Ahh, the immortal words of Smash Mouth...
So I never got around to writing up last week, and here we are on Wednesday and I still haven't written up this past week. Darn not having a computer.
Quick highlights from the previous weekend:
Charles Street 12 Miler wasn't a complete debacle. Actually heard pretty favorable things about it, including the post-race celebree. But, people - complaining that it had too many hills (as in UP, because the net elevation was ridic), it's like AYFKM??
4 dudes in the top 8, Meg McNew got a big win, pretty cool.
The next day was the Falmouth Road Race. Ed Aramayo applied last year, didn't get in, so was guaranteed this year. When many others attempted this year, they didn't get in. So Ed went up and scooped up Ashley Campbell on the way. Ed ran better than expected, although is sour because they apparently are crediting his gun time and chip time as the same - and he says he started way, way back.
Meg McNew earned that week's Purple Drink Athlete of the Week.
Then it was onto this past weekend. Bunch of so-so performances on Wednesday's BRRC Summer Meet (last of the summer) and they held a 3000m not a 5000m. Poor form, BRRC!
Some names in the results though that don't often appear, like Terry Decker, who drove all the way down to Luray by his lonesome to do the International Triathlon. Hasn't been swimming so that was pretty slow, but he had a strong ride and then a really good run! Under 40min for the 10k on a tough course.
Sara Damiano ran the Washington Crossing 15k in Bucks County, PA, finishing in 1:11:34 - about a minute faster than last year - so she's coming along nicely! And Dan Miranda went out and got his 2014 Boston Qualifier taken care of by running 3:01 at the Chasing the Unicorn Marathon the next day.
Matt Franco tried to cherry pick a win and some $ at the FEED Annapolis 5 Miler, ultimately finishing 3rd in a time (27:38) that was faster than his college XC personal best so he was pretty pleased. Tim Burns ran the Dog Days 5M up in LBI, finishing 3rd in 27:55. Great job guys!
Ben and Kendra Ingram were in Steamboat Springs, CO, for the Olympic distance triathlon there and both crushed! It was Kendra's 1st attempt at the distance and Ben finished 21st overall, breaking 2:10.
Terry was our PDAW this week.
The big event last week, though, was the IAAF World Championships of Track and Field. While attendance seemed about as lacking as Tom Hammond's ability to properly identify the finish line, I was psyched to have 10 days of track to watch. Here's some of my thoughts:
A lot of people were ragging on Mary Cain's tactics (or lack thereof) throughout the 3 rounds of the race. Once again, let's remember, she's freaking 17 years old. She had no shot at winning, and to think otherwise is completely unrealistic. Yes, I understand that technically anybody who qualifies for the WC, and particularly those who make the final, are capable of winning - but it wasn't going to happen. So people need to back off and let this young lady progress. She ran 3 of her fastest times ever at the distance in a style of racing that doesn't often see times even close to PRs. That's hard. She handled it well and is going to accomplish great things.
More significantly, most people glanced over Ajee Wilson. I know she's a couple of years older and eschewed college in favor of racing professionally, but she ran 3 remarkable rounds of the 800m to finish in a new PB (and near US Junior Record) in the final. Positions 3-6 were separated by a scant 0.30 seconds in the final. She's from Neptune (NJ) so I have to give her props. She may not have the range of Mary Cain, but I could see her owning this event as she is young.
Of course I have to shout out my close, personal friend Brenda Martinez. To toot my own horn, and Ed can confirm, but I said last year when I saw her crush at the Millrose Games that she was going to be the IT runner in the not-so-distant future. This year she has PR'd in the 800m, 1500m, and 5000m and raced a ton. I legitimately believed she would win the 800m, and while she narrowly medaled (3rd, only because Montano faded so hard and in her fatigue moved out of lane 1, leaving it open for BMart) I think this was a great race for her. Last place at the 100m but runs the fastest last 100m.
Matt Centrowitz is a stud. Think about it. Took bronze in the 1500m in 2011 at Daegu which, at the time, was a pretty big deal. By his (and our) now lofty standards didn't have a great Olympics, but what did he finish, 4th? Oh, and he had surgery in the spring that set him back months. The fact he even made the final last year was amazing. This year he improves one spot, and in a real deal race. There are championship runners, and he is one of them.
