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You're never too old to win Thanks to age-grading, veteran runners can compete head to head with younger runners for top prizes. Age-grading takes into account your age and calculates an equivalent time. So someone in their 50s, 60s or even 70s may have a faster age-graded time than someone in their 20s who runs a 5K in 18 minutes. Once again in 2012, there will be an age-graded series in Stockton sponsored by Stockton Family Chiropractic. Simply run three out of four 5K races during the year, and you're eligible for the final prizes. The races are the Stockton Shamrock 5K, Avenue of the Vines 5K, St. Joseph's 5K and Stockton Thunder Goes Pink 5K. For more information, visit Fleet Feet Sports. Inflation hits local 5K prices It used to be you could enter a local 2-mile or 5K event for $15. You still can with some of the smaller events. Recently prices for some events have started to climb. We can understand that inflation has hit items, such as t-shirts and medals, so a modest price increase is warranted. But when you start seeing $30 or $35 pre-registered, $40 race-day, for inaugural 5Ks, that seems a bit steep. And it's not like these events have something special, such as post-race wine-tasting, as part of the registration. Runners have a plethora of events to choose from nowadays. Not too long ago, you had to go over to the Bay Area or up to Sacramento to take in a race. Between Fresno and Lodi, you can just about find a race every weekend. So established races have to fight to keep their participants. Maybe these race director newcomers think they can make a lot of money from their races. Although there is money to be had in holding events, you usually can't earn bundles of dough the first year. You have to build your event up. As they say, money talks. It will be interesting to see whether some of these new, high-priced events survive in the down economy. And the winner is... Congratulations to Nile Sousa of Modesto who made it into the Western States 100 through the Saturday, Dec. 10, lottery. His was one of about 270 names drawn. Entrants had to run qualifying race under a designated time during a specific period. Basically, they had to complete 50 miles under 11 hours, 100K under 14 hours or a 100-mile trail race under the official cutoff. They then had to submit their entries before Nov. 26. The number of entries in the race is limited to 369 by the U.S. Forest Service and Congress, since the course passes through the Granite Chief Wilderness. Given a 10 percent attrition due to injuries and other conflicts, the lottery typically chooses 400. Last year's top 10 finishers, as well as those designated by sponsors, are guaranteed a berth. Up to 36 additional spots are held for Montrail Ultra Cup Series winners. Running clubs who man an aid station receive one spot each. ShadowChase Running Club of Modesto mans the 49er Aid Station and receives an entry. Members of the board of trustees, pioneers, nine-time finishers going for their 10th win and winners of the twice annual raffle drawing also receive entries. Last year, about 2,113 spots were in the lottery "hat." That worked out to about a 1 in 10 chance of being drawn for the approximately 218 slots. You can view the unofficial lottery results at UltraLive.net. Official results will be posted on the Western States website in a few weeks. Western States starts at Squaw Valley and finishes at Placer HIgh School in Auburn. The 2012 will be held June 23-24, 2012. A rose by any other name still stinks After he wasn't able to pull off a half-marathon in Stockton in November, Dean Reinke now has one planned for Jan. 29, 2012, in Tracy. Reinke, who is based in an Orlando, Fla., suburb, has left a trail of unpaid bills, unreturned entry fees from cancelled events and lawsuits in other cities where he's held events. In fact, Reinke's website for the Tracy event calls it San Joaguin County rather than San Joaquin County. The website also lists location of the event: "to be announced." You'd think that with only two months to go before a half-marathon that Reinke would have the location finalized. He even solicits donations, but says recipients "will be named soon." According to an article in the Oct. 3 Stockton Record, Reinke had yet to complete the necessary city paperwork to hold the Nov. 13 race in Stockton. He also had to find a new start and finish location as the Stockton Hilton chose not to participate in his event this year. Instead, the Hilton went with the