FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 26, 2023
2023 GOLDENSPRINT CHALLENGE INVITATIONAL RECAP
The annual GoldenSprint Challenge track meet named after Dutch- Ghanaian sprinter, bobsledder and 2018 skeleton Olympian, Akwasi Frimpong aims to inspire the youth to participate in sports. The program not only involves young volunteers in organizing sport events, but also offers them indoor training and serves the traveling needs of international athletes.
The fastest men and women took home a golden shoe trophy; just like Frimpong received in the form of a golden sprint spikes from his former Dutch sprint coach Sammy Monsels, when Frimpong became Dutch junior champion in the 200m sprints in 2003. Through this annual event, Frimpong hopes to pay forward the support and belief he got from his coach as a young sprinter. All proceeds of the 5th Annual GoldenSprint Challenge 2023 event goes to the Hope Of A Billion Foundation ( HOAB). The foundation’s mission is to encourage, engage, and empower a billion lives in underserved communities worldwide through sport, business, and educational opportunities.
The event started in 2012 with 10 sprinters. Today there were 135 sprinters from all over the area, 300 fans cheering their teams on. The golden shoe trophies this year went to Amare Harlan, Nadia Chiara, Desirae Riehle, Ryan Cahill, Brock Parson, Caleb Doman and Colby Anderson.
The event was made possible by; volunteers (Robin Bryant, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Erica Frimpong, Nic Bryant). USATF officials – Gerard Collet and Patrice Bolen. Partners; Runners’ Corner, Carrabbas Italian Grill, Utah Valley University athletic trainers, Mcgees Stamp & Trophy and the Utah Olympic Oval.
Results of the event can be found via:
http://results.runnercard.com/Results/results.jsp?meetid=1004460
- GoldenSprint Challenge Invitational in the UVU NEWS, February 21, 2013
- GoldenSprint Challenge Invitational on Milesplit Utah, February 22, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 26, 2013
2013 GOLDENSPRINT CHALLENGE INVITATIONAL RESULTS
Runners from area high schools and colleges competed at the Utah Olympic Oval Feb. 23 in the second annual GoldenSprint Challenge Invitational track and field sprint event. Sprinters competed in the 60 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters sprints, and the 60 meters hurdles race.
The meet, sanctioned by the USA Track and Field Association, is the dream of Akwasi Frimpong, Dutch Olympic level athlete and UVU student. He hopes to inspire more youth to participate in sports – especially track and field. To kick off this goal, he partnered with the Utah Olympic Oval to put together this meet to promote local and international athletes.
The name of the meet, “GoldenSprint,” is one of Frimpong’s nicknames he earned when racing as an illegal African immigrant in the Netherlands. His Dutch coaches gave him golden track shoes after his first Dutch National win.
The fastest men’s and women’s sprinters at the GoldenSprint Challenge followed Frimpong’s footsteps and took home the first GoldenSprint Spikes Trophies. Kassie Jensen, Chandler Rieske, Dak Kleven, Arlene Gowar, Parker Landgren, and Nicole Laws gained this coveted honor.
“Every time I have the opportunity to give away a GoldenSprint Spikes trophy, I help educate, inspire, motivate and support individuals from all walks of life in their pursuit of success and happiness,” Frimpong said.
“I was overwhelmed with our success this year. Last year when I started the GoldenSprint Challenge Invitational Track & Field meet, we had nine athletes and 10 spectators. This year we had about 300 participants and spectators in total,” Frimpong said.
Frimpong said his goal is to promote sprinting and training in Utah, and involve local students, athletes and the community.
“With the long winters in Utah, it’s important to be able to train indoors at the legendary Utah Olympic Oval. Plus, it’s a very fast track,” he said.
Frimpong said he and his team would not have been able to put this event together without the following partners and sponsors: Nike, Wal-Mart, Utah Olympic Oval, Utah USATF Officials, , McGee’s Stamp and Trophy, Runner’s Corner and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2012
THE 2012 GOLDENSPRINT CHALLENGE INVITATIONAL
Runners from area high schools and colleges have been invited to compete in the first annual 2012 GoldenSprint Challenge Invitational track and field sprint event March 9 at the Utah Olympic Oval. Sprinters will compete in a 60 meter race and/or a 200 meter race.
This meet, sanctioned by the USA Track and Field Association, is the dream of Akwasi Frimpong, 2012 Dutch Olympic hopeful and UVU student. He hopes to inspire more youth to participate in sports – especially track and field. To kick off this goal, he partnered with the Utah Olympic Oval to put together this meet, and future plans are to make this an annual international meet to promote local and international athletes.
The name of the meet, “GoldenSprint,” is one of Frimpong’s nicknames he earned when racing as an illegal African immigrant in the Netherlands. His Dutch coaches gave him golden track shoes after his first Dutch National win. The fastest men’s and women’s sprinters at the GoldenSprint Challenge will follow Frimpong’s footsteps and take home a golden spikes trophy.
“I want to promote sprinting and training in Utah, and involve local students and athletes,” Frimpong said. “With the long winters in Utah, it’s important to be able to train indoors at the legendary Utah Olympic Oval. Plus, it’s a very fast track.”
The GoldenSprint Challenge will be March 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Utah Olympic Oval, 5662 S. Cougar Lane in Kearns.The Proceeds benefit the Utah Special Olympics.Register now.To register for the meet, visit www.goldensprintchallenge.com. For more information, call Erica Shields at 435-669-2127, or Akwasi Frimpong at 801-494-3060 or Russ Amstrong, USATF meet director, at 801-358-6415. Information can also be obtained by emailing goldensprintchallenge@gmail.com.
Akwasi Frimpong at the Utah Olympic Oval. Picture by John Parker.
GoldenSprint Challenge 
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