Kathy Youngren turned in one of the most impressive feats of her running career this weekend in Greece at the 2010 Spartathlon. Kathy ran 246 kilometers or 152.85 miles from Athens to Sparta in 33 hours 35 minutes and 6 seconds, placing 44th overall (of 351 starters), was the 5th place woman and the top American athlete. Remembering back to 2009, Kathy finished Badwater 135 in 33 hours 49 minutes and 21 seconds; quite an impressive back-to-back summers for Kathy who may be the best female ultra runner ever to come out of the state of Alabama.
Official Results here: http://bit.ly/ST246km.
Elsewhere, Brandon York came out of the wood work to top the field at the Elkmont 10km ahead of Eric Charette, who had a season best mid 35 and finished 2nd overall.
1: Brandon York (33:09)
2: Eric Charette (35:48)
4: Greg Reynolds (37:21)
6: Tim Vinson (38:27)
7: Dink Taylor (39:20)
8: Blake Thompson (40:42)
4th FOA Madelyn T. Patton (51:33).
At the Kudzu Hills Open Cross Country Meet Cold Springs, AL, Jon Elmore finished 2nd overall in 18:19 and was the overall Men's Master winner.
Eric Fritz and Eric Patterson competed on the Adtran Corporate team in the Washington DC version of the Ragnar Relay. Team Rapid Routers finished the 202 mile course in 31 hours and 37 minutes.
In Nashville, TN, Linda Scavarda ran a personal best time of 1:40:23 at the Women's Running Magazine half marathon. Not to be outdone, Lisa Rawlings also set a personal best with a time of 1:43:21. Nice work ladies.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
This Weekend
The Nike Fleet Feet Racing Team will be represented in Elkmont at the Rails to Trails 10km by Blake Thompson, Greg Reynolds, Eric Charette and Tim Vinson. This race is directed by team member Whitney Hollinsworth. Eric Fritz is headed back to DC for the Ragnar Relay with his corporate team. Linda Scavarda will be at the Women's Running Magazine half marathon looking for a personal best in Nashville.
Good luck to the entire race team whereever your Fleet Feet take you!
Good luck to the entire race team whereever your Fleet Feet take you!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
This Weekend
Starting tomorrow, Kathy Youngren will be representing Nike Fleet Feet Racing Team on the grandest of ultra running stages in Greece at the epic Spartathlon. The Spartathlon course is conducted point-to-point, the elevation ranges from sea level to 1,200 meters (3,937 ft), over tarmac road, trail and mountain footpath. Of the 351 participants, Kathy is one of only 4 Americans this year to compete, and the only female. The distance is 246 kilometers or 152.85 miles from Athens to Sparta. You can follow live updates of the 2010 Spartathlon via this weblink http://bit.ly/ST246km. The race starts Thursday at 11pm central.
The prerequisites are tough even to get in with athletes needing to meet one of the following:
1) The athlete has finished a race of at least 100 km. In not more than 10:30 hours,
2) The athlete has reached the finishing point when competing at SPARTATHLON
3) The athlete has competed in an event of more than 200 kilometers and has finished the race regardless of the time.
Shown below is some of the background information on the race, and the website for more information is here.
"The battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. , one of the most famous battles in world history, constituted a landmark and a starting point in the history of civilization. The triumph of the genius of Miltiades and the self-denial of his soldiers made the hordes of Persians flee and rescued Athens and Hellenism from the utmost danger of subjugation to the barbarian invaders. The effects of the victory at Marathon continue to influence the present. It was the first victory against the planned domination of "Asianization" over Europe and an event with momentous significance. Because of this victory, Athens was able to achieve a great deal and bequeath the benefits of its knowledge, arts and virtue to mankind. Two and a half thousand years after that historical battle, a sports event, inseparably related to it, was born in Greece
"It all started from Herodotus' account of the Battle of Marathon. The great historian of antiquity described the details of the battle many years later and mentioned the deeds of Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger, sent by his generals to Sparta in order to secure help for the reinforcement of the scanty Athenian forces against the forthcoming Asiatic incursion. According to Herodotus, Pheidippides arrived in Sparta on the next day of his departure" from Athens"
"Described as the world's most grueling race, the Spartathlon runs over rough tracks and muddy paths (often it rains during the race), crosses vineyards and olive groves, climbs steep hillsides and, most challenging of all, takes the runners on the 1,200 meter ascent and descent of Mount Parthenio in the dead of night. This is the mountain, covered with rocks and bushes, on which it is said Pheidippides met the god Pan. In 2,500 years man has had no impact at all. There is still no pathway over the mountain that is swept by strong winds with temperatures as low as 4°C. The ascent is marked out by a trail of battery-driven colored flashing lights and its challenge is a trial for human stamina and mental strength."
