Kim Smith in lead, over Berhane Adere, hitting 10k in 31:49!, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.
RNR New Orleans gave us the fastest womens half in North America, as Berhande Adere ran 1:07:52 to Kim Smith's 1:07:55 (Kiwi NR). Martin Lel got the best of Sammy Wanjuiru, 1:01.07 to 1:01:33!
Berhane Adere winning NO RNR half marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Ariane Freiderich, Euro Indoor 09, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Our ever observant friend, Alfons Juck, must have had a few espressos over the past 24 hours to give us this compilation of folks getting ready for Doha! Ariane Freiderich, the German high jump goddess, cleared 2.02m at the Karlsruhe meeting, and Leslie Dijhone ran 45.86!
Oh, and our friend, Mr. Kenenisa Bekele is going for world record at 3,000m this coming Friday in Lieven!
The USA Indoor Champs in Albuquerque, New Mexico were received by a SRO crowd on day one. The stands and standing room hold just under 3,000 fans, and both the athletes and fans were appreciative. The throws, held off the back turn of the track, were well supported! The highlights of the championship's day one: Chaunte Howard's oh, so close in high jump, and the men and women's 3,000 meter races. Read on!
Bernard Lagat, Rbk BIG 5,000m AR, photo by PhotoRun.net
Bernard Lagat is one of the most versatile middle distance runners on the planet. He is a World Champion, and an Olympic medalist. The proud father of two, Bernard Lagat is also a naturalised American, which he takes huge pride in, and goes to great efforts to support his country and his federation. Bernard Lagat, off the track, is a very likable person. On the track, Lagat is a consumate racer. His 5,000 meter run in Boston several weeks ago was an example. Lagat lead for much of the race, then Galen Rupp upped the ante, the Bernard fought off two tough Ethiopian runners, to set an indoor AR at 5,000 meters. Last weekend, Bernard, with a bit of a cold, ran a fine 3:35.40 for 1,500 meters at the AVIVA Grand Prix in Birmingham, UK. This weekend, it is all about the 3,000 meters and qualifying for WIC-Doha. The pace will be pedestrian, but the finish will be mesmerizing. Lagat will be dealing with Rupp, Solinsky and others in the battle for the top two. In my mind, the fight is for the second position. If Bernard Lagat runs his race, he will be victorious!
Shannon Rowbury, Rbk BIG, photo by PhotoRun.net.
In a recent article in Track & Field News, the bible of our sport, Coach John Cook, a man who takes a very holistic approach to middle distance running, considered Shannon Rowbury to be one of the most meticulous athletes he had ever coached. To be a great middle distance runner, considering the world of talent on this planet, one must do core training, plyometrics, sprint drills, endurance work, speed-endurance, weight training, recovery, race preparation-all is there, all is needed. The devil, as one bright author once said, is in the details. In her recent foray over 3,000 meters in Rbk BIG, Rowbury held her own, and competed with the Ethiopian women until the very end of the battle. Shannon Rowbury is among those rarified American middle distance women (Anna Pierce, Erin Donahue, Christian Wurth-Thomas, Jenny Barringer), who are battling it out on the world stage. Who would have thought that the U.S. would have had three women in the WC 1,500m final? Shannon Rowbury came out with the bronze medal! Watch Shannon this weekend! She has WIC-Doha focus in her eyes!
LoLo Jones, USIndoor, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
The hurdles is a unnatural event. Sprinting, controlling ones's speed over hurdles, sprinting once again, repeat. To be a world class hurdler requires the mastery of sprinting, hurdling, and playing chicken. A great hurdler literally glides over the hurdles, their uniform nearly touching each hurdle, but not touching, as the sprinting and hurdling motion becomes an unconscious decision. LoLo Jones is a great hurdler. She is one of the best women hurdlers of her generation . Only time will tell. Jones is a risk-taker, and only in taking risks can a hurdler reach the ultimate finish line-that of world or Olympic champion. Jones is defending champion from Valencia in 2008, at the WIC. Last summer, on Eurosport, Jones showed another talent and wowed the audiences with her superb commentating, giving the German fans a unique insider's view into the sport of athletics. LoLo is fit and ready to race! Let's see what she can do this weekend!
