Sixty Minutes, the program that invented investigative journalism and TV magazine genre did an amazing piece on Shalane Flanagan. A well done, well produced segment that does not belittle nor dumb down our sport, CBS should be commended.
Shalane Flanagan comes off as she is: an amazing women athlete who has moved up from the 10,000 meters, where she was the Beijing bronze medalist and AR holder to the marathon. Jerry Schumacher, who is shown for the first time in my memory without a hat, explains some of the challenges of racing the marathon. Shalane’s father, Steve Flanagan, a top runner himself gives the audience some of the tactics involved in the race.
Add to that the voice of Boston, Tom Grilk, BAA executive director, and you see a fine piece adding to the sport and respecting the traditions of Boston. A fine job by Anderson Cooper and his producer!
The segment, where Anderson Cooper runs a lap at marathon pace for Shalane Flanagan is priceless: it gets across how rarified that Shalane Flanagan truly is: a road warrior focused on doing her best in Boston, and, with some luck, winning the race!
We wish Shalane Flanagan luck!
