Missouri Runner and Triathlete - Fall 2012

Fall 2012 Volume 11, Number 2

www.morunandtri.comMEDIA PARTNERwww.usatf.org

Cover photo by PhotoRun.netOlympic Wrap

Olympic Trials’10 SpecialMoments

2012 FallShoe Review

2 MMIISSSSOOUURRII RRUUNNNNEERR AANNDD TTRRIIAATTHHLLEETTEE FALL 2012 www.morunandtri.com

FALL 2012 MMIISSSSOOUURRII RRUUNNNNEERR AANNDD TTRRIIAATTHHLLEETTEE 3www.morunandtri.com

Group EditorChristine Johnson

[email protected]

Founding EditorGina Sokolich

[email protected]

Managing EditorD. M. Strauss

[email protected]

Group PublisherLarry Eder, Shooting Star Media, Inc.P.O. Box 67, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538

[email protected]

Fax: 920.563.7298

AdvertisingShooting Star Media, [email protected]

608.239.3785

DesignRichele Collins

[email protected]

CopyeditorMarg Sumner

Red Ink Editorial Services [email protected]

ContributorsLarry Eder, Cregg Weinmann, Dick Patrick, Ben Rosario, Mike Meehan, Jon Gugala,

PhotoRun.net, Elliott Denman

Special ProjectsAdam Johnson Eder

Missouri Runner and Triathlete is produced and publishedby Shooting Star Media, Inc., P.O. Box 67, Fort Atkinson,WI 53538. Publisher assumes no liability for matter print-ed. Publisher assumes no responsibility or liability forcontent of paid advertising and reserves the right toreject paid advertising. Opinions expressed are those ofthe authors and not necessarily those of the Publisher.

Copyright ©2012 by Shooting Star Media, Inc. All rightsreserved. No part of this publication may be reproducedin any form without the written permission of thePublisher. www.morunandtri.com

Volume 11 Number 2Fall 2012

LLC

TTAABBLLEE OOFF CCOONNTTEENNTTSS5

PPuubblliisshheerr’’ss NNootteeBy Larry Eder

6BBiilllliikkeennss oonn tthhee RRiissee iinn tthhee AA--1100

By Mike Meehan

8GGOO!! SStt.. LLoouuiiss SSttiillll GGooiinngg SSttrroonngg

10FFeelliixx LLooookkss BBeeyyoonndd TTrriiaallss

By Dick Patrick

13SSccaarrss aanndd SSttrreeaakkss:: MMoollllyy BBeecckkwwiitthh

By Jon Gugala

14BBiigg RRiivveerr RRuunnnniinngg CCoommppaannyy

PPrree--SSeeaassoonn RRaannkkiinnggssBy Ben Rosario

1522001122 FFaallll SShhooee RReevviieewwBy Cregg Weinmann

21OOllyymmppiicc TTrriiaallss’’ 1100 SSppeecciiaall MMoommeennttss

By Dave Hunter

27SStt.. LLoouuiissaann TTaakkeess oonn BBaaddwwaatteerr

CCoouurrssee ffoorr GGrreeaatteerr GGooooddBy Mike Meehan

29OOllyymmppiicc WWrraapp

By Elliott Denman


BLA

DE-

MA

X ST

AB

LE

Your

soc

ial l

ife w

ill b

e a

mes

s, b

irthd

ays

will

be

mis

sed

and

you

will

sto

p

bein

g in

vite

d ou

t. Its

pro

gres

sive

cus

hion

ing

adap

ts to

you

r run

, you

r spe

ed,

whi

le g

ivin

g yo

u a

grea

t rid

e. It

will

con

vinc

e yo

u to

car

e ab

out n

othi

ng

but r

unni

ng. T

his

shoe

is e

very

thin

g yo

u w

ant y

our d

aily

runn

ing

shoe

to b

e.

THIS

SH

OE

WIL

LR

UIN

YO

UR

LIF

E.


DDaawwnn HHaarrppeerr EEaarrnnss LLoonngg,,LLoonngg OOvveerrdduuee AAccccoollaaddeessI’m writing today about one of the best 100 meter hurdlers in the world. If you are a world-class athlete, the 100 meter hurdles, when run correctly, are over with

in under 13–14 seconds. Dawn Harper has run 12.37.Harper is more than world class. In 2008, when LoLo Jones struck the ninth hurdle in

the 100 meter Olympic final, Harper kept her own hurdling clean and fast and ran awaywith the Olympic Gold medal. But in 2009, at the World Champs, Harper experienced herown nightmare, hitting hurdles and finishing 7th. Harper attended UCLA, where she was an outstanding athlete and a two-time All

American. Like world-class athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Harper hails from East St. Louis,Illinois. Another thing they have in common—Harper is coached by Bobby Kersee, hus-band of JJK.Harper lets her hurdling do the talking. In 2011 in Daegu, South Korea she won the

bronze medal at the World Championships and told the media, “I want to win medals in allcolors.” While LoLo Jones was getting most of the publicity in the U.S. in 2012, the 2008

Olympic Gold medalist was an afterthought. Last June on RunBlogRun, I wrote that Harpermight be the most underrated Olympic Gold medalist in London. Harper won the 100m hurdles in the U.S. Olympic Trials, leaving her competitors in

the dust. Kellie Wells was 2nd and Jones 3rd. In London, before 80,000 fans, the hurdlers in the final lined up just as it began to rain.

All three Americans made the final, as did Sally Pearson of Australia. Pearson had been thesilver medalist in 2008, and in 2011, she came into her own, winning the WorldChampionships. In the final, Pearson got out well, as did Harper. Wells and Jones were in the thick of the

battle until the fifth hurdle when Pearson and Harper were together, battling over hurdle 6,hurdle 7, hurdle 8 and hurdle 9. Coming off hurdle 10, Pearson and Harper were together.Neither athlete gave an inch—heck—not a centimeter! It came down to the final sprint, where Pearson had a tiny lead over Harper, the defend-

ing champion. In the final analysis, Pearson of Australia moved up to the Gold, and Harper,whom no one had considered, took the silver, adding to her Olympic Gold from 2008. Dawn Harper ran 12.37, the second fastest time in the world this year, second only to

Sally Pearson’s 12.35. After the Olympics, Pearson called it a season due to some nagginginjuries. Harper won three races in a row, having some fun and getting the accolades longoverdue. Harper has already told the media she will be racing in 2013, so look for her at the final

next summer in the Moscow World Championships, with few other athletes from theMetro St. Louis area.

Regards,

Larry EderPublisher, Missouri Runner and TriathletePresident, The Running Network, LLC

PPUUBBLLIISSHHEERR’’SS NNOOTTEE

BLA

DE-

MA

X ST

AB

LE

Your

soc

ial l

ife w

ill b

e a

mes

s, b

irthd

ays

will

be

mis

sed

and

you

will

sto

p

bein

g in

vite

d ou

t. Its

pro

gres

sive

cus

hion

ing

adap

ts to

you

r run

, you

r spe

ed,

whi

le g

ivin

g yo

u a

grea

t rid

e. It

will

con

vinc

e yo

u to

car

e ab

out n

othi

ng

but r

unni

ng. T

his

shoe

is e

very

thin

g yo

u w

ant y

our d

aily

runn

ing

shoe

to b

e.

THIS

SH

OE

WIL

LR

UIN

YO

UR

LIF

E.

www.morunandtri.com6 MMIISSSSOOUURRII RRUUNNNNEERR AANNDD TTRRIIAATTHHLLEETTEE FALL 2012

By Mike Meehan

The Saint Louis University cross country program is on the verge ofturning the corner in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The men’s team isstocked full of young, raw talent that, although inexperienced and stilllearning to run at the collegiate level, will not be backing down from itschallenging conference foes. On the women’s side, a window of opportu-nity is opening for a well-balanced squad that could be one of the con-ference’s top teams in the next few years.Seven sophomores and three freshmen make up the majority of the

Billiken men’s roster. Although lacking experience, the program hasrecruited well in recent years, attracting quality runners. Billiken coach Jon Bell sees sophomores Michael Scolarici (O’Fallon,

Illinois) and Tim Zellmer (Milwaukee) as two of the up-and-comingrunners in the conference. “We have some of the best young runners inthe conference on the men’s side, so that is encouraging. A lot of youth,which a lot of coaches get leery of having young guys, but this group isso competitive that I think we’ll do pretty well with them.” Running their first year for the Billikens are former local high school

standouts Jeff Orf (Ballwin) and walk-on Nathan Rubbelke (SLUH).Orf is the third member of his family to run for the Billikens. His oldersister Hilary, who was a senior last year, is the most decorated crosscountry student-athlete in the history of the program.As far as competing with the more experienced teams in the confer-

ence, Coach Bell likes his team’s grit. “They’ve all been very successful atthe high school level. They’re all state champions or [were] All-State-typeathletes in high school, so they are used to competing at a high level—I

feel good about them. I’m not worried about them competing hard.They’re not going to be intimidated by running in the A-10.”Bell anticipates that the men will continue to climb up the standings

of the A-10 and improve on last year. “I like to think we’ll have our bestprogram finish [in the A-10]. We can be 8, 9 or 10 [in the conference],”he says.With balance and experience, the Billiken women’s team is just a

small step away from competing at the top of the conference. “I feel real-ly, really good about our women. I’d say we’re very well balanced acrossthe board,” says Bell. Junior Margo Richardson (Mt. Vernon, Illinois) returns as the

women’s top runner and is surrounded by a consistent group of 3, 4 and5 runners, including Elise Medley (Louisville, Kentucky), Lauren Fyalka(Springfield, Illinois), Natalie Myers (Spring Lake, Michigan) and JessicaHoefert (Godfrey, Illinois).“Margo was Freshman of the Year [and] has been All-Conference her

freshman and sophomore years. I would kind of expect that she wouldcontinue that trend. With Jess, Natalie, Lauren and Elise, I really do feellike we have a complete team for the first time in awhile,” Bell says.Bell sees the improvement of the Billikens’ 3, 4 and 5 runners as key

to the team’s success. “Whereas with the last couple years, Hilary andMargo have been low numbers, but the 3, 4, 5 runners’ [times] havebeen so high that the team scoring has been up. Whereas now, I feel likewe have a low number in Margo, and then we have a 3, 4, 5 that aregoing to be very low as well.“Over the next two years, I think we have a window of opportunity

where we could be a podium-type team. In the next two years, I reallyfeel like we can be a first, second or third team in the Atlantic 10Conference.”SLU’s season began with two local meets in early September. The

Billiken women placed 8 out of 17 teams at the Washington UniversityEarly Bird meet on Sept. 1, while the men finished 9 out of 15. The fol-lowing week, the Billikens swept 1st place with the men and womenwinning the Forest Park Cross Country Festival’s collegiate meet. SLU’sroad schedule includes the National Catholic Championships in SouthBend, Indiana on Sept. 14, the Greater Louisville Classic on Sept. 29and the Bradley Classic in Peoria on Oct. 12.The Atlantic 10 Conference Championships will be held in

Philadelphia on Oct. 27. Springfield Missouri will host the NCAAMidwest Regional on Nov. 9. �

BBiilllliikkeennss oonn tthhee RRiissee iinn tthhee AA--1100


Saturday, October 13, 2012U of A Cross Country Course, Fayetteville, AR

10K Open and Fun Mile

It’s Pepper Time...

• 10K Open Run/ RRCA Arkansas State and Southern Regional Cross Country Championships

• University of Arkansas Men’s and Women’s Home Meet Men’s 10K • Women’s 6K

• 5K Junior and Senior High School Boy’s and Girl’s Divisions

Over 80 college and 120 high school teams from across the nation will be there!24 years supporting cross-country programs in area schools!

Cool merchandise and delicious tacos ahead!

For more info or to register for the race today! chilepepperfestival.org


MR&T:What would you describe as themost significant change to GO! St. Louis [for-merly the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon &Family Fitness Weekend] since its debut in2000?

