That the IBM Uptown Classic 10-K is a fast course is undeniable. Just how fast the new course is, will be put to the test on Sunday morning when the elite field takes its annual shot at toppling the city and state 10-K records.
As is traditional, IBM serves as the season opener for the fall road-racing calendar in Austin. That IBM is the lead race in the six-race RunTex Distance Challenge series is especially apropos as it is the flattest, most accessible course for the widest range of runners. And more than 2000 are expected on Sunday morning.
The big news is that IBM returns to its roots. Well sort of. After two years utilizing the 10-K loop around the Northcross Mall, IBM returns to its corporate campus off MoPac in north Austin. But the ’07 course is not exactly identical to what was last used in ’04. Close, but not exact.
The race will start and finish on the IBM campus on the east side of Burnet. Like prior races, the course is mostly flat but between miles four and five the course crosses the railroad tracks and there is a relatively short uphill. It isn’t particularly tough, but on the pancake-like course, any rise is noticeable. The final mile is a slight downhill back to the finish.
Two other changes: The course will go through The Domain Shopping Center at mile two. The other change is packet pickup: It’ll also be at The Domain at the Borders Book Store on Friday (10-7) and Saturday (10-6). There will be race day packet pick up, beginning at 6:30.
A word to the wise: If you can swing by the Domain and get your number and timing chip beforehand, do so. Race-morning traffic is always a mess and it’s much better to get everything squared away before Sunday morning.
The Uptown Classic starts at 8 a.m., but try to get there early. There’s plenty of parking at IBM (11501 Burnet which is best accessed off Duval) but road closures begin at 7 a.m. and if history is any example, traffic will back up clear to MoPac. You can also use The Domain exit and park there.
Unlike prior years where there has been a deep elite field, this year there’s really only one top-notch runner with a legitimate shot at the city record (and the $1000 bonus that goes along with it). Daniel Kipkoech, who finished seventh in 1:03:15 last week at the San Jose Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, is in town already and has Erik Chirchir’s 29:03 city record (set in ’04 at IBM) in his sights.
Kipkoech is a 28-year-old Kenyan with a glistening resume at road races around the world. He has a 10-K road best of 28:12 which would suggest that Chirchir’s record would seem to be well within his range. If conditions are right, Kipkoech may even have shot at the state record of 28:50 by Austinite Eric Polonski.
There aren’t any world-class women scheduled to run, but some of the top local women who are expected include Chris Kimbrough who won this race two years ago. She’s fresh off a huge PR at the Tufts 10-K for Women in Boston and is clearly on a roll as she preps for the Olympic Marathon Trials for women in April. Still, Kimbrough doesn’t quite have the wheels to even approach the women’s city record of 33:43 by Natalie Nalepa.
Derek Yorek heads the list of top local men entered in IBM. Yorek, a forrmer Adams State star, has sub-30 minute speed but has concentrating mainly on triathlons since moving to town this summer. Yorek said, "I intend to go out with the Kenyan. I don't know if I can stay with him, but I intend to find out."
Yorek, who runs for the 3Stories racing team, hasn't heard from his more well-known teammate--Lance Parker--since Parker retruned to town from a month of training in North Carolina. But Parker has indicated that he will run IBM as his final tune-up for the Olympic Marathon Trials in November.
IBM has been plagued by unseasonably humid weather in the past three years and organizers are hoping with a later race date, that the conditions might be better this year. The long-range forecast indicates temperatures should be in the low 70s on Sunday morning.
If it is, fast times should abound.
