Press Release
For Immediate Release
Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8?s 8K Run
2006 Race Plans Unveiled
Defending Champ Yenew Will Return
6-15-06
Kingsport, TN
On July 15th, Saturday night in Kingsport, TN, at precisely 9:58 pm, Crazy 8's organizers will pull back the curtain on a brand new 8k course for the Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8k Run. They hope the new surroundings will produce yet another world record, just like Peter Githuka's shocking 22:03 set ten years ago, or the world shattering 24:28 set by Morocco's Asmae Leghzaoui in 2002.
Both records stand today, and Crazy 8's holds the distinction of being one of just a few races in the world which own both the men's and women's world standard. The Regional Eye Center will be ready to write a check for the sum of $10,008 for the man or woman who breaks their respective world mark.
Co-director and elite athlete recruiter Hank Brown thinks the new course is conducive to more records. "It's basically the same course, but the hills come earlier and the last mile is very fast. If anyone is close to world record pace by mile 4, I think it's a done deal. And the finish inside the stadium will be very special."
Brown announced the return of defending champion Tibebu Yenew from Ethiopia, and 2005 runner-up Julius Kiptoo from Kenya. The two duked it out on the candle-lit streets before Yenew nipped Kiptoo by less than one second at the finish. Yenew's status is contingent on receiving his visa prior to the race.
"We always like to get our defending champion back," said Brown. "Even though the winning time last year (23:06) was well off the world record, Yenew is capable of running very fast times. He has run 27:45 for a 10k which would translate to a low 22 for an 8k. The rematch with Kiptoo should be something to see."
"The interest level this year is very good. We're talking with some big names and I like our chances of getting them to Kingsport. It would be nice to break the record again on the 10-year anniversary of Githuka's feat.
The new location has opened up more opportunities for race organizers to expand their horizons and offer more to the community. With J. Fred Johnson Stadium as a spectacular backdrop, race operations will be consolidated into one location for the first time in the history of the event. The youth runs, the walk, and the 8k will all finish inside the stadium. Also, for the first time, a health & fitness expo will set up on Saturday afternoon and into the evening, concurrent to the race activities.
"The stadium gives us more flexibility and gives us room to grow," said co-director Tyler Hobbs. "The old location had served us well, but it was time to move and we think we found the perfect place. When people think of Fun Fest they think of J. Fred Johnson Stadium."
The Holston Medical Group Little 8's Youth Runs will be staged inside the stadium walls, moving from its previous location at Johnson Elementary School. With an annual participation of about 700 kids, Little 8's offers races for toddlers to teens with distances from 100 yards up to one mile.
Neil's Walk, presented by Cardiovascular Associates and Eastman Credit Union, was renamed this year in memory of Neil Danehy, who died suddenly in 2005 from a heart attack. Neil's Walk and the Neil Danehy Heart Walk Foundation were created to raise awareness and help combat coronary heart disease. This non-competitive event will start on Ft. Henry Drive and return to finish inside the stadium.
The REACH! (Regional Education & Action Coalition for Health) Healthy Lifestyles Expo will feature many health and fitness related vendors and booths. It is free and open to the public. There will be good food and bands and entertainment on the stage inside the stadium.
"We hope people will come out Saturday afternoon, and just hang out with us the rest of the day," said Brown. "The expo gives us an entirely new dimension which will really grow over time. I think everyone will have a good time listening to live music and checking out all the fitness vendors and booths."
For more information, visit www.crazy8s.org
Sponsors are Indian Path Medical Center, SunTrust Bank, Holston Medical Group, Cardiovascular Associates, Regional Eye Center, Blue Lizard, Eastman Credit Union, REACH!, The Great Body Company, Foot Rx, Citadel Broadcasting, Oak Hill Cemetery, Culligan, Food City, and Charter Media.
VIP Sponsors are Mather Dentist Office, Mountain Region Family Medicine, Holston Medical Group, Martin Dentistry, Celebration Church, and UBS Services.