Nancy Lieberman: The expansion of themission to include year-round activities andprograms for people all age groups and theinvestment in the programs. The greater visionis to make the St. Louis region healthy and fit,and to improve quality of life. We started with2,500 participants the first year and now have25,000 for all events during the marathonweekend.We’ve always put the participant first and

foremost in terms of amenities, safety andoverall experience. We have an experiencedstaff, medical team and volunteers who workhard to maintain a level of excellence at all ourevents.

MR&T: How has the running landscapechanged in metro St. Louis over the lastdecade? Have you noticed any shift in registra-tions or popularity of specific events?

NL: GO! St. Louis started as an independ-ent, grassroots, nonprofit organization andadded events to involve more people. Theweekend has become a prototype for event

organizers across the country, and we were therole model for making [this type of event]more inclusive for all people. In 2003 we launched the half marathon.

That event has become “the new marathon”and is highly respected. We realize themarathon distance, while a great accomplish-ment, is not for everyone, so in turn the halfmarathon has continued to grow. It’s a man-ageable distance and attainable for many par-ticipants. You can run or walk, and it’s not aspunishing on your body. The 5K run/walkshave become hugely popular here. It’s excitingnow to go out and see people running andwalking in the streets and incorporating fitnessinto their lives.

MR&T: Runners, particularly in St. Louis,have a growing number of races to select from.What is the key point of differentiationbetween GO! St. Louis and other running/walking events in the area?

NL: I think people appreciate the GO! St.Louis brand and they know they are getting aquality race in a safe and enjoyable environ-ment [regardless of the specific event]. Ourrace amenities, including the shirts, medalsand race bibs, are also pretty special andunique.

GO! is more than a race. It is an organiza-tion that provides people in the bi-state regionwith opportunities to engage in a fitness regi-men whether it is through the Read, Right &Run, the different distance events, the Hallo-ween 5K or the Mile-by-Mile Marathon, ourcorporate wellness initiative. We want to getpeople off their duffs. GO! has become moreof a way of life: We inspire 22,500 students aspart of our youth programs, 30 charities useour venue to raise money, and we donatefunds to schools and universities that assist usthroughout the year.We have only one goal: to get the St. Louis

region fit. The only thing we are selling ishealth and fitness for individuals and families.We are well organized, have a dedicated staffand dedicated volunteers, and work hard toengage the community. All events are familyfocused. That’s who we are—just a local non-profit “selling” fitness to everybody.

MR&T: You’ve started to expand the GO!brand to events such as the annual Halloweenrun and most recently the All-American 5K.Can we expect to see more branded events inthe future?

NL:We are always looking for new andcreative opportunities to engage more peopleas well as help them attain higher fitness levels.We’ve grown incrementally over the years tomake sure participants have a positive and life-changing experience. We always keep that inmind when we expand and do our homeworkbefore adding an event. We did that with theAll-American 5K and we had a sellout crowdof 1,500—it’s now one of the largest 5Ks inthe metro area. Running in St. Louis contin-ues to grow, and I think we help to lead thecharge.

GGOO!! SStt.. LLoouuiiss SSttiillll GGooiinngg SSttrroonnggGO! St. Louis president and founder Nancy Lieberman recently spoke withMissouri Run-ner and Triathlete’s Diana Minardi Strauss to discuss the success of the annual MarathonWeekend and how she and her staff continuously look for new and creative ways to growthe GO! experience.

Photo courtesy of GO! St. Louis

Photo courtesy of GO! St. Louis


MR&T: Runners love to share their opinions about events. What’s thebest feedback you’ve received about GO! St. Louis?

NL:We always welcome constructive feedback and take great pride inoffering rewarding and safe events. After races we ask people to completea survey. Ninety percent of the respondents say they would recommendour race to someone else, and we always receive personal stories from peo-ple who achieved their fitness goals. All of that reminds us of why we areinvolved in this industry. Constructive criticism generally centers on ways we can realistically

improve, and we improve each year as more people share their experi-ences. The surveys indicate we do a really good job.

MR&T: Registration for the 2013 event opened Sept. 4. How manyparticipants are you expecting?

NL: We are expecting between 25,000–27,000 total participants. TheMarathon Relay sold out in February last year at 500 teams. The 5K alsois a sellout so we’ve increased registration from 2,500 to 3,000.The numbers don’t include the extra 15,000 kids who participate in

Read, Right & Run. We do their 1.2-mile celebration in May after MAP[Missouri Assessment Program] testing. We put up the finish lines at fourdifferent schools and everyone gets medals.

MR&T: Can participants expect anything new in the 2013 event?NL: Yes, they can. Our theme will be St. Louis Originals, originals

meaning the people, the cultural institutions, the food and the courseitself. It’s a great tour of St. Louis’ neighborhoods and food. We are cele-brating who we are and the city we live in. For example, we’re going tohave St. Louis foods at the finish line.Instead of hiding the hills, we are embracing them this year, specifical-

ly the hill between miles 6 and 8 on Olive Street from Tucker to Grand at

St. Francis Xavier College Church. We had a Name the Hill contest andthe winner was Holy Hill. It can have a religious aspect with a clergymanon the course with “holy” water or someone saying “Holy Cow! What aHill!” The contest winner got a gift certificate to Dominic’s Restaurantlocated in the historic Italian neighborhood known as “The Hill.” We’llhave chip mats at the bottom and top of the hill with age division winnersfor that part of the race. The winners will be awarded a big chocolatecrown from Crown Candy Kitchen. We’re also getting businesses onDelmar involved to make it fun for people as they make their waythrough The Loop and University City. There is a substantial increase in prize money for a total of $45,000, so

the top half marathon winners will get $10,000. We’re also adding an eliteathlete program to bring in some of America’s best to the race. We want to make it fun for St. Louisans and share what a great city we

have with all of the people coming from out of town.

MR&T: The April event is the largest of its kind in Missouri. Whatchallenges do you foresee in continuing its success?

NL: I think GO! St. Louis stays pretty well within its core mission,although every 2–3 years we reevaluate things to make sure we continue toprovide the experience people expect. Our success is attributed to the trustwe’ve earned over the years, our consistency and that what we say is whatwe do by providing high-quality customer service and operations. Thechallenge is to stay relevant and continue to meet the needs of people yearround who want to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. There are a lotof runs that have mass appeal, but they are only here for the moment andaffiliated with national groups. Relevancy within the community is thechallenge. People value the quality and experience GO! offers and theyvalue our mission. It’s not about making money or selling something, it’sabout respecting fitness for everybody. �


By Dick Patrick

EUGENE, Oregon – If therewere a Miss Congeniality Awardin track & field, Allyson Felixwould surely be in contention.She smiles more often than itrains at the U.S. Olympic Track& Field Trials. She’s normally ascheerful and friendly as an ele-mentary school teacher, which isa possible future profession.But there was a different look

to Felix Saturday at the Trials.There was no smile, no wave asshe was introduced in Lane 6before the women’s 200 meterfinal. Just a steely stare, determi-nation etched on her face. Thewoman, 26, who made her firstOlympic team at 18 and has twosilver medals in the 200, was try-ing to earn a berth in an individ-ual event.She was coming off an emo-

tional week. On June 23, sheand training partner JenebaTarmoh tied for 3rd in the 100.Though both runners were puton the team as possible 4x100relay runners, the tie-breakingprocedure to determine the finalentrant in the 100 was left to aSaturday night meeting of therunners, their coach, Bob Kersee,and Benita Fitzgerald Brown, thechief of high performance sportfor USA Track & Field.A week ago, after the 100

when it appeared Felix was 4thinstead of tied for 3rd, she wasdevastated, bent over in disap-pointment. She was sheer powerSaturday when the gun fired.Not known for getting out ofthe blocks well, she had one ofthe best starts of her career.She had a clear lead in hitting

the straightaway against a stellar

PPeerrsseevveerraannccee PPaayyss OOffffffoorr FFeelliixx aatt TTrriiaallss

PhotoRun.net


field that included the five fastest women in the world in theevent this year. “It’s very rare for me to be coming off any curve inthe lead,” Felix said.The lead expanded. Felix finished in 21.69, the #6 time ever

and the fastest in the last 14 years.Carmelita Jeter, who won the Trials 100 and was 2nd in the

200 at the ’11 World Championships, took 2nd (22.11), andTrials 400 champ Sanya Richards-Ross 3rd (22.22). Those notearning a 200 berth included 4th-place Kimberlyn Duncan(22.34), the NCAA champ from LSU, and 5th-place Tarmoh(22.35).Felix turned an expected showdown into a runaway victory. “I

guess it was all about fighting to make the team,” she said of heraggressive race. “It definitely has been an emotional entire time atTrials. It’s emotional trying to make this team. You train so hard. Iwas thinking of the hours on the track and just those gruelingdays. You don’t do it just for nothing. Thinking about all that, Iwanted to leave it all on the track today.”The time was a breakthrough for Felix, whose previous best

was 21.81, set while winning the 2007 World Championships.“Fantastic,” said Kersee. “I thought she’d run 21.80 or better. Iknew both her and Jeneba were ready to run. Jeneba was not usedto this as much as Allyson. I think she got tired at the end.”The only women to have run faster than Felix are world

recordholder Florence Griffith-Joyner (21.34, 1988), MarionJones (21.62 at altitude, 1998) and Merlene Ottey (21.64, 1991).“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet,” Felix said. “For so long,

I’ve looked at those times. I had just been kind of inching along,hoping to be up there on the list. It’s extremely special. As timegoes on it will sink in even more, but the job is not done. It’s allabout London and getting it done there.”There’s another matter, the method of settling the dead heat

with Tarmoh after both finished in 11.068 seconds. Even beforethe scheduled Saturday night meeting, Kersee said after the 200that a runoff Sunday would not occur.“Why would you subject these athletes to severe injury?”

Kersee said. “It’s hard enough as it is. They’ve had wet weather allTrials. Their muscles have been warmed up, warmed down,

warmed up, whatever. Their bodies are definitely going to be sorefor 48–72 hours.”Felix and Tarmoh, 22, in her first year as a professional, have

shared a lot of sore muscles as training partners, forging a bond.“Whatever Bobby Kersee throws at us, we’re dying together outthere,” Felix said. “Just the grueling training environment. It’s alot about pushing each other, helping each other reach your goal.When you see someone every day and see their progress, it’s a spe-cial relationship.”Both Tarmoh and Felix said they did not discuss the tiebreak-

ing procedure during the week. “I think my coach, Bobby Kersee,did an amazing job not letting it get to us,” Felix said. “He kepttelling us to stay focused [on the 200] and get it done.Kersee doesn’t think there should be a rush to decide when to

either have a run-off or flip a coin, the two choices USATF hasproposed if one of the athletes does not turn down the 100 berth.USATF wants its team chosen by the end of the meet Sunday,though the roster doesn’t have to be submitted to the Inter-national Olympic Committee until July 8.“It’s what is in the best interests of the athletes is what it

should come down to,” Kersee said. “The 21.69 should be thestory [today].”Felix’s competition in London is likely to come from the

Jamaicans, including Veronica Campbell-Brown, who beat Felix atthe ’04 and ’08 Games as well as the ’11 World Championships.Felix won world titles in the 200 at the ’05, ’07 and ’09 WorldChampionships.Kersee, who has coached some of the best athletes in history

including Griffith-Joyner, doesn’t think the 21.69 representsFelix’s ultimate peak: “I’ve said it before—I still think she couldrun under 10.60 [in the 100] and 21.50. She’s that good of anathlete.“She’s still getting stronger. She’s learning the sport more.

