Team Nebraska rocks the Cities!
Under less than ideal conditions (cold and very wet) Team Nebraska Brooks athletes took the Cities by storm with almost every athlete recording a marathon personal best.  Levi Ashley posted a 4 minute pr leading the mates, finishing in 2:22:51.  Good enough for 14th overall in what had been described as the deepest Men's Championships in years, just outstanding.  Levi's time just missed the one day Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier of 2:22:00.  He's going to get it.  Tom Nichols also posted a 4 minute pr with his 2:25:13, good enough for 21st overall.  Tom & Levi have been working their butts off and it showed on Sunday.  Ben Sandy was next running his fastest marathon since college in 2:35:33.  Tom & Levi's training partner Brian Wandzilak scored a huge 21 minute pr finishing in 2:43:37.  Tom's brother John also started the race strong but had to drop at 14, a good lesson in his marathon debut.  Dave Sutej scored a Masters pr with a very nice 2:58:10.  Marathon debutante  Linda Barnhart made her first effort a successful one taking 13th in the 45-49 age group in 3:30:05.  In the Open Women's race Laura Ferguson finished 19th overall in 2:54:28.  Both Laura and Linda utilized the McLatchie Marathon Training program to great success this cycle.  Sarah Glatt also improved her marathon best covering the tour in 3:09:22. 
In the USA Women's 10 Mile National Championships Christina Vullo got her first taste of national class competition finishing 32nd in 1:05:46.
Former TNB great Mike Morgan continued his progression as one of America's top marathoners taking 4th overall in 2:17:58.  If I were a betting man he'd be on my 2012 marathon team in London.  Many thanks to our friends and supporters in the Twin Cities, always one of our favorite places, the crowds know and love us there!  Looking forward to 2009!

Good weekend for our local masters athletes as well:

Marshall takes Cathedral Crown. 
Jeff Marshall challenged the hilly St. Cecilia's Cathedral 5K course and came away with the overall win in 18:37. 

Christians 2nd overall at Race for the Cure.
Craig continues to show the young bucks the way in a quick 17:08, nice running OldSchool!

Nott captures Platte River Triathlon title.
In this team event, Todd parntered with Scott Stopak of Omaha to cover the 9K run, 7K canoe, and 20K bike in 2:09:34 for the overall win.


TNB headed to Twin Cities Marathon, & more!
Levi Ashley, Tom & John Nichols, Ben Sandy, Sarah Glatt, and Laura Ferguson will all test the Twin Cities Marathon this weekend.  The Men's race will serve as the USA Men's National Marathon Championships.  The race will also host the USA Masters Men & Women's Champs, David Sutej and Linda Barnhart are entered in the Masters division.  In the accompanying USA Women's 10 Mile National Championships, Christina Vullo will make her road champs debut.  Best of luck to all those traveling to Minneapolis-St. Paul this weekend!

McGown inducted into Wayne State Hall of Fame.
James will be honored on Oct. 11 as one of the outstanding athletes to come from Wayne State College.  A multiple time All-American and one of the top distance runners in Nebraska history, James is truly deserving of this fine honor.  Congratulations James!

Pohren running tough in XC
Matt Pohren has rolled on the turf recently taking 23rd at the Woody Greeno Invite and moving up to 20th at the Roy Griak Invitational.  Both highly competitive events, this bodes very well for Matt's fall campaign.

Omaha Mile ready to roll
Great media coverage for an Omaha event!  A press conference was held Monday morning announcing the Invited Elite Fields, in studio KPTM interviews with Race Directors Andrea Bowen and Will Lindgren.  Outstanding article in Tuesday's Omaha World Herald.  Only 3 more days until history is made in Nebraska!
On line registration is being extended until midnight Thursday, and of course day of race registration is available.
www.omahamile.com

Levi Ashley takes Omaha Corporate Cup
Levi Ashley also showed great fitness Sunday morning taking the overall win in 31:40.  Levi will be running Twin Cities as well.  Laura Ferguson was 2nd overall just one day after claiming the 2 Mile crown.  Complete results at:
http://onlineraceresults.com/race/view_plain_text.php?race_id=8864

Westhuizen, Ferguson take 2 Mile titles
Peter van der Westhuizen got a surprise push from Tom Nichols in the Nebraska Assoc. 2 Mile Championships this past weekend.  Nichols took the lead early, pressed the pace, and was only passed in the last 300 meters by Westhuizen.  When he moved though, Peter put a gap that he held to the finish taking the crown in 9:15, Tom 2nd in a pr 9:28 (bodes well for his Twin Cities Marathon) and Shannon Stenger in 3rd with 10:01.  In the women's race Laura Ferguson (11:58), Angee Henry (12:29) and Sara Prince (12:34) were the top 3 finishers.  Laura will also be running Twin Cities on Oct. 5.  The Break the Silence 2 Mile paid $1200 to our top finishers, Outstanding support!

Henry Rono to attempt 50+ World Best at Omaha Mile
In the span  of 81 days in 1978, Henry Rono set world records in the 1500, Steeplechase, 5000, and 10,000.  Truly one of the Legends of our sport, Henry will run the Omaha Mile in an attempt at the 50+ age group World Best.  More details to follow...

Olympian added to Omaha Mile Elite Women's Field
Alice  Schmidt has committed to participate in the Omaha Mile.  In a homecoming of sorts (she is from Elkhorn) Alice will provide family, friends, and fans with much to cheer.   Alice will bring World Class credentials to the event, having represented the USA at the Beijing Olympics at 800 meters.  She  has just returned from competing on the European track circuit, the Omaha Mile is thrilled and honored to have added her to the Elite Women's race.  Be sure to come down and run the same race as an Olympian!  Stick around to watch the Elites provide the most exciting mile race in Nebraska history!

Break the Silence 2 Mile set for Sept. 20
Come out and support Ovarian Cancer research and have a great 2 mile run while you are at it.  Last year this race was voted as having the best amenities of any event around.  Register for outstanding door prizes and stick around for a great morning of running.  There is also an accompanying 4.4 mile walk.  Entry form available on the left.

Omaha Mile Elite Athlete Reception/Dinner tickets available
A limited number of tickets will be made available for the reception to be held at the Omaha Mile host hotel, the Best Western Seville.  Dinner will be catered by PF Changs.   Hours are 6:00-8:00 pm on Friday, Sept. 26.  This is your chance to sit down with the invited athletes and have a great dinner to boot.  This is a special offer made available to those that would like to support the event and the athletes that will be traveling in for the race. 
Only 10 tickets will be made available.  These can be purchased for either you or a person you designate (your favorite HS runner perhaps?).  Cost is $100 per ticket.  Purchase includes race entry, and race technical top.  Interested parties should contact Will Lindgren at runguru@cox.net

Omaha Mile fast approaching
The 2nd annual Omaha Mile is Sept. 27.  The event is open to runners and walkers of all abilities.  Come out and run the fastest mile of your life (its downhill!!) and then stick around for the Invited Elite races.  Some of the top milers in the US (and a couple international athletes as well) will showcase their speed as they pursue the Omaha Mile title.  The Omaha Mile is part of the River City Roundup's weekend of events.

Team Nebraska Brooks partners with Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is kicking off its fall season this week.  The after-school program combines exercise, education and mentoring, and promotes healthy lifestyles and self-respect among girls in the third through fifth grades.  The classes meet for one hour twice a week and include discussions, activities, warm-up games and workouts.  The girls train for a 5K-the TNB Monster Dash 5K at Chalco Hills on Oct. 25.  More info is available at www.girlsontherunofnebraska.org

Wandzilak, Paxton take Buffalo Run titles.
Brian Wandzilak added his name to the list of winners at this storied 5 Mile race.  Showing great form as he preps for the Twin Cities Marathon, Wandzi pulled away over the final meters from training partners Levi Ashley and Tom Nichols to steal the win in 27:15.  Michelle Paxton showed a good return to form claiming the Women's crown.  Roxi Erickson was 3rd o/a female, Michelle Quinlan was also a top finisher.  Bob Garcia also finished top 5 in the men's race.  More info after official results are posted.