Elmhurst's Akita Wins Ravenswood 5K

Jim Akita, well-known in the west burbs as head track and cross-country coach at Elmhurst College, crossed the finish line first on Sunday at the Ravenswood 5K in Chicago. Jim averaged 4.52 per mile and posted a 15:06. Runner-up was Christian Escareno in 15:19, with Dave Wilson, last year's CARA Runner of the Year, third in 15:25. On the women's side, the pace was very fast as Catherine Beck won in 16:55, just ahead of Colleen Newhart, who ran 16:57. Jessica Langford of Rockford was third in 17:18, a time that would win some less talent-laden 5Ks on the men's or women's side! There were 2,795 finishers in another smashing success for this quality race. Once again, congrats to Jim Akita! Photos of Jim Akita and Catherine Beck are courtesy of Brian Jacokes from www.midwestrunningphotos.com.

CARA's Lakefront 10 a Winner

Under new ownership, the CARA Lakefront 10-miler had a good day on Saturday along Chicago's north lakefront. Greg Costello, 28, of Chicago, made it look easy with a 52:49, for his second Runners' Choice Series victory in two weeks. Emisael Favela, 32, of Chicago, who runs for the race's founder and previous owner, Universal Sole, took second in 54:12, and Doug Pearson, 41, of Elmhurst, one of my fellow Elmhurst Running Club competitors, took third in a strong field, posting a 58:51. There were 579 male finishers. On the women's side, former winner Kim Miltz, 35, of Hoffman Estates, returned to the top of the podium with a 1:01:21. She was followed by Christina Overbeck, 22, of Chicago, who cranked out a 1:04:00. Third was another blast from the past, Ann Schaefers-Coles, 44, of Cary. She ran a 1:06:07. I am so proud of all of these runners. Hats off to CARA for purchasing this event and putting it on a very high level. I hope I can run it next year. Photo (Courtesy of Brenda Barrera --Chicago Running Examiner blog--): Doug Pearson nears the finish line for third place while CARA president Dan Daly (on bicycle) looks for the first female finisher.

Unexpected Injury - Back ASAP

I know the Lakefront 10 and the Ravenswood 5K were this weekend. Because of an unexpected fall which landed me in the hospital, I have been unable to access any information about these races or the London Marathon. I should be released from the hospital Sunday or Monday. Look for new postings mid-week if not before.

A Salute to Illinois' Best at Boston

The Boston finish line, pictured the day before Patriots Day when the sun was shining, was crossed by some fast Illinoisans on Monday. Jonathan Eckberg, 28, of downstate Greenville, was our top male, clocking 2:36:03. Next came Jesse Kleinjan, 25, of Chicago, in 2:37:01, and Dave Strubbe, 27, of Chicago, in 2:38:12. Those are some nice times. On the female side, I'll go four-deep. First was Amber Hardin, 28, of Chicago, in 3:05:31. She was followed by Michelle Densmore, 28, of Chicago, in 3:06:22; Mary Paulsen, 24, of Chicago, in 3:06:23; and Sarah Bard, 24, of Chicago, in 3:06:33. Training through our wicked winter paid off. Great job!

Fiene Tops Vision Impaired Podium

Kurt Fiene was absolutely awesome on Monday at the Boston Marathon. The 47-year-old Elmhurst resident and president of the Elmhurst Running Club ran 2:43:44 to easily win the Vision Impaired division for the second year in a row. He soundly beat his rival, Adrian Broca, 32, of Los Angeles, who ran 2:56:55. Fiene's race was amazing in that he had a negative split on a course where the first half is much easier. He ran 1:21:53 and 1:21:51. Incredible! Hats off to Lori Dunn, who coached Kurt through the long, hard winter.
Illinois' other headliners were Dave Walters of Lisle, who ran a 2:44:23 to finish second in men's 50-59 and Nancy Rollins of Evanston, who posted a 3:28:20 to grab the runner-up position in women's 60-69. She was first American, but lost to Korean Soon Ok Kim, who ran 3:25:58. Congrats to all!

Boston 2009 -- Quick Take

The headwinds off the Atlantic were factors much of the way, but with all the winding roads and hills, not to mention the big houses in places like Wellesley and Newton, there were parts of the course where we were protected and quite comfortable. Temps generally were in the mid 40s, reaching 50 when I went through Brookline 3.5 miles from the finish. I had a Nike skull cap that I took on and off all day, and wore a Zensah compression shirt for my base layer on top. I wanted the protection for sure when I got to Beacon St.-Commonwealth-Hereford and Boylston (last 5 miles). That stretch was right into the teeth of of the chilling wind. Crowds were biggest I've ever seen at the B.A.A. Marathon, even in Ashland, which is out near Hopkinton. It was exhilarating to say the least. Boston is not just another run. There is a lot going on mentally, and if I may, spirtually, as you gauge your body and mind to make sure your tank is full and your focus clear for the long Newton hills on miles 16-21. I played it very conservatively because of border-line training and injuries, and it paid off through the first two Newton climbs. Like many around me, I bogged down as my quads and hams began to freeze up on the last two, including Heartbreak, but I got to the top and then found fast-twitch fibers in reserve for the final push to Copley Square and the coveted Boston medallion. I'll take a 3:50:10 on that course at age 60 any time! As I ran down Boylston to the finish with thousands cheering me on, I thanked my lucky stars that I am able to do this. It was a great weekend in Boston to say the least. There was plenty of excitement with the run, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics all in action. That is one passionate sports town. They dodged a huge bullet with the weather. It started raining about 5:45 p.m. I'm wearing my Boston shirt now. I don't want to take it off! Photos: I was freezing afterward as I made my way along Boylston to the "T." My favorite turn on the course is the last one: Hereford to Boylston.

On the Trail to Marathoning's Holy Grail

It's on to Boston today. From a fans' point of view, this one is special. Americans Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher have legitimate chances of winning, even though the Kenyans, Ethiopians, Russians and others are stoked. For history buffs, the last Americans to win in Boston were Grey Meyer in 1983 and Lisa Weidenbach in 1985. As for mere mortals such as myself, I'll start way back in the second pack and likely finish way back in the second pack, but for me, it's the experience and highly charged atmosphere that make Boston so much fun. The race itself is an intriguing run with plenty to think about along the way as you navigate downhills and uphills, hoping to keep some reserve in your tank for the finish. I really look forward to every mile of this race, which I haven't done since 2004. I'm going to take it all in this time and try to finish with a smile on my face. Just in case you live on another planet, the race is being shown live on universalsports.com, starting at 8:30 CDT Monday morning. I'll start at 9:30 CDT, surrounded by all of my fellow 19,000 bib wearers. I'll be pulling for my age-group "rival" Bill Rodgers on Monday. The four-time Boston winner (Bib 79) is running after recovering from prostate cancer. Bill is one of the reasons I got into road racing back in the '70s. He's one of my heroes to say the least. Well, I'll try to report from Boston. We'll see how it goes. Good luck to everyone racing and running locally this weekend.