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Double World Champion Bernard Lagat used a magnificent finish to cruise away from the field and win the 5000m at the 2008 US Olympic Trials. Matt Tegenkamp and Ian Dobson also used strong kicks to book their tickets to Beijing in what turned out to be a battle between five men for three Olympic spots.
The field assembled for the 5000m finals at this year’s Olympic Trials was billed as one of the deepest ever to lineup for a US championship. Seven athletes in the field (Tegenkamp, Solinsky, Asmeron, Lagat, Vaughn, Dobson, and Riley) had achieved the A standard of 13:21.50 within the qualifying window and several others were considered capable of reaching the standard in this race. The team would be comprised of the top three finishers with the A standard, either from this race or a previous one. This rule forced those without the standard to worry about keeping the pace honest while allowing those with the standard to relax and focus on their opponents.
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Hayward Field was made for the 5000 meters. The men’s preliminary race was highly anticipated Friday night.
In the first heat, Thomas Morgan led most of the race by a large margin. Eventually the gap was closed by Matt Tegenkamp (Pictured)(13:54.62), Jonathon Riley (13:54.69) and Bernard Lagat (13:54.93).
The pressure was on for University of Oregon star Galen Rupp in the second heat. He lived up to the hype by winning in 13:59.14. Rupp is a favorite in the 10000 meters, so he is still unsure if he will compete in both finals. The pack stayed tight throughout the entire race, with Chris Solinsky (13:59.85) and Robert Curtis (14:00.00) finishing the top three.
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Bislett Games To Wean Golden League Million Dollar List
That list of contenders for the Golden League million dollar jackpot always looks impressive after the first meet of the year. It only starts becoming meaningful, though, after the second meet, because only undefeated athletes can contend for the million dollar prize. The list below should be quite a bit shorter after this weekend’s Bislett Games, the 2nd installment of the six-meet series:
Men
100m - Nesta Carter (JAM)
400m - LaShawn Merritt (USA)
1500m - Augustine Choge (KEN)
400m Hurdles - Bershawn Jackson (USA)
Long Jump - Hussein Al-Sabee (KSA)
Javelin Throw - Tero Pitkämäki (FIN)
Women
200m - Sherone Simpson (JAM)
800m - Pamela Jelimo (KEN)
100m Hurdles - Josephine Onyia (ESP)
High Jump - Blanka Vlasic (CRO)
IAAF
Gatlin Decision To Be Published On Friday
Track fans around the world will know the fate of disgraced sprinter Justin Gatlin by Friday afternoon when the CAS publishes its decision. Gatlin is hoping o get a two-year reduction of his four-year suspension, which would make him eligible to try qualifying for the US Olympic Trials which will be held later this month in Eugene, Oregon.
AFP
Adam Goucher: Kara In Best Shape Of Her Life
As Kara Goucher prepares to face world-record holder Meseret Defar in the Prefonaine Classic 5000m, her husband Adam has stated that she is “strong. Hands down, the best shape of her life. So strong, and ready to go. It’s going to be a great year.”
USA Today
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Organizers have secured great line-ups for Sunday’s adidas Track Classic at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., and that includes the middle and long distance events.
The men’s 1500m is shaping up to the the top event, led by double world champion and two-time Olympic medalist, Bernard Lagat. Commonwealth Games medalists Nick Willis of Australia and Nate Brannen of Canada are also in the field, along with perennial Canadia star Kevin Sullivan and former NCAA ace Lopez Lomong. Nick Symmonds will be moving up from his usual specialty, the 800m, while 5000m man Adam Goucher will be moving down for a speed workout.
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The Modern Olympic Era
Of the 336 medals that have been awarded thus far in the men’s middle and long-distance track events during the Modern Olympic Era (1896-2004) here are some interesting statistics:
· A total of 42 Countries have won medals in these events.*
· Kenya (no surprise) has won the most medals, having won 43.
· USA is a close 2nd with 42.
· Finland (yes, Finland) is 3rd with 41.
· Great Britain is 4th, having won 35.
· Ethiopia rounds out the top 5 with 15 medals.**
· Finland can claim the most gold medals with 21. Kenya is 2nd with 15, followed closely by the USA and Great Britain with 13 each.
· In the silver-medal count, it’s Kenya (17), then United States (13), then Great Britain (12), then Finland (11). France rounds out the top 5 with a total of 9 medals.
· The top 5 in the bronze-medal count are: United States (16), Kenya (11), Great Britain (10), Finland (9) and Sweden (7).
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Episode 122 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my interview with world-class distance runner Adam Goucher; whose long list of accomplishments include being a two-time U.S. Outdoor 5,000m champion (’99, ’00); 2000 USA 12km and 4km XC champion; 2006 USA 4 km XC Champ; 2007 USA Cross Country runner-up; 1998 NCAA 5,000m Outdoor champion; 1998 NCAA XC champion and 2-time NCAA 3,000 Indoor champion (’97, ’98).
In the interview Adam talks about his recent ankle surgery and the subsequent (and ongoing) recovery, his plans for competing at the marathon distance after the Olympic season, his victory over Kara in their Nike challenge, the excitement and challenges of the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs at the Olympic Trials and his specific focus on the 5k.
Download the podcast to hear Adam discuss these topics, as well as, the role of faith in his religiously-eclectic training group, coach Alberto Salazar’s recovery, and much more!
Listen In
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Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Adam Goucher
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 13.1 MB | Length: 19:09 MIN
Episode Sponsored By: Nike +
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What a difference 7 years can make. Back in the “Dark Ages” of U.S. distance running circa 2000, there wasn’t a lot to cheer about or acknowledge, or put simply, U.S. distance running was in a funk.
