RunBlogRun

In the EME News for today, Alfons Juck notes that Haile Gebrselassie is in great shape, better than his winning shape for last years' Dubai marathon, which is scheduled for January 16, 2009. If he breaks his world record, that means $1.25 million payday. Haile is not one for exaggeration, so his suggestion that he could run 2:02.59 more likely 2:03.20 makes sense. It is absolutely mind boggling, but it makes sense. My pick: Haile runs 2:03:45 to break his current world record. We shall see, less than ten days from now!

Despite fighting in the Gaza strip, which is south of the Sea of Galilee,
twenty four countries were represented in the field. The men's race
was won in 2:08:07!

The Running Network has had their annual meetings at the WDW Marathon
since 1994, and we have had an official arrangement with Disney sports since 1996. The beauty of the arrangement is that our 24 publications have their national meetings, we provide coverage for the various events that take part of the WDW weekend. It was also a great weekend for our publishers to get a feel for the health of the sport.

Adriano Bastos of Brazil won for his sixth time, ( wins from 2005 to 2009, and an earlier win in 2003) at the 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon in 2:20:38, twenty seconds faster than last year. Lisa Mizuntani, from Tsukuba, Japan, won the women's race for the first time, in 2:46.27.

Now, we will spend some time on the story behind WDW Weekend 2009! Yesterday, I noted that 14,000 had a magical experience at WDW 2009. Make that 45,000 by the end of the weekend!

"Have a Magical Experience" is how my phone call, awaking me on Sunday morning for the sixteen WDW Marathon greeted me. I had set my iphone alarm, so I knew that I had another thirty minutes of magical experiences, but this did get me thinking....

This year's first male finisher, Adriano Bastos of Sao Paolo, Brazil is committed to making his now sixt titles ten titles. At the age of thirty, and the recovery he showed afterwards, I have few doubts of his capabilities....

photorun.net

Running 2:56 a kilometer through the half marathon, Haile was twenty seconds ahead of his world record pace from Berlin 2008. The rains won this time, but Haile held on and ran a fine 2:05.29 to take the 2009 lead, and win $100,000 in the Dubai Marathon....

While the USATF Half Marathon championships at the Chevron Half Marathonis taking much of the excitement this weekend, the Chevron Houston Marathon could be a huge story! Read below!

Marathon hopefuls: Deriba Merga, Ethiopia, Steve Karpas, Chevron Houston Race Director and Teyba Erkesso, Ethiopia, photo courtesy of Photorun.net

Well, Race Director Steve Karpas must be a happy guy! Two course records on the Chevron Houston Marathon, and in the Aramco Half Marathon, which hosted the
US Half marathon champs, Meb Keflizighi and Magdelena Lewy Boulet both set
personal bests as they won the half marathon!

Josh Cox broke the American record by over four minutes on Sunday, for the 50 kilometer distance. Running 2:20.32 for the marathon distance, despite six episodes of stomach distress and two bathroom stops, Cox was ninth place at the marathon distance at PF Changs' RNR Arizona, when he headed to a local track for five more miles on the track. Finishing the last lap in 71 seconds, Cox broke a seven year old US record, set in Palo Alto,CA of 2:51.48 by Alex Tilson. Josh's time was 2:47:17.

PF Changs Arizona had 34,800 finishers in the half and full marathon distance, plus they had 3,300 kiddies in the one mile fun run! What a weekend!

The picture above (courtesy of adidas promotions), is a promotional picture from 2004, that was used to show Haile Gebrselassie, one of the most storied distance runners of all times, and tying him to the great symbolism and history of Athens, Greece.

It is this blogger's belief that lining up next to Mr. Wanijiru will be Mr. Gebrselassie, so stay tuned! That could make for some fantastic racing!

Pat O'Malley is the zen master of performance running footwear. A man who has gone from running promotions to special make ups at Nike, to redefining running footwear at Reebok and now, at Saucony, fine tuning a well oiled machine.

I sent these questions to Pat last week and they showed up Sunday, on my I-phone, as I was trying to recover from an aborted take-off in a commercial air carrier. His answers got me laughing and smiling, which Pat can do frequently. My worries vanished..

Lidia Simon has been one of the most prolific elite women marathon racers over the past decade. On her run on Sunday, a fourth win would tie her with Katrin Dorre as the only women to win four times and move her past New Zealand's Lorraine Moller, who won three times at Osaka...

Yoko Shibui won the Osaka Ladies marathon, dashing Lidia Simon's hope of a fourth win at this top marathon. Shibui will make the Japanese team to Berlin 2009-she was last on a World Championship team to Edmonton in 2001, where she took fourth.

German Fernandez had a rough fall at the NCAA cross country. His first race indoors was a fast one! Running 3:56.50 for the mile, German broke the world and american junior bests for the indoor mile in Fayetteville, Arkansas!

With Yoko Shibui's victory at the Osaka Ladies Marathon, Shibui finally wins a major race. Here, K Ken. Nakamura, a great friend of the sport, and the reason why the world knows so much about Japanese athletics, writes about how the Osaka marathon developed....

In a recent article on Money magazine's website, http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/20/technology/mehta_underarmour.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2009012613it was evident that the folks at Under Armour are gearing up for the new launch: going after the running business. It was the natural next move for Under Armour.

Women's UA Apparition™


The running shoe business is a very competitive and very profitable business. It is one of the few sports business areas that sees more competition and growth in 2009. At this time, we identify 35 running shoe brands, with a dozen of them making very good shoes and ten making excellent shoes. In this type of environment, the consumer is the winner, as they should be able to find the perfect shoe for their foot, and their amount of activity.

The interview that Mark Bossardet gave runblogrun last week was so well received that we are trying to convince him to write a weekly column on the running business! He has not agreed as of yet, but this new essay that he provided to me today was quite thought provoking! I hope that you like it as much as I did....

Anthony Famiglietti is an athlete who knows the artist within. His web site, http://www.runfam.com, is one of the best that I have ever seen for an athlete/artist.

( Fam is redoing his website, in the past, his paintings have been up. Quite talented painter as well. Check out his photo section, http://www.runfam.com/photos/, which was done by someone possessed with a painters' wiring.

Adil Annani set a personal best in this win in challenging weather conditions....

A very happy Meseret Defar after her fine 3,000 meter run in Stuttgart. Her time of 8:26.99 leads the world ( Photo, courtesy of Bob Ramsak, Track Profile.com)

The picture located just north of these comments are from the ING Bay to Breakers. The ING B2B is one of the largest races in the world, and is one of the true rites of spring in the City by the Bay. As a former Bay area resident, I must admit to having run the Bay to Breakers a few times. I did participate in a centipede in 1980 with several of my young athletes from Bellarmine Prep in San Jose, Ca. I saw it as a very plausible part of their education-they had never seen anyone fun running, nor had they seen people in all stages of dress and undress celebrating over twelve kilometers of San Francisco's most beautiful neighborhoods. Did you know that the ING Bay to Breakers was the birthplace of the Centipede ( thanks Peanut Harms, the Aggies, plus the creative moment for giving the sport the Lenichi turn, and centipede racing!)?

Boston Marathon elite coordinator Pat Lynch is a man of few words. His actions do all of the talking. And his travels this past fall and winter, show the depths to which he has searched to make the 2009 Boston Marathon a tremendously competitive field on the elite level.

(Kara Goucher racing this winter, photo by PhotoRun.net)

Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher will have their hands full in Boston this coming April! It is one thing to load the field, but the 113th running of the Boston marathon will feature the likes of defending champions Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya and Dire Tune of Ethiopia, but also, Evans Cheruiyot (Bof A Chicago), Deribe Merga (09 Chevron Houston), plus Lidia Grigoryeva and Galina Bogomolova.

I will go out on the limb here and say that Hall and Goucher will bring more excitement to the 113th running than anyone in the past twenty-five years. Yes, it is because they are American athletes. An American winning at Boston, NYC, Chicago, London, Berlin is a huge thing, but especially Boston!

(Ryan Hall racing in London, 2008, photo by PhotoRun.net)

Deriba Merga, the 2009 Chevron Houston Marathon winner, took off like a man possessed-hitting 13:41 for 5k, 27;42 for 10k. Merga surged once again, pushing Patrick Makau further back, but Makau would have none of it. Deriba Merga hit the 15k in 41:29, (equaling the world record from 2001), but that was going to be the last song for Mr. Merga. Patrick Makau went by after 18k, as Merga began to slow.

With a four together at 15k, hit in 47:53, Dire Tune, Aselefech Mergia, Abebu Gelan and Phils Ongori were together. Running the last 5k in 15:49, Dire Tune cruised to a 1:07:18, her pb by four minutes! Abebu Gelan, finishing in fourth, set a new World Junior women's record for the half marathon with her 1:07:57!

Deribe Merga and Patrick Makau Makau racing along the RAK half marathon course this morning in the UAE, photos by Photorun.net.

Running a half marathon in humidity and 86 degrees at the start, is amazing. But that was what the field of the Glo Lagos Half Marathon on Sunday had to deal with ! Even Haile Gebrselassie, in Lagos for a running clinic, suggested that they change the timing of the race. In those conditions, 2007 World Champ Luke Kibet ran 1:07.49 and Lornah Kiplagat ran 1:16:23.

