Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8s 8K Run 2009 Race Plans Unveiled

Past Champs Kimaiyo and Kiptoo will Return

Press Release -- 6-10-09 --Kingsport, TN

On Saturday night July 11th, at the witching hour of 9:58 pm, the streets of Kingsport will once again be lit with candles and swarming with runners for the 20th running of the Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8s 8K Run. Crazy 8s, the World’s Fastest 8K, is the largest road race in Northeast Tennessee, and one of the most popular events in Kingsport’s Fun Fest.

2008 was an award winning year for Crazy 8s. Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine named Crazy 8s the Top Road Race of 2008, finishing ahead of such mega-races as the Cooper River Bridge Run, the Peachtree Road Race, and Ukrop’s Monument 10k. Crazy 8s also received the Gold Award for Best Event within an Event at the 2008 Southeast Festival and Events Association Kaleidoscope Awards. Finally, Crazy 8s was honored to lend its name to the first ever Crazy 8s Iraq in Tikrit, Iraq; an 8K run hosted by the Tikrit Running Club.

We’re extremely flattered to be honored with so many awards and by so many organizations,” said co-event director Hank Brown. “We’re going to do all we can to live up to those high expectations.”

Brown will certainly do all he can to bring in some of the best runners in the world to Kingsport. Two-time defending women’s champion, Ogla Kimaiyo from Kenya, will return, as well as 2006 men’s champ, Julius Kiptoo from Kenya. Kimaiyo and Kiptoo will be gunning for the Gastroenterology Associates $5000 Dash For The Gold, given to the men’s and women’s winners of the 8K. They will also no doubt have their eyes on The Regional Eye Center $10,008 World Record Bonus.

Crazy 8s earned its label as the “World’s Fastest” in 1996 when Peter Githuka of Kenya stunned the world with a record-breaking 22:03 performance on the figure-8 course. In 2002 Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco matched that feat for the ladies, shattering the existing world mark by 10 seconds (24:28). Both records stand today.

For the first time, Crazy 8s will give unique “8-Man” medals to the first 2000 finishers in the 8K, courtesy of The Regional Eye Center.

“We think people will run the race just to get these medals,” said John Williams from The Regional Eye Center. “We put our heads together and wanted to do something special this year. We’re very pleased with the medals.”

The menu of Crazy 8s activities actually kicks off on Friday evening, July 10, with the Lively State Farm Crazy Mile in downtown Kingsport. In addition to the Open Mile, the Crazy Mile features the Foot Rx High School Mile, open to all high-schoolers from incoming freshmen to graduating seniors. A new event to the Friday lineup is the Kingsport Veterinary Hospital K-8s Dog Walk, which will bring up the “tail” of the Crazy Mile. All mile events will take place just prior to the Fun Fest Parade in downtown Kingsport.

The McDonald’s of Greater Kingsport Little 8s Youth Field Day will kick things off on Saturday with fun field day activities for kids and families. The age group runs will feature races for toddlers to 12-years old with distances from 100 yards to 600 yards. Special 8s will return this year with races for individuals with special needs.

Neil's Walk, presented by Cardiovascular Associates, Holston Medical Group, and Eastman Credit Union, is one of the largest walks in the area with 1000 participants. Named for Neil Danehy, who died suddenly from a heart attack in 2005, the walk and the Neil Danehy Heart 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 United Way/REACH Healthy Lifestyles Expo will feature over 30 health and fitness related vendors and booths. It is free and open to the public inside the stadium. Those who stick around after the WQUT-FM Awards Ceremony might be lucky enough to win the $1000 Midnight Mad Money given away by Bill Gatton Honda. Winner must be at least 18 and must be present to win.

Crazy 8s is proud to welcome back Reebok as the Official Outfitter of Crazy 8s.

For more information, visit www.crazy8s.org

Sponsors are Indian Path Medical Center, SunTrust Bank, The Regional Eye Center, Cardiovascular Associates, Gastroenterology Associates, McDonald’s of Greater Kingsport, Holston Medical Group, Lively State Farm, Eastman Credit Union, Reebok, United Way of Greater Kingsport, REACH, Foot Rx, Bill Gatton Honda, Food City, Culligan, Charter Media, Charter Communications, Oak Hill Cemetery, Citadel Broadcasting, and Dashboard Audio.

VIP Sponsors are Kingsport Veterinary Hospital, Jon Mather Dentist, Mountain Region Family Medicine, UBS Financial Services, Hope Haven, and First Bank and Trust.

Crazy 8s is managed by We Run Events.

