USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Running
Council
2009 Meeting Minutes - Westin Hotel, Indianapolis, IN
Friday,
December 4, 12-12:50PM
Meeting called to order at
12:03PM
Introductions and attendance
Nancy
Hobbs, Dave Dunham, Roy Pirrung, Max King, Howard Nippert, Tania Pacev,
Marlene Atwood, Richard Bolt, Paul Kirsch, Joe
Jurczyk,
Andy Carr, Doris Heritage, Brian Hoover, Jason Bryant, Chris Crowder, Susan
Weeks, Carl Grossbard, Ron Craig,
Will Graustein, Joe Prusaitis, Joyce Prusaitis, Ken Robichaud, Sam Rush, Alex
Quozzo, Charlie Hilton, Bill Roe, Rick Recker, Rick Tuers, Larry Alserea, Dave Gwyn
Nancy reviewed the agenda and discussed the
order of business noting that items may not fall in precise order. If guests
attend the meeting they are introduced and can make a brief presentation to
the group about their particular discipline. The longest item of the meeting,
the presentation and review of bids, would be scheduled for tomorrow mornings
session. A special thanks to all of the race directors who put on
championships and selection races in the past and those bidding this
year.
Review and
approval of minutes from 08 meeting
(RENO)
Motion to approve the minutes from the 2008 Mountain Ultra Trail
Meetings (held in Reno,
NV) was made by Roy Pirrung,
second by Doris Heritage with unanimous
approval.
Andy
Carr reported on records.
Presently ultra track and road records are approved by mens, womens, or
masters LDR committees. The Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council (MUT) does
not have the authority to approve records in our discipline (certified race
courses at the ultra distance). Roy and Andy are working on the language
to make this happen next year which is a Rules year (alternating every other
year with Law and Legislation). Andy noted that half of the records he
is currently addressing are ultra records. The recommended records were
distributed at the meeting for review. Many are being deferred for
various reasons. Roys 60-64 100k
& 24 hr marks will
be approved
along with age group records in the 100k for Kami Semick (F40-44) & Meghan
Arbogast (F45-49), along with 12 hr marks by Debra Horn (F50-54) and 24 hr
marks by Leo Lightner (M80-84) and Jeannie McDaniel (F60-64)
Starting last year a five year time limit was set to receive records paperwork
to have a record as pending, now they will be listed as unvalidatable.
Josh Coxs Mens
50km
record will be accepted as will the Womens
200,000 m record
by Jamie Donaldson. Andy reviewed the list mentioning each record by
number and whether it will be deferred or accepted. Paul Kirsch asked
who the onus was on to get the paperwork in. Andy replied that the race
was responsible for submitting paperwork. Nancy asked which distances
were considered as record worthy as it related to our council. Andy
replied all above 10,000m on track and above the marathon on the
road. Roy motioned that we recommend approval to the appropriate
committees of the records as presented. Doris seconded and the group
approved.
Finances
budget for 2010 -- Nancy spoke about the revised budget
process. The line items for
specific committees are no longer how the budget is broken out. The revenue has gone from $16million
to $21 million. We have requested funding for our teams. Mountain and 100km team funding should
be clearer tomorrow and Nancy will report on the amounts at that
time. The mountain team and the
24 Hours Team have never gotten funding from USATF and the 100km has not in
more than 10 years. Our budget
for the committee operations is separate and appears to be the same for next
year. The budget for the liaisons
will remain the same through the LDR programs category. The 24 hour team and
the NACAC Mountain Running Team will not get funding in 2010 from USATF but
will get uniforms from USATF. All
US athletes will now be in the same
official uniforms. Tania asked about the funding for the 24 hours team and
Nancy spoke of
some potential ways that will be looked into for funding for all teams next
year and in the future since the allotted amount for even the funded teams
will most likely not cover the entire expenses that the teams incur. Nancy noted that the IAAF provides some
funding for the 100km, 24 Hours, and mountain teams based on GDP of the
country, year prior race results, and distance traveled to event venue. The IAAF also provides some funding
for the IAAF 50k road challenge (new in 2009) and 50m trail challenge
(3rd annual in 2009).
