Bellingham, WA community to host 2014 USA 1/2 Marathon Trail Championship

Press Release from Al Coyle, Race Director

Start of the 2013 Lake Padden Trail Half Marathon

(Bellingham, WA) This past December, the USA Track & Field Association (USATF) awarded Bellingham's Lake Padden Trail Half Marathon the national championship for 2014 based on a competitive proposal process.  This honor and designation is a first for Bellingham and has drawn the most elite field ever assembled for a race in the area.

As the host, Bellingham has stepped into the limelight and will build upon the momentum of the national class Chuckanut 50K in showing the rest of the country this trail running mecca which has been one of the best kept secrets in the sport for years.  With hundreds of miles of trails from Bellingham Bay trails to Chuckanut Mountain to Mt Baker that can be run year ‘round, it is no wonder the Bellingham community is proud of trails and will put on a stellar event.

"The community has been great coming together to support the race over the past 3 years" says race director Al Coyle. "Not only are we hosting a great community race, we are also hosting the USA Nationals Trail Half with some of the nation's top runners as well as some of the world's top runners."

100% of all race registration fees go to Rebound of Whatcom County. Rebound exists to bring hope and healing to kids and families whose childhoods have been tainted by abuse, poverty and neglect. At Rebound kids and families get a second chance to experience the memories many of us take for granted, knowing they are loved and supported, building trusting mentoring relationships with caring adults, exploring and restoring the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects of life and becoming complete and productive members of a caring community.

Coyle explains his enthusiasm for the race, "The passion put into the race comes from knowing we are helping the kids who need it. Thanks to all the volunteers who are signing up, to the sponsors, to the race staff and especially the community for being so supportive. I am proud to be from Bellingham. "

There will be an Expo at the Bellingham Spring Hill Suites on Friday from 4-8pm, October 17th, in conjunction with packet pickup for the expected 350+ racers.  In addition to the Expo, there will be a press conference with USATF representatives and elite runners at 5:30 pm.

The Lake Padden Trail Half Marathon race committee would like to express their appreciation to Title Sponsor Flora Health, Champion Sponsors Northwest Sleep Solutions and H&R Block, Shoe Sponsor Icebug, and Supporting Sponsors Superfeet, WECU and Bellingham Physical Therapy.  A race of national caliber could not be conducted without these sponsors.

Elite runners committed (men):

• Mario Mendoza, Oregon (Nike) - 2013 Lake Padden Champion and US 10k Trail National Champion
• David Laney, Oregon (Nike) - 2013 Chuckanut 50k Champion
• David Roche, California (Nike) - 2014 and 2012 USATF 10k Trail Champion
• Drew Polley, Washington (Brooks) - 1:04 half marathon, 2:14 marathon, 2014 Seattle Marathon Champion
• Alex Varner, California (Nike) - 2 time Dipsea Champion 
• Justin Houck, Washington (Seattle Running Club/Brooks) - 2014 Squak Mountain Champion
• Bret Ferrier, Utah (Unattached) - 2014 Hillbilly Half Marathon Champion

Elite runners committed (women):

• Morgan Arritola, Idaho (Salomon) - 2012 and 2013 US National Mountain Running Champion
• Megan Roche, California (Nike) - 2014 USATF 10k Trail Champion, 2014 USATF 50k Trail Champion, 2014 USA Mountain Running Team
• Megan Kimmel, Colorado (Asics) - 2012 and 2013 US 10k Trail National Champion
• Clara Peterson California (Nike) - 15:51 5k PR, 2014 Dipsea Fastest Female Time
• Jodee Adams-Moore, Bellingham (Scott) - 2012 Lake Padden winner and course record holder
• Maria Dalzot, Bellingham (La Sportiva) - 2011 North American Mountain Running Champion
• Christine Lundy, California (Unattached) - Five time USA Mountain Running Team, 2 time North American Mountain Running Champion, 2007  US 10k Trail National Champion, 2009 US National Mountain Running Champion, 3 time US Olympic Trials Marathon
• Paige Pattillo Washington (Unattached) - 2014 Hillbilly Half Marathon Champion
• Marlene Farrell, Washington (Seattle Running Club/Brooks) - 2 time US Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier
• Ameila Bethke, Washington (Unattached) - 2013 Lake Padden Champion
• Betsy Bies, Oregon (Unattached) - 2007 Nike Team Nationals Champion
• Emma Kertesz, Washington (Unattached) - 32:51 10k PR and USA Ekiden Team Member

Course records go down at USA 50km Trail Championships

It was a fast day in Bend, OR, at today’s USA 50km Trail Championships. A cloudless sky with temperatures in the 50s for the 9:00 a.m. start, would bode well for the athletes to set off at a fast pace and as a result, both the men’s and women’s course records were broken.

Megan Roche winning the Flagline 50k

For the women, first-timer at the distance, Megan Roche, 24, Mountain View, CA, led from the start and, in a competitive field, finished eight overall in a time of 4:00:40, smashing the 2012 record of 4:11:28 set by Erica Baron.

Asked if the distance was the longest she had ever completed, Roche simply said, “Oh, by far.” When asked about her expectations going into the race, Roche said, “I just didn’t want to have a disaster out there. I took it out pretty hard – I was a bit horrified…I had never done anything like this before. I was pretty far ahead from the start. I couldn’t see anyone on the switchbacks and just kept moving. My goal today was to focus on the uphills. I feel that is my strength right now.”