All-Time Performances- 8 kilometers Road
World Men
World Men
All-Time Performances- 8 kilometers Road

World Men
22:02.2 ( 1) Peter Githuka (KEN) 14 Feb 1969 20 Jul 1996 Kingsport TN USA
22:03.4 ( 1) Alene Reta (ETH) 25 Jun 1982 14 Jul 2001 Kingsport TN USA
22:03.9 ( 2) Enock Mitei (KEN) 26 Nov 1980 14 Jul 2001 Kingsport TN USA
22:04 ( 1) Alberto Salazar (OR/USA) 07 Aug 1958 04 Jan 1981 Los Altos CA USA
22:06.0 ( 3) Shadrack Kosgei (KEN) 24 Nov 1984 14 Jul 2001 Kingsport TN USA
22:08 ( 2) David Moorcroft (ENG) 10 Apr 1953 04 Jan 1981 Los Altos CA USA
22:08 ( 1) John Doherty (IRL) 22 Jul 1961 21 May 1989 Agawam MA USA
22:08 + ( 1) Ismael Kirui (KEN) 20 Feb 1975 02 May 1993 Dublin IRL
22:09 ( 1) Josephat Machuka (KEN) 12 Dec 1973 19 Mar 1994 Virginia Beach VA USA
22:10.7 ( 1) Linus Maiyo (KEN) 1982 19 Jul 2003 Kingsport TN USA
22:12 ( 1) Sammy Kipketer (KEN) 29 Sep 1981 25 Mar 2006 Dallas TX USA
22:13 ( 1) Alberto Salazar- 2 07 Aug 1958 31 Dec 1978 Los Altos CA USA
22:13 ( 2) Craig Virgin (IL/USA) 02 Aug 1955 31 Dec 1978 Los Altos CA USA
22:14 ( 3) Nick Rose (ENG) 30 Dec 1951 04 Jan 1981 Los Altos CA USA
22:14 ( 4) Thom Hunt (CA/USA) 17 Mar 1958 04 Jan 1981 Los Altos CA USA
22:14.7 ( 4) David Makori (KEN) 06 Nov 1973 14 Jul 2001 Kingsport TN USA
22:15 ( 1) Simon Sawe (NM/USA) 23 Mar 1969 14 Jun 1997 San Jose CA USA
22:15.5 ( 1) Mebrahtom Keflezighi (CA/USA) 05 May 1975 27 Mar 2004 New York NY USA
22:15.9 ( 1) Simon Ndirangu (KEN) 01 Nov 1985 14 Jul 2007 Kingsport TN USA
22:16.0 ( 1) John Korir (KEN) 15 Dec 1975 18 Jul 2004 Kingsport TX USA

World Women
24:27.8 ( 1) Asmae Leghzaoui (MAR) 30 Aug 1976 13 Jul 2002 Kingsport TN USA
24:35.6 ( 1) Deena Kastor (CA/USA) 14 Feb 1973 03 Apr 2005 Chicago IL USA
24:38 ( 1) Paula Radcliffe (ENG) 17 Dec 1973 24 Apr 1999 Balmoral SCO
24:43 ( 1) Sonia O'Sullivan- 2 28 Nov 1969 22 Apr 2000 Balmoral SCO
24:45 ( 1) Paula Radcliffe- 2 17 Dec 1973 11 Apr 1998 Balmoral SCO
24:48 ( 1) Liz McColgan (SCO) 24 May 1964 10 May 1992 Washington DC USA
25:02 ( 1) Lynn Jennings (NH/USA) 01 Jul 1960 12 May 1991 Washington DC USA
25:03 ( 1) Grete Waitz (NOR) 01 Oct 1953 15 Mar 1986 Virginia Beach VA USA
25:03 ( 1) Birhane Adere (ETH) 21 Jul 1973 10 May 2003 Balmoral SCO
25:04 + ( 1) Paula Radcliffe- 3 17 Dec 1973 15 Oct 2000 Laughrea IRL
25:04 ( 1) Marina Bastos (POR) 07 Jul 1971 24 Apr 2001 Cartaxo POR
25:04.5 ( 1) Deena Kastor- 2 14 Feb 1973 26 Mar 2005 New York NY USA
25:05 ( 2) Benita Johnson (AUS) 06 May 1979 10 May 2003 Balmoral SCO
25:07 ( 1) Lynn Jennings- 2 01 Jul 1960 14 May 1989 Washington DC USA
25:07 ( 1) Getenesh Wami (ETH) 26 May 1974 14 Apr 2001 Balmoral SCO
25:07 ( 1) Sonia O'Sullivan- 3 28 Nov 1969 30 Mar 2002 Balmoral SCO
25:08 ( 2) Lynn Jennings- 3 01 Jul 1960 10 May 1992 Washington DC USA
25:09 ( 1) Shelly Steely (NM/USA) 23 Oct 1962 28 Apr 1991 Portland OR USA
25:09 ( 3) Judi St Hilaire (MA/USA) 05 Sep 1959 10 May 1992 Washington DC USA
25:09 ( 1) Lornah Kiplagat (NED) 01 May 1974 01 Jun 1997 Tilburg NED
25:09 ( 2) Paula Radcliffe- 4 17 Dec 1973 14 Apr 2001 Balmoral SCO
25:10 ( 1) Judi St Hilaire- 2 05 Sep 1959 13 May 1990 Washington DC USA
25:12 ( 2) Judi St Hilaire- 3 05 Sep 1959 14 May 1989 Washington DC USA