Allyson Felix, adidas Outdoor 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Allyson Felix is a phenomenon. The problem is, for Allyson, she has delivered so long, as a top California high schooler, then as a pro instead of running at university, that, some times, her talent is taken for granted. World champion over 200 meters three times, silver medalist, in the Olympics, her best days are yet to come. Versatile, from 100 meters to 400 meters, her best event may prove to be the 400 meters. Actually, her best event might prove to be the 400 meter intermediate hurdles (if you want to see a big smile on Coach Bobby Kersee's face, ask him about that one!). Allyson has run in Albuquerque already this season, posting a very nice 52 second 400 meters!
Christian Cantwell, Greece 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Christian Cantwell has won World Indoor titles twice, and in 2009 won the big Kahuna, the World Outdoor Champs, in a titanic battle. His throw of 22.16m last year (72-8 1/2) is merely a hit of what this man can do. Ranked number one in the world in his event by the bible of our sport, Track & Field News, Cantwell is here in Albuquerque to throw. Watch the shot, worship the shot. What is more fun than watching Big guys throw sixteen pound metal balls over seventy feet? Come on!
For more on our sport, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.com
Well, good morning sports fans! It is 7:30 am in the lovely city of Albuquerque, and I wanted to say hello to track fans across the globe! The USATF Indoor Champs, the final stop of the VISA Indoor Series, starts today about 3:30 PM local time with the 60 meter hurdles. I have posted the schedule below. Please also note that ESPN 2 will be carrying the meet on Sunday, in a two hour format. Runblogrun will be twittering the meet live today and tomorrow, plus an event by event follow up on Runblogrun.com.
Please note that the USA champs have not been held in Albuquerque since 1966! The facility is hosting a college indoor conference this morning. If you have any questions, fire away!
Svetlana Feofanova, WIC-Valencia, 2008, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Svetlana Feofanova has been around since the pole vault for women was in its' infancy. Her main competitor then was Stacy Dragila, who retired at the end of last year. Feofanova won the Russian Indoor Champs today! Feofanova has more competitive skills than most countries-this women knows how to compete at the highest levels in her sleep. She has to compete against her countrywomen: Yelena Isinbayeva. Should be very interesting competition in Doha! Tatyana Firova blasted a pb 51.2 for a world leader!
Jenny Meadows, en route to her British record, Saturday, February 20, 2010, AVIVA Grand Prix, photo courtesy of uka.org.uk
Jenny Meadows ran tough last summer in Berlin, gaining her world championship medal. Last weekend, Ms. Meadow's breaking of the British record, in Birmingham supported what many observers of Ms. Meadows have considered for some time: Jenny Meadows is a medal contender.
The RAK half marathon continues to develop a reputation as a strong global event. This year was no different. Thanks to the photography of PhotoRun.net, Running Network's Chuck Bartlett developed the RN photo gallery celebrating the 2010 RAK Half marathon. We hope that you enjoy!
For more on the sport of running, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.com
Originally posted Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Corrected Thursday, February 25, 2010!
Yaroslav Rybakov, Greece 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Yelena Isinbayeva and Yaroslav Rybakov are crowd pleasers, and the Russian Federation gave them wild cards from their championships to WIC-DOHA. Fields are really shaping up for Doha, which should be the best world indoor fields as of yet! Rybakov looked pretty good last weekend in Birmingham with 2.31m, and oh so close at 2.34m...Yelena Isinbayeva? Oh, you know she will work the
crowd in Doha!
Correction: Paul Hardy of the IAAF sent Alfons & I a note reminding us that the IAAF does not give out wild cards for Doha. Alfons knew that, and wrote accordingly. I assumed the wild card was from the IAAF, it was from the Russian Federation. My apologies for the assumption. See you all in Doha!
Yelena Isinbayeva, WC 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Jessica Ennis, WC 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Jessica Ennis, the WC 2009 gold medalist in the heptathlon and Vivian Cheruiyot, the WC 2009 gold medalist at 5,000 meters, are two of the top picks for the World Indoor Champs, in Doha, Qatar from March 10-15, 2010....of Doha's excellent facilities, it was remarked last weekend, in Birmingham, UK that it will be colder around the track in Doha than it surely would be outside!
Vivian Cheruiyot, WC 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Bernard Lagat, Galen Rupp, Rbk BIG 5,000m, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Alfons Juck notes that Kerron Clement and Allyson Felix are running the 400 meters at the US Indoor champs. The Men's shot should also be a great battle. But, in my mind, the toughest race of the weekend, should be the men's 3,000 meters, with Bernard Lagat, Galen Rupp and Chris Solinsky!
Serena Burla, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Serena Burla took second at the recent Aramco Chevron Half Marathon. Shortly after that race, a medical exam for a nagging hamstring showed a malignant tumor in her right hamstring. Fortunately, it has not spread, and Serena is having her surgery and therapy at Sloan Kettering, per the story in Race Results Weekly: http://www.runnerspace.com/news.php?do=view&news_id=9339.
Please keep Serena, her son Boyd, and her husband Adam (a shot-putter), in your thoughts and prayers. Serena met Adam where they were teammates and the University of Missouri. RBR looks forward to seeing Serena on the roads again soon!
Blanka Vlasic, Greece, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Blanka Vlasic cleared 2.03m, and made three good attempts at 2.09m. A great weekend of athletics! And we have much of it here! Read on, athletics fans!
Jenny Meadows, charging to the front at 500 meters, did not look back, as she broke the seven year old British record of one Dame Kelly Holmes, with Meadows own 1:59:11! Photo courtesy of UKathletics.com.
It is less than 90 minutes after the AVIVA Grand Prix, and I am still trying to catch my breath. In just less than three hours, the crowd of 12,000 was drawn into a magical afternoon of athletics. UK Athletics and FastTrack, under the watchful eye of Ian Stewart and his team, showcased the sport at its best. Fans saw a sprint showdown (LaVerne Jones vs Carmelita Jeter), a distance showdown (Tirunesh Dibaba vs Vivian Cheruiyot), a screaming 1,500 meter run (Deresse Mekonnen, Augustine Choge, Bernard Lagat) and two fantastic field events, in a women's pole vault and an Olympic class final triple jump!
But here is where Stewart is at his best: remember the rule-entertain the crowd. Kate Dennison, the British pole vault champion, set a new British record of 4.60 (coming close to 4.66m), and Jenny Meadows, who broke Dame Kelly Holmes seven year old British record of 1:59:21! It was the absolute courage that athletes showed in their runs that excited the crowd and left the fans, with a positive feeling as they left the NAI!
Abeylegesse leads the pack, RAK, photo by Photorun.net.
The story of 2010 may be how many distinguished women distance runners debut on the roads. Elvan Abeylegesse was on world record pace through 15k (16.03, 31.56, 48.03), then ran 1:07:07, with two other women under 1:07:22!
Elvan Abeylegesse wins RAK Half Marathon, 1:07:07, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.
One of the best kept secrets in midwest running is the Go! St. Louis marathon & Fitness Weekend. The marathon, half marathon & 5k have been sold out for weeks. Last week, I spoke to Race Director/FounderNancy Lieberman about her
predicament. I could tell Nancy was thinking about options, " We have reached a limit on our race fields and course. I have several dozen requests from just board members! It is crazy!" A few days later, Nancy, one of the most energetic, but also creative race directors in our sport, figured out where to change the course to allow 2,500 more in the half marathon. If you have not run this race, check it out! For more on the story, please click on http://www.morunandtri.com/read_new/go-st-louis%C2%AE-opens-2500-additional-half-marathon-spots
For more on the sport, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.com
The sport of running relies on professional management teams, professional timing teams, and lots and lots of volunteers! The HONDA LA Marathon is looking for five thousand volunteers to help the near sell out group of marathoners run the new course!
Kenenisa Bekele and Bernard Lagat, Greece, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
As your favorite blogger grabs an early morning espresso and some clean clothes, it is early on Friday morning in Frankfurt. Off to Birmingham today, and tomorrow: some amazing races. Bernard Lagat will be racing 1,500 meters. Bekele wants a crack at the 3,000m WR (7;24.90). On this track, that will be something to see. Mr. Bekele also knows that lurking a few steps behind will be one Augustine Choge, who is running brilliantly this year! Watch for our live coverage on Saturday (twitter and runblogrun.com).
