Adarq.org

1996 review

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-12-27-9612260533-story.html

Atlanta, Boston and New York have thriving running communities. There is no reason why South Florida can't be among them.

haha:

-- Worst race of the year: Miami Mile.

Mary Level-Menton, wins two 5k's in same day:

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-11-25-9611240221-story.html

world aids day race 5k: 16:57
fantasy of lights 5k: 16:21



some guy "Scott Freedman" almost got it done as well, but lost to Holassie in the morning race.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-06-14-9606130707-story.html

GRAND PRIX SERIES GETS SECOND RUN

The South Florida Grand Prix Series will return next season after a successful debut during the 1995-96 running season.

Dates and races selected for the series are:
Oct. 6, Coconut Grove 5-Miler;
Nov. 4, Home Depot 10K Run;
Nov. 17, Rotary Half-Marathon;
Nov. 23, Fantasy of Lights 5K;
Dec. 1, Baby Boomer 10K;
Dec. 8, Boca Raton 10K;
Feb. 8, Boca Dare 5K;
March 22, Imperial Point 5K.

No first-year races are allowed in the Grand Prix.

The series was started to breathe new life into the South Florida running community. Aside from a few scoring glitches and one or two poorly-run events, the series accomplished what it set out to do. There was at least a 10 percent increase in runner turnout at each of the grand prix races.

up 10% for each grand prix race, the initial year.





https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-09-27-9609260535-story.html

In an effort to rejuvenate road racing and bring the South Florida running community together, the South Florida Grand Prix Running Series returns for the 1996-97 season.

After working out the bugs, improving the format and increasing the quality of prizes from $700 to $5,000

sponsored by usatf:

It is the first of 10 races in South Florida's only running series, sanctioned by USA Track and Field of Florida

Last year, there was a 20 to 25 percent increase in each of the series races.

Prizes at the conclusion of the series are awarded for the top three overall, Masters and Grand Masters runners, and top 3 in every five-year age group from 15-19 to 70-and-over. Awards are also given to the top teams in the team competition. Teams consist of five runners and compete in one of nine categories, up from five categories last year. Last year only first place was awarded.

"I have always felt that the running community down here was very poorly organized," said Tom Vladimir, South Florida Grand Prix Running Series chairman, and recently-named Road Runners Club of America south rep for Florida.

"The running community has not been able to do a lot for the runners because it's so disorganized. We want to unite the running clubs and start bigger events. Our next idea is to work on a big race where all the clubs are involved with organizing it.

The other series races through March 22 are:
Winternationals;
Rotary Half-Marathon;
Fantasy of Lights;
Boca 10K;
Home Depot Run;
Daily News Half-Marathon;
Boca DARE Run;
Race For the Cure in Miami;
Imperial Point 5K.

Only Palm Beach Runners Club events are not represented in the series.

1995 best/worst of list

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-01-14-9601110315-story.html

The envelope please... Best race: Tamarac Turkey Trot.

For the third year in a row, this race is the prototype of what a good, old-fashioned road race should be by attracting more than 600 runners on Thanksgiving morning. It also showed why race officials Lauren Scott and Ed Doyle, and the City of Tamarac Recreation Division, may go from handscoring to computer scoring next year.

my hometown race. often ends up being "best race".

These days runners want whistles and bows for their money. It's not enough to run a course, especially in 5Ks, the most popular distance. Great food; great race T-shirt; entertainment;, plenty of water; cheery, helpful volunteers; and, accurate certified courses and race results are imperative if the running community is to grow. Health fairs such as the ones held at the Jingle Bell Jog 5K and inaugural Imperial Point 5K were great innovative ideas.

ah cool. 1996 this gem appeared:

Best first-year race: Holiday Fantasy of Lights 5K, Tradewinds Park.

Kimeli vs Bodnar, right down the road.. Fantasy of Lights 5k (2004)

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2004-03-28-0403270760-story.html

Kimeli, 33, who lives in Lansing, Mich., outkicked Jason Bodnar of Fort Lauderdale in the final few yards to win in 14:59.

Bodnar stepped on the computer chip mat first but Kimeli's chest was ahead of Bodnar whose time also was 14:59.

two Olympic Trials women going at it:

Sonja Friend-Uhl, 33, of West Palm Beach, topped an impressive women's field to win in 16:39. Stacie Alboucrek, 36, of Fort Lauderdale, looking for one final speed workout before Saturday's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials at St. Louis, Mo., was second in 17:38.

$750 in prize money:

The winners won $750 each. Race proceeds benefited ovarian cancer awareness and education.

Mary Level Menton, Coral Springs

3 x Olympic Trials Qualifier

2:37 marathon in 1992.

https://more.arrs.run/runner/2555

https://ujenafitclub.com/profile.php/mary_level_menton

they wrote articles like, "the best of 99" damn. crazy.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1999-12-30-9912300211-story.html

running is DEAD now, compared to the 1980's-1990's, and early 2000's.