Heritage Oaks Bank 10K Hosts USA Masters Championship
$26,000 masters prize purse available

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By Running USA
Posted Thursday, 21 September, 2006

PASO ROBLES, Calif. - (September 20, 2006) - For the fourth consecutive year, the Heritage Oaks Bank 10K - set for Sunday, September 24 - will host the USA Masters Championship and like past editions, some of the best U.S. masters runners (40 and older) are expected to compete in this central coast California city, 220 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Two-time 10K national champion Dennis Simonaitis, 44, of Draper, Utah is returning to defend his title, but he will face stiff competition from Sean Wade, 40, of Houston, Texas and Paul Aufdemberge, 41, Redford, Mich. who have been racing well this year.

Other top masters entered in the national championship include:
MEN
Peter Magill, 45, South Pasadena, CA
Gary Romesser, 55, Indianapolis, IN
Mike Dove, 59, Salinas, CA
John Brennand, 71, Santa Barbara, CA

WOMEN
Michelle Simonaitis, 40, Draper, UT
Melody-Anne Schultz, 65, Ross, CA
Barbara Miller, 67, Modesto, CA

The 8th annual Heritage Oaks Bank 10K features $26,000 in masters prize money with $1800 each for the overall national champions and $2500 for each men's and women's top age-graded runner. The age-graded tables provide a relative way to compare times for runners of different ages. The prize money in both categories - $11,000 masters overall and $15,000 age-graded - will go eight deep.

The flat, fast two loop USATF certified course goes through the downtown streets of Paso Robles and since 2002, four U.S. age group records have been set here.

For the second year in a row, the bank will also be presenting the ever popular 50 Buck 10K. Bank employees dressed up like Old Time bankers will be handing each participant who crosses the finish line a 50 dollar bill. The 50 Buck recipient has the option of keeping the money or donating it back to one of the event's four non-profits.

"Let's just say that Heritage Oaks Bank is paying you for your commitment to run 6.2 miles," says Mitch Massey, race director.

All race proceeds will be divided equally to support these local non-profits: Paso Robles Public Library, Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, Hospice of San Luis Obispo County and the SLO County YMCA. To-date, over $120,000 has been raised for local non-profits.

In conjunction with the two 10K races (Masters and Open), there are six other events: 5K race, 1 mile run, half-mile kids race, 75 yard kids dash, 2 mile walk (KSBY TV personalities scheduled to walk are Wendy Thies and Dave Hovde) and the ever-popular 100 yard mascot race.

For more race information, visit: HoBFunRun.com or call Mitch Massey at (805) 369-5281 or email: mmassey@hobfunrun.com

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