Obviously her conditioning in the [400] is there as well. She’s aclass act. She’s a hard-working athlete. The ability is there. I’vebeen blessed to coach some of the best athletes in the world in thesprints and what have you. I kind of think I know talent just a lit-tle bit. She’s very talented.” �

PhotoRun.net


By Jon Gugala

MONACO – It’s Saturday morning. Molly Beckwith, 24,crosses her legs, left over right, and the long, vertical scar on herknee is white, surrounded by tanned skin.Today marks just under a month since the 2012 Olympic

team trials in Eugene, Oregon, where Beckwith, arguably one ofthe form runners through the rounds, did not make her firstOlympic team. After holding a strong second place coming intothe last 100 meters of the women’s 800 meter final, she begantying up. Ahead, Alysia Montaño won. On Beckwith’s outside,Geena Gall passed for 2nd. And on her inside in the last 5meters, Alice Schmidt snuck into the 3rd spot. Beckwith wouldfinish 4th in 1:59.68, only 0.12 seconds off a trip to London.“I had confidence going into the rounds—I had to have that

confidence going in. But I never had in my mind ‘I’m going tomake the team’ because I knew the quality of the U.S. girls. I wasthe dark horse, I felt like,” Beckwith says. “I stepped on the lineand I said, ‘This is going to be good?’” There’s a strange questionin her voice as she says this.She goes on: “I made a move—a very risky move—at 550,

600 [meters]. What happened was the worst possible scenario:tying up at the end and getting passed.”Beckwith’s hotel is less than 800 meters from the Monte

Carlo Casino, and it seems fitting since in the Trials final she betthe farm and lost. Now she’s back at the tables, because her story did not end at

the Trials. It moved back to her hometown of Worthington,Ohio, where she gave herself “48 hours to pout” and to scar over.A verbal butt-kicking over the phone by coach Ron Helmer, whodeveloped her at Indiana University and continues to guide herpost-collegiately, also helped her move on. “You didn’t do all thiswork and get ready to run this fast to just sit at home this sum-mer,” he said. “I didn’t put myself through a momentous amount of pain in

these workouts to shut my season down,” Beckwith says. “Ihaven’t even peaked yet, I don’t think. I still have that really bigone in me right now.”So she went to Europe, and in Madrid ran 2:00.35. Then

came the London Diamond League, and in chilly conditions shebattled to the line with 2008 Olympic silver medalist JanethJepkosgei, where the big one, at least in terms of achievement,came. With the margin to the thousandth of a second, Beckwithwon in 2:00.68.But she’s not happy with it.“At this point, I would much rather take last place running a

PR than winning a race running slow like London,” Beckwithsays. “For me right now, I’m looking for that time, that consis-tently-running-under-2-minutes, because I have so much roomto grow. Next year, when I’m consistently running 1:59 and it’s

feeling like just another day, that 1:57 is going to come at theright time and I’m going to be ahead of where I ever thought Iwould be.”Beckwith, with her 1:59.37 fourth-place finish in Monaco,

has gone sub-2 minutes four times this year—the most of anyAmerican. You could argue that she’s already achieved that 1:59regularity. And with her results, she’s also sitting in 4th place inDiamond League overall standings, which will only increase herchances of getting into the remainder of the season when itresumes on Aug. 23 in Lausanne, [France]. Those races will letBeckwith gamble again for the big one.“I was talking to Nick Symmonds after the [Monaco] race,

telling him that at 550 meters, I had the decision whether to gowith the top three or stay behind the 4th-place girl, and I decid-ed to stay,” she says. “And he interrupted me right as I said that,and he said, ‘When you’re thinking about whether or not to go,always decide to go.’ He said, ‘There’s been 0.1% of the races I’veever ran in where making that decision was not the right choice.Always go when you’re unsure.’”Smart gamblers know that if you’re in the game long enough,

that chance comes again. And when it comes, you bet the farm.For Beckwith, you bet it again. Because 4 years will go fast. Rio 2016 will need three more

Americans for the women’s 800 meters. Asking Beckwith if sheplans to be there for it, she doesn’t hesitate: “Yeah, there’s defi-nitely no question.” �

SSCCAARRSS AANNDD SSTTRREEAAKKSS::

MMoollllyy BBeecckkwwiitthh

PhotoRun.net

www.morunandtri.com14 MMIISSSSOOUURRII RRUUNNNNEERR AANNDD TTRRIIAATTHHLLEETTEE FALL 2012

TEAM RANKINGS

TOP 10 GIRLS’ TEAMS#1) Lee’s Summit West We called 2011 “somewhat of a rebuild-ing year” for the Titans. Of course, they did a whole lot more thanthat, winning their fifth straight State title in dominating fashion. Thisyear they return all seven from that championship squad and are theclear favorites once again.

#2) St. Teresa’s Academy On paper there are two teams thatcould give LSW a serious run for their money, and these girls are oneof those squads. Coming off a 4x800 title on the track, STA is led byLane Maguire and Courtney Coppinger as well as returning All-StaterAnn Campbell. Putting three in the top 25 at State, which is certainlypossible, would be a good start if they want to take home the bigprize.

#3) Francis Howell This group returns five from last year’s 3rd-place squad, including individual 11th-placer Kristen Adams and per-haps the most versatile athlete in the whole state, Whitney Adams.The second Adams (no relation to the first) was 5th in the 100, 4th inthe 200, 1st in the 400 and anchored Francis Howell to victory in the4x4 at the State Track Meet. Last fall she was 20th in cross countryshowing almost unheard-of range. Throw in Valeska Halamicek, theState 800 champ, and this team has some serious talent.

#4) Eureka Eureka is one of the premier girls’ programs in the stateand has been for a long time. After just missing out last year, they mayreturn to the podium in 2012, led by the state’s top returner inHannah Long and with the resurgence of senior Angie Sumner whohad a great track season highlighted by a 5:10 1600 PR.

#5) Kearney The defending Class 3 champs were nothing short ofawesome at last year’s State Meet where they scored just 53 points andwere the second-best team, regardless of class, of the day. They lostindividual runner-up Jasmine Edwards, but return State champ OliviaFranklin. Having a low stick up front always helps, and the rest oftheir group has a pretty tight spread.#6) Rock Bridge At first glance, on paper last year’s Class 4 run-ners-up lost a lot, returning only three of their top seven. That’s onpaper though. The reality is that sophomore Kayla Funkenbusch isone of the best runners in the state, Megan Schulte isn’t far behindand they’ve added first-time cross country runner Sam Farmer whoran well on the track last spring as a freshman.

#7) Lee’s Summit North This pick may surprise some people, butthese girls are really good. First of all they return five of their topseven, which is always a positive. Remember, too, that at times lastyear they looked as good as anyone in the state and even beat mightyLSW early on. Their State performance was not really indicative ofwhat they were capable of and now, a year older and wiser, we expect

them to compete for wins every time out.

#8) Lafayette The Lady Lancers were 6th in Class 4 in 2011 andreturn six of their top seven. Their claim to fame a year ago was theirlow spread, which was just 26 seconds at State. With those kinds ofnumbers you will always be good, and if all of those girls can improveeven a little bit, which we expect they will, they could be looking at atrophy in November.

#9) Branson Having a good #1 runner is one of the factors we takeinto consideration when doing the rankings, and Branson has a greatone in last year’s 3rd-placer Brigette Caruthers. They also return five oftheir top seven from a squad that was 9th at State but showed flashesof brilliance throughout the season, including a 4th-place finish at theForest Park Cross Country Festival.

#10) Nerinx Hall The Markers were a staple in the rankings a yearago and they look like they could be again. They lost two runners tograduation and one more who is not running cross country this year.They return individual 5th-placer Sophia Racette, though, and thatwill help a lot. Rumor has it they have some good freshmen coming inas well.

TOP 10 BOYS’ TEAMS#1) Blue Springs The boys’ pre-season team rankings are alwaysreally tough as teams are often senior-laden at the varsity level. Thisyear was especially tough, but when all the calculations were done,Blue Springs came out on top for two reasons. One is that they havearguably the best 1-2 punch in the state with Simon Belete andStephen Mugeche, both of whom are ranked in the top 10 overallindividuals. They also return five from last year’s State Meet, which isnot something many top teams can claim.

#2) Rock Bridge The sign of a truly great program is the ability toreload, not rebuild. The defending Class 4 State champs lost individ-ual winner Caleb Wilfong and State 800 champ Jordan Cook, butthey’re replaced by Nathan Keown, who often ran step-for-step withthe aforementioned stars a year ago, as well as All-Stater Evan Schulte.Junior Zach Cook should also contribute in a big way, and a slew oflast year’s top Junior Varsity runners are chomping at the bit to jointhem.

#3) SLUH The Junior Billikens were 5th in Class 4 in 2011, the firsttime they did not take home a trophy since finishing 8th in 2004.Look for them to be back on the podium this time around as theyreturn four runners who were all at 17:30 or better at the State Meetas well as 4:21 1600 John Esswein.

BBiigg RRiivveerr RRuunnnniinngg CCoommppaannyy PPrree--SSeeaassoonn RRaannkkiinnggss

Continued on Page 24

By Ben Rosario

For those of you who have followed our rankings over the past few years, you know that these are just for fun and hopefully theygive the athletes a little extra motivation as the season rolls along. Big River will come out with rankings every few weeks. For thoseof you who are new and checking out the rankings for the first time, we hope you enjoy them. If you know anyone or any team thatwe missed, let us know by emailing Kyle Cameron at [email protected]


��/ �$)�$#��)��!�.�#�2��3��'�$'"�#��2�+�3� �*)'�!2+

Alook across the landscape of running shoes for Fall 2012 revealsmore product diversity than in any season of the past decade.The potential for confusion points to the need for education, and

we cannot stress this message enough: Runners need to know whattheir feet are like and get the shoes that meet those needs. Thisknowledge is not static. Rather, it’s a constantly changing equationwhere factors such as fitness, injuries, aging, and weight gain/loss,among other things, affect where you are on the running continuum.And you must monitor the role your shoes play in that equation.

Two trends continue, both related to shoe weight. First, 20% of theshoes in this Review are new shoes—all of them in the Performancecategory—so we know that lightweight shoes are readily available.Second, more than 85% of the updated shoes are both lighter and abit more expensive than the shoes they replaced. The maxim of thelightweight trend is apparently true: Less is more. That is, less weightcosts more. The up-side is that the efforts to lighten these shoes havenot compromised performance.

Some of the new shoes follow the path of lower-profile geometry,allowing even more running footwear choices. It has never been moreimportant to know the characteristics of your feet and what footwearchoices will work for your current fitness level and your biomechanics.It’s our hope that this Review will help you make great choices!

—Cregg Weinmann, Running Network Footwear Reviewer


While History Never Repeats was a hit song for the New Zealand band Split Enz in 1981, that’s not exactlytrue in the saga of performance footwear. In fact, as Cregg Weinmann has shown in his reviews for you overthe past 17 years, running footwear theories rise and fall in cycles of popularity.

In 2005, I visited the University of Cologne in Germany to see some of the research on the Nike Free. It wasfascinating to learn about the science and research that were going into shoes designed to mimic runningbarefoot. And though this barefoot or minimalist running focus has become increasingly prominent over the lastdecade, this thinking has been around before. In fact, I remember my coach, Steve Pensinger, having us do300-meter repeats, circa 1975, in bare feet on the grass oval at DeAnza Community College, specifically tobuild and strengthen our feet. And Cregg recently reminded me of Herb Elliott’s training with coach PercyCerutty, who espoused natural form and running barefoot. In fact, Elliott was pictured running barefoot on thecover of Sports Illustrated in late 1958 and again in May 1960.

Lightweight or minimalist running shoes are here to stay. The innovations made in materials have enabledmanufacturers to lighten shoes, even as their support and performance have been improved. It’s worth repeatingthat you must always factor your own fitness level and biomechanics into the process of choosing shoes. Thelightest weight shoes aren’t necessarily the best for you. Consider your needs as you read the reviews puttogether by Cregg Weinmann and the weartesters who diligently put new shoes through their paces. Ourreviews are the starting point of your search for your perfect shoe.

Enjoy your running!