Next up for Roche, either the USA Half Marathon Trail Championships on October 18, or the USA Marathon Trail Championships on November 8. “It depends on my schedule,” said Roche who is attending Stanford to pursue her medical degree.

In second was Olympian Magdalena Boulet, 41, Oakland, CA, who was also under the course record finishing in 4:10:49. Her performance was good enough for tenth overall and first in the masters’ division.

“I feel pretty good,” said Boulet after finishing. “Two weeks ago when I finished a 50K, I was pretty spent. Today, I felt pretty good. It’s a good sign for the longer distances I have coming up. “ Boulet will race a 72K in France next month, and a 50 miler in December.

Rounding out the top three for the women was Amanda Brown, 24, West Linn, OR, who finished in 4:33:56.

Tim Tollefson winning the Flagline 50k

The men’s race saw Tim Tollefson, 29, Mammoth Lakes, CA, in his debut trail race break away from the field some six miles into the race and finish with a course-record performance of 3:24:04.

Hot on his heels was runner-up Ryan Bak, 29, Bend, who chewed up a deficit which grew to more than three minutes to finish just 20 seconds after Tollefson. Bak’s time of 3:24:24 was also under the course record of 3:27:54 set by Max King in 2011

“Right from the beginning, David Roche took out the pace and I took it out right behind with Ryan,” said Tollefson. “I took some bad steps along the way to the first aid station and as we turned past the first aid station (at about mile 5), Ryan took off and I went right behind him.

“He stopped on the climb to take some fuel and I put a surge on to see what would happen, and I passed him,” continued Tollefson. Bak didn’t answer the surge and Tollefson said he ran the last 25 miles or so by himself.

About the course, Toillefson said, “I found those climbs to be very taxing on my legs. At around mile 24, I realized I didn’t calculate my fuel correctly and at mile 27, I tripped and slid head first toward a tree. That gave me a bolt of energy and I shook off the fall.

“I turned around after we crossed the highway and I looked back to see Ryan like 30 seconds behind me. I didn’t have my GPS going, so I didn’t know how much distance I had left and as I was cresting the hill, I thought about walking. I didn’t, and after cresting the hill I just took off to the finish,” said Tollefson.

“After we finished Ryan said he was hurting just as bad as I was. It was a bit refreshing. I know he has a lot of speed and I knew I might be in trouble. I was running scared at the end,” said Tollefson.

Asked if this race helped him solidify his quest with trail running Tollefson said, “I would say it is completely inspired and generated more excitement for what the future holds. I learned a lot from today’s race and I know I can improve on some of the mistakes I made today. I hope I can continue to learn from the athletes in the community and hope to race some larger events in the future.”

One of those races may be the USA Mountain Championships in 2015. “It is definitely on my radar, “ said Tollefson. “Although I think the 50K suits me well, I don’t neglect speed training and I think I could probably hold my own at the shorter distances.”

Asked if there were any surprises today, Tollefson reflected, “I was surprised at how much the hills took out of me. I train at 8,000 to 9,000 feet, but it really fatigued my legs today. I took more of a marathon approach – but the time on your feet is greater. The last three miles I was hoping that magically an aid station would appear. It was clear I was needing something in my system.”

David Laney, 26, Ashland, OR, finished in third timed in 3:31:20. He was followed by David Roche, 26, Mountain View, CA, in 3:34:08 and Sam Robinson, 29, Oakland, CA. Zach Ornelas, 23, Ann Arbor, MI, held on for sixth after having a few low points during the race. His time was 3:41:56.

Top master was flatlander Brad Burgman, 41, Des Moines, IA, who finished in eighth place among the men with a time of 4:13:42. “I’m thrilled,” said Burgman after his top-ten finish. “My wife (Anna – who finished fourth among the USATF women), and I have two kids and we’re busy with their activities (Burgman is also employed as an anesthesiologist with a busy career). Whenever you can perform to the best of your ability when the training is not always what you want it to be, it’s a good feeling.”

Although Burgman was running on the trails today, he said, “I’m a Nordic skier. I think trail racing and Nordic skiing go hand in hand. I kind of train for both at the same time. I’m already roller skiing (in preparation for the American Birkebeiner in Hayward, WI, in February). Most Nordic ski races are longer, plus trail racing requires a certain amount of strength which you also need to ski.”

There were 148 starters in the 50K, 43 of whom competed in the USATF division. Awards were presented to the top ten men and top ten women overall, while the top finishers in masters age groups also received medals. Prize money was awarded to the top three men and women – $500/$300/$150 – and the top master male and female each earned $300.

Story by +Nano Hobbs - Photos by +Richard Bolt 

Max King's Running Tip of the Month - September 2014

The following article was written by +Max King and originally printed in The Footzone Bend's September e-mail newsletter.  Reprinted with permission from The Footzone Bend and Max King. 

John Tribbia, Mario Mendoza & Max King at the 2010 USA Trail Marathon Championships

We are now hurtling headlong into fall race season. All your summer training is starting to show and you're feeling pretty confident (or not) about your upcoming race, marathon or otherwise. One thing I'm going to add to your training, don't forget about eating.

Your race day nutrition plan (or lack thereof) can make or break your race. It's that important to dial in your nutrition so you can stay strong through the final miles. One key to getting that right is training with nutrition. Use your long runs to try new things and drop things that don't work. Don't rely on the race's aid stations for your calories. They may or may not have what you need. Your long run eating won't completely eliminate the risk of having nutrition related problems, but it can significantly reduce them.

The proper nutrition is a key element to any training plan. So, make a plan, get some advice, try it out, and go race.