Here is a round-up of running industry and events news which has cross your editor's desk recently:
ADDIS ABABA, ETH: Ethiopian Airlines has become the new title sponsor for Great Ethiopian Run, a 10 km road race scheduled for Sunday, November 21. It will be the 9th edition of the popular race; organizers reported 31,500 participants last year. The event's operations and marketing manager, Ermias Ayele, reported via e-mail this morning that the 2009 race would have 33,0000 entry slots available.
KINGSPORT, TENN., USA: The 20th edition of the Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8s 8K Run will take place on Saturday, July 11, at 9:58 p.m. With a figure-eight course lit by candle luminaries, this night race is one of the sport's most unique and was named the top road race of 2008 by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. The event is the home to the ARRS-ratified world records for 8 km (22:02.2 and 24:27.8) and a special $10,008 bonus awaits the race winners should they break those marks. Co-event director Hank Brown said in a statement yesterday that two-time defending women's champion, Ogla Kimaiyo, and 2006 men's champion, Julius Kiptoo, would headline their fields.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA: Fewer than 500 spots remain for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, set for Sunday, October 4. Organizers also reported that one lucky entrant would be randomly chosen in their "Best Seat in the House" contest which would provide that runner with full elite treatment, including a chance to toe the line at the start along with the elite field, an invitation to the press conference and VIP reception on Friday of race weekend, the opportunity to visit the elite suite throughout the weekend and the elite tent after their race on October 4. Entries are available at http://www.mtcmarathon.org
PEORIA, IL, USA: The flat-as-a-pancake Steamboat Classic 4 Mile, set for Saturday, June 20, will feature Olympic Marathon gold medalist Constantina Dita of Romania and defending women's champion Kim Smith of New Zealand, organizers reported via Running USA Wire. Other top women include South Africa's Rene Kalmer, Kenya's Millicent Gathoni and Jane Wanjiku Gakunyi, and Ethiopia's Meskerem Legesse. Defending champion, Ridouane Harroufi of Morocco, headlines the men's field. John Korir (Kenya), Martin Fagan (Ireland) and Boaz Cheboiywo (Kenya) will be his key challengers. A $22,000 prize money purse is on the line, plus time and record bonuses which could increase the event's payout to more than $40,000. New York Road Runners professional athletes manager recently called the course "lights-out fast." More info at http://www.steamboatclassic.org.
UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS: At Sunday's Utrecht Night of 10,000m in the Netherlands, organizers hope to stage the fastest women's 10,000m of the year. They've recruited three women with sub-31:00 career best times, and another five who have broken 32:00. The top athletes include Ethiopians Werknesh Kidane (30:07.15), Ejegayehu Dibaba (30:18.39), Meselech Melkamu (31:04.93), Aheza Kiros (31:06.93), and Wude Ayalew Yimer (31:06.84); Kenyan Florence Kiplagat (31:06.20); and Dutchwoman Hilda Kibet (30:58.48). There is also a smaller, but very strong men's race feature Qatar's Nicholas Kemboi (26:30.03), and Ethiopia's Abebe Dinkesa (26:30.74) and Gebregziabher Gebremariam (26:52.33).
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