Larry EderPresident, Running Network LLC

��!1�-)��88 �*"��(�8:5 � ��*#�'�!��?�9

�'$$ (��!-��'�#�65

��(��*%�'#$+��&*�#��:

1�,�((�,�� -��!��)�

��*�$#-��'$�'��#+�'��8

American Track & Fieldwww.american-trackandfield.com

Athletes Onlywww.atf-athlete.com

Athletics (Canada)www.athleticsontario.ca

Austin Fitwww.austinfitmagazine.com

California Track & Running Newswww.caltrack.com

Club Runningwww.rrca.org/publications/club-running

Coaching Athletics Quarterly www.coachingathleticsq.com

Colorado Runnerwww.coloradorunnermag.com

Get Active!www.healthclubs.com

Greater Long Island Running Club’s Footnoteswww.glirc.org

Latinos Corriendowww.latinoscorriendo.com

Marathon Guidewww.marathonguide.com

Michigan Runnerwww.michiganrunner.net

Missouri Runner & Triathletewww.morunandtri.com

Running Journal & Racing Southwww.running.net

RunMinnesotawww.runmdra.org

RUNOHIOwww.runohio.com

Track & Field Newswww.trackandfieldnews.com

USATF’s Fast Forwardwww.usatf.org

USATF–New England’s Exchange Zonewww.usatfne.org

The Winged Footwww.nyac.org

The Winged Mwww.themac.com

Youth Runnerwww.youthrunner.com

Reviewer: Cregg Weinmann Project Coordinator/Editor: Christine Johnson Designer: Kristen Cerer Proofreader: Marg Sumner, Red Ink Editorial Services Shoe Photography: Daniel Saldaña, Cregg Weinmann Advertising Sales: Running Network LLC, Larry Eder, President, 608.239.3785, [email protected]: Larry Eder, 608.239.3785 Website: www.runningnetwork.com For a Media Kit, please visit our website.

This 2012 Fall Shoe Review is produced independently by Running Network LLC for its partner publications. All shoes reviewed were tested by experienced, competitive runners who were matched tothe biomechanical purpose of each shoe model.

Copyright © 2012 by Running Network LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be stored, copied, or reprinted withoutprior written permission of Running Network LLC.

Running Network LLC and its partner publications suggest that, as with all fitness activities, you meet with a healthcare professional beforebeginning or changing your fitness regimen.

��

��!�$"��)$�)��*##�#�� ),$' 0(7567��!!��$��+��,

��

BEST SHOE

F A L L 2 0 12

PerformanceBEST SHOE

F A L L 2 0 12

PerformanceBEST SHOE

Neutral

F A L L 2 0 12

BEST SHOEMotion

StabilizingF A L L 2 0 12

BEST VALUEFALL 2012

BEST RENOVATIONFALL 2012

BEST NEW SHOEFALL 2012

� � � � ��

FALL 2012 MMIISSSSOOUURRII RRUUNNNNEERR AANNDD TTRRIIAATTHHLLEETTEE 17www.morunandtri.com ��

��(��*%�'#$+��&*�#��:2466:��Round 5 of the Supernova Sequence features a few changes to a franchise shoe. The upper is breathable with soft, weldedmicrosuede overlays, and synthetic leather at heel and toe. The lacing features a saddle-like design integrated with the logostripes, but it’s decoupled near the bottom of the lace throat for better forefoot flexion. Adjustments to the last afford a better fitfor a wider range of foot shapes. The midsole is the familiar, though reconfigured, adiPrene+, which provides a responsive feelto the forefoot. A slightly larger ForMotion unit in the heel provides a smoother ride, thanks to the heel bevel’s new sculpting.The ProModerator+ component has been dialed in to effectively support the sidewall. The outersole retains the provenContinental® rubber with blown rubber in the forefoot. Its combination of stability, cushioning, and size range earned theSupernova Sequence 5 honors as our Best Shoe in the Motion Stabilizing category.

“The fit was surprising. The foam molds comfortably around the ankle and the heel. The under-foot bounce also cushioned the impact well.I felt very pleased with the shoe’s performance.”

Updates the Supernova Sequence 4 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with mild to moderate overpronation • Sizes: Men 6.5–15,16,17,18,19,20; Women 5–14 • Weight: Men 12.6 oz. (size 11); Women 10.1 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved •Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board

��*�$#-��'$�'��"#��6624675The Omni 11 features its most significant changes ever. The upper has a similar open mesh, and a nicely padded tongue andankle collar. The overlays have been reduced, but the full rand supports well and the medial side is shored up by the ArchLockanchor strapping device, which connects the lacing to the midfoot. The outersole continues with the carbon rubber heel/blownrubber forefoot, but the shank has been eliminated in favor of a more stable, full-contact bottom. It retains many characteristicsthe Omni is known for, but the reshaping of the midsole geometry pushes things in a different direction and is responsible forthe improved ride and stability. The full-contact bottom design also reduces the heel-to-toe drop from 12mm to 8. The Omni11 may require a period of adjustment, though the improvement in transition and the shoe’s stability are worth it.

“The fit was perfect and they were good to go out of the box. They felt lighter than last year’s, but just as stable.”

Updates the ProGrid Omni 10 • Recommended for: low- to medium-arched feet with mild to moderate overpronation • Sizes: Men7–13,14,15 (M,W); Women 5–12 (N,M,W) • Weight: Men 11.5 oz. (size 11); Women 9.3 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board

��.*#$��+��!��"-�672466:��The Alchemy 12 continues to trade on Mizuno’simplied philosophy: Keep what works and make onlyincremental changes. One change that runners cancelebrate here is a weight reduction of nearly 5%, asmall move in the right direction. Round 12 continueswith the same midsole and outersole, one of the mosteffective platforms from any company for runnerslooking for a stable, well-cushioned ride with gooddurability. The upper features a similar mesh that’swide open, and the familiar saddle-like midfoot supporthas been pared back. The hinged top eyelet has beeneliminated in favor of the mid-lace articulation seen inother Mizuno shoes, which flexes better with the footand firmly holds the midfoot over the midsole. Theroomy forefoot fit, gender specificity, and effectivemotion stabilizing performance will continue to pleaseAlchemy wearers, both old and new.

“Good, solid shoe. Excellent fit, but a bit firm in the heel.Very stable, no concerns about the balance or support.”

Updates the Wave Alchemy 11 • Recommended for: low- tomedium-arched feet with moderate overpronation • Sizes:Men 7–13,14,15,16; Women 6–12 • Weight: Men 13.0 oz.(size 11); Women 10.1 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved •Construction: Strobel slip-lasted

�,��!�#��=<5�+724665��The completely redesigned 870 v2 is a great improve-ment. The upper is a breathable, closed mesh with bothwelded and traditional overlays for a secure fit. The lacing has been separated at each of the lower eyelets,improving flexibility. The textured polyester interiorhandles moisture, and the foam ankle collar provides acomfortable fit. The redesigned RevLite midsole and anEVA Strobel board give the shoe a springy lightnessthanks, in part, to a crashpad layer sandwiched betweenthe midsole proper and the foam layer on the lateralheel. Medial side support via the “fanned” medial postprovides stability without feeling like a wall, noticeablyimproving heel-to-toe transition. The outersole adoptsthe blown rubber forefoot and Ndurance carbon heel ofthe 890, here expertly accomplished. The result is astable, lightweight shoe with good cushioning to handletraining miles and up-tempo running.

“Good cushion around the entire foot. Traction wasgood, and the wear was typical for a New Balance shoe.

Light shoes, these felt good as far as weight is concerned.”

Updates the 870 • Recommended for: low- to medium-arched feet with mild to moderate overpronation • Sizes: Men7–13,14,15 (D,2E); Women 5–12,13 (B,D) • Weight: Men11.2 oz. (size 11); Women 9.9 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board

�,��!�#��67;5�+72469:��The 1260 v2 updates the 1260 by visually blending theolder design with the new and sprinking in some newtechnologies. The upper is a similar open mesh withrepositioned overlays, but now features a welded saddle. The substantial heel counter secures the rearfoot, and the plush interior is lined with effective,moisture-wicking polyester and a soft layer of memoryfoam in the ankle collar. The midsole features the rubbery Stabilicore configuration, here reshaped formore effective stability, extending from the middle of theheel along the medial sidewall. A new crashpad layer ofAbzorb foam and the N2 cushioning element introducedin the 1080 v2 are now used here to good effect, while substantially lightening the shoe. The durable outersoleis blown rubber in the forefoot and Ndurance carboncompound in the heel, with effective forefoot flexibility.The overall ride, plush textures, and outstanding stability make the 1260 v2 worthy of your consideration.

“Great fit, like a gentle hug. Version 2 seems just ascushioned and even more stable than last year. My runs

were great in the shoe!”

Updates the 1260 • Recommended for: low- to medium-arched feet with moderate to maximum overpronation •Sizes: Men 7–12,13,14,15,16 (B,D,2E,4E); Women 6–12,13(B,D) • Weight: Men 12.6 oz. (size 11); Women 10.8 oz.(size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, PU Strobel board

��

BEST SHOEMotion

StabilizingF A L L 2 0 12

18 MMIISSSSOOUURRII RRUUNNNNEERR AANNDD TTRRIIAATTHHLLEETTEE FALL 2012 www.morunandtri.com��

��

��(��*'��$)�$#24665��Part of the new adiPure series of minimal shoes, the lightweight adiPure Motion has near-traditional geometry that serves itspurpose: transitioning to even less shoe. The upper is a stretchy booty with a rubbery grid printed on for a bit of support and aminimal midfoot saddle. The lightweight saddle of stiffer materials (synthetic suede overlays and mesh) covers the sides of thebooty and welded logo stripes secure it to the midsole. There’s not much protective material under the laces, so don’t overtightenthem. The low-profile midsole has a stack height of 24mm and a heel-to-toe drop of 10mm which, with the reduced structureof the shoe, strengthen the foot while protecting it from the shock of impact. The multi-piece carbon rubber outersole is fairlylow to the ground, flexes well with the foot, and keeps the weight down. In a nutshell, the adiPure Motion is a shoe for improvingrunning efficiency and moving fast while doing it.

“Snug fit, though the thin upper makes it a little tricky to tighten the laces just right. The weight, flexibility, [and] low profile [let you] gofast without trying! They are great for speedwork and faster runs.”

New Shoe • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics, for faster-paced running and transitioning to minimal shoes • Sizes: Men 6.5–13,14,15; Women 5–14 • Weight: Men 7.5 oz. (size 11); Women 6.4 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved •Construction: Strobel slip-lasted

��.*#$��+��'��(�$#�6824665��It will come as good news to fans of the Precision that Round 13 is their lucky number. The midsole is the same AP+ blend thatMizuno has so effectively dialed in, and last season’s Wave plate remains. The effective outersole is unchanged—X-10 rubber in the heel and blown rubber up front—and the well-thought-out element of concentric rings positioned under thecuboid bone continues to accommodate the midfoot strikers. Most of the changes are in the upper where the welded supportstrapping has been replaced by synthetic leather and the hinged first eyelet has been eliminated. Instead, repositioned laceeyelets allow for some customization, and the lace throat separates in the middle for better articulation with the foot. Runnersunfamiliar with the Precision are missing out on great cushioning and a light feel, as well as good durability from a real performer.

“Overall, a good balance of the different aspects of shoes. They are lightweight, but durable enough for day-in and day-out training. I likethem. Good protection, good durability, and good ventilation.”

Updates the Wave Precision 12 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: Men 7–13,14; Women 6–11 • Weight: Men 10.6 oz. (size 11); Women 7.8 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted

��(��'$��"%$�:24665This time out, the adiZero Tempo sports changes to itsgeometry that have made it lighter and a bit faster thanbefore. The upper is a thin layer of mesh with weldedfilm overlays. Minimal synthetic suede and syntheticleather supports give it both a flexible and breathablecharacter. The midsole is low-profile adiPrene, withadiPrene+ in the forefoot. In the heel, the formerForMotion cassette has been replaced with a wedge ofLightStrike EVA, which serves the same purpose:smooth the touchdown and curb overpronation.Medially, Round 5 now uses the ProModerator supportto add stability to the foot in lining up over the midsole.The outersole has open areas and thin rubber padsjust in the highest-wear areas to save weight. Thecondensed version of the story: a trim-the-fat, go-fastshoe with enough protection to keep you on the roads.

“A great, lightweight shoe for shorter, faster runs, especially in hot weather. Breathes well, feels good,

nicely cushioned for a light shoe. Pretty good in support and stability. I love them.”

Updates the adiZero Tempo 4 • Recommended for: medium-to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: Men7–13,14,15 (D,2E); Women 5–11,12 (B,D) • Weight: Men7.4 oz. (size 11); Women 7.9 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted

��!1�-)��8824655��The Gel-Lyte 33 harkens back, if only philosophically, toone of the most popular models in ASICS’ history, theGel-Lyte. The thin, synthetic mesh upper is supportedby welded overlays that provide just enough structure tokeep the foot positioned properly. While spare, it doesn’t feel skimpy under the tongue or in the ankle collar. The resilient, single density Solyte midsole flexeswell and cushions without hindering motion. The newsidewall sculpting aids in the flexibility. The narrowwaist (where the midfoot narrows into the arch) provideslateral support to the fifth metatarsal bone, noticeablebut not uncomfortable. The outersole is carbon rubber,but only where needed for durability (nearly half the solegoes without). Its light weight, sleek design, andexcellent cushioning were responsible for the Gel-Lyte33 receiving our award for Best New Shoe.

“They fit very well. I’m happy they have reduced pressure points with a smooth interior that feels great on

my feet. They have better cushioning than expected. The bestthing is they are really light and really fast!”

New Shoe • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feetwith neutral biomechanics for faster-paced running • Sizes:Men 7–13,14,15 (D); Women 5–11,12 (B) • Weight: Men 9.8oz. (size 11); Women 7.9 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved •Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board

1�,�((�,�� -��!��)� 2468:�The new Kwicky Blade Light N is the neutral version ofthe Kwicky Blade Light. They’re equals in every way butone: Here the midsole is a single density. The ride is agood blend of cushioning and responsiveness, thanksto the EVA Strobel board, GuideGlide, and midsolefoam. The upper is an open stretch mesh for a flexible,seamless feel. A full-welded saddle secures the foot andthere’s extra support from the thermoplastic device onthe medial half of the saddle. The interior is cushy at theankle collar, and the Ion Mask treatment keeps the shoefrom absorbing extra moisture in all conditions. Theoutersole is carbon and blown rubber placed effectivelyonly in the high-wear areas, providing durability withoutcompromising flexibility. The mix of lightness,responsiveness, and performance earned the KwickyBlade Light N a tie as our Best Performance Shoe.

“This is an extremely well-balanced shoe. My feet feelwell-cushioned and even pampered, the shoe seemed

to actually adjust to my foot while running. The fit and performance have been about as good as I have tried—and Ihave been running for quite a few years.”

New Shoe • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feetwith neutral biomechanics, for faster-paced running or dailytraining • Sizes: Men 6.5–13,14,15; Women 5–11,12 •Weight: Men 10.1 oz. (size 11); Women 7.9 oz. (size 8) •Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVAStrobel board

BEST NEW SHOEFALL 2012

BEST SHOE

F A L L 2 0 12

Performance

FALL 2012 MMIISSSSOOUURRII RRUUNNNNEERR AANNDD TTRRIIAATTHHLLEETTEE 19www.morunandtri.com ��

��

��!1 �"�*(�6924695The Nimbus has consistently showcased ASICS’ best cushioning technologies in their best executions, and Round 14 epitomizesthat trend. In fact, the upper alone features so much technology that it almost deserves its own review. The interior is a luxuriousblend of mesh and foam that cradles the foot. Though it looks a bit busy, the upper’s combination of stretch mesh and syntheticoverlays both support and flex with the foot as each component has been dialed-in over the past several seasons. The Nimbusnow employs the ASICS’ 33 Series’ Heel Clutching System to reduce unneeded material, making for a lightweight framework thatimproves support. The midsole is a firm formulation of Solyte that we found to be protective and resilient. The usual minor adjust-ments extend to the Guidance Line and reshaped Trusstic midfoot support, while maintaining the plush, but responsive rideexpected of the Nimbus series. The outersole continues with the same effective rubber compound.

“Was surprised by the weight of the shoe. They feel much lighter than they look. The ride is very smooth, great cushion, flexes well. This is avery good shoe.”

Updates the Gel-Nimbus 13 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: Men 6–14,15,16 (D),7–14,15,16 (2E,4E); Women 5–13 (B), 6–13 (2A,D) • Weight: Men 11.8 oz. (size 11); Women 9.9 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved •Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, Solyte Strobel board (heel)

�*"��(�8:524=:��The Faas 350 is the latest of the Faas shoes, and one of the most versatile. The upperis a closed, though breathable, mesh, and soft sueded overlays help the upper hold itsshape but provide little more structure than that. The molding in the sole allows the footto flex efficiently. Described as a racing shoe, it actually has more oomph to it. We say,with its light and highly flexible feel, it’s suitable for tempo runs or some shorter trainingruns. The midsole is Faas Foam, a very resilient and flexible EVA formulation. The rideis responsive with a good deal of proprioceptive feedback, and it features Puma’s lowestheel-to-toe drop: 6mm. The low-profile design makes it stable. The outersole is carbonrubber in the high-wear areas, and toughened and textured foam over the rest of the sole.The combination of lightness, fit, and especially the economical price earned the Faas350 honors as our Best Value Shoe.

“Wrap the foot well and have a great low-profile feeling. They are light and tougher than they first appear. Great for faster running and even racing.”

New Shoe • Recommended for:medium-to high-arched feet withneutral biomechanics, for faster-paced, mid-distance running •Sizes: Men 6.5–12,13,14; Women6–11 • Weight: Men 8.7 oz. (size11); Women 6.9 oz. (size 8) •Shape: semi-curved • Construction:Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobelboard

��*�$#-��'$�'��#+�'��824655��For such a low-profile shoe, the ProGrid Kinvara emerges in Round 3 with a high-profile reputation. The upper is a semi-open mesh supported with Flex-Film weldedoverlays and a synthetic leather toecap. The textured polyester interior and the foam lobesbeneath the ankle have been retained as they effectively reduce weight and improve fit.The midsole features the same heel-to-toe drop (4mm) that’s been responsible for itssuccess. Resculpting has improved the lateral release—the ability of the shoe’s heel toflex to the outside so the foot is discouraged from overpronating—and softened theride a touch. The outersole is still carbon rubber on the heel and selected forefoot lugs,but it’s been redesigned to feel lightweight while providing a better touchdown. Theoutstanding ride, fit, and innovative use of new materials earned the ProGrid Kinvara 3 atie as our Best Performance Shoe.

“The Kinvara has been great for me. The new upper is better because it is so thin and light. The cushion is improved and it feels even lighter!”

Updates the ProGrid Kinvara 2 •Recommended for: medium- tohigh-arched feet with neutral bio-mechanics • Sizes: Men7–13,14,15; Women 5–12 •Weight: Men 8.4 oz. (size 11);Women 7.2 oz. (size 8) • Shape:semi-curved • Construction:Strobel slip-lasted

� ��*#�'�!��?�924665The LunarGlide series has been a welcome blend of straightforward stability and innovative solutions. Version 4 overhauls boththe upper and the chassis, lightening up the shoe in the process. The upper is an engineered mesh—smooth on the interiorand designed to maximize evaporation—while providing support where needed. The new lacing system extends the promiseof Flywire more effectively, with new Dynamic Flywire strands that wrap the midfoot securely and gather in groups of three atthe eyestay, providing continuous adjustment based on foot movement. In the midsole, the carrier foam has been pared downon the lateral sidewall to allow the Lunarlon to absorb shock more effectively, and the bottom of the carrier has been openedfor better flexion. The cushioning, light weight, and variable fit earned the LunarGlide+ 4 our Best Renovation award.

“The shoe fits snugly and feels comfortable, and the interior is very smooth. The laces adjusted well to my foot. The cushioning was thebest, a bit surprising because the shoe is very light.”

Updates the LunarGlide+ 3 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to mild overpronation • Sizes: Men6–13,14,15; Women 5–12 • Weight: Men 10.5 oz. (size 11); Women 8.1 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board

BEST RENOVATIONFALL 2012

��!1�*"*!*(�6924665��The Cumulus has been upgraded in a number of areas. The upper features an open stretch mesh that conforms to and moveswith the foot. The Discrete Eyelets from Round 13 are now two series of two pairs, with the top pair separate so the lacing bothsecures the foot and flexes well as the foot moves. The midsole is Solyte, here with wavy, articulated pods to absorb the shockand allow good flexibility. The outersole has been upgraded to AHAR+ rubber in the heel and blown rubber in the forefoot. TheGuidance Line has been extended the full length of the outersole for better flexibility. Version 13 was a good shoe, adequatein some areas, good in others, and very good in some. Version 14 steps up to good in all areas, very good in comfort, andexcellent in protection, making the shoe a better value despite its price increase.

“Felt light and fit very well. Impressed by the cushion, but more by the responsive feel. These should last well, even with my long runs.”

Updates the Gel-Cumulus 13 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: Men 6–13,14,15 (D),7–13,14,15 (2E,4E); Women 5–13 (2A,B), 6–13 (D) • Weight: Men 11.7 oz. (size 11); Women 9.8 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved •Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, Solyte Strobel board (heel)

BEST SHOE

F A L L 2 0 12

Performance

BEST VALUEFALL 2012

��

20 MMIISSSSOOUURRII RRUUNNNNEERR AANNDD TTRRIIAATTHHLLEETTEE FALL 2012 www.morunandtri.com��

��

�'$$ (��-��<24665��The Dyad 7 is the latest round of a shoe for neutral-gaited runners who need a substantial foundation. It’s a bit heavy becauseit supplies both a stable base and ample cushioning. This time out, the upper is a new design, not merely cosmetic changes.The lacing is better articulated to fit well and move with the foot. The open mesh, though a bit different, still offers coolingventilation, and a new, full rand offers better support. The midsole has been re-sculpted for better flexion, and now features theDNA cushioning element instead of the HydroFlow cassette of the last six incarnations. DNA’s adaptable and rubbery feel offersa smoother ride than did the HydroFlow. The outersole sports new flex grooves but maintains the midfoot pods that give theshoe its full-contact stability. The Caterpillar Crashpad that has been used in many of Brooks’ models finally debuts in the Dyad.

“The combination of fit, cushioning, and support is great. My runs are usually up to 45 minutes, but in these I feel that I’m just gettingstarted by the end.”

Updates the Dyad 6 • Recommended for: medium- to low-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to mild overpronation • Sizes: Men7–13,14,15 (D), 8–13,14,15 (2E,4E); Women 6–11,12 (B), 7–11,12 (D,2E) • Weight: Men 13.9 oz. (size 11); Women 11.8 oz. (size 8) •Shape: semi-straight • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board

� ��'��(*(?�7>24655��The Pegasus has a legacy that stretches back three decades—easily the longest run in the industry. The new upper is an engineered mesh, alternating open areas for breathability and closed areas for support. Welded supports—both internally andas an external saddle—provide security to the fit, and the eyestay is segmented into three pairs of eyelets, allowing them to flexseparately as the foot moves. The midsole is Cushlon, and the crashpad has been removed in favor of a new geometry withsidewall grooving that allows a smooth lateral release and streamlines the transition. The outersole features a well-segmentedlayer of “environmentally preferred” rubber with waffles medially and a texture of tiny fins on the lateral side that add tractionand a tactile feel to the ride. The net effect is a versatile neutral shoe for high-mileage training.

“Very comfortable right away. Perfect width, nice rounded toe box, soft upper with no seams, excellent ankle room. I noticed the cushionmore towards the front of the foot vs. the heel, but was pleased by how cushiony it felt on my foot.”

