««« A lucky 7 in Striderland for 2008«««
««« 2:35:02 and 2:36:51 says it all! «««
Iowa loves Robyn Friedman and Erin Moeller. Wartburg College graduates, Iowa Runablaze
runners, "down home" friendly and in their 30s, they both have set the
standard for greatness. At the Women
s Olympic Trials the day before the Boston Marathon on a spectator friendly course
Robyn finished 9th and Erin 10th. Both are well known at Iowa races, Robyn has won
all the major races in Striderland and Erin is the course record holder of the Drake
Relays On-the-ROADS half-marathon. Barely recovered from the Olympic Trials, they
toed the line at Dam to Dam, this time Erin edged out Robyn by 17 seconds. Striderland
continues to cheer on this dynamic duo.
««« The Big 3, get, well bigger «««
The applause just keeps getting louder, deservedly. Dam to Dam, race director Kurt
Schaeffer, ushered in a huge increase in finishers with 4815 in the 20 kilometer
and 2020 in the 5 kilometer, a jump of over 1000 finishers over the previous year.
Living History Farms, race director Steve Bobenhouse, did what no other race in Striderland
has done, limited the number of entries which filled up 10 days before race day.
The Farm had its usually excitement, days before Thanksgiving as 6938 finished the
race. Des Moines Marathon, race director Chris Burch, had a lucky 7th year race with
1352 Marathoners and 3185 Half-Marathoners finishers. Striderlands big three, bigger
yes, better for sure.
««« Marty "D takes on the D races «««
Marty Dalton had a record breaking season at the D races. He tied the record for
most victories, three, winning the Drake Relays On-the-ROADS half-marathon. A month
later he scored his best time since 2003 at Dam to Dam, running a 1:05:41. And in
the fall he was second at the Des Moines Marathon, running a 2:24:20, just 27 seconds
off his best. Late fall Marty took on his biggest D of the year as he was diagnosed
with Type 1 Diabetes. Striderland applauds Dalton
s running dedication and latest run with health.
««« Dowling Catholic Girls have a new star «««
Dowling Catholic repeated as the state cross country champion. A new individual champion
emerged as Ashlie Decker won the state crown and Katie Flood was second, wherein
2007 their roles were reversed. Ashlie went on to the Nike Team Nationals placing
8th and Foot Locker placing 18th. Katie the previous year placed 14th and 8th respectively.
Striderland looks forward to the senior year for these two Dowling Catholic XC stars.
««« Drake Relays celebrates a Century «««
Started in 1910 with just 100 athletes and 6 teams, the Drake Relays is now America
s Athletic Classic and annual rite of Spring in Striderland. World class athletes
Jesse Owen and Wilma Rudolph along with modern day athletes Carl Lewis and Susie
Favor Hamilton have circled the track. The On-the-ROADS race started in 1969. Once
a Marathon and national class 10 kilometer it fits neatly into the Drake tradition
as a solid Iowa road race. Striderland history would not be the same without this
April extravaganza.
««« Lisa Koll sets a record «««
Lisa
s 32:11.13 set the American Collegiate 10,000 meter record during the Spring and
a month later she won NCAA 10,000 meter championship on the track at Drake. Lisa
s high school career at Ft Dodge gave no indication of what was to come, as she finished
8th her senior year at the state cross country meet. Her determination and training
has shined at Iowa State. Lisa conjures up images of the last great ISU long distance
record holder, Peg Nepple who set long distance records in the
70s. Striderland appreciates record setting talent.
«««It was a lucky 13 years at Clive Running Festival«««
Kurt and Nancy Hoegh provided runners with the perfect summer race, Clive Running
Festival --fun, family orientated and competitive. After 13 years in-charge, they
are taking a break. The race
s frog theme adorned the t-shirts and watermelon was always a special treat at the
finish. The Hoeghs will continue their popular training series on Monday evening.
Striderland will miss their race leadership.
By Cal Murdock, observing Iowa Running for over three decades
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