Midwest Distance Gala

Rob Finnerty 4:01.09 - Midwest Distance Gala 08

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:28:48 -0500

Rob Finnerty 4:01.09 - Midwest Distance Gala 08

Rob Finnerty runs 4:01.09 for the Mile at the 2008 Midwest...

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:25:11 -0500

Rob Finnerty runs 4:01.09 for the Mile at the 2008 Midwest Distance Gala

Entries are posted!

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:59:56 -0500

http://www.midwestdistancegala.com/home/entries.htm

An Interview with Illinois' Mat Smoody

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:48:49 -0500

Being undefeated in a track event is a hard thing to do over the course of two years. It’s even harder when the state you run in is the always strong distance state of Illinois. Well, Mat Smoody (Palatine, IL) (pictured left by Paul Kwak) accomplished just that two weeks ago, wrapping up his Illinois season with his second consecutive state 800m title. The Wisconsin-bound senior came into the season ranked ninth among returnees nationally, but with some major accomplishments this season and a stronger base, Smoody is looking towards Greensboro, North Carolina and winning a national title. See what Smoody has to say on a variety of topics, including his tactical state race, how he got into running and what exactly his shoulder tattoo is of.

Read further

Check out our RunnerSpace.com event page!!!!!!

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:23:35 -0500

Check out our RunnerSpace.com event page!!!!!!

Last day to Register!

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:19:47 -0500

Today June 11th is the last day to register for the 2008 Midwest Distance Gala.

Get your entries in at the registration page before midnight central time.

Entries/heats will be posted on Friday morning June 13th.

Email any questions/comments/concerns to patrick@midwestdistancegala.com

One Week to Go

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:45:11 -0500

June 6, 2008

One Week to Go

Midwest Distance Gala

Chicago, IL – The countdown begins as the fourth annual Midwest Distance Gala draws near. On Satutrday, June 14, at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, the Midwest Distance Gala plays host to some of the best high school distance runners in the country, as well as a men’s professional steeplechase that will see Olympic hopefuls take to the track.

While fields won’t be finalized until Wednesday evening, numerous all-American athletes are registered and ready to run. Foot Locker finalists Rob Finnerty, Bobby Nicolls, Tito Medrano and Emily Sisson are a few of the headliners, while middle-distance stars Andrew Perkins, Mat Smoody, Taylor Morgan and Ashley Verplank are scheduled to compete as well.

The men’s professional steeplechase also adds a unique perspective to the event, hosting athletes looking to better their personal bests before the Olympic Trials, as well as a half dozen men looking to qualify for the Olympic Trials. The field includes such notable athletes as Ryan Warrenburg, as well as 2007 USATF finalists Michael Spence and Anderson Smith.

For further information please visit the Midwest Distance Gala website, www.midwestdistancegala.com, while further detailed press releases will be released over this final week leading up to the event.

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German's Amazing Distance Double! - DyeStatCal

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:30:45 -0500

German's Amazing Distance Double! - DyeStatCal: Great piece and some stories behind this incredible day in High School Distance Running History.

Video

Sat, 31 May 2008 20:46:00 -0500

Illinois Boys State Meet Highlights

Sat, 24 May 2008 21:40:00 -0500

http://il.milesplit.us/

The final day of the IHSA boys track and field season is finally here. The long-awaited meet always provides some amazing highlights and this year should be no different. Keep checking back throughout the day for results, highlights and much more.

Top State Meet Highlights
- Kevin Havel (IL) wins 3200m run in 9:01.37
- St. Charles North wins boys 4x8 in IL #1 of 7:45.97
- Dan Block (Lake Park) throws 63-03.75 SP on Friday, wins AA
- Matt Eader (West Frankfort) wins A shot put in 60-00.75
- Mat Smoody (Palatine) wins the AA 800 in 1:50.70

*Mat Smoody will be at the Midwest Distance Gala, June 14th, to take on Iowa State Champ Blake Irwin over 800 meters*

Boulder Running Camps

Thu, 22 May 2008 14:49:00 -0500

The nation’s premier high school running camp is held each summer on the campus of University of Colorado in scenic Boulder, Colorado. Campers will run on trails in and around Boulder, including a long run at Magnolia Road, featured in Chris Lear’s book Running with the Buffaloes. The camp includes presentations on training theory for both the cross country season and the track season. Not all cross-country camps and running camps are the same so we invite you take some time to browse this site to learn more about the Boulder Running Camps.