Updates the Pegasus+ 28 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: Men 6–13,14,15; Women5–12 • Weight: Men 11.2 oz. (size 11); Women 9.0 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Combination Strobel lasted, EVAStrobel board (forefoot)

�'$$ (��$()�:24665��The Ghost is the workhorse of Brooks’ neutral shoes. Themidsole has been resculpted, extending the crashpad andeliminating the lateral TPU shank. The ride is resilient andample, if not plush, and designed for comfortable highmileage. The outersole lugs are now linked togetherlaterally from the heel to toe, for better grip and flex. Theheel articulates well, with the extended CaterpillarCrashpad allowing the lateral side to accommodate avariety of footstrikes. The thickness of the sole makes theride a little firmer with a bit more stability and support.The upper features a similar two-layer, breathable, openmesh. The interior has a healthy layer of foam at the anklecollar and tongue, and a corduroy-like texture in the heeland under the tongue wicks moisture away and keeps thefoot from shifting. A new, elasticized lace loop at theinstep provides better security yet still flexes well. TheGhost is even better at providing neutral, long-lastingcushioning.

“Loved the fit. It had cushion when I ran on the street.Overall, they felt balanced and secure. The weight of this

shoe is awesome. I don’t feel like my feet are dragging orworking extra hard!”

Updates the Ghost 4 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: Men7–13,14,15 (D), 8–13,14,15 (B,2E); Women 5–12 (B), 6–12(2A,D) • Weight: Men 12.3 oz. (size 11); Women 9.6 oz.(size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board

�'$$ (��!-��'�#�6524695��The Glycerin is Brooks’ premium neutral shoe, and the10 focuses on “premium-izing” a few areas. The upperadopts a full rand for support, but in a scaled-backapproach that relies on suede straps to provide a softer,but surprisingly tough structure. The midfoot TPUcage allows the lacing to flex where needed whileeffectively supporting the foot. The mesh is a newdesign with a more weather-repellent microfiber element.Inside, a foot-conforming layer of foam with a texturedsurface keeps the foot in place. The midsole cushioningis now a plush blend of responsive performance andcushy protection. The sidewall grooves essentiallyturn the entire lateral side into an extended crashpad.The outersole has good longitudinal flexibility. Theheel clefts are gone, but the keyhole-shaped openingsin the pods allow articulation. Its combination ofprotection, plush comfort, and great cushioningearned the Glycerin our Best Neutral Shoe honors.

“Really enjoyed this shoe, and would recommend it.Good comfort, good fit, held up very well. The look was

nice; the feel was better.”

Updates the Glycerin 9 • Recommended for: medium- tohigh-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: Men7–13,14,15 (D), 8–13,14,15 (B,2E); Women 5–12 (B), 6–12(2A,D) • Weight: Men 13.9 oz. (size 11); Women 10.0 oz.(size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board

��.*#$��+��#��"��72468:The Enigma reaches Round 2 with the usual soft-touchupdating that Mizuno is known for. The upper is a new,open stretch mesh, a bit different in weave, but with theflexible and adaptable fit of the original. The saddleoverlays are completely redesigned; however, they stillprovide the supportive fit of Round 1. The DynaMotionarticulated top eyelet is now attached to the saddleoverlay, but the thin, suede material on the eyestaygives it almost as much mobility as before and allowsa snug fit at the ankle. The sueded overlays at the toeand midfoot are soft against the foot and supportive.The well-loved AP+ midsole and its cushy feel arepresent and accounted for, and the minor alterations inthe full-length parallel Wave plate continue to providethe responsive ride that impressed many testers whenit debuted. The X-10 outersole is still tough carbon rubber in the heel and a blown rubber forefoot.The Enigma 2 adds up to responsive cushioning forsignificant training mileage.

“Good durability, and the shoe provided good support.Just a little heavier than others. The biggest plus of the

shoe was its cushioning, and that is the one very big up-side.”

Updates the Wave Enigma • Recommended for: medium- tohigh-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: Men7–13,14,15; Women 6–11 • Weight: Men 12.8 oz. (size 11);Women 10.0 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved •Construction: Strobel slip-lasted

BEST SHOENeutral

F A L L 2 0 12


By Dave HunterPhotos by PhotoRun.net

If you reflect on the recently completed Olympic Trials, it is diffi-cult—but nonetheless entertaining—to select 10 special momentsfrom the cornucopia of memorable performances—some exhilarat-ing, some heartbreaking, some frustrating—that highlighted 10 mar-velous days of track & field. It’s tough to limit the list to only 10. Iwas forced to leave out some stunning moments (e.g., BrittanyBorman’s final-round javelin throw—a PR “A” standard heave thatwon the event and placed her on the Olympic team). Here are my10 picks, 5 from the women’s events and 5 from the men’s events.

TOP 5 WOMEN’S MOMENTS

#5: Chantae McMillan’s ‘A’Standard Performance in theHeptathlonKnowledgeable track & field fans

wrote off McMillan’s chances for anOlympic berth when, in the hep-tathlon’s fifth event, she turned in an18'1½" subpar performance in thelong jump. McMillan, who lackedthe all-important Olympic “A” stan-dard of 6,150 points, rallied to score1,720 points over the last twoevents, finishing with 6,188 pointsto snare 3rd and secure her ticket toLondon.

#4: The Electrifying Conley–Lucas Finish in the 5000In one breathless moment during the chaotic finish to the

women’s 5000, Kim Conley, whohad lacked the “A” standard, out-leaned a wobbly Julia Lucas atthe line for the final Olympicspot. Conley’s dramatic rush overthe final lap allowed her to beatLucas by 0.04 seconds and toachieve the essential “A” standardby 0.21 seconds. Ironically, itwas Lucas’ self-initiated driveover the final 1200 meters thatleft her defenseless and unable torespond on the final straight-away, which provided the essen-tial up-tempo race pace over thefinal three laps that allowedConley to secure her “A” stan-dard. Both of those elements—

basically provided by Lucas—were essential to put Conley in 3rdwith a qualifying mark and send her to the Olympic Games.

#3: Career-Spanning High JumpersThe women’s high jump provided a unique opportunity to see

four athletes who represent theevolution of a high jumper: (1)the emerging, young, record-breaking talent (GabrielleWilliams, who tied the 15-year-old age group world record); (2)the likely next great up-and-

coming high jumper (BrigettaBarrett, who set two PRs on herway to clearing 2.01 and makingher first Olympic team); (3) thedominant reigning indoor worldchampion in her prime (OTwinner Chaunte Lowe) and (4)the aging, legendary athlete who is able to summon up the talentand the effort to make a fifth Olympic team (high-jumping iconAmy Acuff ).

OOllyymmppiicc TTrriiaallss’’ 1100 SSppeecciiaall MMoommeennttssA Daily Journal from the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials / Track & Field

GGaabbrriieellllee WWiilllliiaammss

BBrriiggeettttaa BBaarrrreetttt

CChhaauunnttee LLoowwee

AAmmyy AAccuuffff


#2: Allyson Felix’sSpectacular 200Meter Win After enduring a

week of distraction andhubbub that resultedfrom the quirky deadheat 3rd-place tie withJeneba Tarmoh in the100 meters, the poisedAllyson Felix came outfor the Trials 200 final,dominated the race fromthe gun, and won in adazzling time of 21.69—the third-fastest timeever run by an Americanand the fastest 200 everrun by a woman onAmerican soil. OnlyFlorence Griffith-Joyner,

Marion Jones and Merlene Ottey have ever run faster. In secur-ing her 2012 Olympic team position (first), Felix soundlydefeated a world-class field that included world championshipgold medalists Carmelita Jeter and Sanya Richards-Ross.

#1: The Felix–Tarmoh 100 Meter Tie

In future years when track & field fans reflect on the 2012Olympic Trials, one memory will not be of exhilarating athleticsuccess or a last-minute winning race surge, jump or throw. Itwill be about the improbability, the bewilderment, the covertmeetings, the agonizing and often-inexplicable delays, theannounced-and-then-altered resolution process and, finally, thedisappointing and downright sad outcome that was borne outof the down-to-the-one-thousandth-of-a-second 3rd-place tiebetween Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh in the women’s 100meter final. With Tarmoh surprisingly withdrawing from thehighly anticipated match race to settle the issue, the matter wasresolved, not on the track, but in a covert manner, which maynever be completely known or fully understood. [Editor’s Note:This column was written prior to the Olympic games.] Somepoint out that Tarmoh is still eligible to serve as an alternate forthe 100 and to participate, if selected, on the USA 4x100 relayteam. But that would have been the case even if she had partici-pated in the match race and lost. For a growing segment of thetrack & field community, the apparent absence of any motiva-

tion for Tarmoh to withdraw unexpectedly only fuels unfortu-nate speculation that some sort of nefarious and undetectableconsideration was provided to Tarmoh to throw in the towel.For Allyson Felix, destined to be recognized as one of the great-est sprinters in track & field history, she will compete in the100 meters in London and her 2012 Olympic dream of win-ning possibly four Gold medals remains alive. For Tarmoh, asolid competitor who heretofore has never made an Olympicteam, she is destined to be a footnote to the 2012 Trials. Thetrack & field community will speculate about this for manyyears.

TOP 5 MEN’S MOMENTS#5: George Kitchens’ Long Jump Magic

Unheralded, unattached George Kitchens began the longjump final without an “A” standard mark and against a strongfield that included Will Claye, Christian Taylor, and DwightPhillips—all of whom have won Olympic or WorldChampionship medals. Undaunted, Kitchens uncorked a third-round jump of 8.21m [26'11¼"] to achieve the “A” standard,capture 3rd place, punch his ticket to London and deny reign-ing triple jump world champion Christian Taylor an Olympiclong jump berth.

#4: 110 Hurdle Final

So much happened in less than 14 seconds: Aries Merrittwon in a superb world-leading time of 12.93. Jason Richardson,2nd in 12.98, became the first American to post two sub-13clockings in the same Olympic Trials. Third-place finisher JeffPorter, in a move reminiscent of Christian Smith’s desperatelunge in the ’08 OT 800 final, dove his way onto the Olympicteam. And the subpar performance of David Oliver fueled fur-ther speculation about his ability to regain his former dominantposition in this event.


#3: Lance Brooks’ Storybook Throw

Not unlike many U.S. discus athletes, unheralded discusthrower Lance Brooks came to Eugene lacking the 65.00mmark that would give him the coveted “A” standard. Veterandiscus fans were frankly surprised this virtual unknown evenmade it into the finals. Leading after every round of the finals,Brooks still lacked the “A” standard mark that several of histrailing competitors had already secured. In a finish that defiedbelief, Lance Brooks, down to his sixth and final throw, andexhorted onward by the frenzied Hayward Field crowd,dropped a bomb by spinning the platter 65.15m—just surpass-ing the “A” standard mark he needed to secure his appearancein the London Games. This fairy tale finish took on added lus-ter when Brooks’ podium remarks suggested he did not fullyappreciate that, notwithstanding an OT discus win, his “A”standard sixth throw was essential to permit his Olympic par-ticipation.

#2: Galen Rupp’s Dramatic 5000 Win

Galen Rupp is beloved by the Hayward Field faithful. Buteven his most ardent fans have occasionally entertained doubtabout his closing leg speed and his gritty determination againstthe most elite competitors over the final 200. He erased anylingering doubts at these Trials when, as expected, he was manoa mano against his nemesis Bernard Lagat over the final 400 ofthe 5000 final. This time Rupp possessed that extra gear heneeded over the final 80 meters to better Lagat at the line by0.15 seconds. Rupp’s winning time of 13:22.67 took down the40-year-old Olympic Trials 5000 record held by Rupp’s idol,the legendary Steve Prefontaine. The win allowed Rupp tocomplete an extremely rare Olympic Trials 5000/10,000 dou-ble—last completed 60 years ago in the ’52 Olympic Trials byCurt Stone.

#1: Ashton Eaton’s Decathlon World Record

You could feel the electricity in Hayward Field whenAshton Eaton began Day 1 of the decathlon by settingdecathlon world records in the first two events. With Eatonhaving amassed 2,164 points after the 100m and the longjump, both the athlete and the fans sensed that something spe-cial might be unfolding. Competing on the 100th anniversaryof the decathlon and of Jim Thorpe’s victory in the inauguralOlympic decathlon, Eaton appeared unchallenged by his com-petitors and battled only with the swirling winds and periodiccloud bursts that plagued the 10 events. Undaunted, Eaton sol-diered on by winning six of the first nine events. With 8,189points entering the final event—the 1500—Eaton and theHayward Field fans had been advised that a time of around4:17 would allow him to surpass the 11-year-old record of9,026 held by RomanSebrle. With all of theliving American Olympicdecathlon Gold medalistsin attendance in thestands, Eaton ran anevenly-paced 4:14.48 towin the 1500, to post9,039 points, and to seta new world record. Noone who witnessed thisrecord-breaking displayof athletic prowess willever forget it. �


#4) Marquette When you are trying to be a great team, it is alwaysnice to start off with just 1 point. The Mustangs will likely be able toenjoy that nicety most times out this fall with Noah Kauppila leadingtheir charge. If senior Adam Roderique, who ran 4:19 on the track, cancontinue his rise, they will pack a really good 1-2 punch. They alsoreturn one of the top freshmen from a year ago, Grant Dolan, whocould turn into one of the best #3s in the state.

#5) Glendale If anyone can challenge Blue Springs for lowest scorethrough two it will be Glendale, which returns State 8th-placer ChrisMooneyham and State 1600 champ Spencer Haik. They also returnthree athletes with State Meet experience, which is always importantcome November.

#6) Warrensburg The defending Class 3 champs put on a clinic inpack-running last fall when they put their top four across the line with-in 5 seconds of one another at State. All four are back for more in 2012,as is their fifth boy. That’s right … the Tigers return all five scorers.

#7) Rockhurst 2011 was a special year for the Hawklets as theyearned runner-up honors in Class 4, led by senior star Zach Herriott.The bad news is they return only one from that squad, but the goodnews is they have built a huge and successful Junior Varsity program thelast several years, so the bodies are there to step in and succeed rightaway.

#8) Parkway West These guys are always good and they always seemto run well in November. They have a lot to be excited about in 2012with two seniors coming back, Kevin Koboldt and Chris Carter, whofinished 57th and 58th a year ago, respectively.

#9) West Plains The Zizzers were 3rd in 2011, but return only onefrom that group. Still, you never count out West Plains. They trainhard, and hard work pays off. It is a pretty simple formula, really.

#10 TIE) Eureka The Wildcats were a solid team last year and theyreturn four from their top seven. If those four improve their places froma year ago, as we expect they will, the big E will once again be a top 10squad in November.

#10 TIE) MICDS The Rams have one of the best overall runners inthe state in 4:11 miler Amos Bartelsmeyer, which helps a ton. On topof that they return five from their 3rd-place squad in 2011. Watch outfor these guys as they may give Warrensburg a run for their money inClass 3.

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGSAll season long we will try to keep an eye out for the top 15 runners

in the state. These are the top 15 regardless of Class. Occasionally wemiss a runner or two, so we apologize if we shorted you or your team-mate. Feel free to email Ben at [email protected] if you knowsomeone who should be on the Big River Top 15. Enjoy!!

TOP 15 GIRLS#1) Hannah Long, SO, Eureka You can’t ask for a much better fresh-man year than Long had in 2011–12. Still, a runner-up finish at StateCross Country, an 11th-place finish at Foot Locker Midwest and threesilver medals at the State Track Meet will surely leave the Eureka starhungry for more.

#2) Nicole Mello, SR, Hickman Mello was Missouri’s only represen-tative at the Foot Locker National Championships in 2011. Qualifyingfor the Finals was a huge piece of redemption after a fall at State costher any chance of running with the leaders, and she eventually finished9th. We could see a legendary battle this November between Mello andLong.

#3) Kaitlyn Fischer, SR, Herculaneum Fisher has won six individualState titles on the track and has two 2nds and a 3rd to her credit incross country. She enters this season having run the fastest 3200 in2012 of any returner and is coming off an eye-popping 17:34 at theSaint Louis Track Club Cross Country Kickoff. That time just cannotbe ignored.

#4) Saga Barzowski, SR, Arcadia Valley The two-time Class 2 Statecross country champ is back again for her senior campaign. She is alsothe two-time defending Class 3 champ in the 1600 and 800 on thetrack and owns PRs of 2:15 for 800 meters, 11:14 for 3200 and 5:02for a full mile. Her fourth straight battle with Fischer in Novembershould be nothing short of epic.

#5) Brigette Caruthers, SR, Branson Caruthers may not have thetrack credentials of some of the girls on this list, but this is cross countryand her results speak for themselves. In 2011 she was 5th at the ForestPark Cross Country Festival, 1st at the always tough Central OzarksConference Meet and 3rd at the Class 4 State Meet in an impressive18:49 on the difficult layout in Jefferson City.

#6) Taylor Werner, FR, Ste Genevieve It is always tough to rank afreshman in the pre-season because you are making sort of an educatedguess. However, after she ran 5:00 for a full mile as an 8th-grader at theFestival of Miles and beat many of the girls on this very list save for #1Long, it’s not really going out on a limb to say Werner is pretty darngood.

#7) Jill Whitman, JR, Cor Jesu Only 21st at the Class 4 State Meet,Whitman comes in at #7 on the heels of a breakout track season thatsaw her run PRs of 5:01 and 11:11 and grab 3rd in the 1600 and 2ndin the 3200 at State Track.

#8) Sophia Racette, SO, Nerinx Hall Racette was impressive everytime out last fall, no easy feat for a freshman. She enters her sophomorecampaign after a track season that saw her run 5:18 and 11:21. She alsoshowed her strength last February when she finished 26th at the USAJunior Cross Country Championships over 6K.

#9) Olivia Franklin, SO, Kearney Franklin won the Class 3 StateMeet as a freshman and returns to defend her title against five otherunderclassmen who were in the top 10. Her 11:13 on the track was agood sign that she’ll be a force once again this fall.

#10) Nicole Lee, JR, Clinton Lee enters the cross country season ona high after capturing the Class 3 State 3200 title on the track. She was4th at State cross country in 2011 and will no doubt be looking to takehome top honors this time around.

#11) Melissa Brown, JR, Oakville Brown burst onto the scene lastSeptember when she finished 2nd at the Forest Park Cross CountryFestival. She continued to impress all year and ended up 8th at State inClass 4 despite battling a side-stitch for much of the race.

Continued from Page 14

Continued on Page 26


A N D T H E N J A M A I C AC O N Q U E R E D E N G L A N D


#12) Sammy Laurenzo, JR, Liberty North Laurenzo was dominantfor much of the year in 2011, and we expect more of the same in 2012.She was not at full strength when she finished 5th at State so we hope tosee a 100% Laurenzo on the line this November.

#13) Kiersten West, JR, Lee’s Summit West No Big River Rankingswould be complete without some Lee’s Summit West representation.West, LSW’s #1 from 2011, was 10th a year ago and looks to lead theTitans to a sixth straight title this fall.

#14) Kristen Adams, JR, Francis Howell Adams leads a FrancisHowell squad that just might have something to say about that sixth titlefor LSW. She was sectional champ and 11th at State in 2011 and withtraining partners Whitney Adams, Valeska Halimicek and RebeccaTurney by her side, this junior could be a major force this fall.

#15) Alyssa Jones, SR, Rockwood Summit Jones has really goodcareer credentials with track PRs of 5:12 and 10:53 and State cross coun-try finishes of 7th and 12th. Her 10:53 is the best 3200 PR of anyone inthe state, and we could definitely see her besting that 7th-place State fin-ish from 2010 this November.

Honorable Mention Savannah Beaver, Maddy Brown, CourtneyCoppinger, Kayla Funkenbusch, Lane Maguire, Libby Nisbet, SamanthaPhillips, Courtney Rogers, Kaley Ruff, Katie Tuck, Kennadee Williams.

TOP 15 BOYS #1) Noah Kauppila, JR, Marquette Fulfilling all the expectations hisstellar freshman year, Kauppila shined as a sophomore, finishing 4th atthe Missouri Class 4 State Meet and 14th at the Foot Locker MidwestRegional. His track season was just as impressive, where he split 1:52 inthe 4x8, ran 4:16 for 1600 and was the state champ at 3200 in 9:11.

#2) Simon Belete, SR, Blue Springs Belete had his best race of the sea-son at the State Meet, where he finished 5th in 16:17, just two ticks backof #1 Kauppila. Proving that he is indeed a big meet performer, he ransuperbly at the State Track Meet as well, finishing 4th in the 3200 in9:17.

#3) Amos Bartelsmeyer, SR, MICDS The top returner in Class 3,Bartelsmeyer was national class on the track, running a solo 4:14 to winthe State Meet on a brutally hot day and following up with 4:11 full mileon a cold, windy night at the Festival of Miles. Only 4th in Class 3 crosscountry, look for that to change this fall as 2011 was his first-ever crosscountry season.

#4) Spencer Haik, JR, Glendale The Glendale junior gets the nod at#4 mainly on the heels of his performance at the Class 4 State TrackMeet, where he took home top honors in the 1600 in 4:15. Combinethat with the strength he showed in finishing 14th last year in JeffersonCity and you have the makings of a dangerous cross country runner thisseason.

#5) Colton Rockhold, JR, Truman Rockhold burst onto the scenethis past track season with a 9:22 at the Kansas Relays where he bested #2Belete, among others. His 10th-place finish in the State 3200 was anothersolid performance and his 16:08 at the Saint Louis Track Club CrossCountry Kickoff on August 4 was proof that he can be a force this fall.

#6) Chris Mooneyham, SR, Glendale Mooneyham is the third bestreturner overall from last fall’s State Meet where he was 8th in Class 4 in

16:23. He also finished a respectable 27th at the USA Junior CrossCountry Championships in February. His track season produced a 9:29PR for 3200, and with #4 Haik as a training partner, Mooneyham shouldbe a top contender in any meet he goes to this season.

#7) Stephen Mugeche, SO, Blue Springs We really like this kid. As afreshman he finished 45th at the State Cross Country Meet, which ishard to do. Then he exploded on the track, running 9:26 for 7th in the3200. Remind you of anyone? Kauppila was 7th in 9:25 his freshmanyear. If that’s any indication, and we think it is, you may see Mugechemove up a few notches through the course of this season.

#8) Billy Leighton, SR, Cape Girardeau Central Leighton has beenturning heads since he was in middle school and as he enters his senioryear he does so with some really solid credentials. His 2011 campaign washighlighted by an 11th-place finish at the Class 4 State Meet in 16:30.Known as a ferocious trainer, we would bet he’s in amazing shape and hasbig goals for this fall.

#9) Nicholas Stewart, SR, McCluer North Stewart is really, reallygood, but we feel like he flies under the radar for some reason. Perhapsthis will be the year that everyone takes notice. The McCluer North sen-ior was 18th at the State Meet in 2011, and his track season included a1:53 800, a 4:19 1600 and a 9:20 3200. That kind of speed and strengthis lethal and will certainly make him a threat every time he toes the line.

#10) Nathan Keown, SR, Rock Bridge Keown now takes the reins asthe #1 boy on a powerful Rock Bridge squad after 3 years behind 2011state champ Caleb Wilfong and 2012 state 800 champ Jordan Cook.Keown ran in the 15:40s multiple times last fall, though he ended up adisappointing, for him, 27th at the State Meet. Look for that to changein a big way this time around.

#11) Adam Roderique, SR, Marquette Roderique seemed to reallycome into his own this past track season where he ran right on the heelsof his teammate Kauppila in several 1600 races. He produced a 4:19 PRin the 4-lapper and was 9th in that event at State. Only 56th a year agoon the grass, we expect he will be a sure bet for a high All-State finish in2012.

#12) Derek Legenzoff, SR, Lafayette The Lafayette senior grabbed24th to earn All-State honors last fall and followed it up with a solid trackseason that included PRs of 4:31 and 9:38.

