Search
Home  |   About  |   Q & A  |   Archives  |   Credits  |   Contact  |  
« Lefty Bloggers in Minneapolis to Cover RNC
The Left Attacks Sarah Palin’s Motherhood and Her Children »

Nike Human Race — Austin

The Nike Human Race (10K) was held yesterday around the world. Austin was one of 25 cities around the globe to stage a race, including four in the United States: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Austin.

For people who didn’t live in one of the 25 host cities, runners who have a Nike+ SportBands — a wristband device that electronically monitors a runner’s progress — were able to run, racing virtually, and posting their times at www.nikeplus.com.

Nike’s goal is to make the combined races the biggest running event ever, with more than a million people participating.

Nike Human Race in Austin

Austin did it’s part, selling out to 15K runners, making it one of the largest first-time runs here.

Shannon at the Nike Human RaceNike picked Austin for the race because of the city’s energy, its active running community and the emphasis on fitness and a healthy lifestyle, said Nike brand manager Jean Gordon.

My lovely wife ran and did well…though she struggled a bit in the near 98 degree heat and the very hilly cource through downtown and around campus.

She finished the race ranked 197355 out of more than a million runners around the world. That’s her grinning (and sitting down) just a few minutes after race, while we cheer on the rest of the runners.

JJ at the Nike Human RaceOur good friend J.J. finished just ahead of my wife. J.J. finished ranked 151822 in the world.

This was the first 10K for both of them…the first of many, I’m sure.

Good job, ladies.

And good job to the city of Austin, too.

Out of the 25 host cities, Austin finished with the second best average time for all runners — second to only Taipai.

Times for cities will vary greatly on the heat, the course difficulty, and of course the runners. But Austin’s time is impressive since our’s was a very hilly course run in near 100 degree heat.

Nike Human Race in Austin

Los Angeles finished in 21st place, and last amongst the four US cities.

Amongst the 15K runners in Austin, we had a number of “celebrity” runners — including Olympic swimmers (and former Longhorns) Brendan Hansen (finished in 49′57″,27648 overall) and Aaron Peirsol, and former Houston Comets basketball player Cynthia Cooper (1:06′22″, 132084 overall).

Gov. Rick Perry also ran, but — like Aaron Peirsol — I can’t find his results, which means that they probably did not use a timing chip but rather used their Nike+ sensor.

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong did exceptionally well (surprise), finishing 6th amongst all Austin runners (34′54″) and 396th overall worldwide.

Nike Human Race Austin Results

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Monday, September 1st, 2008 | Trackback |

7 Responses to “Nike Human Race — Austin”

Now this is more like it - what a great idea.
I have to admit I knew nothing of this until I read it here - I would have gladly gone to London to compete.

More of the same I say - maybe even a swimming version?

Jonny

Left by Jonny on September 1st, 2008 at 11:09 am

Although the concept of the race was great, the excessive heat and humidity along with a lack of volunteers at aid stations made this race dangerous for all participants. The racers were forced to race with shirt that their race number on it, which only increased a persons body heat. Racers who took their shirts off, where told by security that they had to put their shirts back on, or they would not be able to participate and that no refund would be given.

The aid stations at mile 3 and 4 were severely short of volunteers and runners were forced to poor their own cups of water which caused a backup. This back up temped runners to bypass the hydration so they did not have to stop and wait, putting the runner in great peril of heat exhaustion or heat stoke. At the end of the race, the only water that was available was from ice tubs filled with bottle water in the immediate area of the finish line. With race staff herding people to move farther up the street and way from the finish line, runner were left with no other water options. It is very important that when you finish a race in the heat like the Nike 10k, that the runner return fluids to their body as soon as possible and to cool the body temperature.
I would think that with the lessons learned at the Chicago Marathon last year, about the dangers of high heat and humidity at race sites, that the organizers of the Nike Human Race would have planned better. It is necessary for runners to die before race organizers learn a lesson?

Left by Mark Walters on September 1st, 2008 at 9:10 pm

I dont think they had uploaded all the runs by the time you made your blog. I had checked it early as well and saw the austin average time and I knew it couldnt be correct because it says I placed 1728 and my time was 56′44. It just didnt seem right now the average says like a minute 10. Mainly because austin has the heart to have a older crowd that while they may not be fast will compete and finish a race. It was my first official run and I really didnt have a chance to train but im looking forward to the next one.
It was fun. I didnt see a problem with volunteers at stations.

Left by Aaron Wayman on September 1st, 2008 at 10:58 pm

While the run was very hilly, I enjoyed every minute and will not get caught up in the details. The race was hard, hot and challenging. I thought the city did a great job considering the amount of help they had!

I’ll do it again next year if they have it.

- Cheers

Left by Mark on September 2nd, 2008 at 12:17 am

How do you find your ranking compared to the rest of the world?? I want an overall ranking so I can see how I did compared to ALL participants!

Left by Mark on September 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 am

While I do agree that the lack of water stations really caused a problem, I also think that a lot of the people involved who found themselves in trouble didn’t spare the extra time before the race to keep themselves hydrated.

The biggest problem I had was that there weren’t enough tables of water manned by volunteers to allow a runner to not break their stride while trying to get water. My rhythm was blown way off because I had to wait for people to clear a path to the water before I could even get a cup of it.

However, there were plenty of tents along many of the side streets off Congress with water. They were labeled Ozarka…I should know, because I rested behind one on 7th street with the entire table taken up by free water bottles for runners to grab. Not only that, there were volunteers handing out wet, cold towels as well as dry towels. Also, many free powerbars were handed out to help with energy levels after the race.

I think this info could’ve been communicated a bit more effectively to the runners (instead of Ozarka labeled tents, how about “Water”?) but I thought that there were very few problems at the finish line.

Left by Rich on September 2nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm

I thought the finish line accomodations were exceptional. I found a few tables with gatorade in addition to water all over the place. Plus there were water tables at almost every food/drink booth further towards the Capital. It was a wonderful event, I was very impressed and I loved every minute of it!

Left by Shanna on September 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm

Got something you want to say?

Quicktags:


Notes:

You have 10 minutes after you submit your comment to edit it. Simply click the E(dit) link above the countdown-counter at the bottom of your comment. You can only edit a comment from the same IP address from where the original comment was submitted.

If your comment does not appear immediately, it has been sent to the moderation queue for approval.

Your comment either contained more than 2 hyperlinks, or it used a word(s) that are on my Spam blacklist. Comments awaiting moderation will usually be approved within a day.

And, being that it's my blog and all...I reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason at any time.