[Sportsandrec] FW: Team USABA Shines at 2009 California International Marathon-Inaugural USABA Marathon National Championships

[Christella Garcia]

  _____  

From: United States Association of Blind Athletes [mailto:etap at usaba.org] 
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 1:53 PM
To: Christella Garcia
Subject: Team USABA Shines at 2009 California International
Marathon-Inaugural USABA Marathon National Championships


 USABA Banner consisting of USABA Logo Superimposed on USA Flag
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Team USABA Shines at 2009 California International Marathon-Inaugural USABA
National Marathon Championships
  Kurt Fiene at race awards ceremony
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It was an extremely cold and windy start but eight USABA blind and visually
impaired athletes and their guides made their presence known while the
pursuit of dreams brought warmth to last Sunday's California International
Marathon and inaugural USABA Marathon National Championships.  According to
Mark Lucas, the Executive Director for the U.S. Association of Blind
Athletes, "the city of Sacramento and the race organizers exceeded all
expectations ensuring that these athletes who are blind and visually
impaired had an opportunity to train for and compete in such a prestigious
event."
 
Kurt Fiene of Elmhurst, IL, won the men's division in an overall time of
2:58:36.  Steven Wood of St. Clair Shores, MI, and his guide Monte Harville
took second in 3:15:39 and Richard Hunter (U.S. Marine Corps Veteran) of
Folsom, CA, and his guide Tim Ojima placed third in 3:27:48.
 
A 2008 Paralympic goalball gold medalist, and running in her first marathon,
Jessie Lorenz of Oakland, CA and her guide Jenn Anthony won the women's
division in a time of 4:31:33.
 
 Katie Davis and Gil Magallanes at a relay exchange point.
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esults_clip_image006.jpg> In addition to those athletes who pushed their
mind and bodies over the entire 26.2 miles, four other individuals
participated as part of the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes relay team.
Gil Magallanes (U.S. Army Veteran) of Clarksville, TN and his guide Alan
Gulledge ran the first leg of the relay; covering the first 5.9 miles in a
time of 1:05:33.  Katie Davis of Sacramento, CA and her guide Lilly Cortez
ran the second leg of the race covering 7.6 miles in a time of 1:26:54.  A
2000 Paralympic goalball athlete, Joe Hamilton of Sacramento, CA and his
guide Cindy Mendes ran the third leg of the relay (7 miles) in a time of
1:17:35.  Running the final leg of the relay, Chester Triplett (US Army
Veteran) from Mooresville, NC and his guide Alan Gulledge ran the final 5.7
miles in a blistering time of 46:28 giving the relay team an overall time of
4:34:50.
  Chester Triplett (L) and his guide Allan Gulledge sporting big grins
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These tremendous accomplishments could not have been possible without the
assistance of the guide runners.  Their unselfish commitment in helping
athletes who are blind and visually impaired achieve their goals of
participating in such a tremendous event did not go unnoticed.  Their
perseverance and willingness to assist the blind and visually impaired
runners in preparation for and during the competition was instrumental to
their overall success.  In fact, Tim Ojima (guide for Richard Hunter) was
able to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  Their unwavering support to USABA
and all the athletes who are blind and visually impaired that participated
in the marathon and relay was superb.
 
USABA would also like to personally thank sponsor Dr. Michael Schermer, a
board certified ophthalmologist who lives and works in Sacramento.  He is
very much interested in improving the overall delivery of healthcare for
individuals who are blind and visually impaired.  Dr. Schermer's charitable
contribution helped provide yet another opportunity for athletes who are
blind and visually impaired to participate in a tremendous event such as the
California International Marathon. 
 
 
 Team USABA group photo (left to right) Rich Cardillo, Kurt Fiene, Richard
Hunter, Michael Kinoshita, Joe Hamilton, Katie Davis, Chester Triplett,
Steven Wood, Dr. Michael Schirmer (Jessie Lorenz and Gil Magallanes not
present)
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  Start training now for the next California International Marathon / USABA
Marathon National Championships currently scheduled for December 5, 2010.
Remove
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Address postal inquiries to:
United States Association of Blind Athletes
33 North Institute St
Colorado Springs, CO 80903 
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