Any updates on IAAF funding will be presented at meetings with the IAAF
at the annual IAU and WMRA meetings in Monaco in January 23-25. Nancy noted that the IAAF has scaled back on
funding some programs due to the current economy although the IAU and WMRA
budgeted amounts remain in tact for 2010.
Runners of the Year
At the breakfast tomorrow the Runner of the Year and Contributor of the
Year awards will be presented.
Nancy
read the names of the winners including Mountain Open: Joe Gray and Brandy
Erholtz; Mountain Masters: Dave Dunham and Laura Haefeli; Ultra Open: Ted
Corbitt Memorial Award Ultra Runner of the Year Michael Wardian; Ruth
Anderson Ultra Runner of the Year: Kami Semick; Masters Ultrarunners of the
Year: Roy Pirrung and Anita Ortiz. Contributor of the Year: Paul Kirsch.
Congratulations to all of our recipients, Nancy will mail out the awards to those not
present.
Richard Bolt spoke on the highlights of the 2009 mountain running season. There were two selection races. The NACAC and US Mountain Running
Championships were held at Mt Cranmore in New Hampshire where the top three
men and top woman were selected to the team while the top two men and top two
women at the Cheyenne Canon Mountain Race in Colorado Springs. The remaining
two athletes for the senior team were selected as at-large berths. We had our first junior runner qualify
for the open team, and he was the top US finisher at the World Mountain
Running Championships (13th overall). This was the first year that the World
Championship title was given (in the past it was the World Trophy). Richard presented the team and
individual results and noted that although the medal count may not have
reflected it, the caliber of athletes has increased. The US team had
some of the best percentage behind the winners ever recorded (closest to the
winner). As an example, the
senior women had 4 of the top 5 best finishes ever. The World Championship
will be held on September 5 in Kamnik, Slovenia.
Nancy spoke
about the World Masters Mountain
Running Championship. They
will be keeping the minimum age at 35 according to the WMA. Bill Roe mentioned the rules will be
different for Stadia and non-Stadia event and suggested that this be
addressed. The event has no
qualifying criteria (beyond the masters age requirement) as it is an open
competition, the 2010 will be in Poland on August 28. Details to follow at www.wmra.info.
The 6th annual NACAC
Mountain Running Championships (USA hosted in 2004 and 2005,
Mexico hosted in 2006 and
2008, Canada hosted in 2007) were held at
Cranmore with both men and womens USA Teams earning gold medals. The 2010
event will be in Canada 2010 while Mexico will host in 2011. Jason
spoke on how well the Mexican group hosted the NACACs in 2008. Nancy noted that there was an edict from IAAF
to work on these regional championships, we are trying to develop
them.
National Team Report 100 km
Howard spoke on the championship held in Belgium. The women won the gold medal with four
women in the top 7 including and overall win by Kami Semick. The men were led by Mike Wardian in
6th place. Tania added that Kami also won the IAU
world 50k held in Gibraltar later in the year
and that the depth of US women is among the best weve ever had. Tania also mentioned some other
outstanding Ultra performances.
Roy spoke
on the 24 hour team and mentioned
a new record in the 200km that was recently set. The selection process has been
announced and posted for the 2010 team. The IAU 24 Hour World Challenge will be held in Brive-
la-Gaillarde, France May 13-14,
2010.
The IAU Trail Challenge was
held in Sierre Chevalier,
France in July
2009 and Howard provided a recap and stated that athlete selection will be
posted for 2010 when the date and venue are announced (in January following
the IAU meetings). This was the third annual IAU Trail Challenge. Sierre
Chevalier was approximately 68km event.
IAU 50km
Road Challenge was held
in Gibraltar . Howard provided an overview of
the October event which was a first time event and a trial to prepare
Gibraltar organizers for hosting the IAU
100km World Cup in November 2010.
The event took place but there are concerns with the course and
logistics which were shared by the athletes and sent to the IAU president Dirk
Strumane for review.
Nancy presented
a list of races that will be bidding
to host championships to be reviewed at tomorrows meeting. This may be a precedent setting year
in that only one race is bidding to host a Mountain team selection race and
new trail distance championships will be considered. Times for the meetings tomorrow were
given.
Motion to
recess until
tomorrow by Chris Crowder and seconded by Sam Rush.
Saturday, December 5,
9 11:50
a.m.
Introductions and Sign in
Called to order at 9:05
(additional meeting attendees on Saturday to Fridays list above) Tim
Yanacheck, Roger Oregon, Charlie Helton, Jeffereis DeWese, Carolyn Greigs,
Marla Emde, Bob Latham, Mickey Piscatelli, Ann Heaslett, Norm Green, Susan
Boyce, Chris Frye, Jim Murphy, Jim Garcia, Eric Braschwitz, Michael Roth,
Virginia Brophy-Achman, Kent Hoffman,
John Little, Ed Stuffle, George Ragan, Joyce
Hodges-Hite
Nancy gave a
quick overview of how we would consider the bids in order of the
event date in the calendar year which would follow the list of those events
already awarded 2010 USA Championships status. Each of the Championships has
both an open and masters division.
2010 Championships already awarded
USA 50km
Road March 7
Long Island, NY (also a 25km non-championships) Liaison Howard Nippert. Race
Director Carl Grossbard spoke about the 2010 championship, gave a quick
overview of the course and the athletes.
There were 91 finishers in the 50km in 2009. Carl noted that he has not brought a
bid for next year but plans to bid for 2011 & 2012 at next years
convention. Question from the
floor about the 25km asking if there was any trouble staging the two race
distances simultaneously. There was not as the field spreads out over the
lap-style course. Question from the floor regarding the distance from the
airport and transportation to the race site. Carl said that three local
airports and transportation would be available for elite athletes provided by
the event.
Virginia
Brophy-Achman, Womens LDR Chairperson, noted how
exciting it was to hear about our funding
improvements.
USA 100km
Road April 10
Madison, WI Mad City 100km
Liaison - Lin Gentling (also 50km solo and relay). Tim spoke about this fourth annual
event. The race will be held over a 10km loop, and there will also be a 50km
race solo and relay an addition to the championship to introduce athletes
to the ultra distance and provide some additional revenue for the event. The
100km is held to build a US team for the IAU World Cup. Question from the floor regarding
moving the date due to potentially cold weather and Tim noted that the race
would conflict with other area race dates and was positioned well for the
selection of athletes to the 100km team.
USA 50 Mile
Trail July 31
Crystal Mountain, White River, WA Liaison Roy Pirrung or Dave
Dunham
USA 50 Mile
Road October
16 Tussey Mountain, Boalsburg, PA -
Lin Gentling
USA
Marathon Trail November
6 Ashland,
OR Liaison Nancy
Hobbs
Second year of a two year bid.
Richard Bolt spoke about the 2009 event. Rich noted that Ashland is a great
destination for trail running.
Rogue
Valley Runners are a very
active club in the area. Race
site is located in the city with easy access to the trails. The event doubled the number of
finishers from 2008 and included competitors from 16
states.
Bids to be presented
Bids for
the 10km trail championship from Spokane Regional Sports Commission and
Continental Divide. The Spokane group spoke first. Mountain Gear donated water bottles
and ski hats which were distributed to meeting attendees. The organizers are a non-profit group
that puts on multiple events and have been involved with USATF events in the
past including the National Cross Country Championships. Venue is located 7 miles from
downtown, with ample parking, room for vendor exhibits. Challenging course with 200 climb in
the early part of the two-loop course with rolling terrain featuring, single
and double track trails. Overall
vertical gain 800 for the two loops of the course with about 3 miles per
loop. Airport is seven miles from
downtown, ample lodging near the course.
Homestays will be available for elite athletes. Secured two major sponsors and hope to
get more once the bid is secured.
Anticipating 400-600 competitors between the open (non-championship)
event and the championships.
Total prize package $5,500.
Question from the floor on why they would not combine the open and
championship events. Nancy spoke to why
typically USATF suggests that is kept separate in order to focus on the USATF
aspects of the event. Question
from the floor on it being open and masters which it is. Comment from the floor on combining
events and preference for them being combined which the organizers would
certainly address. The women and men are slated to run separately for the
championships. Additional note
that there is camping within the park. A question was raised as to the
expectations for the race field and in particular whether they would be
disappointed with a smaller turnout.
They do expect 400-600 based on the support in the running community of
other area events (ie: Spokane River Run 50km, 25km, 10 km which attracts
800 and Bloomsday Road Race with upwards of 50,000). Question from the floor
about the percentage of money in the budget that will be allocated for prize
money. Although the prize money
is about equal to other bids the entire budget is much higher ($27,000)
compared to other races. The
organizers didnt consider the percentage when creating the budget, and were
rather looking at putting on a great event and having people come back the
following year. Note from the
floor that elite runners often choose and travel to races based on the prize
structure.
Jack
Wickens from the USATF Board of Directors was
introduced and presented with a thank you card from the Mountain Ultra Trail
Running Council (all those in attendance at the meeting signed this card)
regarding the new funding.
Nancy
noted that the 100km team will receive $12,500 and the mountain team will
receive $12,500 according to Jim Estes.
Jason
Bryant presented North Carolinas Continental Divide Trail Race
bid which
hosted the US 10km Trail Championships in
2009. He highlighted how involved
the local association was in the event.
He noted that his event is much smaller. Laurel Springs is a small Post Office box
town. The course is on the
Eastern Continental Divide. The
race course runs on both sides of the divide, and is very technical. The elevation change was 1,600
feet. Proceeds from the race go
back to the community (the local high school). The aim is to also get locals involved
in trail racing and develop trail running throughout the state. The elite housing was all in a
bunkhouse that was located right on the site. There are other cabins available and
there is also a lodge. There are
small cities nearby for additional housing. Team championship was also a major
focus of the race and Jason hopes to develop this further. Jason read a letter from one of the
teams that traveled from Pennsylvania. Multiple options to view this
spectator-friendly course since it is a cloverleaf design. The race received a lot of positive
feedback from runners. The
president of the association spoke of Jasons ability to put on a great event
on and how he has been able to move MUT forward in the area. Jason noted that the race course is
approximately two hours from the race venue. There were 25 states represented with
approximately 100 finishers. The
total prize money package is $5000.
Nancy stated
that the voting procedure would be by
secret ballot. During the
time of the vote Paul mentioned that there are many distances for
championships that could be considered at the sub-ultra distance and that
weve received bids from all over the country. Paul spoke with the bidders about also
considering for 2010 another race distance if they did not receive the nod to
host the 10km distance. The
Continental Divide Race was awarded the bid for the 2010 championship. Motion by Paul to destroy the
ballots, second by Roy.
Ballots destroyed. Spokane was asked if they would be interested in
doing the event as a 15km and they said yes and they would be willing to do
this for 2010 and 2011 (their original 10km bid covered both 2010 and
2011). Nancy had spoken to Jim
Estes on Thursday at the LDR Division meeting about expanding our portfolio of
championship event distances at the sub-marathon distance since we already
expected a half marathon championship bid and Jim said to consider adding
event distances that we would be comfortable with as a
council.
Paul Kirsch made a motion to amend the bid from Spokane to a 15km for
2010 and 2011, second by Roy.
Paul noted that whatever alteration of the course was needed by
organizers to accommodate the revised distance would be acceptable. The bid was accepted
unanimously.
Liaisons Dave Dunham for
the 10km and Nancy Hobbs for the
15km.
USA
Mountain June 19
Mt. Washington Bid to host
selection race for Mountain Team 2010 This bid was presented by Paul Kirsch as
a bid for both the US championship and as a selection race for the US. This will be the third time the event
will be the National championship. This will be the 50th running of
the race and the prize money has been increased by $13,000. The % grade is very similar to the
grade on the World course.
Paul is the president of the WMM (local club) that provides home stays
for elite athletes. The awards
ceremony will also be increased and hope to have the governor present. Question from the floor regarding the
lottery. Lottery begins on March
1. USATF athletes should enter
the lottery and check lottery by-pass.
Ken commented on course support by multiple clubs and how the event is
professionally timed (he has run it 14 times). Mt Washington has been supportive of mountain
running both regionally and nationally.
