2011-6th Annual Ryan Jobes Memorial 5K

Richmond's NICOL TRAYNOR Breaks Record in 6th Annual RYAN JOBES MEMORIAL 5K 
Spider Graduates ANDREW BENFORD and JON MOLZ go 1-2 

Andrew Benford (1st-15:15), Nicol Traynor (1st-CR 17:46) 
and Jon Molz (2nd-15:44) after the 
2011 Ryan Jobes Memorial 5K in Williamstown, WV 
held December 17.  

2011 Spiders Support Local Communities Through Running

Andrew Valenski (#676) on his way to victory in the 
National Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Long Island Chapter 5K.

Several members of the Richmond men's and women's cross country teams went home for Thanksgiving and supported their local charitable groups through participation in and providing contributions to road races that raise awareness and funding for the non-profit organizations:

Spiders Compete in 2011 HCA Virginia 8K

Nicol Traynor and Ryan Lee earn top finishes...

The start of the 2011 HCA Virginia 8K  held November 12th in Richmond, VA.
(Click on this photo for slide show)

(Richmond, VA) Nicol Traynor and Ryan Lee joined several of their University of Richmond teammates to compete in the 2011 HCA Virginia 8k on November 12th on the streets of Richmond to support Donate Life Virginia.

Richmond Cross Country Supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation

Richmond Women's Cross Country Team, dressed in pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, raised money and awareness on October 22, 2011.

(L-R) Coach Lori Taylor, Allie Mannon, Lydia Morton, Taylor Clevinger, Emily Graber, ANDI DEFONCE, Roxanne Henningson, Clare Moretz, Jill Prentice, Dana Guglielmo...Back Rom (R-L) Liz Schinski, Emma Berry, Amanda Lineberry, Beth Kelly and Alyson McGonigle.

Cross Country Team Donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation
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Richmond's Nicol Traynor 2nd in Charlottesville Fall Classic 10K

Richmond's Nicol Traynor

Spider All-American Nicol Traynor traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia for the Charlottesville Fall Classic 10K this morning (10/22/11) earning 2nd place among women and 6th over-all among men. 

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Richmond XC Completes Final Conference Tune-Up

The University of Richmond men's and women's cross country teams completed their final tune-up before defending their Atlantic 10 Conference Championship titles...
XC Completes Final Conference Tune-Up - RichmondSpiders.com - The Official Athletic Website of the University of Richmond

Benford and U.S. Teammates Place 8th in Izumo Ekiden Race (Japan)

Andrew Benford (UR '11) last year at the
NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Andrew Benford (Richmond '11) and his USA teammates placed 8th in the Izumo Ekiden held on October 10 in Izumo, Japan.  Their 8th place team finish is the highest ever finish for team USA and led to an automatic bid for the U.S. to return next year.

Julie Rechel (Richmond ’11) earns spot on USA Triathlon Team for the 2012 World University Games

Julie Rechel (Richmond ’11) earned spot on the
USA Triathlon Team for the 2012 World University Games
today on South Carolina.

Congratulations to Spider Alumni Julie Rechel (UR ’11) on qualifying today for the U.S. team for the 2012 World University Games Triathlon Championships to be held next June 29-30 in Yilan County, Chinese Taipei.

No Gimmicks...Simple Hard Work!...My Opinion on FiveFingers.

I was asked my opinion, so here it is...

Andrew Benford wins 4th Annual McLean 5K (October 1, 2011)

Andrew Benford set a course record
in the 4th Annual McLean 5K.

Andrew Benford went to McLean, Virginia yesterday looking for a race.  The end result of his effort was a course record win in the 4th Annual McLean 5K...Benford's winning time of 15:09.0 for the hilly event broke the course record by 35 seconds. The old record of 15:45.5 was set last year by Mark Drath.

Richmond Competes at the 2011 Paul Short Invitational

Beth Kelly, Nicol Traynor and Coach Lori Taylor walk to the start line for the Open Race at the 2011 Paul Short Invitational hosted by Lehigh University.  A total of over 2500 athletes competed in the college/university and high school races.  (Tom Prentice photo) 

DeFonce Running Down Time at Richmond

Current Richmond senior Andi DeFonce, shown dropping the hammer on her competition at the 2011 Atlantic 10 Conference Championships, was featured in a recent article from The Daily Harrison. DeFonce recently ran the Spider Alumni Open over 1 minute faster than last year and helped the Spiders to victory over William & Mary.