Yelana Isinbayeva has one more indoor competition, in Praha, the Czech Republic on Thursday, February 26, 2009. As Isinbayeva is not going to Torino for the European Indoor Championships, but taking a break before the long outdoor season, she is planning her attempt to break her own world record of 5.00 m, with attempts at 5.01m and perhaps, 5.02m! Stay tuned! Photo by PhotoRun.net

With a personal best of 2:13:54 for the marathon, and 2009 races over the half marathon in 63:35 and a fast ten miler in 47:49, Justin Young is in the fight for a berth on the World Championship team for Berlin in August 2009. His chance will be coming up at the Tokyo Marathon, where a strong field, flat course and cheering crowds could push him to a vastly improved time!
(Photo courtesy of Photorun.net)

Paula Radcliffe after ING New York City Marathon, November 2008. A recent injury, to her second toe on her right foot, is causing the withdrawal from FLORA London! Photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

Our sport of athletics, which includes track & field, race walking, cross country and road racing in the world's oldest sport. It is also, our most primal. Remember, when you were a child, what did you do? You ran across the school yard, threw rocks to see how far you could throw, and jump, to see who could jump farthest across the big puddle of mud.

Running is, again quite basic, like walking. One of the things that drew many to the sport of road racing was the simplicity: race from point a to point b. Alas, our sport has grown.

Runners are shown above finishing the RAK half marathon, that experienced a nice growth in numbers, even in hot and windy conditions! Photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.Around the world, road racing is continuing to grow, even in our recent economic challenges. In an essay on the Universal Sports site, http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23000&atclid=3683510&CFID=5144134&CFTOKEN=97046039&jsessionid=5030f10d19f015a45157, Jim Hage, one of sports premier columnists, notes that most of the major events are fairing
very well in these tough economic times.

Olympic shot put champion Tomasz Majewski with Fernando Botero's ‘Adam’, Casino Gardens, Monte Carlo, Monaco. Photo by Bob Ramsak

Ryan Hall, shown here in his superb FLORA 2008 London race, is one of the announced field in the 2009 version of the BAA Boston Marathon. Kara Goucher will be the top American women in the field. Both Hall and Goucher will have their hands full with very challenging fields on both the men's women's sides. Photos by Photo Run.net.

Fam doing his steeple thing, photo by PhotoRun.net.

If you want to win a road race in these days, you better have some leg speed, or the party is over! Fam, aka Anthony Famiglietti and Amy Yoder Begley used that track speed and those little pink fast twitch muscles to good use and pulled literally last ditch kicks to win USA titles over 15k! Who says that road racing is boring? ( I just want a hammer throw demo while people are standing around the finish line, but that is just me.)

I am a huge fan of Amy Yoder Begley. The young women knows how to work, and she grinds them at a level of Jenn Rhines. Begley ran a gutty 3k at the US Indoor, just taking it up a notch, lap after lap, until the damage was done and her race was won. Here, Amy had to pull those fast twitch muscles into gear over Katy MacGregor over the last few meters!

Robbie Andrews, the young prep who won the Millrose prep mile so convincingly, ran a fine 1:49.21 at the NYC Armory this past weekend at the NSSF Meet. Between the NSSF and the Nike Indoor this past weekend, new prep records abound!

Photography by PhotoRun.net

While the West Coast enjoys warm weather, and Denver is covered with snow, nearly 14,000 tough midwesterners dealt with the snow and cold to run the real beginning of spring in the Windy City: The Shamrock Shuffle.

Congrats to Deena Kastor, again for getting herself back into shape and running so well in tough conditions.

Micah Kogo, the Beijing 10,000 meter bronze medalist ran 27:01 for 10k at the Parelloop in the Netherlands today, bettering the seven year old record of one Haile Gebrselassie by one second!

Micah Kogo, from CIGNA Falmouth 2008, courtesy of Victah Sailer, PhotoRun.net.

Michah Kogo's superb run last Sunday over 10k, where he ran the fastest legal time in the world over that distance-27:01! Ricky Simms, the manager of Micah Kogo, sent us more information on Kogos' record run from Sunday, plus a chance to watch it!

We have been able to provide you both a link and an embedded file of the race. Note Kogo's smooth running style and his comments after the race. Kogo noted that he had been hoping for a fast time since 2007. Well, he has one now!

Photo courtesy of Photorun.net

Usain Bolt dazzling 85,000 friends in the Birds' Nest, August 2008, by PhotoRun.net.

If I close my eyes, I can find myself in the Birds Nest, in Beijing, sitting with James O'Brien and Pat Butcher, as we witnessed the Usain Bolt Show. Each night of track and field, we climbed into the media area, set up our computers, placed our stat books and the People's Daily, on one side of the computer and a cold beverage on the other side.

However, as one who actually makes a living from this sport, and one who has had the privilege of putting on small meets and then observing the intricacies of major event management, the dream and the reality of putting on a meet are two very different concepts.

Lets see, at Fortis Rotterdam, Duncan Kibet just nudges his training partner James Kwambai in 2:04:27! In Paris, 12 runners under 2:10, with Vincent Kipruto running a surprising 2:05:47, with twelfth place in 2:09:13! Marathon geek mania! Consider this, Patrick Makau, in his debut, ran 2:06:14 for fourth place in Rotterdam, not a bad run. The marathon performances continue to improve and astound fans around the world!

Picture of Patrick Makau, shown from his win at RAK half marathon. Makau debuted at Fortis Rotterdam in fourth with a fine 2:06:14. The race was won by Duncan Kibet in 2:04:27, just a step infront of his training partner, James Kwambai! Photo by Photorun.net.

Daba Bekana leads an Ethiopian sweep of the top three, in a fine 13:19, photo by Photorun.net.

No, this is not a diorama from someone kept in fifth grade for twenty-five straight years. This is the digital shrine to running as developed by Carl & Karl Underwood, running's number one superfans! As a favor to the Brooks company
( and with tremendous help from the creative agency, Great Society), Randy and Jason Sklar, hosts of ESPN's Cheap Seats, portray their alter egos, Carl & Karl Underwood in this digital universe dedicated to keeping running fun. Done with total tongue in cheek, and ripping to shreds every part of our running culture, the Sklar brothers make us laugh until we cry. Nothing is sacred, and that, ( to use the phrase used by a formerly incarcerated domestic goddess), is a 'good thing." (If you look real close at the little TV screen, you can see one of the Carl & Karl Underwood brothers' faces.)

So, dear readers,

Two Holiday Gifts:

Gift One: Victah Sailer, of Photorun.net, with his lovely wife Lisa Coniglio, supply us with most of the major event photos we use in Shooting Star Media, Inc. and Running Network publications. It is a relationship that is twenty-three years old this year and we could not do it without them or their teams in Paris, Tokyo, and other environs.

One of the benefits of knowing all of the athletes and key players is that Victah is asked to be everywhere, all of the time. This photo came to be because the first gun would not start at the Boston Marathon, so a second was involved. Being the creative sort, Mr. Sailer suggested to Ms. Benoit Samuelson that this might be a wonderful unique moment in road running history. So, in that light, this being the weekend before Boston, I share this photo with you, dear readers, in the spirit of the upcoming holiday weekend! And no, Joan Benoit Samuelson is not representing the NRA.

Gift two: As part of the Milwaukee Brewers Games, the Sausage Races are de rigeur, kind of like snow the week before Boston Marathon. So, this race pitted the Easter Bunny, the Brewers sausages and a Verlo mattress, I believe. Only in Milwaukee can this kind of stuff happen. Enjoy, discuss among yourselves!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30z9bfPEv2c

Just for the record, the race was held in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, about a five minute walk from my house! We are about fifty miles from Milwaukee.

Again, a Good Passover (belated) and Happy Easter (upcoming) to all of our friends! See you next week in Boston!

Runblogrun applauds the race directors of ING New York and BAA Boston marathons for beginning discussions with USATF CEO Doug Logan on hosting the Marathon Trials, as both did in 2008. In my humble opinion, both marathons did great jobs to highlight the races and give an added stature to the best of America's best.

My only beefs with either event had nothing to do with NY or Boston, but the USOC. I hope that Mr. Logan, in his quest to give USATF more visibility and more media attention sees that the promotions of both of these events have amazing media power. The women's press conference after the Women's Trials was one of the most amazing conferences that I have ever seen. From Deenah Kastor to Magdelena Lewy Boulet to Blake Russell, what an amazing group of the sport's ambassadors!

Watch the Vienna City Marathon 2009 LIVE on the internet! Austrian Broadcasting Corporation ORF offers a live stream on Sunday, April 19th, starting at 8.40 a.m. This covers the full marathon together with live commentary as shown on Austrian TV for more than three hours and is available world wide.

This will be activated at insider.orf.at on Sunday, April 19th, 8.40 a.m. Eastern time.

The women's first five kilometers is very, very slow. Hitting the mile in 6:28, two miles in 12:29, three miles in 18:22, and 5k in 18:59. The projected finish is 2:40:12. Realize that the party will get hot, but right now, Kara Goucher is in second row, Elva Dryer and Colleen de Reuck are leading. Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia, Dire Tune of Ethiopia, Mary Akor of US, a prolific US marathoner and Elfenesh Alemu of Ethiopia are all in the pack. Four miles hit in 24:07. Very tactical now.

This race plays into Goucher's hands, but we shall see how long the big pack stays together.

Photo by photorun.net

Women are still running slow, hitting four miles in 24:07, five miles in 29:59. Elva Dryer, Colleen de Reuck, Kara Goucher there. On Men's side, Ryan Hall in lead, hit one mile in 4.41, with Robert Cheruiyot in third, Hall taking it out. On the split screen in Boston media room, pretty amazing to see Americans upfront. Goucher just behind Grigoryeva as they grab water at the water station. Grigoryeva had to pull over and stop to put her right shoe back on, she has gotten back into the pack.

