U.S. Women Perform Well at IAU 100K World Cup

Posted Sunday, 16 November, 2003

By Nancy Hobbs

The depth of the American women's team was apparent with Anne Riddle from Asheville, N.C. joining Kimball of Elizabethtown, N.Y. with a top 10 finish in 9th place (8:55:03). Not far behind was Connie Gardner's 13th position (9:25:57) to round out the top three USA scoring members. Alternate Jenny Capel ran a consistent race to finish fourth for the U.S. women in 9:33:45. Also finishing for the U.S. women was Ann Heaselett in 9:56:46, Tania Pacev in 10:22:07 and Laura Nelson, 11:25:01.

The challenging 4 loop course (25K each loop) coupled with temperatures in the upper 70s and humidity topping 80% resulted in a race of attrition. From the 9 a.m. start time conditions remained unchanged throughout the day. Only those athletes finishing after dark enjoyed slightly cooler conditions. There were 294 starters in the competition and just over 100 had finished by 11 hours into the race.

The USA men's team was led by Howard Nippert who ran "like a metronome" according to team manager Lin Gentling, who added, "Howard is such a pro, consistent and strong." Nippert of Pembroke, Va. moved up one position from his 13th place finish in 2002 to 12th position this year in a time of 7:59:02. The U.S. men experienced problems mostly due to the heat with cramping shutting down Dan Verrington's quads near the 50K and stomach problems sidelining Chuck Hubbard at 75K. Dave Dehart was the second U.S. men's finisher in 10:24:33, with Bob Sweeney the final U.S. finisher in 11:19:00.

There were other running events as part of the 100K celebration including a 5K, 10K, 25K, 50K and 100K citizens race. In addition a WMA Masters 100K championships were held with age group individual and team awards presented. The USA fielded a masters team comprised of national team members and unattached runners. Roy Pirrung, fresh off an American record at the USATF 24 Hour Championships last weekend, won the 55-59 year age group with a time of 9:43:07. The women's team 35-39 of Heaselett, Nelson and Riddle won bronze and Connie Gardner won silver in the 40-44 age group.

Official results will be available within 24 hours from the IAU.

2003 IAU 100K World Cup
Tainan County, Taiwan, Sunday, November 16, 2003

USA Men's Finish:
1. Howard Nippert, 7:59:02, 12th overall
2. Dave Dehart, 10:24:33
3. Bob Sweeney, 11:19:00

USA Women's Finish:
1. Nikki Kimball, 8:51:35 (8th woman)
2. Anne Riddle, 8:55:03 (9th woman)
3. Connie Gardner, 9:25:57
4. Jenny Capel (alternate), 9:33:45
5. Ann Heaselett, 9:56:46
6. Tania Pacev, 10:22:07
7. Laura Nelson, 11:25:01

# # #

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services
USATF Road Running Information Center
385 Oak View Ln
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, efax (419) 818-3931
http://www.runningusa.org
http://www.usatf.org