Ware Doesn't Need Luck of the Irish

Chad Ware, 25, of Deerfield, showed some early-season speed on Saturday, easily winning the first annual Fleadh 5K at Midlothian Meadows Forest Preserve in south suburban Oak Forest. Ware won it in 15:01.6, with Archie Bareikis, 23, of Oak Forest, running second in 16:59.2, and Kris Smrekar, 43, of Aurora, grabbing third in 17:39.3. On the women's side, Laura Bestrick, 41, of Orland Park, won in 24:02.3. Jean Powell, 44, of Oak Forest, was second in 24:09.5, and Michelle Wilson, 39, of Chicago, was third in 24:21.7. So you think "Fleadh" was a typo? Remember, St. Patrick's Day is next week. This run was part of the first annual Oak Forest Fleadh, which is pronounced "flah" in Gaelic and means festival. The race was part of a full day of fun and activities.

Khannouchi Comeback Under Way

I did not do this interview with 38-year-old Khalid Khannouchi, but it is so good, you should read it. It was done by Matt Fitzgerald of Competitor Magazine and was linked to CARA's latest e-newsletter. For those of you who didn't see it, Khalid is on the mend and hoping to run a fall marathon. Here you go: http://running.competitor.com/2010/03/features/khalid-khannouchi-back-on-the-radar_8940

Chicago Marathon Passes 30,000

If you don't already know this, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration has surpassed 30,000. A cap of 45,000, give or take a few, means this race could fill soon. The 33rd running of the Chicago Marathon is set for Sunday, Oct. 10. To sign up, go to:
http://www.chicagomarathon.com

Valpo Mini Marathon Canceled

According to our good friends at Human Race Sports in Orland Park, IL/Valparaiso, IN, the Valpo Mini Marathon has been canceled for this year, but race organizers say it will be back in 2011. The Mini, a half-marathon in Valparaiso, has been run during April the past five years. At this point, I have no reason for the cancellation. I know one thing. It is very difficult to put on a race of any distance. I know that from personal experience as co-director of the Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th (3rd this year). If I get more information on the Valpo Mini, I'll pass it along. Here's the official word:
http://valpominimarathon.com

Great Western Half Sold Out

Speaking of races out of St. Charles, the Great Western Half-Marathon, put on by the Fox River Trail Runners, is sold out. The May 2 race has reached capacity. Boy, do we have a lot of half-marathons around here this year. Meanwhile, nothing is new on the possible full marathon previously posted.

New Fall Marathon?

Good sources tell me there is a possible new marathon planned for Sept. 19 in the Fox River Valley area (far west suburbs). Not to be confused with the Fox Cities Marathon in Wisconsin on the same day, this race would start and finish in St. Charles. I am not 100 percent sure, but it seems as though this race just might happen.

Birkie a Smashing Success

OK runners, you've at least seen cross-country ski racing now because of the Olympic TV coverage, so now maybe you understand what I do and why I do it each winter. Cross-country (also known as Nordic) skiing is a fabulous way to embrace winter. I got into it as an extension of running's endurance aspect way back in the '70s and haven't looked back. The 37th American Birkebeiner was my 30th. That meant I got to wear a coveted gold bib as I traversed the difficult course from Cable to Hayward in northwest Wisconsin. Skiing the Birkie does have some things runners don't have to worry about like proper wax on your skis (glide wax only when you skate), equipment and at least some technique. Other than that, it's a very similar mindset to running a big-time marathon. My race went very well with good pacing, nice glide and better-than-usual climbing on the many hills on this well-known 50K course. Two negatives were a ski pole malfunction that I lived with for eight kilometers until I got a replacement pole at the 33K aid station, and a bad fall at 47K, which resulted in a bruised rib or two. Still, I was smiling at the finish, got interviewed by the local radio station up there and celebrated a lifestyle I chose long ago, which, of course, also includes running. I really do encourage all of you to at least try this sport sometime. It's a blast and has its own circuits of clinics, races etc. The photo is of four locals who finished within four minutes of each other. They are (from left) Rich Scott (a former North Central runner and darned good skier) of Naperville, Chuck Zagozdon of Chicago, a strong cyclist and roller-skier in the offseason, me (golden bib) and David Fyhrie of Wheaton, a great downhill skier as well as XC buff. Obviously, we were happy campers just past the finish line on trucked-in snow in beautiful downtown Hayward. The race was won by an Italian in a record time of 1:56! Wow! Skiers from 19 countries and 47 states participated. It's been called the Boston Marathon of cross-country skiing since the mid-1980s. I wouldn't disagree.