St. Joseph's Half Marathon organized by local running store owner Tony Vice of Fleet Feet. Phone calls made to Reinke by the Record went unanswered. It's unknown whether the $60 entry fees for people who already registered for the Stockton event were refunded. Help chase the Grinch out of Modesto Calling all kids. Help chase the Grinch out of Modesto and keep the heart in our fair city. Parents, sign your kids up to help chase the Grinch as part of the Spirit of Giving Run, Dec. 10, in downtown Modesto. There's a 5K for bigger kids and adults and the kids fun run featuring the big green heartless beast himself, Mr. Grinch. Proceeds go to local food pantries and the Department of Parks and Recreation scholarship programs. Remember to bring a can or two of food for the less fortunate. The course is the same as the Modesto Marathon 5K. It starts near the MID office, goes through the older, tree-lined parts of town near Graceda Park, and finishes near the start. This is a great way to celebrate the holidays, have some fun, get some exercise and help some worthy causes. Download a registration form by clicking here or register online at www.active.com. Shamrock'n Half sign-ups start off strong Registration is open for the Shamrock'n Half Marathon in West Sacramento, and more than 100 people registered the first hour after the race opened. This tells me it will probably sell out quickly. After all, the half-marathon is the fastest growing distance of all road races. The Shamrock'n, which looks like it only includes a half-marathon this year—no relay—will be held March 11, 2012. It will start and finish at Raley Field in West Sacramento. Most of the race will be held in Sacramento. A new course is currently being reviewed by Sacramento and West Sacramento city officials. Registration is $60 through Feb. 15; $65 afterwards if there are still spots available. The race is capped at 6,500 entries. For more information, visit www.shamrocknhalf.com. Train for the Mo Marathon, run for a cause
Become part of two winning programs by signing up for one of the marathon events while at the same time raising donations for VIPS. It doesn't matter if you plan to walk or run, or what event you choose—5K, half or full marathon. It's simple to become a member of Team VIPS. Set a fund-raising goal, and you may be eligible for thank you gifts as you reach specific levels along the way. Your friends, even if they're not running, can donate on your behalf. There's even a virtual fundraiser category if you're not a runner but still want to help out a worthy cause. Click here to find out how you can get started. Local sporting goods stores make the move One long-time sporting goods store recently moved and a new running store opened Nov. 1. Valley Sporting Goods, which for years had been in McHenry Village, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June. The store has moved to 901 N. Carpenter Road next to Harbor Freight. On the Run, a running specialty store run by father-so-team Steve and Bryan Harden, opened on Nov. 1 in the McHenry Village, 1700 McHenry Ave., in the store that formerly housed The Paper Habit. It's around the corner from the new Sunflower Market and across the parking lot from the Village Baking Co. On the Run handles five running shoe brands—Asics, Brooks, Mizuno, New Balance and Saucony—and has 60 models for men and 55 for women. Two ways to train for the Modesto Marathon If you're looking for fellow runners with which to train for the Modesto Marathon, March 18, 2012, look no further. There are two groups. ShadowChase Running Club is conducting an adult runners training group for both the full and half-marathons. There's also a group just for walkers. But you must be a member to participate, Individual membership is only $20; family membership is $30. Memorial Medical Center in Modesto also conducts training through Team Challenge. It is designed for people whose lives have been touched with cancer or people who want to support cancer-related issues. It is led by veteran coaches, too. There's a nominal fee. For more information, visit Memorial Medical Center. Both groups have just begun training for the March 2012 events, so there's still plenty of time to sign up. Nike results, the easy way If you're trying to find the results of the Nike Women's Marathon held Oct. 16 in San Francisco, here's a good site for the half and full results. You don't have to wade through all of the Nike FAQ, GPS Nike+ mapping or marketing hype to find the one lone time. This site allows you to