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By Arun Kumar
Washington, May 19 (IANS) Ashis Roy, India’s 75-year-old marathon man, has completed his 82nd long run, finishing the 26.2 mile course in the fifth Delaware Marathon in Wilmington in 6 hours and 3 minutes. Despite running with kneecaps on both legs due to persistent pain, Roy finished fourth in the 70 plus age group Sunday as he shaved off 18 minutes from his timing of 6 hours and 21 minutes in the second annual ING Georgia Marathon in Atlanta in March.
It wasn’t still the best of times for Roy, who took to long distance running at the age of 50 after retiring from the Indian Air Force where he served as a cardiologist for 21 years. Five years back when he first ran in the 70 plus group in Norway, Roy finished the course in 4 hours and 18 minutes.
Suffering from pain in both knees and leg cramps slowing him down, Roy finished the first half in two hours and 50 minutes on a rain swept morning. The second half took 13 minutes longer as he ran into a storm on the last four miles.
About 550 people participated in the Delaware marathon following a four-loop city course with Jorge Real, a resident of Bogota, Colombia, currently living in New York, winning the race in two hours, 33 minutes and 35 seconds.
The event included a 10-mile race and four-person marathon relay and involved more than 1,300 runners overall.
Roy, who ran eight marathons in a span of eight months in 2007, plans to compete in at least three more this year. The next run would be in Grandma’s Marathon at Duluth, Minnesota, June 21. He may also run the Quebec City Marathon Aug 24. Participating in the Delaware Marathon for the third year running, Roy was described as the “true ambassador of marathons” and was lodged in a city hotel as a guest of the organisers for two nights.

thaindian.com

A new twist to the 31st Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K will be added this Sunday as the event will tie Cleveland’s rock history with music from different eras throughout the course.
Music has not generally been a part of past Cleveland Marathons, but it will this time. Sixteen different eras will be represented, starting with early influences with songs by Hank Williams, Nat King Cole and Robert Johnson outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. It will end with music honoring the 2008 Hall of Fame’s inductees, including Madonna, John Mellencamp and the Dave Clark Five on East 12th Street and Lakeside Avenue on the south sidewalk.
Other music that runners will be able to enjoy at various course locations include eras from Memphis (1948-58), Detroit (1962-71), London & Liverpool (1963-69), San Francisco (1965-69), Los Angeles (1975-79), New York & London Bank Generation, Seattle (1985-95), Country Folk & Bluegrass, Rhythm & Blues, gospel, Hip Hop, Rock ‘n’ Roll’s early years, and the Music of Ohio.

cleveland.com

Island runner Janelle Kraus started strong at the Olympic marathon trials in Boston Sunday. She was within seconds of a 6:00 mile pace at the halfway point. But then a hip injury that has plagued her since February manifested itself. Her gait and grimace told the story — she would not qualify for the Olympic team.
She “hung on” despite the pain, her former high school cross country coach Cliff Clark reported after watching the race, to finish 57th in a field of 162 with a time of 2:45:01.
Mr. Clark described the race conditions as “perfect. The weather was clear, the temperature in the mid-40s with a modest wind at the 8 a.m. start.”
Ms. Kraus, interviewed via email this week, was moved by the event. “The atmosphere in Boston on that day was unlike any race I have ever seen before; there were crowds at every turn cheering for everyone in that race. I am so grateful to all my family and friends that were there to support me.” In addition to Mr. Clark, the fans cheering her on in Boston included parents Chuck and Linda Kraus, Janelle’s siblings Amanda and Patrick, uncle and aunt Ken and Gina Kraus, grandparents Ceil and Charlie Kraus and many friends including Melanie LoBue, Fay and Warren Walker and Kevin Barry.
Mr. Clark described the course, which “started near the Prudential building in mid-town Boston and made multiple loops around mid-town, across the Charles River via the Harvard Bridge to Memorial Drive (between the Charles River and MIT campus) and back across the bridge to mid-town.
“Janelle was running magnificently through the first half (13.1 miles) and a little beyond. Note one of the pictures that shows the halfway clock at 1:19:01. … She looked great through that point, from every measure. She really looked like she would run the second half faster than the first.”

