Silas Kiplagat is one tough miler. The 2010 Commonwealth champion at 1,500 meters, and in 2011, Silas rose to the silver medal at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Korea, Silas has run 3:29.27 for 1,500 meters. Coached by Renuto Canova, famed coached of Moses Mosop, among others, Silas Kiplagat has the raw energy seen in runners such as the late Sammy Wanjiru. Silas wants to win, make no mistakes about that!

For example, last weekend, in his first indoor mile at Madison Square Gardens, Silas duked it out with Daniel Komen and Bernard Lagat. Komen is no newbie to the pushing and shoving that comes in indoor track & field, and Bernard Lagat, heck, the guy virtually owns the 145 meter track that inhabits the Madison Square Gardens.

The pace last Saturday night, in MSG, was, well pedestrian. But, the track, which is unique in terms of world class elite indoor meets, is like running indoor cross country. Usually, the runner who gets to the front first stays there and shuts down all competition. Bernard had won their 8 times, going from front, back, in between. It was only in 2011 that Bernard lost. This year, Bernard told us that he was planning on focusing on the 5,000 meters. " I will run 1,500 meters and miles for speed. " Bernard told us before the race.

The pace, was slow. The 400 meters was hit in 60.3, the 800 meters in 2:00.33, and Komen was in front. Komen, Lagat, Kiplagat were together at the lead through the 1,200 meter mark, hit in 3:03. Two laps from the end, Bernard Lagat took over, looking like the winner. With one lap to go, Silas Kiplagat took off and made this huge move, hurling himself into the lead, much to the astonishment of Bernard Lagat and Daniel Komen.

Silas Kiplagat was not about to give up. He want to win at Madison Square Gardens, and he wanted to beat Bernard Lagat, one of the greatest milers of all times, and a tremendous racer. The pace increased over the last lap, with the last 400 meters covered in 57 seconds, but close as Bernard Lagat might come, Silas Kiplagat kept about two meters between himself and Mr. Lagat.

Silas Kiplagat won the mile in 4:00.65. Bernard Lagat was second in 4:00.92 and Daniel Kipkichir Komen was third in 4:03.82.


This coming weekend, at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Silas Kiplagat will be moving up to the 3,000 meters to face Matt Centrowitz, the 1,500m world bronze medalist from Daegu, and Dejen Gebremeskal, the 5,000m bronze medalist from Daegu. Last year, Gebremeskal took Mo Farah to the final steps, before claiming victory over Farah. And Gebremeskal had only one shoe for most of that 3,000 meter race!

(Mo Farah and Galen Rupp are in the mile, doing a bit of speed work. Mo just won a tough 1,500m in Glasgow last weekend from Augustine Choge. RBR is only suggesting, but this could be a very fast mile. )


The New Balance Indoor Grand Prix should be a wonderful event, with three hours of tremendous track & field. Do not miss it, if you are in the Boston area! Otherwise, before the SuperBowl, turn your eyes to ESPN2 and enjoy two hours of indoor track & field!

The above video is how LoLo Jones spends her workout day (courtesy of ASICS America). Pretty impressive. In her first race since surgery, LoLo Jones not only won the 50m hurdle race, a seldom run distance, but ran the fastest time over that distance in nearly four years. 6.78 seconds!

The women's hurdles is one of the toughest events, indoor or outdoors, in the US circuit. Several women battle each year for supremacy in American hurdling. LoLo Jones, the 2008 & 2010 World Indoor Champion, is one of those athletes, just on the cusp of being a World outdoor or Olympic medalist.

Mark our word, the 2012 Trials in Eugene will be gruesome. There are enough great hurdlers in the US to make two teams. LoLo Jones is focused on making that team, and we wish her the best of luck. 

Today, we asked LoLo about her race and how she is feeling. This is what she had to say: (RT @lolojones:) "After US Open race, I'm happy to be back running again. For a moment I thought I may need to change my event to a race walker"

This is adidas' new adizero Rush commercial, celebrating their new 7.5 oz running/training shoe. adizero is the adidas focus in the United States and the venerable brand is fighting to gain both running street cred and market support in the toughest running market in decades. Tell us what you think!

This is the new spot on the GEL-NEO33, sent to us by the ASICS America public relations team. The battle for the hearts and minds of today's running consumer is 24/7. Digital, web, print, outdoor, events, are all part of the package. Miss a part and the vacuum will be filled by your competition.

Fascinating to watch the battle for the top of the heap in performance running food chain....

Those of us who grew up running in the Midwest have iconic images of races stuck in our heads. From small town races to the big city races, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon not only opened the marathon up to the masses in the midwest, it opened midwest running to the world.

Who can forget Steve Jones running oh so close to the world record, and then breaking it? Khalid Khannouchi owned the city of Chicago for several years, due to his fearless running, and now, Liliya Shobukhova, who has won the women's race three times! And, how we miss the late Sammy Wanjiru, who ran with reckless abandon across the streets of the Windy City, showing his promise and his heart! Those are just a few of the stories of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. 

