BC Athletics Bulletin

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ISSUE #10-2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008

Highlights from this issue:

Tyler Christopher is World Indoor Champion, Canadian results from Valencia
Athletics Canada names Olympic Games staff
IAAF World Cross Country Championships Team named
IOC honours Abby Hoffman
BC 5K Championships results
Run Jump Throw Instructor Workshops – April in Kelowna
Level 1 Officials Clinic – April 1, Surrey
Masters World Relay Record set by BC athletes

FROM THE BCA OFFICE

BC Athletics is moving on March 31st!

As of April 1, 2008 the new address will be:
BC Athletics
190B 3820 Cessna Dr.
Richmond BC
V7B 0A1

Brian McCalder – President/CEO (604) 333-3552
Maurice Wilson – Technical Manager Road & Cross Country Running (604) 333-3553
Thelma Wright – Run Jump Throw Program Coordinator (604) 333-3554
Jessica Olfert – Administrative Assistant, Run Jump Throw Administrator (604) 333-3554
Track and Field Technical Manager (604) 333-3555
Ron Bunting – Coaching Education ron.bunting@bcathletics.org
Sam Collier – Manager Registration and Membership Services (604) 333-3556
Accounting (604) 333-3557

Approved Meets for JD Awards and All Time Top 10 Listings

The following meets have been approved by the JD Committee for All Time Top 10 listings and for JD Awards. If any Club would like to have their meet(s) added to this list please submit the name of your meet by APRIL 1, 2008 for approval at the next JD Committee meeting. If a meet is not approved for the above purposes an athlete will not be able to use results obtained for awards or All Time Top 10 listings. Only sanctioned meets may be approved.

BC JD Track and Field Championships
BC JD Pentathlon Championships
BC Summer Games (even years)
BC Midget Event (BCSG alternate meet)
Trevor Craven Memorial Meet, Burnaby.
Jesse Bent Memorial, Coquitlam
Pacific Invitational, Langley
** Track City Classic, Eugene
** Classy Classic, Seattle
Jack Brow Memorial, Kelowna
Spruce Capital, Prince George
Kamloops Centennial, Kamloops
George Dean Meet, Sidney
Eagle Classic, Maple Ridge
Cougars Invitational, Courtenay
Bob Dailey Invitational, Port Alberni
Elwood Wylie Meet, Nanaimo
Dogwood Meet, Victoria
Garriock Invitational, Duncan
Nat. Legion T and F Championships
NorWesters Elementaries Meet, Burnaby.
Junior Olympics, Surrey
BC Elementary Championships, Richmond
BC Interior Championships (provisional)
Island Pentathlon and Throws Meet

** Athletes competing in US Meets must present a certified copy of meet results.

Point Grey Community Track Project

Phase One (the Track) has been completed and we now need to work on phase two: the Long/triple pole vault and high jump facility.

We are looking to fund-raise the capital to cover the cost which is approximately $37,000 dollars which includes two long jump and one pole vault lanes and a high jump apron finished with the same quality material as the track.

Canadian Olympic Committee Calls for Applications for the 2008 Carol Anne Letheren Leadership and Sport Scholarship

VANCOUVER, February 19, 2008 – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is now accepting applications for the 2008 Carol Anne Letheren Leadership and Sport Scholarship.

The scholarship is a national, three-year, $1,500 per year, university award presented to one outstanding female high school graduate. The award is named in honour of the late Carol Anne Letheren (1942-2001), former chief executive officer of the COC.

The Carol Anne Letheren Leadership and Sport Scholarship is given to a female student (Canadian citizen or permanent resident) presently enrolled at a Canadian high school or CEGEP (private or public) in her graduating year and applying to a Canadian university or college in business, sport management, marketing, physical education or related fields. In addition to demonstrating qualities and personal values that personify the Olympic values, the eligible candidate will have a minimum grade average of 85% in her final year of high school. She will also be an accomplished athlete in high school, community or provincial level competitive sport(s). Please note that athletes competing at the national level (junior and senior) will be given preference.

To learn more on how to apply please visit www.olympic.ca/EN/funding/letheren_award.shtml. Applications must be received at the COC Vancouver office by mail by 5:00 p.m. PST, April 11, 2008. Selections will be made shortly thereafter and the successful candidate(s) will be notified by May 23, 2008.

For more information:
Steve Keogh
Manager, Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
Phone: (416) 324-4146
Cell: (416) 806-3949
Email: skeogh@olympic.ca

The Saskatchewan Athletics Coaching Symposium ’08:
Insights into World Class Coaching

Regina – March 21-23

Featuring:
Gary Winckler, USA – Hurdles, coach of Perdita Felicien
Irving Schexnayder, USA – Horizontal Jumps, coach of Walter Davis and John Moffit
Wynn Gmitroski, CAN – Endurance, coach of Gary Reed

Saskatoon – March 28-30

Featuring:
Dan Pfaff, USA – Sprints, Speed and Power, former coach of Donovan Bailey, Bruny Surin, Glenroy Gilbert
Kevin Tyler, CAN – Sprints, coach of Tyler Christopher and Adam Kunkel

2008 Track & Field Results - ACDirect Results Management System

Beginning in 2008 all Track & Field results will be centralized through the ACDirect Results Management Systems. The document found at the link below is a draft of how the system will work and what the procedures will be. This is not a final document but will give Meet Directors and idea of how results will be handled.

With this system a national results program will be developed assisting greatly in provincial and national rankings, archiving results etc. There will be more information available in the near future and this information will be circulated as soon as the BC Athletics office receives it.

Once you have had a chance to look the draft document over please get back to the BC Athletics office with any comments you may have on the procedures.

If you have any comments or questions please contact:
Sam Collier
sam.collier@bcathletics.org
Ph: (604) 737-3177

BC Athletics 2008 Club Memberships

The club membership period runs from January 1st to December 31st each year. There is a 3 month grace period provided because of the various times that clubs have for their members renew. The grace period ensures that the club's liability policy is in place as the club gets organized for the upcoming year. Club Membership applications and renewals must be received in the BC Athletics office no later than March 31st.

The forms are available at the following link (Club memberships can not be renewed through ACDirect at this time):
www.bcathletics.org/main/clubs.htm

**IMPORTANT: 2008 Track & Field, Cross-Country Fixtures**

Please submit all 2008 Track and Field and Cross-Country Fixtures AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Athletics Canada

World Indoor Track and Field Championships – News and Results

Tyler Christopher of Edmonton won the gold medal in the men’s 400-metre on Sunday at the world indoor track and field championships. He clocked a Canadian record 45.67 seconds, which is also the fastest time this year. Read the full story www.athletics.ca/display_news.asp?newsid=507

Megan Metcalfe of Edmonton broke the Canadian record to advance to the women’s 3,000-metre final on Friday at the world indoor track and field championships. In the women’s 3,000, Metcalfe clocked eight minutes and 48.56 seconds for the fourth fastest time in her heat and overall to easily gain one of the 12 spots for Saturday’s final. She lowered one of the oldest national records in the book bettering the 8:50.80 run by Lynn Williams in 1987. Read the full story www.athletics.ca/display_news.asp?newsid=505

Men’s 400m
Gold - Tyler Christopher, 45.67 (New pending Canadian Indoor record)

Women’s 60m hurdles Heats
Heat 1
4. Angela Whyte, 8.16
Heat 2
6. Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, 8.66

Women’s 3000m Heats
4. Megan Metcalfe, 8:48.56 (New pending Canadian Indoor record)

Athletics Canada names Olympic Games staff

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada announced today the staff which will accompany the athletics team to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

While Chief High Performance Officer Martin Goulet will oversee the project, the team will be led in Beijing by Head Coach Les Gramantik. Gramantik was an event coach in Athens at the last Olympic Games (in 2004), more recently he led the Canadian athletics team to 12 medals at the 2007 Pan American Games, 2 medals at the 2007 World Championships and 1 medal this past weekend at the World Indoor Championships.

Athletics Canada’s Olympic Trials will take place in Windsor, Ontario, July 3 to 6. The team will then be officially announced on the morning of July 7.

Members from BC

Athletics Canada names team for IAAF World Cross Country Championships

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada announced today the team which will represent Canada at the 36th IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland.

A large component of the team heading to Scotland was recently in Orlando, Florida at the 4th NACAC Cross Country Championships. Canada dominated the NACAC (North America, Central America and Caribbean) Championships winning three individual titles, five medals of a possible twelve, and three of the four team awards - see March 1st coverage of the NACAC Championships: www.athletics.ca/main.asp?page_url=/display_news.asp?newsid=499.

IOC honours Abby Hoffman

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada would like to congratulate Abby Hoffman from Ottawa who was honoured by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the IV IOC World Conference on Women in Sport in Jordan. She is a member of Athletics Canada’s Board of Directors (Ex-Officio).

