SUNDAY - OCTOBER 19, 2003
HAUPPAUGE, NY (RWI) - The USATF NATIONAL RACE WALKING CHAMPIONSHIP season ended with a 50K here today on less than happy terms which was the same way it started last January with the 30K in Chula Vista.
The difference today was the rain, cold and lightning on Long Island versus the clear and sunny day in Chula Vista. Other than that Curt Clausen won his second straight 50K championship plus $300 and his sixth national championship in 2003. Clausen also won the 30K when his chief rival Philip Dunn walked off the track with an injury and did not show today to compete in the national 50K.
Clausen, the 'Crist Craft' of American distance walkers, had to be cruising today with a 4:29.31 victory which was less than 15 minutes faster than Nick Bdera, who at 55 walked an Olympic qualifying trials time of 4:44.10. This is the first year since 1994 that the American 50K champion has walked slower than 4 hours. The Athens Olympics qualifying time is 3:57 and there is less than 4 months until the Olympic Trials in Chula Vista.
Gary Morgan, the old Michigan warrior, placed second in an unofficial 4:36.29 keeping upstart Ben Shorey in third with 4:37.43. Shorey was almost two minutes up on University of Wisconsin-Parkside teammate Steve Quirk who closed at 4:39.11. Shorey and Quirk, coached by UWP's Mike DeWitt, trained for 4:30 and apparently were ready and only slowed by the weather.
Fifth place was garnered by Shore AC alum John Souchek 4:40:13. He was trailed by Dave Doherty 4:41:1) and Bdera.
Qualifying for the walk-off in Chula Vista on February 15, 2004 are Shorey, 20, Morgan, 38, Doherty, 34, and Bdera. Clausen, Quirk and Souchek had qualified earlier. The next qualifying event is scheduled for Houston, Texas, on Jan. 4, 2004. Contact Dave Gynne for information.
Al Heppner, among the early favorites, was disqualified by the judges. Tim Seaman, just off record breaking performances in the 5 and 10K distances, walked with Clausen for 20K and led at 25 before calling it a day.
Dave McGovern and Theresa Vaill won the 20K race which was included in the National 50K venue.
Cheryl Rellinger is still leading the women's field which is down to two. Susan Armenta's 4:39 mark for 50K is still tops among the women.
The event was sponsored by the Long Island Association and organized by Gary Westerfield. Michael Roth provided media support. Official results will be posted by the organizing committee.
US MEN'S OPEN NATIONAL 50K CHAMPIONSHIP
(Unofficial Times)
Curt Clausen, 4:29:31
Gary Morgan, 4:36.29
Ben Shorey, 4:37:43
Steve Quirk, 4:39:11
John Souchek, 4:40:13
Dave Doherty, 4:41,11
Nick Bdera, 4:44:10
Al Heppner, DQ
