In the photo below, Ben Cooke finishes the Outback Steakhouse 8K in sixth place (24:23) last November.

Seven years ago, when Ben Cooke was a standout miler at a high school near Roanoke in southeast Virginia, his friends asked if he wanted to join them for an overnight trip to the beach.

Cooke knew his friends were going to have a great time--but he declined anyway. He had other plans, and the next day he drove to Atlanta to see Todd Williams in the Olympic trials. "Todd Williams and Bob Kennedy were in a league of their own--they just stood out around everyone else," Cooke said, excitement building in his voice. "It was incredibly inspiring to watch both of them run."

It was while he was watching Williams in the Olympic trials that Ben began to seriously consider that he might be in the Olympics someday.

Today, Ben Cooke is a James Madison University graduate and Olympic hopeful with 4:01 mile, 13:53 5K and 29:40 10K times to his credit, despite recurring injuries that have hobbled his training program for months at a time. He won last year's Kentlands/Lakelands 5K with a record-shattering 14:52 time--and hopes to repeat his victory this year on August 30, when he will run in his first race ever with the man who inspired his efforts to reach the Olympics.

But Cooke won't be running against the four-time national 10K champion and two-time Olympian. Williams retired from running last year after dominating the American running scene during the entire decade of the 90's, and will be running recreationally as part of the Kentlands/Lakelands 'Running for Life Program'--a year-round program to encourage people of all ages, from kids to seniors, to run for fun and good health.

Is Cooke disappointed he won't get a chance to compete against the running legend who been his inspiration since high school?

"Not at all," Ben answered. "It's going to be a real pleasure and honor to line up on the same starting line with him, no matter how fast or slow he runs. One of the things I really respect about Todd Williams is that he decided to retire after he had maxed out. He had achieved the goals he set out to do-- and now he's focusing on encouraging other people to run. For me, when all is said and done, I'd love to be able to say that I maxed out, that I did everything I set out to do the way Todd did and then helped others achieve their goals."

Williams may not be racing at the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K, but he will be following an exhausting schedule in the days prior to the race, speaking to students at nearby schools, runners in a local running club, and at a dinner sponsored by O'Donnell's seafood restaurant in Gaithersburg, about his Olympic experience and what it taught him about setting and achieving running and other lifetime goals.

As spokesperson for the Kentlands/Lakelands Running for Life Program, Williams is following in the footsteps of another running legend, four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers, the 2002 spokesperson for the program.

"The Running For Life program was designed to encourage people to stay fit throughout their lives," said Steve Solbeck, Co-Race Director of the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run. "The program is a way to help educate people about the health benefits of running and walking for both adults and children--not only in the months before the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K, but also throughout this year and in years to come."

Solbeck said Williams's reputation as a promoter of the health benefits of running is one reason why the Race Committee chose him as spokesperson for the Running For Life Program. "We're delighted to have a runner of Todd Williams's caliber as this year's 2003 spokesperson," he said. "But we want people to think of this race as just one part of a fitness program that they will maintain throughout their lives. An Olympic athlete like Todd Williams can help motivate people--especially kids--to get started on a lifetime program."

Williams, whose achievements include a 27:31 10K and a 2:11 marathon, said his most important accomplishment may be his ability to motivate younger runners.

A four-time U.S. 10K champion, Williams said his status as an Olympic athlete has provided him with an excellent forum for talking to people about the physical and emotional benefits of running. "A lot of kids dream about running in the Olympics someday," Williams noted. "So when I talk with them about how much fun it is to run, they're more likely to give it a try--and if it's fun for them, they're much more likely to continue running as they get older."

Solbeck said the Kid's Fun Run for children age 14 & under will continue to be one of most important aspects of the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K this year, as it has been in the past nine years. "We want kids to choose a distance that is comfortable for them," he said. The fun runs are untimed and will incorporate multiple heats (wave starts) for each run to accommodate the hundreds of children who are expected to participate. Start time is 8:00 a.m. All kids' fun runners will receive a ribbon. Only pre-registered entrants will be guaranteed a T-shirt.

The 5K Run/Walk will follow at 8:30 a.m., shortly after the Kids' Fun Runs.

VIP Dinner with Todd Williams and Mayor Katz
Todd Williams and Gaithersburg Mayor Sydney Katz will be the honored guests at a VIP dinner to be held Friday, August 29th at O'Donnell's Restaurant, 311 Kentlands Blvd, Gaithersburg, Maryland. At the dinner, Williams will speak about the Running For Life Program and what his experience as an Olympic athlete taught him about the importance of running and fitness, and setting goals to make your dreams a reality in every aspect of life.

The dinner is open to everyone, but availability is limited. Minimum suggested donation to the Kentlands Community Foundation is $40 per person and includes dinner, tax, and gratuity. Availability is limited, so sign up online at www.kentlands.org, or call (301) 519-1650 for more information.

The Kentlands/Lakelands 5K will be held rain or shine.

Race Weekend Schedule

Pre-Race Packet Pick-up and Late Registration


Thursday, August 28, 2:00 pm to 8:00 p.m.	
Location: Fancy Cakes By Leslie, 253 Market Street West, Suite 200,
Gaithersburg, MD 20878	
 	 
Friday, August 29, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm	
Location: O'Donnell's Restaurant, 311 Kentlands Blvd.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878 Phone (301) 519-1650
	
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, VIP Dinner with Olympian Todd Williams
and Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz 	 


Race Day Schedule
7:00 am to 8:15 am     Race Day Registration & Packet Pick-up at the
                       Kentlands Market Square
7:30 am	               Pre-Race Warm-up Begins
8:00 am	               Kid's Fun Runs
8:30 am	               5K Run & Walk
9:00 am to 12:00 pm    Merchant's Expo and Awards Party

For further information or an entry, contact the Kentlands Community Foundation at (301) 926-6636, or visit the race Web site.

Media Contact: Steve Solbeck, co-race director, via e-mail: sa.solbeck@att.net or Richard Stukey, director of marketing and PR, at (301) 572-3800 or via e-mail: Richards@softmed.com.