Nick Symmonds ran the best race of his life to earn silver in the 800m. He has outgrown his sit-and-kick self where he'd float way off the back for 3/4 of the race and then just try and run 200m fast. Instead he capitalized on Duane Solomon's front-running strategy and pulled up alongside him at 400m, blocking the rest of the field. He then went into his kick and seriously looked like he could pull it off, but it was obvious that Aman was just faster. Duane Solomon looked untouchable in the rounds but I think he ran them too fast. He'll learn.
Jenny Simpson ran an incredible 1500m and it's great to see her back to form. Aregawi wasn't going to be beat, but Simpson tried her damndest. Do you know how hard it is to lead for most of the race, get passed, fight to keep up, get dropped, and then still unleash a kick that if she had another 109 meters she would have won? Major props to Simpson.
It was good to see a return to some 400m "dominance" and nice that we at least broke up the Jamaican medal sweep with some podium finishers in the 100m and 200m events (men's and women's). Very sad to see Allyson Felix go down and miss the opportunity to compete for the win in the 200m.
And even though he's not American, what can you say about Mo Farah? Not surprisingly, he won the 10,000m. Somewhat surprisingly, it didn't look that easy. He then had to face, yet again, a whole new field of (fresh) opponents in the 5000m. I don't understand the tactics of other competitors. Mo has proven, time and time again, that he can (and will) beat you by running faster than you can over the last 800m. If he is in the lead with a lap to go, he will not let you go by him. Why chance that? I've seen the Kenyan and Ethiopian contingent all run under 13 minutes in the last 12 months. Some of them have PBs that are 9 seconds faster than Mo's. Just treat it like an invite, not a championship. Otherwise he's going to keep beating you. To me that says you fear him, and you don't believe you can win.
Showing posts with label Brenda Martinez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brenda Martinez. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Stacking Money to the Ceiling
It's been a few weeks since I updated anything on here. Actually, more like a month. I originally wanted to put more thoughts up about the Olympics. Then I got caught up in my media blackout and was too tired at the end of the nights to write anything. Recently, I just haven't had anything to say.
But that's not to say there weren't some impressive results from you guys this August.
The BRRC wrapped up its season with its final two summer track meets. In Meet #3, miscommunication caused some frustration, but in the end we all got to run 5000m, with Dusty and Nate taking turns at the front. Dusty took the win in 15:51, a great time for a random Wednesday night, and Nate wasn't far back. One of the great performances from that night was Andy Thivierge's 4:35.8 in the 1500m, easily under 5 for the mile with the conversion. In the summer finale, he wasn't able to improve on that, though, and ran a par-for-Andy 5:01.97 in the mile.
Some of our August race winners included Bryn Burkholder (Sneaks Come Out at Night 15k), Christa Wagner (Founder's Day 5k), and Dan Miranda (Lums Pond Sprint Duathlon).
The Annapolis 10 Miler is always a big event, one that I have done - and have suffered in - due to its combination of humidity and hills. Last year's event was canceled on account of a hurricane that never materialized. This year, well, the hurricane was just a year late. Thunder, lightning, monsoon-rain were the conditions for the race, but that didn't stop Dan Miranda from putting down a very fast 57:19. Jackie Truncellito was 4th in 1:05:17, and Justin Gerbereux made his return to racing, running 1:06:13.
In the triathlon world, few have had more consistent results than Alyssa Godesky, who twice finished on the podium at REV3 events, both half iron distance, separated by just two weeks. Her 4:59:27 got her 2nd, and a new distance PR, at REV3 Dells in Wisconsin, and two weeks later she managed to take 7 minutes out of that already impressive time, dropping a 4:52:09 for 3rd. In each race she's run a 1:35 half marathon off the bike, which is great news for the Ironman World Championships. David Lee had a breakthrough race at Ironman Canada, where he put together a complete race, including a 4:02 negative split marathon to finish at 10:46:39. David has put in an immense amount of work since June's IM Coeur d'Alene to prepare for this one, and it paid off.
And now we're basically caught up to real time, of course I skimmed the results, but you can see them in the spreadsheet if you're so inclined.
Over the humid, rainy Labor Day weekend, Megan DiGregorio won the Knights of Columbus 10k on Saturday in 40:38, then finished 2nd to Jackie Truncellito on Sunday in the NCR 20 Miler. In the 20 Miler, Patrick O'Rourke finished 6th in 2:09:11, and Marci Benda and Bryn Burkholder ran 2:33 and 2:35, respectively.
