RENO AIR 15K ENHANCES WILD WEST THEME, PRIZE PURSE
"Showdown" Will Attract Best Runners in the West
Reno Air 15K Web Site
RENO, NEVADA-The 1998 Reno Air 15 kilometer road race has honed its name
and enlivened its competitive opportunities to reflect the rich
pioneering history of the event's host community. That spirit will be
evident on Sunday, June 7, 1998 when some of the most talented long
distance runners in the country cruise into town on modern day prairie
schooners (the jets of Reno Air). This year, they will compete for an
enriched prize purse of $10,600 (plus race record bonuses) at the Reno
Air 15K Showdown.
Reno Air $10,600 Prize purse
"We added showdown to our name in anticipation of a real showdown among
top runners, and to emphasize the western flavor of our events,� explains
race director, Bill Meister. "The new prize money structure and
western-style perks will definitely make our race more appealing than
ever. We're aiming for the Big Sky this year.�
To tie together a chuck wagon full of race weekend festivities, the race
organizers have promised a bonanza of activities that offer something for
the entire family. In addition to the traditional longer race�which once
again serves as the 15K Championship for USA Track and Field's Pacific
Association (PA/USATF)�the companion Boomtown 5K, 15K relay, and Kirby
Kangaroo kids runs, will provide rewards for everyone.
Last year, the new race venue, centered around Boomtown Hotel and Casino
in historic Verdi, Nevada (7 miles west of Reno), proved popular with
event participants. It should again. The race courses undulate through a
beautiful valley through which the Truckee Rivers meanders. And they
drift over the famous Emigrant Trail used by pioneers and gold seekers
for several decades beginning in 1845 to traverse the Sierra Nevada
Mountains between Verdi and California's Mother Lode country.
Participants in the 15K mosey by the remains of the old Verdi Inn, an
important and sometimes bawdy oasis that sprouted from an 1860s-era
stagecoach stop. Less than a decade later the mighty Central Pacific
Railroad line rolled through. In fact, the race route crosses the exact
tracks where five bandits in 1870 boarded the Overland Express and staged
the first Great Train Robbery of the wild west. The robbers heisted
$41,600 in gold coin, before being tracked and arrested�with almost all
the loot intact. Nevada Historical Marker #128 near the race course
identifies the spot of the robbery.
It was at this very train crossing last year where a locomotive tried to
rob U.S. Olympian Matt Giusto of gold in the 15K men's race. While
race-leader Giusto narrowly beat the unexpected freight train through the
junction, eventual second-placer (and 1995 winner) Eddy Hellebuyck was
forced to take a breather while deferring to passing boxcars. Both men
are expected to return this year, along with defending women's champion,
Josie Edwards. However, this year they will face a showdown with some of
the feistiest, and fastest, athletes west of the Mississippi�all intent
on capturing a share of the $10,600 wealth (which the race hopes to raise
to $41,600 in future years, matching the Overland Express heist).
Top Pacific Association athletes such as local top performers Alan
Dehlinger, Miguel Tibaduiza, and Terry Adams-Schmidt will return to pan
for nuggets of the championship prize purse, and valuable circuit points.
(The 15K race is a longtime stop on PA/USATF's annual road running Grand
Prix.)
Olympians aren�t the only ones that will participate during Reno Air�s
race weekend. The 15K event is open to all comers. In addition, the
non-championship IGT15K Relay will attract many three-person teams. Each
team member runs a single 5K leg over the same exact course as the
championship. An accompanying Boomtown 5K Run/Walk offers a perfect
alternative for runners and walkers. For kids 12 years old and under,
Saturday morning�s Kirby Kangaroo Kaper presents 1/2- and 1-mile races.
Call Boomtown (1-800-648-3790) for special race rates on hotel
accommodations�starting at $39.95 for two persons, $49.95 for four. Reno
Air offers attractive air travel rates for road race participants, their
friends, families (and bona fide media covering the event.). Call your
travel agent or 1-800-RENO-AIR (736-6247) for reservations, and mention
the race.
Race entry forms and further information may be obtained by sending a
SASE to: Reno Air Championship Run, 13235 Fellowship Way, Reno, NV 89511,
or by calling the Race Hotline at (702) 954-5015, or by visiting the
event�s World Wide Web site at http://www.renoairrun.com.
For media accreditation, further details, and to arrange interview
opportunities with athletes and organizers, contact: Mark Winitz, as
shown above. (Media will receive notification about our press conference
in the near future, which is slated for Friday, June 5, 11 AM, at
Boomtown.)
The Reno Air 15K Showdown and companion events are presented by Reno Air,
Inc., and produced by the Silver State Striders. Thanks to our sponsors:
IGT, Boomtown Hotel and Casino, 7-Up Bottling Company of Reno, InterComm
Internet Services, Reynolds and Reynolds, Sierra Schools Credit Union,
United Construction Company, AT&T Wireless Services, Econoprint, Sports
West Athletic Club, Baha�i of Reno, Eclipse Running, Sierra Nevada Girl
Scout Council, Fast Signs, and Model Dairy. All race proceeds benefit the
Muscular Dystrophy Association of Northern Nevada and Silver State
Striders Junior Club.
1998 RENO AIR 15K SHOWDOWN - PRIZE PURSE
(Pacific Association/USATF 15K Championship)
June 7, 1998
Verdi, Nevada
Total Prize Purse: $10,600
ALL-COMERS PRIZE PURSE ($6,600)
Open M/F Masters M/F
1-$1,000 1-$350
2- $800 2-$250
3- $500
4- $300
5- $100
Race Record Bonus M/F: $500 *
(Men: Sub-45:47; Women: Sub-52:20)
* Awarded to first "sub" athlete only
PACIFIC ASSOCIATION USATF PRIZE PURSE ($4,000) **
** Double points for both individuals and teams. PA/USATF athletes may
"double dip."
Pacific Association Individuals
Open M/F Masters M/F Seniors M/F
1-$300 1-$150 1-$100
2-$200 2-$100
3-$100 3- $50
Pacific Association Teams
Open M/F Masters M/F Seniors M/F
1-$300 1-$200 1-$100
2-$200 2-$100
3-$100
Note: Pacific athletes may "double-dip." In other words, they can collect
both All-Comers prize money and Pacific Association money if they can
finish in the top five overall in the open or top two overall in the
masters. In order to collect Pacific Association/USATF prize money,
athletes must be USATF members and residents (minimum 90 days) of the
Pacific Association.
Team standings are TENTATIVE until ratified by all clubs. A mailing (via
regular post) will be sent to all clubs. Clubs will have 10 days from
postmark to respond with appeals. Please send all appeals THROUGH YOUR CLUB'S
LDR REPRESENTATIVE in writing to LDR Chair Tony Fong. Respond to individual
DQ's with the following: (1) a photocopy of individual's USATF card; and (2)
a photocopy of the cancelled check used to pay USATF card fees. Remember, if
you file and OFFICIAL CLUB ROSTER with the PA LDR Office, your team may avoid
DQs due to affiliation problems.
