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««« A lucky 7 in Striderland
for 2008««« Iowa loves Robyn Friedman and Erin Moeller. Wartburg College graduates,
Iowa Runablaze runners, "down home" friendly and in their 30s, they both
have set the standard for greatness. At the Women’s Olympic Trials the day before
the Boston Marathon on a spectator friendly course Robyn finished 9th and Erin 10th.
Both are well known at Iowa races, Robyn has won all the major races in Striderland
and Erin is the course record holder of the Drake Relays On-the-ROADS half-marathon.
Barely recovered from the Olympic Trials, they toed the line at Dam to Dam, this
time Erin edged out Robyn by 17 seconds. Striderland continues to cheer on this dynamic
duo. ««« The Big 3, get, well bigger ««« The applause just keeps getting louder, deservedly. Dam to Dam,
race director Kurt Schaeffer, ushered in a huge increase in finishers with 4815 in
the 20 kilometer and 2020 in the 5 kilometer, a jump of over 1000 finishers over
the previous year. Living History Farms, race director Steve Bobenhouse, did what
no other race in Striderland has done, limited the number of entries which filled
up 10 days before race day. The Farm had its usually excitement, days before Thanksgiving
as 6938 finished the race. Des Moines Marathon, race director Chris Burch, had a
lucky 7th year race with 1352 Marathoners and 3185 Half-Marathoners finishers. Striderlands
big three, bigger yes, better for sure. ««« Marty "D” takes on the “D” races ««« Marty Dalton had a record breaking season at the “D” races. He
tied the record for most victories, three, winning the Drake Relays On-the-ROADS
half-marathon. A month later he scored his best time since 2003 at Dam to Dam, running
a 1:05:41. And in the fall he was second at the Des Moines Marathon, running a 2:24:20,
just 27 seconds off his best. Late fall Marty took on his biggest “D” of the year
as he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Striderland applauds Dalton’s running dedication
and latest run with health. ««« Dowling Catholic Girls have a new star ««« Dowling Catholic repeated as the state cross country champion.
A new individual champion emerged as Ashlie Decker won the state crown and Katie
Flood was second, wherein 2007 their roles were reversed. Ashlie went on to the Nike
Team Nationals placing 8th and Foot Locker placing 18th. Katie the previous year
placed 14th and 8th respectively. Striderland looks forward to the senior year for
these two Dowling Catholic XC stars. ««« Drake Relays celebrates a Century ««« Started in 1910 with just 100 athletes and 6 teams, the Drake Relays
is now America’s Athletic Classic and annual rite of Spring in Striderland. World
class athletes Jesse Owen and Wilma Rudolph along with modern day athletes Carl Lewis
and Susie Favor Hamilton have circled the track. The On-the-ROADS race started in
1969. Once a Marathon and national class 10 kilometer it fits neatly into the Drake
tradition as a solid Iowa road race. Striderland history would not be the same without
this April extravaganza. ««« Lisa Koll sets a record ««« Lisa’s 32:11.13 set the American Collegiate 10,000 meter record
during the Spring and a month later she won NCAA 10,000 meter championship on the
track at Drake. Lisa’s high school career at Ft Dodge gave no indication of what
was to come, as she finished 8th her senior year at the state cross country meet.
Her determination and training has shined at Iowa State. Lisa conjures up images
of the last great ISU long distance record holder, Peg Nepple who set long distance
records in the ‘70s. Striderland appreciates record setting talent. «««It was a lucky 13 years at Clive Running Festival««« Kurt and Nancy Hoegh provided runners with the perfect summer race,
Clive Running Festival --fun, family orientated and competitive. After 13 years in-charge,
they are taking a break. The race’s frog theme adorned the t-shirts and watermelon
was always a special treat at the finish. The Hoeghs will continue their popular
training series on Monday evening. Striderland will miss their race leadership. By Cal Murdock, observing Iowa Running for over three decades |
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