The Club hosted the second Capitol Mile of the modern age (next year will be the 10th overall) this past July 19. By just about any measuring stick, it was a great success. We had a total of 100 runners, compared to the 15 elite runners and 50 open runners last year. The 2003 version featured 17 elite athletes. We spectators and volunteers really enjoyed the elite races. The weather was beautiful, maybe just a little warm. Compared to last year's thunderstorm, we will take it. We are grateful to UW women's running coach and legend, Peter Tegen, who was the official starter for all the races, including the open races. The Square is not a fast course, with the racers having to negotiate 6 right-angle turns, one uphill, and two downhill's. However the race provides plenty of encourage-ment as spectators are treated to a view of the runners passing through the first lap at about the halfway point, followed by the excitement a 250-yard downhill sprint to the finish.
The elite men's race figured to be fast, with last years winner, Henry Dennis returning, as well as 2002 third-place finisher Jared Cordes. They were expected to be challenged by Kenyan James Karanu, east-coast runner Sean Mack, Minnesotan Matt Gabrielson, and UW Oshkosh star Matt Groose. A total of 13 runners made up the large field, including WTCer Max Harn. As they towed the line for the start, event sponsor Inn on the Park was nicely visible in the background. Matt took the lead just past the ¼ mile mark, and maintained it all the way to the finish line with an impressive time of 4:04.93, to defeat Karanu by 0.98 seconds. Cordes and Dennis were close behind. All graciously accepted their prize money, made possible by a donation from Rayovac.
The women's elite race was small, but talented. Last years winner Jenelle Deatherage took home top honors again; tying the previous hand-timed course record of 4:38, with her fully automated official time of 4:38.75. Jenelle was followed by former UW teammate Bethany Brewster in 4:40.64, and Virginian Mary Jayne Harrelson close behind. USATF national 1500m 6th place finisher Harrelson ran a gutsy race as she was suffering from the flu and had considered pulling out. Race officials did not know the extent of her anguish until later.
WTC's own Sergio Palacios repeated his 2002 win in the men's open race with a time of 4:27.2, bettering his previous time by 6 seconds. On the women's open side, Bristol, Wisconsin product Jen Pollard also defended her title, bettering her 2002 time by 20 seconds to win in 5:21.3.
The event received immediate coverage by NBC 15, and the top three finishers in each age group were published in the Capitol Times. Elite results were also published in Race Results Weekly, a national produced newsletter for distance running. New event sponsor Inn on the Park very graciously provided rooms for our out of state guests, and transportation to and from the airport, a huge benefit. Long-term sponsor Rayovac again provided the needed resources to allow us to offer prize money and limited travel expenses. Kinko's gave us a good break on copy expenses. Jon Krupa and his Harrier Software Solutions donated the timing services.