This upcoming weekend is a big one for Ben Ingram, who will toe the line, or tread the water, in his first Ironman (Wisconsin).
This week our Purple Drink Athlete of the Week went to Bryn Burkholder, and in the previous two weeks it went to David Lee (IM Canada) and Dean Jagusch (Church Creek Time Trial). Prior to that they were Olympics-oriented, and the recipients were Allyson Felix, Galen Rupp, and swimmer Dana Vollmer.
In other news, Maggie Vessey is still racing late into this season, winning the 800m the other day in Zagreb, just ahead of Brenda Martinez.
But that's not to say there weren't some impressive results from you guys this August.
The BRRC wrapped up its season with its final two summer track meets. In Meet #3, miscommunication caused some frustration, but in the end we all got to run 5000m, with Dusty and Nate taking turns at the front. Dusty took the win in 15:51, a great time for a random Wednesday night, and Nate wasn't far back. One of the great performances from that night was Andy Thivierge's 4:35.8 in the 1500m, easily under 5 for the mile with the conversion. In the summer finale, he wasn't able to improve on that, though, and ran a par-for-Andy 5:01.97 in the mile.
Some of our August race winners included Bryn Burkholder (Sneaks Come Out at Night 15k), Christa Wagner (Founder's Day 5k), and Dan Miranda (Lums Pond Sprint Duathlon).
The Annapolis 10 Miler is always a big event, one that I have done - and have suffered in - due to its combination of humidity and hills. Last year's event was canceled on account of a hurricane that never materialized. This year, well, the hurricane was just a year late. Thunder, lightning, monsoon-rain were the conditions for the race, but that didn't stop Dan Miranda from putting down a very fast 57:19. Jackie Truncellito was 4th in 1:05:17, and Justin Gerbereux made his return to racing, running 1:06:13.
In the triathlon world, few have had more consistent results than Alyssa Godesky, who twice finished on the podium at REV3 events, both half iron distance, separated by just two weeks. Her 4:59:27 got her 2nd, and a new distance PR, at REV3 Dells in Wisconsin, and two weeks later she managed to take 7 minutes out of that already impressive time, dropping a 4:52:09 for 3rd. In each race she's run a 1:35 half marathon off the bike, which is great news for the Ironman World Championships. David Lee had a breakthrough race at Ironman Canada, where he put together a complete race, including a 4:02 negative split marathon to finish at 10:46:39. David has put in an immense amount of work since June's IM Coeur d'Alene to prepare for this one, and it paid off.
And now we're basically caught up to real time, of course I skimmed the results, but you can see them in the spreadsheet if you're so inclined.
Over the humid, rainy Labor Day weekend, Megan DiGregorio won the Knights of Columbus 10k on Saturday in 40:38, then finished 2nd to Jackie Truncellito on Sunday in the NCR 20 Miler. In the 20 Miler, Patrick O'Rourke finished 6th in 2:09:11, and Marci Benda and Bryn Burkholder ran 2:33 and 2:35, respectively.
This upcoming weekend is a big one for Ben Ingram, who will toe the line, or tread the water, in his first Ironman (Wisconsin).
This week our Purple Drink Athlete of the Week went to Bryn Burkholder, and in the previous two weeks it went to David Lee (IM Canada) and Dean Jagusch (Church Creek Time Trial). Prior to that they were Olympics-oriented, and the recipients were Allyson Felix, Galen Rupp, and swimmer Dana Vollmer.
In other news, Maggie Vessey is still racing late into this season, winning the 800m the other day in Zagreb, just ahead of Brenda Martinez.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Olympic Trials: 1500m Semifinals
While many of us were scratching our heads wondering why they would make a field of just 30 run three heats of the 1500m, it was supposed to mirror the Olympics schedule. Regardless, top 5 moved on in each heat and next two fastest times to Sunday's final.
Women's Heat #1
This was definitely the stacked heat, with 2011 World Champ Jenny Simpson and 2011's fastest runner, Morgan Uceny, toeing the line. Anna Pierce was in the mix, as was Brenda Martinez and NCAA Champ Katie Flood. Simpson didn't look great in the prelim, but looked very strong today and she and Uceny cruised. Uceny controlled the race from the gun and appeared to not have expended too much energy in the win. The first heat was a little quicker than the second, so Treniere Mosier and Brenda Martinez became the only two time qualifiers into the final.