Chicago is a magnificent city, and its art treasures, architectural features, great shopping and wonderful restaurants rivals anywhere in the world. The continued growth of international runners each year at the Bank of America Chicago marathon shows how the city and marathon work well together. From Mayor Daley to Mayor Emmanuel, Chicago's mayors make it a point to note the contribution from the 40,000 plus runners and their families who visit the Windy City for one wonderful weekend in October.

The attention to detail, the late nights resulting, and the closeness of the teams who put on these events are no different in Chicago than in the Big Apple. From Carey Pinkowski, Mike Nishi, Jeremy Borling, Robyn Monsky and the many others who make the event a reality, the B of A Chicago Marathon is a stunner. From Bank of America and Nike, two of the major sponsors, the event brings together volunteers, and many of Chicago's finest (police and fire professionals) to insure a great event for those who have taken much of the last year, training for the chance run across the Windy City. 

Well, February 1, 2012 is the day when registration opens on this great event. Don't miss it! Carey Pinkowski and his team at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will make it worth your while!

And the Windy City will welcome you, for days afterwards, as you walk a bit slower, but enjoy the sites better, after your 26.2 mile sojourn through all that is Chicago.

Outdoors is already happening, as Sherone Simpson runs 51.42 in Jamaica. Still have not gotten over Veronica Campbell-Browns sizzling 6.08 for 50 meters in Madison Square Gardens. The MSG management want a track meet in their revitalized Gardens and put some effort into this one! So, how many footballers over a 40 yard or meter run could VCB defeat?

So, this started as the beginning of Elliott Denman's piece on the U.S. Open, then I decided to rewrite and try and be more inclusive. I saw some good things at the US Open, and liked that Budweiser came in as a sponsor at end. I will be at NB, USA Indoor, World Indoor, and a few other events (Brooks PR invitational), writing about our sport and observing. Here are my observations so far, and my invitation for others to write about the sport that we all love, and want to see flourish.

The Armory NB Track & Field Center has given nearly 100,000 athletes a year a chance to run, jump and throw. Given the financial situation with many schools, indoor track & field is the sport for many kids in New York.

The Millrose Games will be sold out in the Armory, with an SRO crowd of probably 4,500. The Millrose Games will have some fantastic fields and some real chances at records. They are also now building for the future, making a deal with YouTube SPORTS, for track & field coverage of their events for years to come. The good news is that young fans will have a chance to see the meet. 

Face it, for sports marketers to make their dollars, get their eyeballs, terrestrial TV is still the way to go. You Tube focuses on 17-35 year olds like bees on honey. Young adults live on You Tube. It is a way to build into the future. And it looks like they have invested in a film crew and producer who understands the needs of sports TV in this day and age. One camera showing runners pass the finish line will not do it.

The Millrose Games, far from going away, is now investing in the future. At this time, terrestrial TV ( ESPN, ESPN2) has the reach and pull to gain viewers. You Tube Sports will become a player down the road, as more and more young viewers watch sporting events from their Iphone and androids.

The Millrose, for the traditionalists, will change. Perhaps, that was needed to shake things up. We are all looking to see how the Millrose does in its new home. 

The eleven men in the field of the 5,000 meters at the 105th Millrose Games, to be held at the Armory's New Balance Track & Field center is just one of the fascinating match-ups planned for the February 11, 2012 indoor extravaganza! So, how many records can one have in a 5,000 meter race?

Tirunesh Dibaba, aka the "Baby faced destroyer" has a kick so hot that her shoes should be melting onto the track. Her first gold medal, in a World Championship, was in St. Denis in 2003, and Dibaba just uncorked this vicious last 300 meters and the party, was well, over! Dibaba has won gold at 5,000 meters in the World Championships in 2003, 2005, 10,000 meters in 2005,  2007 and 2009, and in the Olympics, a bronze at the 5,000m in 2004, and golds in both the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters in Beijing in 2008. Dibaba is fit again, and her light, floating stride is fascinating to watch on the Reggie Lewis Center track, where she breaks the field, and then unleashes a kick from hell, decimating her competition. Tirunesh will be running two miles on Saturday, February 4.

It is Thursday evening, and I am in the Affinia Hotel, in New York City. Long day of travel into the Big Apple. Started at 3 am in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, driving to Madison for first flight of day, at 5.30 am. Second flight, 8 am, to LaGuardia, slept a bit then met a fascinating person from Chicago Tribune.

The Press conference, with Asafa Powell, Dawn Harper, Nesta Carter and Veronica Campbell-Brown was very good, with a fine turnout. I will write about that event later tonight. I also interviewed Dathan Ritzenhein, who was giving out the Gatorade Athlete of the Year award for cross country today. Great guy, and a class act, he has recovered well from his Houston race.

 

Kenenisa Bekele is one of the greatest athletes in the world. 5,000m and 10,000 world record holder, Bekele can race from 1,500m to 15k. Soft spoken, for many years, Bekele let his racing do his speaking, but if one listens closely, Bekele speaks his heart. That is all one can ask.

Such a gentle soul off the track, one wonders where all of that focus, spirit and athleticism come from, but it is beyond despute, Kenenisa Bekele is one of sports' greatest stars and one of its greatest talents. Over the past week, Kenenisa Bekele showed that he is much more than a talented distance runner. He is also quite adept in the art of persuasion.


The Ethiopian Federation was about to make 2012 the year of no elite Ethiopians less than a week ago. There were some very upset people, to say the least and tempers, were, well, flaring, one might say some were incendiary. Into this walked Kenenisa Bekele. 

It was, per Alfons Juck, the thoughtful persuasive argument put forth by Kenenisa Bekele on behalf of himself and his fellow 34 athletes that had the Ethiopian Federation reconsider their banning of most of their major athletes due to no-shows at a camp that was, well, lacking. An observer might note that the effort it takes to run a 52 second last 400 meters at the end of a 5,000 meters pales to the effort and coolness of spirit Kenenisa must have have used to change such points of view. 

Perhaps Mr. Bekele, after he hangs up his spikes, will consider sports politics. Cool heads are needed in the Federations.

Updated January 26, 2012

This project was developed internally by New Balance's digital group. NB then hired KIMbia Athletics, to produce the British Miler. The British Miler is a digital series celebrating the history and tradition of the mile in British Athletics. The film, debuted on January 19, 2012. Jeff Benjamin caught up with Patrick Tomasiewicz to learn about the event and NB's support of the young British milers. The plans are to develop 12 thirty minute episodes, leading up for the twelve weeks before the British Trials. This is just, well great for the sport! 

Jeff's take on the British Miler is below! Nice job to KIMbia Athletics and New Balance Athletic Shoes. We hope that you like it!

(We will follow up with New Balance next week and provide more information on this fantastic series celebrating the British Miler).

Kirk Richardson is one of the classiest guys in our business. I had heard that he was at Specialized from his former workmates at Columbia. Before Columbia, Kirk was at Keen as President. Kirk was at Nike from 1979 to 2006, and was extremely involved in their running footwear business. While at Nike, Kirk had stints in Nike Europe and Nike Japan. He is also an avid climber, father, husband.

This article was sent to me by several of Kirk's former work mates, most whose lives were changed by working in collaboration with Kirk. Kirk Richardson's name would come up with so many footwear people across the industry. He was, and is, a very positive guy with an ironic sense of humor. Kirk is very collaborative, it may one of his strongest management traits.

Kirk was one of the main reasons I was able to have some success in working with Nike in the early nineties. He had me pitch his team, and while it was nerve wracking, they were quite fair. After that, I was fortunate to see Kirk a few times each year, for nearly two decades. Our visits were and are, always about checking up on family, friends and stories, we never miss a good story about the industry.

We wish him the very best as he begins his new job as GM for U.S. at Specialized Bicycle.

Here is the preview of the 2012 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, courtesy of our friend, Pat Butcher.

Well, all is better in Ethiopia. The 34 banned athletes are no longer banned and the athletes who were planning to run in Dubai on Friday are cleared. Millrose is planning a killer 5,000 meter men's field. The USA Track & Field Invitational, formerly the Tyson Invitational, will be held on February 11, 2012 and will be the third stop of the VISA indoor series...more to come....

The 2012 U.S. Open, to be held in Madison Square Gardens will feature a tight schedule, going from 7 pm to 9.55 pm, on Saturday night, January 28, 2012. The meet features some great clashes for early season indoor track & field, and for the 2012 season as well! We encourage all to get tickets and visit the MSG ( you have to be at an indoor track & field meet to believe it). If you can not do that, then watch the US Open on TV (check your local listings). We humbly suggest that you check out the live coverage via twitter and our LIVE blog at www.runblogrun.com. The hashtag will be #USopenMSG! See you there!

Well, if you build it, they will come. At least, that is the way it goes in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Home of the Tyson Invitational for nearly a decade, now,  the USA Track & Field Classic will be held on February 11, 2012, the same day as the Millrose Games, (held in NB Armory). This new meet was announced on January 24, 2012.

The ACC, USA Track & Field joined the University of Arkansas and Nike to put together some fields that rival anything on the indoor circuit right now. Besides ten elite events, there are amazing collegiate clashes on the very fast, 200 meter Mondo track! 

Nice to see see four elite indoor track meets in US this season!

Kirk Richardson is one of the classiest guys in our business. I had heard that he was at Specialized from his former workmates at Columbia. Before Columbia, Kirk was at Nike from 1979 to 2006. He is also an avid climber, father, husband.

This article was sent to me by several of Kirk's former work mates, most whose lives were changed by working in collaboration with Kirk. Kirk Richardson's name would come up with so many footwear people across the industry. He was, and is, a very positive guy with an ironic sense of humor.

Kirk was one of the main reasons I was able to have some success in working with Nike in the early nineties. He had me pitch his team, and while it was nerve wracking, they were quite fair. After that, I was fortunate to see Kirk a few times each year, for nearly two decades. Our visits were and are, always about checking up on family, friends and stories, we never miss a good story about the industry. 

We wish him the very best as he begins his new job as GM for U.S. at Specialized Bicycles. Morgan Hill, CA will never be the same...