Andrew Benford Selected to USA Team for Izumo Ekiden (Izumo, Japan)

Andrew Benford,
shown en route to a 5th place finish
at the 2011 Cow Harbor 10K
in Northport, NY on September 17th,
will compete on the USA Team
for the Izumo Ekiden Relay in Japan on October 10th.

BENFORD TO RACE IN JAPAN FOR TEAM USA...

Collegiate 10,000 meter Standouts Matt Llano, Jon Grey Join Team USA Minnesota

Matt Llano (UR '11) will continue his professional running
career as a member of Team USA-Minnesota. (Dan Petty Photo)

2011 Great Cow Harbor 10K...Spider Alumni Roll

Andrew Benford, who earned All-America honors
 in the 3K Steeplechase for the University of Richmond
this past spring (2011), placed 5th in the
2011 Great Cow Harbor 10K in Northport, NY
on September 17th.

(Northport, NY) Richmond Assistant Coaches Andrew Benford and Jon Molz joined recent graduates Jon Wilson and Amy Van Alstine on Saturday (September 17) for the 2011 Great Cow Harbor 10K in Northport, NY.

20 Questions with...Jason Skipper



Jason Skipper has showed much improvement this fall.
He lead the Spiders in the first
two meets of the season. 
This past weekend he placed 2nd
in the William & Mary Inv. running 25:08 for 5 miles



Throughout the 2011 season we will be bringing you either a set of 20 questions from a Spider cross country squad member or an article focusing on a student-athlete from this year’s team. In our continuing series...This week we spoke with Spider Junior, Jason Skipper...

RichmondSpiders.com:

Richmond Spiders Win William & Mary XC Invitational

Sophomore, Jill Prentice returned to the Spiders lineup 
this past weekend.  An NCAA 5K East Region
Championships qualifier last spring,
Prentice ran a meet record 17:37 to lead the Spiders
to victory over William & Mary and Hampton.

20 Questions with...Stephanie Paradis

Throughout the 2011 season we will be bringing you either a set of 20 questions from a Spider cross country squad member or an article focusing on a student-athlete from this year’s team. 

In our first crack at 2011,  RichmondSpiders.com talked with Junior Stephanie Paradis (Leesburg, VA) who won the Spider Alumni Open on September 3rd leading the Spiders to victory over William & Mary (Here is a link to her video interview following the race.):

2011 World Jr Mountain Running Championships (Day 5-RACE DAY)

A great day of racing for the U.S. Mountain Running Team at the
2011 IAAF World Mountain Running Championships...
Richmond Spider sophomore Ryan Lee (center above) led the U.S.
junior men's team with his 11th place overall finish
in the World Championship race.

2011 World Jr Mountain Running Championships (Day 4-Opening Ceremonies)

The 2011 USA Mountain Running Team and Staff for the
27th running of the IAAF World Mountain Running Championships
in Tirana, Albania.
(USMRT Photo)

2011 World Jr Mountain Running Championships (Day 3-U.S. Embassy/Course Preview)



The 2011 US Mountain Running Team took time to pose for a team photo outside the US Embassy in Tirana, Albania.  Richmond Spider athletes Ryan Lee and Billy Fayette (back row) along with Clare Moretz (3rd from right) joined US Team Leaders and teammates who had the opportunity to meet with US Ambassador Arvizu.
(Photo compliments U.S. Embassy) 

 The U.S. Mountain Running Team will compete in the 27th World Mountain Running Championships in Albania on Sunday, September 11.  Today (Friday) they visited the US Embassy and spent time with Ambassador Arvizu and also previewed the World Championships race course.
 
Here are the locations people can follow along the USA Team:
Coach Taylor’s Twitter go HERE
US Mountain Running Team (USMRT) Twitter go HERE
Coach Taylor’s Blog go HERE
US Mountain Running Team (USMRT) Blog go HERE
US Mountain Running Team (USMRT) Facebook page go HERE

Here is a short post we received from University of Richmond Sophomore, Ryan Lee regarding their first full day in Albania:

"We had the course preview in the morning today so we did our short fartlek workout this afternoon. The course was really cool. It’s supposed to be mid 90's on Sunday and I'm pretty sure it hasn't rained here in 20 years based on how dusty it is, so the course/race is going to be pretty hot and dusty since it’s all on gravel/ dirt. The course is really cool though.  The first half of the uphill isn’t too bad, and then it’s the steepest thing I’ve ever seen, but only lasts for about 600 meters. The first 400M of the race or so is open gravel road then single track all the way to the top, including the steepest part which is a staircase pretty much.  It then opens up at the top for about 200M until it’s very, very steep single track for about 400M-500M before the rest of the downhill which is more gradual and on a gravel dusty road where we will absolutely fly.  That completes the loop and then it’s back up again to repeat for lap #2. The race is going to be a lot of fun and should be exactly what we prepared for. Even on the preview after we crested the top and were a little winded, after that short open flat at the top we were ready to roll downhill which should be the case Sunday. As for the fartlek Billy and I both felt really really good so that’s also a good sign. I wrote this pretty quick because we are about to go out to get some food for race day but I’ll send the pictures of the course preview tonight when we get back. Go USA!!"----Ryan Lee

VISTING THE U.S. EMBASSY IN TIRANA, ALBANIA:

Members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured here chatting with U.S. Embassy officials. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy)



Statement from the U.S. Embassy:  “The Embassy received a visit from the US Mountain Running Team that is here in Albania to compete in the 27^th World Mountain Running Championships held in Tirana on September 11^th.  33 countries will be competing and the US Team is hoping to defend its Men’s Silver Medal from 2010 and win medals with the women’s and junior teams as well.  We wish the best of luck to the 20 members of the US team who will be competing and hope they have an injury free competition!”  ---U.S. Embassy-Tirana

“Thank you Ambassador Arvizu, Niles Cole and the rest of your staff for your hospitality. This visit really helps motivate the team for Sunday’s race. Go USA!"---Richard Bolt-Team USA Staff

Members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured here chatting with Ambassador Arvizu about the team, the sport, and Albania. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy)



Members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured here chatting with Ambassador Arvizu about the team, the sport, and Albania. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy)



Another photo of members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured chatting with Embassy officials about the team, the sport, and Albania. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy)

Another photo of members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured chatting with Embassy officials about the team, the sport, and Albania. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy)

Ambassador Arvizu receives a gift of a team cowbell (a mountain running symbol), hat, and medal from US team leader and USATF representative Nancy Hobbs at U.S. Embassy, Tirana Information Resource Center.
(Photo compliments U.S. Embassy)

A photo of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania.  (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy)

 WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS RACE COURSE PREVIEW:

The 2011 World Mountain Running Championships start line. (Ryan Lee Photo)

The race course narrows quickly...(Ryan Lee Photo)

...and becomes steep, narrow single track. This is mountain running! (Ryan Lee Photo)

Billy Fayette climbs into the sun as the course reaches 40% incline. (Ryan Lee Photo)

The steepest part of the course is single track with steps carved into the mountain side. 
It's dry, dusty and hard packed dirt. (Ryan Lee Photo)

The course had a special guest on the course preview...(Ryan Lee Photo)

I'm not sure how they got by this guy...Can anyone say "andale". (Ryan Lee Photo)

The course climbs for great views of Tirana. (Ryan Lee Photo)



The city of Tirana, Albania. (Ryan Lee Photo)



The top of the climb...Far below at the bottom you will find the start. (Ryan Lee Photo)



Spiders runners Ryan Lee and Billy Fayette pause at the top of the race course for a photo with Tirana, Albania in the back-drop. (Ryan Lee Photo)

Billy Fayette at the top with Tirana, Albania in the background. (Ryan Lee Photo)

More of the single-track race course.  Here the course is flat before the steep drop back off the mountain. (Ryan Lee Photo)

A little further across the top of the mountain you pass an abandoned building before starting the descent. (Ryan Lee Photo)

Billy Fayette in the edge of the photo looking at part of the steep, technical running descent...(Ryan Lee Photo)

More of the descent...Here you see the fastest part of the course. (Ryan Lee Photo)

The finish line of the 2011 IAAF World Mountain Running Championships. (Ryan Lee Photo)

Ryan Lee photo, so who's knee is this?  Welcome to mountain running. (Ryan Lee Photo)

(R-L) USA Junior Team (under 20) members Clare Moretz, Lara Shegoski and Krisztina Dearborn take a photo at the hotel.  (Ryan Lee Photo)

University of Richmond freshman Clare Moretz with the Adriatic Sea in the background...(Ryan Lee photo)

The mountains outside Tirana. 

The tram overlooking Tirana.

Albanian money...the Lek. (Ryan Lee photo)