Events Calendar
In This Section
Region makes way for latest batch of snow; cancellations rise
Toyota recalls Prius, hybrids over glitch in brake software
Google lowers fee for breaking phone contract
Texas company buys vast gas resources
Buffett joins with Paulson in predicting big payback
Local families get helping hand
EU's decision to assist Greece gives Dow boost
Google e-mail service to add features for social networking
Most Read Stories
Man robbed at Tallmadge Avenue eatery
Another winter punch heading toward Ohio
Four teens restrain man, take items from his Akron home
Complaints against officer keep coming
Police: Ohio girl dies after fall into snow bank
Region makes way for latest batch of snow; cancellations rise
Cuyahoga Falls residents come home to find burning couch on balcony
Blogs:
First Bell - On Education:
No City of Akron basketball tonight
Pets:
Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
Law, Love and Chocolate
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
OFCCP Report
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
Akron to host USA Women's 8K Championship next year, hoping it's a steppingstone to Olympic Trials in 2012
By Stephanie Storm Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Sep 27, 2007
The fifth annual Road Runner Akron Marathon is now only two days away, but the day's biggest news features a highlight for the 2008 race.
Road Runner officials will announce today that Akron has been chosen to host the 2008 USA Women's 8K Championship as part of next year's race.
''We're a known quantity with the leadership at USA Track and Field,'' said Dave Hunter, an Akron attorney and spokesman for the Akron Marathon Charitable Corp. ''They've been watching what we've been doing since our inception and recognize our energy and focus. They know that Akron has a great tradition of being a city that can rally and come together to put on a world-class event.''
It helped Akron's bid to host the women's 8K that for two consecutive years (2003-04) the city hosted the North American Men's Relay Championship as part of the marathon's events.
In turn, hosting the women's race helps pad the city's resume when it comes to the possibility of hosting even bigger running events in the future.
''The women's 8K helps highlight our marathon and brings greater visibility to our area,'' said Steve Marks, the Akron marathon founder. ''We have our sights set on hosting the Olympic Trials in 2012, and this is a steppingstone toward that goal.''
Akron was one of the finalists for hosting U.S. Olympic Team Trials this year, but Boston was selected for the women's marathon trials and New York City for the men.
So, while Akron is out of the mix for hosting trials for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the city is building toward hosting events for elite runners with sights set on London in 2012.
In the meantime, next year's women's 8K distance will be making a return to the women's USA Running Circuit schedule for the first time since 2005. It features some of the best U.S. distance runners.
Runners who could come to Akron include Olympic medalist Deena Kastor from California, multiple national champion Katie McGregor from Minneapolis, 2004 Olympic team member Jen Rhines of California and Amy Rudolph, the 1998 and 1999 8K winner from Providence, R.I.
''The 8K is one of those distances that doesn't fit into the host city's schedule every year,'' explained Jim Estes, the USATF programs manager in Colorado. ''But when a city does host it, it can do a lot to demonstrate that area's ability to address a variety of needs the elite athletes present and shows a commitment to a higher level of planning and displaying professional running.''
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
The fifth annual Road Runner Akron Marathon is now only two days away, but the day's biggest news features a highlight for the 2008 race.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