The real opening of the Indoor season for many, is the NB Indoor Games, held at the NYC Armory, January 21. Some tremendous performances, lead by some fun indoor miles and Edward Cheserek, the 2011 FootLocker champion, running a fine 4:02.21 mile. Yes, he will be under four minutes this season!

Your friends at the 2012 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix had this information in their program. We thought it might be fun for you to follow some of your favorite athletes running in less than two weeks on the Reggie Lewis Center track! See you February 4, 2012!

The indoor track season is off and running! David Oliver is hurdling well and Justin Gatlin has run 6.15 twice already!

Dave Bedford must be grinning ear to ear today! The toughest team to make in 2012 may be the Kenyan Marathon team, where twelve were invited to get involved. The shoot out will be at 2012 Virgin London, where four to six of the possible members will put it all on the line. It could take a new world record to make the Kenyan Olympic marathon team!

The sponsorship imbroglio is getting " tiresome" per several of our sports sponsors. "We welcome new sponsors, we just want to make sure that all sponsors will honor the same rules. That simple."

I have spent last two days at Outdoor Retailer, Winter Market. Great to see so many friends, new and old. Brooks has become that brand that, focusing on its core business, has tripled its business since 2001. Focus is key in this business climate. Note that the six or seven brands that are thriving are focused on their own unique mission. " Anyone silly enough to take Nike on, or try, head on, is, well, just asking for it." noted one keen observer.

RBR expresses strong concern over the Ethiopian Federation verbal warfare with over thirty of its elite athletes. Hopefully, the Federation will see that while, yes, they can find people to run, not using their elite of elite athletes will only hurt Ethiopia and their countrymen and women will wonder why their great athletes, who they take much pride in, did not represent them in various events. We hope that cooler minds prevail. 

In Salt Lake City airport, for some more travel. Wishing all a great weekend, and my father, Stanley Eder, a belated birthday. 

I should have figured it out then. I had just arrived at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Birmingham, England for the AVIVA Birmingham Indoor last February. It is one of my favorite meetings: well run, well executed and Ian Stewart, the meet director, puts amazing fields together. He had planned that the second to last event would be the men's 5,000 meters.

Just before I arrived, Mo Farah had announced that he was training with Galen Rupp under the watchful eye of Alberto Salazar, as part of the Nike Project. The media interest had been huge, and Mo and Galen were relaxing, trying to get over a bit of jet lag and prepare for the 5,000 meters the next night.

Alberto had told us that he was very happy with Galen and Mo's early training. " They are nearly perfect training partners." The next night, Mo Farah and Galen Rupp teamed up to break their countries indoor records for 5,000 meters. Mo Farah broke the thirty one year old record of one Nick Rose (Alberto Salazar was third in that race), and Galen Rupp broke the more recent record of Bernard Lagat (Galen was fourth in that race).

Two weeks later, Mo Farah won a grueling 3,000 meter at the European Indoor. He took the lead and put himself out for all to see, kicking in a tough last 200 meters, to defend his title from Torino.


Later in March, in New York, Mo Farah won the NYC Half, setting a new British record, with Galen Rupp a few seconds behind, running a stellar time. Training partners? Heck, these guys were glued at the hip. And, as Martha Stewart had said, time and time again, "that was a good thing."

In June, at the Nike Pre Classic, Mo Farah, in his first 10,000 meters, worked his way through the field, until, just before the last 1,000 meters, Mo took off. Pushing, pushing, and flying around the last 200 meters, Mo Farah not only won the race from an amazing field, he set a new British record and ran the fastest time in the world, 26:46.57!

First, if you are within six hours of Sacramento, CA on Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21, get to the VS Athletics Super Clinic, you can pre reg for $50 at vsathletics.com. Meet & Greet on Friday, and Clinic on Saturday! Headliners are Dr. Joe Vigil, Peter Thompson, John Godina and LaTanya Sheffield! Also note Danny Gruber, aka Danny Dog (one of my old training partners), coach of Brett Gotcher in high school, will also be speaking!

Peanut, aka Dwayne Harms, one of the iconic figures in Northern California running for the past four decades, asked me to write about the VS clinic. In return, he gave me an interview. Nut is a tremendous athlete, coach, father, husband, and my friend. I have been lucky enough to hang with the Aggies and Nut for many years and, well, I always feel better afterwards, (well, after the hangover goes away).

A quick story. It is New Orleans, 1992. Mr Green and the Men from Modesto, one of Harm's personalities, is shaking the walls of some building in New Orleans. Our son (not Peanut & mine, mind you), Adam, then all of five, is crashed on my lap, totally asleep, as Mr Green is just cranking out the toons. I can not move, as I am afraid to wake up dear Adam. Friends are coming by, kissing the little trackster and giving me Blackened voodoos, a local elixir similar to a dark beer. Adam, now 25, believes that could have been his start to his seven years in metal bands. 

I submit to you, dear and gentle readers, an interview with the man, the legend, my brother from another planet, Dwayne Harms. We covered philosophy, art, VS Athletics Clinic. Thanks, Nut! 

