by Larry EderThree weeks of global marathons, and now the relay season is in full with Drake and Penn this coming weekend. The world class stars are just beginning their seasons as the road to Beijing is long and arduous.
B of A Chicago Marathon has sold out for its 2008 version on Oct. 12. With Nike and Bank of America on board, Cary Pinkowski and Mike Nishi have two major sponsor changes, and they have been all smiles at the spring events. We look forward to seeing the 2008 version of this race.
A marathon of a different color, the Nike Women’s marathon will be held October 19 in San Francisco and it is an event to witness. I went last year and was impressed by the variety of women runners, from serious to non-serious, from veterans to rubes, it was all there and the event was a celebration of women’s running.
Watching Alyson Felix run the 4 x 100 meters and the 4 x 400 meters is a singular treat. This women is the best at her game in the world, and when she decides to focus at 400 meters, I want to have a front seat. Sanya Richards and Felix, I hope are on the same 4 x 400 meter relay team!
Kudos to Ana Guevara who has retired and is taking a job in Mexico City to help develop opportunities for Mexican athletes to be coached and to have training facilities! We will try and interview her for Latinos Corriendo, our spanish language title.
EME NEWS (APR 24, 2008)
ALL STARS FOR RELAYS, POWELL NOT SURE, FELIX IN BOTH RELAYS
PHILADELPHIA (USA): Most of the US top sprinters who are also world´s elite will compete during the weekend at Penn Relays. Names like Tyson Gay, Allyson Felix, Jeremy Wariner, Sanya Richards and Lauryn Williams, will be part of Saturday´s USA vs. The World, informs USATF website. Jamaica will also present strong relay teams. The appearance of world record holder Asafa Powell is not confirmed yet after his injury problems before MtSAC. Allyson Felix is scheduled to appear in both relays (4×100 m and 4×400 m).
REGISTRATION CLOSED FOR CHICAGO
CHICAGO (USA): Bank of America announced that registration for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has closed as 45,000 runners have signed on to complete the race, marking the event’s established capacity. A limited number of entries are still available through affiliated charities and tour groups. Information by the organizers. Since first year of Chicago Marathon in 1977 with 4,200 registered participants, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has grown to a field of 45,000 runners attracting 1.5 million spectators and generating more than $10.5 million for charity in 2007. The race will begin at 8 am on Sunday October 12.
MILES AND HOLLIS 571 cm
DES MOINES (USA): Derek Miles won the pre Drake Relays Pole Vault competition at the Jordan Creek Town Center Wednesday night before 2000 shoppers. The Olympic finalist 2004 cleared 571 cm and beat improved Mark Hollis who also went over 571 but on third attempt. American indoor and outdoor record holder Jeff Hartwig placed third at 561, the same height for fourth Jacob Pauli, fifth Jeremy Scott achieved 550.
STUCZYNSKI FOR MODESTO
MODESTO (USA): American record holder Jenn Stuczynski is confirmed to compete on May 10th at the California Relays in Modesto. In 2007 Jenn Stuczynski became the first American woman to clear 16 feet (488 m) in the pole vault. She is the 2008 World Indoor Silver Medalist. Others vaulters scheduled to compete at MJC in Modesto include, 2004 Olympian, Jillian Schwartz who has an outdoor personal best of 461 and NCAA Record holder, Chelsea Johnson who has a best of 460.
EA COUNCIL IN ITALY
TORINO (ITA): The European Athletics Council will meet for the 119th time in Torino this weekend, less than 10 months before the Italian winter Olympic city hosts the 30th European Athletics Indoor Championships in March 2009. Among the many items on the agenda over the three days of intense activity will be the discussion and final agreement on the European Athletics Communications Strategy along with reports from the recent meetings of the Competition, Development, Athletes and Medical & Anti Doping Committees. The Council Meeting will also be attended by IAAF General Secretary Pierre Weiss.
THORKILDSEN TO START IN DOHA
OSLO (NOR): Reigning Olympic winner in Javelin Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway will start his season on May 9 in Doha at Qatar Grand Prix. After that the Osaka silver holder will concentrate on AF Golden League and plans to compete in Berlin and at his home meet Bislett Games in Oslo. Before Olympic Games he should compete apart of the Golden series only at European Cup and National Championships.
BELGIAN STARS IN HENGELO
HENGELO (NED): The top Dutch one-day fixture FBK Games of Hengelo (planned for May 24) announced the participation of best two Belgian athletes, in both cases reigning European Champions. The 100 m sprint will see Kim Gevaert running and in High Jump Tia Hellebaut is going to compete. The latter won world indoors Pentathlon this year, but then changed her plans for combined events outing early in the summer. She will fully concentrate on jumping as her plan to compete in Hengelo shows.
OHURUOUGU FOR MEMORIAL EVENT IN OSTRAVA
OSTRAVA (CZE): Latest top name signed for 47th IAAF Grand Prix Golden Spike of Ostrava on June 12 is the British 400 m world champion Christine Ohuruogu (49.61 from last year win in Osaka). The race will be held in Ostrava after four years and will be organized as Jan Slanina Memorial, the late coach of Tatjana Kocembova-Slaninova who is still the meet record holder with 49.67 from 1983. Also in the field will be US 4×400 m world champion Natasha Hastings with 49.84 best. She is also World Junior Champion 2004.
GUEVARA TO WORK FOR THE CITY
MEXICO CITY (MEX): Mexican media are informing that in January retired former world 400 m champion Ana Guevara will start a job as sports and recreation coordinator for Mexico City’s government. She ruled out the possibility to return to competitions. Guevara said her frustration with Mexican athletics led her to take on the new job, where she will head the new Healthy Life project aimed at getting busy capital residents involved in sports. The program will try to create more public spaces for athletics, better-trained city coaches and improved equipment.
CORRECTION
ADDIS ABABA (ETH): Long distance runner Cuthbert Nyasango is not from Zambia, but from Zimbabwe.
RESULTS
FORMIA (ITA, Apr 22): Italian discus thrower Hannes Kirchler achieved at local meet good 62.52 m.
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