2009 Photos
On
a stormy, cold(43F-7C) and rainy morning in Hauppauge, NY( about 50
miles/75km east of NYC), US Olympian Tim Seaman stole the show with his
41st National Title. Seaman won the USA 30km Walking Title in 2.38.16
while fighting off the brutal conditions and hamstring cramping. Seaman
had no goal of trying to follow winning guest walker, 2-time Olympian,
Luis Fernandez Lopez of Colombia. Lopez, a police officer who resides
and trains in the thin air of Bogota has been on a roll, and preparing
himself for the next Olympic Games. Lopez finished a strong ninth in
the Beijing 20km, and a stronger 5th in IAAF World Champs in Berlin.
Lopez set a course record of 2.13.00, a very strong start to his
Olympic Goal.
Bone Chilled Seaman stated, "I dogged it for the first 8kms, then I
tried to catch Rodrigo Moreno(COL) and I thought I could catch him but
I was freezing out there". Moreno is an ageless 43yr old 50km Olympian
who came to Hauppauge to race hard.
Seaman was so cold, he immediately changed in his Dad's van, "I
immediately got changed because every bone in my body was Frozen" then
headed to his favourite sandwich shop that he worked while in HS and
College. Now Seaman heads back to his base in Chula Visa, Ca for his
upcoming Wedding on Halloween(October 31) to fellow walker, Rachel
Lavalle. Lavalle is a Canadian Walking Champion who recently competed
at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin at 20km. Lavallee was the
2009 winner of the Millrose Games Women's Mile Walk.
After the marriage to Lavallee, Seaman will get ready to tie USATF Hall
of Famer Henry Laskau who gathered 42 Nationals Titles, at his "2nd
home" the 2010 Millrose Games One Mile Walk Championships. Seaman has
gone to altitude many times, and will return to Flagstaff, Arizona to
ready himself for the 2010 USA Indoor Championships which will be held
in the lite air of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
On the women's side, another guest Colombian Olympian Sandra Zapata
was very very stong, She was far ahead of the fast starting Susan
Randall(USA) who tried valently to hold off the hard charging Maria
Michta(USA). Michta, won the Woman's USATF 30km championships in
2.49.37 coming back very strong in the 2nd half of her race.
1. Luis Fernandez Lopez COL 2.13.00
2. Rodrigo Moreno COL 2.30.59
3. Tim Seaman USA 2.38.16....USA Champion
1. Susan Zapata COL 2.35.38
2. Maria Michta USA 2.49.37....USA Champion
3. Susan Randall USA 2.53.16
All-Time USA Nationals Titles won
1. Ron Laird-65
2. Henry Laskau-42
3. Tim Seaman-41