Howard asked about mass start for the field. Roy asked about transport down, Paul noted
that you have carpools set up to transport down. Four aid stations on the course. Nancy
spoke about how the US team has been selected in the
past. This year we are looking at
changes, more than 20 athletes were canvassed on how the selection would be
done and most felt that one selection race would be something they would be
interested in. Proposal to select
the top 6 USATF men and top 4 USATF women to cross the line would be selected
to the team and if any decided not to accept their spot on the team, wed move
down the list. Ken asked about
the use of alternates. Nancy and
Dave noted that we would work down the list in order of finish. Roy moved that we select Mt Washington as the
championship and selection race, Richard seconded and it was accepted
unanimously. The junior team will be selected by resumes. Liaison Richard
Bolt
USA Marathon June 12 Bend, OR
Richard Bolt presented on behalf of the Bend visitors board. This organization has also presented a
bid for 50km. There 50km
bid information will also apply to the half marathon. This is an existing race called the
footzone dirty half. They have
600-700 finishers and now added a second race due to local demand. They have committed and event director
to assist the race director.
Total prize money will be a minimum of $3,000, break-down not yet
determined. Race location about
3m outside of town, with 100of K of trails, the course is a single (at 4,000
to 5,000 elevation).
Motion to accept the bid pending the paperwork Dave Dunham,
2nd by Roy.
Accepted unanimously. Liaison
Paul Kirsch
USA 100 Mile Trail July 31 Cleveland,
OH
Joe Jurczyk,
presented the bid for Burning River 100 Mile. Point to point race through Cleveland metro parks
into other parks. 75% dirt trail
and 25% road and tow path. The
race has approximately 175 finishers.
21 aid stations with 300+ volunteers. Showcase the trails of NE Ohio, brought together various park systems that
might not normally work together.
Offering $10,000 in prize money pending National championship status,
not set breakdown. Homestays are
offered but not currently offering travel. 10,000 of elevation gain. Tania P asked about 100m expected
finishing time, concern about runners finishing in the dark. Jim Garcia asked about trail
conditions over the final 30 miles that might be dangerous, noted that there
will be ridge running. Joe noted
that there will be 10m of glowsticks along the course and it is marked quite
well. Howard mentioned that
standards are in place for course marking and safety runners and that the
rules must be accepted if they are to be the championships. Joe noted differing standards by each
of the parks they work with. Paul
noted that the race will work closely with the liaison to ensure that these
standards are in place. Jim asked
about transport to the start which will be provided by a bus. Roy asked about entry limits. Limit is 250, but only had 175
finishers and the 250 is self imposed.
Jim Garcia motioned to accept, Roy seconded. The motion was carried unanimously. Liaison -- Howard
Nippert
USA 50km Trail September 25 Bend, OR
Bolt distributed information on the Bend race. Footzone puts on many races including
the previously mentioned marathon.
Noted that this is a great location for trail running and was selected
by numerous magazines. The RD has
worked on various National caliber events. Total prize package of $3,000 which is
approximately 40% of the budget.
Jim Garcia asked about where the prize money was coming from Rich noted
that it was form the visitors bureau.
Single track 50km loop at 6,000 up to 7,000, no big climb or descent
but at higher altitude. Jim asked
about how it fit in the schedule and Nancy went over the schedule. Nancy noted we have not had a championship at
50k on trails in a couple of years.
Dave moved Roy seconded, accepted by all. Liaison Richard
Bolt
Bids for 2011
USA
Mountain Championship bid, June 26, 2011 Paul
Kirsch presented a bid from the 24th Mt. Cranmore event which has been a
championship in the past and also hosted a NACAC championship. The course has been modified in order
to closely fit the World course.
The event takes place in North
Conway, NH, and the
Mountain works closely in order to provide the optimum course. Combination of service road and ski
trails. This year it was a
two-lap course over approximately 5.5km per lap with 1,200 elevation change
per lap. It is also part of the
New England USATF Mountain Series.
Total prize money will be $2,000 and there will be some travel
reimbursements for elite athletes.
Entries are kept as low as possible ($17 pre race and $23 race
day). Homestays are provided
(more than 30 in 2009). Positive
feedback included how the Cranmore race served as a great preparation for the
World Championship. Motion by Jim
Garcia to approve it as the USA Mountain Championship and serve as a team
selection race, second by Dave Dunham. Unanimously accepted. Liaison to be
named.