Heat #1 results (usatf.org)
1 Morgan Uceny adidas 4:08.90 Q
2 Jenny Simpson New Balance 4:09.12 Q
3 Margaret Infeld N Y A C 4:09.38 Q
4 Anna Pierce Nike 4:09.51 Q
5 Nicole Schappert N Y A C 4:09.60 Q
6 Treniere Moser Nike 4:10.10 q
7 Brenda Martinez New Balance 4:10.73 q
8 Katie Flood Washington 4:11.38
9 Renee Tomlin Nike 4:11.39
10 Ashley Miller Nebraska 4:11.49
11 Greta Feldman Princeton 4:12.29
12 Karly Hamric RIADHA 4:12.52
Women's Heat #2
On paper it looked like it could be a race, with maybe less of a clear favorite (outside of Shannon Rowbury). Rowbury did notch the victory ahead of Gabriele Anderson, but there were a few notables who fell off the pace and will not be advancing to the finals: Alice Schmidt, who made the team in the 800, Phoebe Wright, who just missed the team in the 800, and crowd favorite, Jordan Hasay.
UPDATED: According to LetsRun.com, Gabriele Anderson has been disqualified as a result of some contact in the final lap. Consequently, Alice Schmidt is bumped to the 5th (and final) automatic qualifying spot and will start the final on Sunday. Anderson is expected to protest the disqualification.
1 Shannon Rowbury Nike 4:09.96 Q
2 Katherine Mackey Brooks 4:10.54 Q
3 Sara Vaughn Nike 4:10.57 Q
4 Sarah Bowman New Balance 4:10.65 Q
5 Alice Schmidt Nike 4:10.94 Q
6 Amy Mortimer Saucony 4:12.04
7 Kate Grace Oiselle / New Jersey New York 4:12.92
8 Phoebe Wright Nike 4:13.65
9 Heather Kampf Asics / Team USA Minnesota 4:14.03
10 Jordan Hasay Oregon 4:15.52
11 Melissa Salerno New Balance 4:16.33
DQ Gabriele Anderson Brooks / Team USA Minnesota
Men's Heat #1
3 guys in this heat had the A standard (3:35.50) - David Torrence, Russell Brown, and Andrew Wheating. Wheating has been inconsistent lately and did not run the 800m because he wasn't as confident in his speed for the shorter event. The pace was controlled (see: slow) until the bell, and somehow on the back stretch Wheating was towards the back of the pack. He managed to find some space and smoothly ran past most of the field, pumping his fist when he realized he would move onto the finals. Of course the big casualty was Russell Brown, who just looked out of it from the start and finished DFL.
Heat #1 results (usatf.org)
1 William Leer Nike 3:51.27 Q
2 Andrew Wheating Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:51.40 Q
3 David Torrence Nike 3:51.43 Q
4 Craig Miller New Balance 3:51.56 Q
5 John Mickowski Unattached 3:51.71 Q
6 Brian Gagnon New Jersey New York Track Club 3:51.86
7 Dorian Ulrey Nike 3:52.15
8 Liam Boylan-Pett New Jersey New York Track Club 3:52.18
9 Jack Bolas New Balance 3:52.47
10 Matthew Maldonado Long Beach State 3:52.95
11 John Jefferson Brooks 3:54.52
12 Russell Brown Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:58.85
Men's Heat #2
Heat #2 featured the 2011 World Bronze Medalist, Matt Centrowitz; Olympian Leo Manzano; and new threat Robby Andrews. Add to them three of the finalists at NCAA Championships, including the winner, Andy Bayer (who had a terrible run in the first round), and it was a tough heat. With a sub 60 second opening lap the pack was again not interested in gunning for the A standard. Just like he did in the NCAA meet, German Fernandez sat on the front for 2 laps before the rest of the field took up the pace. Meanwhile, Andrews was sitting on the back in last before trying to start to move up with 400m to go. Centrowitz looked pretty smooth as he ran in lane 2, and moved up to the lead with 300m to go. Manzano was running tiny stride for stride and the two began to accelerated with 200 left. Andrews pushed his way through to make sure he finished in the top 5, but it was Centrowitz and Manzano who finished 1-2 at 3:41.90 - 10 seconds faster than the first heat.