"Over the mountain the last sections are no less energy sapping and exhausting for the runners as they follow a road that winds up and down hills before descending into Sparta. Even the finest athletes start hallucinating as they cover these final stages. Having lost all sense of time and reality, they are "on automatic" as they push their weary bodies on towards the finishing line at the statue of Leonidas."
"At most, only about a third of the runners who leave Athens end the course in Sparta. The goal of all participants is to cover the course within the 36-hour time limit. Setting records is the primary aim. Those who succeed in reaching Sparta have trouble finding words to describe their feelings."
"Spartathlon has to be lived through. It is a very personal experience in which the athletes dream about participating. Their imagination is stirred by the idea of being a modern Pheidippides, running in the footsteps of the ancient messenger. They train for years to get fit enough both physically and mentally to meet the race's demands."
The prerequisites are tough even to get in with athletes needing to meet one of the following:
1) The athlete has finished a race of at least 100 km. In not more than 10:30 hours,
2) The athlete has reached the finishing point when competing at SPARTATHLON
3) The athlete has competed in an event of more than 200 kilometers and has finished the race regardless of the time.
Shown below is some of the background information on the race, and the website for more information is here.
"The battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. , one of the most famous battles in world history, constituted a landmark and a starting point in the history of civilization. The triumph of the genius of Miltiades and the self-denial of his soldiers made the hordes of Persians flee and rescued Athens and Hellenism from the utmost danger of subjugation to the barbarian invaders. The effects of the victory at Marathon continue to influence the present. It was the first victory against the planned domination of "Asianization" over Europe and an event with momentous significance. Because of this victory, Athens was able to achieve a great deal and bequeath the benefits of its knowledge, arts and virtue to mankind. Two and a half thousand years after that historical battle, a sports event, inseparably related to it, was born in Greece
"It all started from Herodotus' account of the Battle of Marathon. The great historian of antiquity described the details of the battle many years later and mentioned the deeds of Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger, sent by his generals to Sparta in order to secure help for the reinforcement of the scanty Athenian forces against the forthcoming Asiatic incursion. According to Herodotus, Pheidippides arrived in Sparta on the next day of his departure" from Athens"
"Described as the world's most grueling race, the Spartathlon runs over rough tracks and muddy paths (often it rains during the race), crosses vineyards and olive groves, climbs steep hillsides and, most challenging of all, takes the runners on the 1,200 meter ascent and descent of Mount Parthenio in the dead of night. This is the mountain, covered with rocks and bushes, on which it is said Pheidippides met the god Pan. In 2,500 years man has had no impact at all. There is still no pathway over the mountain that is swept by strong winds with temperatures as low as 4°C. The ascent is marked out by a trail of battery-driven colored flashing lights and its challenge is a trial for human stamina and mental strength."
"Over the mountain the last sections are no less energy sapping and exhausting for the runners as they follow a road that winds up and down hills before descending into Sparta. Even the finest athletes start hallucinating as they cover these final stages. Having lost all sense of time and reality, they are "on automatic" as they push their weary bodies on towards the finishing line at the statue of Leonidas."
"At most, only about a third of the runners who leave Athens end the course in Sparta. The goal of all participants is to cover the course within the 36-hour time limit. Setting records is the primary aim. Those who succeed in reaching Sparta have trouble finding words to describe their feelings."
"Spartathlon has to be lived through. It is a very personal experience in which the athletes dream about participating. Their imagination is stirred by the idea of being a modern Pheidippides, running in the footsteps of the ancient messenger. They train for years to get fit enough both physically and mentally to meet the race's demands."