www2.timesreview.com

FORT COLLINS — Fort Collins Mayor Doug Hutchinson and City Manager Darin Atteberry have been named race starters for the seventh annual Colorado Marathon to be held May 4.
”I’m delighted to be involved,” said Hutchinson. “The Colorado Marathon has become a signature event that showcases Fort Collins and the scenic Poudre Canyon to thousands of runners and their friends and families.”
”We’re thrilled to have Mayor Doug Hutchinson and City Manager Darin Atteberry involved in the event, especially as race registrations are really booming this year,” said race director Brian Cathcart. “This began as — and remains — a true grassroots, authentic Fort Collins experience and the collective efforts of our race committee, volunteers, sponsors and the community are really starting to pay off.”
Fort Collins has been rated by Runner’s Magazine as one of the top 25 running communities in the nation. The Colorado Marathon, starting in Poudre Canyon, drops 1,200 feet as it passes through Laporte and along the river to finish in the center of downtown Fort Collins.
Last year’s marathon drew about 3,000 participants from 42 states and six countries. For more information, visit www.thecoloradomarathon.com.

ncbr.com

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A little more than 1,000 children under the age of 16 will run in Saturday's Mini-Marathon.
You might think, nothing could go wrong with a young runner.
But in our Eye on Kids report, we found young marathoners do face some risks.
Riggs Baxter and his sister Madison are just two of the young runners in this year's Mini Marathon. They've been practicing with their dad.
“We do six miles every week and then we keep adding on ten minutes every week,” said Madison.
“I want to stay in shape and my dad runs it,” said Riggs.
Staying in shape is a great idea. But too much running can cause problems in kids, specifically with their growth plates, the ends of their bones where growth actually takes place.
Dr. Daniel Kraft of Methodist Sports said it's different from adult problems.
“Where an adult may get an Achilles tendonitis, a child younger, 9, 10, 11 age range may get what we call severts. Which is an inflammation of the growth plate where the Achilles attaches to the calcanus,” said Dr. Kraft.
Dr. Kraft also said kids don't respond to heat like adults. So, they should be watched closely if the temperature is over 55 degrees.
And, young runners should be accompanied by an adult, especially in a race as big as the Mini.
For the Baxters, that's not a problem.
“I jog ahead and then I have to wait up for them but uh, they do a very good job,” said Jeff Baxter.
All in all, Dr. Kraft said if kids want to run, let them. Just make sure, the kids really want to do it.
“Running in races such as this 5k races, Mini Marathons for kids, is fine as long as a child is doing something he likes to do and they are the driving factor in them running. When it becomes coaches, parents being the driving factor, then I think that causes problems,” said Dr. Kraft.

wishtv.com

Robert Cheruiyot won his fourth Boston Marathon on Monday, and Dire Tune outkicked Alevtina Biktimirova by 2 seconds in the closest finish in the history of the women’s race.
Cheruiyot ran away from the pack to finish in a blistering 2 hours, 7 minutes, 46 seconds. He missed the course record he set two years ago by 32 seconds, but became the fourth man to win the world’s oldest annual marathon four times.
Cheruiyot and Tune, who finished in 2:25:25, each won $150,000.
With his third consecutive victory, Cheruiyot gave Kenya its 15th men’s victory in 17 years. Tune was the first Ethiopian woman to win since Fatuma Roba won three in a row from 1997-99.
Nicholas Arciniaga, of Rochester Hills, Mich., was 10th to give the Americans a top-10 finish for the fourth consecutive year.
Tune and Biktimirova came into Kenmore Square side-by-side, jockeying for position. Biktimirova appeared to get an edge when Tune nearly missed one of the final turns and ran into a camera vehicle. The Ethiopian quickly composed herself and took the lead before the last turn.
Biktimirova caught her and regained the lead briefly, but Tune pulled ahead for the good in the last 100 yards on Boylston Street to beat her to the line.
The Dolphins are close enough in pre-draft negotiations with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long that a finalized contract could be
announced any day, an NFL source told The Palm Beach Post on Monday.
The source said “there’s a very good chance” Long already will be under contract as the No. 1 pick before the NFL Draft begins at noon Saturday at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
• Court documents allege that a 29-year-old man arrested for a Las Vegas strip club shooting extorted hush money from suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones.

