Boston, New York to Host 2008 Olympic Trials

USA Track & Field on Thursday awarded the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials -Women's Marathon to the Boston Athletic Association and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon to the New York Road Runners.

Visit the USATF Website for details >>

QC Marathon Keynote Speaker is Patti Dillon

Patti Catalano Dillon (her story by the Boston Globe here), a pioneer in women’s running, will be the keynote speaker at the Happy Joe's Pasta Party on Saturday, Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stoney Creek Inn in downtown Moline.

Dillon got the marathon bug a few months into her running career and in the process of training she learned to live a healthier lifestyle which included quitting smoking. In her first marathon she ran a 2:53:40, qualifying for the 1976 Boston Marathon. Patti went on to set the American marathon record three times, and was also the first American woman to break 2:30 (2:29:34 at New York). Her marathon PR is 2:27:51, which she set at Boston in 1981. A three-time Boston runner-up (1979–1981) and four-time Honolulu Marathon winner (1978–1981), where she set a new course record each time, Patti has also held American or World records at the following distances: 5 miles, 10K, 15K, 20K, half-marathon and 30K.

The QCM is very honored to have her join us for the weekend!

Early Verbal Commitments in for Elites

Early commitments have begun to come through for elite runners at the 2006 QCM. The group includes, on the men's side, course record holder Sergey Nochevny and Vyacheslav Rodionov. Nocehvny set the CR with a 2:18:42 effort in 2003. Rodionov placed third at last year's race in 2:22:48.

On the women's side, defending champ Valentyna Poltavska returns. She ran a 2:45:35 to win in 2005. She placed second in 2004 with a 2:39:34. Also joining the women's field is Katerina Stetsenko. The field will continue to grow in the coming months.


This year the men's and women's winner could receive up to $4500 cash. First-place finishes yield $3000, while a $500 bonus is offered for the first three runners under 2:22 (M) or 2:48 (W). A course record secures a $1000 bonus (2:18:42/M, 2:36:26/W).

Marathon Man Don McNelly Featured in Rochester Magazine

Don McNelly is the world record holder for number of marathons completed over the age of 80. This year he's 85 and will be coming to the Quad Cities again to participate in the marathon. Here's a story written about him in Rochester Healthy Living.

Race Committee Members Go to Annual Prostate Screening

A few of the Race Committee members went to the 9th Annual Rudy Quijas Fight Against Prostate Cancer screening at Trinity Terrace Park in Bettendorf after the meeting on Wed. June 14.

"Not only is it important for my health but it's also important to create awareness for prostate cancer and the fact that early detection is the key to beating the disease," says Race Director Joe Moreno.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is diagnosed every 2.6 minutes in men. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men behind skin cancer.

The community has a chance to and support Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education at the QC Marathon this September by participating in the ISLE MILE Walk for Prostate Cancer.