Brooks Sports has shown that, if one focuses on a goal, with a great team, one can shake up an industry. Brooks has focused on specialty running for a decade, and has been rewarded as the top performance footwear brand in specialty running, pushing ASICS America, who had lead the performance running business for the last sixteen years, into the number two position. With brands like ASICS, adidas, Mizuno, New Balance, PUMA, Saucony,  pushing the quality of their product and redefining their relationships with their dealers and their consumers, the consumer, in the end, is the winner, with better product and better service.

Simon Bairu is the Canadian record holder at the 10,000 meters, and he is learning, as many of us have, about running the marathon. A cruel mistress, the marathon has challenged Simon Bairu, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and now training with his former Badger team mates, as well as Shalane Flanaga and Kara Goucher, under the watchful eyes of Jerry Schumacher.


Simon finished sixth on Sunday in the Chevron Houston Marathon, running 2:19.52. This is his first completed marathon in three tries. He did not make the 2:11 Canadian standard, which is disappointing, but, Simon Bairu likes challenges, and we hope to see him go for the 10,000m standard in the spring.

Jon Gugala wrote the following piece as a preview for the Chevron Marathon, which, during, the craziness that was the Olympic Trials, I missed.

I believe the story gives you, our readers a view of a young man, who, like many of us, takes on challenges. I finally met Simon last night, in a restaurant in Houston. At first, like many of the young faces in our sport, I did not recognize him in civilian clothes-I always see the athletes in their kit at a major event.


Simon, know you are respected for the challenges you take on. We look forward to seeing you this spring, and hopefully, in London. You have many great races in front of you!

It is Sunday afternoon, January 15, 2012. One day after the U.S. Olympic Trials, and the day of the 40th anniversary of the Houston Marathon. 28,000 runners run three races, the Aramco Half, the Chevron Marathon and the BP 5k! Four course records, and this is on the second day of running in Houston!

Meb Keflezighi & Shalane Flanagan won the U.S. Olympic Trials-Marathons on Saturday. The teams men (Meb Keflezighi, Ryan Hall, Abdi Abdirihman), and women (Shalane Flanagan, Desi Davila, Kara Goucher), were tremendous. Fourth place man (Dathan Ritzenhein) and women (Amy Hastings) were heart breaking stories, showing the absolute toughness of both races and the quality of our teams.

RBR did our story on the Men's race last night, our story on the Womens will be done for Monday am. Our apologies, but a long weekend has worn us out. Enjoy the quotes and releases from this release and see you tomorrow!

Here are David's notes about Friday, January 13, 2012 in Houston, the day before the US Olympic Trials-Marathon.

Our friend, David Hunter, was asked by RBR to send us his notes about his observations each day during the Houston weekend. Here is his thoughts on Thursday, January 12, 2012:

The other night, I was thinking about one of my favorite people, Dave Mingey.  Mingey was at Nike in communications, in the late 90s and early 2000's. The guy actually loved running, and he worked his butt off to help those of us in media to get the access we needed. He was fair and honest in protecting his client's corporate culture. We not only respected him, we liked him.

 Mingey facebooked me last week about a friend of his, a young mother of two, who had started running again and qualified for the Olympic Trials. He thought I might find the story captivating. I did.

A good high school runner in Maine, Jodie (Lake) Conway ran in high school, then at Boston College, loving the half mile and mile. She ran a couple marathons, on a whim after college, then put running away. She had a life to live.


A sister got her running again, so they could run a half marathon. A sister-in-law then worked on her to train with her for Boston. After each marathon she swore she would not run another!

Then, she found a coach, who encouraged her, and that 3:28 marathon  best dropped to 2:52! This past fall, Jodie Conway too third in the Philadelphia Marathon, running 2:44:09 and qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials-Marathon.

A few weeks ago, she became a Saucony Hometown Hero, part of a program that the footwear company uses to promote grass roots running. 

We hope that you enjoy the quick interview we did with Jodie, she on loudspeaker, as she was driving back from dropping off the kids in Maine with her parents. We wish Jodie Lake Conway the very best on Saturday, January 14, 2012. After you read this interview, reconsider how busy your day is!

 

                          Chaunte Howard Lowe, 2011 Ostrava, photo by PhotoRun.net

Chaunte Howard Lowe, AR in high jump, is baaaaaacccckkk! She just opened for 2012 with a clearance of 1.88m. Last year, Chaunte had a baby and had a short season. Let's see what Chaunte can do. She has spoken of her dream of an Olympic medal! 

CHAUNTE LOWE RETURNING WITH 188

NASHVILLE (USA, Jan 7): US high jump record holder Chaunte Lowe returned to competition with solid 188 clearance at Ed Temple Invitational. She jumped once in 2011 at US Champs after her second child was born in Spring. Now she is back after good training and hoping to attack top results. She plans to open internationally at Moravia High Jump Tour in the Czech Republic, Hustopece on January 28 and Trinec on January 30. In the 55 m Bahamian Tamicka Clarke clocked 6.95, in men´s 55 m hurdles Jamaican Eric Keddo 7.31.

