miles 8 and 9 to ensure a reversal of the 2010 placings and winning by 1:35. Heather Cappello (BAA) continued her strong fall season with a third place finihsin in 1:13:44See baa.org for stories, pictures, and video.

On Monday, the 6000+ starters at the 35th annual Tuft's Health Plan 10K faced a noon start and a new course. Through the first three mile splits, the lead pack whittled down from 17 to four, and then it was time for Cherobon-Bawcom to repeat her breakaway act from Sunday. A spurt from 3 miles to 5K put 3 seconds on her challengers; that lead grew to 10 seconds by the turn, 17 seconds at 4 miles, and a half minute as she broke the tape. Her time of 32:47 earned a third U.S. title of the year, and with it, Cherobon-Bawcom also secured the women's title for the 2011 USA Running Circuit.
Behind her, Jenn Donovan (New Balance Boston/Brighton MA) was top New England runner in 17th; she led her NBB squad to fourth place in quality team competition won by Boulder (CO) Running Company. Results at www.tuftshealthplan.com.

The Tufts 10K is part of the USA Rrunning Circuit, a USA Track & Field road series featuring USA Championships from one mile to the marathon with a mission to showcase, support, and promote US distance runners. The 2011 Circuit standings and race results - and Tufts 10K video - are at www.USARunningCircuit.com.

Dan Serianni led the men's one hour race walk
(Photo: Anna Kuo)

USATF New England and the New England Walkers hosted the USA 1 Hour Race Walk Championship for the 13th time in 14 years, on Sunday, with strong performances despite the sun and heat over the Bentley University track. 2004 Olympian Teresa Vaill (Gainesville FL) covered the most distance in the women's competition, 12,226 meters. Several time Team USA member Dan Serianni (Rochester NY) orbited the track the most times for the men, totaling 13,018 meters. Though there were relatively small fields, quality was high, as five women and three men own USA singlets from international competition.

Story and pictures at usatfne.org/walk.

Boston College women and Connecticut men were team winners at the 99th New England Collegiate Cross Country Championships at Franklin Park on Saturday. UConn's Huskies took the title for the first time since 1969, tallying 149 points in a evenly matched field where places 2-12 were within 106 points among the 43 scoring squads. Individual champ Glarius Rop of American International College (Springfield) took the lead from the gun and never looked back to win for the third consecutive year, only the fourth runner to accomplish the feat; Only Bob Black (URI) has won 4 straight New England harrier titles (1946-1949).

The BC women packed 4 finishers in the top 9 to outpoint subway rivals Boston University 38-73 for their third team title in four years; 39 schools scored teams. Individual winner Katie Matthews, Codfish Bowl champ two weeks ago, clocked 17:18 on the soft course and moved up from a 6th place finish in 2010.

Full varsity and JV results are posted at neicaaa.org.

Kasie Enman of Huntington VT and the Boston Athletic Association has been named USA Track & Field-New England Athlete of the Month for September 2011. Kasie won the first ever USA women's gold medal at the World Mountain Running Championships on September 11 in Tirana, Albania, more than a minute ahead of second place. She was also named USATF national Athlete of the Week following her victory.

Find the complete list of monthly award winners at usatfne.org on the awards page.

Battling unseasonable 43 degree temperatures and steady rain as well as their competition, The Whirlaway Racing Team 50+ team took a close second place in the USA Masters 5K Championship held at the Syracuse Festival of Races on Sunday. Led by Doug Martyn (16:28, 2nd 50-54), who combined with Paul Hammond, and Paul Doe (5-6 individually in the M50 division), the club totaled 50:37 but fell an agonizing 3 seconds short of the Atlanta Track Club trio's time. A hamstring injury suffered by team top gun Reno Stirrat was likely the difference.

The Liberty AC 50+ Women's trio of Joan Miller (3rd 55-59), Jan Holmquist (1st, W65-69), and Karen Lein scored the team bronze medals.

Bill Riley (BAA/Centerville MA) and Bill Spencer (Gate City/Litchfield NH) went 1-2 in the M70 division, and Bill Dixon (GrLowell RR/Brattleboro VT), at age 64, was second in the M60 division as well as recording the 2nd ranked age-graded performance. Pete Bottomly (Cape Elizabeth ME/Dirigo) was 3rd in the M45 division.

The USA Masters Marathon Championships were part of the Medtronics Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday, and in the women's race, Sheri Piers (Dirigo RC/Falmouth ME) claimed the masters' title. Piers finished eighth overall, running an Olympic Trials 'A' qualifying time of 2:37:42.

At the USA 10 Mile Championship in Minneapolis, two time 2011 US road champion Ben True (InTheArena / Hanover NH) moved up in distance and placed a close second to Mo Trafeh (Duarte CA). Trafeh won his third US title of the year, clocking 46:46 with True 2 seconds back as 5 men ran under 47:00. Chris Barnicle (Newton MA) was 7th in 47:06. The event was the final race in 2011 USA Running Circuit, and True took the series title with 60 points; he won the 5K and 10K, took 2nd at the 10 Mile and 15K, and had two other top 10 placings to earn $6,000.

Full Results, videos, and interviews are at www.USARunningCircuit.com.

Individual winner Katie Matthews, sitting out the season at Boston U, with the Terriers' Codfish Bowl team trophy.
(Photo by Masha Kuo)

Katie Matthews (unattached, Boston) and Rich Peters (Boston U) won the 43rd annual Codfish Bowl cross country races at Franklin Park on Saturday. Though rain held off, the course was soft and humidity high producing slower than helped for times. In the largest meet in its 44 year history (537 finishers), Boston U women held off Gr.Boston TC by 3 points (23 teams), and Bates was best in the men's race (26 teams). Check Women's Results and Men's Results.

Saturday, October 1, the Greater Boston XC Invitational, second event in the 2011 NE XC Grand Prix, takes place in Topsfield MA at Bradley Palmer Park, hosted by Greater Boston TC. See www.gbtc.org

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced that registration for the 2012 Boston Marathon has closed. In preparation for next year's race, the B.A.A. implemented a new registration process, allowing the fastest runners in relation to their qualifying times to register during a two week period.

Registration began on September 12 and concluded at 5 p.m. on September 23. For the first time, the registration was not first come, first served, but rather allowed for a more systematic and orderly application procedure. Next week, applicants will be notified of their acceptance or non-acceptance.

At the conclusion of the first week of registration, nearly 15,000 applicants were informed of their acceptance. A total of more than 20,000 entrants will be accepted through this process. Additionally, 277 qualifiers who have run ten or more consecutive Boston Marathons have been accepted.

"We have been very pleased with how smoothly our new registration process has worked," said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director. "Regrettably, we are unable to accept all applicants due to field size limitations and the large number of applications we received from qualified runners. Our new process is based on fairness and athletic accomplishment, and we appreciate the cooperation we have received from all marathoners during the process."

Until all applicants are notified and qualifying performances are verified, the B.A.A. will not release data on the cut-off time needed for acceptance. The name of accepted applicants will be posted to the "Entrants" page of the B.A.A. web site. The B.A.A. will issue and post a wide range of statistics on the new registration process and its applicants in the coming weeks.

In February 2011, the B.A.A. announced that qualifying times for the 2013 Boston Marathon would be made more stringent by five minutes across all age groups and both genders. The qualification window for the 2013 Boston Marathon begins on September 24, 2011.

Three New England association athletes are on the roster for the upcoming 2011 Pan American Games taking place in Guadalajara Mexico October 24-29.

June USATF-NE Athlete of the Month Keelin Godsey (North Adams MA) represents Team USA for the first time, based on a third place finish in the hammer at the 2011 USA Track & Field Championships in June.

New England provides both women's marathoners, picked from USA performance lists. Brett Ely (BAA / Somerville MA) also wears USA gear for the first time, pairing with Heidi Westover (Walpole NH), who has been on past US World Cup teams. The marathon will be particularly challenging, as Guadalajara is at an altitude that can affect distance runners' performances.

Others on the team with New England connections include Bar Harbor, Maine's Lauren Forgues in the 20 kilometer walk, Sean Furey out of Methuen MA and Dartmouth in the javelin, and Reading MA native Mark Jellison in the decathlon; the last two are currently living and training in California. The meet should produce interesting results, as it is three months beyond any significant US competitions (and almost 2 months after other international meets), but is also before the start of the South American countries' summer.

Press release with the full roster can be found at www.usatf.org.

Downtown 5K 6th grade race medalists Daniel O'Donoghue, Michael O'Donoghue, and Jacob Jampel
(photo: EmerO)

Ben True (InTheArena / Hanover NH) had the strongest kick and broke the tape at the CVS/Caremark Downtown 5K in Providence on Sunday. True continued his successful year (USA 10K road champion, World Cross Country team, PR at 5000 on the track) with his sprint finish for a 13:44 road PR that earned him $8000, as the race had one of its deepest men's top 10 in the 22 year race history; places 2-3 and 10-11 need to "go to the camera".
Women's winner Julie Culley (Johnson City TN) clocked a solid 15:42 over a national level field for her first US crown; top New Englander was Jenn Donovan (New Balance Boston / Brighton MA, 17th in 17:01.

In the team scoring, New Balance Boston men won their first ever USA men's road title, while their defending champion women's squad finished second to New York AC which was led by race winner Culley.

The Ocean State's largest race and event also included 18 youth races by age and school year; many association clubs brought their youth cross country teams to kick off the season in the shadow of the Rhode Island capitol building.

Full Results, videos, and interviews are at www.USARunningCircuit.com.

Kim Smith, Providence College alum living and training in Providence, broke the US all-comers record (fastest time run on US soil) for the half marathon - 1:07:11 - in winning the Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon on Sunday. The New Zealander, still under the tutelage of Providence College coach Ray Treacy, had the previous US-course best, and achieved a new personal record as well.

The men's race also achieved a US-best, 58:46 by Mathew Kisorio (KEN); Chris Barnacle (Newtonville MA) ran a quick 1:02:43 in his debut at the distance, finishing 13th; that time also qualified him for the US Olympic Marathon Trials next winter.

Five new members were elected to serve on the USATF New England Board of Governors at the USATF-NE Annual Meeting held on Thursday, September 15.
After reports from board members, elections and By-Law changes took most of the meeting time following the Athlete of the Month presentations.

Sports chairs and athlete rep positions only were up for voting, as officers are in the middle of two year terms. Two vacancies and one contested position brought three new chairs onto the board. Mike Toomey (North East Running Nation/Marblehead MA) will serve as Track & Field chair, and Jason Zagami (HFC Striders/Hyde Park MA) will be Men's Long Distance Running Chair, both replacing chairs (Dave Callum and Court Bird) who opted not to run this year. Dan Hocking (New Balance Boston/Dover NH) won the election for Cross Country Chair.
Six sports chair incumbents continue in their positions, being uncontested; Lisa Doucett (CSU/Andover MA/Women's Long Distance Running), Skip Cleaver (GCS Triad/Nashua NH/ Masters' Long Distance Running), Mike Travers (Mass Velocity/Watertown MA/Masters Track and Field), Larry Libow (Y-Speed TC/Springfield MA/Youth), Paul Kirsch (White Mtn Milers/Conway NH/Mountain-Ultra-Trail Running), and Justin Kuo (NEWalkers/Brookline MA/Race Walking).

Athletes representatives completed board elections; holdover Jennifer (Lee) Walker (GBTC/Cambridge MA) will be joined by Bob Cedrone (Twilight Throwers/Stoughton MA) and Jeff Caron (New Balance Boston/Lexinigton MA).

Ten of eleven By-Law change proposals passed after lengthy discussion. Sixteen individuals were elected to represent New England at the USATF Annual Meeting in December, presentation of the new Awards Banquet on November 19 was made, and establishment of a new Coaches Education Committee was announced.

Information on the new board members, the various reports presented and distributed at the meeting, and full meeting minutes will be posted next week on the Board page.

Kasie Enman (BAA) is the 2011 USA National Mountain Running Champion (Steve photo)

Kasie Enman (BAA) is the 2011 World Mountain Running Champion
(Steve photo)

Kasie Enman (Huntington VT / B.A.A.) earned the first ever USA women's gold medal at the World Mountain Running Championship on Sunday in Tirana, Albania. In her first appearance in the Worlds, Enman bested a field of more experienced mountain specialist on the 2 lap up-and-down course by over a minute, covering the 8.59 km in 40:39. Her domination of the New England and US mountain scene earlier this summer was only a hint of this breakthrough on the world stage, where she prevailed in temperatures that rose above 90 degrees.

The USA good fortunes continued in the men's race where Max King (Bend OR) also won gold, only the second American win in 27 years, moving up from 16th place in 2010. King was the winner of the US trial race held at Cranmore Mountain in Conway NH in June. "In my nine years as team leader, I've never been more proud of our athletes than I am today," said team manager Richard Bolt. "Kasie and Max's performances blew me away. They made winning a World Championship look easy."

Krisztina Dearborn from Mirror Lake NH, a sophomore at Central Connecticut State University, was the top US finisher in the Junior (age 19/under) raced, placing 24th. The US men's and women's teams both placed 4th behind Results of the race can be viewed at USA Mountain Running Championship page.

Antonio Palazzo of Providence, Rhode Island, has been selected as the USATF-NE Athlete of the Month for August 2011. The 83 year old thrower who represents Twilight Throwers won the age 80+ division in the ultra weight pentathlon at the 2011 USA Masters Throws Championships in New London, Connecticut, on August 14, as well as age group golds in the shot put, discus, and hammer at the New England Masters Track & Field Championships earlier in the month.

Find the complete list of monthly award winners at usatfne.org on the awards page.

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today issued a reminder that registration for the 2012 Boston Marathon will begin at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, September 12, 2011. Its new registration process will allow the fastest qualifiers to register first, and the registration period will continue for two weeks, or until the field size is reached. Race registration will be held entirely online at www.baa.org. The 2012 Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 16, 2012.

The new registration process will accommodate those who are the fastest qualifiers first, with registration on a "rolling admission" schedule. On September 12, runners who have met their age/gender qualifying standards by 20 minutes or more may register. On September 14 at 10:00 a.m. ET, registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by 10 minutes or more (if space remains), and on Friday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. ET (if space remains), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by five minutes or more.

Registration will close from Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 p.m., ET and, (if space remains) will re-open on Monday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m. ET to all qualifiers until September 23 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Those who are the fastest among the pool of applicants in their age and gender will be accepted. More specifics and all qualifying standards can be found at baa.org

The qualification window for the 2013 Boston Marathon will begin on Saturday, September 24, or as soon as 2012 registration closes. The qualifying standards for the 2013 Boston Marathon will be five minutes more stringent than the standards for the 2012 race.

BAA runners Heather Cappello and Jeanette Faber placed fith and eighth, respectively, at the USA 20K road race Championship held at the New Haven 20K on Monday. Cappello clocked 1:10:19 behind winner Janet Cherobon-Bawcom's 1:08:31, and Faber checked in at 1:10:53. Fourth overall was Groton (Mass.) Acacemy grad Caroline Bierbaum-LeFrak, now a New York resident. Top male with New England connections was Zach Hine (So.Hadley MA), now based in Michigan, 8th in 1:02:14.

Full results at NewHavenRoadRace.org.

USATF New England was recognized at the recent USATF Workshop as one of only five of 57 associations across the country to achieve all required accreditation standards, as well as exceed additional operational standards. Within that latter group, only the fact that membership numbers do not reach a specific members-per-100,000 population kept us from reaching a "gold" standard (only 1 association achieved this). New England leads the country in number of clubs and sanctioned events and has the fifth largest membership.

The Road Runners Club of America announced Salem, Mass., in their second round of Runner Friendly Community designations.

The goal of the Runner Friendly Community program is to shine a national spotlight on communities that standout as runner friendly and to provide incentives and ideas for communities to work towards becoming Runner Friendly Communities.

In Salem, the Wicked Running Club, along with other organizations in the city, have created races for all types of runners and distances, from the January 1st Frosty Four Race, to the Cross Country 5k Old Salem Green Race, to the summer WRC Wicked Kidz Race, among others — there’s a race for every type of runner. Salem offers running services to their youth as well, including a Summer Youth Track Club and an all-ages track meet.

Salem’s signature race, the Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run on Thanksgiving Day, benefits youth programs at Salem Park & Recreation and the Boys & Girls Club. It’s the largest race on the North Shore, with more than 1500 participants.

See rrca.org for stories on the other Runner Friendly Communities.

Before attending any track or road events on Saturday or Sunday, check on their status. Already postponed are Sunday events Tavern to Tavern 5K in Cambridge MA (to Sun Sept 4), Sons of Italy Track and Field in Providence (to Sat Sept 3), and Marshfield RR 20K in Marshfield MA (to Sun Sept 4). Others are likely to change as well. Runners, being the hardy group they are, may feel a bit of rain and wind are no problem, but cities and towns have other liability issues and are requiring most of the changes.

Winner of the 1957 Boston Marathon, John J.Kelley, died in Connecticut died on Sunday at age 80. A Boston U grad and member of the Boston Athletic Association - the only member of the host club to win their signature marathon, Kelley, often referred to as John "The Younger" to distinguish from the grand man of the marathon, 1935 and 1945 Boston Marathon, winner Johnny Kelly, was considered the first of the modern US marathoners, combining high mileage along with speed. Running at a world level, personable, and giving US road running a public face in the 1950s and 1960's, his resume beyond his Boston win personified excellence at the marathon distance - five time Boston runner-up, eight consecutive time US Champion, 1959 Pan American Games gold medalist, and 1956 and 1960 Olympian. When describing those accomplishments, peers, teammates, and friends would also seldom fail to recognize his enthusiasm, modesty, and sincerity.

A moving tribute to Kelley by a runner he mentored, 1968 Boston winner Amby Burfoot, can be found at Amby's blog site.

The New England Runner website includes memories from a number of teammates, peers, and friends of running's Renaissance Man.

The Annual Meeting of the USATF New England association will take place on Thursday, September 15 at the DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel, 550 Winter Street, Waltham MA, at I-95 Exit 27-B.

Athlete of the Month presentations start at 6:30 p.m. The business meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.

Elections for sports chairs and athlete reps - both have one year terms - take place this year (officers are in the middle of two year terms). Anyone interested in running for these spots can contact the office. Delegates to the national meeting will also be selected.

There are several by-law changes that will be presented for approval. Among the proposals are the clarifying of election procedures in case of ties for president and secretary, detailing responsibilities of some board positions, and moving the annual meeting date off of the currently required Thursday night. See By-law change proposals on the USATF-NE board page.

The selection process for the 2012 Road Race Championship Grand Prix events will be discussed and President's Awards will be presented.

All USATF-NE members as of August 1 who are age 18+ are eligible to attend and vote. We hope all clubs will have at least one representative at the meeting. The meeting agenda and by-law change proposals can be found at USATF-NE board page.

At the USA Masters Throws Championships on August 13, the USATF Masters Track & Field Committee presented Jim Chamberas (Twilight Throwers / Chelmsford MA) with the Ken Weinbel Award, recognizing outstanding service to the masters throwing community. Chamberas, the founder the Twilight Throwers in 1998 as a vehicle for masters throwers to have regular competitions, and the club has grown into a major throwing club in the area. The group has been a factor in team scoring in both the East Region and USA Masters championships, and has paved the way for other similar clubs and regular meet structures throughout the country. The award is named for past Dartmouth coach Ken Weinbel, an outstanding masters thrower in his own right.

Start of the USA vs Canada Junior Womens 5K Race Walk at East Boston.
(Photo by Emmett S.)

USATF New England and the New England Walkers hosted the 23rd annual USA vs Canada Junior Race Walk Match at East Boston Park on Sunday. The USA women and Canadian men walked to team and individual race wins, but the combined scoring trophy went to the host Team USA. While showers ended before the starting gun, conditions in the 70's with high humidity tempered the times recorded by competitors.

In the 5 kilometer women's contest, the US women were led by three time match competitor Abby Dunn (Auburn ME), who moved strongly in the final kilometer to take the win in 25:54 with the USA placing 1-3-4 for a 15-7 victory margin.

Fortunes were reversed in the men's 10kilometer race, with Canadian Junior Record holder Ben Thorne (British Columbia) taking the lead at the gun and continuing unchallenged; 44:13 winning time is now the fourth fastest in match history. Canada's 1-2-6 earned a 13-9 win; first American was Alex Chavez (Pharr TX).
Novice and all-comers races at 1, 2, and 3 kilometers conducted in conjunction with the international match, with nearly 50 competitors taking part in the day's festivities.

Full results and pictures are at newalkers.com

Bob Cedrone (Stoughton MA/Twilight Throwers) won a pair of events in the M55 division at the USA Masters Throws Championships held at Connecticut College August 13-14. He took first in the 56 lb Super Weight Throw (27'2"), and then won the Ultra Weight Pentathlon (really heavy weights, by age group). Joining him as gold medal winners among the three different contested championships were: Throws Pentathlon: Jarod Mills (Lancaster NH/Twilight Throwers, M35) and Apostolos Xanthopoulos (Webster MA/TT, M80); and Ultra Weight Pentathlon: Antonio Palazzo (Providence RI/TT, M80).

Results and the various weights and events are at the www.usatf.org/events/2011.

The weekend found fast times on the Cape at the New Balance Falmouth Road Race weekend. The prelude to the road race, the Falmouth Mile had its fastest field in years with 10 sub-4:00 times, led by a new meet record from Jordan McNamara (Auburn WA) in 3:54.89. The women's mile was won by Nicole Sifuentes (Canada) in 4:31.98 with Stephanie Reilly (Northbridge MA/New Balance Boston) seventh in 4:36:02 in a final tune-up before heading to the World Track & Field Championships where she'll represent Ireland in the steeplechase.

Winners in the 7 mile road event on Sunday were Lucas Rotich (KEN, 31:37) and 2008 Olympic marathoner Magdalena Lewey-Boulet, the latter only the second American winner in the past 17 races, in 36:58. Top New Englanders were Ben True (In the Arena/Hanover NH), 6th in 32:48, and Heather Cappello (Arlington MA/BAA) 12th in 38:24. There were 10,952 finishers in this year's race, 1200 more than 2010.

At the Thrope Cup USA vs. Germany Decathlon in Chula Vista, California, Mark Jellison, Reading MA HS alum now in training in California, scored 7465 points and placed ninth. Assistant coach for the event was Matt Chisam of Harvard.

The World University Games opens in Shenzen, China this coming week where Boston University coach Robyne Johnson serves as head women's coach for the small but talent-laden US team. It's the first time the US has participated in the WUG in several cycles.

Emma Fitzgerald of Wayland, Massachusetts, is the USATF-New England Athlete of the Month for July 2011. The fourteen-year-old won five medals including gold in the javelin in the Youth (age 13-14) Division at the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships in Wichita, Kansas, July 26-31.

Find the complete list of monthly award winners at usatfne.org on the awards page.

Courtney Williams at the 2011 USATF Outdoor National Championship 10,000 meter race walk.
(Photo by Justin Kuo)

USATF-New England, in coordination with the New England Walkers, will host the 23rd annual USA vs. Canada Junior Race Walk Match on Sunday, August 14, at East Boston Park. The dual meet, the longest continuously conducted scoring match in any event for each country, will feature the top junior (age 15-19) race walkers from each country, with each country eligible to field up to 6 contestants.

Women race 5K and men race 10k, and those races are also open to non-team members who meet time standards so as to ensure a very competitive field.
Following the international match, there will be a novice youth clinic and race at 1K or 2K, led by past Team USA walkers. An all-comers 3K and introductory clinic will conclude the day on the flat 1k loop around East Boston Stadium and adjacent fields.

The meet has served as the starting point for many national team members in their international competitive careers, including Olympians on both sides. Past meet winner and 2008 Olympic Team member Kevin Eastler (Farmington ME) will be in attendance, as will 2008 Olympian Joanne Dow (Manchester NH).

The entry form for the feature races, novice youth race, and open 3K, along with history of the match, can be found at newalkers.com, the New England Walkers webpage.

Emma Fitzgerald medalled at the 2011 USATF Junior Olympic Nationals.
(Photo: Kikki)

Emma Fitzgerald (Wayland MA) was the sole New England gold medalist at the USATF Junior Olympic Nationals last week. The Youth (13-14) division athlete won the javelin with a throw of 138'8", outdistancing second place by 3'. Overall in the meet, she had five trips to the medal podium, no mean feat in this high level competition; she also placed third in the pentathlon, fifth in the triple jump, seventh in the long jump, and eighth in the pole vault.

Other association medalists included TJ Noonan (Waltham TC) personal best 52. for 3rd in the Intermediate Boys (15-16) javelin, Ian Hall (Jamestown RI) was 3rd in the Sub-Bantam (7-8) Boys Mini-Javelin with an 80' toss, Gabriel Arcaro (Burlington MA) placed fourth in the Intermediate (15-16) Boys Hammer with a 160'5" toss, and Alec Eschholz (Richmond VT / Mt.Mansfield TC), was fifth in the Youth Boys pentathlon.

Temperatures were over 100 degrees for most of the six days, and thunderstorms delayed competition more than once. In 2012, the National meet moves east to Maryland, where we hope an easier trip - and likely more moderate weather - will give New England a larger representation. Find out more about the Junior Olympic program at the NE JO page. National results are up at usatf.org/events/2011.

Application is now open for the USATF Level I Coaching School set for September 30 to October 2 in Middleton CT. The 21 hour school is the first step in USATF Coaching Education.

The Level 1 program covers all events in a foundational manner by emphasizing fundamentals, rules, safety/risk management, and instruction techniques with both classroom instruction and hands-on training. Level 1 prepares individuals to coach junior high school, high school, club, and age group athletes, and is a pre-requisite to attend the week-long Level II specialization schools.

Specifics on the school can be found at the Coaching Education page.

Carver Cranberry 5M winner Kevin Johnson
(SV photo)

Kevin Johnson (Gr.Springfield Harriers) and Diana Bowser (B.A.A.) ran to their second NE championship of the 2011 USATF-NE Road Race Grand Prix season on Saturday, winning the Carver Cranberry 5 Mile in Carver MA. The race in the heart of cranberry country more than doubled its finisher list from last year from 218 to 454 in its first appearance on the GP schedule. A traffic free course over mostly rural roads with a good bit of shade helped counter the 80 degree temperatures.

Overall winner Johnson rated a high five with his second championship title following the 5K gold in June. Masters division winners Joseph Koech (40+/RUN), Craig Fram (50+/Whirlaway) and Gordon MacFarland (60+/CSU) all now have at least 3 season wins, while Joe Giannone (70+/North Shore Striders) ran to his first division win.

Bowser also took her second win of the series after placing first in the half marathon in March. Age winners Maria Servin (Whirlaway, 40+), Cathy Merra (GCS/50+) and Karen Durante (Whirlaway/60+) scored their third, fourth, and fifth straight wins of the series, respectively.

Dan Vassallo (adidas New England) and Amanda Brewster (Cambridge RC) retain their leads in the overall open series.

As has been the case this season, team scoring was close at the front. Central Mass Striders men led BAA and Whirlaway Racing Team with just 1:11 separating the three teams. Whirlaway led the overall team honor roll, winning the women's open and both the men's and women's 40+ and 50+ divisions. Cambridge Sports Union captured the remaining title, Men 60+.

The season's finale is the Cape Cod Marathon, the championship returning to Falmouth MA on October 30. In the meantime, teams and individuals are encouraged to fill that championship gap by participating in the two National Championship races in the association this fall; the Downtown 5K in Providence on September 18 and the Tufts 10K For Women on Columbus Day, October 9, in Boston.

Standings are updated and posted at usatfne.org/gp. The 6-race Ironrunner list will follow this week.

The 2011 USA Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships opened in toasty Wichita Kansas today with a trio of New England athletes scoring a place on the awards podium. In the Youth (13-14) division pentathlon, Emma Fitzgerald (Wayland MA) earned the third place bronze medal among girls and Alec Eschholz (Richmond VT / Mt.Mansfield TC) was fifth for the boys. Temperatures were over 100 degrees for most of the duration of the five event competition (hurdles, shot put, high jump, long jump, 800 girls / 1500 boys).

In the Intermediate (15-16) Boys Hammer, Gabriel Arcaro (Burlington MA) placed fourth with a 160'5" toss. A number of New England youth will be competing over the six days. Follow the results at usatf.org/events/2011.

Deanna Latham (Newbury MA) earned the bronze medal in the heptathlon at the Pan American Junior Track & Field Championships over the weekend. The U.Wisconsin freshman scored a personal best 5277 points in her first appearance in a Team USA uniform. Fellow Bay Stater Max Darrah (Mashpee MA/Georgetown) ran to fifth place in the steeplechase.

Uncomfortable temperatures and storms were part of the weekend's meet. Results of the competition can be found at usatf.org/events/2011.

The USATF-NE Road Race Grand Prix headed north for race 5 in the 2011 series, and like last year, the B.A.A. mixed business with a pleasure in the Green Mountain State to take all open titles at the Stowe 8 Mile on Sunday.

As he did in 2010, Brian Harvey led the field home in the 29th annual race, beating the heat and over 900 others, while Kasie Enman continued her successful summer, winninig her third competitive effort in as many weeks, though this was just a short hop from her Huntington VT home. With those frontrunning performances, the Unicorns took both open team titles as well. With forurth and third place finishes, respectively, Dan Vassallo and Amanda Brewster retained their series leads.

In the age divisions, Joe Navas (Whirlaway RT, 40+) and Robert Cipriano (Somerville RR, 50+) scored their first ever division wins in the men's standings, with Gordon MacFarland (CSU, 60+) and Harry Carter (BAA, 70+) adding to their season's victory harvest. Masters winner Maria Servin (WRT, 40+) was 8th overall, and Cathy Merra (Gate City, 50+) and Karen Durante (WRT, 60+) continued to dominate their divisions. Whirlaway doubled up on the 40+ team wins, with Green Mountain AA taking the women's 50+ and Cambridge Sports Union the men's 60+ honors. Results are at the GP page. Race 6 in the series, the 5 Mile, heads down to Pilgrim Country - Carver MA - in 2 weeks.

Barbara Jordan (MassVelocity/S.Burlington VT) ran to a world record in the 200 meter hurdles at the World Masters Championships last week in Sacramento. Her 41.21 for the distance in the W75-79 age division was one of 38 World Bests set in the meet. Jordan also won the 80 meter hurdles in 18.73.

Ten long days of competition found 4800 entrants age 35-97 from 93 countries taking part in the biennial event which employed three stadiums and three non-stadia locations. There are plenty of results to review to find the many New England athletes' performances and medals won at the results site, flashresults.com/.

Krisztina Dearborn (Mirror Lake NH) was named to the Junior (age 19/under) squad for the US World Mountain Running Team. Entering her sophomore year at Central Connecticut State, Dearborn went to high school at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro NH. She got to preview what the World's course will be like when she competed in last month's USA Mountain Running Championships at the Cranmore Hill Climb where she was first junior finisher.

Four junior men and three junior women representing seven states will accompany the senior team members to the 2011 World Mountain Running Championships in Tirana, Albania in September. Vermont's Kasie Enman is part of the women's team. Read more about the event at www.usmrt.com.

Ben Nephew (CMS/Mansfield MA) took sixth place (first American of a 6 runner team among 131 entrants) at the 3rd IAU Trail Running World Champs event in Connemara, Ireland, last Saturday. Combine a trail and ultra distance run and that's what the 2009 New England Ultra Distance champion faced; he covered the 70+ kilometer (43 mile) circuit over mountains and any combination of trail under foot in 6:54:26, just under 7 minutes out of medal position Winner Erik Clavery of France at 6:39:07.

Find more information on the race at the home site, runconnemara.com/.

Jim Johnson (CMS/Salem NH) and Kasie Enman (BAA/Huntington VT) led the charge of 192 finishers to the top of Mt.Ascutney to complete the 2001 USATF-NE Mountain Running circuit. Nearly half of the race finishers completed all 6 circuit races, earning the prestigious Mountain Goat moniker.

Johnson checked in at 30:08 with over a minute gap on Ross Krause (Easthampton MA), who in turn held off masters winner Tim Van Orden by one tick. Riding a successful season toward the fall's World Championship, Enman's time of 33:33 shattered her own 4 year old course record by a minute and a half in hr third overall race and fourth 2011 NE series win. Another Krause - Ashley - doubled up on the runner-up positions, with Kath Hardcastle (SomervilleRR/Watertown MA) a close third. Jacqueline Shakar (CMS/Sutton MA), sixth in the women's filed was first 40+ and 50+.

The series standings scored best 5 of 6 races. Three overall wins helped Johnson total a comfortable margin over Van Orden, who was both second overall and top 40+. Paul Bazanchuk (White Mtn Milers) repeated the 50-59 honors (14t overall), with WMM teammates Rich Miller and Frank Hurt topping the 60-69 and 70+ groups (Hurt for the fourth time).

On the women's ledger, Hardcastle edged Krause for her first women's circuit honors. Emer O'Donoghue (SomervilleRR/Lexington MA), 10-time mountain goat and having the longest continuous streak of finishes, won the 40-49 division in her final year in the age group. Shakar scored high in all events to take the 50-59 division and the fourth spot in the standings, and Elaine Dill (Monson MA) completed all six treks on her way to the 60+ win.

More results and scores at uastfne.org/trail

Full results from last weekend's Region I Junior Olympic Track and Field meet are now posted at www.usatfne.org/track.

Qualifiers for the National meet in Wichita Kansas only have until July 18 to register online at usatfregistration.com so don't delay.

Registration open on Wednesday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m. for the 11th annual B.A.A. Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, October 9. The popular event has been a sell-out in recent years, and entry limit has been increased to 7000. The 2010 edition had a record 4498 finishers. "The popularity of our Half-Marathon in recent years is indicative of the current boom in running, and especially here in Boston," said B.A.A. executive director Tom Grilk. Entry is available online (only) at www.baa.org.

Greater Boston TC placed sixth in combined scoring at the USATF Club National Track & Field Championships held at Icahn Stadium in New York City. Central Park TC New Balance was the overall winner. The red team was sixth women's scoring (won by Norfolk VA Real Deal) and eleventh in the men's totals (won by Central Park). Dare 2 Dream, Providence Cobras, and New Balance Boston were the only other New England teams to score points.

Local winners included Rita Ciambra (Gr.Boston, pole vault, 4.00m), Samyr Laine (Gr.Boston, triple jump, 15.06m) and Justin Lutz (US Navy, steeplechase, 9:09.16). Lisa Wilson of GBTC won two silvers (discus, 48.58m; shot 15.00m) and GBTC women were second in the Distance medley, while Jessica Klett (GBTC, 400 hurdles, 1:01.89) and Dakota Dailey-Harris (Providence Cobras, high jump, 1.60 returned home with bronze medals.

The 2011 meet was the largest in terms of both individuals entered and teams scoring - 32 women's teams and 37 men's clubs tallied points. Results at www.usatf.org.

Keelin Godsey is the Athlete of the Month for June 2011 (jkuo photo)

Keelin Godsey is the USA Track & Field New England Athlete of the Month for June 2011.
(photo by Justin Kuo)

Keelin Godsey of North Adams, Massaschusetts, is the USA Track & Field-New England Athlete of the Month for June 2011.

On June 12 at the New England Championships held at Regis College, Godsey won the women's hammer throw with a distance of 222 feet 9 inches (a meet and facility record) and followed with a lifetime personal best throw of 226 feet 0 inches on June 25 to win the bronze medal at the USA National Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

The entry form for the USATF New England Masters Track & Field Championship set for Saturday, August 6 at Conley Stadium in Providence RI is now available. Download it at usatfne.org/track.

All events except pole vault and steeplechase will be contested for ages 30 and over.

Ben True (InTheArena / Hanover NH) won his first USA title race at Monday's USA 10K Championship run with the AJC Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta on July 4. True's time of 28:28 was good for fifth in an international field where places 3 through 6 were within 2 seconds; True's kick put him one place and one ahead of defending USA champion Ed Moran (Williamsburg VA). Winner Sammy Kitwara (KEN) clocked 28:05, and Ruben Sanca (BAA) placed 17th (30:03)

More race information at USA Running Circuit.com.

Brandon Newbould (Whirlaway RT/Nottingham NH) and Kasie Enman (BAA/Huntington VT) were first to the top at the sixth annual Loon Mountain Run on Sunday, fifth stop in the 2011 Mountain Running Circuit. Newbould, 2009 New England Marathon champion, handled the almost 6 mile up-down-up circuit in 48:03, 19 seconds up on Ross Krause; Enman, 2011 World team member and winner at the Cranmore Hill Climb a week ago, placed fifth overall in a new women's course record of 50:58 that was 10 minutes ahead of SRR's Kate Hardcastle. 216 completed the trek to the gondola terminal on this year's bear-free course.

Scoring the best 4 of 5 races to date, Jim Johnson (CMS) has a 16 point lead over Todd Callaghan (GCS) in the men's standings, with Kate Hardcastle holding a commending lead in the women's ranks. There are 83 potential "Mountain Goats" who have run 5 of 5 to date with only Sunday's Mt.Ascutney 3.8 mile climb remaining. Standings and series info at usatfne.org/trail.

Carla Forbes (Waltham TC / Boston) sailed 42'1.5"/12.84 meters in the triple jump at the USA World Youth Championship Trials to win the event and qualify for the US team heading to the meet in France next week. Her distance is an all-time New England High School record, bettering that of Arantxa King (Medford MA) who had a 42'0" best.

Held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as part of the USA Youth Championship meet, the trials picked a roster of 40 US athletes who will participate in the World Youth Championship Meet - for athletes not turning 18 during the year - July 6-10, in Lille, France; over 1000 youth athletes from as many as 175 countries are expected at the meet. To make the US team, staff looked at the top 2 in each event who had made the World standard and how their best might place in the event based on previous meets.

The Newton HS sophomore had placed fourth in the long jump the first day. Joe Velez (Classical HS/Providence) placed second in the hammer in a personal best, but no word on a team spot as of this time. Other placers in the competition included Reuben Horace (Bp.Hendricken RI) and Robert Palazzo (Classical RI), third and sixth in the hammer, and Jen Esposito (Mansfield MA) fifth in the 400 hurdles (60.87). Full results at usatf.org.

In its third decade of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company picked their 2011 State Track and Field Athletes of the Year. The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. New England state winners for 2011:

Girls:
MA - Nadia Eke, Jumps, Holy Name Worcester
NH - Krista Vincent, Throws, Somersworth
RI - Aleide Fernandes, Throws, Central Falls
VT - Mollie Gribbin, Jumps, South Burlington
CT - Precious Holmes, Sprints, Hillhouse New Haven
ME - Abbey Leonardi, Distances, Kennebunk

Boys:
MA - Josh Lampron, mid-distance, Mansfield
NH - D'Mahl McFadden, hurdles, Merrimack Valley
RI - Jarell Forbes, hurdles, Classical
VT - Mike DiMambro, Multi-events, Essex
CT - John Wlasuk, throws, Newtown
ME - Jack Terwillinger, Distance, Chevrus

Kasie Enman (BAA) is the 2011 USA National Mountain Running Champion
(Steve photo)

Kasie Enman (B.A.A./Huntington VT) led the women's field at the women's field at the USA Mountain Running Championship held at Cranmore Mountain on Sunday. Her win over the 7.6 km two loop up-and-down course at Cranmore was just a week after her third place overall at the Mt.Washington Road Race. Her margin of victory was significant, with a 1:46 gap on second place and over 2 minutes on 3rd place Brandy Erholz, 15th in the World race in 2010. She will lead the US women at the World Mountain Running Championships in Albania in September.

The men's race was won by Max King of Oregon in 42:21, a minute up on Joe Gray of Washington. Top New Englander was Jim Johnson (CMS/Salem NH); (Double J was just selected to represent the US in the World 50K Trophy race).

Team winners on the men's side were CMS (open) and Gate City Striders (40+, 50+), and CMS women. 219 runners competed overall in the several divisions contested at the same time over 1, 2, or 3 of the 3.8km loops that gained/dropped 200 meters per circuit. Full results at WhiteMountainMilers.com/cranmore

Leading the way with a win by Molly Huddle (Saucony/Providence RI) in the 5000 meters (15:10.01), New England performers turned in a slew of quality performances and some personal bests at the USA National Track and Field Championships in Eugene Oregon's fabled Hayward Field. The meet was the qualifier for the World Championships in Daegu Korea later this summer, as well as for the Pan American Juniors In July in Florida.

Also medaling was Keelin Godsey (unattached, North Adams MA), assistant coach at Williams, who had her best USA finish ever and personal best by over 3' with a bronze medal 226'0 spin in the hammer, 10 cm shy of the World B standard. She went into the meet ranked just 8th on the form sheet. Other top 10 finishes included Ben True (InTheArena, 5000m, 10th) and Craig Kinsley (Brown, javelin, 8th)

In the Junior competitions - not turning 20 during the calendar year - a handful of medals returned to the east coast. Two individuals also stamped their tickets for their first USA team appearances, the Pan American Junior met in July in Florida; Georgetown University freshman Max Darrah (Mashpee MA) won the steeplechase in 8:59.69, and Deanna Latham (Newbury MA), a freshman at Wisconsin, finished second in the heptathlon, totaling 5205 points. Mollie Gribbin (VT) earned a surprise silver medal in the Triple Jump (12.43m/40'9.5"), moving way up in the seeding chart; however she is short of the Pan Am standard of 12.90m/42'4". State champ Moira Cronin (Andover MA) placed third in the high jump (1.74m/5'8.5").

Additional results in the top 8 found Josh Lampron (Mansfield MA) fifth in the 1500 (3:50.24), and Mike DeMambro (Essex Junction VT) seventh in the Decathlon (6399).

New England alumni also placed well; Shalane Flanagan handily won the 10,000 (30:59.97), Sean Furey was second in the javelin (255'10"), Andrew Wheating fourth in the 1500 (3:48.19) and Mark Jellison sixth in the decathlon (7576). Full results are at the USATF Website.

2011 Boston Marathon winner Geoffrey Mutai (KEN), returned to to Hub for the inaugural BAA 10K and showed his competitive range by clocking the fastest 10K ever run in a variety of categories in winning the race in 27:19. The time eclipses the previous state best of 28:15 (John Gregorek, 1985) and New England best (27:28, Gilbert Okari, Beach to Beacon ME, 2003), and, according to the IAAF website, the fastest run in the international "Area" of North, Central America, and the Caribbean.

The women's winner completed the Boston double double, as marathon champion Caroline Kilel (KEN) outstepped Kim Smith (NZL) 31:58-32:06. Top Americans were BAA club runners Tim Ritchie (10, 30:26) and Heather Cappello (4, 33:32). Full results at baa.org.

A single race selection format will be used to select the men's 6 member and women's 4 member open USA Mountain Running Team at this weekends USA Mountain Running Championships at the Cranmore Hill climb on Sunday.

Among the top U.S. competitors is Rickey Gates of Colorado, a four-time mountain running team member, and one of only five men ever to break the one-hour barrier on Mt. Washington. Top local competition will come from NE Mountain Circuit leader and two-time Mt. Washington champion Eric Blake (BAA/New Britain CT). Leading local women who have international experience will be Gina Lucrezi (Natick MA) and Kasie Enman (BAA/Huntington VT).

The course mimics the Worlds course, running two (women) or three (men) up-and-down 3.8 kilometer loops gaining and descending 206 meters each loop, and is all off pavement. The 2011 U.S. Mountain Running Team will travel to Tirana, Albania, to compete in the 27th World Mountain Running Championships in September.

More information is available at www.whitemountainmilers.com/cranmore. Event day entry will be accepted.

US Track & Cross Country Coaches Association recently named their NCAA regional award winners for 2011. For Division 2, sophomore Evan White of UMass Lowell is East Region Track Athlete of the Year, and first year leader John Wallin of Southern Connecticut is the Regional Men's Coach of Year

Division 3 honorees for the New England Region men are Ben Scheetz (Amherst, track, mid-distance), David Pless (Bates, field, throws), assistant coach Joel Williams of Williams, and Head Coach Al Fereshetian of Bates. For the women's programs, winners are Portia Jones (MIT, track, sprints/hurdles), Kelly Curtis (Springfield, field, heptathlon), Tufts assistant coach Lisa Wallin, and Head Coach Halston Taylor of MIT.

The women's program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the 2010-2011 winner of the "Deb Vercauteren Division III Program of the Year" award. MIT was the only squad in the nation to capture top-four national finishes in each of the NCAA's three championship seasons - cross country/indoor/outdoor track & field. The USTFCCCA Program of the Year award is given to an institution that had the best combined team finishes in each of the NCAA's cross country/track & field sports in a given academic year.

MIT placed third in the fall at the NCAA cross country championships, third again at the NCAA indoor track & field championships, and fourth at the NCAA outdoor track & field championships. The Engineers finished as the award's runner-up in 2009-2010.

Williams College, this year's runner-up, claimed their best finish in the history of the award, and Middlebury was fifth, an impressive New England showing.

The largest field in well over a decade contested the USATF New England Junior Olympic meet at Fitchburg State University on Saturday. Good weather, competitive fields, and quality officiating led to a well run meet for clubs and individual athletes.

The NE Meet Results are posted.

The top six placers in each event qualify for the Region I meet in Troy NY July 8-10. Region I entry is Online only at the CoachO.com site is open and will be open through July 4.

The top 5 at Regionals qualify for Nationals July 25-31 in Kansas

Josh Lampron (Mansfield MA) won the mile at the New Balance Outdoor National scholastic meet in Greensboro NC. His 4:05.99, the best New England time of the year, gave him a margin of just .01 second. The junior had anchored a winning national scholastic sprint medley relay indoors.

A pair of bronze medals were the top placings on the girls side; Robyn McFetters (Barrington RI) was third in the hammer at 165'4", and Moira Cronin (Andover MA) earned the same place in the high jump at 5'8.5".

Wachusett (MA) took fifth in the 4 x 800 relay in a New England record 7:36.37 in a race where the first two teams broke the national HS record for the event, running 7:28.75 and 7:30.31; the team also placed fifth in the distance medley at 10:06.03.

Other New England athletes making their mark as "All-American" with a top 6 finish include:

Girls: Lincoln Sudbury MA (4 ,4x800, 9:01.78); Mansfield MA (Shuttle Hurdles, 4, 1:00.90); Aleide Fernandes (Central Falls RI, 5, hammer, 158'8"); Bishop Guertin NH (4x800, 5, 9:03.60); Marissa Shoji (Newton MA, 5000, 6, 17:15.60); Meghan McHugh (No.Attleboro MA, 5, javelin, 142'4"); Nicole Gilbert (Hanover MA, 6, long jump, 18'5.75")

Boys: Bishop Guertin NH (4 x Mile, 2, 17:50.63); Lowell MA (4xMile, 3, 17:51.47); Steven Vazquez (Central Falls RI, High Jump, 4, 6'8"); Kieran Kinnare (Ipswich MA, 6, Steeplechase, 6:09.80).

The full results are found at FlashResults.com.

Brett Ely (BAA / Natick MA) achieved the US Olympic Trials standard for the marathon on Sunday, running a 2:38:55 Personal Best for 15th at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth MN. The race had over 6300 finishers.

Runner Jan Holmquist (Liberty AC / Burlington MA) is the USATF New England Athlete of the Month for May 2011. The 67 year old Holmquist had a pair of quality races on the road during the month, finishing 16th overall at the Melrose Run for Women 3.5 mile on May 8, and then clocking 46:06 for 10K at Evan's Run in Norwell to place 24th female.

The full list of USATF-NE Athletes of the Month can be found at the Awards and Honors page.

Hammer throwers Vinny Tortorella and Keelin Godsey had the meet's best performances and were the only bonus winners as Sunday's USATF-New England Track and Field Championship at Regis College in Weston MA ran between the weekend rains.

With conditions more typical of April, the hammer marks were in peak season form, as Tortorella's 219'1" and Godsey's 222'9" season bests - the latter among the top 10 in the US this year - were the only two marks in the five designated "bonus" events to achieve the point total earning a $150 prize.

Greater Boston TC continued their lengthy string of men's and women's team wins, with the new Boston based Dare 2 Dream club taking second in both divisions, the men bolstered by double wins from Sheldon Allen (110 hurdles, 200).

Results can be found at the track page. See the track schedule for more summer meets.

The first of what will be an annual Massachusetts Middle School Track ane Field Invitational Championship meet ran at U.Mass Lowell on Saturday. Close to 900 entrants were undeterred by the constant rain during the day to be "part of history". Bringing home the team trophies were the girls of Diamond Middle School (Lexington) girls and R.J.Grey (Acton/Boxborough) boys. Thanks to director Matt Castriotta for turning the idea into reality.

We hope to see many of these youth at the USATF-NE Junior Olympic Championship this Saturday. Middle School Meet Results.

The NCAA Division I championship meet is often referred to as the best amateur track and field meet in the world, with world level performances turned in by the country's top collegians. Several New England athletes left there mark in the results, earning All-American honors.
Dartmouth 5000 meter runner Abbey D'Agostino (Topsfield MA) ran 15:40.69 for third, in a time that betters the approved US Junior (age 19 / under) Record (local runner Molly Huddle, while at Notre Dame, ran 15:36.95 while in college, but that mark remains pending). She never broke 5 minutes for the mile in high school, but a year later almost carried a 5:00 pace through 3.1 times the distance. Any approval of D'Agostino's time as the US Junior record will come at the USATF annual meeting in December.

Other All-Americans from the six state region: Donn Cabral (Princeton/Gastonbury CT) second, steeplechase, and eighth, 5000; Casimir Loxsom (PennSt/New Haven CT), fourth, 800; Dwight Barbiasz (Maryland/Milford NH), fifth, high jump; Leigh Petranoff (Illiois State/Cranston RI) sixth, javelin; Mike Lauro (LSU/Providence RI) sixth, hammer; and Katie Matthews (BostonU/Rocky Hill CT) eighth, 10,000m.

Results can be found at Flash Results.

The Mountain Circuit standings after the first three events are now posted at this site. The series continues on June 26 at Mt.Cranmore - see whitemountainmilers.com/cranmore for event information.

The National Running Day event originally scheduled for last Wednesday will run on Wednesday June 8, at the USATF-NE Mini Meet at MIT at 6:30 p.m. Supported by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), who will sponsor entry fees for all participants, invites all runners, as well as those interested in giving running a try, to participate in the USATF-NE Mini Meet free of charge. The meet offers novices and newcomers a chance to try various running events from 100 meters to the mile. Sign-up and registration occurs on-site at the event at 6:00 p.m. There is no pre-registration.

Times were fast and team scoring tight at the Rhody 5K on Sunday, the fourth stop on the 2011 USATF-NE Grand Prix. A new loop course on the flat roadways under pleasant conditions led to quality performances in the separate men's and women's races

In the men's results, the top three teams - CMS, Team Run, and B.A.A. - were separated by just 11 seconds; Whirlaway, with their five scorers all in the 15:00's could only manage 4th, 44 seconds out of first. New Yorkers Abiyot Worku and Derise Deniboba, both of whom have been NY Road Runner Club Runner of the Year, broke the event record with times of 14:25 and 14:27. Leading the New England crew at Twin Rivers were twins Kevin and David Johnson (Greater Springfield Harriers/Ludlow MA) in third and fifth, split by Justin Freeman (Team RUN), in times of 14:59/15:00/15:04. Joseph Koech was 8th overall for first masters award, while Craig Fram and Bill Dixon topped the 50+ and 60+ charts again.

In the women's postings, Cambridge Running Club, led by Amanda Brewster in 4th, won their first-ever USATF-NE team title, just 7 seconds up on the Greater Boston TC. Women's winner Steph Reilly (New Balance Boston) took the lead from the gun and ran a solo 16:41, with Brett Ely (BAA, 17:23) and Kyle MacQueen (GBTC, 17:53) giving chase. Maria Servin (Whirlaway) matched the men's masters placing of 8th overall, and Cathy Merra (GCS) and Karen Durante (Whirlaway) also taking age group wins.

Series standings and a link to results are found at the Grand Prix page.
The series resumes at the Stowe 8 Miler on Sunday, July 17, with the series stopping in all four states in the association this season.

To commemorate and raise awareness of National Running Day on Wednesday, June 1, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) will sponsor entry fees for all participants at the USA Track & Field – New England (USATF) Mini Track Meet on Wednesday, June 1.

The B.A.A. and USATF-NE share a common mission of promoting running and healthy, active lifestyles. The USATF-NE Mini Meet will be run at M.I.T. in Cambridge, Mass., and is part of a spring series of mini meets at MIT organized by the area’s governing body for the sport.

National Running Day is a country-wide effort encouraging healthy and fit lifestyles through the benefits of the sport. No matter your abilities, National Running Day is a chance for everyone to lace up their sneakers and get moving. In the Boston area, the B.A.A. and USATF-NE are two of the most visible and recognizable promoters of running. Around the country, numerous other running organizations and initiatives are taking place throughout the day.

To celebrate the day, the B.A.A. and USATF-NE invite all runners, as well as those interested in giving running a try, to participate in the USATF-NE Mini Meet free of charge. The meet offers novices and newcomers a chance to try various running events. Sign-up and registration occurs on-site at the event. There is no pre-registration.

Since its inception in 2009, National Running Day has been celebrated in Boston through various means. In its inaugural year, the Boston Athletic Association and four-time Boston Marathon Champion Bill Rodgers ran with participants prior to and during the USATF-NE Mini Meet.

Student athletes from four colleges in the NE association brought home hardware and honors from their cross country trip at the NCAA DivisioN II Championship meet last weekend in California. In the women's results, proving that Nationals is all about the competition, Bentley's Amy Varsell placed fourth in the 800 meters for her (and the school's) second All-American award following the same position indoors; she came into the outdoor championship seeded only 16th of 17 runners, but responded to the challenge of the meet.

In the men's results, U.Mass Lowell ran to four All-American honors; bronze medals by Donte Brown and the 4 x 400 relay, fourth place by Evan White (400), and eighth place by Angus MacDonald (5000). The top mens' placing was the silver medal of Glarius Rop (American International College) in the 10,000 meters on the opening evening. A.I.C. also placed Dominic Smith (400, 6th) and Yosi Goasdoue (10,000, 8th), and Stonehill returned with two All-Americans - Patrick Fullerton (1500, 6th), and Corey Thomas (high jump, 6th). Top New England states placing teams were Southern Connecticut men and New Haven women, both at ninth in the final standings.

The NCAA Division I meet takes place next weeks in Des Moines, Iowa.

Online entry is now open for the June 18 Junior Olympic Championships at Fitchburg State University. Only online entry will be accepted this year.
Entry can be done by individuals or by club coordinators, but a single contact person is supposed to enter all entrants for athletes in a club; club contacts will receive an email message on this.

Please note the following regarding entering the JO meet:

Entrants must have a current 2011 USATF membership to begin the entry process
Verification of date of birth must be completed for the entry to be accepted (proof can be faxed or emailed to the USATF-NE office)
Payment can be done online, mailed, or brought to meet. Online is preferred for individuals; clubs are asked to pay with a single check by mail.

Direct link to the New England entry at CoachO.com is usatfregistration.com/meet/entry/ma_usatfyouth02/.

You can find events, schedules, and this year's age groupings at a link at usatfne.org/track. Any waiver requests for the meet (for the events not contested at June 18 or for those missing the meet) must be in the NE office by the close of the day Wednesday, June 15. Waiver to the next round are not guaranteed for individuals missing the NE meet. Thanks for your patience with this process; contact the office if you have any questions.

Greater Springfield Harrier teammates Francis Burdett and Kent Lemme placed 4-5 overall at the Run for the Dream USA Masters 8K Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia on Saturday. The duo were 2-3 in the 5 year 45-49 division with times of 25:39 and 25:47; the masters race - and the overall event - was won by Mbarak Hussein (46 years old) in 24:41.

Another local connection, the race was managed by DMSE and times by Granite State Race Services. FULL RESULTS

Kasie Enman at the 2011 Northfield Mountain Run
(Photo courtesy of Scott Mason)

The 2011 Mountain Circuit took off on Saturday at the 10th Northfield Mountain Run with new and familiar medalists at the finish.

Men's winner Eric MacKnight, a senior at Keene State College, held off a pair of course veterans, Mark Miller (BAA) and Jim Johnson (CMS), the trio running 36:27-36:42-36:53 for the 6.3ish mile up and down course over the soft dirt roads and powerline trails. Tim Van Orden (CMS) was top 40+ (8th overall), Paul Bazanchuk (WMM) was best for the 50's, Rich Miller (WMM) for 60's, and George Gilder (WMAC) held off Charles Kellogg (TG) by just 11 seconds at 70+.

Women's winner Kasie Enman (BAA/Huntington VT) has returned to form after a 2010 maternity leave, winning by 2 minutes over high school senior Carolyn Stocker (GSH/Westfield MA); 2010 series winner Gina Lucrezi had an uncharacteristic off-day in taking bronze. In the age groups, Suzy West (CSU) had a solid win in the 40+, Jackie Shakar (CMS) won the 50+ by 13 seconds, and Kathleen Furlani (EORC) led the 60+ women home.

The race closed at 250 entrants and was announced as the "final" event at Northfield, as director Dave Dunham will move to starting a 50K race closer to home. But the door is open for it to continue if someone will step up to the director's role. FULL RESULTS

The USATF Track and Field Championship on June 12 has added an event, moved an event, and added prize money.
The 10,000 meters will contested for the first time in nearly a decade, starting the meet at 11:00 a.m. There is an entry guideline of 35:30 for men, and 39:00 for women; the clock will stop at 39:00.

The NE 5000 meter Championship race will take place the night before, June 11, at part of the race run at the New Balance Twilight meet at Bentley University. Entry for that race is through nbbtwilight.com.

Prize money will be available in 5 men's and women's events, continuing an offer started in 2010. The top eligible NE athlete will earn $150 if they achieve a performance equal to 950 points on the IAAF tables in the 800, steeplechase, javelin, or hammer.

The 400 meters will contest the "125 Year Challenge" - the top eligible New Englander who can better 47.75 - the world record in the 440 yard dash set in Boston on July 1, 1886 - will receive $100 and a new pair of spikes; the same offer applies to the women's equivalent time of 55.76.

For meet and prize money details, see the entry form and the bonus page.

The Nitehawks Sports Club, based in the Acton/Groton MA area, has received a grant from the USATF National "Mark Springer Youth Travel Grant" program for 2011. Monies may be used for travel to the several Youth/Junior Olympic National Championships; the Nitehawks have regularly qualified athletes for both the JO Track and Cross Country nationals.

For more information on the grant program, check usatf.org.

Jeannette Faber (BAA / Somerville MA) placed third at the USA 25km National Championship hosted by the Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids MI. Faber clocked 1:28:48 behind Hansons-Brooks teammates first time USA champion Molly Pritz (1:25:38) and Dot McMahan (1:28:38).

Gina Lucrezi (Newton MA) and Eric Blake (BAA/New Britain CT) have been named to the USA team for the North American / Central American / Caribbean (NACAC) Mountain Championships to run on July 17 in Jalisco, Mexico. The 13.8 km up-and-down course starts at 5020' altitude, ascends to 7875', and returns.
Lucrezi was the 2010 New England Mountain Series Champion and 2010 USA 10K Trail Run Champion; Blake has competed in the World Mountain Championships five times, twice earning team medals. Team manager is former NE Mountain/Ultra/Trail committee chairman Rich Bolt, now living in San Jose CA.

The Cranmore Hill Climb in North Conway, NH, on June 26 will serve as the 2011 USA Mountain Running Championship (entry at whitemountainmilers.com). Cranmore will be the lone USA selection race for the 2011 World Mountain Running Championship scheduled for September 11 in Tirana, Albania. See wmra.info for more details.

Dan Vassallo won a New England title for the second straight week, and Heidi Westover won her shortest distance road championship, both taking gold at the Medical Center 6K in Nashua NH on Sunday. The race, coming a week after a record field at the NE 10K Championship at the James Joyce Ramble, also recorded its largest field in the 10 year history, with 713 finishers crossing the line.

Vassallo (adidas New England/Reading MA) now has 2 wins and a second (New Bedford 1/2 marathon) in the 2011 series; his 18:27 in Nashua just 7 seconds off the course record. Justin Freeman (RUN) and Matt Ely (BAA) were within 10 seconds. Joseph Koech (RUN), 2009 GP masters champ, moved back to the front as first 40+ and 5th overall, 5 seconds one overall place ahead of Kent Lemme (GSH). Craig Fram (Whirlaway) was top 50+ for the second consecutive week, and Bill Dixon (GLRR) matched that in the 60+ division, with Harry Carter (BAA) taking the M70 prize.

In the women's race, Westover (Walpole NH) stepped down from her usual longer distance successes and had almost a minute on her closest competitor, Amanda Brewster (CambridgeRC). Top master Christine Anderson (Whirlaway) was 8th overall, Cathy Merra (Gate City) was best 50+, and Karen Durante (Whirlaway) made it two straight wins at 60+.

In team action, CMS was 39 seconds better than the fivesome from Team RUN for the men's win, and Greater Boston TC were comfortable 3 minute gap on the women's side. Men's masters was the nail-biter again, as Whirlaway and CMS masters men reversed positions from the 10K. The red team won by just 9 seconds after totaling the 5 scorers. They made it a sweep with the women's 40+ and both 50+ division wins, and Greater Lowell took a second straight 60+ win.

Series standings after 3 events can be found at the at usatfne.org/gp. The series takes a month break and continues on Sunday, June 5 at the Rhody 5K with separate men's and women's races.

Noelia Figuereo of Northern Essex Community College and Haverhill, Shey Carmichael of Roxbury Community College, and Timothy Phok of Community College of Rhode Island won titles at the National Junior College AA Division III Championships at Alfred State University this past weekend.

Figuereo won the 100 with a time of 12.75 and becomes the first athlete in NECC History to win national championships in two consecutive years. She leaves with 3 school records, 3 district titles, and 2 national titles (100 Meters 2011 & 200 Meters 2010). Carmichael, a freshman, won the 200 in 25.98, and Phok threw 161'2" for the hammer win.

RCC's Jim Guerrier earned medals in the triple jump (2nd) and 200 (3rd), with teammate Osawaru Johnson taking silver in the high jump and CCRI's Jackie Hurteau second in the women's 10,000. The Roxbury CC men were third in the 4x400 final where 6/10 separated the top 4 teams, after posting the fastest qualifying time.

Boston College women won their first ever Penn Relays Championship of America relay title on Saturday, taking the 4 x 1500 meter relay in 17:25.19. Anchor runner Caroline King clocked the race's fastest split - 4:12.2 - to run down Villanova and Georgetown. and was named the College Women's Athlete of the Meet. The last win at Penn by any Eagles team was the men's sprint medley victory in 1975.

In other action over the three days, Brian Harvey (B.A.A.) won the Olympic Development division of the 10,000 metes in 29:39.78, finishing third overall in the race, Paul Rupprecht (New Balance Boston) won the OD Steeplechase in 9:01.49, and Massachusetts product Mark Amirault (Xaverian Brothers, Westwood MA) anchored Princeton to their first relay win in 71 years, running 4:02.8 on his leg in the 4 x mile. Mass Velocity Track Club fielded a number of Masters relay teams, and Roger Pierce won the M65 100 meter race. A series of USA vs the World relay races brought out top international runners.

Completing its 117th edition, the original and largest Relay Carnival in the country fills the University of Pennsylvania stadium with top competition at all levels from high school to world class, cheered by an avid spectator base. Complete results are at pennrelaysonline.com.

Winner Geoffrey Mutai
(SteveV Photo)

With spirited runner-to-runner competition and ideal conditions, Geoffrey Mutai (Kenya) ran the fastest marathon run anywhere, 2:03:02, to win the 115th Boston Marathon on Monday. He held off countryman Moses Mosop by four seconds, as both surpassed the 2:03:59 of the legendary Haile Gebreselassie. However, aiding breezes and Boston's net downhill will likely have the mark noted as a "world best" as opposed to a world record. Nonetheless, it was amazing to see that level of competition over 26.2 miles; the 24th mile was covered in under 4:30, the final 10K in under 30 minutes. Before Mutai's break midway up the Newton hills, top American Ryan Hall had kept the pack's pace strong from the gun and was rewarded with the fastest time every run by an American, 2:04:58 for fourth overall.

On the women's side, Caroline Kilen completed a Kenyan sweep, but just barely. She outran Desiree Davila (Rochester MI/Brooks Hansons Distance Project) in the final strides to take the women's title by 2 seconds in 2:22:36. It was a three women sprint down Boylston Street, and Davila just missed becoming the first American champion in almost 30 years. New Zealander Kim Smith, Providence College grad who has been training in that city, had a commanding lead to 16 miles when she suffered leg cramps that led to her dropping out shortly thereafter).

Wheelchair finishes were equally exciting, as just one second separated men's winner Masazumi Soejima (Japan) from second and third place, and Wakako Tsuchida easily winning her fifth Boston in a course record and world best 1:34:06.

Second American on the men's side, Zac Hine is a 2005 graduate of South Hadley MA High School where he was state cross country champ and second in the state mile. He ran for Cornell, then headed further west to train with Brooks Hansons with a focus on a marathon debut in Boston. He was rewarded with a time of 2:16:54 for 16th place.
Top local finishers by state:

Massachusetts: Terry Shea (BAA/Somerville) 2:20:48; Elle Pishny (BAA/Boston) 2:44:40; New Hampshire: Scott Rowe (Rochester Runners/Dover) 2:28:15; Alexandra Varanka (New Balance Boston/Amherst) 2:58:27; Rhode Island: Glen Guillemette (Narragansett) 2:35:52 (2nd 50+); Claire Gadrow (So.Kingstown) 2:56:46; Vermont: Stephen Trull (Burlington) 2:47:53; Kasie Enman (BAA/Huntington) 2:39:55; Connecticut: Tim Perry (Norwalk) 2:30:57; Shannon McHale (W.Simsbury) 2:43:46 (3rd 40-44); Maine: Robert Gomez (Dirigo RC/Saco), 2:24:18; Sheri Piers (Dirigo RC/Falmouth) 2:39:23;

There is plenty to read and view on the race at all running related websites starting at bostonmarathon.org.

Whirlaway's Simonetta Piergentili
(Photo: Masha Kuo)

Local clubs swept the team races at the 115th Boston Marathon. The host Boston Athletic Association won both the open men's and women's divisions; the men's team was led by Terry Shea - fastest New Englander - Alex Taylor, and Nate Krah (all in the top 30 overall) and totaled 7:05:31 with Air Force 2:43 back. Greater Boston TC placed sixth, Cambridge RC eighth, and Team RUN tenth. The women's team of Kasie Enman , Elle Pishny, and Jennifer Campbell timed 8:10:45, 30 minutes ahead of Running Republic of Boulder (CO). Also in the top 10 were Somerville Road Runners (fourth), Cambridge RC (fifth), and Greater Boston TC (seventh).

As at many local events, it was Whirlaway Racing Team winning both of the masters' bowls. , Joe Navas, Jason Porter, and Chris Spinney (7:53:06) were matched by the trio of Simonetta Piergentili, Christin Doneski and Petra Platt (9:28:15). Somerville RR (3) and BAA (4) were among the top 10 men's teams, and Winners Circle (3), Wampanoag RR (4), Gate City Striders (7), Suburban Striders (8) and Somerville RR (10) in the women's top 10.

Ruben Sanca (BAA, Dorchester MA) had a sparkling debut at the marathon distance this weekend, running 2:18:47 at the Rotterdam Marathon in the Netherlands. Sanca, whose final tune-up for Rotterdam was his winning performance at the New Bedford Half Marathon last month, placed 17th in the international field.

Winner Wilson Chebet (Kenya) clocked the fastest time in the world for 2011 at 2:05:27, as five runners broke 2:10. Rotterdam has been the site of several world records, and they did have one in their results on Sunday when Ed Whitlock of Canada ran 3:25:43 at age 80!

Paul D. Thompson, M.D., nationally renowned cardiologist who specializes in the relationship between exercise and heart disease, will give a presentation on "Sudden Cardiac Failure in Athletes" on Thursday, April 14 in Providence Rhode Island.
The event, sponsored by the Ronald McDonald House of Providence and the RMH Providence Running Club, will be held at LaSalle High School, 612 Academy Avenue in Providence, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The presentation is in the Brother Michael McKenery Theatre, and the format will include a slide presentation followed by a question and answer session.

Dr.Thompson is Director of Cardiology and The Athletes' Heart Program at Hartford Hospital. An accomplished marathoner himself, he qualified for the 1972 U.S.Olympic Marathon Trials, and finished 16th in the 1976 Boston Marathon.

The event is free to the public. For further information, contact Bob Rothenberg at 401-274-4447, ext. 33. We highly recommend this presentation to coaches and experienced distance runners.

Distance runner Ben True is the USATF-NE Athlete of the Month for March 2011.

True, a member of In-The-Arena and living in Hanover NH, was the top finisher for USA men's team at the World Cross Country Championships in Spain on March 20, and placed second in the USA 15K road race championship in Jacksonville Florida on March 12. The Dartmouth graduate is expanding on his impressive credentials on the track.

A full list USATF-NE Athlete of the Month winners are at the USATF-NE website Awards page.

Adrienne Thornton, a student at Boston's John D. O'Bryant High School, upped the Massachusetts high school girls record in the hammer on Saturday. In her first meet of the season, the junior spun the ball 143'0" to place fifth at the 43rd K of C Relays in Providence RI. Massachusetts does not contest the hammer as part of its scholastic schedule, making the achievement all the more impressive among a field of Rhode Island athletes - who contest the event in both their dual and state meet schedules.

Thornton set the Mass. record in the 20lb weight during the indoor season.

New England scholastic athletes achieved many quality marks during the recently completed indoor season. You can find the New England "leader board" as well as Massachusetts performance lists in the statistics section of MansfieldTrack.com. The lists were compiled by Larry Newman.

The BAA pack was dominant in New Bedford
(SV photo)

Ruben Sanca (BAA / Boston and Kim Smith (New Zealand / Providence) led a long parade of runners through the streets of New Bedford at the 34th annual New Bedford Half Marathon, the opening championship event of the USATF New England Grand Prix, on Sunday. The race had a record 2,730 entrants.

Assuming the lead in the first mile, Sanca was unchallenged for the remainder of the race, clocking a time of 1:05:25 in his debut at the distance. Runner-up Dan Vassallo (adidas NE/Reading MA) ran a similarly lonely race as he was clear of any challengers bey 4 miles and running 1:07:00. The BAA placed 8 of the first 10 finishers and easily won the team trophy.
Smith, an Olympian for New Zealand who ran the fastest women's 1/2 marathon ever on US soil (1:07:36) on February 13 in Houston, made it back-to-back wins here with her 1:09:50. In second, Diana Bowser (BAA / Sudbury MA) stopped the watch at 1:14:36, a time that qualifies her for the 2012 US Olympic Trials in the marathon. With teammates Kasie Enman (3rd) and Kathryn Hatch (6th), the BAA women matched the men's team win.

Age group wins went to several newcomers and some old reliables. Closest race of the day was Keven O'Neil's one second margin over Greg Picklesimer (SRR) for the M40+ win. Besides O'Neil, it was the first age group honors for Lisa Kaplan (BAA, W40) and Fredric Silverblatt (PRMH, M70), while Mark Reeder (GLRR, M50), Gordon MacFarland (CSU, M60), Cathy Merra (GCST, W50), and Moira Durnin (GMAA, W60) added to their resumes.
Whirlaway Racing Team were double double team winners, leading both the men's and women's 40+ and 50+ scoring, and Cambridge Sports Union led the men 60+ clubs.

The first round of scoring will be found at the usatfne.org/gp page; with the largest club turnout of any GP race in recent years, it will take some time to verify all team scores. The 2011 GP series continues on May 1 at the James Joyce Ramble (www.ramble.org) in Dedham MA.

The USA women's team ran to a 3rd place medal stand performance behind Kenya and Ethiopia at the World Cross Country Championships, in Punta Umbria, Spain on Sunday. Led by former Marblehead MA native Shalane Flanagan (now in Oregon) who took the individual bronze medal in an energizing race, the US squad was backed Molly Huddle (Providence RI / Saucony) who finished 17th, Magdelena Lewy Boulet (CA, 18th) and former Massachusetts resident Blake Russell (CA, 19th) over the 8K distance. Flanagan moved from 7th to 3rd in the final kilometer, and it was the best performance by a non-African women runner at the Worlds since 2004.

In the men's race, Ben True (InTheArena / Hanover NH) was top finisher for the USA. True placed 36th in 35:56, as the US tally ranked them 10th team overall.
Full coverage at www.iaaf.org.

The 2011 USATF New England Road Race Championship Grand Prix series begins this Sunday, March 20, at the New Bedford Half Marathon in New Bedford MA. The race is expecting over 2500, as the distance continues to grow in popularity. Details are at the NewBedfordHalfMarathon.com. On-line entry is closed, so leave plenty of time to enter on race day.

Clubs are reminded that club membership must be current to score, and all scoring members of a team must have individual USATF membership on race day.

As decided at the fall Grand Prix meeting, Men age 50+ teams now score 5 runners in distances above 10K through 30K, so clubs will need 5 men age 50+ for a tally on Sunday in that division (as well as in open and 40+ groups; all women's divisions score 3) on Sunday. All GP Competition Guidelines can be found at the GP Page.

All three NCAA divisions ended their seasons with national championships this past weekend with successes by New England student-athletes. Division I ran at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, and top NE states placer Michael Rutt, UConn, who was second in the 800 with a tme of 1:48.37. Other men earning all-American placings (top 8) were David McCarthy (Providence, 3000, 8th 8:06.01), and Milford NH product (and former NE athlete of the month) Dwight Barbiasz (Maryland, high jump, 4th, 7'2.5"). On the women's side, Providence Classical HS grad Victoria Flowers (UConn) was 4th in the weight, throwing 72'11.75". Additionally, Katie Matthews (Boston U.) placed 6th in the 5000, 16:13.21, and Caroline King (Boston College) was 7th in the mile, 4:36.0.

In Divsision II action in Albuquerque, New Mexico, sophomore Corey Thomas of Stonehill College (North Easton MA) won the high jump at 7'0.5"and earned a second all-American honor in the hurdles, leading Stonehill to a 16th place finish. Also medaling was Dominic Smith (AIC, Springfield MA), 2nd in the 400 at 46.81. Bentley University (Waltham MA) had their first ever women's all-American - Amy Varsell, 4th in the 800. Sharon Gagne of University of New Haven (CT) was a triple winner in the long jump, 60, and 200.

The Division III meet in Bexley, Ohio, found MIT women in third and Amherst men 6th. New England school winners included Ben Sheets (Amherst, 800, 1:51.26), Kevin Coyle (Springfield, Long Jump, 23'10 3/4"), David Pless (Bates, Shot Put, 56'6") for the men, and Randelle Boots (Wellesley, Mile, 4:57.46), Tanasia Hoffler (Williams, Triple Jump, 40'2"), and Middlebury (Distance Medley, 11:47.96). MIT's Engineers had 4 pole vaulters total (women and men) achieve all-American status.

The Cambridge Jets headed west for the first USATF Youth Indoor National meet held in Illinois, and returned home with a good bit of gold hardware. They had qualified through placing at the East Region meet two weeks ago (indoor youth has no association based meets to start with).

Their strength was in the Youth (13-14, age at end of year) Girls division where Jets won all flat races from 55 through 800 meters; those winners were Sydney Fisher (55,200), Rhyana Freeman (400), and Maya Halprin-Adams (800). With that strength teaming with Camille Sery-Ble, the Jets also won the 4x200 (1:46.41) and 4x400 (4:12.25).

In the Intermediate Boys (15-16) division, Byron Vaughn won gold in the 55 (6.89) and bronze in the 400. Teammate Jordan Samuels won bronze in the triple jump (37'9") and made two short distance finals, finishing 5th in the hurdles and 7th in the 55. Results at www.usatf.org.

The scholastic indoor season came to an end with the iconic National Scholastic meet at the New York City Armory with two New England winners from New England. Carla Forbes (WalthamTC/NewtonNorth HS) spanned 19'5 1/2" on her final attempt to win the long jump on Saturday for the best girls' performance of the (long) weekend. She also ran on the 8th place shuttle hurdle relay squad.

Andrea Keklak (Sudbury MA) reached a new level with her 4:49.93 mile, good for third , Aleide Fernandes (Central Falls RI) solidified her place as the region's best weight thrower with a 4th in 57'9.5", and speedster Rebecca Robinson (Arlington MA) earned the same medal in the 400 at 55.24. Additional relays taking home hardware were Newton Centre Athletics (Newton South MA), 6th in the sprint medley in 4:09.65, and the Keklak-anchored Lincoln-Sudbury squad in the distance medley, 6th in 11:53.08.

On the boys side of the ledger, Mansfield (Mass.) was a convincing winner in the Sprint Medley Relay at 3:28.99, and there was a decided Massachusetts flavor on the podium with Newton North sixth (3:32.46) and Andover seventh 3:33.17. Mansfield also medaled in the 4x400 - its 3:22.11 good for 8th - and had two individual rankers; Shayne Collins, third at 2 miles (9:11.12 - behind the second fastest HS time ever) and Josh Lampron 7th in the 800 (1:53.13)

Rhode Island leaper Innocent Jacob (Chariho) was double medalist with third in the high jump at 6'6 3/4" and 4th in the long jump, 23'4". Others making the stand were Joe Velez (Classical Providence RI, Weight, 4th, 70'1.75"), Greg Boursiquot (Stoughton MA, 60 Hurdles, 6th, 7.96, John Murray (Shrewsbury MA, 2 mile, 7th, 9:16.71), and Lowell MA HS, 4 x mile, 7th, 18:00.17.

www.nationalscholstic.org

Some of the NE association's top runners on bare ground earned medals over snow at last weekend's US National Snowshoe Championship held in Wisconsin. 22 states were represented among the 249 shoe-ers who covered the 10K.

Amber Ferreira (GCS/Concord NH) was second overall in the women's race, and Marcy Schwam (MA) was 17th and 1st 55-59/2nd 50+. In the men's results, Jim Johnson and Kevin Tilton, both from New Hampshire and members of Central Mass Striders, placed 8th and 9th overall, respectively, with Jim 1st age 30-34 award winner and Kevin 3rd 25-29. Clubmate Tim Van Orden (VT) was 13th / 3rd master.

Ben True (Hanover NH) races to second place at the USA 15K Championship held at the 34th Gate River Run in Jacksonville FL on Sunday. The Gate River Run is the largest 15K in the country, with over 15,000 finishers.

The Dartmouth alum, training with the new In the Arena club out of New Hampshire, covered the distance in 43:25, finishing behind only Mo Trafeh of California, who won his second USA road crown of 2011. Lucas Meyer (BAA) placed 22nd overall.

In the women's results, top New Englander was Rebecca Donaghue (New Balance Boston), who finished eight overall (7th USA) in 51:52; winner was Olympian Jen Rhines of Mammoth Lakes, California. Like Trafeh, Rhines won the title at the USA Half Marathon Championship in January. Jeannette Faber (BAA) was 18th, and Tammie Robie (Whirlaway) 31st. www.USARunningCircuit.com.

Brown University presents a Javelin Clinic at their athletics center this Sunday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brown's Olney-Margolis Athletic Center is at 235 Hope Street, Providence, RI.

Presenters are Brown Head Coach Michelle Eisenreich - coach of 2010 NCAA Champion Craig Kinseley - and former world record holder Tom Petranoff. The clinic includes several sessions - learn by doing core training for javelin; technical development for the javelin; speed, agility and power development; and weak side training and testing. It will also include a spring training program.

The fee is $40 per person and includes 2011 Core Training or Javelin DVD. Register on-line at www.brownbears.com.

Athletes and coaches of all levels are welcome!

The USA Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships moved from sea-level Boston to mile-high Albuquerque, New Mexico for 2011, and New England athletes brought back a number of medals from the three day competition. Performances in the sprints were helped by the mile high altitude, but distance runners suffered a bit from the thin air. Scouring the results of the meet, with divisions from 30-35 to 95+ found many New Englanders making the podium.

Topping the medal haul was the indefatigable Flo Meiler (Shelburne, VT), who scored in 10 events in the 75-79 age group, three being gold (Pentathlon, Pole Vault, High Jump, Hurdles) and achieving American records in those evetns as well. Fellow Vermonter Barbara Jordan (South Burlington VT), also in the W75 division, returned with five medals, including golds with a World Record in the 60 and an American record in the 200.

Multi-eventer Susan Weimer (Freeport ME) W45 won three events, the pentathlon, shot put, and 60 meter hurdles. Two distance runners each won a pair of gold medals; Mary Harada (West Newbury, MA) was first in the W75 800 and mile, and Francis Burdett (Worcester, MA) doubled up in the M45 mile and 3000m. Also double gold, Mary Roman (Norwalk CT) set American Records with her wins in the W75 shot put and weight throw. Other gold medalists were Bob Cedrone (Stoughton, MA) M55 Super Weight (and 2nd Weight), Sue McCarthy (S.Portland ME) W45 400 (and 2nd 60 and 200); Stephen Peckiconis (Roslindale, MA) M50 3000 Race Walk, and Roger Pierce (Essex, MA) M65 400 (and 3rd 200m). Of note; Mike Sullivan of Gilbert, Arizona, set a world record in M50 400 in 52.44; in 1979, he was part of the Brockton MA High School team that set a US HS mile relay record.

Additional medalists from the New England association: Carroll Blake (Boston, MA) M60 400, 3rd; Nick DeNitto (North Andover, MA) M70 Shot put, 2nd; Mark Gomes (Braintree, MA) M40 800m, 2nd; Gail Johns-Rees (Salem, NH) W55 200m 3rd; Deborah Kovacs (Groton, MA) W40 200 2nd; Antonio Palazzo (North Providence, RI) M80 Weight 2nd, Super Weight 2nd; Diane Pomreroy (Pittsfield, MA) W45 400 2nd, 800 2nd; Edward Proctor (Framingham, MA) M45 400 3rd, High Jump 2nd; and Jon Tetherley (Chicopee, MA) M65 400, 3rd. Apologies to anyone we missed in the many pages of results.

In the team scoring totals, Mass Velocity TC was 5th overall with 225 points, and Twilight Throwers totaled 72 points for 14th place.

The masters indoor nationals will be in Bloomington, Indiana in 2012, in Landover, Maryland in 2013, and hopefully back in Boston in 2014. Full results at usatf.org.

Central Mass Striders won the team title in the USA 50K National Championship race in Lloyd Harbor, Long Island, NY on Sunday. Coming off a successful snowshoe racing season (2nd at the Northeast Championships the previous weekend), Jim Johnson led the trio by finishing with the bronze medal in 3:05:37. Following him home in a pouring rain were Ben Nephew (6th, 3:13:21) and George Adams (8th, 2nd 40+, 3:17:16).

Josh Ferenc (BAA) placed second overall in 3:05:00 in his debut at the distance, trailing only many time USA Ultra Team member Michael Wardian's 2:55:59 (just off course record). Yolanda Falmino (Hancock NH) placed third in the women's competition at 3:46:52.

The Mount Washington Road Race lottery is now open. Runners interested in the 51st annual race with "only one hill" running on Saturday, June 18 needs to enter at mountwashingtonroadrace.com. The lottery entry closes on March 15, and picks will be announced March 16.

(Note: All 2010 USATF-NE "Mountain Goats" should have been contacted by now regarding their guaranteed entry).

The rush to enter major running events continues, as registration for the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon has closed in record time. The 45,000 participant limit was achieved in just 31 days. The 34th annual event, known for its fast course, runs on October 9.

University of Connecticut took both the men's and women's New England Collegiate Indoor Track and Field Championship trophies at Boston University over the weekend. The Huskies women scored 186, ahead of Northeastern (58) and Southern Conn (52), while the men's total of 119.5 easily topped Rhode Island (61.5) and Southern Connecticut(58.5).

Victoria Flowers (UConn/Providence RI) was a double winner in the shot and weight with meet records 53'5" and 68'9", respectively. Two other meet marks were established by Ana Groff (UConn, 500, 1:13.35) and Karin Fisher (MIT, Pole Vault, 13'3.5").

On the men's side, Michael Rutt (UConn) ran a record 1:47.41 in winning the 800 meters as 4 runners dipped under 1:50. Full results are at neicaaa.org.

The Boston Athletic Association continues with their marathon training clinics on Monday, February 28, at the John Hancock Conference Center, 40 Trinity Place, Boston (2 blocks from the finish line) at 6:15 p.m. This Monday's clinic will cover the new Qualifying and Registration information, injury prevention and management, diet and nutrition, and apparel selection.

The final B.A.A. clinic before the marathon will be on Monday, March 28, at 6:15pm. Topic for the March session include countdown to Patriots' Day, race day insight and tips, and course preview.

Details can be found at baa.org.

The girls' medalists at the Mass. Scholastic Weight Throw Invitational.
Photo: Masha Kuo

Adrienne Thornton and Sean Farrell won the first Massachusetts Scholastic Weight Throw Invitational held at the Reggie Lewis Center on Wednesday. The girls 20 lb weight and boys 25 lb weight throws are scoring events only in Rhode Island, but interest in the event is growing in Massachusetts, and USATF-NE supported the development of the event by offering this state invitational "championship".

Thornton, from Boston and a student at O'Bryant HS, spun the implement 48' 6 3/4", a personal best and the best ever by a girl from Massachusetts. Farrell, from Peabody and attending Bishop Fenwick HS, had a best ever toss of 54'6 3/4" to beat the state's top ranked thrower for the year, Sean Enos (Lynnfield, St.John's Prep) by just 1/4".

USATF-NE will offer a series of clinics and more competitions next indoor season to help grow the event in the state and the region. Many of Wednesday's participants will attend the New England Weight Invitational this weekend in Rhode Island, the March 6 Weightarama in RI, and/or the New Balance Indoor Nationals March 12 in NY. See usatfne.org/track for more info on those meets, and results of the Massachusetts Invitational.

USA Track & Field is releasing FOREVER FAST, a film about Masters Track & Field that will be shown at events and venues around the country over the next two years. FOREVER FAST is a 14 minute film that will be used to recruit new participants to Masters Track & Field and to attract sponsors that want to associate their products or services with "lifetime competitive fitness" and "positive aging."

All USATF members are invited to the premiere showing of FOREVER FAST on Sunday, February 27, from 4-6 PM at the Waverley Oaks Athletic Club in Waltham, MA. The premiere is free for USATF members (members may bring a guest) and will include complimentary appetizers and refreshments and a cash bar. Waverley Oaks AC is located at 411 Waverley Oaks Rd. in Waltham. Direct questions to John Oleski at joleski@usatfne.org.

Greater Boston TC used their balanced team effort to repeat as men's and women's team champions at USATF-NE Indoor Track and Field Championship meet at Harvard on Sunday. Runners-up were New Balance Boston for the men and Hanover AC for the women.

Over 700 entrants from scholastic age to masters over 80, and including collegiate and club contingents, took advantage of the tuned track and top field event areas to record personal bests and other qualifying marks. Of note, high schooler Aleide Fernandes of Central Falls RI placed second in the women's 20 lb weight over a collegiate field in one of the top scholastic marks in the country, 57'8.5". The meet's only double winner was Brown's Rachel Biblo in the long and triple jumps.

Few associations around the country have the opportunity to compete at such a facilty.

RESULTS.

Columbia University freshman Jacob Sienko former Bishop Hendricken standout from Warwick, RI, placed 8th overall and second for USA in the Junior Men's Race at the North American/Central American/Caribbean (NACAC) Championship in on February 19. Team USA placed second in the meet.

Sienko was the only New Englander on the squad; he earned the position by placing eleventh at the USA XC Championships on February 5 in San Diego.

Details can be found at usatf.org.

Dartmouth College hosted the New Hampshire High School Division I and II State Indoor Track and Field Championships over the weekend. At Division I on Saturday, Bishop Guertin Girls and Nashua North boys topped the rankings, and at Divsion II on Sunday, Lebanon girls and Oyster River boys took the titles.

The state record was broken in the girls' 55 meter hurdles each day. Exeter's Hilary Holmes lowered the record by 0.01 to 8.44 on Saturday and Ginny Lavellee of Sanborn ran 8.41 on Sunday.

Full results at LancerTiming.com.

Katie DiCamillo (New Balance Boston / Providence) won the Ras na hEireann cross country race in Country Louth, Ireland on Sunday. She and Tim Ritchie (BAA / Brighton MA) earned trips to Ireland for the Ras and the Armagh Road Race based on their wins in the 2010 New England Cross Country Championships in November.

Warming up on Thursday evening at the Armagh Road Race on a 1K loop course through the center of town, Katie placed a close fourth over 3000 meters behind runners from Scotland, Ireland, and England in 9:41.76, with Tim 10th in 14:27 in the men's 5K, just 13 seconds off the leader's pace. (Former BAA runner and Providence ace Ben Noad from England was 6th). Results.

On Sunday at the Ras - at the site of Ireland's famous "Battle of the Boyne" - DiCamillo came back and bested a strong field over 4000 meters by 11 seconds in 13:32, while Ritchie also moved up in the rankings in the second race, placing fifth in 18:49 over the 6000 meter circuit behind winner Michael Mulhare's 18:20. Results.

So, the New Englanders availed themselves well in their first international appearances on this trip, offered annually to two New England cross country runners for more than 10 years. The opportunities are arranged through and with the strong support of CVS/Downtown 5K race director Charlie Breagy of Exeter RI, who still works on the management of the Ras for his home club in Ireland. Thank you!

As indoor track reaches its championship season, quality is rising to the top of the results at New England meets. On Saturday, five men ran under 4:00 for the mile at the Boston U Valentine Invitational, among them three New England collegians and a recent grad setting personal bests. Behind winner Erik van Ingen (Binghamton, 3:57.11 PB) came Riley Masters (Maine, 3:58.17 PB), Richard Peters (Boston U/GBR, 3:58.26 PB) and Julian Matthews (Providence/NZL, 3:58.57 PB), as well as Macklin Chaffee (2009 Williams College grad, 3:58.80 PB). Chaffee, a 2009 Williams College grad, is the first New England Small College Atheltic Conference (NESCAC) grad to break 4:00; he now trains with Ragged Mountain Running in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Valentine meet drew over 2000 competitors over two days. Lots more quality performances were turned by both men and women at the meet. Check LancerTiming.com.

Six individuals were inducted into the Massachusetts High School Track & Field Hall of Fame at Reggie Lewis Center on Sunday in a ceremony presented by presented by the Mass. State Track Coaches Association. Athletes' achievements at the high school level and well beyond are included in the selection criteria. The careers of the Class of 2011 span over 70 years - from the era before girls' and women's scholastic and collegiate sports up through the 1990's - and the group includes two Olympians.

Rena MacDonald (Dedham, 1924) 10 time US shot put Champion, 1928 Olympian
Katherine Mearls (Boston Girls, 1926) 5 time US Champion standing long jump, US championship medalist in 40, 50, 100, long jump, javelin, high jump in her competitive career
Cliff Blair (Hingham, 1947) (Boston University) First collegian to throw over 200' in the hammer, US record in 1956 (216'4"), 1956 Olympian
Carl Wallin (Milton, 1959) (Northeastern) First New England athlete to throw 60' in the shot put, NCAA silver and bronze medals, 7th at 1968 Olympic Trials, USA international team competitor and still a masters competitor
Peter Scott (Scituate, 1962) (Nebraska) State record in 880 yards, HS all-American in 600 and 1000, 1966 NCAA champion in 880 yards, 4th in USA Championships
Pam Connell (Norwell, 1986) (Penn State) Unprecedented 14 time Massachusetts state champion as individual or relay member, World Junior Championships competitor, still has 10 individual or relay performances in Penn State's top 10 lists.

Over 50 Massachusetts high school athletes dating back to the 1890's have been honored since 1995.

With a mix of local talent and world class athletes - and sometimes a combo of the two -, the sixteenth annual winter elite track meet that is now the New Balance Boston Indoor Grand Prix did not fail to excite a sell-out crowd on Saturday evening at the Reggie Lewis Center. The evening began with a meet record in the masters mile (top New Englander Keven O'Neil running 4:28.87 for fourth) and a fourth straight youth relay win for the Cambridge Jets. Those events warmed up the crowd for almost two more hours of competitive races from 60 meters through 3000 meters.

The closing event, the men's mile brought some of the loudest cheers as a native New Englander stormed to the win. Oregon TC and former Standford standout Russell Brown out of Hanover NH - and a three time national Junior Olympic relay champ as a youth here, was in the midst of a pack hitting 1:59 at the half. The pace picked up and Brown proved to have the best finishing speed; his winning 3:54.81 was a personal best and 8th best on the all-time US indoor list.

See more at bostonindoorgames.com

Molly Huddle (Providence, RI/Saucony) and Ben True (Hanover NH) qualified for the USA World Cross Country Team at the US Winter National Cross Country meet in San Diego on Saturday. All race distances ran over multiple loops of a 2 kilometer circuit.

Marblehead MA native Shalane Flanagan, Olympic bronze medalist now in Portland, OR, was a runaway winner over the women's 8K in 25:47; building a 25 second gap by halfway to win for the third time since 2008. Huddle repeated her 2nd place of a year ago to again earn the USA uniform for the worlds in Spain next month. Toni Salucci (Hanover NH/In-the-Arena) ran to 30th place.

Dartmouth grad True, training with the new In-the-Arena club based in Hanover NH, placed fifth to earn his first berth on a USA cross team. His time of 36:03 was 17 seconds behind winner Brent Vaughn (Black Hawk, CO). Other locals in the top 50 were Justin Lutz (35th, Framingham, MA), Jon Wilson (37th, Falmouth, ME), and Dan Hocking (42nd, Dover, NH).

Top local in the Junior Men's 8K was Jacob Sienko (11th, Warwick, RI) in 25:31, missing the US team by just 11 seconds.

Full results at usatf.org.

The USATF East Region and New England Masters Indoor Championship drew over 160 competitors to Providence on Sunday.

Competitors took advantage of the first non-high school meet ever held in the two year old Providence Career and Technical Academy facility to record good early season performances. Four pending US age group records were turned in by two competitors, both age 75. On the track, sprinter Barbara Jordan (Mass Velocity / Burlington VT) ran 10.64 for 60 meters and 38.45 for the 200, while thrower Mary Roman (Mass Velocity / Norwalk CT) tossed the 2 kilogram shot 8.32 meters and the 4 kilogram weight 11.15 meters as best ever that division.

Team winners (combined men/women) were Mass Velocity with Twilight Throwers second.

The 200 meter mondo oval and quality field event set-up exceeded all competitors' expectations, and the meet will tentatively return there in 2012. Thanks to Classical HS athletic director - and weight throw medalist - Bob Palazzo for the efforts to bring the meet to Rhode Island, and to his team that provided necessary volunteer support. Results are at the track and field page.

As the Gate City Striders of New Hampshire celebrates 30 years old, the club has created a Hall of Fame to recognized individuals involved in a wide range activities which have supported the organization. The initial class was inducted at the club's recent awards banquet, with some memberships in GCS going back to its founding in 1979. The first "class" of the GCS HOF: Warren Church, Skip Cleaver, George LeCours, Jane Levesque, Steve Moland, Phil Quinn, Allan Rube, Dave Sargent, and Shaun Scanlon.

While the entire group have credentials as competitors, the words that appeared regularly on each of the honorees' resumes include volunteer, board member, director, captain, organizer, and contributor - all tasks and positions which have ensured quality programs for the club and for southern New Hampshire running at all levels and for all ages for over three decades.

Such Halls of Fame are great ways to maintain club history as well as recognize those who keep a club moving forward. Full biographies will be at www.gatecity.org

The 2011 USATF National Club Track and Field Championships will be held at New York City's Icahn Stadium, July 8-9, the fourth time the championships have been held in New York since 2005. The meet will be hosted by the Central Park Track Club New Balance. The club championships draws its largest crowd when held in New York.

The Club Track and Field Championships is an event that supports USATF's goal to enhance and expand opportunities for open level, club-based team competition; it is open to all post-HS level clubs with some qualifying standards.

The Greater Boston Track Club is the only three-time team champion in the meet's history. We look for a number of New England clubs to participate in 2011. For more information on the championship, visit usatf.org/events.

In its third decade of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, the Gatorade Company, in conjunction with ESPN RISE, announced its 2010-11 State Cross Country Runner of the Year award-winners. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse.

Winners from states in the New England association:
Massachusetts: Ariel Beauregard-Breton (Deerfield Academy); John Murray (Shrewsbury)
New Hampshire: Chloe Maleski (Keene); Samuel Gagnon (Manchester Central)
Rhode Island: Molly Keating (Lasalle Academy, Providence); Ryan Meehan (Bp.Hendricken, Warwick)
Vermont: Elle Purrier (Richford); Brendan Copley (Colchester)
And from the other New England states:
Connecticut: Jackie Nicholas (Nonnewaug HS/Woodbury); Connor Rog, Fairfield Prep
Maine: Abbey Leonardi (Kennebunk); Matt McClintock (Madision)

For years, Rhode Island HS indoor track and field revolved around multi-team meets in either the 11 lap smooth no-spike surface at Community College of RI (with the weight thrown outdoors) or 10 laps in Moses Brown's dusty quonset style building. 200 meter oval running or better field event opportunities were limited to the one shot in URI's fieldhouse for the state meet, or the crowded Brown Invitational. But last year's opening of the Providence Career and Technical HS track has brought a home to the RI Interscholastic League, and results have started to show. With the regular season tri-meets now held on the 200 meter mondo oval - spikes allowed - with mondo runways and a weight throw area that includes seating and a 100' landing area, quality RI scholastics won't need to wait for a select several big meets to record quality personal and seasonal bests.

Most notable among the state's seasonal list leaders are the marks turned by Innocent Jacob of Chariho. The senior has upped the state long jump record three times this season, breaking a 22 year old record (22'11") and pushing it all the way out to 24'1", under 2 inches behind the 6 year old all-New England indoor best, and the longest leap in the country this year. Jacob has also cleared 6'11" in the high jump, and has some creditable 55 meter times. He's just one of a number of Ocean State scholastics posting quality early season marks in the state. Catch up on all the RI HS season news with Bob Leddy's column at ritca.com

The paths along Boston's Charles River will remain runable through the winter snows thanks to a partnership between New Balance and the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation. For the second year in a row, New Balance funding will pay for snow removal on the popular paved pathways along the Charles; they will be plowed within 24 hours of the end of a storm. While runners may still find icy spots, that's due to limited salt use allowed along the river, so be careful. The sponsorship amount increased from last year. Thanks, New Balance!

Organizers announced today that the Boston Indoor Games will return to the Reggie Lewis Center on Saturday, February 5, with a new sponsor and a new name, the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. The meet has featured more than 100 Olympic and World Championship medalists, and recorded six World and nine American records in its 16 years. New Balance was the event's first title sponsor, providing initial support to fuel the growth of the event to world level status.

Meet information, including ticket details, can be found at newbalanceindoorgrandprix.com (or call 1-877-TIX-TRAC for ticket info). There will be local flavor among the international stars with the popular youth relay and the masters mile.

Mary Harada (Liberty AC/West Newbury MA) has started the year on a good foot with a new masters World and American record in the mile. At the RCC Tiger All-Comers held at the Reggie Lewis Center on Saturday, Mary ran 8:21.50 for the distance, lowering the existing mark for women age 75-79 by a full five seconds. We'll likely see more record times by her as the indoor season progresses. Congratulations!

Indoor track is fun!
Photo: Tom Derderian

As the new year approaches, the indoor track and field season gets into full swing. With one more Boston U. Mini-meet, the Sugarloaf Mt. AC developmental meets, Greater Boston TC Invite, the USATF New England/Eastern Masters meet (starting at age 30) and several youth meets, there's an opportunity for everyone. Road runners are most welcome in the development meets; take advantage of the indoor facilites.

