Saturday, October 30, 1999
Avon not just for running elite
Isphording urging locals to join in
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The field for Sunday's Avon Running National Championship is the best ever assembled for a women's race here. But Julie Isphording, the local director, says that should not discourage women who run at the back of the pack from coming out.
“That's the beauty of running, average runners can line up on the same starting line as an Olympic runner,” she said. “It's the only sport like that.”
Because this race is the national championship, Isphording has found some women have shied away from it. But she emphasizes there are no qualifying standards. Anyone who can complete the 10-kilometer course is welcome. There is also a 5k walk/fun run for those not up to a 10k.
Race day registration ($25) begins Sunday at 7a.m. at Fountain Square. The race starts from Fountain Square at 9a.m. The course follows Columbia Parkway to Torrence and returns over the same route. The finish is at Fountain Square.
Eight hundred runners had registered as of Friday afternoon. With good weather forecast, Isphording is expecting to top 1,000 for the 10k and 5k walk/fun run.
Kelly Keeler, formerly the top local runner, is among the favorites. Cheryl Collins-Gatons of Pittsburgh has the top qualifying time. She's run 33:29 for 10k. Keeler has the next fastest PR at 33:31.
Alisa Harvey of Baltimore is next at 33:33, followed by Susan Castruita of West Covina, Calif., at 34:17.
“It's a great field,” Isphording said. “We won't get a better field here unless we get the Olympic Trials. The Avon people think Kelly is a darkhorse. I don't. I saw what she ran two weeks ago. She's in great shape.”
The course, which is the same one the Heart Mini-Marathon is run over, is an unforgiving one.
“You are either going up or down the whole way,” Isphording said.
AT A GLANCE
• What: The 10k Avon Running National Championship
• When: 9a.m. Sunday.
• Where: Fountain Square; course follows Columbia Parkway out and back.
• Who: More than 1,000 women, some of them winners of Avon regional races.
• Cost: $25 day of race, beginning at 7a.m. at Fountain Square.
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