Posted: March 14, 2005

Athletics: Kurtis And Matson Top Runners At Paul Spangler Memorial 8K

Fifty-Plus Honors Bannister with Zatopek Award

PALO ALTO, Calif. - March 13, 2005 - The 22nd Annual Fifty-Plus Lifelong Fitness Weekend came to an inspiring conclusion today as the featured event, the Paul Spangler Memorial 8-Kilometer Run, drew some of the top senior distance runners in the nation.

Dennis Kurtis, 51, of San Jose, CA won the men's race in 29 minutes flat. Shirley Matson, of Larkspur, CA topped the women in 34:24, bettering the current U.S. single-age record for 64-year-old women. The unique race, held annually at Stanford University, is dedicated to runners ages 50 years and older. Numerous age-group and single-age records have been set in the event over the years, A separate 8K race for younger runners was also held.

Both winners cruised to almost unchallenged victories on a mild, sunny morning. The incomparable Matson notched her sixth victory in this race -- the most ever by a female -- and with today's win became the oldest woman ever to win the event outright. Kurtis became a first-time men's winner only a month after winning the senior division at the Freescale Austin (Texas) Marathon.

Matson took control of the women's race early, passed defending champion Isobel Fox just after the first mile, and then never relinquished the lead over the winding course through the beautiful Stanford campus. Fox, 51, of Menlo Park, CA held on for second, finishing in 36:09. Marge Winkler, 50, of Burlingame, CA was third in 39:56.

"I've always liked this course and the weather was great," said Matson, who set the female all-time race record of 28:55 as a 50-year-old in 1991. That mark remains the current U.S age-group record for women 50-54 years old. "I eased into the lead, and then my goal was just to hold the pace for the distance. I'm really pleased and fortunate, especially since I came here intending to break the [single age] record."

Kurtis turned in a wire-to-wire men's victory, finishing the USA Track & Field certified course which ends on the Stanford Stadium track well ahead of the trailing pack. He was followed by Chris Berka, 50, of Portola Valley, CA who notched the runner-up spot in 30:23. Four-time champion Michael Dove, 58, of Salinas was third in 30:40.

"I was really surprised that no one went with me in the first quarter mile of the race," Kurtis recapped. "But, on the other hand, I was kind of happy because I'm not quite yet recovered from my marathon. I didn't want to miss this race this year, though."

Competing in five-year age divisions through age 90 and above, 121 participants -- all models of senior fitness -- completed the event. The all-time oldest finisher in the race's record book is Dr. Paul Spangler, the veteran, multi-age-group record holder to whom the event serves as a memorial. Spangler last competed at the Fifty-Plus race in 1993 just before his death at the age of 94.

In the separate 8K race for runners under age 50, Shawn Gallagher, 44 headed the men in 28:55. Tori Tyler, 17, topped the women in 29:46.

The age 50 and over winners of the companion 5-Kilometer Race Walk were Ed Lane, 68, of Mill Valley, CA in 31:05 and Ann Lee, 55, of Petaluma, CA in 32:04. A 4-Mile fitness walk and other fitness activities were also held.

Also at the weekend's festivities, Sir Roger Bannister of Oxford, England became the 15th recipient of the Annual Emil Zatopek Award bestowed by Fifty-Plus Lifelong Fitness. Bannister made history in 1954 when he became the first person to run under four minutes in the mile. The honor, named after the splendid Czech Olympic distance runner, is awarded to individuals who have attained notable achievements in sports, and in doing so have inspired others to live a healthy lifestyle.

"Since I retired from competition to become a doctor, the last section of my life has been devoted to encouraging fitness among all segments of the population," said Bannister, 75, in a pre-taped acceptance speech of the Zatopek Award in Oxford, viewed by attendees at the Fifty-Plus Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday. "I respect the contributions made by many organizations including Fifty-Plus Lifelong Fitness in promoting fitness in the United States. I'm delighted to receive this award."

"Bannister changed our perception of an important barrier and proved that with a dedicated effort we can reach our goals," Don Bowden, 68, the first American to run under four minutes for a mile, told the dinner audience. "Bannister can serve as the ultimate example, but we can utilize the same path -- through perseverance, learning from our disappointments, finding inspiration in our own gifts, and working together with others -- to overcome our own personal barriers."

Additional honors awarded at the dinner: Norman Thomas of Penney Farms, FL received the 2005 Fifty-Plus Ambassador of the Year Award for his implementation of a model Fifty-Plus fitness program in a senior retirement community. Michael Collins of Palo Alto was the recipient of the organization's Volunteer of the Year Award.

Past recipients of the Emil Zatopek Award: Zatopek ('91), Spangler ('92), Payton Jordan ('93), Fred Lebow ('94), Peter Wood ('95), Bill Toomey ('96), John McCarthy ('97), Bill Rodgers ('98), Joe Henderson ('99), Ben Parks ('00), Kathrine Switzer ('01), Denis Waitley ('02), Anne Warner Cribbs ('03), and Yohiro Uchida ('04).

Fifty-Plus Lifelong Fitness is a non-profit, international organization based in Palo Alto, Calif., with 2,000 members, whose mission is to provide a longer and more independent lifestyle for adults by expanding awareness and involvement in health and fitness activities.

Thanks to our major sponsors who help make the Fifty-Plus Fitness Weekend possible: Classic Residences by Hyatt in Palo Alto, Palo Alto Weekly, YMCA of the Mid-Peninsula, Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, Palo Alto Parks and Recreation, and Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

PAUL SPANGLER MEMORIAL 8K RUN - Stanford University, March 13, 2005

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