mercurynews.com

"Team Groove” will be running in Sunday’s Shamrock Marathon, raising money for a scholarship fund named in memory of a Virginia Beach sailor killed in 2005 in Afghanistan.
Lt. Michael M. “Groove” McGreevy Jr., 30, was assigned to SEAL Team 10, based at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach, when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter he was on crashed on June 28, 2005, while ferrying personnel to a battle against militants in Afghanistan.
He was one of three local Navy SEALs among the 16 servicemen killed in the crash in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan after the chopper was shot down with a rocket-propelled grenade.
After his death, his widow, Laura, other family, friends and comrades organized the Mike McGreevy Memorial Scholarship Fund. It provides a pair of four-year scholarships annually, one given to a student in Norfolk or Virginia Beach and the other to a student from McGreevey’s hometown of Portville, N.Y.
Participants in Team Groove pay a $100 entry fee which covers the cost of race registration with remaining funds going to the scholarship fund.
For more information or to register, go to: www.mikemcgreevymemorialfund.org

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OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Parrothead Club will hold its Mardi Gras Carnival Friday, March 7 at the Carousel in Ocean City to benefit the Life Crisis Center and the Decatur Lifesavers Jr. Red Cross Club.
This year’s Royal Court introduces Queen candidates Veronica Donaldson, Patti Miller, Lisa Tilghman and Mandi Wells. King candidates are Mike Cobo, Chris Hall, Mike Rutledge and Adam Osborn. Listed are some of their upcoming fundraisers.
Ocean City Fashion Show fundraiser at the home of Lewis and Betty Bush, 6502 South Point Road, Berlin from 5 to 10 p.m. Free food and drinks, $25 cover. $100 in cash and $500 in gift certificates from local restaurants. Call Veronica Donaldson at 410-603-1300 or e-mail her at vea2sea44@gmail.com. For event or ticket information, call 410-520-2100 or visit www.ocphc.com.
Star Light, Star Bright Realtor Night Fundraiser at BJ’s on the Water, 75th Street and the bay, Ocean City from 5 to 10 p.m. Free food and happy hour prices, $10 cover. Realtor will win $100 in cash and $500 in gift certificates, and the title of “Ocean City’s Mardi Gras Top Realtor.” Call Veronica Donaldson at 410-603-1300 or e-mail her at vea2sea44@gmail.com For event or ticket information, call 410-520-2100 or visit www.ocphc.com
Ocean City’s Singing Idol Contest will be held at the Blue Ox, 126th Street and Coastal Highway, from 5 to 10 p.m. A $10 cover charge includes appetizers and happy hour prices all evening. Karaoke singers are needed and can sign up at the door. Contest starts at 7 p.m. There is a $100 cash prize plus $500 in gift certificates.
Ocean City’s Boot Stomping Contest Fundraiser at Kirby’s Pub, 94th Street Shopping Center, Ocean City, from 5 to 10 p.m. Free food and happy hour prices, $10 donation at the door. Looking for dancers, enter to win $100 in cash and $500 in gift certificates from local restaurants and the title of “Ocean City’s Mardi Gras Top Coyote Cutie.” Call Veronica Donaldson at 410-603-1300 or e-mail her at vea2sea44 @gmail.com For event or ticket information, call 410-520-2100 or visit www.ocphc.com
Games on the Beach Fundraiser at the Ocean City Marlin Club, 9659 Golf Course Road, West Ocean City from 5 to 10 p.m. $25 will purchase $250 in fun money, free food and drinks. Fun money used to bid on items at silent and Chinese auction. Call Veronica Donaldson at 410-603-1300 or e-mail her at vea2sea44@ gmail.com. For event or ticket information, call 410-520-2100 or visit www.ocphc.com.
The Solstice General Store and candidate Patty Miller will hold a royal Wine Tasting fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. A donation of $10 will be accepted at the door. Tastings will occur every half hour from 6 to 9 p.m. A Kevin Fitzgerald print will also be featured with “chances” being sold for the print. For ticket information, call 443-880-7795.
The Little Red Mardi Gras Golf Cruise will be held Saturday, March 1, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club. Tickets cost $50 each, which includes a welcome cocktail, cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, tunes by DJ Wax and music and foods from three Ports of Call — New Orleans, Jamaica and Mexico. Dress is dinner cruise wear or formal golf attire. Golf games, a diamond hunt in Cozumel and a grand silent auction are just part of the activities. For ticket information, call Patti at 443-880-7795.
