Posted: September 12, 2007

Athletics: RRCA Announces 2008 National Championships

Arlington, VA– The Road Runners Club of America is proud to announce the following races have been selected as the 2008 RRCA National Championship events by the National Championship Selection Committee chaired by former Olympian, Don Kardong. Since 1958, the RRCA has awarded the National Championship designation to deserving events to cast a national spotlight on outstanding road races and to honor top runners in the open, masters, and grand masters categories. We congratulate the following races designated as the 2008 RRCA National Championship Events. RRCA NATIONAL MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP - MARCH 2, 2008 Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon in Napa, California The Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon boasts one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The course runs the length of the famed Napa Valley wine-growing region. It begins in Calistoga, famous for its geysers and curative waters, and winds south along the historic Silverado Trail to finish in Napa. Runners are treated to panoramic views of the valley, flowering fruit trees, and dormant vineyards carpeted with golden mustard flowers. For more information, visit www.napavalleymarathon.org. RRCA NATIONAL 10 MILE CHAMPIONSHIP – APRIL 6, 2008 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in Washington, DC The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile race takes place on the opening weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a two-week celebration of sporting and cultural events that celebrates the blossoming of the fabled trees donated to this country by Japan in the early 20th century. The event is also part of the Professional Road Running Organization (PRRO) Circuit On-line registration opens in mid-December and the event always fills up quickly. For more information visit www.cherryblossom.org RRCA NATIONAL ULTRARUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP – JULY 19-20, 2008 Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs in Lake Tahoe, Nevada “A glimpse of heaven, a taste of hell”. This event is run in some of the high elevation alpine and sub-alpine regions of the magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains. The race begins and ends at Spooner Lake State Park, which is at 7,000 feet. The highest point on the course is just below the 9,214 foot Snow Valley Peak (which also provides one of the best views on the course). The low point on the course is at the bottom of the now "infamous" Red House Loop (A Taste of Hell) at approximately 6800 feet. The race is hosted by the Tahoe Mountain Milers and the Sagebrush Stompers. For more information visit www.tahoemtnmilers.org. RRCA NATIONAL 5K CHAMPIONSHIP – MAY 3, 2008 The Flying Pig 5K in Cincinnati, Ohio The fun run, which is open to runners and walkers, will start along Pete Rose Way, head west around the Great American Ball park and Paul Brown Stadium before turning back to end at the Marathon finish line. Area health organizations and youth groups will also have booths at the festival with information and demonstrations for parents and youngsters alike. For more information visit www.flyingpigmarathon.com. RRCA NATIONAL HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP - AUGUST 16, 2008 arkersburg News & Sentinel Half Marathon in Parkersburg, West Virginia The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon, hosted by the River City Runners Club, starts in downtown Parkersburg then the rolling course will take you out of the city and into the scenic surroundings of West Virginia before looping back into the commercial area. After running the last hill, you will finish the race to the cheers of spectators lining Market Street prior to the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival Parade. For more information visit newsandsentinel.com RRCA NATIONAL 10K CHAMPIONSHIP – NOVEMBER 1, 2008 Vulcan Run in Birmingham, Alabama The Vulcan Run has been Birmingham’s prestigious 10K road race for 31 years. The event is the longest running road race in Birmingham’s history. The 10K course starts by Boutwell Auditorium and winds through the very flat part of downtown and heads out towards the rolling hills of historic Birmingham to the finish line at Linn Park. For more information visit http://www.vulcanrun.com. The RRCA may add additional National Championship events in other distances at the discretion of the National Championship Selection Committee. For information about RRCA Regional and State Championships or hosting an RRCA Championship event, visit RRCA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest