Eugene Challenge Mile

2007 Eugene Challenge Mile
Saturday June 9, 2007 7 PM

For race results please visit Eclectic Edge Racing:
eclecticedgeracing2.com/2007_Eugene_Challenge_Mile.html

Linda Prefontaine, Steve's younger sister, was the honorary starter for the 2007 Eugene Challenge Mile. The USATF certified course had 20 runners finishing faster than 5 minutes. Julio Vieyra (4:16.29) from Salem won our men's race in a thrilling final kick over Paul Michel (4:16.29) of Portland. Team Eugene's Jason Walker (4:19.28) was our final prize money winner in third place.

The women's race turned into a duel between Eugene's Tiffany Beechy (4:57.88) and Beaverton based Nike runner Carrie Strickland (4:59.34). Eugene resident Toma Starodubtseva (5:24.48) , who runs for LCCC and the Eugene Running Company sponsored Lane Distance Project, placed third. Toma declined to accept her prize money in order to retain collegiate eligibility.

Forty-two year old Joe Dudman (4:36.29) lead the men's master's race which also saw former Athletics' West runner, fifty-three year old Ed Spinney dip under the five minute mark and sixty-one year old Peter O'Neil finished notably in 5:43.84. In the women's masters race, forty-seven year old trail running specialist Trisha Kluge (5:45.91) dominated in what was her second race of the day. Like many others, she had run the Steep Hill Chase XC race the same morning.

It's an exciting time to be a runner in Eugene and the Eugene Challenge Mile was no exception. We were graced by the appearance of Nike sponsored runner Alex Kipchirchir Rono who is the World Champion at 1500m and was the Number 1 ranked Miler in the World last year. Alex traveled to Eugene all the way from his training camp near Iten in the Rift Valley of Kenya, home to many of the world's best long distance runners. In a country with a reputation for dominating world class distance running, Alex Kipchirchir was honored as Kenya's 2006 Sportsman of the Year.

We invite you to visit our race charity at www.committedpartnersforyouth.org. CPY connects youth to our community through mentors who inspire the development of personal identity, healthy relationships and meaningful opportunities. We extend a special thank you to our sponsors; Nike, Sporthill, Aquarius Oxygen Water, Gleukos and SoyJoy.

Full results for the 2007 Eugene Challenge Mile can be found at www.eclecticedgeracing.com

2006 Eugene Challenge Mile Article

The clouds parted, if only briefly, just in time for Tracktown Mayor Kitty Piercy to start runners on their way at precisely 7pm on the evening before the renowned Prefontaine Track Classic.

The 2006 Eugene Challenge Mile proved to be one of the most competitive mass participation running events in recent Eugene History. A shocking total of fifty-four runners cracked the magical five minute barrier. Fifteen women dipped under six minutes. The top two women were well under five minutes.

Blake Bolden, from Iowa, kicked across the finish line first in 4:08.2. It was a tight pack of six men in contention as the lead pack sprinted down Oakmont Way. Team XO�s Eric Logsden out leaned Team Eugene�s Will Viviani for second and third place. Last year�s champion, John Mackay was fourth. Portland�s Chris Clancy was fifth. Team XO runner Max King, fresh back from the World Cross Country Championships, dropped down in distance rounding out the top six.

In the women�s race, Team Eugene�s Sopagna Eap flew to victory in 4:49.5. Charlin Hefflinger from Idaho was second in 4:57.2 while Andrea Niggemeir from Philadelphia was third. Last year�s champion, Tiffany Beechy of Team Eugene, finished a close fourth. Eugene�s Erin Grey out leaned Kelly Staufer from Boise, Idaho for fifth and sixth place respectively.

Top Masters runner Alyssa Tower of Vancouver, Washington was the seventh woman overall in 5:31.8. Masters sensation Joe Dudman, from Portland, finished first Masters man in 4:27.6.

Special guests were on hand lending excitement to the race. World Class runner Craig Mottram, who is a 3:48 miler, was here all the way from Australia to sign autographs. Craig Mottram is a bronze medalist from the 2005 World Championships and a silver medalist from the Commonwealth Games. Kenny Moore, who enjoyed a standout running career at North Eugene High School and the University of Oregon before he went on to place 4th in the 1972 Olympic Marathon, was on hand signing copies of his newly released book about the legendary Bill Bowerman.

Thanks to everyone for braving the rain showers at the 2006 Eugene Challenge Mile.