Tharaud, Manuel Win Frank Lloyd Wright 10K

The Frank Lloyd Wright 10K, serving as the final CARA Runner's Choice Circuit race of the year, was won by Jerome Tharaud, 30, in 32:49 on the streets of Oak Park. On a course with more than a few houses designed by F.L. W., Larisa Manuel, 28, took the women's title in 37:48. Runner-up on the men's side was Brian Grudowski, 29, in 32:59, and third place went to Matt McCulley, 26, in 33:48. Second-place woman was Isabel Polsky, 39, in 40:02, and third went to Lori Hokeness, 29, in 42:24. This race, which had 889 finishers, was a mixed bag of Ciruit and non-Circuit runners. Nice job by everyone. I saw some pretty fast times in the age-group results. A special welcome back to racing must go to 70-year-old Ron Thomas, who ran a great 44:58. In the 5K, David Carter, 25, won in 16:55, and Mary Blankmeier, 11, took the female championship in 20:16. There were 786 finishers.

Akita Wins Fall 50 in Door County

Elmhurst College cross-country and track coach Jim Akita is one-for-one in ultramarathons after winning on Saturday in the Fall 50 up in Door County, WI. Akita won the 50-mile trek from Gills Rock at the tip of the peninsula to Sturgeon Bay in 6:06:41, an average of 7:21 per mile. Second place went to Stuart Kolb, 48, of Green Bay, in 6:18.50. The women's winner was Sonya Decker, 44, of Minneapolis, in 7:14:59. The event also included two-person and five-person relays. There were 240 teams entered. I've run this relay on a five-member team and highly recommend it if you ever get the chance.

Scott, Overbeck Win Go Go Green 5K

Derek Scott last got my attention when he came in and set a course record of 19:07 at the 2009 Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th. Scott, 24, of Lynchburg, Va., came back to town on Saturday and easily won the Peggy Notebaert Go Go Green 5K in Lincoln Park. Scott won it with a 15:31; Jeff Bailey, 25, of Evanston, took second in 15:48; and Jeff Hojnacki, 36, of Chicago, placed third in 16:16. Christina Overbeck, 24, of Chicago, was the women's winner in 17:55. Runner-up honors went to Susanna Rivard, 23, of Indianapolis, in 18:02; and Kalina Michalska, 33, of Chicago, ran third in 18:49. There were 554 finishers.

Interview with B.A.A.'s Morse A Must See

Hey, Illinois runners, if you haven't seen it yet, the interview with B.A.A. Boston Marathon executive director Guy Morse on the B.A.A. web site regarding what has transpired this week is very good and worth viewing. It is 7 minutes 56 seconds in length and really presents the picture of what is going on very well. Look for a larger field and tighter standards next year. Morse is a man of great integrity and wants what is best for running and runners. Take a look. It is a lengthy link address, but here it is if you don't go directly to the B.A.A. site.
http://www.baa.org/news-and-press/news-listing/2010/october/a-statement-from-baa-executive-director-guy-morse.aspx

Boston Demand Exceeds Supply

When Boston Marathon registration was shut down today (Monday) at 4:03 p.m. CDT, it was unprecedented and left a lot of Boston qualifiers stunned and very disappointed.
Last year, registation was open for more than two months. This year, it was just over eight hours with some technical difficulties early in the morning adding to the anxious day at the keyboard. Marathon executive director Guy Morse says everything will be on the table next year, including tighter qualifying standards. Believe me, Guy Morse is a guy who does not like the idea that qualifiers are not getting into the Boston Marathon. He will work to come up with a solution for 2012. What it is, we can only guess as the 2011 race goes ahead under the current rules and qualifying standards. So you're a good runner who has the qualifying time, but you're not entered. What do you do? There are other marathons, and I've already suggested London, Paris and Rotterdam to one good friend. Stay tuned. This is quite a story. You have my total sympathy if you didn't get in. As one writer put it, runners with fast feet but slow fingers on the keyboard, were out of luck today. When I first ran Boston in 1990, there were 6,000 runners. My, how time has changed.

It's Sign-Up-for-Boston Day --It's Filled! Unreal!

If you're qualified and plan to run the 2011 B.A.A. Boston Marathon, you'd better sign up asap. Registration opened today, and I think it will go faster than ever. I'm not qualified, so I can sit and watch it fill from the sidelines. If you plan to run, do it now! One unconfirmed report said registation already was more than 16,000 as 2 p.m. CDT. Update: It is filled. Repeat. It is filled. I don't believe it, but the B.A.A. doesn't lie.

Frank Lloyd Wright Run Filled Up

The Frank Lloyd Wright 10K (CARA Runners Choice Circuit), 5K and 5K walk are closed. The events in Oak Park on Oct. 24 have reached their combined 2,500 capacity. Openings still exist for the youth mile as of this posting. I was on the fence to do this race, and the closing makes it easy. I can't do it. In my case, I am third in my age group in the CARA standings, and know I can't get second if my friend and rival John Albanese runs the race. He is faster than I am, and I would have to throw out a race (you're allowed a maximum of nine for scoring) and he wouldn't. However, there might be other runners who could move up a place, especially in the top three overall or in a specific age group, who won't get the opportunity. I hope that isn't the case. If you are doing this run, it is a great one with a fast course and beautiful scenery.