Crazy 8's is managed by We Run Events.
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All-Time Performances- 8 kilometers Road
World Men
22:02.2 ( 1) Peter Githuka (KEN) 14 Feb 1969 20 Jul 1996 Kingsport TN USA
22:03.4 ( 1) Alene Reta (ETH) 25 Jun 1982 14 Jul 2001 Kingsport TN USA
22:03.9 ( 2) Enock Mitei (KEN) 26 Nov 1980 14 Jul 2001 Kingsport TN USA
22:04 ( 1) Alberto Salazar (OR/USA) 07 Aug 1958 04 Jan 1981 Los Altos CA USA
22:06.0 ( 3) Shadrack Kosgei (KEN) 24 Nov 1984 14 Jul 2001 Kingsport TN USA
22:08 ( 2) David Moorcroft (ENG) 10 Apr 1953 04 Jan 1981 Los Altos CA USA
22:08 ( 1) John Doherty (IRL) 22 Jul 1961 21 May 1989 Agawam MA USA
22:08 + ( 1) Ismael Kirui (KEN) 20 Feb 1975 02 May 1993 Dublin IRL
22:09 ( 1) Josephat Machuka (KEN) 12 Dec 1973 19 Mar 1994 Virginia Beach VA USA
22:10.7 ( 1) Linus Maiyo (KEN) 1982 19 Jul 2003 Kingsport TN USA
22:14 ( 3) Nick Rose (ENG) 30 Dec 1951 04 Jan 1981 Los Altos CA USA
22:14 ( 4) Thom Hunt (CA/USA) 17 Mar 1958 04 Jan 1981 Los Altos CA USA
22:14.7 ( 4) David Makori (KEN) 06 Nov 1973 14 Jul 2001 Kingsport TN USA
22:15 ( 1) Simon Sawe (KEN) 23 Mar 1969 14 Jun 1997 San Jose CA USA
22:15.5 ( 1) Mebrahtom Keflezighi (CA/USA) 05 May 1975 27 Mar 2004 New York NY USA
22:16.0 ( 1) John Korir (KEN) 15 Dec 1975 18 Jul 2004 Kingsport TX USA World WomenWorld Women
24:27.8 ( 1) Asmae Leghzaoui (MAR) 30 Aug 1976 13 Jul 2002 Kingsport TN USA
24:35.6 ( 1) Deena Kastor (CA/USA) 14 Feb 1973 03 Apr 2005 Chicago IL USA
24:38 ( 1) Paula Radcliffe (ENG) 17 Dec 1973 24 Apr 1999 Balmoral SCO
24:43 ( 1) Sonia O'Sullivan- 2 28 Nov 1969 22 Apr 2000 Balmoral SCO
24:45 ( 1) Paula Radcliffe- 2 17 Dec 1973 11 Apr 1998 Balmoral SCO
24:48 ( 1) Liz McColgan (SCO) 24 May 1964 10 May 1992 Washington DC USA
25:02 ( 1) Lynn Jennings (NH/USA) 01 Jul 1960 12 May 1991 Washington DC USA
25:03 ( 1) Grete Waitz (NOR) 01 Oct 1953 15 Mar 1986 Virginia Beach VA USA
25:03 ( 1) Birhane Adere (ETH) 21 Jul 1973 10 May 2003 Balmoral SCOCrazy8s History
Indian Path Medical Center & Suntrust Bank 8K Run
Top All-Time Performances - thru 2005
Males
Year Name Citizen Time
1 1996 Peter Githuka Kenya 22:02.21
2 2001 Alene Emere Ethiopia 22:03.4
3 2001 Enock Mitei Kenya 22:03.9
4 2001 Shadrack Kosgei Kenya 22:06.0
5 2003 Linus Maiyo Kenya 22:10.6
6 2001 David Makori Kenya 22:14.7
7 2004 John Korir Kenya 22:16.0
8 1999 David Makori Kenya 22:19.0
9 2001 Sammy N'geno Kenya 22:22.2
10 2000 Reuben Cheriuyot Kenya 22:24.5
11 1997 Peter Githuka Kenya 22:25.7