Abby Hoffman, an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Council Member since 1995, was awarded the Americas “Women in Sport” Trophy. Hoffman, along with the other winners, was selected by the IOC Women and Sport Commission from 70 candidatures submitted by National Olympic Committees and International Federations.

Selection Criteria

The declaration deadline for this event is June 15th, 2008. Please note that a new online Athlete Declaration Form will be available soon.

2008 Canadian Half-Marathon Championships

Please be advised that the following Event Technical and/or Registration packages are now available:

If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Clarke, Events Coordinator at nclarke@athletics.ca or 613.260.5580 ext.3309

IAAF World Race Walking Cup

The Gold Standard

Results from around the Track (and Field)

Track and Field

MASTERS WORLD RELAY RECORD

On March 11, four BC Athletics and Tri City Greyhounds track and field club members broke the Masters indoor world record for the 4x400 metre relay in the men's 60 year-old age group. Tony Badowski, age 65 of Port Coquitlam, John Winfield, age 61 of Tsawwassen, Sewa Birring, age 62 of Surrey and Harold Morioka, age 65 of Surrey, set a new indoor world record for the 1600 metre relay race in 4:13.30. The previous record was 4:14.76 set by the USA in 2005.

None of the team members had ever run in an indoor relay race before. For John and Sewa, it was their first ever race indoors. Tony had his first indoor race only a month earlier, also in Kamloops. Harold has raced indoors many times but never on a relay team. In 2003, at the World Masters Championships, Tony and Harold ran on the Canadian M60 4x400 metre relay team that won the gold medal in the outdoor championships in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Their time of 4:07.74 stands as the Canadian M60 4x400 metre outdoor relay record.

The team raced in the Tournament Capital Centre, the new sports complex in Kamloops, BC, which just won the bid to host the next World Masters indoors track and field championships in 2010. They ran in a special invitational race which was a preview for the Kamloops Elementary Schools relay meet. With 600 screaming students cheering them on, the team was able to break the indoor world record by 1.46 seconds. Originally they were going to attempt to break this record a month earlier in Kamloops, in the first ever indoor track and field meet to be held in British Columbia. However due to an injury and sickness to team members, this attempt was cancelled.

Kamloops then invited the team to race just prior to the elementary students’ relays. Several Kamloops newspapers and the local television station covered the race.

Given a second chance to break the world record, the team didn’t disappoint the race organizers nor the very loud and supporting students. However it wasn’t easy for the team. Tony had strained a calf muscle preparing for this race and told his teammates he wasn’t sure if he could finish his leg of the relay. Despite the pain he ran a great opening leg. John ran the second leg and put the team in position for the record. John was in Mexico a few weeks earlier and had scraped his legs when he fell on slippery rocks at the beach. Sewa who had no sleep all night because of hiccups wasn’t sure if he had the strength to run a strong race. He did. His hiccups stopped on the ride up to Kamloops, only three hours before the race. Finally Harold, who had pulled a hamstring muscle six weeks earlier, took the baton for the final leg. With the support of the cheering students, Harold crossed the finish line and the clock stopped with a new Masters Indoor World Record for the M60 4x400 metres relay.

In the News

CIS Championships

NAIA Championships

University of Washington Last Chance Qualifier

Road Running

BC 5K Championship, held in conjunction with the Penticton Lakeside Resort 5K

Penticton Lakeside Resort 5K

Many close finishes in today’s race. Only twenty-two seconds separated the first five men and in the women’s division, it was closer yet, with the first five crossing the line just sixteen seconds apart.

For the women, it was Chantelle Deacon (F16-19) of Vernon taking top spot in 19:29, ten seconds faster than her last year’s second place finish. Tracey Pope (F40-44) of Naramata was second in 19:35. Women’s front runner, Shannon Thompson (F20-29) of Kelowna, lost out in the final few clocking in at 19:37 followed closely by Cindy Rhodes (F50-54) of Kelowna (19:40) and Stacey Butterfield of Penticton (F30-34) in 19:45.

First place overall went to a ‘new kid on the block’ Theodore Hunt (M20-29) of Vancouver, but now attending university in Kelowna. His 16:41 finish was just two ticks ahead of Penticton’s Tom Evans (M40-44) with Tom just three seconds better than Greg Johnson’s of Vernon (M30-34) 16:47 third place finish. Kelowna’s Connor Clerke (M16-19) 16:57 and Rory Switzer (M45-49) 17:03 were fourth and fifth.