look up an individual time or an entire age group. More Sports Authority discount coupons The Sports Authority is offering Modesto and Fresno shoppers $10 off on $50 purchases and $25 off $75 purchases through Nov. 24. Naturally, some exlusions may apply, so you'll have to read the coupon's fine print. The coupons aren't good at every Sports Authority, either. Click here to download the coupons. Will Modesto repeat as an Amgen Amgen Tour of California organizers were supposed to announce the course and host cities for the 2012 multi-stage bicycle race in early October. We're still waiting for the news. Latest word has the announcement coming Thursday, Nov. 3, from AEG Sports, the race organizer. This much is known. The eight-stage race will begin May 13 in Santa Rosa, which spent more than $500,000 on the bid, and end May 20. Santa Rosa also is home to Levi Leipheimer, three-time Amgen winner and 2011 runner-up. Davis, reknowned for its bicycle-friendly community, wants to host a stage start. More than 100 cities have put in bids to host either the beginning of a stage or a finish, including Modesto, Sacramento, the Tahoe region, Santa Cruz, Auburn, Nevada City, Chico and San Jose. Turlock's Miguel Nuci to run marathon trials
The marathon trials will be held Jan. 14, 2012, a day before the Houston Marathon. The top three men and women will go on to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympics in London in late July and early August. Nuci's best qualifying time was 2:18:33 at the Los Angeles Marathon, March 20. The qualifying standard is 2:19 for the full marathon, 1:05 for the half-marathon or 28:30 for a 10K run on the track. Good luck to all of the runners in the trials. Who says there's no such thing Come down to Fuzio, 1020 10th St., between 1-4 p.m., Oct. 29 and register for the Spirit of Giving 5K Walk/Run. In return, you'll receive a coupon good for a free lunch. Then plan to walk or run the Spirit of Giving Run, Dec. 10, in downtown Modesto. There's also a FREE kids' fun run where they can chase the Grinch out of Modesto. So bring the entire family for a morning of healthy fun. Even if you can't make it down to Fuzio, you can still register for the Spirit of Giving Run by visiting the City of Modesto Parks and Recreation Department's website. The run benefits local food closets and the city's local scholarship program. Two half-marathons: One locally produced, the other questionable at best Don't be confused by the two half-marathons in Stockton in the coming months. One is a go, the other one is iffy at best. The Oct. 23 St. Joseph's half-marathon and 5K are being organized by local running store owner Tony Vice of Fleet Feet Stockton. The events will start and finish at the Stockton Hilton. St. Joseph's Medical Center also is supporting the Oct. 23 events. The other one, the Stockton Half Marathon, planned for Nov. 13, is in doubt. According to an article in the Oct. 3 Stockton Record, race director Dean Reinke has yet to complete the necessary city paperwork to hold the Nov. 13 race. He also must find a new start and finish location as the Stockton Hilton chose not to participate in his event this year. Phone calls made to Reinke by the newspaper went unanswered. It's unknown whether he will refund the $60 entry fees for people who have already registered, should the race be cancelled. Reinke, who is based in an Orlando, Fla., suburb, has left a trail of unpaid bills, unreturned entry fees from cancelled events and lawsuits in other cities where he's held events. Some fall under the billing of USRA Half Marathon Series. Moral of the story: Make sure you know who's behind the race that you're entering. Local adventure racers catch the attention Running an ultra-marathon is one thing when it comes to endurance. But add in mountain biking and kayaking over 225 miles of Sierra wilderness terrain, and you have adventure racing. Did we mention, no GPS or other high-tech items? You simply use a map and compass. It's not surprising that world adventurer Adrian Crane is behind the Mother Lode 4 Day Expedition, Sept. 8-11. He's race director. One team consists of Modesto's Ray Kablanow II and Oakdale's Carey Gregg as well as two out-of-staters. Read more about them in the Modesto Bee. MJC coach anchors record-setting 4x100
In doing so, the team also set a pending world record for men age 35-39. The old record was 42.5 seconds. Only a day before, Snaer ran the 2-mile Escalon Park Fete with his daughter, Jadyn, who took third in the female under 12 age group.