For more information or to register go to: http://boulderrunningcamps.com/

15 State Meets this past weekend!

Sun, 18 May 2008 19:14:27 -0500

15 state meets. That’s what marks the calendar this weekend nationally. Every direction you look on the map you’ll see at least one state hosting their final competition of the year.

Check out the coverage on MileSplit.us

Chris Derrick Blog Post

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:23:35 -0500

Chris Derrick Blog Post:

Men's Elite Steeplechase at `08 Gala

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:40:02 -0500

The staff of the Midwest Distance Gala is proud to once again announce the addition of a men’s professional steeplechase. This year’s event, “Chasing the Olympic Dream,” provides athletes with the opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Trials or tune-up for the Olympic Trials if already qualified. With such notable athletes as Michael Spence, Tom Chorny, Jordan Fife and Haron Lagat competing in the 2007 edition, expectations are incredibly high for this year’s field.

Similar to last year’s event, rabbits will be provided to do much of the pacing work for athletes looking to hit the Olympic Trials qualifying standard. The Midwest Distance Gala fits in perfectly with the Olympic Trials qualifying schedule as June 15, the day after the Gala, is the final day athletes can run the qualifying time.

The 2008 edition of the Midwest Distance Gala takes place on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. Over the past four years the Midwest Distance Gala has provided unique opportunities for both high school and professional athletes to compete in a competitive, athlete-friendly environment. With considerable growth over each of the past three previous years, the fourth annual Midwest Distance Gala looks to be the best one yet.

For further information please visit the Midwest Distance Gala website at www.midwestdistancegala.com or visit the MDG Blog at http://gala.tumblr.com. For questions or comments on the professional steeplechase please contact professional athlete coordinator Scott Bush at scott@midwestdistancegala.com or 847.202.9195.

Official Meet Site

Sat, 10 May 2008 04:04:13 -0500

Visit www.midwestdistancegala.com for info about the 2008 Midwest Distance Gala, June 14, at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.

Coming soon more information about this years Elite Steeplechase.

Video

Sat, 10 May 2008 03:51:31 -0500

Living the dream…. Wake 4:45am An hour of chores, taking...

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:40:49 -0500

Living the dream….

Wake 4:45am

An hour of chores, taking care of two horses

Run 12 miles to work ( at 5:30 pace ).

Work for 12 hours, answer a 100 emails.

Come home to 1 month older daughter and wife.

Just another day in the life of Bret Schoolmeester.

Bad Ass

Filmed and Edited By: Jay Johnson
http://www.boulderrunningcamps.com/
http://www.runningdvds.com/

Midwest Distance Gala '08 Schedule

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:48:00 -0500

7:00 - B-Heats (800, Mile)
7:55 - Boys 2,000m Steeplechase
8:04 - Special Secret Event
8:16 - Girls Two Mile
8:30 - Boys Freshman Mile
8:37 - Boys Two Mile
8:49 - Girls 800m
8:53 - Girls Mile
9:00 - Boys 800m
9:04 - Boys Mile

*Schedule is subject to change up until Friday, June 14, 2008.

Nequa Valley’s Chris Derrick runs 13:55.96 at the Arcadia...

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:41:15 -0500

Nequa Valley’s Chris Derrick runs 13:55.96 at the Arcadia Invitational for the 6 fastest US high school 5k ever.

Welcome to the Midwest Distance Gala blog

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:29:59 -0500

We’ll post cool running related things here, and specific midwest high school content. If you have anything you think should be posted here send it to info(at)midwestdistancegala.com

Hope you enjoy, feel free to comment.