Heat #2 Results
1 Matthew Centrowitz Nike 3:41.90 Q
2 Leonel Manzano Nike 3:41.90 Q
3 Robby Andrews adidas 3:42.14 Q
4 Jeff See Saucony 3:42.16 Q
5 Miles Batty Asics 3:42.33 Q
6 Andrew Bayer Indiana University 3:42.56 q
7 Jordan McNamara Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:42.77 q
8 Daniel Clark Unattached 3:42.85
9 Garrett Heath Saucony 3:42.95
10 AJ Acosta Oregon 3:43.73
11 German Fernandez Unattached 3:43.78
12 Stephen Pifer Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:44.59
Women's Heat #1
This was definitely the stacked heat, with 2011 World Champ Jenny Simpson and 2011's fastest runner, Morgan Uceny, toeing the line. Anna Pierce was in the mix, as was Brenda Martinez and NCAA Champ Katie Flood. Simpson didn't look great in the prelim, but looked very strong today and she and Uceny cruised. Uceny controlled the race from the gun and appeared to not have expended too much energy in the win. The first heat was a little quicker than the second, so Treniere Mosier and Brenda Martinez became the only two time qualifiers into the final.
Heat #1 results (usatf.org)
1 Morgan Uceny adidas 4:08.90 Q
2 Jenny Simpson New Balance 4:09.12 Q
3 Margaret Infeld N Y A C 4:09.38 Q
4 Anna Pierce Nike 4:09.51 Q
5 Nicole Schappert N Y A C 4:09.60 Q
6 Treniere Moser Nike 4:10.10 q
7 Brenda Martinez New Balance 4:10.73 q
8 Katie Flood Washington 4:11.38
9 Renee Tomlin Nike 4:11.39
10 Ashley Miller Nebraska 4:11.49
11 Greta Feldman Princeton 4:12.29
12 Karly Hamric RIADHA 4:12.52
Women's Heat #2
On paper it looked like it could be a race, with maybe less of a clear favorite (outside of Shannon Rowbury). Rowbury did notch the victory ahead of Gabriele Anderson, but there were a few notables who fell off the pace and will not be advancing to the finals: Alice Schmidt, who made the team in the 800, Phoebe Wright, who just missed the team in the 800, and crowd favorite, Jordan Hasay.
UPDATED: According to LetsRun.com, Gabriele Anderson has been disqualified as a result of some contact in the final lap. Consequently, Alice Schmidt is bumped to the 5th (and final) automatic qualifying spot and will start the final on Sunday. Anderson is expected to protest the disqualification.
1 Shannon Rowbury Nike 4:09.96 Q
2 Katherine Mackey Brooks 4:10.54 Q
3 Sara Vaughn Nike 4:10.57 Q
4 Sarah Bowman New Balance 4:10.65 Q
5 Alice Schmidt Nike 4:10.94 Q
6 Amy Mortimer Saucony 4:12.04
7 Kate Grace Oiselle / New Jersey New York 4:12.92
8 Phoebe Wright Nike 4:13.65
9 Heather Kampf Asics / Team USA Minnesota 4:14.03
10 Jordan Hasay Oregon 4:15.52
11 Melissa Salerno New Balance 4:16.33
DQ Gabriele Anderson Brooks / Team USA Minnesota
Men's Heat #1
3 guys in this heat had the A standard (3:35.50) - David Torrence, Russell Brown, and Andrew Wheating. Wheating has been inconsistent lately and did not run the 800m because he wasn't as confident in his speed for the shorter event. The pace was controlled (see: slow) until the bell, and somehow on the back stretch Wheating was towards the back of the pack. He managed to find some space and smoothly ran past most of the field, pumping his fist when he realized he would move onto the finals. Of course the big casualty was Russell Brown, who just looked out of it from the start and finished DFL.
Heat #1 results (usatf.org)
1 William Leer Nike 3:51.27 Q
2 Andrew Wheating Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:51.40 Q
3 David Torrence Nike 3:51.43 Q
4 Craig Miller New Balance 3:51.56 Q
5 John Mickowski Unattached 3:51.71 Q
6 Brian Gagnon New Jersey New York Track Club 3:51.86
7 Dorian Ulrey Nike 3:52.15
8 Liam Boylan-Pett New Jersey New York Track Club 3:52.18
9 Jack Bolas New Balance 3:52.47
10 Matthew Maldonado Long Beach State 3:52.95
11 John Jefferson Brooks 3:54.52
12 Russell Brown Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:58.85
Men's Heat #2
Heat #2 featured the 2011 World Bronze Medalist, Matt Centrowitz; Olympian Leo Manzano; and new threat Robby Andrews. Add to them three of the finalists at NCAA Championships, including the winner, Andy Bayer (who had a terrible run in the first round), and it was a tough heat. With a sub 60 second opening lap the pack was again not interested in gunning for the A standard. Just like he did in the NCAA meet, German Fernandez sat on the front for 2 laps before the rest of the field took up the pace. Meanwhile, Andrews was sitting on the back in last before trying to start to move up with 400m to go. Centrowitz looked pretty smooth as he ran in lane 2, and moved up to the lead with 300m to go. Manzano was running tiny stride for stride and the two began to accelerated with 200 left. Andrews pushed his way through to make sure he finished in the top 5, but it was Centrowitz and Manzano who finished 1-2 at 3:41.90 - 10 seconds faster than the first heat.
Heat #2 Results
1 Matthew Centrowitz Nike 3:41.90 Q
2 Leonel Manzano Nike 3:41.90 Q
3 Robby Andrews adidas 3:42.14 Q
4 Jeff See Saucony 3:42.16 Q
5 Miles Batty Asics 3:42.33 Q
6 Andrew Bayer Indiana University 3:42.56 q
7 Jordan McNamara Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:42.77 q
8 Daniel Clark Unattached 3:42.85
9 Garrett Heath Saucony 3:42.95
10 AJ Acosta Oregon 3:43.73
11 German Fernandez Unattached 3:43.78
12 Stephen Pifer Nike / Oregon TC Elite 3:44.59
Monday, June 25, 2012
Olympic Trials: Women's 800m
Alysia Montano, Geena Gall, and Alice Schmidt Move Onto London
Maggie Vessey finishes last but first in attractiveness.Montano led wire-to-wire, running 1:59.06. Gall had a great last couple of meters, passing Phoebe Wright and holding off Alice Schmidt. Schmidt, who we recently interviewed on The Runaround, still needed the A standard time, and just got under it by 0.04 seconds.
1 Alysia Montano Nike 1:59.08
2 Geena Gall Nike / Oregon TC Elite 1:59.24
3 Alice Schmidt Nike 1:59.46
4 Molly Beckwith Saucony 1:59.685 Phoebe Wright Nike 1:59.72
6 Brenda Martinez New Balance 2:01.67
7 Heather Kampf Asics / Team USA Minnesota 2:02.86
8 Maggie Vessey New Balance 2:03.44
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Around the World
On Friday, Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia ran 2:04:23 to win the Dubai Marathon in his debut at the distance. He led an Ethiopian sweep of the podium, as four runners broke the 2:05:00 mark, with a remarkable 13 runners inside of 2 hours, 8 minutes. Ethiopians comprised all but one of the top 10 positions, as Kenyan Jonathan Maiyo slotted into 4th (2:04:56). Abshero negative split the race, running 2:02:22 for the first half, and covering the last 21.1km in 2:02:01. Interestingly, Martin Lel was in the race, was dropped before 30k, but finished, crossing the line in 2:34:57.
The women's race was a similar story: Ethiopian domination as 6 of the top 10 spots went to runners from the east African nation, including the winner, Aselefech Mergia Medessa. The defending champ, she set a Course Record, stopping the clock at 2:19:31, just 3 seconds ahead of Kenyan Lucy Kabuu. The top 3 women were all under 2:20:00, and 10 women broke 2:26.
Two things stand out from this race:
1. Considering how dominant Kenyans were last year at the marathon, this is an great result for Ethiopia early in the Olympic year.
2. It brings up the debate we had last April: what is it going to take to see women run fast times?
The answer to that question is: about a million dollars.
The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, held in the oil-rich UAE, features a huge purse ($250k top M/F, money 10 deep), and as such, can command a field of comparable quality. As they say in The Wire, "follow the money." But, as Brennan might say, "I hate when the money's there."
