• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home IAAF

Aviva London Grand Prix: My Picks for Best races, by Larry Eder

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
July 24, 2009
0
0 0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Aviva London Grand Prix is an example of innovation and the need in our sport, to constantly evolve. In 2008, the meeting, a fixture on the UK circuit since 1999, was moved to a two day format. It was so wildly successful that the format was kept for 2009, a year where many of the top clashes will give the sporting public their last glimpse of elite athletes before the World Championships in Berlin, only three weeks away!
As a track publisher, blogger and fan, seeing Dayron Robles, the great Cuban hurdler and 2008 gold medalist, in the lobby, talking with his coach and agent, seeing Blanka Vlasic, the great high jumper and World Champion, speaking to Kerron Clement, the defending world champion in the 400 meter intermediate hurdles, are what bring excitement to the event.
Vlasic_Blanka-OlyGames08.JPG
Blanka Vlasic, jumping in Beijing, August 2008, photo by Photorun.net.
The two day format will be interesting this year as well for the importance of the 4 x 100 meter relays for many of the countries. The US has their sprinters here, as does Jamaica, Canada and many others….
RBR will cover the meet, event by event, with a synopsis after the meet, plus we will do live updates via twitter ( easy to sign up, go to twitter.com, and follow runblogrun, it is that simple).
Congrats on the team from UK athletics, Fast Track and the BBC for putting on such a tremendous meet! And do not forget to watch the meet LIVE on Universal NBC! Also a warm thanks to Aviva, McCain, adidas, and the other sponsors of the Aviva London Grand Prix. Supporting athletics in this time is a smart branding strategy, and without our major sponsors, the sport, at this level, would not exist.
I am finishing up with some of my favorite events for the weekend:


One of the greatest sports stories of 2009 should be the resurrection of Dwight Phillips as the pre eminent long jumper in the world. Dwight, working with his agent, Paul Doyle, and now Loren Seagrave, has the longest jump in the world-28-7 1/2, or 8.74m, since Mike Powell did his world record jump in 1991! Phillips has followed that up with defeating Irving Saldino, the Panamanian long jumper who has won both Osaka and Beijing. Watch Phillips this weekend!
Phillips_Dwight1-Pre09.jpg
Dwight Phillips with his big jump at the Nike Pre Classic, June 7, 2009, by Photorun.net.
The men’s 5,000 meters features Mo Farah, the UK’s top male long distance runner. His season has gone well, but this race is the tough one. Mo is trying to break the 13:00.4 record of one David Moorcroft, who set this British record way back in 1982, when he broke Henry Rono’s then world record! The field is good and the weather should be about perfect. To see the amazing story of Moorcroft’s great race, make sure you watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShFi3Ika9-M. Better yet, get Bud Greenspan’s seminal, Sixteen Days of Glory and see the entire celebration of the 2004 Olympics.
The men’s mile is part of a great tradition in England. The Elmsley Carr Mile has featured some of the great milers of the past fifty years. There is a very special book
where the entrants sign their names on the left page, and the winner signs his name on the right page. The Carr family has supported the award for many years, and heads up to Ian Stewart, UK endurance director, and Aviva series meet manager, who has worked very hard to keep the Carr mile, one of the great traditions in UK athletics, popular.
An early winner, Gordon Pirie, signed his name on the left, and then, before the race, signed his name on the right hand side as well! Ian Stewart won the race once, his brother, Peter, won the race twice, and so have most of Great Britian’s great ones (with the exception of Steve Cram).
Lagat_BernardFV1_Pre09.jpg
Lagat winning the 3,000 meters, Nike Pre Classic, June 7, 2009, courtesy of PhotoRunnet.
The sprints should both be fascinating. Tyson Gay is reported to have a tender hamstring, noted as being slight. It should be interested to see how he runs, how well he races over 200 meters. Remember, that Gay has run 9.77 with a legal wind and 19.58 for 200 meters. Usain Bolt has run well this season, blowing away his competition, even with slow starts!
The women’s 5,000 meters will tell us one major thing-is Tirunesh Dibaba ready to defend her Osaka titles? She ran in the Rbk Grand Prix, obviously not in shape, but has not raced since then. This will be a critical chance to see her fitness.
The story that will not go away is the Usain Bolt story. He is a global icon, and young people all over the world want to meet him. On my flight over from Chicago to Munich, Lufthansa showed Bolt racing his 9.79, jogging with young kids and doing several interviews for the Aviva Meet. Consider this; three of the top four most watched sporting events in 2008 were the Olympic opening ceremony, Olympic closing ceremony and Usain Bolt running! The global audience is there. Berlin should benefit from that, as has every meet that Bolt has graced this summer with his presence.
Bolt%2C%20200WRBeij08.jpg

Usain Bolt, 200 meters, August 2008, Beijing, courtesy of Photorun.net.