The men's pack is Gashaw Asfaw, Robert Cheruiyot, Tekeste Kebede, Deriba Mera, Ryan Hal, Solomon Molla, Daniel Rono, James Koskei. Men are on, as announced David Murphy, " a scorching pace,". Projected finish is 2:02.47. My feeling is that this is a 2:05 race. These guys are burning up the course!

Women's pack of seventeen, is starting to drop. Halfway hit in 1:18;12, fourteen in 1:23.17, fifteen in 1:29.12, and 25 k in 1:32.09. Helena Kirop in lead of women, Goucher looks fine, as the women hit the first hill in Newton. Women crested first hill, de Reuck still there as well.

Press room during 2009 Boston race.

The women's race was a tactical event. Hitting the mile in 6.28, then 10k in 37.25 and ten miles in 59.47, a pack of seventeen, lead by Elva Dryer were together. At the half marathon, hit in 1:18.12, Kara Goucher, Dire Tune, Salina Kosgei, Colleen de Reuck, Elva Dryer, Alina Ivanova, and Lydia Grigoreva are all there.

Lots of pressure on the Americans, but the marathon is a difficult master. On the men's side, while the pace was pedestrian, the men's race went out at world record or better pace, in fact, much better than world record.

Olympic fourth placer and Houston 09 champion Deriba Merga rushed the Newton Hills and built a fifty second lead. Photo by Photorun.net.

Ryan Hall had an adventure in his first Boston Marathon experience. He spoke of some biblical proportions to his race. I understood his references, but felt that he might have considered Jonah in the belly of the whale ( great song, by the Burning Sensations, from about 1982, I think). Ryan ran with confidence early up until ten miles, slipped in the pack for three to four miles, had a rough time for two miles, then charged back from eleventh to third, giving all he had for a fine third place in his first Boston experience. Just what will it take for Ryan to win at Boston. This writer has a few modest suggestions....

Photo by PhotoRun.net

Sammy Wanjiru shown here, winning in Beijing. The top three men from Beijing and women from Beijing will be contesting 2009 Flora London on April 26, 2009! Photo b Photorun.net.

This reference file was prepared by K. Ken Nakamura, one of the foremost statisticians in the world and a great friend of our sport. He prepared this and revised this after Boston and also added three notes:

a. For the first time since the 1984 Olympic Games, all six Olympic medalists in the Beijing Marathon will be competing in 2009 London.

b. Martin Lel is having an MRI on Thursday to determine if he is injured-he was hoping to get London win numero 4.

c. Sammy Wanjiru, 2008 Beijing winner is back!

The Running Network.com has partnered with Universal Sports to bring you FLORA London! From my place in the Media Centre of the Tower Hotel, I will be blogging and twittering away for the elite race for about three to four hours tomorrow!

I arrived in London this morning, about seven AM local time from Chicago. After a few hours sleep, and a couple of meetings, I got a nice walk in and am now in the Media Centre catching up on news. I saw Dathan Ritzenhein walking around the hotel today, looking fit and ready. His manager, Peter Stubbs, told us that Dathan is going out at 2:07.30 pace, with Meb Keflizighi. Should be a bit of wind, cool and some rain tomorrow, but we shall see!

The lobby of the Tower Hotel in London is full of athletes, agents, managers, and media. Right now, about 5 P.M. local time, the technical meeting is going on, as managers frantically try to find their athletes and their missing water bottles. Word is that two pacing groups tomorrow, one on 2:04, and one on 2:07.30. Wanjiru is obviously a big favorite, but if one speaks to the managers and elite observers, there are other names that come out. Gourmi fro Morocco could be one, I saw him in the lobby today and believe if he can make the big jump, he can be quite dangerous on this course. Less than twenty four hours to go, and it will surely be a superb race on both the men and women's side!

Photo by PhotoRun.net

The night his 10,000 meter collegiate record was being rewritten, Galen Rupp did his first foray of the season at 10,000 meters, looking more like a strong training run, and helping a buddy, Luke Puskedra debut at 28:34.17. Galen, just a month ago had three races, wins at 3k and 5k individually and a strong DMR performance, to help the Ducks to the NCAA Indoor champs. ( My prediction is that Galen will have the collegiate record back before the end of May.)

Jenny Barringer continues her winning ways with a nice 4:08.38 for the world leader at 1,500 meters. Give her a few races and four minutes is not that far off!

Galen running 3,000 meter collegiate record at Reebok Boston Indoor, January 2009.

Photo by Photorun.net

This is the view from Victor Sailer's room. That is the Tower Bridge, and what a beautiful and clear view! Just a few hours before the marathon. We finished dinner at the Ebury, a local bar-restaurant, and It was tremendous! Most of it was the company, which makes any meal more special.

Last news before the event starts is that Martin Lel has withdrawn. He just was not recovering well and tested his leg on Saturday and the physios suggested that Martin not run a marathon at this time. Lel, who wanted to to run for his fourth victory, will
have to do it another year.

Martin Lel, Flora London winner for 2005, 2007 and 2008, will not be running in 2009, due to a nagging injury. Photo by PhotoRun.net.

The women's elite race took off at 9 A.M. And what a field! The goal of the pace setter is to take the women through 71 minutes for the half marathon. Zhou Chunxiu of China, bronze medalist, Beijing, Mara Yamaguchi, Britian, six place, Beijing and Irina Mikitenko, 2008 London champion.

The pace for the first five miles was very good, and on a sub two hour, twenty minute pace: 5:27 for mile 1, 5:22 for mile two, and 5:07 for the third mile, with the 5k hit in 16:34. At that time, Constantina Dita, the Olympic champion, was nine seconds down already.

The elite Women, which numbered just over one dozen, has Catherine Nderiba, the Beijing silver medalist, at the back of that pack. The women hit four miles in 5:11 and five miles in 5.10, which put the women at five miles in 26.39. A pack of ten women
are running together, with Dita now twenty-one seconds back!

On the women's side, the lead pack is Irina Mikitenko, Zhou Chunxiu of China and Mara Yamauchi, with a second pack, lead by Catherine Ndereba. The women hit ten miles in 53.47, eleven miles in 58.16, twelve miles in 63.42 and the half marathon in 1.10.53.

On the men's side, the pace setters have just continued to crank. Mile in 4.33, two miles in 9.11, three miles in 13.36, four miles in 18.48, five miles in 22.45, six miles in 27.27 and 10k in 28.28. The seventh mile in 32.13-a 4.46 mile. In men's lead pack, Sammy Wanjiru, 2008 Beijing gold medalist, and World Champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco, Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea, and Abderrahim Goumri. Eight miles hit in 36.53-a four-forty mile pace!

In the second men's pack, Meb Keflizhighi, Dathan Ritzenhein, Luke Kibet and Felix Limo are running about a minute, ten seconds back!

Who is running the smarter pace. The second pack is running 2:07 and the first pack is 2:01-you decide!

Since early on, Irina Mikitenko and Mara Yamauchi have been running with each other, the women hit 25 kilometers in 1.24.09, with Mara Yamauchi there and Zhou Chunxiu of China starting to fall back. Chunxiu started to fall back by 26 kilometers. She was ten meters back, quickly and just kept falling back.

The women's second pack was just over a minute, ten seconds, with Catherine Ndereba, Lilya Shobukova, in her debut, Tomo Moromoto of Japan, Berhane Adere of Ethiopia, Geta Wami of Ethiopia, Sventlana Zakharova and Lyudmila Petrova of Russia in the pack.

The battle up front from, 25k kilometers to 35 kilometers was Mikitenko and Yamauchi. Just around 30 kilometers, in 1:41, Mikitenko pushed up the ante. Yamauchi would fall back, then come back, then fall back, then come back. By 35 kilometers, Mikitenko, the 2008 champion, had a nine second lead over Yamauchi.

Irina Mikitenko has been relentless, and she continued to build the lead over Mara Yamauchi.

On the men's side, the men have been crazy. Hitting ten miles in 46.24, the lead men's pack hit the fastest EVER for ten miles in a marathon! The pack of Gharib, Goumri, Wanjiru, Tadesse, Kebede, Mutai, Ramaala, Sato.

The lead pack of men hit 1:01.13 for the halfway-the best performance ever in a major marathon.

The lead men hit 25 kilometers in 1:13.35-with Meb Keflizighi in 1.15.29 and Dathan Ritzenhein in 1.15.27, with Luke Kibet in 1.16.10

Working Media Area, Tower Hotel, London ( near halfway in London Marathon)

The women's elite race in FLORA London this year featured two women: Irina Mikitenko and Mara Yamauchi...

Photo from last year's race, with Lel, Goumri and Wanjiru, photo by Photorun.net.

The race was changed last night when Martin Lel had to withdraw with a slowly recovering injury. However, I am not sure if anything could have stopped Mr. Wanjiru...

When Joan Benoit hit the Los Angeles coliseum, in August 1984, the crowd of 70,000 erupted in a huge roar. In the first Olympic marathon, in a race that should have been won by Grete Waitz, then seven time NYC champion and World Champion, or Ingrid Kristiansen, or even Portugals' Rosa Mota!

I will finish with one of my favorite pictures of Joan, from last year's Boston, with her two starter pistol's drawn, to get the Boston Marathon going. Joan let Victor Sailer, a photographer she has known for over two decades, take this picture of her for posterity. Two starter's pistols or not, Joan Benoit Samuelson wants that US Master's Record of 1:19:40 for the half marathon, and I would not bet against her.....