Crazy8s History
Indian Path Medical Center & Suntrust Bank 8K Run
Top All-Time Performances - thru 2008

Males
Year Name Citizen Time
1 1996 Peter Githuka Kenya 22:02.21
2 2001 Alene Emere Ethiopia 22:03.4
3 2001 Enock Mitei Kenya 22:03.9
4 2001 Shadrack Kosgei Kenya 22:06.0
5 2003 Linus Maiyo Kenya 22:10.6
6 2001 David Makori Kenya 22:14.7
7 2007 Simon Ndirrangu Kenya 22:15.9
8 2004 John Korir Kenya 22:16.0
9 1999 David Makori Kenya 22:19.0
10 2001 Sammy N'geno Kenya 22:22.2
11 2000 Reuben Cheriuyot Kenya 22:24.5
12 1997 Peter Githuka Kenya 22:25.7
13 2007 Karim ElMabchour Morocco 22:25.7
14 2007 Linus Maiyo Kenya 22:27.3
15 2007 Boaz Cheboiywo Kenya 22:29.4

Females
Year Name Citizen Time
1 2002 Asmae Leghzaoui Morocco 24:27.8 1
2 1999 Margaret Okayo Kenya 25:40.0
3 1999 Jane Omoro Kenya 25:40.6
4 1999 Catherine Ndereba Kenya 25:41.2
5 2001 Irene Kwambai Kenya 25:46.4
6 1999 Teresa Wanjiku Kenya 25:47.6
7 1994 Laura Mykytok Hershey, Pa25:49.4
8 2007 Ogla Kimaiyo Kenya 25:51.6
9 1997 Elana Meyer South Africa25:51.9
10 2008 Ogla Kimaiyo Kenya 25:53.1
11 2006 Luminita Talpos Romania 25:56.5
12 1999 Derartu Tulu Ethiopia 26:01.8
13 1998 Catherine Ndereba Kenya 26:01.9
14 2001 Grace Momanyi Kenya 26:02.0
15 2003 Silvia Skvortsova Russia 26:03.1

Past Winners - Men
2008 Demssew Tsega Ethiopia 22:40.9
2007 Simon Ndirrangu Kenya 22:15.9
2006 Julius Kiptoo Kenya 22:59.3
2005 Tibebu Yineu Ethiopia 23:06.0
2004 John Korir Kenya 22:16.0
2003 Linus Maiyo Kenya 22:10.6
2002 Patrick Nthiwa Kenya 22:37.9
2001 Alene Emere Ethiopia 22:03.4
2000 Reuben Cheriuyot Kenya 22:24.5
1999 David Makori Kenya 22:19.0
1998 John Kariuki Kenya 22:39.7
1997 Peter Githuka Kenya 22:25.7
1996 Peter Githuka Kenya 22:02.21
1995 Gideon Mutisya Kenya 23:08.0
1994 Keith Brantly Florida 23:28.0
1993 Eric Lorenz North Carolina 23:35.6
1992 Jacques Van Rensburg South Africa 22:59.8
1991 Jim Kaiser Kentucky 23:41.5
1990 Thomas O'Gara Ireland 24:36.7

Past Winners - Women
2008 Ogla Kimaiyo Kenya 25:53.1
2007 Ogla Kimaiyo Kenya 25:51.6
2006 Luminita Talpos Romania 25:56.5
2005 Victoria Klimina Russia 26:15.0
2004 Silvia Skvortsova Russia 26:12.0
2003 Silvia Skvortsova Russia 26:03.1
2002 Asmae Leghzaoui Morocco 24:27.8 1
2001 Irene Kwambai Kenya 25:46.4
2000 Naomi Wangui Kenya 26:21.8
1999 Margaret Okayo Kenya 25:40.0
1998 Catherine Ndereba Kenya 26:01.9
1997 Elana Meyer South Africa 25:51.9
1996 Libbie Johnson Colorado 26:44.0
1995 Maria Louisa Servin Mexico 26:05.9
1994 Laura Mykytok Pennsylvania 25:49.4
1993 Monica O'Reilly Ireland 27:01.5
1992 Joan Nesbit North Carolina 26:31.3
1991 Stephanie Orman Georgia 28:02.9
1990 Cheryl Boessow Alabama 29:18.5

Participation 8K Run 3k Walk Little 8's Lazy 8's Special 8s Crazy Mile K-8s Dog Total
1990 624 279 903
1991 607 332 939
1992 662 435 1097
1993 773 391 150 1314
1994 759 418 279 1456
1995 826 367 327 1520
1996 813 397 555 1765
1997 827 353 533 1713
1998 928 402 540 1870
1999 886 404 619 1909
2000 915 423 670 2008
2001 946 383 714 2043
2002 961 477 644 2082
2003 1048 422 622 2092
2004 987 460 608 2055
2005 1122 646 590 2358
2006 1233 611 510 10 74 2438
2007 1520 647 420 11 7 176 2781
2008 1569 992 412 16 10 189 111 3299