 

TOP AWARDS FOR BLAKE AND WHYTE

KINGSTON (JAM): World 100m champion Yohan Blake walked away with the Male Athlete of the Year Award while Rosemarie Whyte, who in 2011 broke 50 seconds (49.84) for the first time, was the Female Athlete of the Year at Racers TC Awards Evening. Schillonie Calvert, who took her 100m personal best to 11.05 and ran 22.55 over 200m, also a lifetime best, and Warren Weir, recorded a PB of 20.43, were the Most Improved Female and Male athletes. Kenroy Anderson was the Most Punctual athlete announced by Racers. The Grand Belisario Ballroom was transformed into a red-and-blue-themed ceremonial splendour, a clear homage to the strong Camperdown High School influence and background in the club as athletes, coaches and administrators celebrated their own and honoured those who have made invaluable contributions to the sport locally. Usain Bolt walked away with the Founders Award of Excellence for his impact on the sport. „Tonight marks a significant milestone for the club. It's the first time that we are showing our gratitude to those who have made invaluable contributions to the development of Racers Track Club," said head of the club Glen Mills. Awards were also presented to all of the clubs' 11 medallists at international championships last year - Celia Walters, Bailey-Cole, Wilbert Walker, Daniel Bailey, Shereefa Lloyd, Davita Prendergast, Whyte, Allodin Fothergill, Jermaine Gonzales, Blake and Bolt. Racers Medal of Appreciation went to Dr Tanya Clarke (medical services), Dr Akshai Mansingh (sports medicine), Dr Carl Bruce (medical sciences), Dr Paula Dawson (sports medicine), Par Lue Chin (physiotherapy), Wendy Peart (physiotherapy). Racers Award of Merit to voluntary services: Dr Warren Blake - (sports medicine and orthopedic services), Dr Aggrey Irons (sports medicine, sports psychology), Dr Herb Elliot (anti-doping), Grace Jackson (operational support), Ricky Simms (operational support, sports management and sponsorship). Racers Award of Merit for coaches Jason Dawson and Bert Cameron. Racers Gold Medal Award went among others to agent Cubie Seegobin. Informs Jamaican Gleaner.

 

ANOTHER AWARD FOR BLAKE AND VCB

SAN JUAN (PUR): Jamaican World champions Yohan Blake and Veronica Campbell-Brown were selected the Central American and Caribbean athletes of 2011, the region's athletics governing body (CACAC) announced. Blake took the 100m title and ran the third leg of the world record breaking 4x100m relay squad at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu. Three weeks later, he ran the second fastest time ever in the 200m (19.26) at the Diamond League meeting in Brussels. Two-time Olympic 200m winner Campbell-Brown collected her first world crown at the distance, after finishing runner-up in the 100m. The 29-year old Jamaican shows an impressive collection of 10 World Championships medals, including her 100m gold from Helsinki 2005. Quartermilers Kirani James of Grenada and Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas, were selected the junior athletes of 2011. At 18, James became the youngest ever individual world champion when taking the 400m final in Daegu. Miller added the World Youth gold in Lille to the junior crown won in Moncton in 2010.

 

EBUYA WINS

AMOREBIETA (ESP, Jan 8): Kenyan 2010 World CC Champion Joseph Ebuya won the 58th Zornotza CC race with 31:33 at 10.7 km. World medalist 2011 Vincent Chepkok was second in 31:43 ahead of Eritrean Hunegaw Mesfin 32:03. Lucas Rotich of Kenya was fourth in 32:07 and another World CC medalist 2011 Teklemariam Medhin of Eritrea was way back fifth 32:50. Best Spanish Daniel Mateo as 9th in 33:43. Eritrean Nazareth Weldu was a surprise winner of women 6.7 km in 23:45 ahead of more experienced Kenyan Priscah Jepleting 23:53 and best Spanish Lidia Rodriguez 23:56.

 

F. KIPLAGAT BEATEN

EGMOND (NED, Jan 8): Ethiopian Dawit Wolde was the best at the 40th Egmond Half Marathon in fast 1:00:46. It is new course record, the former was 1:01:19 by Greg van Hest since 1999. Kenyan Gideon Kipketer was second (1:01:03) ahead of Eritrean Samuel Tsegay 1:01:09. Best Dutch runner was Khalid Choukoud as 6th in 1:03:13 after close finish with Michel Butter also 1:03:13. Surprise in women category as Ethiopian Meseret Hailu (a 2:30 marathon runner) beat in 1:11:18 (PB) the pre-race favorite and Berlin Marathon winner Florence Kiplagat of Kenya 1:11:21 and Dutch Hilda Kibet 1:11:45. Fourth Flomena Chepchirchir 1:11:48 and 6th best Dutch runner Ilse Pol 1:13:27.

 

 

 

OTHER NEWS

 

 

EUGENE (USA): Oregonlive.com says that US 10 000 m record holder Galen Rupp was informing that he is withdrawing from the US Olympic Marathon Trials next Saturday in Houston. Rupp, who never has run a marathon, said he entered originally because he felt confident in his training and wanted to keep his Olympic options open. But after thinking about it, he concluded that competing in a marathon now would limit his ability to run his best 10,000 at the Olympic Games in August. Rupp said he thinks his best chance at an Olympic medal is in the 10,000.

