Posted: June 20, 2006

Athletics: Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8’s 8K Run 2006 Race Plans Unveiled

Defending Champ Yenew Will Return

Kingsport, TN: On July 15th, Saturday night in Kingsport, TN, at precisely 9:58 pm, Crazy 8's organizers will pull back the curtain on a brand new 8k course for the Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8k Run. They hope the new surroundings will produce yet another world record, just like Peter Githuka's shocking 22:03 set ten years ago, or the world shattering 24:28 set by Morocco's Asmae Leghzaoui in 2002.

Both records stand today, and Crazy 8's holds the distinction of being one of just a few races in the world which own both the men's and women's world standard. The Regional Eye Center will be ready to write a check for the sum of $10,008 for the man or woman who breaks their respective world mark.

Co-director and elite athlete recruiter Hank Brown thinks the new course is conducive to more records. "It's basically the same course, but the hills come earlier and the last mile is very fast. If anyone is close to world record pace by mile 4, I think it's a done deal. And the finish inside the stadium will be very special."

Brown announced the return of defending champion Tibebu Yenew from Ethiopia, and 2005 runner-up Julius Kiptoo from Kenya. The two duked it out on the candle-lit streets before Yenew nipped Kiptoo by less than one second at the finish. Yenew's status is contingent on receiving his visa prior to the race.

"We always like to get our defending champion back," said Brown. "Even though the winning time last year (23:06) was well off the world record, Yenew is capable of running very fast times. He has run 27:45 for a 10k which would translate to a low 22 for an 8k. The rematch with Kiptoo should be something to see."

"The interest level this year is very good. We're talking with some big names and I like our chances of getting them to Kingsport. It would be nice to break the record again on the 10-year anniversary of Githuka's feat.

The new location has opened up more opportunities for race organizers to expand their horizons and offer more to the community. With J. Fred Johnson Stadium as a spectacular backdrop, race operations will be consolidated into one location for the first time in the history of the event. The youth runs, the walk, and the 8k will all finish inside the stadium. Also, for the first time, a health & fitness expo will set up on Saturday afternoon and into the evening, concurrent to the race activities.

"The stadium gives us more flexibility and gives us room to grow," said co-director Tyler Hobbs. "The old location had served us well, but it was time to move and we think we found the perfect place. When people think of Fun Fest they think of J. Fred Johnson Stadium."

The Holston Medical Group Little 8's Youth Runs will be staged inside the stadium walls, moving from its previous location at Johnson Elementary School. With an annual participation of about 700 kids, Little 8's offers races for toddlers to teens with distances from 100 yards up to one mile.

Neil's Walk, presented by Cardiovascular Associates and Eastman Credit Union, was renamed this year in memory of Neil Danehy, who died suddenly in 2005 from a heart attack. Neil's Walk and the Neil Danehy Heart Walk Foundation were created to raise awareness and help combat coronary heart disease. This non-competitive event will start on Ft. Henry Drive and return to finish inside the stadium.

The REACH! (Regional Education & Action Coalition for Health) Healthy Lifestyles Expo will feature many health and fitness related vendors and booths. It is free and open to the public. There will be good food and bands and entertainment on the stage inside the stadium.

"We hope people will come out Saturday afternoon, and just hang out with us the rest of the day," said Brown. "The expo gives us an entirely new dimension which will really grow over time. I think everyone will have a good time listening to live music and checking out all the fitness vendors and booths."

For more information, visit www.crazy8s.org.

Sponsors are Indian Path Medical Center, SunTrust Bank, Holston Medical Group, Cardiovascular Associates, Regional Eye Center, Blue Lizard, Eastman Credit Union, REACH!, The Great Body Company, Foot Rx, Citadel Broadcasting, Oak Hill Cemetery, Culligan, Food City, and Charter Media.

VIP Sponsors are Mather Dentist Office, Mountain Region Family Medicine, Holston Medical Group, Martin Dentistry, Celebration Church, and UBS Services.

Crazy 8's is managed by We Run Events.

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