Rodgers wins age division in 10-k

The former Peace Race winner showed thathe still can runcompetitively at 53.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Memories of his past experiences in the Peace Race propelled Bill Rodgers to give his all in the 28th annual event Sunday through Mill Creek Park.
Rodgers, 53, one of America's most famous distance runners, who won the 1977 Peace Race staged then over 25 kilometers, turned on the jets and placed 16th overall in 34:39 and won his 50-54 age title in the men's 10-kilometer run.
"It was my third-fastest 10-k this year," said Rodgers, from Sherborn, Mass., a four-time winner of both the Boston and New York Marathons, whose fastest 10-k time this year is 33:47. His lifetime best is 28:15.
"I ran as hard as I did [because} of my memories of the race. This is an important race [for me]," said Rodgers, who loves running through Mill Creek Park.
"It's a great race in a beautiful park. That's what running is supposed to [be]."
Runs shorter races
Rodgers, who still races all over the country, said he no longer competes in marathons but instead concentrates on shorter races between 5-k and a half-marathon.
"I try to win my age group," he pointed out.
And he likes to promote running, but "mainly I just love going to a race as an athlete.".
And he has reduced his running miles.
"I do half the mileage I used to do since I won the 25-k here," said Rodgers, noting he used to run 130 miles a week. "I run about 60 miles a week now. It's easier for me."
He also no longer races year-round.
"I stop in mid-November in the icy outdoors, and my first race [of the year] usually is in February in Texas or Florida. I still race all over the country. I still do speed work," said Rodgers, who operates the Bill Rodgers Running Center and serves as an ambassador and promoter for running wherever he goes.
Popular with fans
Friendly, personable and accessible, Rodgers talked with many people after the Peace Race and signed numerous autographs. It was obvious that he is still very popular.
In fact, during the awards ceremony at the YMCA, he signed autographs for $5 each for the benefit of Tod Children's Hospital, and also assisted in various other promotions.
But before that, he addressed the crowd at the awards ceremonies.
"It's great to be back here. I ran with Ted and Michelle [Rupe] many times. I hope to come back next year," said Rodgers.
Ted Rupe is the Peace Race director. His wife, Michelle, placed fifth overall in the women's 10-k race in 37:59.
Ted Rupe said there were over 1,000 entries, a big increase over last year. There were 962 finishers -- 584 in the 10-k and 378 in the 2-mile fun run/walk.
Thomas Bresko, a member of the Peace Race Board of Directors, said the increase was a 20 percent improvement over last year's entry total. He said the Peace Race had all the ingredients -- much publicity, good weather and Rodgers' appearance -- that combined to attract the large field.
No Kenyan runners
Although Kenyan runners had dominated recent Peace Races, none competed this year probably because they were not eligible to win any of the $5,000 prize money.
The Peace Race added a stipulation on the official entry form this year that an entry "must be a citizen of the United States of America to qualify for monetary prizes."
Said Rupe, "Obviously that's why the Kenyans didn't come. They come for the race money."
He said the change was made "to promote American runners."
"We're happy with the results. We'd love to have the Kenyans come back [under the new policy]."