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weekend Results
The Nike Fleet Feet Racing Team wins every race that they run, going 4 for 4 in area road races. Taking overall victories this weekend were Eric Charette (16:47) and Kathy Youngren (20:15) at Care Center 5km, Brad Schroeder (17:15) and Lisa Rawlings (21:50) at PHP 5km, Eric Schotz (19:03) at Rib Fest 5km and Donald Bowman (16:57) at Duck and Run 5km.
At the Care Center 5K Run/Walk in New Hope, Alabama, Eric Charette set a season best 16:47 to capture the overall win, and broke the 17 minute mark for just the second time in his career and first time since November of 2008. In a final tune up before next week's Spartathlon, Kathy Youngren ran 20:15 for first overall female. Tim Vinson continues to get stronger and finished as first men's master.
Official Results
1 Eric Charette - 16:47 pace 5:24
3 Tim Vinson 17:36 pace 5:40
4 Blake Thompson 18:17 pace 5:53
7 Kathy Youngren 20:15 pace 6:31
9 Eric Fritz 20:41 pace 6:40
In Scottsboro, Alabama, Brad Schroeder won the Carlos Serrano Memorial 4th Annual PHP 5km with a time of 17:15. Last year Brad and team mate Rob Youngren were leading the way in this race and missed an unmarked turn at the end, thus never finishing the race so it is great to see Brad take care of unfinished business. Dink Taylor was 2nd overall and first men's master finisher. On the women's side, Lisa Rawlings continues to run well every week and takes the top female finisher.
Official Results
1 Brad Schroeder - 17:15 pace 5:34
2 Dink Taylor - 18:17 pace 5:54
4 James Falcon - 19:52 pace 6:25
6 David Rawlings - 20:28 pace 6:36
10 Lisa Rawlings - 21:50 pace 7:03
At the Riverfest Rib Run 5k presented by the Decatur Jaycees in Decatur, Alabama, Eric Schotz ran 19:03 and took the overall win for the team. Eric prevailed by just under 30 seconds over his nearest competitor in a race that was just a week after running a marathon.
Official Results
1 Eric Schotz - 19:03
At the Duck and Run 5km in Athens, Alabama, Donald Bowman runs another sub 17 minute 5km and takes the overall victory. Donald ran 16:57 against a competitive field at the top.
1 Donald Bowman - 16:57
Official Results
At the Care Center 5K Run/Walk in New Hope, Alabama, Eric Charette set a season best 16:47 to capture the overall win, and broke the 17 minute mark for just the second time in his career and first time since November of 2008. In a final tune up before next week's Spartathlon, Kathy Youngren ran 20:15 for first overall female. Tim Vinson continues to get stronger and finished as first men's master.
Official Results
1 Eric Charette - 16:47 pace 5:24
3 Tim Vinson 17:36 pace 5:40
4 Blake Thompson 18:17 pace 5:53
7 Kathy Youngren 20:15 pace 6:31
9 Eric Fritz 20:41 pace 6:40
In Scottsboro, Alabama, Brad Schroeder won the Carlos Serrano Memorial 4th Annual PHP 5km with a time of 17:15. Last year Brad and team mate Rob Youngren were leading the way in this race and missed an unmarked turn at the end, thus never finishing the race so it is great to see Brad take care of unfinished business. Dink Taylor was 2nd overall and first men's master finisher. On the women's side, Lisa Rawlings continues to run well every week and takes the top female finisher.
Official Results
1 Brad Schroeder - 17:15 pace 5:34
2 Dink Taylor - 18:17 pace 5:54
4 James Falcon - 19:52 pace 6:25
6 David Rawlings - 20:28 pace 6:36
10 Lisa Rawlings - 21:50 pace 7:03
At the Riverfest Rib Run 5k presented by the Decatur Jaycees in Decatur, Alabama, Eric Schotz ran 19:03 and took the overall win for the team. Eric prevailed by just under 30 seconds over his nearest competitor in a race that was just a week after running a marathon.
Official Results
1 Eric Schotz - 19:03
At the Duck and Run 5km in Athens, Alabama, Donald Bowman runs another sub 17 minute 5km and takes the overall victory. Donald ran 16:57 against a competitive field at the top.