Another close finish was in the men’s 60-64 category where Jack Wessel and Ellis Andrews ran stride for stride for the last mile with only one second separating them at the finish. The younger of the two prevailed in a time of 19:30. Third place in that category went to Ed Ansems of Terrace who finished in 19:40.

Harry’s Spring Run-Off 8K

A record 1029 registered participants enjoyed dry weather this year at the second annual Harry's Spring Run-Off 8k to fight Prostate Cancer. The lack of rain was greatly appreciated by the organizers, volunteers and sponsors as well. Ryan McKenzie of Windsor, Ontario took home $1000 and the men's title while Calgary's Lisa Harvey repeated as women's overall winner, also pocketing $1000. VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation was the biggest winner of the day with over $130,000 raised for prostate cancer research.

Ryan Hayden of Richmond, last year's winner, blasted off the start line at a pace he couldn't maintain, soon to be overtaken by McKenzie. The Ontarian took command for the rest of the race, gradually pulling ahead and cruising to a 23:40 finish. Behind him, Hayden held off a determined chase by Vancouver's Jerry Ziak and Langley's Steve Osaduik who battled for third spot for the entire 8 km—taking turns surging, each one unable to shake off the other. Ziak finally prevailed with a late sprint for the finish. He and Osaduik recorded a quicker final 1km split than McKenzie or Hayden, just not quite fast enough to move into second. Fifth and final cash prize spot was claimed by Victoria's Steven Murenbeeld.

The women's race was led from start to finish in 28:05 by defending champion Harvey, who is currently preparing for the World Cross-Country Championships in Scotland at the end of the month. Chasing her around the seawall was Whistler's Kristina Rody, who finished half a minute back for the silver. Like in the men's race, third place was hotly contested, with masters competitor Nancy Tinari of Coquitlam edging Rachel Ruus of Richmond. Ruus collapsed after crossing the finish line, but recovered in time for the awards ceremony later. New Westminster's Joan McGrath rounded out the top five while taking second in the masters competition. Third female master was Britni Bark, over 3 minutes behind McGrath.

In the men's masters race, Warren McCulloch of Coquitlam ran a strong 26:57 for 12th overall, over 40 seconds clear of Kevin O'Connor and a minute up on Bertrand Plouvier, both of Vancouver.

Synergy Health Management Ltd. Bazan Bay 5K

The 7th annual Bazan Bay 5K, reverted back to the popular Lochside Drive course of 2006 after an experiment last year with a downtown loop of the business community of Sidney. The race is hosted by Team West Coast and, prior to 2002, it was an 8K event. The overall race winners were Andrew Russell, from the National Triathlon Centre, in 15:17, and IRRs Marilyn Arsenault, in 17:21, breaking Joan McGrath's master's course record set last year by 20 seconds. Ian Hallam was second, in 15:26, following his first-ever victory at the Cedar 12K one month ago. Eric Findlay was third, in 15:29, following his 1/100th of a second victory two weeks ago at the Hatley Castle 8K. Kyla Coates was second female, in 17:56, lowering the junior women's course record by 5 seconds. Jen MacLean returned to racing after a two month period of illness and injury to finish 3rd at Bazan Bay, in 18:04. Honourable mention goes to Brian Connon, who broke Bill Hollingshead's M60 record of 18:36 by 11 seconds with his new record time of 18:25.

Invitation to elite runners: Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, April 6

Organizers of the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run Half Marathon would like to invite elite runners to the 31st edition of this event, to be held Sunday April 6th. This is an accurately measured point to point course from Gibsons to Sechelt with a net downhill (and some challenging uphill in the middle to keep it interesting). Men's event record is 1:09:58 (Nik Southwell, 2004), 1:18:31 for the women (Katrina Driver, 2007, also winner in 2006). Graeme Wilson is the defending men's champion for the past 2 years.

Elite runners (open and masters) are invited to apply for complimentary entry. Cash prizing totalling $1200 is offered for the top 3 overall men and women and top masters men and women (40+), plus age group prizes from New Balance and unique awards from a local artisan. In addition, the first person and first woman at the 1 mile mark each win $50 cash from Gleukos.