Deena Kastor, center, on the cover of May 2008 CTRN, in one of her greatest races, the 2008 Olympic Trials marathon in Boston, April 2008. Photo by Photorun.net.

Deena Kastor has best race since her April 2008 Olympic Trials win, with her strong win in BUPA Edinburgh Great Run. Photo by Photorun.net.

Makau dueled with Merga at the RAK this past winter. Makau ran a 2:06.14 in his debut and Merga won Boston this year. Should be a great race in Ottowa!

Photo by Photorun.net.

Haile Gebreselassie is ready to roll! On Sunday, May 17, he will be running a 10k in Manchester, UK. Then, on June 1, at the FBK Games in Hengelo, Haile will attempt to break his own world record for the hour run, one of the most grueling of all track events.

Photo by Photorun.net.

For over three decades, Walt Murphy has provided us with the most timely information on major calendar events, Indoor and cross country minutae, plus Eastern Track and XC Xpress. If you would like to get a sub to either publication, email Walt at Wmurphy25@aol.com.

A few tidbits from over the weekend:

*Meseret Defar ran 31:07 in warm, windy weather-she hit the halfway in 15:43, and ran 15:24 over the last 5k, which means she could run close to 30:00 in normal race conditions!

*Anna Willards' 800 meters at Reebok GP shows what former coach John Chaplin said to Jim Hiserman two decades ago in American Track & Field: 800 meter runners should be steeplechasers! Willard has run well over the road mile, track 1,500 and 800 meters and the steeplechase. Willard has the talent, brains and focus to medal in Berlin-congrats to her and new coach, Terrance Mahon.

*Tyson Gay's 200 meters was spellbounding! His 19.58 for 200 meters dusted the rest of the field and the guys were all running quite fast!

Photos by Photorun.net.

The business of running publications has had some real trail blazers: The Nelson brothers, who founded Track & Field News in 1948. Browning Ross, who founded the RRCA and newsletter in 1958, Bob Anderson who started Runners World in 1968, and George Hirsch, who founder the Runner, and nearly a decade later, reinvented a combined Runner's World and the Runner, and saved national running publications from an ignominious demise.

I caught up with George at the London Marathon this year, and asked to interview him on his beginnings in publishing, and running, and his thoughts on the changing landscape of media. His answers are thought provoking. RBR thanks George Hirsch for taking the time, but also for what he has done for our sport!

Victah's surprise fiftieth was June 13, 2009. Photo courtesy of Lisa Coniglio/PhotoRun.net.

Deena Kastor, 2004 Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon, former US record holder at 10,000 meters, current Women's US marathon holder, has announced that her comeback marathon will be on October 11, 2009 at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon!

Photo courtesy of ASICS America.

Congrats to our friends at Chevron Houston Marathon and their sponsors, the ABB Team Challenge and the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute EXPO, who have committed through 2012! As usual, our lesson for today is: in this time of economic uncertainty, a thoughtful, long term approach to sports marketing benefits both the event and the sponsor. Long term relationships allow sponsor and event to develop the brand building pass posting signs everywhere. Sponsors want to become part of the community, and events and their special promotions can give the emotional tie that can not be found by merely advertising in a market.

Congrats to Steve Karpas and his team!

The Nike Outdoor Championships, the dream child of the NSSF, is a true fixture on the elite junior circuit. The dream child of the NSSF lifers, namely guys like Jim Spier, Mike Byrnes and friends, brings together most of the top preps each year for a final prep slugout of the year. We salute the NSSF, Nike, and the other sponsors and friends of the sport for doing such a selfless job on the event!

Emily Sisson, shown here, leading the 5,000 meter field on way to her victory at the Nike Outdoor 2009 5,000 meters, held Thursday night, June 18, 2009. All Photos by Photorun.net.

Maurice Smith, the 07 silver medalist defeated World record holder Roman Sebrle, and 2004 gold medalist, 8157 to 8058, with Dmitri Karpov in third in 8029, at the second edition of the TNT-Fortuna Combined Events meeting!

Lots of global action, so do not miss a word of the Word of geek track....

In a surprise announcement, Doug Logan, CEO of USATF, announced an extension on the sponsorship by Nike through 2013, with an option to renew through 2017. If Chicago wins the Olympic bid for 2016, the renewal price goes up, per Logan, 'substantially."

Among the great news on the sport, the Peachtree 10k was also the US champs. Abdi Abdirhaman won the US title, with a time of 28:11, he was seventh overall. Anthony Famiglietti was second in 28:15, and James Carney was third in 28:19, his personal best.

Fam shown leading the US 5,000 meter championships, photo by Photorun.net.

At the ASICS British London 10k today, Cyrus and Catherine Ndereba were the winners-brother and sister!

Photo courtesy of Photorun.net.

Sammy Wanjiru surprised many when he won the Beijing Olympic marathon in a scorchingly fast 2:06.22, but also came back, to win the then FLORA London Marathon (now, Virgin London Marathon) in 2008 in 2:05:10, after a near suicidal pace. Face it, Sammy Wanjiru and Haile Gebrselasssie are the two of men in the marathon who are at the best of their game. Wanjiru fascinates sports fans also because of his relative youth. How fast can Sammy go? No one knows, as of yet.

How fast can Sammy Wanjiru run? This writer believes that Sammy Wanjiru is one of the few who can break the current world record of 2:03:58. If there is a course where it can go, it is Bank of America Chicago. Nice job to Carey Pinkowski and his team!

Sammy Wanjiru at London, April 2009, courtesy of Photorun.net.

Duncan Kibet and Haile Gebrselassie will duke it out on the real, Berlin course this coming September. In October, Sammy Wanjiru will race at Bank of America, Chicago, the fall marathon season is on! ....

Haile Gebrselassie, courtesy of adidas communications.

Anna Alminova, Stuttgart, February 7, 2009, courtesy of Bob Ramsak, Trackprofile.com

Anna Alminova ran a fine 1:57.86 in her heat of the 800 meters at the Russian championships. Also in the Russian champs, women's world bests over 10,000 meters, (two under 30:33), also second fastest run over 400 meters for women. Note that the 400 meter runner went from 51.2 seasonal best to 50.3 to 49.24 in semi finals!

Kara Goucher ran a smart tune up over the half marathon distance in Chicago this past weekend. As the first finisher in the field of 14,317, male or female, Kara won in 1:08:05! She is just 39 seconds off Deena Kastors AR for the half marathon from 2006, and what an excellent tune up for the Berlin World Championships marathon, where Kara takes on the best in the world!

Kara Goucher, Nike Pre, June 7, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Jeremy Wariner is less than three weeks from defending his world title, which he defended in Osaka in August 2007. Now, with adidas, Wariner is launching a new training shoe, the Ambition PowerBounce. Here are the particulars on the shoe and some pictures as well. (And yes, we will be covering all of Jeremys' racing in Berlin!)

adidas Ambition PowerBounce

The Falmouth Road Race is steeped in the history and lore of New England running. I was fortunate enough to run it in 1985 and 1986. The course was everything that I had heard, and the crowds were amazing after wards.

Well, Victor Sailer, our industrious photographer emailed me, regarding CIGNA Falmouth 2009: " one of the most amazing racing I have ever seen." Victor was amazed with Tilahun Regassa, who just jumped the field and put 20 seconds on them by mile six, winning in 31:41, the fourth fastest winning time ever on the course! Sailer noted that Regassa, all of nineteen, waved to the crowds three miles out! Just think of what happens when he gets some experience on the course!

Tilahun Regassa winning the 2009 CIGNA Falmouth Road Race, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

As our sport moves to a more professional level, key management from more traditional collegiate and sports organizations will move into our sport. David Scott has a fascinating c.v. We wish David and the ING Miami Marathon well in 2010!

Duncan Kibet, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net, September 16, 2009.

Last April, Duncan Kibet ran 2:04.27. Last December, Haile Gebrselassie ran 2:03.59, setting a new world record (his second in two years). On Sunday, September 20, 2009,
Duncan Kibet and Haile Gebrselassie will line up together. Haile wants a new world record, and Duncan wants a personal best. Who will be faster? Read on.....

Haile Gebrselassie, real,-Berlin 2009 press conference, September 18, 2009. Photo by PhotoRun.net.

Haile Grebrselassie has rewritten the books on long distance running for nearly two decades. At the ripe old age of thirty-six, Haile has set the WR for the marathon twice in the last two years and won real,-Berlin for four times. He is formidable, having brought the current record to 2:03.59. On Sunday, September 20, 2009, Haile Gebrselassie and Duncan Kibet, who has run 2:04.27, will meet on the 26.2 miles of roads that make up the real, -Berlin marathon. While the weather could be warm (79 for a high is predicted), do not expect either marathoner to give any quarter. This race could be a race for the ages...read on about Pat Butcher's thoughts on Haile and the race....

Haile Gebrselassie winning real, -Berlin 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Haile Gebrselassie did set a world record today, his twenty-seventh, at the 30k distance with his 1:27:49, eleven seconds ahead of the previous world record. However, it was probably the next kilometers, in 2:46, which put him over the edge.
Haile had run by himself from 20k on, as Duncan Kibet ran off the back just after the twenty kilometer mark, and dropped out at 30k. Francis Kiprop passed Kibet at 23 k and finished one minute back of the little Emperor.

(Oh, thanks to the real geeks who kept me awake during the live broadcast on http://www.universalsports.com. . We tweeted the race, for all two hours, ten minutes, as we will do at
Bank of America Chicago Marathon and ING New York City.)