1 Donald Bowman - 16:57
Official Results
Thursday, September 16, 2010
This Weekend
This weekend there are a variety of 5km road races "within a stones throw" (as my Grandma from West Virginia used to say from Huntsville and the Nike Fleet Feet Racing Team will be surely a large part of competing for overall victories at each one. Here is a run down of the events.
Duck and Run 5km
Saturday, September 18, 2010 8:00 AM
Athens Big Spring Park
Athens, AL
Directed by Fleet Feet Racing Team member Eric Patterson!
Care Center 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, September 18th, 2010 8:00 AM
New Hope Elementary / Middle School
New Hope, AL 35760
Polyamide High Performance, Inc.
Carlos Serrano Memorial 4th Annual PHP 5km and 1 Mile Fun Run
Saturday, September 18th, 2010 8:00 AM
Goose Pond Colony
Scottsboro, AL
Dink Taylor and James Falcon will be leading the team in Scottsboro!
Riverfest Rib Run 5k Presented by the Decatur Jaycees
Saturday, September 18th, 2010 8:00 AM
Decatur, AL
Duck and Run 5km
Saturday, September 18, 2010 8:00 AM
Athens Big Spring Park
Athens, AL
Directed by Fleet Feet Racing Team member Eric Patterson!
Care Center 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, September 18th, 2010 8:00 AM
New Hope Elementary / Middle School
New Hope, AL 35760
Polyamide High Performance, Inc.
Carlos Serrano Memorial 4th Annual PHP 5km and 1 Mile Fun Run
Saturday, September 18th, 2010 8:00 AM
Goose Pond Colony
Scottsboro, AL
Dink Taylor and James Falcon will be leading the team in Scottsboro!
Riverfest Rib Run 5k Presented by the Decatur Jaycees
Saturday, September 18th, 2010 8:00 AM
Decatur, AL
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Weekend Results
Locally in Huntsville, the Doxa Community helping Hands, Inc. 5km may have had record low turnouts (19 starters) but the team was well represented with Eric Charette winning overall in a time of 18:09 for the 3.2 mile course (which was an altered Big Spring Jam Course). Jon Elmore was 2nd oveall male and Kathy Youngren was 3rd overall and 1st female overall.
In Scottsboro Alabama, the racing team competed successfully in the Frantic Frog Triathlon which has distances of 400m Swim / 24k Bike / 5k Run.
Chris Platt 21st Overall 1st age group || swim: 6:59 || bike 41:41 || run 18:36 ||
James Falcon 39th Overall 8th age group || swim: 8:58 || bike 39:38 || run 22:15 ||
David Rawlings 114th Overall 15th age group || swim: 10:27 || bike 39:59 || run 23:01 ||
Lisa Rawlings 252nd Overall 10th age group || swim: 10:48 || bike 49:41 || run 22:45 ||
Official Results
Eric Schotz lapped the field at the 5th Annual 1st National Bank of Wakefield Marathon with a 3:11:54, taking the overall win by near a half hour. Nice training run for Eric as he works toward some goal races this fall.
Christy Scott returned back to Bartlett Park to run the 50 miler on Saturday as part of her 100 mile training. She chose the 50km option as the day was muggy and raining, running 6:12:10 and finished as 2nd female, 11th overall.
In Scottsboro Alabama, the racing team competed successfully in the Frantic Frog Triathlon which has distances of 400m Swim / 24k Bike / 5k Run.
Chris Platt 21st Overall 1st age group || swim: 6:59 || bike 41:41 || run 18:36 ||
James Falcon 39th Overall 8th age group || swim: 8:58 || bike 39:38 || run 22:15 ||
David Rawlings 114th Overall 15th age group || swim: 10:27 || bike 39:59 || run 23:01 ||
Lisa Rawlings 252nd Overall 10th age group || swim: 10:48 || bike 49:41 || run 22:45 ||
Official Results
Eric Schotz lapped the field at the 5th Annual 1st National Bank of Wakefield Marathon with a 3:11:54, taking the overall win by near a half hour. Nice training run for Eric as he works toward some goal races this fall.