2011 bid
from Tussey Mountainback to host the 50 Mile Road
Championships. The race is the championship for this
distance in 2010 and hosted in prior years as well. According to Paul Kirsch
who read from the bid form, the organizers are hoping to extend the
championships for 2011. The
course is 74% gravel and 26% road with 11 aid stations. The event will offer
$4,000 in prize money (a 20% increase over 2010). It is a USATF certified 50 mile race
course. Howard noted that he
makes this comment every year, and would do so again this year. He does not
consider this a road due to the large amount of gravel surface. He has looked into alternative
locations/events but has yet to find another to bidder. Howard recommends that we dont accept
this bid in hopes that we get a road specific race course as a bidder next
year. He noted that nothing is
wrong with the race organization or management and he likes the event. Dave Dunham motioned to have the bid
tabled and Roy
seconded. One abstention and one
opposed, motion passed. Bid
tabled to 2010 convention.
Championship Team Competition and
medals update. There was
discussion to encourage and/or suggest for bidders of championship to include
a team division with their event bid. The championships in the past were
required by USATF Championship Rules to have team competition, they now have
the option to not have team championships. Nancy would like us as a council to recommend
that races include a team category in the championships. If the event has team competition the
medals would be ordered after the race for distribution to the winning
teams. Paul Kirsch added that at
Cranmore and Mt Washington are fully behind having team competition at their
events. Dave made a motion and
Roy seconded
that we as a group encourage events that bid to include a team category with
their championship event bid.
Accepted unanimously.
2010 National Team Staff and Athlete Selection
a) US Mountain Running Team
(Slovenia, September 5, 2010)
Ellen Miller submitted a resume to manage the womens team. Paul Kirsch submitted a resume to
manage the junior team. Junior candidates must send in their
resumes/applications for the junior team by July 15 to Paul Kirsch for an
announcement of the team not later than August 1. Information will be posted
at the USATF website, the ATRA website (www.trailrunner.com) and at the team website at
www.usmrt.com. Richard Bolt submitted a resume to
serve as team leader. Roy made a motion to
accept the team staff and Sam Rush seconded. Richard Bolt acknowledged the
efforts of Dave Dunham who managed the junior team for the past three years,
bringing the team from participants to medal winners.
b) 100km (Gibraltar, November 8, 2010)
Lin Gentling submitted an application for team leader. Lin has managed
the team for 15 year. Lion
Caldwell applied as team doctor he has been the team physician for 14
years. Assistant team leader had
two applications, one from Tim Yanacheck and one from Mike Spinnler. Nancy asked for a motion
that we accept Lin and Lion in the aforementioned positions and then move on
to consider the assistant team leader applicants separately. Motion by
Roy, and
seconded by Dave. Motion carried
unanimously. Nancy asked Tim to speak to the group about
his interest in the position and for Howard to speak on Mikes behalf. Tim
spoke about his support of the team in the past as a volunteer and that he has
also run many ultra distance events including the 100km. He noted that if he were selected his
wife Ann Heaslett (a former 100km team member) would also attend as and unpaid
volunteer. Tim noted that Mike is
also highly qualified. Howard
stated that it was very difficult to speak on Mikes behalf as he felt that it
would be like picking between two of his brothers for his best man. Howard
stated that both Mike and Tim would be a great addition to the team
staff. He noted that either
choice would be great. Jim Garcia
asked about Mikes resume. Howard
said that Mike has been the assistant team leader the past three years. Ballots were handed out to voting
members. The vote was tallied and Nancy announced that Tim Yanacheck would
serve as assistant team leader.
Roy
motioned to destroy the ballots and Dave
seconded.
Motion to
recess until
2:00, by Roy,
second by Richard, unanimous approval
.
Saturday,
December 5, 2-3:50p.m.