A Country Hoe Down will be held at the Gary Renshaw Farm, 3863 Allen Road in Allen, Md., from 5 to 10 p.m. Cost is $25 a person, which includes a menu of pulled pork, oyster fritters, beer and wine, music by DJ Eric, dancing and star gazing around a bonfire, silent and live auctions and a Champaign of Diamonds. For more information, call Lisa at 410-543-2100 or Dawn at 410-742-2221.
A Leap Year Party will be held at the Crisfield Elks Lodge No. 1044, 4410 Crisfield Highway, also known as Route 413. Admission costs $30 a couple. For more information, call 410-603-6590.
A Casino Night will be held at the Ocean City Marlin Club in West Ocean City at 6 p.m. Admission is $25 at the door. For more information, call Joe Kendall at 410-213-2520.
A Longest Drive and Putting Contest will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Deer Run Golf Course, 8804 Logtown Road in Berlin. Age brackets and prizes for each age group. For more information, call Mandi at 410-726-5493.
A bus trip to Atlantic City will depart from Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin at 7:30 a.m. and return at 9:30 p.m. Cost is $50 with a $20 refund from Trump Taj Mahal upon arrival. For more information, call Mandi at 410-726-5493.
Happy hour will be held at Bull on the Beach, Route 50 and Keyser Point Road in West Ocean City, from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost is $10 a ticket in advance (by Feb. 20), or $12 at the door. There will be silent and Chinese auctions along with a DJ, live karaoke, door prizes, food and happy hour prices. For more information, call Mandi at 410-726-5493.
A Rock Out will be held at the Steer Inn on Racetrack Road in Berlin from 4 to 8 p.m. A donation will be taken at the door. The event will include a pool tournament, 50/50, happy hour prices, and entertainment by Rule of Three classic rock band and Randy Lee Ashcraft at 9 p.m. For more information, call Mandi at 410-726-5493.
A Bowling Extravaganza will be held at Ocean Lanes, 72nd Street and Bay, from noon to 2 p.m. Cost is $20 per person; $60 per team of four, which includes two hours of bowling, shoe rental, raffle prizes, prizes for highest game, lowest game and more. For more information, call Mandi at 410-726-5493.
Spa Day at Visions Spa, 123rd Street and Coastal Highway, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds from the day will be donated to the campaign. Customers interested in donating must call Visions to schedule an appointment at 410-250-5188, or call Mike Cobo at 410-219-3500. There will also be a raffle for a Visions gift certificate and a lunch certificate to a local restaurant.
Games on the Beach Fundraiser at the Ocean City Marlin Club, 9659 Golf Course Road, West Ocean City from 5 to 10 p.m. $25 will purchase $250 in fun money, free food and drinks. Fun money used to bid on items at silent and Chinese auction. For more information, call Mike Cobo at 410-219-3500.
Through March 5
Wine Tasting Dinner Raffle. Win a dinner for 16 people at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in West Ocean City. A three-course dinner features steak, chicken, seafood and five types of wine. Tickets cost $20 each. For more information, call 410-213-0037.
Through March 5
Chocolate Chip Cookie Sale. Order Adam’s famous monster-sized cookies by Feb. 8 for Valentine’s Day. Orders will be taken until March 5. Cost is $15 a dozen. For more information, call 410-213-0037.
An American Legion Happy Hour Party will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at American Legion Post 166 at 24th Street and Coastal Highway in Ocean City. Admission is $20 a person. For more information, call 410-213-0037.
An all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Dinner will be held at Whiskers Pub in Ocean Pines from 3 to 6 p.m. Cost is $10 a person. For more information, call 410-213-0037.
A Sock Hop will be held at 707 Sports Bar and Grille from 7 p.m. till you drop. Admission costs $20 a person, which includes light fare and happy hour drink prices. For more information, call 410-213-0037.
A Golf Marathon will be held at Deer Run Golf Course, 8804 Logtown Road in Berlin. The cost is $25 a person, which includes unlimited golf and a box lunch. For $5, enter the longest drive and putting contests. For more information, call 410-213-0037.
A Tailgate Meet & Greet Party featuring Maryland Terrapin football players, Baltimore Ravens players, and some local hockey players will be held at the Harborside, 12841 S. Harbor Rd., in West Ocean City from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A donation will be taken at the door; $20 for those over 18, $10 for ages 13 to 18. The event features a silent auction with sports memorabilia, a tailgate lunch, drink and food specials. Bring your jerseys, footballs and cameras for pictures. For more information, call 410-213-1846.

delmarvanow.com