Crazy 8's Race Organizers Introduce $5000 Dash For The Gold
Posted Friday, 22 June, 2007
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 9th 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 5th 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.
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