Nancy called the meeting to order at
2:08.
c) 24 Hours (Brive, France) staff and
team
Nancy discussed
the changes within USATF as they relate to the national teams with all of the
selection and management returning to USATF. For several years the American
Ultra Running Association (AUA) has selected and managed the 24 Hours
Team. There were no staff
applications announced in advance of the meeting for the 24 Hours Team and
there was discussion on a deadline of January 1 to apply for the following
three staff positions: team doctor, team manager for the men and team manager
for the women. There is full
uniform support but no funding for the team nor team staff. Nancy will post the
application with her and Roy as contacts.
d) NACAC Mountain
Championships (Canada
July 10 or 17 fly into Calgary and will be in Canadian Rockies) -
staff and team
Dave has expressed interest in being the manager to this team. Hoping to send a full team but lack of
funding may prove difficult for athletes to travel to the event. The spots will be offered to the top
finishers at the Worlds 2009 then others if they do not accept. IAAF has asked us to develop these
championships despite the issues of no funding. Mexico has
expressed interest in hosting the 2011 NACAC Mountain Running
Championships.
Nancy reviewed
the sponsorship program for the
mountain team 2009 and thanked each and every sponsor for their support
and commitment to the team and the mountain running program. The sponsorships
were all coordinated by the American Trail Running Association (ATRA). More
than $20,500 in cash and another $2,337 in donations (thank you to Mt.
Cranmore, Robin Smith, VAC Winter Uphill, Northfield Mountain Race earmarked
$350 specifically for the juniors with product sponsors estimated at
$32,175. Cash sponsors included
Teva (who also provided product for the team and paid for all of the uniform
screenprinting) was the title sponsor for eight years; Windermere Real Estate
of Teton Valley for three years; Fleet Feet Sports Boulder for three years;
Wicked Fast Sports Nutrition for three years, OrthoLite Insoles for two years.
Product sponsors in 2009 included: SportHill, ground bags and duffels, KinEsys
Performance Sunscreen, CWX Conditioning Wear, Tech 4o Watches, ALCiS pain
relief cream, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, FuelBelt
hydration.
Howard spoke about the 100km
team support including a very generous donation from the JFK 50 Miler, a
very popular and successful race that Mike Spinnler organizes, that donated
$5,000. Tim Yanacheck formed a
501 (c ) 3 organization to accept donations for the team several years
ago.
24 hour team has been managed by the AUA, but will now be part of the
USATF family. The drawback is
that there is no funding designated by USATF for the team, uniforms will be
provided. Roy talked about prior
funds that had been raised and how the team did not wear USATF official
uniforms due to sponsor conflicts. He mentioned that the AUA didnt raise any
sponsorship for the 2009 Team. Roy is looking into possible grants which do
not conflict with USATF sponsors.
Open Forum Discussion
Joe Jurczyk
came forward to speak about the North
Coast 24 hour run, the first event was held this year. The course is located two miles from
downtown Cleveland. There were 117 entrants, the winner
ran just over 150m and the womens winner ran 136 miles. This is a .9 mile
loop course with one aid station per loop. Members of the current
US team are offered free entry and
home stays. They are offering
$20,000 in a combination of prize money and stipends. The stipends would be an inducement to
run at the World 24. Race will be
Sept 18/19. The race is champion
chip timed with a back-up system in place to record all runners through each
loop. The website is updated
instantly. The course is
certified and records eligible.
Four age group records were set last year. Course is flat and fast all
asphalt. Nancy asked about
runners stopping and then starting again later. Runners can enter and exit the course
when they wish (must re-enter where the exited). Joe spoke about how the race ends with
all runners stopping at the 24 time limit. Course is certified at 16 other
segments on the loop so that they can get down to the exact distance each will
run. Nancy spoke about the
headphone issue, talking about safety issues and international rules. USATF rules do not allow runners in
the championship division to wear headphones. This was discussed at some
length with consideration of the event being boring. Joe noted how a 24 hour is a great
entry into ultras because you are not required to do a certain
distance.
Trail
awards. It was
discussed that we add a series component to award a trail runner of the
year. Winner from the different trail champs 10km, 15km, marathon,
marathon, 50km, 50 mile, 100 mile.
Jason Bryant brought forward the idea of possibly having a trail series
and possibly have a trail runner of the year. Paul noted that we were actually
talking about a sub-ultra series.
The hope would be that we make a proposal on a point system and present
this before the end of the year. We would hope to have this in place so that
there is cross participation.
