The word “athlete” seems to take on a new definition when you’re talking about ultramarathoners. Dean Karnazes rose to prominence in 2006 by running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days.  This year, he is attempting to complete the world’s five major desert foot races in a single calendar year. 

Serious mountain bikers looking for a challenge might consider entering a race in the Suzuki 24-Hour National Point Series, a series of six team relay races held at various locations throughout the country. 

USA Track & Field hosted a media teleconference featuring Team USA men's squad members for the 2008 Olympic Marathon in Beijing, China, Ryan Hall and Dathan Ritzenhein.

New Zealand’s Michael Aish ran to his first career marathon victory Sunday at the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon in a time of 2 hours, 13 minutes 20 seconds. Returning women’s champion, Adenech Zekirios from Ethiopia, broke the course record of 2:31:33 in her repeat victory, finishing in 2:31:14. Also in the women’s race, seven American women qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Women’s Marathon.
by Ian Monahan
photos by: Brian Myers

The Portland Marathon, which will host its 37th event on Oct. 5, 2008, is encouraging participants to “plug in” and use their MP3 players, iPods and cell phones despite recent controversy surrounding the use of electronic devices in long-distance running and walking events.

After Levi Leipheimer (Santa Rosa, Calif.) and his Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team claimed overall titles in the inaugural USA Cycling Professional Tour, the national governing body announced today its second-annual, season-long professional road cycling calendar.

The 2008 Ironman race schedule kicks off Sunday in South Africa, beginning an international circuit that will visit 16 countries. The 51-race circuit is comprised of full-length Ironman triathlons as well as a growing number of increasingly popular 70.3 races, which debuted in 2005 and have taken off since.

With the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games just months away, USA Triathlon is set to kick off the fourth and final year of its annual Haul to the Great Wall Elite Race Series.

Austin, Texas, considered among one of the nation's hot beds for the sport of triathlon, will now host its own Ironman 70.3 event. Last year, Endorfun Sports presented the first long-distance triathlon as part of the Longhorn Triathlon Festival at Walter E. Long Park.