August 9, 2007
There is a little less than a month left before the Scenic 10 and the gears are turning quickly in preparation for the 30th race. The invited field is just about set with a nice group of foreign athletes mixed with some top US athletes. Kenya is well represented once again along with South Korea and of course the US. Over the years we have had representation from all over the world.

There have been Scenic 10 champions from the countries of: Kenya 15 times, New Zealand twice, England once, Ethiopia, Japan, Russia twice, Ireland once and a host of runners from the US.

We have hosted athletes from the US, Russia, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Tanzania, Belgium, Norway, Morocco, South Africa and Wales. There have been countless Olympians who participated.

The top US time on our course for men is Rod DeHaven in 1998 when he ran 47:11. The top US woman’s time over the years is Patty Murray 54:08 in 1988 .

In the race's 29 year history there have been two 4-time Champions-Jeff Jacobs in 1990,91,94 and 97. John Wellerding did 4 in a row winning in 1980,81,82 and 83. There have been 4 women who have won twice each- Lisa Rainsberger in 1984 and 86, Patty Murray in 1987 and 88, Naomi Wangui in 2000 and 01, and Libbie Hickman in 1996 and 99.

The men’s course record is 46:30 by Nelson Kiplagat of Kenya run in 2006 while the women’s course record is 52:40 by Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco in 2006 as well..

Over the years the Scenic 10 has given away over $286,875 in prize money and that does not count time bonus awards for records! That total ranks third in the WORLD historically for 10 mile races! The Scenic 10 first gave prize money in 1986 and was one of the first races in the US to do so.

In 2006 at the distance of 10 miles statistics show that our race has been the 7th most competitive 10 mile for men in the world based on "quality performances" which is defined by performances faster than 49:40 for the 10 mile distance. In 2005 the women’s race was 4th most competitive in the world using the quality performance standard of 58:00 for the 10 mile distance! In the history of 10 mile races in the world Park Forest is ranked as the 5th most competitive race for women and the 9th most competitive race for men at the 10 mile distance! During that time 156 men have run UNDER 49:40 and 148 women have run UNDER 58 min.

The 2007 Scenic 10 will be my last as race director, a position that I have held for 20 years. I have been fortunate to have been associated with the race for 23 of its 30 year history . During that time I have met and known runners from all over the world making this time of my life a very rewarding one. My goal has always been to make this race the best for all of the runners not just the really fast ones and I hope we have achieved that end. Congratulations to all of you who have run the race over the years, you are all very special. Keep on moving!

July 23, 2007
The 30th Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile Run is set to go on September 3rd 2007! This year we have assembled another fantastic group of international runners. Top runners set to compete include: Richard Kimeli, Macdonald Ondara, Matthew Chesang, and Caroline Cheptanu of Kenya. Top Americans slated to run are Mark Stallings, Teren Jameson, Donnie Franzen, David Williams, Kyle Moss, Matt Thull, Brian Lyons, Margaret Lyons and Mary Alico. Jenny Spangler will once again return along with Ann Coles and Heather May. There will also be a group of athletes in the women's race from South Korea headed by Kung Hee Lim and Jung Ae Nah.

Our clinic should be excellent as we have Scott Robinson and Vanessa Robinson of Amerikenyan Running Club who will speak about their training camp in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We are also happy to have Olympian Jenny Spangler with us to speak about her training and highlights of her career.

Have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you on Labor Day!