Close and yet so far for Barbara Miller
But sometimes, it's just not meant to be. Miller, who admits she's a much better road racer than a track runner, was ranked second going into event in the women's 70-74 age group. In the end, Joaquina Flores of Portugal, won the event on a hot, sun-baked track with 23:21.57. Miller, who was the first American, came in fourth with 24:18.84. The World Masters Athletic Championships, July 6-17 in Sacramento, draws thousands of athletes from around the world to compete in track and field events. It's held every two years. In track and field, anyone 35 or older is considered a master. This differs from road racing, where masters start at 40 years old. Central Valley runners go
Leading the Central Valley contingent was Charles Wickersham, who ran 23:09:00, finishing at Placer High School at 4:09 a.m. Sunday (June 26) morning. He earned a silver belt buckle for completing the course in less than 24 hours. This was the first Western States for the 39-year-old Modesto pharmacist. Also finishing were Vance Roget in 27:07:00 and Yitzhak Gilon in 27:51. Both of those runners receive a bronze buckle for finishing in less than 30 hours. Gilon of Mt. Aukum had completed one Western States and Roget of Modesto had finished two before this year's attempt. The 100.2-mile course starts in Squaw Valley, Nev., crosses the Sierra Nevada and finishes at Placer High School in Auburn. Because of 8-foot-deep snow in some places, race organizers used a little-used "snow course" this year. But the course was cruel on even some of the most ardent runners. Goeff Roes, last year's winner and course record setter, dropped at Michigan Bluff at 55.7 miles. Hal Koermer, who won in 2009, dropped out at 70.7 miles. Congratulations to Charles, Vance and Yitzhak. Heroes Myers and Root honored ShadowChase Running Club members Danielle Myers and Bob Root will be honored as the Medical and Citizen Response Team Heroes at the Stanislaus County Red Cross' fifth annual Heroes Breakfast June 1. Myers and Root were running the Modesto Midnight Half Marathon, Aug. 28, when a runner collapsed in front of them. Myers, a trained physician, listened for a heartbeat. Finding none, she cleared his airway and started CPR. But she couldn't continue because of a broken wrist. Root, who had received CPR through his employer MID, volunteered to continue chest compression until first responders arrived. Once Oakdale runner Dennis Thiessen was successfully revived and put in an ambulance, the two continued on their run, finishing the half marathon. They later presented Thiessen with a finisher's medal. Read more about them in the Modesto Bee. Train high, race low
Gunnison, on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, sits at 7,700 feet elevation. Dahlberg was in the area for the NCAA Division II track meet at Stan State and decided to jump in a local race. Art Siemers, head cross-country coach at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, took second with 15:09. Golden sits at 5,675 feet elevation. Mary Ballinger, who in 2009 won the NCAA DII title for the University of Southern Indiana in the women's steeplechase, also set a new course record with 17:49. More recently, she's run for the Runners Roost team in Colorado. See a trend here? View the full results of the Modesto Classic by clicking here. Charles Wickersham looks strong Modesto's own Charles Wickersham is running well in his preparations for his first Western States 100-mile Endurance Run, June 25-26. Wickersham ran the Ohlone 50K Wilderness Run, May 24, in 5:27:09, good enough for ninth overall. He also was third in the men's 30-39 year age group. Nile Souza, one of Wickersham's regular running partners and no doubt a pacer at Western, ran 6:40:18 at Ohlone. The 31-mile long point-to-point course in the East Bay is run on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail and has 7,800 feet of elevation gain and 7,440 feet of descent. CIM changes registration procedures Citing the speed with which recent marathons have closed, organizers of the California International Marathon have changed registration procedures for this year's race, Dec. 4, in Sacramento. Entries will be accepted until the 7,500 runner cap is reached or Oct. 1, whatever comes first. Last year, that occurred before Oct. 1. Runners who meet qualifying standards listed on the CIM website can wait to register from Oct. 2-15. The standards, which are 10 minutes 59 seconds slower than the new Boston qualifying times, must have been achieved within the past 24 months. If the cap isn't reached before this special entry window, registration will reopen Oct. 16 through Nov. 1 or until the 7,500-runner cap is reached. The weather gods smiled Under cool, partly cloud skies, many runners set new PRs at American River, Saturday, April. 