Road Running AGM

The Road Running Division of BC Athletics invites all clubs and members to attend the Road Running AGM, to discuss issues of interest for road running throughout BC. The AGM will be held Wednesday, March 19 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at 1367 West Broadway, Vancouver, Room 201. Participation by conference call is available. To attend in person or by phone, please contact Maurice Wilson maurice.wilson@bcathletics.org.

BC Athletics 2008 8K Road Running Championship

The BC Athletics 2008 8K Road Running Championship will be held in conjunction with the Running Room Shaughnessy 8K, hosted by the Lions Gate Road Runners in Vancouver on Sunday, May 25.

Certified 8K through undulating historic residential streets of Shaughnessy and Kerrisdale. Start and finish at Kerrisdale Arena, 41st and East Blvd., Vancouver. Race starts at 8:30am.

Road Race Measurement Seminar

Paul Adams, an AIMS/IAAF Grade “A” Measurer, will be conducting a Course Measurement Seminar in Port Coquitlam, BC on May 10-11.

Topics to be covered include: The general principals of measurement – simple calculation exercises – layout of a calibration course – introduction to the Jones Counter and mounting it on a bike – riding techniques – bicycle calibration – measurement of a test course.

Cost of the seminar is $50.00, plus BCA Officials membership if applicable. Participants must provide their own bike and Jones Counter (contact below for details).

For more information on road race measurement in Canada, please refer to: www.coursemeasurement.ca.

Run Jump Throw

Developed by Athletics Canada and presented by BC Athletics, RJT is the grassroots development program for our sport. This FUNdamentals program teaches the skills of running, jumping and throwing and the technical skill progressions for track and field events. It is designed for boys and girls ages 6-12, has progressions for older athletes, and can be adapted for special needs.

RJT Instructor Workshop

Dates:
Friday April 11 6-9pm
Saturday April 12 9am-5pm
Sunday April 13 9am-1pm AT APPLE BOWL
(Teachers may attend Friday and Saturday only, but are also welcome on Sunday)

Location:
Okanagan Boys and Girls Club/Martin Ave CC
1434 Graham Rd.
Kelowna, BC

Coaches

LEVEL 3 COACHING SYMPOSIUM ~ Langley

Details and registration form will be available shortly on the BC Athletics Website - www.bcathletics.org

Upcoming NCCP Level 3 Theory Course – Abbotsford

PacificSport Fraser Valley will be hosting an NCCP Level 3 Theory course in Abbotsford March 29-30 and April 19-20.

Interested participants can call 604 557 4019 for more information, or go to www.pacificsport.com and look at our upcoming events for both information and online registration.

CABC’s member E-News - March 2008 edition

USOC OLYMPIC COACH E-MAGAZINE - Winter 2008

officials

NEWS FOR OFFICIALS

IAAF Handbooks are now in stock. If you are a Level 2+ official with a 2008 BC Athletics Membership, you will receive one from your Regional Contact. Memberships must be renewed before March 31, to receive this benefit.

Level 1 Officials Workshop

Tuesday April 1, 2008
7:00-8:30pm
Semiahmoo Secondary School Library
1785-148 Street, Surrey, B.C.
Hosted By : Ocean Athletics
Course Conductor: Sue Kydd

Job / Volunteer opportunities

For job opportunities with specific BC Athletics member clubs, please see the BC Athletics home page under "What's Happening."

Resources

BC Wheelchair Sports December Newsletter

SIRC Newsletter – March 2008

Aboriginal Sport and Fitness

SIRC is pleased to be collecting articles related to Aboriginal sport and fitness. This past year we identified over 1,200 articles related to sport and various aboriginal topics. The most prominent subjects included sport and social aspects, history, health, culture, games/competitions, women and biographies.

New Sport Science articles are posted to the Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre website every Wednesday. Access can be found at www.athleticscoaching.ca either through the "Sport Science Articles" link on the main page or through the sport science page. You can also access the articles listed above through the weekly "Top Stories" link.

REMINDERS and Quick Links

Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC Press Releases

To find ASRA News such as Press Releases, Employment Opportunities and Important Reminders, visit www.asra.ca

PODIUM - Canadian Olympic Committee's Newsletter Vol. 5, Issue 5 is now available.

Managing Risk - Keeping our Sport Safe

In the continuing effort to provide information and tools to assist member clubs in managing risk and providing a safe environment for children, youth and adults to train, participate and compete in Athletics (Road Running, Track & Field, Race Walking, Cross Country Running, Marathons, Ultras, Trail and Mtn Running), please find below the link to the Sport BC website and information on: