Runnerville

The future of running revealed. Tennis squabbles; is running listening? Haile hops back on the Olympic track. Tegenkamp responds to your questions. Listener comments. And from the Runner’s Digest archives, Fred Lebow, running’s greatest impresario, talks about the state of the sport . . . in 1982. That and more on the Toni & Matt Show.

The Big Story - The future of the sport stakes their claim, all in one weekend. Chanelle Price runs 2:02:90. Next up? Running with the big girls at Pre Classic. Does she have a shot to make the Olympic team? German Fernandez with one of the most impressive doubles in high school history - a 4:07 followed two hours later by a 8:45. And Christine Babcock doesn’t just break the 4:40 barrier; she buries it with a 4:36. These three athletes - and the many other talented prepsters - got next.

Make your voice heard. Call the comment line at 206-888-0346 and join the podcast.

Listener Comments: We read and respond to your comments. First, Shannon Rowbury’s high school coach from Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep responds to Toni’s Runnerville Weekly piece about Rowbury’s emergence on the world stage. He also shares with us this great article on Shannon. Second, regular commenter Felice sends us this article to make the point that running’s “in” with the media might be through print journalism. All athletes, race directors, and agents should read the article. And third, our guest from Episode #10, Nate Jenkins send us a Scientific American article about Game Theory as it relates to doping. An intellectual read for those looking for great cocktail chatter.

Quick News - Haile and Hengelo kick off the Golden League. Is Haile washed up? Paula pushes on with marathon plans.

From the Runner’s Digest Archive: 1982 with Fred Lebow - Running’s great impresario talks about the running movement - he calls it a boomlet, not a boom - and the rise of women’s running. Lebow predicts the boomlet not with stats, but with his subjective observation of running shoes worn in other countries. In 1982 - Korea ranked near the top. And he looks at the rise of running as a sport, not a fad. Sadly, that outlook was a little too rosy if you look at running today.

USTA vs ATP - Professional tennis finds itself in a situation familiar to running. The ATP wants to put their logo on the nets of their events. The only problem is that the ATP tour includes several USAT events and the USTA says no way to the logos. It’s similar to the NYRR or BAA hosting the Olympic Marathon Trials where they couldn’t use their existing race sponsors for the Trials because the USATF, beholden to the USOC, wouldn’t allow it. We should all pay attention to see how the situation plays out in tennis.

Matt Tegenkamp Responds to Joe - After Teg appeared on Episode #11, we received several comments, including an audio segment from Joe. Teg had mentioned sitting out events to get race organizers and the USATF to take notice. Joe said, “Why wait until 2010. Sit out the Olympics.” Teg’s response is played. He also puts forth some great ideas and even gives USATF and Wasserman Media Group the tagline - You don’t know who I am, but you will.

What do you think? Call us at 206-888-0346 or email to comments (at) runnerville (dot) com. And check out next week’s show with USATF President Bill Roe.

[Music is “Herculean” by The Good, The Bad, And The Queen.]

Credit where credit is due: USATF catches a lot of flack on here for its laissez faire event promotion and uninspired website (multimedia-free since 1993!) but they’ve really got a great thing going on with their Pick ‘N Win game.  So much so that the IAAF is now launching one as well. Read more…

Professional athletes: what would it take for you to change the way you approach your job? Everyone else: what would you like to see from the athletes? Let us know by calling the comment line at 206-888-0346 or emailing us at comments (at) runnerville (dot) com.

Enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend edition of Runnerville Weekly.

Matt Taylor asks the pros to join the conversation. To move the sport forward, would you be willing to make some sacrifices?



Jeremy Mosher wonders if you have an extra ticket to Eugene for the Pre Classic? On display are some of the best distance running fields ever assembled on US soil. That, and one helluva squad in the water balloon toss.

Toni Reavis wants a truly global star for our sport, like Tiger Woods. The middle distances are where it could happen - and where Alan Webb’s promise lies. But perhaps Shannon Rowbury is the answer?

Weldon Johnson discusses the incredible weekend of high school action; the results indicate that the next generation of distance stars could top the current crop of Hall, Ritz, Teg, and Webb. But more notable was the unselfish act of sportsmanship by Andrea Nelson.

What do you think? Leave your comments above or call the comment line at 206-888-0346. Thanks for listening.

[Music is “Summertime” by Lil’ D.]

Today, we look back at last weekend’s Adidas Track Classic in Carson, California. Great track meet. Terrible theater. We’ll re-visit the Healthy Kidney 10K in NYC’s Central Park. Great Run. Little competition. We welcome as our guest the woman who created the largest grassroots running series in American history. And the segment you don’t want to miss - Runner’s Digest Flashback with Bob Bright. Now that’s some serious trash talk. That and more on the 12th edition of the Toni & Matt Show.

The Big Story - What happened at last Sunday’s Adidas Track Classic? Though Jenn Stuczynski set an American record in the pole vault, Tyson Gay doubled in the 100m and 200m, and new middle distance sensation Shannon Rowbury ran the fastest women’s 1500m by an American in six years, only 3500 people were on hand to witness one of the top track meets in the world this season. Why can’t track succeed in drawing a crowd? Toni & Matt analyze the impediments to track viability in a new era of sport promotion.

Quick News
1. Matt’s hometown of Pittsburgh to resurrect its marathon after an absence of five years. Matt begins training regimen.
2. Chicago Marathon signs NBC5 to a three-year contract as exclusive broadcast partner for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
3. Nike takes on Foot Locker for high school cross country supremacy.
4. The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, set for Sunday, October 5, announces it has reached its entry limit of 11,000 runners. The race reached its limit in just one month’s time, even though the entry cap being raised by 500 runners to help meet high demand.

Cathy Griffin joins us in the “studio” from an undisclosed Apple Store. Cathy created the largest grass-roots running series in the nation, the Diet Pepsi series. Beginning with just 26 events, she grew the Diet Pepsi series to 265 events across the country, including the national championship race held both in New York City and at Pepsi headquarters in Purchase, New York. Following her work with Pepsi, she worked for Sports Illustrated, working with ad clients to maximize their association with the magazine. Then in the early 1990s she began working for World Cup Soccer, helping bring the World Cup to the United States, which, FIFA, the international governing body of the sport, hoped would kick-start a greater interest in the game in the U.S. historically a minor player in world soccer. Currently, Cathy is an executive recruiter and career coach. We break down the sport with one of the more knowledgeable minds.

USATF CEO Search Fact Sheet - With Craig Masback’s retirment from USATF, the governing body of track and field and road running is without a CEO. Though she was unable to talk about it because she has been hired by USATF to conduct the search for Masback’s replacement, Cathy Griffin did distribute a CEO search fact sheet. What qualities, skills, and attributes are being sought to fill one of the most important jobs in running? Toni & Matt discuss the issue, led by the CEO Search Fact Sheet, a primer on the job which USATF hopes to fill by the end of June.

From the Comment Line - Joe and Seamus weigh in on the conversation. Last episode Matt Tegenkamp discussed the need for athletes to be more organized and off-handedly mentioned 2010 as a year to do it. But Joe says the time is now. What better leverage than the Olympics Games. And Seamus loves Toni’s Hot House idea from Episode #10 to start a half marathon series within the Rock ‘n’ Roll fall races, and expands it by suggesting a performance cap. What do you think? Call us at 206-888-0346.

Runner’s Digest Flashback - We close today’s Toni & Matt Show with our Runner’s Digest Flashback segment. From the archives of Toni’s 1979-1988 Boston-based radio show, Runner’s Digest, we go on the run with former Chicago Marathon race director, Bob Bright, perhaps the most flamboyant race director the sport has ever known. In the Star Wars Years of the mid-1980s when the Chicago and New York City Marathons were heated rivals, Beatrice Foods poured millions into America’s Marathon/Chicago, and gave Bright the key to the bank. A former Marine captain and Viet Nam vet, Bright recruited the likes of Steve Jones, Rob de Castella, Carlos Lopes, Joan Samuelson, Ingrid Kristiansen, and Rosa Mota. In those years Chicago and New York were run one week apart, and the rivalry between Bob Bright in Chicago and Fred Lebow in NYC was every bit as much fun as the competitions they staged on the streets of their two respective cities. In this Runner’s Digest flashback we are on the run with Bob Bright the day after Steve Jones set the world record in Chicago with his 2:08:05, taking down Alberto Salazar’s 2:08:13 mark from New York 1981 (then still considered the world record). Now these are the rivalries this sport is missing. Mary, Carey - Let’s get it on!

Join the discussion. Call our comment line at 206-888-0346.

[Music is “Summertime” by Brother Love.]

Heavy analysis of the Adidas Track Classic and reports from Japan and Iraq. Enjoy the show.

Matt Taylor plays Taps after watching the ATC. It quite possibly could signal the end of our sport . . . unless, of course, someone institutes his three ideas for improving television coverage.

Toni Reavis goes Inside Baseball with running, looking at the current business plan of how the sport stages events. What do you think of his alternative business model?

Dan Lilot misses Ana Guevara for her ability to fill a stadium, even in the United States. A look back to 2003 makes the atmosphere at the 2008 edition of the ATC feel like a 5th grade play. What do we have to do to get people to come to a track meet?

Brett Larner reports on the Kanto University Track & Field Championships, the first major meet of the season for University men. He also points out two Japanese versions of Ritz.

Major Russ Stewart reports from Tikrit, Iraq with a perspective on running that can only be defined as refreshing. Tikrit has a 400m track and regular road races. What more can a runner in Iraq ask for? Major Russ also started the “Tikrit Running Club” and hopes to start some races across Iraq. Are you interested in helping with t-shirts or race numbers?

What do you think? Leave your comments below or call the comment line at 206-888-0346. Thanks for listening.

Cathy Griffin of The Griffin Network joins us this week on the Toni & Matt Show to discuss the search for USATF’s next CEO. Griffin’s executive search firm has been tasked with finding a replacement for Craig Masback, who left the organization at the end of last year. We’ll learn more about the search process and find out what type of candidate will lead the organization.

Think you could do a good job? Check out the USATF CEO Fact Sheet to find out.

Two of my favorite things are video games and running. (There, I said it.) Actually, that’s not entirely true; sometimes I loathe running and, despite a recent attempt to re-ignite my love affair with the gaming world, I haven’t played video games “seriously” since college. But boy did I have an obsession for both a decade ago. True story: in college I developed tendentious in both thumbs from playing video games. I had to wear splints. But the rewards were well worth the consequences - I beat Mike Tyson, I completed GoldenEye 007 on all three levels in two weeks, I ran Bo Jackson for 894 yards in one game of Tecmo Bowl, and I absolutely killed it on Parappa the Rappa. My running accomplishments weren’t as exceptional nor rewarding, but as a sub-9:00 steeplechaser I wasn’t a slouch. So it was with both lust and dismay that I read Nintendo’s announcement of the Wii Fit. Read more…

Today we welcome one of America’s top distance stars, special guest Matt Tegenkamp from the wilds of Wisconsin. We preview this weekend’s Adidas Track Classic in Carson, California. We share highlights from our comment line (206-888-0346), including a report from Major Russ Stewart in Tikrit, Iraq. All of that, plus the big story, race results, and more on the Toni & Matt Show.

The Big Story - Kenenise Bekele announces that he’ll make his American debut at the June 8th Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. Then quickly adds that he’ll be making a World Record attempt at 10,000 meters (a record he already owns at 26:17.53). Great news, right? Wrong. Bekele’s agent Jos Hermans and meet director Tom Jordan decided the best time of day to make a World Record attempt is 9:30 . . . in the morning . . . on a Sunday . . . three hours before the rest of the Pre Classic gets underway. (shaking heads everywhere)

Matt Tegenkamp joins us in the “studio” from Madison, Wisconsin. The American Record holder at two-miles tells us that he’s ahead of where he was at this time last season (and we all know how that ended), claims that Jerry Schumacher is the best coach in the country, and explains how his wife Michelle cracked the whip. Matt also puts forth this week’s Hot House Idea (hint: think soccer in Europe) and we get our first major scoop on the show - Teg to sit out the 2010 season in protest. (kidding . . . sort of)

Quick News:
- Dathan Ritzenhein withdraws from Saturday’s Healthy Kidney 10K - a serious injury with implications for the US Trials, or just being cautious?
- Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor announced as Team Leaders for this year’s Bolder Boulder 10K International Team Challenge. Not a surprise to us; we had BB10K athlete recruiter Don Janicki on the show last month where he announced his goal of getting Hall and Kastor to Boulder.
- Brian Sell defends his USATF 25K Road Title at the Fifth Third Bank 25K in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The race has always been a good indicator for Sell, which should get all those Hanson-Brooks fans excited for Beijing.
- The London Marathon is losing it’s buttery taste. Race Director Dave Bedford will announce a new title sponsor (to start 2010) at the Tower Hotel this Friday. We can only hope for Crisco!
- The 97th ING Bay to Breakers initiates a gender challenge called The Battle to the Breakers. The first athlete to the line takes home the $25,000 bonus. There’s also a $5,000 bonus for the first man and woman to crest Hayes Street Hill at the two mile mark. One of the more entertaining races just got more entertaining. More races should take note.
- Barack Obama jumps Hillary Clinton in the super delegate count, then jumps a hurdle at the Oregon Twilight Meet thanks to Vin Lanana. Publicity stunt? Of course. Good for the sport? Of course (thanks to the fact that he didn’t fall over the hurdle . . . go ask the Bowling folks how participation has tanked since Obama’s 37!)

EPO, Mice, and Mustard Oil: An article in the San Diego Union Tribune cites a study that claims the skin can trigger the body’s production of EPO. In other words, an athlete could sleep with his/her body in an altitude tent set for 19,000 feet, but with his/her head out of the tent (because you couldn’t live at that altitude). If this works in humans (as it did for the lab rats) it could have enormous consequences for the sporting world.

Highlights from our comment line:
- Major Russell Stewart calls in from Tikrit, Iraq where he reports good running conditions, forms The Tikrit Running Club (Hey Russ, we want T-shirts!), and asks for your help to bring running to Iraq.
- Dan Lilot ponders the decision to split the 1500m at the Cardinal Invite into two heats. Once again track shoots itself in the foot.
- Jeremy Mosher enjoys Perrier while nudging you to get involved. We took your criticism about being too negative on the show; now it’s your turn to join the conversation.

You can do that by calling the comment line: 206-888-0346

[Music is “Run On” by Moby.]

A great show lined up today:

Toni Reavis jumps on the Andrew Wheating bandwagon, but not because of his great performances. Rather, Toni loves the fact that we stole him from the soccer pitch.

Robert Johnson is driving the Wheating bandwagon thanks to finishes like this one.

Jay Johnson browses usatf.org and wonders out loud why in the world there’s not one single video on the site. Great question.

Dan Lilot, watching the Doha meet from work, insists that it’s the best time ever to be a track nut. Sure there are problems, but we’ve never had it this good.

Jeremy Mosher takes Nate Jenkins one step further - Mosh wants eight Vin Lannana/Mary Wittenberg super spawn to run the sport.

Brett Larner sends an update on Mizuki Noguchi and Atsushi Sato, Japan’s top Olympic marathon hopefuls. Noguchi will try to defend her title in Beijing, while Sato will look to make a name for himself in the marathon.

Matt Taylor is rubbing mustard oil all over his skin. Why? To naturally produce his EPO levels. Just read this article. Scary, scary stuff.

Check out RunnersCookbook.com to support the Jenny Crain “Make It Happen” Fund and the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund. You’ll also get recipes from some of the best runners in the world. Great cause, great food.

[Music is “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by Saul Williams.]

Alison Wade recently published a cookbook, the proceeds of which go to two Foundations dear to many a runner’s heart. In her own words:

The most important part of this project is that it is a fundraising cookbook for the Jenny Crain “Make It Happen” Fund and the Ryan Shay
Memorial Fund. The proceeds from sales of the book will be split evenly between the two funds. The book contains 100 recipes from 90+ world
class distance runners. The athletes–including Deena Kastor, Alan Webb, Sebastian Coe, Ryan and Sara Hall, Adam and Kara Goucher, Joan Benoit
Samuelson, Catherine Ndereba, Hendrick Ramaala, and many more–did a fantastic job with their submissions. Many of them also included notes
about why the recipes they submitted are special to them, how they use them as part of their recovery, and so on. The cookbook costs $14.95,
plus shipping.

You can learn more about the cookbook here, or order directly from here.