COMING...
---Fort Wayne Track CLub Banquet with Shalane Flanagan, Sunday, January 29...
---Think Spring 5K, February 25 in Ligonier...
---The Kilt 5K in downtown Fort Wayne is St. Patrick's Day, March 17...

Snowflake 5K --- RESULTS

ATTENTION: PARENTS OF YOUTH RUNNERS...
Youth indoor track meet at IPFW on Friday, January 27 --- DETAILS
FORT WAYNE - Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne is hosting a youth indoor meet on the university's new 6/8-lane, 200-meter mondo track at the Hilliard Gates Sportscenter on Friday, January 27.
   The meet is open to any athlete 18 years old or younger.
   Events range from 55 meters to 3200 meters and include a 4x400 meter relay.
   Cost is only $5 per event and $20 for the relay, payable at check-in.

Veterans Marathon to serve as Road Runners of America State Championship...
COLUMBIA CITY  – The Road Runners of America (RRCA) has selected the 2012 Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon in Columbia City as Indiana state championship events.
   RRCA is a nation-wide organization of running clubs with a combined total of 50,000 individual members.
   "This is just one more in a series of steps we've taken to improve the quality and prestige of the Veterans Marathon," said race director Gary Bird.
   The Veterans Marathon, set for November 10th, is in its fourth year and was chosen over several other race directors in the state that bid for the honor. During December RRCA officials visited Columbia City and the Veterans Marathon venue before making their final decision.
   "I was surprised and honored that we were awarded the championships for both races," said Bird.
   Last year the Fort4Fitness in Fort Wayne hosted the half-marathon state championship and the Monumental Marathon in Indianapolis hosted the marathon championship.
   Bird thinks this year's state championship races and support by the RRCA may eventually enable him to host the National RRCA Marathon and Half-Marathon Championships.
   According to Bird, Veterans Marathon has also submitted bids to host the "50 States Marathon and Half Marathon Clubs" for their fall reunion runs. The 50 States Club is another national organization of runners whose goal is to complete at least one marathon in all 50 states.
   "We hope to hear the outcome of our bid to the 50 States Club within the next few weeks," said Bird. "We are always looking to draw more runners, spectators, and volunteers and increase local business participation to honor our veterans."
   Bird said local residents and several organizations have embraced the race and provide aid stations, ensure safety, and encourage runners along the course.
   More information on the November 10th Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon is available at www.veteransmarathon.com
Media Contact: Gary Bird, Race Director 260.248.1216 or racedirector@veteransmarathon.com

Olympic Marathon Trials --- photos by timer Dave DeVoe --- HERE
Women leaders at mile 19...
Runners and walkers begin the new year at the Frigid 5K --- RESULTS
JANUARY 1 - Justin Kowalski, 26, of Mishawaka won the annual Frigid 5K in Warsaw in 16:27. Maddie Distelrath, 12, a Summit Middle School 7th-grader, was the female champion in 19:47.
Runners and walkers close out the year at New Year's Eve 5K --- COMPLETE RESULTS...
DECEMBER 31 - Connor Sorrells, 17 (far right), led 270 runners and walkers to the finish line at the annual New Year's Eve 5K in Kokomo Saturday afternoon.
   The Barr Reeve HS junior posted a winning time of 15:30 and outran Kyle Duvall, 17, of Westfield by 16 seconds. Last fall Sorrells and Duvall placed  22nd (15:59) and 46th (16:19) at the IHSAA state cross country finals.
    Matt Grider, 15, was third in 15:54 and Scott Colford was the top masters runner in seventh with a time of 17:20.
   Bethany and Brittany Neeley, both 17, were the top female finishers, placing 17th and 18th overall in 19:07 and 19:24.
   Club Kokomo Roadrunners hosted the event which featured a loop course through residential neighborhoods and Jackson Morrow Park on the city's south.