#13) Evan Schulte, JR, Rock Bridge Schulte was the third-best sopho-more at last year’s State Meet behind only Kauppila and Haik. If therecent history of the Rock Bridge program is any indication, and wethink it is, Schulte should be a force on the State scene this fall.

#14) Ian Frazier, SR, Kickapoo Frazier was just one spot and two ticksbehind Schulte at last year’s State Meet. He also dipped under 16 minutestwice, showing that his performance in Jeff City was no fluke. Look for apossible top-10 finish from the Kickapoo senior in November.

#15) Kirk Smith, SR, John Burroughs Smith was 5th in Class 3 in2011 and we put a lot of stock in that. Just one spot behind #3Bartelsmeyer at that meet, Smith is the second-best Class 3 returner andshould be a contender anywhere he runs this fall.

Honorable Mention Austin Del Rosso, Jason Fambrough, BrianHernan, Ryan Jackson, Sheldon Keence, Matt Nicholson, Elvir Sarajlic,Tyler Rush, Dillon Williams

Continued from Page 24


by Mike Meehan

“Nervous yet?” Tim Burke was askedon his blog a few days before he would run146 miles through some of the mostextreme conditions on Earth. Burke’s journey would stretch from the

lowest to the highest points in the conti-nental U.S. He would follow the course ofthe Badwater Ultramarathon, known as“the world’s toughest footrace.” Starting at282 feet below sea level in Badwater,California, he would run through a lownighttime temperature of 90° to a day-time high of 118° in Death Valley’s steamydesert and then hike to the top of MountWhitney, more than 14,780 feet above thedesert floor. The 43-year-old St. Louisan ran

Badwater to raise money for a new schoolfor the city’s SouthSide Early ChildhoodCenter. As the father of two adopted chil-dren and a member of the Center’s boardof directors, helping children succeed isone of Burke’s passions. The Center helpsat-risk children succeed in school by elimi-nating barriers to their success by creatinga healthy, nurturing learning environmentthat they may not have at home.“I think about all of the barriers that

[these kids] have to break to get to thatpoint and what their families do in sacri-ficing to get their children to that point. Isee some parallels to [running Badwater].I’m trying to break that mental barrier thatI’m going through to run three-plus days[and the] physical barriers of getting readyfor that,” Burke explained.After spending more than 6 months

training, which included hiring a coachand training in Death Valley’s extremeheat, Burke and his support crew traveledto California in July to run Badwater.Here’s their story:On July 2 at 3 a.m., with the tempera-

ture near 90°, Burke and his support crewembark on their journey. Taking it slow,trying to conserve energy, they cover thefirst 42 miles of mostly flat terrain inunder 10 hours. However, the next daywould be much harder. Burke’s enthusiasm would get the better

of him as he tries to do too much. He is

on the verge of dehydration and can’tdigest anything when he nears the 50-milemark. At the urging of his support crew,he slows down and eventually gets back ontrack. “When I went up the Townes Pass

climb, the first big climb, it was into a 20-mile-per-hour headwind. I should havebeen going a lot slower. I was anxious; Ifelt like we were going to do a lot more. SoI got that in my head, and that was just amistake,” Burke admits to me later. “I hadprepared for the mental issues and pre-pared for the physical issues. I didn’t thinkmy stomach was what was going to throwme.”On Day 2 of the journey, with his run

on the verge of ending prematurely due toexhaustion and stomach issues, Burke takesa risk by eating some solid food. Thanks toa hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, andpotatoes, plus a few McDonald’s cheese-burgers along the way, Burke regains hisstrength and continues. After reaching the100-mile mark, fatigue starts to catch upwith him again. With the full effects of 2days on the trail taking their toll, MarciaRasmussen meets up with him. The sameperson, who days earlier asked Burke onhis blog if he was nervous, offers her sup-

port.Rasmussen, a veteran ultrarunner and

outdoor survivalist, had heard aboutBurke’s Badwater attempt and drove 6hours with her husband to meet him. “Iheard that he was going to be out, so Icontacted him and tried to be there whenhe finished,” she says.[Rasmussen has made the solo crossing

three times and has helped others makethe trek as a crew member. She was part ofan unofficial group of runners that meteach year from 2005–07 to make theBadwater journey together. Although thegroup runs were discontinued, Rasmussenhas remained one of the primary support-ers of those completing the solo trek.“[Badwater] started with one person doingit by himself and we try to keep that spiritalive,” she explains.]Having been in Burke’s mental and

physical state on a few occasions herself,Rasmussen offers to pace Burke part of theway, which ends up being 14 miles. Asthey run together, she shares her experi-ences of running Badwater’s gruelingcourse. “That’s a rough stretch of thecourse. It looks like you’re not moving orgetting any closer [to the end], with milesand miles to go,” she explains.

SStt.. LLoouuiissaann TTaakkeess oonn BBaaddwwaatteerrCCoouurrssee ffoorr GGrreeaatteerr GGoooodd

Photo courtesy of Tim Burke


“From about 6:30 or 7 [p.m.] until 1:30in the morning she came out and paced me.It allowed my crew some time to rest. Theyhad been doing so much work, it was goodfor them to get some actual down timerather than nervous down time,” Burkerecalls.The conversation and experiences that

she shares take Burke’s mind off his pain.“It was just good conversation and it reallymade a very long and boring, middle of thenight, potentially lonely part of the road goby pretty quickly,” he says.When they reach the base of Mount

Whitney, some 135 miles from where hestarted, Rasmussen presents Burke with afinishers’ belt buckle to mark his accom-plishment, continuing a tradition that shehelped start.

On the third day of the trek, Burkecompletes the final leg of his journey byhiking 11 miles up Mount Whitney.Eighty-one hours and 146 miles after hestarted, Burke stood at the summit of thetallest peak in the continental U.S., 14,505feet above sea level.Back in St. Louis:By completing one of the world’s tough-

est physical challenges, Burke hoped toshow that anything was possible throughhard work. “There are not a lot of thingsthat are impossible if you dedicate the timeand you prepare yourself for it. That’s whatwe’re trying to do [at the children’s center].”So far, his efforts have raised $49,000 forthe new school.“I was able to get through this journey

on the inspiration from the kids, the train-ing from my coach, the on-site supportfrom my crew and the great support that Iexperienced from both people I know andcomplete strangers,” Burke said, reflectingon his accomplishment.Although Rasmussen was quick to point

out that her role in Burke’s success wasminimal, her support left a lasting impres-sion on him. “I’m honored to say that Iknow and spent time with her, and moreimportantly, that she thought enough tospend time with me,” Burke said ofRasmussen.“That’s what I like about the ultrarun-

ning community. There’s a camaraderie ofshared pain … people know what you’regoing through.”�

For more information about Tim Burke’srun, including photos and video, visit1inspiredidiot.com/

Photo courtesy of Tim Burke


By Elliott Denman

New York, New York was blown out of the water in its bid,Seven years ago, to stage the Games of the XXX Olympiad.“Good try, Gotham, well done, but not really what we were

looking for,” the NYC delegation, in effect, was told.It boiled down to a Paris–London race. Any few votes here—or

there—could swing it one direction or other. London got thosevotes and became the International Olympic Committee’s choice.And now that London’s Games have safely been tucked away in

the history books, we can say we are mighty darn glad, too, thatthe vote went the way it did.Might New York, New York have done as well as London? Call

that a definite very-very-very long stretch. Might Paris have done aswell as London? Just might, but again, a big stretch.In 16 incredible days, London got on with it magnificently. It

deserves the praise of the universe for the job it did.Everything Lord Sebastian Coe, the visionary and architect

behind it all, said at the closing ceremonies was right on themoney. “Today sees the end of a wonderful Games in a wonderfulcity,” he told the 80,000 in the Olympic Stadium seats and a likelyworldwide television audience of over a billion.“For the third time in its history, London was granted the trust

of the Olympic movement and once again we have shown ourselvesworthy of that trust. Thank you to the people who built the stadi-ums, the people who created a new neighborhood [in EastLondon] in an old city, the people who stood guard to keep us safe.Thank you to the tens of thousands of volunteers who gave theirtime, their boundless enthusiasm, and their goodwill, and whohave the right to say, ‘I made London 2012.’“And thank you to the people of this country. The British peo-

ple got behind London’s bid and they got behind London’s Games.

London 2012 has played host to some incredible sport, to awe-inspiring feats that are the synthesis of incredible determinationand skill by the world’s greatest sportsmen and women. To all theOlympians who came to London to compete—thank you.“On the first day of these Games, I said we were determined to

do it right. I said these Games would see the best of us. On thislast day, I can finish with these words: When our time came,Britain, we did it right.”Likely the London Games will be called the best ever, certainly

very long miles better than the last Summer Games the U.S. host-ed—Atlanta 1996. Probably a tad better than the second GamesDown Under—Sydney 2000. But just a tad. An improvement in somany ways over Athens 2004. Outspent by far—but certainly notoutdone—by Beijing 2008.Athletics—track & field was, of course, only one of 31 Olympic

sports—and that number depends on how you do the counting.And consider all the glories in athletics that London 2012 gave

us …

MOST MEMORABLE ON THE MEN’S SIDE• Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake dominating the dashes, buthaving to run for their lives to beat the U.S. in the greatest4x100 relay race the world has ever seen.

• Young Kirani James taking the 400 in a strange American-less 400.

• David Rudisha leading home the pack in the greatest 800meter race ever run.

• Mo Farah sweeping the 5K and 10K, the latter slow asmolasses but nevertheless enthralling.

• Aries Merritt and Felix Sanchez out-hurdling the world.Four one-time-or-another U.S. collegians racing off withthe 4x400—and beating the U.S.

OOLLYYMMPPIICC WWRRAAPP CChhrriissttiiaann TTaayylloorrPhotoRun.net


• Christian Taylor tripling the pleasure inthe TJ.

• Will Claye double-medaling the LJ andTJ.

• Keehorn Walcott—of Trinidad andTobago, too—spearing javelin Gold.

• Ashton Eaton and Trey Hardee doing theold decathlon 1-2.

• Ding Chen finally walking China to itsfirst 20K Gold; 50Ker Sergey Kidyapkinof Russia winning the Games’ longest,toughest footrace.

• Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda joiningJohnny Hayes (USA) and Delfo Cabrera(Argentina) as London’s Olympicmarathon champions.

MARVELS ON THE WOMEN’S SIDE• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the double dou-ble-barreled 100 titlist.

• Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross,first with individual Golds, then more-somagnificent, baton in hand.

• Awesome Aussie hurdler Sally Pearson.• Jenn Suhr, vaulting off the injury list andup-up-over the PV heights.

• Brittney Reese, longing for LJ win andgetting it.

• Just-20 Elena Lashmanova, baby-facing to20K Gold.

• And Jessica Ennis, boosting all Britishspirits and jump-starting an array of GBsuccesses.

All these, and so many more, “did it right.”May the spirit of all of them, as the good Lord

Coe put it, “inspire a generation.” �

PhotoRun.net

PhotoRun.net

BBrriittttnneeyy RReeeessee

LO HACES ASÍ—STEP BY STEP, ONE,

TWO. IN A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL RACE, LIVE

BANDS AND CHEERING FANS PUT YOU

ON CENTER STAGE. JUST MOVE WITH

THE MUSIC, BREAK A SWEAT, AND FEEL

A LITTLE SWING IN YOUR STRIDE. HERE,

YOU’RE THE STAR, SO SAVOR EACH

STEP OF THE WAY. ALL TOGETHER

NOW: JOURNEY ON.

MUÉVELO.

REGISTER AT

COMPETITOR.COM

OCT. 21, 2012

TM

ASICS.COM

GEL-NIMBUS® 14

MINIMIZE THE POUNDING,MAXIMIZE YOUR RUN.

ARMED WITH THE CUSHIONING POWER OF GEL®, THE GEL-NIMBUS® 14 DELIVERS A PLUSH YET STABLE RIDE SO YOU GET MORE OUT OF EVERY STEP.

Missouri Runner and Triathlete - Fall 2012

Documents

Transcript of Missouri Runner and Triathlete - Fall 2012