12 1999 Joseph Kimani Kenya 22:29.5
13 1999 Philip Kurui Kenya 22:30.7
14 2004 Linus Maiyo Kenya 22:31.0
15 2000 Lazarus Nyakeraka Kenya 22:32.3Females
Year Name Citizen Time
1 2002 Asmae Leghzaoui Morocco 24:27.8 1
2 1999 Margaret Okayo Kenya 25:40.0
3 1999 Jane Omoro Kenya 25:40.6
4 1999 Catherine Ndereba Kenya 25:41.2
5 2001 Irene Kwambai Kenya 25:46.4
6 1999 Teresa Wanjiku Kenya 25:47.6
7 1994 Laura Mykytok Hershey, Pa 25:49.4
8 1997 Elana Meyer South Africa 25:51.9
9 1999 Derartu Tulu Ethiopia 26:01.8
10 1998 Catherine Ndereba Kenya 26:01.9
11 2001 Grace Momanyi Kenya 26:02.0
12 2003 Silvia Skvortsova Russia 26:03.1
12 1998 Teresa Wanjiku Kenya 26:03.9
13 2001 Martha Komu Kenya 26:05.8
14 1995 Maria Louisa Servin Mexico 26:05.9
Past Winners - Men
2005 Tibebu Yineu Ethiopia 23:06.0
2004 John Korir Kenya 22:16.0
2003 Linus Maiyo Kenya 22:10.6
2002 Patrick Nthiwa Kenya 22:37.9
2001 Alene Emere Ethiopia 22:03.4
2000 Reuben Cheriuyot Kenya 22:24.5
1999 David Makori Kenya 22:19.0
1998 John Kariuki Kenya 22:39.7
1997 Peter Githuka Kenya 22:25.7
1996 Peter Githuka Kenya 22:02.21
1995 Gideon Mutisya Kenya 23:08.0
1994 Keith Brantly Florida 23:28.0
1993 Eric Lorenz North Carolina 23:35.6
1992 Jacques Van Rensburg South Africa 22:59.8
1991 Jim Kaiser Kentucky 23:41.5
1990 Thomas O'Gara Ireland 24:36.7Past Winners - Women
2005 Victoria Klimina Russia 26:15.0
2004 Silvia Skvortsova Russia 26:12.0
2003 Silvia Skvortsova Russia 26:03.1
2002 Asmae Leghzaoui Morocco 24:27.8 1
2001 Irene Kwambai Kenya 25:46.4
2000 Naomi Wangui Kenya 26:21.8
1999 Margaret Okayo Kenya 25:40.0
1998 Catherine Ndereba Kenya 26:01.9
1997 Elana Meyer South Africa 25:51.9
1996 Libbie Johnson Colorado 26:44.0
1995 Maria Louisa Servin Mexico 26:05.9
1994 Laura Mykytok Pennsylvania 25:49.4
1993 Monica O'Reilly Ireland 27:01.5
1992 Joan Nesbit North Carolina 26:31.3
1991 Stephanie Orman Georgia 28:02.9
1990 Cheryl Boessow Alabama 29:18.5
Participation 8K Run 3k Walk Little 8's Total
1990 Finishers 624 279 903
1991 Registered 607 332 939
1992 Registered 662 435 1097
1993 Registered 773 391 150 1314
1994 Registered 759 418 279 1456
1995 Registered 826 367 327 1520
1996 Registered 813 397 555 1765
1997 Registered 827 353 533 1713
1998 Registered 928 402 540 1870
1999 Registered 886 404 619 1909
2000 Registered 915 423 670 2008
2001 Registered 946 383 714 2043
2002 Registered 961 477 644 2082
2003 Registered 1048 422 622 2092
2004 Registered 987 460 608 2055
2005 Registered 1122 646 590 2358