Runnerville

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire geography professor (and writer for Track & Field News), Sean Hartnett, is one of the sport’s keenest observers.  Below is a copy of the e-mail he sent with his take on this year’s Virgin London Marathon, which he watched from his lead motorcycle position.

“Yes London was another pace surprise (63:10 at halfway) although not the shocker like last year (61:35 halfway). After reviewing my photos, race video, and discussions with the athletes the slow pace reflected that it was was rough day for running.

“Most of the guys talked about slipping on the slick pavement, some even said that there shoes were not well suited for the wet pavement. I didn’t talk to Sammy (Wanjiru) after the race, but I think he had the same shoes as Chicago, and you can imagine those hard slap - slap shoes on wet pavement. The athletes also mentioned having water splashed on their legs causing some cramping.

“Like you - watching the race develop - I wondered what was going on. I double and triple checked the Pace Display sign to see if it was working. I got a thumbs up when pointed to the sign after 5K, and I saw a pick-it-up reaction from Sammy and Gharib after they saw the slow pace at 15K. I think that despite displaying Marathon Pace along with every mile split, the athletes still only trust the Km splits.

“All told I just have to think it was a slow day - just the opposite of Boston. The sight of a few runners in the lead pack who obviously didn’t belong there seemed to reinforce the slow pace theory, but that slow pace destroyed them as they all jogged home or DNF’d. It was a shame after all London had to cope with to get the athletes in place, and that a week of sunny San Diego weather turned to rain an hour before the race - again the opposite of Boston.

“Attached is the pace data displayed to the athletes. Splits were dead on as Hugh Jones was with us and we got splits right on the survey marks on the road.”

Here is a link to a London SlideShow
http://www.uwec.edu/hartnesg/2010London/index.html

Thanks to Sean Hartnett for his unerring eye, and dedication to detail.

We love sports because raw competition is there for all to see, unscripted, in the moment, neither burnished not tarnished by the money changers or middle-men.  Certainly the era of PEDs has put everyone on notice.  Any truth can fall prey to the dark forces of greed and lust.  And yet even though our faith has been shaken, we still want to believe, because, for all its frailty, sport fullfills man’s sense of exceptionalism. 

Tiger Woods is among the most self-possessed athletes in modern times. His record of golfing achievements stand in bold relief.  But Tiger Woods, the man?  I’m not sure we ever have, or will, see what’s behind the mask.  Not our right to know, except Tiger wants it both ways.  He wants us to follow, but not intrude, buy, but not pry.  But in accepting the former one forfeits the latter. Read more…

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John Hancock Financial announced the elite field of 44 athletes from ten countries for the 114th running of the Boston Marathon on April 19. A complete field list follows.

Headlining the field, and recently announced, are defending champions Deriba Merga and Salina Kosgei, and past champions Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Catherine Ndereba, Dire Tune and Lidiya Grigoryeva.

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I ran into Meb Keflezighi’s agent/brother Hawi at the Running USA conference earlier this month in San Diego.  Question was which race Meb might use to tune up for  the Boston Marathon on Patriot’s Day April 19th.  Now we know.  He’s heading back to the scene of his greatest triumph, New York, New York to take on the Great One, Haile Gebrselassie, in the New York 1/2 Marathon on March 21st.

 Interesting  choice, and according to Hawi, not a foregone one.  The other viable options included the Gate River 15K in Jacksonville, Florida on March 13th, which doubles as the annual USATF National Road 15K Championship, and the new Rock `n` Roll Dallas 1/2 Marathon the following day in Texas.

Forgetting for a moment the monetary inducements any of the three might generate for Meb, these spring (like the fall) marathon tune up races are more about getting one’s head and body right for the big race down the line, rather than maxing out on that particular day.  So, what may have lured Meb to New York wasn’t just his comfort levels and reception in New York by the N.Y. Road Runners, but the lack of pressure to win the race, what with Haile in the field and all. 

If Meb had gone back to Jacksonville, where he won six times in seven years from 2001 to 2007, the pressure to win would have been great.  Then what if he didn’t? And with the level of competition churning around America these days, though a victory would seem more likely than not, certainly there would be decent money betting the other way. 

As for Rock `n` Roll in Dallas, well, the Competitor Group’s recent modus operandi has been to invite one big name for their event marquee, then let him/her carry the PR weight alone.  Good money in that, but perhaps not the type of atmosphere or competition to best tune up for a marathon major.  

So it is off to New York where Meb can run free and easy, not be expected to win, yet perhaps take a solid shot at a new PR, and who knows, all things fall perfectly…

Most of the time races need racers.  Other times racers need races.  This is one of those times when New York is the perfect stepping stone to Boston for Meb.  Now, where is Ryan Hall prepping for Patriot’s Day?

Frank McCourt, owner of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, issued the following release late yesterday afternoon regarding inquiries about his interest in the Los Angeles Marathon.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 25, 2008)-

“I am prepared to provide financial backing to Going the Distance, a group formed by Los Angeles business executives Russ Pillar and David Kingsdale, to acquire the rights to the Los Angeles Marathon from Chicago‐based Devine Racing Management affiliated entities so long as necessary terms can be worked out with Devine Racing Management affiliated entities and the City of Los Angeles. It’s no secret that the rights to the race are for sale. The Los Angeles Marathon is an important civic asset that has the potential to have an even greater positive impact on the City of Los Angeles. Because of its great potential, I am evaluating the opportunity together with Going the Distance. Read more…