2012 WOMEN’S LONG DISTANCE RUNNING COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT
2012 was an eventful year for Women’s Long Distance Running (WLDR). The Marathon Olympic Trials held in Houston on January 14,, 2012 kicked-off the year with a successful selection of the women’s marathon team. The women’s and men’s committees and the National Office worked with the Houston Marathon Committee to ensure that this historic event was a success on all levels. A joint marathon trials race was a first for Long Distance Running. The course which was tested the previous year at the half marathon championships, yielded minor course changes for the trials event. The athletes appreciated the LOC’s willingness to listen and make changes based on their feedback.
The criterion course allowed fans to watch and cheer on the women and men who completed the 2.2-mile inner loop through the heart of downtown Houston and the outer eight-mile loop three times, completing the 26.2-mile marathon. For those who could not attend the trials, the U.S. Olympic Committee, NBC, USA Track & Field, and the Houston Marathon Committee broadcasted the event. NBC did broadcast two hours of same-day coverage. The comprehensive coverage was the first time that both women’s and men’s Olympic Trials have been televised on the same day. Credit for this level of coverage goes to the National office, Houston Marathon Committee and the Women’s and Men’s LDR planning committee for envisioning this event format.
The team selected in Houston included: Shalane Flanagan, Desiree Davila, and Kara Goucher. At the Olympic Games, Flanagan placed 10th, with a time o 2:25:51 and Goucher placed 11th, with a time of 2:26:07. Davila was unable to finish due to injury.
2012 was a banner year. It marked the first time that five women broke 2:30 at the Olympic trials and as of October 21st, we saw further proof of the resurgence of women’s distance running. The following performances should prove to be very promising for the next quadrennial:
Times Number of women Sub 2:20 6 Sub 2:21 11 Sub 2:22 16 Sub 2:23 22 Sub 2:24 38
2012 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Our year was filled with an outstanding list of National Championships for women and generous prize money, totaling $454,800. We thank the USATF Associations, Race Directors, Event Organizers, Sponsors and most of all the athletes for their support of our programs.
USA Running Circuit Web Site
In 2012, USATF again partnered with RunnerSpace.com at www.USARunningCircuit.com to highlight USA championship road racing at its best! The website offers live coverage of championship racing, athlete interviews, fan contests and archives of championship coverage and results.
USARunningCircuit.com is another way USA Track & Field is better showcasing our events online. Webcasts of USARC races have shown that there is a large audience for more robust coverage of our championship races and top distance runners. USARunningCircuit.com will provide plenty of coverage for that audience while drawing in new fans to road racing, an activity that millions of Americans enjoy on a participatory level.
2012 Championship Results
Houston Marathon (Olympic Trials)
Shalane Flanagan 2:25:38 Desiree Davila 2:25:55 Kara Goucher 2:26:06
Gate River Run 15K
Janet Cherobon-Bawcom 42:41 Molly Huddle 42:57 Maegan Krifchin 43:44
Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K
Janet Bawcom 1:24:36 Lindsey Scherf 1:25:12 Melissa Johnson-White 1:26:12
Medtronic TC 1 Mile Road Championship
Heather Kampf 4:36.9 Alisha Williams 4:39.6 Danielle Tauro 4:40.0
Gary Bjorkland Half Marathon
Kara Goucher 1:09:46 Maegan Krifchin 1:10:56 Michelle Frey 1:11:45
Stratton Faxon New Haven Road Race 20K
Renee Metivier Baillie 1:07:08 Molly Pritz 1:07:21 Stephanie Rothstein 1:07:59
CVS Caremark Downtown 5K
Molly Huddle 15:29.9 Neely Spence 15:33.7 Elizabeth Maloy 15.36.7
Medtronic TC 10 Mile
Janet Cherobon-Bawcom 53:43 Kara Goucher 53:56 Alisha Williams 54:08
Tufts 10K
Chelsea Reilly 32:40.1 Tara Erdmann 32:45.4 Neely Spence 32:50.8
Grand Prix Circuit Title
The 2012 Grand Prix winner was awarded again to Janet Bawcom. With wins at the USA 15 km, USA 25 km, and USA 10 Mile, Bawcom was able to take the top spot in the USA Running Circuit standings for the year. By winning the Grand Prix bonus, Bawcom added an additional $12,500 to her winnings.
WORLD PERFORMANCES
Our women continue to compete around the world.
World Half Marathon Championship – Kavarna, Bulgaria
Our USA Women’s Team came in 5th place overall.
Maegan Krifchin #13 1:12:29 Adriana Nelson #18 1:13:30 Shalane Flanagan #25 1:14:41 Michelle Frey #32 1:16:55 Alvina Begay #33 1:16:58
Chiba Ekiden (as of 11/01/12)
Janet Cherbon-Bawcom Emilv Brown Alisha Williams Wendy Thomas (Alternate)
We are looking forward to the USA International competition at the Chiba Ekiden in Japan on November 23, 2012 and the Club Nationals Cross-Country Championships on December 10, 2012 in Seattle, Washington.
ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
2012 Women’s LDR Athletic Development Program Report for the Championship races.
There were fewer applications this year for several of the championships. Three races, Medtronic TC 1 Mile, Medtronic TC 10 Mile and Fifth Third River Run 25k increased stipends to $200. We will continue to encourage the 2013 championship hosts to offer the ADP slots in the championships. This program gives athletes emerging from college the chance to experience a professional race and interact with and learn from professional women competing at the professional level.
USA Half Marathon Championships-Gary Bjorkland Half Marathon
Caitlin Chrisman, NC 27th Overall 1.19.06 Kayte Tranel, NE 28th overall 1.20.05 Kaci Lickteig, NE 32nd overall 1.21.45
USA 25K Championships-Fifth Third River Run
Caitlin Chrisman, NC 13th overall 1.35.04
USA 1 Mile Championships-Medtronic TC 1 Mile
Chantelle Dron, CO 15th overall 5.13.09
USA 10 Mile Championships- Medtronic TC 10 Mile
Rebecca Mishler, ID 29th overall 59.56 Megan Zavorka, WY 37th overall 1.01.42
USA 10K Championships-Tufts Heath Plan for Women
Megan Duwell, AZ- 21st overall 35.47 Kaitlin Gregg, CA- 20th overall 35.39 Lois Ricadi, WA- 37th overall 37. Samantha Howard, PA- 26th overall 36.12
We thank the staff of USA Track & Field for their continued hard work and support of our program and our athletes. Jim Estes, liaison to the athletes and race organizations, with his expertise and knowledge of our sport, is instrumental in the success of our program.
I want to thank the Executive Committee for their support and hard work in providing the best opportunities for our athletes. Their enthusiasm and commitment to the sport is appreciated by the athletes.
Respectfully submitted,
Virginia Brophy Achman Chair, Women’s Long Distance Running