Haile Gebrselassie, real, -Berlin 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

The roads were hot this weekend. Haile takes his fourth Berlin, in 2:06:08. Now we have to see him run NY, Boston or Chicago-or all of them! Haile would be worshipped over in the states!

Ryan Hall won the ING Philly Half marathon today in 1:01.52! It was described by some observers as an "easy effort " for Ryan. I can not wait to see how he runs in New York!

Haile Gebrselassie, Duncan Kibet and the pacesetters, real, -Berlin 2009, Sept. 20, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

In this post race piece, Pat Butcher speaks to Haile about his victory at real,-Berlin yesterday. The race was to be a battle between Gebrselassie and Duncan Kibet, but after 20k, that fizzled. Then, with 12k to go, Haile was 36 seconds ahead, but could not stay on WR pace. His 2:06:08 is ONLY the 26th best ever...how spoilt we are. It was not that long ago when a sub 2:10 was pretty impressive...

Andy Baddeley won the men's race in a final push, with twenty meters to go, from Leonel Manzano, Boaz Lalang and Bernard Lagat!

The Continental Fifth Avenue Mile has been, for the past 29th year, running's reminder that Fall is here and marathon season is upon us! Looking forward to seeing many of you at Bank of America Chicago and ING New York!

Photos from Continental Fifth Avenue, courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

The new LA Marathon will be held on March 21, 2010!

If you do it right, they will sponsor. Under the new management, LA Marathon is doing more in its first year than most events do in several. A new course, a new date, and now, a multi-year footwear and apparel sponsor, K-Swiss, one of the newest and most innovative footwear companies in our sport. With very close ties to the California sports scene, the involvement of K-Swiss makes sense on a variety of levels. Marathon sponsorships, if managed well, are great research labs for footwear companies, and fulfill what we shall call the Kirk Richardson rule: to be a successful running footwear company, you have to be in the field, you have to fit the consumer in shoes and listen, really listen to the consumer. Marathon expos give brands that exposure, it is the true battle line, where the outersole hits the road.

On another note, congrats to Russ Pillar and his team at LA Marathon and the team at K-Swiss. Another example of how our business continues to grow, and prosper.

Ilse Paulson, Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, US Champs, winner, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Congratulations to Ilse Paulson, who made up a 40 second deficit and took over the lead at 24 miles to win her debut in 2:31:49 over Colleen de Reuck at the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Congrats to Jason Hartmann, who ran his personal best of 2:12:09 to win by nearly one minute in the men's race at the Medtronic.

Jason Hartmann, the Medtronic Twin Cities 2009 men's winner, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

And finally, congratulations to Abdi Abdirhaman, who ran his pb in winning the Medtronic 10 Miles, a US champs distance in 46:35.

Abdi Abdirhaman, the Medtronic 10 Mile champ, US Championships, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

Meb Keflizighi, Falmouth 2009, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

Meb Keflizighi is the complete distance runner. At the age of 34, he sets a new personal best by twenty-four seconds of 1:01 even for the half marathon, breaking Ryan Hall's 20k AR en route, with his 57:52, by two seconds! Meb won the San Jose RnR Half marathon on October 4, 2009.

George Hirsch

Most of you know George Hirsch as the former long-time publisher of Runner's World, or chairman of the New York Road Runners. Those of us who remember (and treasure) the premiere issue of The Runner, from 1977, will tell you that George Hirsch revolutionized the publishing of running magazines. His upstart, The Runner, challenged Runners World from the day it started, landing great photography, iconic writers, key advertisers and the heart of serious runners. The Runner's issue on the 1984 Olympic Trials is still, in my mind, one of the best running magazine issues of all times.

That is not stopping him from running the fortieth ING New York City marathon. His letter (shown below) is run, with permission. It will be George's last marathon, and he is asking us to celebrate with him by donating to some good causes. I hope you will contribute, as I will....

Carey Pinkowski, Bank of America Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director, photo by PhotoRun.net.

There is a famous picture of the late Fred Lebow, from the mid-eighties, checking the blue line that shows marathoners the five borough course in New York. The picture always reminded me that the job of a race director is thankless.

Carey Pinkowski and his team have taken the last twenty years to build a marathon, and a marathon experience that is the litmus test for major marathons. Naming a street after Carey is a good start at honoring his work....

Sammy Wanjiru, August 2008, Beijing Olympics, photo by PhotoRun.net

Sammy Wanjiru is the Olympic champion. His win in Beijing was his third marathon. In his first, Wanjiru won Fukuoka in 2:06:39 in December 2007. He had taken second in his second marathon, the 2008 Flora London marathon. In the 2009 Virgin London Marathon, Sammy Wanjiru handled a very stiff early pace to set a new personal best and to win. So, in his marathon schedule, he has three wins, one second, or 3 for 4. Sammy also has broken the world record twice for the half marathon: in 2005, at the ripe old age of 18, Sammy ran 59:16. Then Haile Gebrselassie took the WR back in 2006, with his 58:55. In 2007, Sammy took the WR back, running 58:53 in the RAK half marathon in February. When he did not get the record there (incomplete drug testing protocals), Sammy ran 58:33 at Den Haag, the Netherlands in March 2007.

The weather should be cool, and the conditions perfect for a world record, do not be surprised if Sammy Wanjiru and Vincent Kipruto are duking it out at 40 kilometers, with Abderhamann Goumri close behind! More to come later today....

For more on the race, http://www.chicagomarathon.com
For more on the sport, http://www.runningnetwork.com

Irina Mikitenko winning Virgin London 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net

The press conference today just added to my confusion. Deena Kastor was there, Olympic bronze medalist, US record holder, who is back in shape after her tragic injury at three miles in Beijing in 2008. Deena told the assembled media today that she has had five great weeks of training, and she feels ready to race.

For Sunday, what will the Bank of America Chicago Marathon reveal? I think the race will be run, at the fastest, about 2:23-2:25. In that kind of race, in the cold, all three should be well matched. A close women's and men's race will show what is best about our sport--the competition!

For more on the sport, please click on http://www.chicagomarathon.com

For more on the sport, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.com

Jacques Rogge has been re-elected as President of the IOC. Rogge ran unopposed. On Sunday, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will have nearly 40,000 starters, and in Birmingham, England, the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships will have teams from over 64 countries contesting half the marathon distance.....

Sammy Wanjiru, 2009 London winner, photo by PhotoRun.net

Sammy Wanjiru told us on Friday that he wants to win and set the new world record. To get the record, Sammy will have to run 4:43.5 per mile for 26.2 miles! He does not, in my mind, respect the distance, yet. If he goes out too fast, like he did in London, he will not get the record.

On the women's side, Deena Kastor, Irina Mikitenko and Lidiya Grigoryeva will be duking it out on the women side. On both sides, there should be some great races!

Men's lead pack down to four runners, Kebeni Wilson, Patrick Ivuti, Sammy Wanjiru, Vincent Kipruto. Ivuti is struggling, he is falling off lead....Irina Mikitenko, Liliya Shobukhova, Berhane Adere, Deena Kastor, Lidiya Grigoryeva....

Photos courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

Wanjiru makes a break, photo by PhotoRun.net.

And then, there were three....Sammy Wanjiru, Vincent Kipruto, and Charles Munyeki. Men hit 30k in 1:28:05, and they are off WR pace, about 2:05 now.

At 1:42:00 into the race, Wanjiru made a small surge, about one minute later, he started to push and the real estate began to open between Kipruto, Munyeki and the leading Wanjiru.

Sammy Wanjiru, winner of 2008 Bejing and 2009 London, now adds Bank of America Chicago to his victory list, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya, hitting the halfway in 1:02:00 and 30k in 1:28:44, broke Vincent Kipruto and Charles Munyeki, to take the men's title at the Bank of America Chicago. Sammy has won his last three majors now, Olympics, London and now, Chicago. Waving to the crowd, Sammy Wanjiru, nearly missed the course record, but pulled it out by one second, running 2:05:41. In the 32nd running of the Bank of America Chicago marathon, Wanjiru added his name to the great list of victors: Steve Jones, Khalid Khannouchi, among others. Wanjiru now holds the new course record and the fastest time ever run on North American soil-breaking Khannouchi's ten year old course record!

Hats off to Abderrahim Goumri, who went out conservatively, hitting 1:03 at halfway and finished second in 2:06:04. Rest of top ten below!

Using her track speed, Liliya Shobukova, in her second marathon start, took the lead at 25 miles decisively, and went on to win the 32nd Bank of America Chicago marathon! Photo by PhotoRun.net.

In a very tactical marathon, the women had a very tight finish. Hitting the half marathon in 1:15:03, Liliya Shobukova, Irina Mikitenko, Lidiya Grigoryeva, Berhane Adere and Deena Kastor were all together, with the U.S. Tera Moody leading through the first eleven miles.

Deena Kastor ended up finishing sixth, in 2:28:38, and the good news is her foot is fine! Melissa White of the US was eighth and Tera Moody of the US was ninth, all in all a good day for US runners as well!

Start of the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, October 11, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net/Lisa Coniglio

The thirty-second edition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon showed once again, the race director's mantra; "if you build a great event, the runners will come". Over the past two decades, Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski and his team have build an event that has a fast course, the best Expo, great volunteer support, local government support, and the sponsorship of key global brands, Bank of America and Nike, to name a few. Here is how we saw the race, and some behind the scene insights from our key observers:

Sammy Wanjiru with the pacemakers, B of A Chicago Marathon, October 11, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

The start was cold, 33 degrees in fact. The wind was from the south, which meant, once the pacemakers turned, the wind would be in their faces. Yet, they ran fast; 14:34 for 5k, 29:10 for 10k, 43:59 for 15k...and most importantly, even though Sammy wanted to go faster, they kept him in tow, hitting 1:02:00 on the dot for the half marathon point.

