Crazy 8s

Hank Brown

Jun 14, 2007

Hank Brown, Co-Event Director

423-229-1167

hankelope@hotmail.com

www.crazy8s.org

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8’s 8K Run

2007 Race Plans Unveiled

Race Organizers Introduce $5000 Dash For The Gold

6-14-07

Kingsport, TN

The stakes just got a little higher at the Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8s 8k Run. The first male and first female to cross the finish line will each earn a $5000 payday, and thus win the Gastroenterology Associates Men's Dash For The Gold and Blue Ridge OB/GYN Women's Dash For The Gold.

The 8k and Dash For The Gold (DFTG) will run through the candle-lit streets of Kingsport at 9:58 pm on Saturday night, July 14. Race organizers will once again use the figure-8 course christened last year, which begins with the backdrop of J. Fred Johnson Stadium and returns for a spectacular finish inside the stadium.

The DFTG was introduced with the hopes of attracting more elite distance runners from around the world with dreams of breaking the 8 kilometer world record (or world best). Both records were set in Kingsport at Crazy 8s, the men's record by Peter Githuka, Kenya, in 1996 (22:03), and the women's record in 2002 (24:28) by Asmae Legzhaoui, Morocco. If the men's or women's record is broken at Crazy 8s, the winner will pocket the Regional Eye Center $10,008 World Record Bonus, as well as the $5000 Dash For The Gold.

The lucrative prize purse seems to be having a positive effect, according to co-event director and elite athlete recruiter Hank Brown. "The interest from the elite runners has been extremely high this year. A $5000 payoff combined with a $10,000 world record bonus puts Crazy 8s up there with the top races in the country, so it has been a big boost to our recruiting. We always get some great talent from around the world, but this should help us bring some more top-tier athletes to Kingsport. We're always looking for the best."

Brown announced the return of women's defending champion Luminita Talpos from Romania, who breezed to victory last year in 25:57, a time which places her 9^th on the Crazy 8s all-time list. Men's champ Julius Kiptoo is not expected to return, but 2003 winner/2004 runner-up Linus Maiyo from Kenya will be back. Maiyo flirted with Githuka's record in 2003, falling just 8 seconds short. His time of 22:11 that year ranks 5^th on the all-time list.

"The first call I make every year is to our defending champs," said Brown. "We're thrilled to have Luminita back, and very pleased to get Linus back after a couple of years away. I see their names at big races almost every week and both are running very well."

Race organizers were thrilled with the stadium location last year, which opened up more opportunities to expand horizons, and consolidated race operations under one roof, so to speak.

"The stadium gives us more flexibility and gives us room to grow," said co-director Tyler Hobbs. "We think we're in the perfect place now. When people think of Fun Fest they think of J. Fred Johnson Stadium."

The menu of Crazy 8s activities actually kicks off on Friday evening, July 13, with the Lively State Farm Crazy Mile in downtown Kingsport. The Crazy Mile was introduced in 2006 as a prologue to the ever popular Fun Fest Parade. The Crazy Mile features the Foot Rx Elite Mile, as well as the Open Mile.

The Holston Medical Group Little 8s Youth Runs will be staged inside the stadium walls, with races for toddlers to teens and distances from 100 yards to a half mile. The Little 8s Mile will move to Friday as part of the Crazy Mile.

McDonald's has joined the Crazy 8s team this year and will host the McDonald's Special 8s, a brand new event for individuals with special needs. There are no age limits and all events will take place inside the stadium using the same courses as Little 8s. Look for a special appearance by Ronald McDonald himself!

Neil's Walk, presented by Cardiovascular Associates and Eastman Credit Union, was renamed last 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 3k event will start on Ft. Henry Drive and return to finish inside the stadium.

The REACH! & United Way of Greater Kingsport 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. As previously announced, Crazy 8s will give away a late-model Honda Accord to one lucky person, courtesy of Bill Gatton Honda. Winner must be at least 18 and must be present to win.

For more information, visit www.crazy8s.org

Sponsors are Indian Path Medical Center, SunTrust Bank, Regional Eye Center, Holston Medical Group, Cardiovascular Associates, Gastroenterology Associates, Bill Gatton Honda, Lively State Farm, Eastman Credit Union, Blue Ridge OB/Gyn, McDonald's of Greater Kingsport, United Way of Greater Kingsport, REACH!, Americourt Hotel, Foot Rx, Food City, Culligan, Charter Media, Oak Hill Cemetery, Citadel Broadcasting, and Kingsport YMCA

VIP Sponsors are: Jon Mather Dentist, Holston Medical Group, Martin Dentistry, Mountain Region Family Medicine, Celebration Church, and UBS Financial Services

Crazy 8's is managed by We Run Events.

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 Emera 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 TN USA

World 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 SCO

^{Crazy8s History}

^{Indian Path Medical Center & Suntrust Bank 8K Run}

^{Top All-Time Performances - thru 2007}

^Males

^{Year Name Citizen Time}

^{1 1996 Peter Githuka Kenya 22:02.2}

^{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 22:32.3}

^Females

^{Year Name Citizen Time}

^{1 2002 Asmae Leghzaoui Morocco 24:27.8}

^{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 PA 25:49.4}

^{8 1997 Elana Meyer South Africa25:51.9}

^{9 2006 Luminita Talpos Romania 25:56.5}

^{10 1999 Derartu Tulu Ethiopia 26:01.8}

^{11 1998 Catherine Ndereba Kenya 26:01.9}

^{12 2001 Grace Momanyi Kenya 26:02.0}

^{13 2003 Silvia Skvortsova Russia 26:03.1}

^{14 1998 Teresa Wanjiku Kenya 26:03.9}

^{15 2001 Martha Komu Kenya 26:05.8}

^{Past Winners - Men}

^{2006 Julius Kiptoo Kenya 22:59.3}

^{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 22:02.2}

^{1995 Gideon Mutisya Kenya 23:08.0}

^{1994 Keith Brantly Florida 23:28.0}

^{1993 Eric Lorenz NC 23:35.6}

^{1992 Jacques Van Rensburg South Africa22:59.8}

^{1991 Jim Kaiser KY 23:41.5}

^{1990 Thomas O'Gara Ireland 24:36.7}

^{Past Winners - Women}

^{2006 Luminita Talpos Romania 25:56.5}

^{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}

^{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 Africa25:51.9}

^{1996 Libbie Johnson Colorado 26:44.0}

^{1995 Maria Louisa Servin Mexico 26:05.9}

^{1994 Laura Mykytok PA 25:49.4}

^{1993 Monica O'Reilly Ireland 27:01.5}

^{1992 Joan Nesbit NC 26:31.3}

^{1991 Stephanie Orman Georgia 28:02.9}

^{1990 Cheryl Boessow AL 29:18.5}

^{Participation 8K Run 3k Walk Little 8's Lazy 8's Crazy Mile Total}

^{1990 624 279 903}

^{1991 607 332 939}

^{1992 662 435 1097}

^{1993 773 391 150 1314}

^{1994 759 418 279 1456}

^{1995 826 367 327 1520}

^{1996 813 397 555 1765}

^{1997 827 353 533 1713}

^{1998 928 402 540 1870}

^{1999 886 404 619 1909}

^{2000 915 423 670 2008}

^{2001 946 383 714 2043}

^{2002 961 477 644 2082}

^{2003 1048 422 622 2092}

^{2004 987 460 608 2055}

^{2005 1122 646 590 2358}

^{2006 1233 611 510 10 74 2438}