There will be many more stories that we will observe and write about over the weekend. Thanks for joining me in my travels and watch for some comments this evening live on runblogrun.com and twitter.com. Should be after eleven in the morning in the Midwest.
For more on our sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com

RelatedPosts

The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

Coffee With Larry, New Balance Indoor Grand Prix delivered, A week until Millrose Indoor and Dubai marathon!

Coffee With Larry, New Balance Indoor Grand Prix finds a new home, THE TRACK at newbalance!

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

Aviva London Grand Prix, Friday & Saturday, by Walt Murphy, Note by Larry Eder

Next Post

Bolt 9.92, Farah 13:09.14, Cantwell, 21.82m-on one foot!, Aviva London Grand Prix, Day One Results, and short deep thoughts, by Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Jazmin Sawyers’ weekend
Interviews

Jazmin Sawyers’ weekend

February 8, 2023
KURGAT, BOR TO LEAD TEAM USATF AT WORLD ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Cross Country

KURGAT, BOR TO LEAD TEAM USATF AT WORLD ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 8, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Millrose Games Presser on Feb. 9, here’s our questions….
News

Coffee With Larry, Millrose Games Presser on Feb. 9, here’s our questions….

February 7, 2023
2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week Six, Day two, Tuesday is for fartlek
Winter Training

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week Six, Day two, Tuesday is for fartlek

February 7, 2023
Morgan Lake clears 1.99 meters for British High Jump NR!
British Athletics

Morgan Lake clears 1.99 meters for British High Jump NR!

February 7, 2023
2022 USATF Outdoor Champs: Melissa Jefferson takes the Women’s 100m title in windy 10.69!
Athletes

The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

February 8, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022
Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

October 14, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

3
Jazmin Sawyers’ weekend

Jazmin Sawyers’ weekend

February 8, 2023
KURGAT, BOR TO LEAD TEAM USATF AT WORLD ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

KURGAT, BOR TO LEAD TEAM USATF AT WORLD ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 8, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Millrose Games Presser on Feb. 9, here’s our questions….

Coffee With Larry, Millrose Games Presser on Feb. 9, here’s our questions….

February 7, 2023
2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week Six, Day two, Tuesday is for fartlek

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week Six, Day two, Tuesday is for fartlek

February 7, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • (RBR Archives) Coaching 101: Warm Up & Cool Down for the Jumps, by Roy Stevenson, note by Larry Eder

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
24m

Jazmin Sawyer's most excellent weekend, https://bit.ly/3x67aZu , by Stuart Weir
#longjump, #jazminsawyers, @PUREAthletics, @adidasrunning, @lancebrauman, @stuartweir,

Reply on Twitter 1623203467396276225 Retweet on Twitter 1623203467396276225 Like on Twitter 1623203467396276225 Twitter 1623203467396276225
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
1h

Kurgat, Bor to lead Team USATF at World Athletics Cross Country Championships,
https://bit.ly/3JM3L9T , photo by Race Results Weekly, used with permission, #WorldCrossCountry
, #USATF, ...#Worldathletics
,

Reply on Twitter 1623188085490999296 Retweet on Twitter 1623188085490999296 Like on Twitter 1623188085490999296 1 Twitter 1623188085490999296
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
2h

The curious case of Sha'Carri Richardson, How can the sprinter turn around her career?
https://bit.ly/3YruQTY , by Deji Ogeyingbo, #usatf, #worldathletics, @deji_oges,

Reply on Twitter 1623185279195521024 Retweet on Twitter 1623185279195521024 Like on Twitter 1623185279195521024 1 Twitter 1623185279195521024
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
2h

Women's 1,500 meters, 2023 Lilac Grand Prix, THE PODIUM, Spokane, WA, January 27, 2023, photo by How Lao Photography, #lilacgrandprix, #worldindoortour, #worldathletics, #UnionAthleticsClub,

Reply on Twitter 1623181356690989057 Retweet on Twitter 1623181356690989057 Like on Twitter 1623181356690989057 1 Twitter 1623181356690989057
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
2h

Women's 1,500 meters, 2023 Lilac Grand Prix, THE PODIUM, Spokane, WA, January 27, 2023, photo by How Lao Photography, #lilacgrandprix, #worldindoortour, #worldathletics, #UnionAthleticsClub,

Reply on Twitter 1623179609301983233 Retweet on Twitter 1623179609301983233 Like on Twitter 1623179609301983233 2 Twitter 1623179609301983233
Load More...
Next Post

Bolt 9.92, Farah 13:09.14, Cantwell, 21.82m-on one foot!, Aviva London Grand Prix, Day One Results, and short deep thoughts, by Larry Eder

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist