Women's Long Distance Running Committee 2008 Annual Report
The highlight of the year for the USATF WLDR Committee was the Olympic Trials which was hosted by the Boston Athletic Association on Sunday, April 20, the day before the Boston Marathon.Taking advantage of an event structure already in place with an organizing team with excellent experience, all participants received a great reception.
With the start and finish a few steps from the host hotel, The Sheraton, it was easy access for runners and their families. The four loop course passed the finish line four times and the crowds increased dramatically with each loop.Spectators, coaches and friends ran to several viewing points on the course to cheer on their favorite athlete.
Taking a commanding lead for the first 20 Miles, Magdalena Lewy Boulet was cheered as she continued on a steady pace. On the 4th loop Deena Kastor went into the lead and won the trials. Magdalena finished in second place and Blake Russell held off challengers for 3rd place.
An hour television broadcast a week later shown on the USOC Road to the Gold Series caught the enthusiasm of the crowds and the drama of this great race.Many thanks to the staff and volunteers of the BAA.
1st Place Deena Kastor 2:29:35 2nd Place Magdalena Lewy Boulet 2:30:19 3rd Place Blake Russell 2:32:40
Our year was filled with an outstanding list of National Championships for women and a record amount of prize money. We thank the USATF Associations, Race Directors, Event Organizers, Sponsors and most of all the athletes for their support of our programs.
Aramco Houston Half Marathon Kate O’Neil 1:11:57 Desiree Davila 1:12:10 Serena Burla 1:12:22 Gate River Run 15K Deena Kastor 49:36 Katie McGregor 50:53 Tara Storage 52:33 River Bank 25K Paige Higgins 1:30:49 Kristin Price 1:32:04 Annie Gasway 1:35:08 New Haven 20K Jill Steffens 1:08:48 Elva Dryer Ilsa Paulson 1:08:55 CVS 5K Shalane Flanagan 15:28 Renee Metivier Baille 15:53 Molly Huddle 15:56 Akron Community Foundation 8K Sara Slattery 25:54 Katie McGregor Amy Rudolph Twin Cities 10 Mile Kara Goucher 53:16 Katie McGregor 55:04 Kelly Liljeblad 57:06 Tufts 10 K Molly Huddle 32:52 Amy Rudolph 33:05 Renee-Metivier Baille 33:13
Our women also competed around the world.
Yokohama Ekiden Allison Grace 6K Mandi Zemba 10K Alvina Begay 10K Stephanie Rothstein 10K Delilah Di Crescenzo 6K Stephanie Bylander 5.195 World ˝ Marathon Championship – Rio Our USA Women’s Team came in 4th place overall. Melissa White 21st place Dorothy McMahon 24th place Kristin Nicolini 25th place Stephanie Herbst 27th place Jill Steffens 30th place GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT TITLE Deena Kastor 45 points $6000.00 Katie McGregor 36 points $4000.00 Molly Huddle 32 points $2500.00
We thank the staff of USATF for their continued hard work and support of our program and our athletes. Jim Estes is our liaison to the athletes and race organizations and his expertise and knowledge of our sport is instrumental in the success of our program.
I want to thank my Committee for their support and hard work in providing the best opportunities for our athletes. Their enthusiasm and long hours at our Boston Trials was appreciated by the athletes.