Usain Bolt was largely responsible for the third largest (over 100 million) TV audience of 2009, as they turned off reality TV to watch the 100 meter final from Berlin. Here is Usain speaking about his sponsor's new training shoe, the Complete Ventis:
For more on PUMA, please check out http://www.puma.com
For more on the sport, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.com
The RAK Half Marathon should be a screamer tomorrow! If you would like to watch it (10 PM EST), check out the webcame! Story on the race when I land in Frankfurt tomorrow!
RAK Webcam: http://www.rakmarathon.org/webcam.php
Blanka Vlasic, Greece 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Blanka Vlasic will be competing in Split this weekend, while Ariana Friederich will be competing in Dessau...Stefano Baldini is going to defend his European marathon title this summer in Barcelona!
Ariane Friedrich, European Indoor 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Canceling a road race is not a matter that a city nor a race committee take lightly. The facts are that the five inches of snow, reported by the National Weather service within driving distance of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina caused much concern with the city fathers. 1,500 volunteers driving in from around the state were also on their minds. Race officials and city officials tried to work out their differences late into the night and early into the morning. In the end, the city officials made the decision, whether one agrees or not, to cancel the race. The following is the letter of explanation from the race committee. RBR hopes that the runners who traveled to the event consider the event for 2011:
Jan Zelezny, WR holder, Javelin Throw, Ostrava, 2006, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.
I can think of several records that I might put with Zelezny: Bolt's 100 meters, or 200 meters, men's 10,000 meters, but the statisticians come up with one of our sport's greats: the javelin throws of one Jan Zelezny. Just under 5-10, Zelezny, in his prime, was a sight to behold. His speed alone was unbelievable, but the final steps, his release, and the whole crowd was on board, willing that spear farther and farther!
What I like about the javelin is it's ancient roots. Something primal, something awesome, something inspiring about doing
an event that connects one with athletic ancestors nearly five thousand years ago! Congrats to Jan Zelezny!
CASTRO VALLEY (USA): Statistician Dale Harder says the best men‘s world record is the one from Jan Zelezny in the javelin throw. He explains that based on empirical results Zelezny‘s throw of 98.48m is a better mark then Usain Bolt‘s 9.58 and 19.19. Nobody has managed to come within 5% of the world javelin record, while over 150 sprinters have been able to come within 5% of the Usain‘s 100m world record writes trackandfieldnews.com.
Jan Zelezny, WR holder, Javelin Throw, Ostrava, 2006, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.
I can think of several records that I might put with Zelezny: Bolt's 100 meters, or 200 meters, men's 10,000 meters, but the statisticians come up with one of our sport's greats: the javelin throws of one Jan Zelezny. Just under 5-10, Zelezny, in his prime, was a sight to behold. His speed alone was unbelievable, but the final steps, his release, and the whole crowd was on board, willing that spear farther and farther!
What I like about the javelin is it's ancient roots. Something primal, something awesome, something inspiring about doing
an event that connects one with athletic ancestors nearly five thousand years ago! Congrats to Jan Zelezny!
CASTRO VALLEY (USA): Statistician Dale Harder says the best men‘s world record is the one from Jan Zelezny in the javelin throw. He explains that based on empirical results Zelezny‘s throw of 98.48m is a better mark then Usain Bolt‘s 9.58 and 19.19. Nobody has managed to come within 5% of the world javelin record, while over 150 sprinters have been able to come within 5% of the Usain‘s 100m world record writes trackandfieldnews.com.
Tia Hellebaut, Olympic gold medalist, high jump, 2008, photo by PhotoRun.net.
She's baaaacccckkkk! Tia Hellebaut announced today that she is returning to competition!
HELLEBAUT IS BACK
BRUSSELS (BEL): Belgian Olympic High jump Champion Tia Hellebaut has announced her comeback today in a press conference. Hellebaut, who turns 32 today, had ended her career in 2008 after winning the Olympic Gold medal in the Beijing Olympics. On June 9th 2009 she gave birth to her daughter Lotte. Today Tia has expressed her desire to come back on the highest level as training has been going very good in the last couple of weeks. Her main target is London 2012 and high jump.
Special Thanks to Alfons Juck, EME News!