 

MOLETJIE (RSA): 2009 World champion South African 800 m runner Caster Semenya celebrated her 21st birthday in style at her home village of GaMasehlong in Moletjie near Polokwane. SA media are informing. The 800m world champion celebrated with family and close friends, including new coach Maria Mutola, herself a former 800m world champion, and poet Mzwakhe Mbuli. Life has changed for the Semenya family, who used to stay in a mud hut until the Limpopo provincial government built them a new home in recognition of her achievements. 21 years old is a special birthday in terms of African traditional views. Her training with Mutola is going well, is more professional. She thinks about competing during the SA season later in the years 2012 and might compete in May for first time outside Africa.

 

MILANO (ITA): Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius continues to make for headlines. On Saturday evening he took part in the Italian TV contest Dancing with the stars as special guest. His partner was Italian dancer Annalisa Longo and they performed an excellent Tango as Italian media are writing. „The judges were way to kind and the audience was special beyond words," Pistorius said on his twitter.

 

 

 

RESULTS

 

 

INDOOR

 

 

BERLIN (GER, Jan 8): Daegu silver medalist Martina Strutz did not start well into the season. She no heighted at local meet at 430 cm.

 

ANCONA (ITA, Jan 8): Italian Marzia Caravelli achieved at a local meet here 8.21 at 60 m Hurdles and missed the Istanbul standard only by 0.03 s.

 

UNIVERSITY PARK (USA, Jan 7): Brycen Spratling clocked 1:01.86 in the 500 m at Penn State Indoor Relays. Yvette Lewis showed early solid shape with 8.12 at 60 m hurdles (8.13 in heats). 21-years old sprinter Mahagony Jones improved to 7.41 and 23.68 in the 60 m and 200 m. Second in the 200 m Kirsten Nieuwendam achieved new national record for Surinam 23.76 (she also clocked NR at 60 m 7.51). Hurdler Fawn Dorr posted in the 500 m good 1:10.44.

 

LAWRENCE (USA, Jan 7): Ivory Williams was timed with 6.66 at the Bill Easton Classic meet and achieved so far the fastest time of the indoor season. Hurdler Dexter Faulk was second (6.77) but won his specialty with 7.67.

 

COLLEGE STATION (USA, Jan 7): Aldrich Bailey proved his talent during second day of Texas High School Classic. First he ran 47.05 at 400 m to move to No. 6 on the all-time high school indoor list. He followed that with a 21.14 at 200 m, that boosted him to =No. 6 ever. Informs trackandfieldnews.com.

 

TORONTO (CAN, Jan 7): Canadian Olympian Taylor Milne posted good 2:20.94 at the 1000 m here.

 

 

OUTDOOR

 

 

NICE (FRA, Jan 8): National champion Abdellatif Meftah won in good weather (10 degrees) the 10 km road prom classic in Nice with good 28:47. Second Gregory Beugnet 28:57 and third Thibaud Nael 28:58. Laurane Picoche was the best woman in 33:19.

 

VALENCIA (ESP, Jan 8): Moroccan wins at 10 km road race Divina Pastora here. Hassane Ahouchar clocked 29:18 and Fatima Ayachi 32:56.

 

FUENSALIDA (ESP, Jan 8): Double European junior champion from Tallinn Gabriel Navarro won the Calzado Cross in Feunsalida with 29:03 at 10 km ahead of Rafael Martinez 29:43. Ana Lozano was the 7 km women winner (26:00). The organizers did not had enough funds to invite foreign runners.

 

VARZEA GRANDE (BRA, Jan 8): Kenyan Mark Korir won the 28th Corrida de Reis at 10 km in 30:03 ahead of his team-mate Barnabas Korir 30:25. Also in women 10 km Kenyans ruled, Eunice Kirwa 34:35 ahead of Nancy Kipron 35:27. The race was held in big humidity and hot temperatures.

 

ORLANDO (USA, Jan 8): Brazilian Fredison Costa won the Disney Marathon in 2:19:01. Also second place for former multiple winner Brazilian Adriano Bastos 2:19:15. US Renee High was the top woman after 2:48:33.

 

BLACKTOWN (AUS, Jan 8): Melissa Breen is dominating so far the local races. Here she clocked 11.44 (+1.7) in the 100 m.

 

JACKSON (USA, Jan 7): 37-years old Kenyan Richard Kessio who lives in Houston won the fifth annual Mississippi Blues Marathon in 2:20:28. It is the slowest winning time since first year, it was held in non-traditional hot weather. Morocco's Malika Mejdoub was the top female finisher and sixth overall runner with a time of 2:43:56.

Nice to see that 170 countries have proposed to send athletes to the World Indoor Champs, to be held in Instanbul, Turkey in March 2012! Record before was 142, from Valencia!

Asafa Powell is one of the athletes focusing on Istanbul. He will be running against a tough field on January 28 at the U.S. Open as well.

Lee Evans, 1968 Olympic gold medalist, has had surgery on a brain tumor, noted the Mercury News (San Jose, CA).

The rumor mill is heating up! Who do you think will win the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials for the Marathon on January 14, 2012? More than that, the fight for places two, three and four will be tremendous on both races!

An interesting story about the University of Maryland, which is proposing the closing down of eight teams, including Men's Indoor & outdoor track & field and the Men's cross country programs. The teams have been told, that if they raise endowments by June 30, 2012, to give them budgets for the next eight years, they will survive. It will be a tough task in these economic times. 

Perhaps part of the answer lies in the the private fund raising plan that will be used to rebuild the former President's Home....that, is a good message to the athletes of the eight teams facing elimination at the University of Maryland. Read on for my modest suggestions....

We learnt of the passing of Frank Horwill from Peter Thompson. Mr. Horwill died, peacefully, "surrounded by friends" per Mr Thompson, on January 1, 2012 at 4:49 PM Local time.

Peter shared a piece with us from BMC News on Frank Horwill. We felt that, with Peter's piece and the earlier one by Pat Butcher, we have provided more of a picture of one of the most influential and colorful coaches in our global sport of athletics. We hope that you find this piece fascinating,  as we have.

(The photo is courtesy of Peter Thompson, from 28 May 2005 of Frank Horwill). 

Frank Horwill, the founder of the British Milers' Club, died on January 1, 2012 at the age of 84. Pat Butcher, our friend from globerunner, wrote this piece on Mr. Horwill. I say this infrequently, but I must admit that I wish I had written this one.... Please watch for another piece on Frank Horwill later tonight...

Apparently, Mr. Horwill also followed one of my favorite history professors' adages, which was, when attempting to educate high school males, who only have, at most, two things on their minds, sex and sports, the thoughtful and timely use of both the arcane and the profane should get their attention. Frank Horwill was, apparently, a superb communicator with athletes, young and not so young. 

Per Mr. Butcher, and these examples (not for the meek), Mr. Horwill had a skill with the vernacular...the world is a sadder place without Mr. Batty (last summer) and now, Mr. Horwill... 

In 2011, the World Marathon Majors (BAA Boston, Virgin London, BMW Berlin, Bank of America's Chicago Marathon and ING New York City) showed that their commitment to the sport, providing quality experiences for citizen runners, providing stories that excite media interest and supporting the elite wing of the sport, seem to really come together. It is a testament to the growth of the sport that races continue to sell out in record time: quality events continue to rise to the top. 

RBR recognizes the event management, event sponsors, volunteers and the tremendous talent in the sport for their record breaking year!

Here is what we saw that stood out (please send us your thoughts):

So, for the first time, Fifteen Key Sports Marketing Moments in 2011, as Runblogrun sees them, in sports marketing. In our mind, here are the fifteen moments (actually started with ten, but too many to miss, so, went to fifteen), that have contributed or taken away from the sport, so lets get ready for the discussions!


The bottom line is this: A collective $100 million is spent on sponsoring our sport by the various footwear companies (the biggest, obviously, Nike & adidas), from race numbers to track meets, to road races to the sponsorship of elite athletes in North America.

For us to get new sponsors, we have to professionalize our approaches and look beyond the footwear companies. Without the sponsors, our sport would hardly exist.


It is also here where I want to show some respect for our friends at Flotrack.org, Runnerspace.com, RunningNetwork.com, marathonguide.com, and trackandfieldnews.com, who have promoted the sport. Digital media is one of the key media platforms for our sports growth, but do not forget what TFN, RW and RN print media have done for years. Print media has had to evolve, and continues to evolve. Watch Ipad apps later this year that could really shake things up.  Media gives sports marketing value. In this day, we have an educated fan base, and who adapt to new media platforms and we have consumers who are, " early adapters".

Track & Field News is the bible of the sport. That, dear friends, is the fact. Their Rankings will have track fans, laughing, crying and throwing things for months! But, that is what they are supposed to do! Here, Alfons Juck updates us on the rankings!

Thirteen days from now, the 2012 U.S. Marathon Team Trials will be held in Houston, Texas. The races on Saturday, January 14, 2012, will determine who will represent the United States,  in one of the iconic events of our sport.

Team U.S.A., the track & field team in particular, has the best won-loss record of any team in the U.S. The renaissance of our middle and distance runners over the past decade was a long time coming, and is a constant reminder that our country has more ability in a major metropolis, in athletics, than many countries around the world.

Who will make the men and women's team? That, dear readers, will be decided in thirteen days. There will be surprises. There will be moments that bring smiles to one's face as well as, tears to one's eyes. Some have been training for this day since the 2008 Trials. Some have come into this race over the last six months. Some have realized that the marathon distance is their destiny. Some have yet to realize that. Both races, held in Houston, Texas on the same day, will be televised by NBC that same afternoon (please check your local listings). 

Mark Winitz, a frequent contributor to California Track & Running News as well as American Track & Field (he also wrote for American Athletics, our first title), wrote this piece for the January 2012 issue of California Track & Running News (www.caltrack.com). We hope that you enjoy it!