With that kind of payday on the line, the fact that a "21 year old" first-time marathoner was able to win is incredible. Setting a Course Record is even more impressive. This race is no stranger to quick times, Haile Gebrselassie won here in 2008, 2009, and 2010, running the previous CR (2:04:53) in 2008. He returned to Dubai to break the World Record, but could never match his 2008 result. In 2009 he ran 2:05:29, and in 2010 he ran 2:06:09. Only last year's champion, Kenya's David Tumo, was even close to Geb's 2010 time, running a 2:07:18. On Friday, 2:06:29 would have earned you 10th place. There were 13 runners under 2:08, and 17 under 2:10. Imagine running that fast and not getting paid? In all of America's running history, 17 men have run faster than 2:10. Incredible.
Not only is this a great boost for Ethiopian marathoners, but it sets 2012 up to be another banner year globally for the distance.
Americans Take Flight in Houston
I'm pretty sure the Kenyans and Ethiopians aren't too concerned with the US Marathon Trials, I doubt they watch much television, but both the men's and women's races in Houston served as notice that maybe they shouldn't be counted out just yet. While the times are not as eye-popping as the Dubai results, a few things should be considered:
1) This was a race comprised solely of Americans. 2 of the top 4 finishers ran PRs, and, for the first time ever, 4 men were under 2:10 at an Olympic Trials race. Not only that, but there were a number of superb marathon debuts in the field. Same for the women, PRs for a few (albeit, Shalane and Kara have together only run a couple of marathons) and a fast race.
2) It was a winner-takes-all event. You never really know the effect of tactics when you're fighting for a spot on a team, rather than just looking for a payday.
3) No rabbits!
4) The US is, I believe, the only country to host an Olympic Trials race for the marathon. The other countries generally choose their athletes based on performances or other qualifying criteria throughout the Olympic cycle. So at least 16 of the 19 Kenyans featured in the 2011 Top 20 times list will be sitting at home, and just because you can run 2:03, doesn't mean you will on one smoggy day in a late London summer.
Millrose Games, and the new Millrose Games
Indoor track fans - all 1,000 of them - were stunned last year when the Millrose Games announced that they were going to leave their home of the past century, Madison Square Garden, in favor of heading 120 blocks north to the Armory. Why would you take this great event out of the World's Most Famous Arena, only to move it to a venue that hosts literally dozens of meets each month, from high school to college, from alternative lifestyle meets to professional meets?
USATF then announced that they would no longer support the Millrose Games, and they were going to put on their own event. An all too familiar situation for meet organizers. USATF was going to hold the US Open at Madison Square Garden, so basically reincarnate the Millrose Games, but, you know, make it different. Even the announcers couldn't get used to it, because all they did was draw parallels to the former Millrose events, like the showcase Wanamaker Mile. I went to the Millrose Games a couple of times in high school, and it was cool, but was a little long in the tooth with all the heats of 4x400s. This meet seemed more streamlined, and it appeared to have a decent number of fans in the stands. Even if they had 5,000 in attendance, that's more than the Armory can even hold.
But the Armory likely stands to benefit from faster times. The short track, tight turns, and formerly wooden boards of the MSG track made Millrose notorious for slower times; for most athletes, the thrill was in getting to compete in the Garden. The Armory is built for speed, and with the depth of the field competing at the new Millrose Games, plus a few races in the legs, next weekend's event should be a good one. Of course, not all the athletes are psyched about the venue swap, as Bernard Lagat made his preference for the allure of Madison Square Garden known.
Perhaps my favorite post-race interview came from Women's Mile winner, Brenda Martinez. She won the NB Games mile the previous week at the Armory, and owned this one from early on, setting an indoor mile PR (4:34.xx). Afterwards, she was quick to thank the fans, and USATF, for their support in getting this meet going. Compared to other interviews with athletes being critical of their race, even after a WIN, this was a very polished remark from a relative unknown. She will earn herselves some sponsors for sure.
This Sunday, don't forget to set your DVRs for ESPN2 at 2pm for the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, from Boston. Forget about the Superbowl, we've got Track and Field!
The women's race was a similar story: Ethiopian domination as 6 of the top 10 spots went to runners from the east African nation, including the winner, Aselefech Mergia Medessa. The defending champ, she set a Course Record, stopping the clock at 2:19:31, just 3 seconds ahead of Kenyan Lucy Kabuu. The top 3 women were all under 2:20:00, and 10 women broke 2:26.
Two things stand out from this race:
1. Considering how dominant Kenyans were last year at the marathon, this is an great result for Ethiopia early in the Olympic year.
2. It brings up the debate we had last April: what is it going to take to see women run fast times?
The answer to that question is: about a million dollars.
The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, held in the oil-rich UAE, features a huge purse ($250k top M/F, money 10 deep), and as such, can command a field of comparable quality. As they say in The Wire, "follow the money." But, as Brennan might say, "I hate when the money's there."
With that kind of payday on the line, the fact that a "21 year old" first-time marathoner was able to win is incredible. Setting a Course Record is even more impressive. This race is no stranger to quick times, Haile Gebrselassie won here in 2008, 2009, and 2010, running the previous CR (2:04:53) in 2008. He returned to Dubai to break the World Record, but could never match his 2008 result. In 2009 he ran 2:05:29, and in 2010 he ran 2:06:09. Only last year's champion, Kenya's David Tumo, was even close to Geb's 2010 time, running a 2:07:18. On Friday, 2:06:29 would have earned you 10th place. There were 13 runners under 2:08, and 17 under 2:10. Imagine running that fast and not getting paid? In all of America's running history, 17 men have run faster than 2:10. Incredible.
Not only is this a great boost for Ethiopian marathoners, but it sets 2012 up to be another banner year globally for the distance.
Americans Take Flight in Houston
I'm pretty sure the Kenyans and Ethiopians aren't too concerned with the US Marathon Trials, I doubt they watch much television, but both the men's and women's races in Houston served as notice that maybe they shouldn't be counted out just yet. While the times are not as eye-popping as the Dubai results, a few things should be considered:
1) This was a race comprised solely of Americans. 2 of the top 4 finishers ran PRs, and, for the first time ever, 4 men were under 2:10 at an Olympic Trials race. Not only that, but there were a number of superb marathon debuts in the field. Same for the women, PRs for a few (albeit, Shalane and Kara have together only run a couple of marathons) and a fast race.
2) It was a winner-takes-all event. You never really know the effect of tactics when you're fighting for a spot on a team, rather than just looking for a payday.
3) No rabbits!
4) The US is, I believe, the only country to host an Olympic Trials race for the marathon. The other countries generally choose their athletes based on performances or other qualifying criteria throughout the Olympic cycle. So at least 16 of the 19 Kenyans featured in the 2011 Top 20 times list will be sitting at home, and just because you can run 2:03, doesn't mean you will on one smoggy day in a late London summer.
Millrose Games, and the new Millrose Games
Indoor track fans - all 1,000 of them - were stunned last year when the Millrose Games announced that they were going to leave their home of the past century, Madison Square Garden, in favor of heading 120 blocks north to the Armory. Why would you take this great event out of the World's Most Famous Arena, only to move it to a venue that hosts literally dozens of meets each month, from high school to college, from alternative lifestyle meets to professional meets?
USATF then announced that they would no longer support the Millrose Games, and they were going to put on their own event. An all too familiar situation for meet organizers. USATF was going to hold the US Open at Madison Square Garden, so basically reincarnate the Millrose Games, but, you know, make it different. Even the announcers couldn't get used to it, because all they did was draw parallels to the former Millrose events, like the showcase Wanamaker Mile. I went to the Millrose Games a couple of times in high school, and it was cool, but was a little long in the tooth with all the heats of 4x400s. This meet seemed more streamlined, and it appeared to have a decent number of fans in the stands. Even if they had 5,000 in attendance, that's more than the Armory can even hold.
But the Armory likely stands to benefit from faster times. The short track, tight turns, and formerly wooden boards of the MSG track made Millrose notorious for slower times; for most athletes, the thrill was in getting to compete in the Garden. The Armory is built for speed, and with the depth of the field competing at the new Millrose Games, plus a few races in the legs, next weekend's event should be a good one. Of course, not all the athletes are psyched about the venue swap, as Bernard Lagat made his preference for the allure of Madison Square Garden known.
Perhaps my favorite post-race interview came from Women's Mile winner, Brenda Martinez. She won the NB Games mile the previous week at the Armory, and owned this one from early on, setting an indoor mile PR (4:34.xx). Afterwards, she was quick to thank the fans, and USATF, for their support in getting this meet going. Compared to other interviews with athletes being critical of their race, even after a WIN, this was a very polished remark from a relative unknown. She will earn herselves some sponsors for sure.
This Sunday, don't forget to set your DVRs for ESPN2 at 2pm for the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, from Boston. Forget about the Superbowl, we've got Track and Field!
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