For more on the sport, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.com
The webmaster the Running Network has done it again! The Running Network salute to this past weekend's USA Cross Country Championships has to be experienced. I would suggest the following songs: a)Change, by John Waite, Everything's Zen, by Bush, or a bit of electronica: b) We are all made of Stars, by Moby (18), Also Sprach Zarathustra, by Eumir Deodato (2001 Space Odyssey). Have fun!
For more on the sport of athletics, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.com
Shalane Flanagan en route to her brilliant 25:10 over
8 kilometers, USA XC Champs, Spokane, WA, February 13, 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Somewhere in an airport in the Pacific Northwest, sits the ever thoughtful Victah Sailer, of PhotoRun.net, who kindly sent us photos of the winners of the USA XC champs, held in Spokane, Washington today! Thanks, Victah!
Dathan Ritzenhein broke the race open, blazing twelve kilometers at the USA XC champs, Spokane, Washington, February 13, 2010 in 34:34. Photo by PhotoRun.net.
Seems the City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina had some snow. Snow is not normal in those parts. They put on the Expo, 5k and Pasta Dinner for the Bio-Lo Marathon and Dasana Half Marathon, but with snow and cold weather, decided to cancel race, which most runners found out about on day of event. This made for about 6,600 unhappy campers.
In the qualifying for the team for the world XC, the US championships were held in Spokane, Washington. The weather was good, and the two elite races were tough up front.
Congrats to Shalane Flanagan and Dathan Ritzenhein, who took the women's and men's wins. More details below (photo galleries tomorrow!)
Nick Symmonds at Pre 2009, courtesy of PhotoRun.net
Nice run by the Oregon Track Club Elite squad, coached by Mark Rowland (88 Olympic, pretty impressive steeple/mile combo in his day). Just saw Will run last week, and have seen
Matt, Nick before (love Nick's finishes), and my best is Tyler was on the 400 meters, but great run guys! Send me a pic of the whole squad and its up on RBR!
SEATTLE (USA, Feb 12): The Oregon Track Club Elite team of Nick Symmonds, Matt Scherer, Tyler Moulder and Will Leer ran the fastest distance medley relay on an indoor track 9:21.77 during first day of Husky Classic at oversized track in Seattle. The record of 9:25.77 by Texas was achieved on a 200-meter track in Fayetteville in 2008.
For more on the sport, click on http://www.runningnetwork.com
Terrance Trammell, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Dwain Chambers runs 6.50, fastest time in the world, at AVIVA UK Trials, after running 6.58 in rounds. Terrance Trammell continues to hurdle well, with his fine 7.43 for the 60m hurdles in Leipzig. Malte Mohr cleared 5.83m in pv there as well for a meeting record. Sergio Sanchez broke ER of Alberto Garcia from 2003 (Sevilla, 7:32.98), with his run in Valencia (2008 home of WIC). With splits of 2.31.62, 5:06.73, Sanchez ran 2.25.68 for his final kilo! Remember, this guy ran 4:54 for 2k
as his first European best of 2010.
Just breaking, Shalane Flanagan and Molly Huddle were 1,2 at the USA XC in Spokane. Shalane took off about 1k, and did not look back! Dathan Ritzenhein caught Patrick Smythe mid race and took over, not challenged on the back of the course!
Not since 2005, and the WR of 44.57, run by Kerron Clement, have seen one this fast!
It was announced early in February that Usain Bolt, the fastest man on the planet, and, by himself, responsible for the fourth largest television viewing audience of 2009 (over 100 million people on a global basis), will be running the 2010 version of the adidas Grand Prix, in New York's Icahn Stadium, located on Randall's Island.
Usain Bolt, photo by PhotoRun.net
On June 12, 2010, Usain Bolt will make his first appearance in the Big Apple since he set his first world record, after a thunderstorm, In 2008. What Bolt has done since then, has been pure sports history. In Beijing (the 100 meters (9.68), the 200 meters (19.30), and the 4x 100m relay (37.10), Usain Bolt set three world records! In Berlin, in August 2009, he ran 9.58 for the 100 meters, and 19.19 for 200 meters. He was victorious in the 4 x 100 meters, but, alas, no world record!
Usain Bolt, by himself, would probably come close to selling out the adidas Grand Prix. However, a new option from the meet managers-the option of buying a ticket option through Option-it, has ticket sales way above plan and if my hunches are right, could revolutionize how we sell our sport, and to whom! Read on, gentle readers!
Meb Keflizighi flying over Falmouth, August 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Many a running pundit asked, in the spring of 2009, if Meb Keflizighi had seen his best days. One of the classiest athletes on the circuit, it was not a well kept secret that his injuries were giving him a run for his money. I was in Berlin when we heard that Meb had run well at CIGNA Falmouth.
Meb vs. Robert, ING NYCM 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Then, there was ING New York. Meb had the race in control from the first step. Using his experience, his speed, but most importantly his desire, Meb owned all 26.2 miles of the five boroughs course. No one was going to beat him, it was his day. There was a chilling photo where Meb and Robert Cheriuyot are sizing each other up. One could feel the battle line being drawn, and then, with no room for miscommunications, Meb Keflizighi took off, making sure that a few miles in the 4.40 pace area was what was needed to take first. He could have run 4.30's, as Meb's day had finally come....
adidas racing spike, circa 1930, courtesy of adidas communicaitons.
First, there was adi Dassler making shoes for the likes of Jesse Owens. Then, Jeff Johnson, the guy who named Nike "Nike", used to give out t-shirts and Nike shoes (in embalming fluid boxes) with Geoff Hollister, from the back of one of their cars. That was athlete sponsorship, so how have things changed?
Christian Cantwell, photo by PhotoRun.net.
The spin technique in the shot put is not easy to master. It is especially challenging for a large thrower. So, take a very large thrower using the spin, in a indoor ring, like Millrose, where the ring is a bit smaller. Would seem to be an advantage for a smaller guy-or so, one might think. Yet, at the Millrose Games, Adam Nelson and Reese Hoffa were not having a good relationship with the shot ring. In the shot, a putter must know the ring. It is his or her small corner of hell. Master the surface, and one throw's well. Take the ring for granted, and a bad day of throwing.
On the other hand, Christian Cantwell threw 70-4 1/4, 70-1, 70-4 1/2 and then 72-4! Cantwell is large of stature, and makes an imposing figure with a sixteen pound ball in his hand. He is also the 2009 World Outdoor and 2008 World Indoor world champion. But, observant readers, try and watch his feet in the ring! It is, all about the feet! The shot put is an event that requires speed, and a thrower the size of Christian Cantwell must a) work harder to control his basic mass and b) once he reaches that level of control and fitness, watch out! Big guys throw long for a long time! A simple way of saying that Mr. Cantwell has worked a long time to perfect his skill, and control his speed, and it is showing.
Let's go back to Berlin in August 2009. The Polish Olympic champ Majewski thought he had gotten Christian Cantwell's number in Beijing. Or so he thought. When Majewski took the lead in round five, many thought that the party was over in Berlin for Cantwell. Au contraire, mes amis. Christian Cantwell, in his most impressive performance to date, came back and took the gold right out of Majewski's hands. In my humble opinion, that was the day Christian Cantwell really figured he could be the best in the world! He also showed, that under huge pressure, (and where can one find more pressure than in the World Championships? ) that he, Christian Cantwell delivers under pressure.
A the 12th Pedro's Cup in Bydgoszcz, Poland, this evening, Christian Cantwell won the shot put over Adam Nelson and Reese Hoffa, throwing 21.36m.
Just how far can Christian Cantwell throw this season? Well, if his timing stays on, and he stay's healthy, the world record should have the name of a very large man from the state of Missouri. Christian Cantwell should see his name next to a WR in the not so distant future.
Augustine Choge, Berlin GP, 2008, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.
Augustine Choge shows his fitness running the fifth fastest all-time 3,000m in7:31.75! Six men broke 7:35, with Frances' Tahri running 7:33.73. Paul Kipsele Koech (13:02.75 for 5,000m last week?), was in fourth. Sammy MUtahi ran a fine third place in 7:32.02, and Tariku Bekele (Ethiopia) was second in 7:31.78!
Meseret Defar, Greece, September 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
And then, Meseret Defar! Running with a pacemaker until 4k (11:34.76), Defar grinded out a 2:50 last kilometer, running near 60 seconds flat over the last two laps, to finish in 14:24.79! Defar was 42/100ths off her own WR! And, dear readers, remember that Meseret ran 8:24.46 for 3,000m four days ago in Stuttgart!