Christy Scott returned back to Bartlett Park to run the 50 miler on Saturday as part of her 100 mile training. She chose the 50km option as the day was muggy and raining, running 6:12:10 and finished as 2nd female, 11th overall.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Athlete of the Month - August
The month of August was outstanding for the Nike Fleet Feet Racing Team members. After reviewing race results and blog posts for the month of August, here are the top Nike Fleet Fleet Racing Team athletes of the month. Included are the events that earned each athlete this distinction. Athletes of the month are slightly different than top performances, as these runners had great showings at multiple events in the month. The top athlete of each month will be honored at the year end Christmas Party.
The top performer of August is Donald Bowman. Donald proved to be amongst the fastest runners in the area as he won two competitive 5km races during the month. He started with a fast 17:07 on the difficult Brooke Hill 5km course, followed by a dominating win over some fast runners at Running of the Bulls 5km. At "Bulls" he posted a season best 16:57. Donald continues to prove that he is one of the best runners in town, even now as a master's athlete. These performances have earned him the distinction of the Athlete of the Month for August.
Athlete of the Month
Donald Bowman
Other Nominees for Athlete of the Month
Eric Charette
- 1st overall 17:07 Brooke Hill 5km
- 1st overall 16:57 Running of the Bulls 5km (Season best)
Other Nominees for Athlete of the Month
Eric Charette
- 2nd overall 55:41 Lake Antoine Classic 15km (season best)
- 2nd overall 17:27 Brooke Hill 5km
- 2nd overall 1:55:05 Squak Mountain Trail 1/2 Marathon
- 2nd overall 17:20 Running of the Bulls 5km
- 3rd overall 18:45 Brooke Hill 5km
- 2nd overall 17:45:24 Lean Horse 100 Miler (personal best)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
This Weekend
Eric Schotz will be leading the team this weekend when he runs the 5th Annual 1st National Bank of Wakefield Marathon. this race is in Wakefield, Michigan and has runners lapping around Sunday Lake 9 times. Eric joked that the race director offered to let him camp out in his back yard!
Locally in Huntsville, Kathy Youngren and Eric Charette will be racing the Doxa Community helping Hands, Inc. 5km on the Big Spring Jam Course.
In Scottsboro Alabama, Lisa Rawlings will be attempting her first triathlon at the Frantic Frog Triathlon which has distances of 400m Swim / 24k Bike / 5k Run.
Good luck to the entire race team whereever your Fleet Feet take you!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Weekend Results
At the 39th Annual Monte Sano Road Races in Huntsville, the Nike Fleet Feet Racing Team ran strong in both the 10km and 5km events. The team took overall female with Candace Jacobs in the 10km and 11th overall with a 37:18. Kathy Youngren and Dana Overton rounded out the podium finishes with 2nd and 3rd respectively. The men's field was very competitive and managed to capture 2 spots in the top 5 with Brad Schroeder and Donald Bowman placing 4th and 5th.
10km Overall Results
4 Brad Schroeder - 35:27
5 Donald Bowman - 35:36
11 Tim Vinson - 37:17
12 Candace Jacobs - 37:18
14 David Purinton - 37:43
15 Gregory Reynolds - 38:06
17 Jon Elmore - 38:57
19 Conrad Meyer - 39:59
20 Randy McFarland - 40:01
26 Joe Francica - 40:50
27 Rick Maehlmann - 41:23
29 Kathy Youngren - 41:54
32 David Rawlings - 42:24
41 Dana Overton - 44:20
54 Lisa Rawlings - 45:41
58 Whitney Hollingsworth - 46:07
72 Christy Scott - 47:28
In the separate women's and men's 5km races which start just 90 minutes after the 10km start, Katie Maehlmann took the overall title with a fast 20:40, followed by Kathy Youngren in 2nd. Brad Schroeder again led the men with a fast 17:30 on the rolling hill course.
5km Female Overall Results
1 Katie Maehlmann - 20:40
2 Kathy Youngren - 21:58
7 Dana Overton - 24:01
9 Lisa Rawlings - 24:33
19 Christy Scott - 25:22
5km Male Overall Results
2 Brad Schroeder - 17:30
4 Donald Bowman - 18:20
5 Gregory Reynolds - 18:28
8 David Purinton - 19:16
10 Tim Vinson - 19:35
15 Joe Francica - 20:13
18 Conrad Meyer - 20:47
39 Randy McFarland - 23:04
Linda Scavarda ran the Jubilee Days 5km in Zion, Illinois and posted a 20:47, taking 1st place female. The temperatures where around 50 degrees for the race, which was a nice turn over the heat of Alabama and it showed with Linda's time. Plus from personal experiences, it is always an extra motivator to race in front of the hometown crowd.
Results are not yet available for Chris Platt who ran the Hal Canfield Memorial Mile in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In Tupelo, MS, Dink Taylor ran 3:02:59 at the CRAZY JIMMY'S TUPELO MARATHON, earning him top master's runner and 7th overall.
Official Results Here
10km Overall Results
4 Brad Schroeder - 35:27
5 Donald Bowman - 35:36
11 Tim Vinson - 37:17
12 Candace Jacobs - 37:18
14 David Purinton - 37:43
15 Gregory Reynolds - 38:06
17 Jon Elmore - 38:57
19 Conrad Meyer - 39:59
20 Randy McFarland - 40:01
26 Joe Francica - 40:50
27 Rick Maehlmann - 41:23
29 Kathy Youngren - 41:54
32 David Rawlings - 42:24
41 Dana Overton - 44:20
54 Lisa Rawlings - 45:41
58 Whitney Hollingsworth - 46:07
72 Christy Scott - 47:28
In the separate women's and men's 5km races which start just 90 minutes after the 10km start, Katie Maehlmann took the overall title with a fast 20:40, followed by Kathy Youngren in 2nd. Brad Schroeder again led the men with a fast 17:30 on the rolling hill course.
5km Female Overall Results
1 Katie Maehlmann - 20:40
2 Kathy Youngren - 21:58
7 Dana Overton - 24:01
9 Lisa Rawlings - 24:33
19 Christy Scott - 25:22
5km Male Overall Results
2 Brad Schroeder - 17:30
4 Donald Bowman - 18:20
5 Gregory Reynolds - 18:28
8 David Purinton - 19:16
10 Tim Vinson - 19:35
15 Joe Francica - 20:13
18 Conrad Meyer - 20:47
39 Randy McFarland - 23:04
Linda Scavarda ran the Jubilee Days 5km in Zion, Illinois and posted a 20:47, taking 1st place female. The temperatures where around 50 degrees for the race, which was a nice turn over the heat of Alabama and it showed with Linda's time. Plus from personal experiences, it is always an extra motivator to race in front of the hometown crowd.
Results are not yet available for Chris Platt who ran the Hal Canfield Memorial Mile in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In Tupelo, MS, Dink Taylor ran 3:02:59 at the CRAZY JIMMY'S TUPELO MARATHON, earning him top master's runner and 7th overall.
Official Results Here
Friday, September 3, 2010
Racing Team in Action
The cooler temperatures of September may have arrived and the Nike Fleet Feet Racing Team will be out looking for some fast times.
Greg Reynolds, Whitney Hollingsworth, Rick and Katie Maehlmann will be at the 39th Annual Monte Sano Road Races in Huntsville. The 10km starts at 8am and the 5km starts an hour and a half later, creating a unique challenge to race both.
In Zion Illinois, Linda Scavarda will be racing the Jubilee Days 5km. Zion is just outside of Waukegan, which is Linda's hometown.
Chris Platt will be racing the mile in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Hal Canfield Memorial Mile. Chris attended University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he ran track.
Good luck to the entire team in where ever your Fleet Feet take you!
Greg Reynolds, Whitney Hollingsworth, Rick and Katie Maehlmann will be at the 39th Annual Monte Sano Road Races in Huntsville. The 10km starts at 8am and the 5km starts an hour and a half later, creating a unique challenge to race both.
In Zion Illinois, Linda Scavarda will be racing the Jubilee Days 5km. Zion is just outside of Waukegan, which is Linda's hometown.
Chris Platt will be racing the mile in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Hal Canfield Memorial Mile. Chris attended University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he ran track.
Good luck to the entire team in where ever your Fleet Feet take you!
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