Richard noted that we would like to work on this and forward our
proposal to the council later this year.
Dave Gwyn encouraged us to use the same language (Grand Prix) for this
series. Ken Robichaud spoke of
the Grand Tree series in New England a
trail series. Joe asked for
clarification on where and when the events are. Jason noted how this is very similar
to the road championship.
Roy spoke on
tabling the decision for the 24 hours
bid. In fairness to all
parties who submitted bids to host the 24 Hours Championships to the AUA for
championships consideration as opposed to USATF (which has been done in the
past) Roy
would like to allow the bidders two weeks to come forward with a bid. Tania talked about the North Coast 24
event that had been held earlier this year. The competition was deep and featured
international athletes.
Nancy spoke
about the SWOT analysis that had
been requested by Darlene Hickman.
All committees were asked to complete this, and we are not sure what
will happen with the analysis. If
there is further information Nancy will inform
us.
Nancy went
through the sports committees
representatives for 2010-2011 and council members presented offered to
serve as liaisons to the various committees.
Howard spoke about the standards for selecting the teams for the
100km and world trail
challenge and now we need to set up similar standards that will be used to
select athletes to the 24 hour
championship and the 50km championship. The standards will be needed to be set
prior to the teams being selected.
The AUA selection material are available and Howard feels time is too
short to change those but we need to have the criteria for the 50km set
ASAP. Roy and Nancy will be in
Monaco in January and hope to get
the date of the 24 hour event and if there will be a 50km (and also when/where
the IAU trail championship will be).
Howard bought up the issue of the safety runner. Similar to the headphone debate there
has been a long running debate about having pacers. Guidelines were created which will be
submitted to the rules committee.
Howard read the proposed rules.
Races over 100km were the focus of this with the Race Director decide
if or where the safety runner would be allowed. This rule was used at the 100km trail
race last year with no problems.
Roy
asked if we had any idea of what % of runners used this but Howard did not
have an answer to this. Question
on communication and direction given, Howard noted they could not lead and
must stay 5 meters back a distance that communications was difficult. Joyce P noted that there was a fine
line between the designated safety runner and pacer. Howard talked about the origin of the
rules and how ultra running is different from racing on a track. Question from the floor on how many
safety runners would be allowed for each runner, Howard noted that there was
no limit but only one would be allowed at any one time. Nancy asked Joe where in his 100m race they
are allowed, to which the reply was approximately 60 miles and over the age of
65 is allowed for the entire course. Ken R spoke about how other
events use rabbits and he doesnt see anything wrong with a support/safety
person, and he thinks this is a great start. Jason asked is a USATF liaison was on
the games committee. Howard noted
that RDs tend to use the liaisons for many questions.
Question about a guidelines for course markings. Nancy noted that the information is included
in the bid forms. Howard spoke
about various guidelines (not rules) that have been added to the
bid.
Joe brought up the possibility of hosting a World championship, he
would like to explore the idea of hosting a 24 hour championship. Nancy spoke about how the bids are submitted
to the IAU for the 24 Hours event.
Nancy will communicate the U.S. interest
(Spokane) in possibly bidding to host at mountain running championship. Joe and Roy will work together to find
out more information on the 24 Hours bid
process.
Ken made a request that we come up with a list of certification questions to include on
the USATF Officials Certification for LDR Officials. Officials should have the knowledge of
how the rules in MUT may differ from other disciplines within USATF. This would ensure the safety and
competitive value at our events.
Howard noted that the safety runner rule will be submitted next year to
become part of the official rule
book and Dave noted that the team scoring rule should also be submitted at
that time.
Council has designated Lin Gentling as the USATF delegate to the IAU Congress Meeting in
Gibraltar. Richard Bolt was
designated the USATF delegate for the WMRA Congress Meeting in
Slovenia.
Roy had a
question regarding disabled
athletes, specifically do they have there own set of records. The athlete had questions about making
the team and what restrictions there are for certain disabled athletes. Carl will look into this matter and
report back.
Motion to
adjorn and
seconded, unanimous. Adjourned at 3:54 p.m.
Thanks to Dave
Dunham for taking the meeting minutes.