(Last weekend, Tirunesh Dibaba ran 14:44 at the Rbk BIG in Boston, pretty much by herself after 4:00. In my humble opinion, give Dibaba two more races, and watch her bloom into 14:20 shape, which is where Defar wants to put the record!
Wallace Spearmon, Jr. videotape, courtesy of Saucony communications.
A nice video on Wallace Spearmon Jr's reception at the Saucony HQ! For many at Saucony, this was their first chance to meet an Olympic athlete.
Please enjoy the video from USATF on the Reebok Boston Indoor Games 2010. In this viewers' mind, I can not remember a better indoor track meet! The 5,000 meter men's race, with Galen Rupp & Bernard Lagat was superb! Enjoy!
Wallace Spearmon, Jr. is introduced to the Saucony corporate family by Richie Woodworth, President of Saucony, Inc. , photo courtesy of Saucony communications.
Saucony has always been the sleepy, New England running shoe company that could have done this, should have done that. Several years ago, Saucony was purchased by Payless.
Payless was then purchased by Collective Brands, about a year later. What would happen to the venerable running shoe brand? One needed to look no further than Saucony President, Richie Woodworth, for the answers. Woodworth has, as someone once said, "that vision thing."
Yelena Isinbayeva and Asafa Powell, IAF Gala, November 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Yelena Isinbayeva cleared 4.60m, 4.75m, 4.85m, then tries at 5.01 and 5.02m....Rbk BIG meet was probably best ever, in terms of competition, interaction between crowd and announcing (Toni Reavis and Coach, the Celtics announcer,
were great). ESPN2 show was very good on Sunday!
USATF Indoor at Albequerque at end of the month. Team for Doha should be good. As with any first time event, some challenges, ticket sales are slow, no promotion of event from anywhere, and seems like local meet management and head office are having some challenges. Super fast Mondo track, from Staples Center, in Albequerque. US Indoor champs needs to be in place that makes it special, but USATF needs to examine, how the meet is put on, where it is put one, what goals are, as it is not fair to just bring into new environ. No promotion (just like Boston past four years), and Championship events do not celebrate sport.
I have to say, the best indoor meet in country, in my opinion, year after year, is Rbk BIG. Why home office does not just hire Global Athletics & Marketing, and work with Reggie Lewis team, confuses the heck out of me. One can not do everything well, note the successful operations, use them, move on, and make it a memorable event! Our sport can not afford mediocre events.
RN Photo Gallery, courtesy of RunningNetwork.com, photos by PhotoRun.net.
At the end of the ESPN2 two hour broadcast on the Rbk BIG meet, announcer Lewis Johnson noted that the Reebok Boston Games lived up to its reputation: BIG! And it did! We hope that you enjoy the gallery and watch for some more coverage!
Bernard Lagat, mid race, Rbk BIG Men's 5,000m, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Bernard Lagat had won his eighth Millrose mile the weekend before, sprinting by Asbel Kiprop, the Olympic champion, over the last lap and one half. Galen Rupp had run a personal best in the mile, taking second, then, coming back to win a 3,000 meter, also on last Friday, at the UW Invitational. Their race tactics, their training came to play an attempt to get the 5,000 m American record.
My view from press seat, Reebok Boston Indoor Games, Sold out!, February 6, 2010, from my I-phone
Welcome to the fifteenth annual Reebok Boston Indoor Games! The meet starts at 5.10 pm, with the first heat of the VISA 60 Mete and ends at 8.05 p.m. tonight with the Women's 5,000 meters.
Here is how we cover the meet here: We update each event on RBR, twitter it out and will follow up tomorrow with a play by play analysis of the RBK Boston Indoor Games! As famed announcer Toni Reavis says, " Hello Boston!
Blanka Vlasic, Greece 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net
World Champ Blanka Vlasic set a new Croatian record of 2.06m today. She also cleared 2.02m in an earlier jump. This report was from Alfons Juck, and EME news twitter account.
For more on our sport, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.com
New world leader in the weight throw by A.G. Krueger set on Friday, February 5, 2010:
For more on our sport, please check on www.runningnetwork.com
Nick Willis winning the Rbk mile in 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
In a wide ranging series of interviews, it was quite obvious that the Reebok Boston Indoor Games 2010, like the fourteen that have preceeded it, will be a barn burner. Three hours of great competitions, and three hours with some amazing athletes showing their stuff. RBR spoke to Bernard Lagat, Nick Willis, Anna Willard Pierce and Tirunesh Dibaba at today's Press Conference. Here is what they had to say. One thing, do not be surprised if Nick Willis, the 2008 Olympic silver medalist at 1,500 meters, runs a bit faster than the 3:53.43 mile he ran last year!
Jeremy Wariner, adidas outdoor Classic, May 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Congrats to Jeremy Wariner, as TFN named him the U.S. male athlete of the decade!
Shalane Flanagan battling over 5,000 meters, Reebok Boston Indoor Games, February 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
The Reebok Boston Indoor Games is one of my favorite meets, period. I have said it for years. The combination of the pumpbed up crowd, the wonderful Reggie Lewis Center, the enthusiasm of the athletes, and the level of competition make this an event I have missed, I believe, one time since 1996.
Last year, the record breaking 5,000 meters of Shalane Flanagan and the Collegiate record of Galen Rupp, were two highlights, but Steve Hooker, arguably the most injured, but also most talented vaulter of his generation, clearing 6.06m or 19-10.5 here was, well phenomenal. How will Tirunesh Dibaba run this year? Bernard Lagat is running 5,000 meters (Galen Rupp is possible, as he has a cold), how fast can he run? Bobby Curtis is in the 5,000 meters, could he run 13:30 and be fourth? And do not forget, there is a screaming 60 meter field on the men and women's sides!
Tomorrow is the press conference, and RBR will be there, with several interviews and then our prognostications on the event, so be ready. We will twitter the meet LIVE on Saturday and then, on Sunday, after a long walk and a pot of coffee, will relive the event for you!
Nick Willis, winning the Reebok BIG mile, February 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.
How will Nick Willis, Olympic silver medalist, show the world that he is ready to run this weekend? Should be a great show!
Remember, ESPN2 will broadcast the meet on Sunday, 2-4 PM, EST, before the minor event, the Super something!
Mizuno USA has hired a an ad agency to develop their marketing and advertising programs. Mizuno running has been quietly picking up some strong athletes, with both Antonio Vega and Serena Burla, two of the top new American distance runners, and their strong product, we look forward to seeing some exciting new programs from BooneOakley. The challenge today is to figure out how to have one's brand stand out, support the local dealer base, and use an integrated media platform, using the best of print, digital and social networking, to reach our diverse market!
Dusseldorf gave us eight new world leaders! From Dayron Robles, to Lo Lo Jones, to Paul Kipsiele Koech, in the 5,000 meters! RBR can not wait until Saturday night, February 6, 2010, when the rafters will shake at the Reggie Lewis Center and Galen Rupp will try and run Bernard Lagat off his feet, as they chase Rupp's 5,000 meter indoor record! And a great 60 meters too! More on Rbk BIG tomorrow!
This morning, Ricky Simms, manager of Usain Bolt, was kind enough to send us this video from Usain. With Usain announcing that he would be running in the adidas GP in NYC, there have been a plethora of questions! Usain sent this from his cell phone.
Usain is, as usual, having fun with the media spectacle, and it is one of the reasons his young fans worship him! Special thanks to Usain Bolt and Ricky Simms, I have added the questions asked below: http://www.pacesportsmanagement.com
Usain Bolt, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Last week, after Millrose, I asked a couple of keen observers of the sport what they had to do to improve our sport. One said it best, "Want Millrose and the other meets to sell out?" Get Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, Sanya Richards, Jeremy Wariner, LaShawn Merritt and our other stars to be there. Build the meets around them. If they can not compete, have them signing autographs for three hours..."
Usain Bolt will sell out the adidas NYC GP! Get your tickets now!
Phillip Idowu, on the cover of SPIKES magazine, autumn 2009
At the 8th Samsung Galan indoor Meet, it is Phillip Idowu, 2009 WC gold, triple jump versus local fave Christian Olsson, 2004 Olympic gold medalist. Walter Davis, US triple jumper and world leader will also be there.....