Molly Huddle, NYRR 8k, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Molly Huddle took the US 10k title today, in Boston, MA, at the Tufts 10k in 32:06.5, for the second year in a row. Rebecca Donahue was third and Sara Hall was fourth...this was Huddle's second title!

For more on the global road scene this past weekend, read on!

Race Finish, Sale Dizni (Kirui beats Kiptoo)

Pat Butcher, our global runner, sends us his thoughtful views of a race in Belgrade, which has been resurrected. Paul Tergat was there as well, and Pat explains his reason for attendance. Oh, the race happened Wednesday, local time in Belgrade, and includes running up and down castle walls!

Remember what it's like to get new running shoes? Opening the box, the smell, and then, putting them on for the first run? That is still the archtypel experience in running, and one of the more pleasant. Well, what if you were getting a pair of shoes just made for you? Sounds pretty cool, doesn't it? Your fifteen minutes of fame?

We are getting to the point, with the likes of Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, Matt Tegenkamp, Meb Keflizighi, James Carney, FAM, that we have a crew of marathoners who can do well on the international stage. A rebirth takes time, but Ryan Hall has the "vision thing" that is needed to be victorious over 26.2 miles of blue paint stripes and black asphalt. Here is hoping the new ASICS shoes, his training and his inner voice keep him relaxed over the ING New York City marathon course, ready to make his move and take his place in history as one of America's great distance runners. No pressure, though....

Gilbert Yegon ran 2:06:18, even with a hamstring cramp, broke the 2:06:20 set by one Haile Gebrselassie on the Amsterdan marathon course...Caster Semenya is going to take her finals, even with the pressure still felt from this past summer's brutalization of her by ASA....and on Sunday, in San Francisco, 20,000 women (and about 200 men) ran the fourth edition of the Nike Women's Marathon & Half marathon. A Nike Running Summit was held on the Saturday before, watch for my column on that event on Wednesday...

Tom Carleo, GM, New Balance Running & Outdoor, photo courtesy of NB communications.

The running footwear industry has grown up. An industry that generates $7.5 billion in sales a year, and the creme de la creme is the performance running business, which continues to grow.

We caught up with Tom last month, while he was traveling in China. His sense of humor comes across in each interview. Tom could have done stand up comedy. What comes across in this interview is is obvious affection for the people he works with, a genuine love for the sport of running and a keen awareness of what it takes to make a successful running shoe. Read on....

Front of new ASICS flagship store, opening in New York City on Friday, October 23, 2009. There will be festivities celebrating the opening of ASICS first store all weekend. Please read on for details...

Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, victor at the 2008 Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon...

Jason Mbote, Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot and Gilbert Kirwa, will battle for the marathon victory at the 2009 Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday, October 25, 2009.

Pat Butcher, our roving marathon troubadour, is in Frankfurt this weekend for the 28th Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon, the oldest city marathon in Germany! What follows is Mr. Butcher's analysis of the upcoming elite race in Frankfurt....

Photographs courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

Training Log of one Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, courtesy of Victah Sailer, Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon:

This was typical weeks leading up to the 2009 Commerzbank
Frankfurt Marathon. Robert's training partner is Vincent Kipruto,
who was just second in the B of A Chicago Marathon and who also ran a fine 2:05:47 earlier in the year.

Monday am- one hour run......15km
Monday pm- one hour run......15km
Tuesday am- one hour run.....15km
Tuesday 11am- 12x 1000 at 3.00= 15km
Tuesday pm-one hour run......15km
Wed am-.....one hour run......15km
wed pm-....one hour run.....15km
thur am....40km run
thur pm---one hour run =15km
fri am....one hour run=15km
fri pm...one hour run=15km
Sat am...one hour run=15km
Sat 11am=12 x 1000=15km
Sat pm...one hour run=15km
Sunday am....30km run
Sunday pm....one hour run=15km
Victah Sailer added: " the morning and afternoon runs can be from 50m to one hour.....your call, and the 12x 1000.....I am sure they warmed up, ran in between reps and warmed down....."

Note the consistency, the moderate pace,and the quality of the speed work. I sure hope this puts that easy running detritus finally to bed. To race fast, one must train consistently and at a high quality....
I especially like the 40km midweek and 30km on weekend. Remeniscent of Rob De Castella's training in the eighties. Breaking up the speed sessions at 1,000 meter intervals, at just below above pace, reminds me of threshold work...Cheruiyot obviously gets the work done...

Special thanks to our favorite photographer, Victah Sailer, and his wife, Lisa Coniglio and the merry photographers at PhotoRun.net.

For more on the sport, please check out http://www.runningnetwork.com

Our roving marathon troubadour, Pat Butcher provided the following piece on the Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon, where three runners broke the course record, including the second place runner's coach!

Gilbert Kirwa and Agnes Kiprop, Winners of 2009 Commerzbank Frankfurt Marathon, photos courtesy of PhotoRun.net/Victah Sailer.

Start of the Venice Marathon, October 25, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

A busy weekend on the roads! Continued fast times in Germany, making it the nation where the fastest marathons in the world have been run for men!

Pat Butcher gives us his thoughts on the continued progression of the men's marathon record,and why athletes from East Africa will be involved in this progression...

It is early Saturday morning. I am preparing for a day of meetings in the wonderful island that is Manhattan. Considering that early European settlers bought Manhattan for some beads and trinkets, it should not be surprising how well received the expos at some of the large marathons continue to be.

Paula Radcliffe churning up the field at the 2008 ING NYCM, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Paula Radcliffe is a phenomenon. The women is one of the toughest runners in our sport. That is fact. She can draw inspiration from somewhere within herself, like no one of her generation.

How fast will Paula Radcliffe run today? We shall see....

Meb Keflizighi, running in London, April 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Running negative splits, staying out of trouble, Meb Keflizighi ran the race of his career. He had already won a medal at an Olympic Games, and now it was time, after ten attempts, to win a World Marathon Major. This should give you a better appreciation of the importance of his acomplish mentffm....

Derartu Tulu, RAK Half marathon, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

If there is an equivalent to Paula Radcliffe in modern women's distance running, it is Derartu Tulu. 1992 Olympic gold at 10,000 meters, 2000 Olympic gold at 10,000 meters, bronze in 2004 at 10,000 meters. On the World champs side, Derartu took the silver in Goteborg at 10,000 meters, and five years later, is victorious in Edmonton at 10,000 meters.

This is the story of her victory at the ING New York City marathon, not only one of the greatest upsets in marathon history, but also, finally, a clear reasoning noting that this women should be considered the Paavo Nurmi of female distance running: her breadth of racing, from road racing to track & field to cross country are inspiring....

In one of the best fields ever for men at the ING NYCM, Meb Keflizighi showed that experience counts. Meb is the first American male to win the ING NYCM since 1982!

Derartu Tulu showed her track background, and won the 2009 ING NYCM over the past 400 meters, showing her historic value to the sport of women's running!

Photos courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

Irina Mikitenko and Sammy Wanjiru, World Marathon Major Winners, 2008-2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

The World Marathon Majors shows that the major events, with disparate sponsors, teams that are both creative and competitive, can play well together. This is the first step in bringing in global brand sponsors. My dream is to see events like Tokyo and perhaps a marathon in China as part of the group, but they have had an effect. A savvy global marketer could have a huge branding opportunity in this sport with sponsoring the World Marathon Majors.

Haile Gebrselassie is aiming for Dubai and the WR, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Here is Pat Butcher's view of Haile G running the Dubai marathon...

The men's race starts, with not only the ING NYCM elite men's race, but also a US championships! This would be a historic race....

All photos by PhotoRun.net.

Meb Keflizighi, 2009 ING NYCM champion, 2009 USA Marathon Champion, photo by PhotoRun.net.

In discussing the decathlon, top decathletes will tell you that the athlete who makes the least mistakes wins the decathlon. Such can also be said with the marathon. Meb Keflizighi ran his race through the five boroughs of New York City masterfully, and without any mistakes. He was close enough to the front to know if a move was real or affected, and that the ING NYCM is a marathon of attrition. His move came at 24 miles, and right after that, near the place that is good friend, Ryan Shay, had fallen nearly two years before, Meb made, as Tim Leydon of Sports Illustrated observed, a sign of the cross, and charged to the finish.

Now, Meb is the toast of the U.S. marathon world, and we hope he makes a few bucks in his next marathon! But, where will it be? The selfish side of me hopes that BAA Boston takes the plunge and brings Meb back, who knows the second time at Boston just might be the charm!

The battle for ING NYCM, November 1, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Merhawi Keflezighi is Meb's brother and agent. One normally finds him, in the background, after one of Meb's wins, checking on his brother, making sure that Meb's sponsors are managed, and checking in with the media. He is a man of quiet confidence, and I like him. He is a good yin to Meb's yang.

Here is Merhawi putting the day, his brother, and his family in perspective:

Tom Bedford, Dublin Marathon, October 2009.

The man celebrating is Tom Bedford. Tom had just won THE BET, where he promised to run a marathon under two hours, twenty five minutes, in a period of three years, and the wagers were 10,000 pounds to his favorite charity.