9. Dave Mackey, a 41-year-old from Boulder, Colo., was the overall winner, coming in under 6 hours with 5:55:37. The female winner was Ellie Greenwood, of Banff, Alberta, Canada, with 6:25:43. Leading a Central Valley contingent was Modesto's own Charles Wickersham, finishing in 7:21:53. Sean Collins fom Oakdale finished his first 50-miler in 8:35:21. Tim Quinn from Turlock clocked 9:36:33. Vickie Chu-Hermis, of Modesto, always a powerhouse, came in under 10 hours with 9:47:37. Shortly behind her was Jody Browning, with 9:58:20, cutting nearly an hour from last year's AR time. To view the complete results, click here. Leslie Antonis: two marathons Last Sunday, Leslie Antonis was the person behind the scenes, coordinating all of the volunteers at the Modesto Marathon. This Sunday, March 27, she was the woman in front, taking third in the women's 45-49-year-age group at the Oakland Running Festival Marathon with a chip time of 3:37:48. She also was 25th female out of a field of 245. Last year at the inaugural race, Antonis ran 3:36:28, good enough for first in the 45-49 age group. Next up on Antonis' race card is the American River 50-mile Ultra Run in two weeks on April 9. Also running Oakland, but the half distance, were Heidi Smith, 2:34:24; Melanie Wiegand, 2:42:26; and Danielle Myers 2:47:32. To view the complete results, visit www.active.com. Jon Olsen repeats at Modesto Marathon
Such was the case with a stormy start to the Modesto Marathon, March 20. But Modesto's own Jon Olsen repeated as the overall marathon finisher under less-than-desirable-conditions. Olsen, a middle-school teacher, ran 2:39:44. In winning the race, he also lopped about 2 minutes off of his P.R., set several years ago under balmier conditions at the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon. Going into the half-way turn-around, Olsen was in fifth place. But he slowly whittled away at the leaders. He also overcame leg cramps and a strong head wind for the last mile and a half to take the overall crown once again. Read what the Modesto Bee had to say about the marathon by clicking here. View the full marathon results, as well as those for the half-marathon and 5K, at South Valley Endurance. Boston lowers qualifying times
The association, which manages the marathon, reduced qualifying times by 5 minutes across the board. That means if you needed a 4:05:00 to qualify before, you will now need a 4:00:00. The new times also will not allow the 59-second buffer that used to be included. In the past, you could have actually qualified with a 4:05:59. The new time standards become effective Sept. 24 and apply to the 2013 marathon. The association also implemented a new rolling admissions procedure. Runners with the fastest qualifying times will be allowed to register first. Rolling admissions will start with the 2012 marathon. To view qualifying times, visit the Boston Athletic Association. Bubblegum maker buys Sharkies
Bazooka Candy Brands, which is part of the New York-based Topps Co. Inc., has acquired Sharkies Organic Fruit Chews brand from Sharkies Inc. of Auburn, according to an article in the Sacramento Bee. Bazooka may be best known for Bazooka bubblegum, while Topps is recognized fro its baseball and other sports trading cards that were once packed with bubblegum. Dwight and Kelly Sinclair, triathletes with three children, founded Sharkies Inc. in 2003. They wanted an all-natural snack that could be enjoyed by the entire family. . Check out Modesto's own cover girl
Inside, read the amazing story about how Miller got hooked on running, found true love, and continues to inspire those she touches. Read the article online at http://norcalrunning.com/. They've won the lottery Ultrarunning (races over 26.2 miles) has become so popular that many ultra-marathons have had to go to the lottery system. In the past, some had sold out in a matter of minutes. Ultra-runs differ from marathons in that they're typically held on trails, which have a limited capacity. The National Forest Service and agencies also may limit the total number of entrants. In 2010, the Way Too Cool 50K and the Miwok 100K Trail race went to a lottery. Gaining entry into the 2011 Way Too Cool are Charles Wickersham and Barbara Elia of Modesto and Sean Collins of Oakdale. Those on a waiting list include Susan Taylor (#61), Kelli King-Tanghe (#108) and Karen Lozano (#194). Way Too Cool will be held near the town of Cool on March 12. Gaining a berth into the 2011 Miwok were Linda McFadden of Modesto. Leslie Antonis and Charles Wickersham of Modesto and Sean Collins of Oakdale are on the waiting list. Miwok, which is run in the Marin Headlands near Sausilito, will be held May 7.
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Turlock's own Miguel Nuci is one of more than 70 men who have the A standard and have qualified for the Olympic Martahon Trials in Houston.
Coach
Demetrius Snaer of Modesto Junior College anchored the
4x100-meters relay team at the World Masters Games in 
Barbara Miller gave it her best Friday, July 8, in the 5,000 meters at the World Masters Games in Sacramento.
On a course that took its toll on past winners, all three Central Valley runners completed the 
Scott Dahlberg, an assistant track coach at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., took the addage to heart as he smoked the Modesto Classic 5K course, May 28, setting a new course record in 14:41.
Neither rain nor sleet nor dark of night shall keep these runners from the finish.
In response to selling out in a bit more than 8 hours, the Boston Athletic Association has changed qualifying times and procedures for the Boston Marathon, beginning with the 2012 race..
Sharkies, those shark-shaped fruit chews used for energy during long runs, are no longer a local product. 