The full New England indoor schedule is at the track and field page.

Liberty AC's W50 4 x 1600 Relay
Photo: Steve Vaitones

Liberty Athletic Club brought down the curtain on 2010 track with a new US Age-Group Best Relay in the 4 x 1600 at Lou's 4x1600 Relay held in conjunction with the Boston University Development meet on Saturday. The foursome's time of 26:17.8 was a new USA W50+ best, breaking the 28:02.2 set by a different Liberty squad at the first Lou's Relay in 2001.

Splits for the four runners were: Dru Pratt-Otto, 6:39.7; Sue Gustafson (age 64!), 6:47.3; Joan Miller, 6:28.3; and coach Cathy Utzschneider, 6:22.5. The gathering blizzard kept some from traveling and participating, including a LAC squad prepared for the W60+ record, and a men's 70+ team - they'll give it a try in 2011.

The HFC Striders won their third straight Lou's Relay in 18:25.8, with TJ Unger recording the day's fastest split of 4:25.8. The third and final BU Development meet runs on Sunday, January 2, and is open to all. The schedule (on the track page) includes six running events from 60 to 3000 meters.

Administrator/author Richard Johnson and masters runner Bill Riley were recognized by the Boston Athletic Association as part of Sunday's Bill Rodgers Jingle Bell Run, continuing a tradition of presenting awards dedicated to Will Cloney and Jock Semple, longtime caretakers of the B.A.A.'s athletic and administrative efforts.

The Cloney Award, presented to an individual who has promoted the running industry, especially locally, went to Johnson, curator of The Sports Museum since 1982. He has also authored or co-authored books on running including: "The Boston Marathon, A Century of Boston Sports", and "Young at Heart, The Story of Johnny Kelley".

The Semple Award, presented to a local athlete who has made an impact within running, especially through performance, goes to Riley, "Cape Cod's Ironman". The 74-year-old harrier from Centerville Mass., a member of the Cape Cod Athletic Club and the Boston Athletic Association Running Club, is a five-time Outstanding Athlete of the Year winner as recognized by USATF (most recently for 2010). He has been ranked number one in the country in his age group six times since 1997, and is also a six-time winner of the National Triathlon Championships.

Beneficiaries of the run were Newington (Conn.) HS cross country scholarship - alma mater of Bill Rodgers - and the Boston Center for Youth and Families.

The Boston Athletic Association open men made the medal stand at the USA Cross Country Nationals in Charlotte NC on Saturday. More than 1100 athletes competed in the four races, two open and two masters championship competitions.

Led by New England champ Tim Ritchie in 26th, 30:17.7, and with three more finishers in the top 50 (Brian Harvey 32/Lucas Meyer 37/Ruben Sanca 45), the Unicorn men scored 175 points for the bronze medals among 45 club squads behind McMillan Elite of Arizona with just 29 points, and Hansons-Brooks (MI) at 59. Also placing teams were New Balance Boston (28th, 771), Greater Boston TD (29th, 777) and Greater Springfield Harriers (38th, 1113). Men's race individual winner Aaron Braun led a 1-2 finish for McMillan.

In the women's race, New England and Mayors Cup winner Katie DiCamillo (Providence RI) was first local home in 16th place. Teaming with clubmate Jenn Donovan (Boston) in 20th, they led the New Balance Boston to fifth place in the team rankings with 157 points. Jeanette Faber (34) annd Kasie Enman (36) led the B.A.A. to eighth place (227) in the 29 team race, won by McMillan Elite which completed a sweep of the team wins, totaling 69 points. Also in the summaries were Greater Boston TC (16th, 393), New Balance Boston B (23, 710), and Greater Boston B (27, 750). Individual winner Renee Metivier-Baillie of Running Republic of Colorado (4th team) clocked 19:51.

In the masters' women's race, New Englanders earned four individuals medals, including golds by Lynnette Walker (Gr.Springfield Harriers) first 70-74, and Mary Harada (Liberty AC) winning 75-79. Carrie Parsi (Liberty) won silver in 70-74, and Cathy Gibson (Liberty) was bronze in 55-59. Silver team medals went to Greater Lowell RR in the 50+ division, and Liberty AC in 60+; in the 40+ group, Greater Springfield Harriers place 15th. And noting what's likely one of the few mother-daughter combos in Charlotte, GLRR's Lianne Pancoast (Westford MA) was 9th 50-54, and daughter Stephanie, now in California, was 32nd in the open women's race.

Among men's masters, Dirigo RC 40+ and Green Mountain AA 50+ both made the medal stand with third place scores. Among team divisions, 40+ lists also found Greater Springfield 7th and Central Mass Striders 13th, 50+ had Greater Lowell RR 10th, and the GMAA 60+ squad was a close 4th. Individual medalists were Tom Ryan GMAA, 2nd 55-59, NE overall masters champ Francis Burdett GSH, 3rd 45-49, and Norm Larson GMAA, 3rd 50-54,

Complete results of all divisions at usatf.org

The youth cross season closed at the National Junior Olympic meet in Hoover Alabama on Saturday with solid performances by local youth among the 2000+ competitors. Samantha Hicks won the first gold medal in several years by a New Englander in taking the Intermediate Girls (age 15-16) race. Earning team awards, the Granite State Flash came home with bronze medals from the Midget Girls race.

New England Club placings and top individual in each race:
Bantam Girls: 8.Greater Lowell RR 227, 10.Granite State Flash 230 (15 teams); 32.Ahna McCusker Fast Feet 12:56
Midget Girls: 3.Granite State Flash 132 (17 teams); 24.Kate Bermingham GSF, 11:46
Youth Girls: 11.Granite State Flash 275, 12.Waltham TC 319, 16.Gate City Striders 364 (26 teams); 12.Madeleine Berkson, Prov.Cobras 14:45
Intermediate Girls: 4.Gate City Striders 83 (6 teams); 1.Samantha Hicks GCS 18:40
Young Women: 23.Erica Notini, GCS 20:34

Bantam Boys: 13.Granite State Flash 329, 15.Nashua PAL 371 (21 teams); 47.Jake Scafidi GSF 12:16
Midget Boys: 11.Waltham TC 310; 15.Nashua PAL 396; 16.Bradford Huskies 402 (24 teams); 13. Michael Durkin, So.Shore Fireboltz 10:55
Youth Boys: 12.Granite State Flash 333, 14.Prov.Cobras 339 (27 teams); 28.Jake Grundy, PC 13:34
Intermediate Boys: 7.Granite State Flash 152 (9 teams); 11.Bobby Parker, Sentinel Str 16:51
Young Men: 5.Sentinel Striders 122 (9 teams); 11.Alexander Gallo, Sentinel 16:21

Results of all 10 races are at usatf.org/event/2010.

Six New England states scholastic runner headed to better weather and met national elite counterparts at the 32nd Foot Locer Cross Country Championships in San Diego on Saturday. Four girls represented the New England states; Abbey Leonardi of Kennebunkport ME led the group in 16th place in 17:57; following her was Ariel Beauregard Breton (Deerfield Academy MA) 17th, 17:59; sophomore Catarina Rocha (Peabody MA) 31st, 18:34; and Jackie Nicholas (Woodbury CT) 35th; 18:38. Winner Aisling Cuffe (Cornwall-on-Hudson NY) was 34 seconds clear of the nearest challenger with her 16:53 (third largest winning margin ever).

In the boys race, John Murray (Shrewsbury MA) improved his place of last year to 21st in the 40 runner pack, clocking 15:40. Jeff LaCoste (Bishop Guertin/Amherst NH) was close behind in 15:51 for 29th. Lukas Verzbicas (Orland Hills IL) became only the third runner in race history to repeat as champ (and after winning the Nike Team Nationals the previous week), running 14:59; all 40 runners finished in 1:03.
Results and stories at footlockercc.com

The Boston Athletic Association has announced changes at the top level of their organizaton, effective January 1. Guy Morse He has served as the organization's Executive Director (since 2000) and Boston Marathon Race Director 1985-2000) will become the Senior Director of External Affairs. Thomas Grilk, President of the B.A.A. Board of Governors since 2003, has been named by the B.A.A.'s Board of Governors to succeed Morse as Executive Director and will resign the president's position to accept his new position at the B.A.A. The expansion in leadership enables the B.A.A. to retain Morse's experience and relationships while transferring the responsibility of the Association's daily management to Grilk.

"This represents the perfect time for me to transition into a new role for the B.A.A.," said Morse. "After having rebounded from health-related issues a couple of years ago, I realize my enthusiasm and belief in the B.A.A.'s mission is as strong as ever. I'm looking forward to creating even stronger community, industry and institutional relationships for the Association where they are needed for the purpose of furthering the B.A.A.'s positive impact and expanded reach. Serving the B.A.A. and its event participants during the last 27 years has been an honor and a privilege, and I look forward to continuing in my new capacity."

Grilk, a corporate attorney, has been a member of the B.A.A. since 1987, and he has served as B.A.A. President since 2003. "The B.A.A. is a vibrant, engaged and committed organization which is active in the community and strives to make lives healthier and better through running, charitable and philanthropic endeavors," said Grilk. "We take very seriously our responsibility to uphold the Boston Marathon as a source of local pride, while also remembering that we are involved with a recreational activity which should be fun and entertaining for participants and spectators alike. I look forward to the B.A.A.'s growth and to creating additional opportunities open to anyone who might wish to participate in a B.A.A. road race, event or program."

During Grilk's tenure as President, the BAA has advanced through the creation of innovative events while expanding and strengthening the B.A.A.'s name and brand with particular attention to American development.

See the full press release at baa.org.

Two respected distance runners in the New England community passed away in the past week.

Long time Greater Lowell Roadrunner and club Hall of Fame member (in the hall's first year) Will Mason lost a five year battle with cancer today. While affecting his health, he did not let cancer get in the way of the final years of life. Retiring to Barnstable from Chelmsford in 2000 after teaching at Lesley College and Boston University, Will was a reliable scoring member of the GLRR road running and cross country teams in the 80's and 90's, a member of the USATF-NE board in the 1980's, and a very readable writer for a variety of publications. See glrr.net.

Cambridge Sports Union member Martin Duffy also passed away from cancer. A runner from his high school days, Duffy had a streak of running 40 consecutive Boston Marathon races. His personal best of 2:37:11. He was an economist and an adjunct faculty member of Suffolk University and Emmanuel College, as well was a town meeting member and community soccer coach.

The National Scholastic Sports Foundation Indoor has announced a multi-year partnership with New Balance for newly titled the New Balance Indoor Nationals scholastic meet. The event, which was held at the Reggie Lewis Ceter for the past two years, heads to New York City's Armory for 2011.
The new meet sponsorship brings the meet to the Armory's New Balance Track and Field Center. The national scholastic invitational previously run by the Metropolitan association of USATF at the Armory will not be held, resulting in only a single "HS National" event this winter. New Balance now sponsors both of the recognized indoor and outdoor high school nationals (though there is no "official" nationals).

Complete information can be found at the www.nationalscholastic.org website.

Local athletes and administrators were recognized by their peers at the USATF national Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach, Virginia. December 1-5.

The highlight was "Association of the Year" award presented to the New England association. With individual membership increasing by almost 10%, having over 500 sanctioned events (most by any association ever) and club membership numbers also going up, the association's active year was rewarded; however, given that New England was already among the top 5 in all categories to begin with, the increases were even more impressive. A hearty congratulations to the local program administrators who continue to contribute to the successes of USATF New England !

Awards in the competitive divisions covered several disciplines. The USATF Mountain/Ultra/Trail Running (MUT) Council gave their Contributor of the Year Award to Bob and Anita Teschek, retiring directors of the Mt.Washington Road Race. The couple brought the status of the "Run to the Clouds" along from an interesting curiousity to an internationally prestigious event and national championship in their several decade tenure in the directorship.

The Council also named two New Englanders among their 2010 award winners. Undefeated in the USATF-NE Mountain/Trail circuit and top scorer in the USA Trail Series, Gina Lucrezi (Newton MA/INOV-8) earned the women's Trail Runner award for the year. Men's Masters Mountain awardee is Tim Van Orden (CMS/Bennington VT), who several USA trail titles and placed ninth overall in the NE circuit.

Masters athletes were noted for being the best of their peers. Reno Stirrat (Whirlaway RT/Dorchester MA) and Bill Riley (B.A.A./Barnstable MA) were rewarded as the nation's best road runners in the M55-59 and M70-75 age divisions, respectively. Flo Meiler (Mass Velocity/Burlington VT, age 76) was recognized as one of Masters Track & Field athletes of the year in the age 60+ group of competitors.

Additionally, several championship competitions were awarded to local events for future years. The 2011 Cranmore Mountain Run in North Conway will be the year's USA Mountain championship, and the entire USA Team for the 2011 World Mountain Championship team will be selected from the multiple-loop up-and-down race. The Mt.Washington Road Race will serve as the 2012 Mountain title event. On the roads, two more years (2011, 2012) were added as National Championship descriptor for the Tufts 10K for Women in Boston on Columbus Day. The association will also host the 2011 USA vs. Canada Junior Team International Race Walk on August 14, the first time the event's 28 years it will be held in the region.

The New England delegation of 16 attended and contributed to many of the committee meetings over the five day convention. Read more about the convention at the newly updated www.usatf.org website.

The final colleges and scholastic teams still in action finished their seasons on Saturday.

Jeff Veiga (U.Mass.Lowell) ran to a sparkling third place at the NCAA Division 2 Championships in Louisville Kentucky. It is one of the few medal placings ever by a New Englander at the D2 meet. Veiga's UML Riverhawks combined to place 13th among teams, with Stonehill 21st (Pat FUllerton, 117th, top runner). Also finishing in All-American positions were Glarius Rop (AIC, 23rd) and Angus MacDonald (UML, 36th), repeating honors earned last year. In the women's race, Stonehill was the lone squad from New England, in 18th led by freshman Emily Regan (113th). Top individual was AIC's Jeptui Cherutich, 41st.

The Nike Cross National in Portland, Oregon, found Pembroke (MA) 18th in the boys race, led by Wesley Gallagher in 69th with Weymouth (MA) TC's Steve Sollowin top NE finisher in 59th; over 120 boys finished in a 90 second span. Champlain Valley Union Vermont girls placed 21st (Taylor Spillane 88th) in an equally competitive girls' race.

The season's final XC championships run this Saturday, December 11 - USA Fall Nationals, USA Junior Olympics, and Footlocker Scholastic.

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