Below is the blog Tom does, and his piece on marathon day! Tom Bedford is a good man, and our friend, Mike Long, I believe, is looking down on Tom with a huge grin and a nice pint!

Tirunesh Dibaba, Beijing, August 2008, photo by PhotoRun.net.

After injuries ended her Berlin dreams, Tirunesh Dibaba definitely shows that the injuries are over, with her fine debut over 15 kilometers. Running 46:29, Dibaba broke the former world record of 46:55!

Ben Rosario, co-owner of Big River Running Company in Missouri, and a feature writer for Missouri Runner, finished eleventh in the half marathon in 1:11:16. Photo by PhotoRun.net.

Over thirty-two thousand signed up for the RNR San Antonio Marathon & Half Marathon, which was held on Sunday, November 15, 2009. While Kenyan men and Russian women dominated the top five on each side, nice performances by Drew Polley, eighth, in 2:20:09 in the marathon. On the womens' side, the first American was Becca Pritchard, who finished seventh in 2:52:51. Josh Cox ran in the half marathon, in third, running 1:06:44 and congrats to Mo Runner writer Ben Rosario, who ran 1:11:16 for eleventh in the half-marathon.

Stephanie Hightower, Chairman/President,
USATF, photo courtesy of USATF

I found this letter on the USATF.org site, dated October 15, 2009. I had not read it and my guess was that many of you had not seen it. I encourage you to not only go to the convention, but also send Stephanie an email noting concerns that you have for the organization.

RBR will provide updates from the convention and also tweet important updates and information.

Phillips Idowu, Gold Medalist, Triple Jump, Berlin WC 09, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Phillips Idowu, the best triple jumper on the planet, will be defending his Sevilla Indoor title at Doha. Idowu wowed the crowds in Berlin with his superb jumping. He is the cover story for the Autumn issue of Spike magazine!

The Fukuoka Marathon, in its sixty-third incarnation, will feature a very tough field: from Tsegaye Kedede, the defending champion and Beijing and Berlin bronze medalist, to Evans Cheruiyot, the 2008 B of A Chicago Marathon champion.

Fukuoka continues to be a bellwether on the marathon stage, and this year will be no different...

Meb with the Statue of Liberty, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Meb Keflezighi, 3 time USA Olympian, Olympic Marathon Silver Medalist and the current ING NYC Marathon champion waved for 2.65 Miles with the current Miss America, Katie Stam during this morning's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy's Parade is one of the highlights of the NYC Calendar and draws over 3.5 Million along the parade route. It was one of the warmest in Parade History at 53F/ 11.5C.

When asked about if his daughters were able to sleep the nite prior to the parade, "they couldn't sleep, I couldn't sleep, I was so excited, I thought I was running a major event this morning" Keflezighi was joined by NYRR CEO and ING NYC Marathon Race Director, Mary Wittenberg for an early 0530 run.

As The North Face continues to build into a launch in running, they are picking up key assets for branding TNF in ultrarunning heritage...

K-SWISS continues on a roll, picking up the LA marathon, with their major victories on the triathlon circuit, and now their first running store in U.S.:

Haile photo courtesy of adidas communications...

Haile Gebrselassie will try and run 2:47 a kilometer for 8k road race on New Years Eve...Nike NXN is tomorrow, December 5, 2009...Lynchburg started indoor season on Dec. 2 with first indoor meeting of 2009....Cal International numbers up, Luis Luchinin debuts, Josh Cox should run 2:15-2:16 (Good Luck to John Mansoor, PAUSATF chieften and CIM race director, Las Vegas has strong numbers (good luck to my neice, Tess Henric, who is jogging the half marathon, her first), and an early happy birthday to my three sisters, Mary Lou Henric and Mary Beth Wikle are twins, and Kathy Eder was born on their first birthday! December 5 was a busy day in our house!

Doug Logan, courtesy of USATF.org

During my whirlwind tour of the USATF Convention, which took place after a late arrival on Thursday evening, and ended with a flight out Friday evening, I was struck at the price of revolution. Revolution is what is happening in USATF. While I felt that last year's lack of battles surprised me, I had an inkling of a possible floor flight on the by-laws. That was only natural, as groups, and individuals who have concern about their power bases evaporating, or who have a clearer view of the upcoming changes, would be looking for concessions.

Tsegaye Kebede, (shown in London 2009), photo by PhotoRun.net.

This is road racing season. It is also the start of the indoor season, and cross country season. This past weekend was the USATF convention, Nike NXN, RNR Las Vegas, Fukuoka and ASBA convetion. Yours truly was at three of those events...

Tsegaye Kebede, defending his Fukuoka title from 2008, crush the opposition with his personal best, 2:05:18! Luke Kibet defended the Chartered Bank Singapore Marathon, and set a new course record, in 2:11.25. He won by eight seconds, with a mad sprint to the finish, due to achilles re-injury, which affected him about 30k into the race (we are not sure how serious).

Shalane Flanagan, en route to her 5,000m AR indoors, Feb.2009,
photo by PhotoRun.net.

Shalane Flanagan, American record holder at 3k, 5k, 10k, will debut at the half marathon distance at the Aramco Houston Half marathon on January 17, 2010. The 2008 bronze medalist from Beijing at 10,000 meters has been rumored to be considering moving up in distances.

Last winter, Flanagan traveled to Mexico for high altitude training, for several weeks, to prepare for the 2009 season. Rumors have been going for most of the year about whether the American record holder would move up to the half marathon and marathon. We look forward to seeing how she takes to 13.1 miles!

Brett Gotcher, 2009 Aramco Houston Half marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net.

In January 2009, Brett Gotcher, the former Stanford All-American, took third at the Aramco Houston half marathon. He opened a few eyes. In September 2009, Brett ran 58:57, to take the U.S. 20k title, his first title. Now Brett, with some good training behind him, is going to debut at the marathon at the Chevron Houston marathon in January 2010. We wish him a great debut!

Video Map of LA Marathon course 2010, courtesy of www.lamarathon.com.

The LA Marathon was purchased just over a year ago. In the past year, under the management of Russ Pillar, Peter Abraham and the help of many others, Pillar has lived up to the promises he made a year ago: a new course, a new date.

Your blogger ran the first two LA marathons while working for RW, and found it a fascinating race. My last visit to LA Marathon had to be about 1998-1999, so I am very curious to see how Peter Abraham and his team will manage the 2010 race! Enjoy the interview!

Sammy Wanjiru taking the streets of London, 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

In David Bedford, one finds a man driven. Beneath that mustache and fashionably long hair, one also finds a man confident, let's redo that, completely confident that he is directing the absolutely best marathon in the world. Best field, best financed, best managed, period. No other superlatives needed. And, he just might be right. In 2010, the Virgin London Marathon will have a field arguably superior to the Beijing Olympic or Berlin World Championships. This, dear reader, is not by accident, but shear force of will. Oh, yes, and sponsors who totally support your cause also helps.

Irina Mikitenko winning 2009 Virgin London Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Brett Gotcher, US 20k champ, training in Flagstaff, Arizona,( photo by Marissa Dunston Photography, courtesy of McMillan Elite), Brett is debuting at the marathon at the Chevron Houston Marathon, on January 17, 2010.

ING NYCM 2009, Meb Keflezighi in foreground, Ryan Hall in background, during the battle for the five boroughs...

What a great Christmas gift! The two top Americans will run the 2010 BAA Boston Marathon! And both men, as racers could not be more different.

While Ryan Hall has run faster times, his challenge will be to control his spirited drives, to focus on one thing: being there with two miles to go, and putting that 13:15 5,000 meter speed to good use. Ryan Hall is very early in his career. Ryan just needs to be careful with how much he takes on building up to Boston; unfortunately, a runner must be selfish, travel all of the time, speaking engagements, all take a toll. Ryan has great coaching, under the watchful eye of Terrance Mahon, Ryan is learning that a marathoner's development is not linear-there are good times and tough times...

It will be fascinating to see how the race plays out! Stay tuned for April 19, 2010!

Photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

March 27-28, 2010

The logo of the Oakland Running Festival, resurrecting a great running tradition in Oakland....

I first ran the marathon in Oakland in 1981, taking twenty-one minutes off my best. In 1983, I broke three hours for the marathon there. And in 1984, I ran 1:15.45, breaking my half marathon best by over a minute. I loved the Oakland Marathon, the course, the competition, the timing! The race disappeared a few years later, and the running community missed it...

What is fascinating to me is that both LA and Oakland look to be back with energy, March will be a busy month in California!

News from New Zealand courtesy of Murray McKinnon, and News from Japan, courtesy of K. Ken Nakamura.....

Steffi Nerius, Berlin 2009 WC, javelin, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

Steffi Nerius upset at the Berlin 2009 World Champs is still in the mind of the German media as the year ended. Robert Harting, the discus champion from Berlin 09, finished third in the sportsmens title!

Ian Dobson and Erin Donahue are to be featured in the Emerald Nuts NYC Midnight Run, one of the oldest in the country. Good luck to both!

Haile Gebrselassie, posing in Athens, 2003, photo by adidas communications

Haile Gebrselassie just missed the record by 1.5 seconds!

Mary Keitany is now 4-4 in the half marathon distance, with today's win at the Zayed Half Marathon, in a swift 1:07, in Abu Dhabi, photograph by PhotoRun.net.

Mary Keitany and Tilahun Regassa had very nice pay days of $300,0000 US today as they won the Zayed Half Marathon in Abu Dhabi! However, that was only PART of the story...per the National, 20,000 school kids held up some of the runners of the 6k, elite athletes were not told of the change in starting times the night before and some athletes claimed that they were held up. There is a wonderful picture of runners dodging baby carriages and people crossing the street during the 6k race. For more on this, please read: http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100108/SPORT/100106988/1004/sport

Looking through a copy of Long Distance Log (Jan 1973) for some historical results, I found a 3 page write up on the first Houston Marathon. Those pages are attached, so you can all see how times have changed.

A monthly, it was typed / courier font and printed in 2 columns per page with the occasional photo. It published results of nearly every road or cross races in the country for the previous month or two, either partial or complete, in its general 28-32 pages. Nearly every runner was listed with a club. Some reports included notes and commentary (most frequent one - how courses were not the stated distance). One LDL issue from the 1960's noted how the 119 finishers in a 2 race event was the largest event ever held in the state of Maine. (contributed by Steve Vaitones, USATF New England)

Usain Bolt calls for support of the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti, which has left thousands dead, and safe water and food difficult. The US State Department has a safe donation process where one texts Haiti (check CNN.com web site), $3million donated overnight. Keep the families and people in Haiti in your thoughts and prayers and make a donation, if you can.

Tyson Gay had great experience as CES show, where he represented adidas and Sennheiser electronics! And this weekend, Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon, where RBR.com will be for the Running Network National Meetings! Watch our coverage on runblogrun.com and www.runningnetwork.com!

Shalane Flanagan, winning the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, taking the US half marathon champs in a new course record of 1:09:41, photo by PhotoRun.net.

A championship is more than just a race. If properly done, a championship should celebrate the great athletes in the event, add to the prestige of the sport, and inspire the fans who see the the great athletes challenge themselves. The Aramco Houston half marathon hosted the USA half marathon championship today, January 17, 2010. Aramco lived up to its previous reputation: great performances were everywhere! On the men's side, Antonio Vega won in 1:01:54, and Shalane Flanagan won the women's in 1:09:43, a new course record! Both runners ran fascinating races...

Antonio Vega, shown winning the US championships for the half marathon, the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in a near minute personal
best of 1:01:54, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Brett Gotcher, photo by Larry Eder

Brett Gotcher is an example of how the American system works. In high school, Brett was coached by Dan Gruber, a top California runner and a superb high school coach. At Stanford, Brett was coached by Vinn Lananna-and you know he has had some success! Post college, Brett Gotcher has worked with Greg McMillan and his training project.

My guess is, there is are some even fast races in Brett's future!

For more on the marathon, please check out chevronhoustonmarathon.com

For more on the sport, please check out http://www.runningnetwork.com

Teshome Gelena, ran a tremendous 2:07:37 for a new course record at the Chevron Houston marathon on January 17, 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.

The world will see something similar to the piece, written by EME News deity Alfons Juck, on the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Marathon. Note that I will be doing a review of the event tomorrow, as I am jumping in planes and buses to get home today!

Managing Director, Steven Karpas and the marathon and half marathon teams should get kudos for the superb orchestration of the three events, plus a robut Expo, over the three days. What was also fascinating, was that by the time I took my walk on Sunday afternoon, about 4.30, most of the race signs and stages were gone, and the preparations were on for 2011!

Teyba Erkesso ran a superb 2:23:53, her personal best and the Chevron Houston women's marathon best, for the third course record of the day!
Photo by Photorun.net.

Chevron Houston Photo Gallery, courtesy of Chuck Bartlett, RunningNetwork.com, Photos courtesy of Photorun.net (Victah Sailer, Lisa Coniglio).

Besides being the fastest races of 2010, the 2010 version of the Chevron Houston Marathon/Aramco Houston Half Marathon has catapulted the events from strong top ten to one of the top five marathons in the United States. From the 5k, the half marathon, the marathon, the expo, all play parts in making this a world class event. Anyone involved in the 38th running of the Chevron Houston Marathon weekend should be proud! So, take a run, and while your re hydrating, check out the RN photo gallery for some inspiration!

For twenty-four views of the world of running, please check out www.runningnetwork.com

Haile in -real,Berlin, September 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Last weekend, driving to a restaurant in Houston, our driver, Barek, asked me if Haile Gebrselassie was the best distance runner in the world, EVER? It was quite funny. I had mentioned Usain Bolt, then, when I mentioned Haile, the young man, raised in Ethiopia, knew all about the Emperor. We agreed on his greatest race-the 2000 Olympic Sydney 10,000 meter race, where the difference between Gebrselassie and Tergat was smaller than the difference between the gold and the silver medalists in the 100 meters!

And now, you get to see him run in New York once again!

Haile Gebrselassie and his manager, Jos Hermans, near the Burj Kalifa, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.

So, what does the WR holder in the marathon do after a press conference in Dubai? Well, of course, if he is with Victah Sailer, world famous sport photographer, he joins the CEO of Dubai Holdings, the company sponsoring the $ 1 million WR bonus, and visits the Burj Kalifa, the world's tallest building! Please read Victah's observations below:

Haile Gebrselassie at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon press conference, January 20, 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.

On Friday, January 22, 2010, Haile Gebrselassie, the world record holder in the men's marathon, a man who holds twenty-four-to twenty-six world records (or has held them), will line up at the start of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. Haile has told the media that his training has been " perfect". Now, comes the tough part-running 26. 2 miles at just a smidge under four minutes and 43 seconds per mile to set a new record.

Our roving marathon troubadour, Pat Butcher, the global runner, sent us this piece on the Dubai press conference:

Haile Gebrselassie wins Dubai Marathon for the third time!, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Haile Gebrselassie, the world record holder in the marathon, Olympic gold medalist at 10,000 meters, World Champion gold, silver and bronze medalist at 10,000 meters, breaker of twenty-four world records, has won another one! The little Emperor won the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon for the third time in 2:06:09.

The problem is Haile. He spoils us. He makes a 2:06 marathon look like child's play, even in the high humidity of Dubai! More details to come!

For more on the sport of running, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.com

Maritu Daska of Ethiopia wins Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Maritu Deska ran 2:24:19 to win the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon earlier today, Friday, January 22, 2010. She worked hard for her money, all $250,000 of it. We have proof of that in a picture, that we will show, below the fold, shall we say, in order not to upset any delicate stomachs. Maritu got sick at the finish line. As it is part of the story, and not something to sensationalize, we are trying to warn you about the photo, shown below:

Jenny Barringer, Team New Balance, photo courtesy of New Balance communications.

Jenny Barringer has been the most sought after American collegiate distance runner in some time. An NCAA champion times over, a world class runner at 1,500 meters, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, and the AR in the steeplechase, Jenny is a rarefied athlete. After she choose New Balance, she called the other companies who bid and thanked their representatives for their interest in her. That response, confirmed by various brands, just showed Barringer as a class act.

Ivan Ukhov, August 2009, photo from PhotoRun.net.

Sergio Sanchez has run a world leading 4:52.90 at 2,000 meters, the new European all time indoor best, and third, world list behind Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie. Ivan Ukhov cleared 2.37m for the high jump, with good attempts at 2.41m! Other big news is the word that Sir Sebastian Coe is considering running for IAAF President in 2011, to replace Lamine Diack.....more to come on that one!

Jenny Barringer in New Balance jacket, New Balance Games, January 23, 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net

Jenny Barringer had an excellent week. Probably, an exahusting week as well. After making the decision to sign with New Balance last weekend, Jenny sent notes to the companies that made offers, to thank them for their interest. On Saturday, Jenny visited the New Balance Games, and was introduced to the young athletes, and announcer Ian Brooks invited her to compete next year in the New Balance Games! Ms. Barringer was able to see some great world leading performances at the NB Games on Saturday!

Honda Los Angeles Marathon 2010 logo

Congrats to American Honda Motor Company and the LA Marathon LLC for giving us another example of how strong a part a marathon can play in a community! American Honda Motor Company had the foresight to see the value in an event, in it's 25th incarnation, and how involvement with such an event can give a brand the goodwill of, quite frankly, its target audience!

Haile Gebrselassie, January 22, 2010, Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net.
Here is Pat Butcher's eye witness recollections of the 2010 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.....but, think about it, Haile runs a 2:06 marathon with a sore back? Each performance makes the little Emperor seem even less of a mortal...

K-SWISS has signed with Honda LA Marathon to be presenting sponsor! Another example of how strong the sport is, but how positive the changes instituted in the marathon by Russ Pillar and Peter Abraham. Change in big cities comes hard, yet, the Honda LA Marathon has changed its date, redone its course and use modern communications quite effectively to encourage runners to participate!

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.

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....

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!

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.

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:

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

It was only a month ago, when I asked Steve Karpas if he thought that Houston would get one or both of the Trials. " Oh, I am hoping for one, there are some tough candidates." noted Steve Karpas, managing director of the Chevron Marathon. I also asked Doug Logan that weekend for his thoughts. Logan, CEO of USA Track & Field, noted that their bid was robust and very aggressive. Logan noted, also, the he liked the aggressive proposal from Houston.

Well, be careful what you wish for!

It is obvious that Doug Logan, CEO of USA Track & Field, believes in bold and aggressive moves. The behind the scenes story, as described in Race Results Weekly, and retold by Alfons Juck below, shows a man looking for a different path for the sport.

Special thanks to Chuck Bartlett, who produces the Running Network photo galleries, and special thanks to PhotoRun.net for their photos! This is from last weekend's Tokyo Marathon! 40,000 runners picked from 260,000 lottery participants!

Lui Xiang ran 7.79, a conservative race, in his first round in the 60 meter hurdles, photo by PhotoRun.net.