And now, in 7 short years, due mainly to training groups, dedicated athletes and coaches, increased financial support, more promotion and success (think Meb & Deena) begetting more success (see the below), the United States has dramatically more to cheer about and moreover, has inspiration and a foundation for current and future stars. From a shortage of best moments 7 years ago to a surfeit of best moments, here are the best of 2007 for U.S. distance running:
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Episode 106 of The Final Sprint Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, features the first installment in a two-part series of interviews with CHRIS LEAR, author of the cult-favorite running books Running With the Buffaloes and Sub 4:00: Alan Webb and the Quest for the Fastest Mile. TheFinalSprint.com Assistant Editor Jimmie R. Markham joins us for the interview.
Lear, a 4:09 high-school miler and an All-American at Princeton, talks about his early running career, his post-collegiate career, his inspiration for writing his running books and his business career.
Now pursuing his MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lear also discusses how he has been approached about selling the movie rights to Running With the Buffaloes and how the book lends itself to the big screen.
Download the podcast to hear Lear discuss these topics, as well, as doping, American distance runners and their place in the world running scene, the grassroots level resurgence of American distance running, and his advice for young runners on how to succeed in both endeavors.
Listen In
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Hosts: Adam Jacobs, Jimmie Markham | Guest:Chris Lear
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 18.1 MB | Length: 26:25 MIN
Episode Sponsored By: Nike +
Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned.Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends.
Episode 104 of The Final Sprint Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, features my interview with former BYU Cross Country Champion JOSH ROHATINSKY.
Josh, who now lives in Eugene, OR and is trained by legend Alberto Salazar, is coming off of an impressive marathon debut and 9th place finish at the 2007 U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials in New York City.
In the interview Josh talks about his first 26.2 mile performance, his running-rich family tree, the mental affects of not concerning himself with statistics, differences between Salazar and Ed Eyestone’s coaching philosophies, training with the Gouchers and Galen Rupp, and his racing/training plans for the future.
Download the podcast to hear Josh discuss these topics, as well as, in what event he sees himself winning an Olympic medal or world championship, his mission trip to Uruguay, the role of faith in his career, Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, Ryan Hall’s success, and much more!
Listen In
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Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Josh Rohatinsky
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 16.1 MB | Length: 23:32 MIN
Episode sponsored by:
Camelbak - the originator and leader in hands-free hydration.To learn more Camelbak Elixir, their effective, easy-to-use and portable electrolyte beverage, as well as Camelbak’s running specific hydration systems, please visit www.camelbak.com.
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Here’s a great new article about the Goucher Family. Both see the marathon as their primary distance in the future, but both are focused right now on breaking some American records on the track. Adam is set on on running a sub 13 minute 5000m and “setting some American long-distance records.” Could he mean Bob Kennedy’s 12:58.21 and Meb Keflezighi’s 27:13.98?
Kara is focused on breaking Deena Kastor’s American 10000m record time of 30:52.32. Kara also talks about qualifying for Beijing as being “the most important goal of [their] lives” while Adam discusses his support role for 2007 as “Kara Goucher’s husband”:
“It’s a little bit weird,” Adam said from his home in Portland, Ore., three days after successful foot surgery. “You kinda see how fickle the sport is. Her having such an amazing year and me not having such a great year, people now ask me ‘Oh, you run too?’ The Sports Illustrated article, which came out last week, said ‘Kara Goucher, whose husband runs, too.’
Thanks to EPelle at Track & Field News Forum for the great find. Read more at: [Washington Post]
Several hundred fans were on hand Saturday night as Max King won the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase at The Road to Eugene ‘08 at historic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore.
The Road to Eugene ‘08 is a cooperative effort between the Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, USA […]
Solid fields have been assembled for this weekend’s second running of The Road to Eugene ‘08, to be held at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
While the main program is scheduled for Sunday, the men’s and women’s 5000m races, along with the men’s 3000m steeplechase, will be held on Saturday evening, […]
Many of the world’s best athletes will compete in 18 events Sunday, May 27 at the Road to Eugene ‘08 at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Three of the 18 events–the men’s and women’s 5,000-meter races and the men’s 3,000m steeplechase-will be run Saturday night, May 26, following the conclusion of the NCAA West […]
In a race that featured Adam Goucher, Gabe Jennings and Alistair Craig; Nick Willis was able to come out on top in the men’s 1,500 meter at today’s adidas Track Classic. Willis’ time was the eighth fastest at the distance this year.
The pack, following a pace setter, hit the 800m mark in 1:57 with […]
Adam and Kara Goucher go on-line with a new feature at nikerunning.com called “Meet the Gouchers.”
“We’ll give consumers an eye opening account of what it’s like to be a married couple who happen to be elite athletes training for the 2008 Olympic Trials,” read the copy from a press release from Nike.
The site offers videos […]
Episode 39 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my interview with Adam Goucher. Adam, a 2000 Olympian and one of America’s leading middle distance runners, finished second behind Alan Culpepper at this year’s exciting USA XC Championships in Boulder, CO.
In the interview, Adam discusses the Cross Country Champs, having to withdraw from the 8k […]
The 2005 USA 8K and 2006 USA 10,000 meter champion Jorge Torres from Boulder, Colo. leads the field for the USA Men’s 8K Championship in New York City’s Central Park on Saturday, March 17.
Torres, 26, who ran 22 minutes, 47 seconds to win the U.S. title two years ago, will face formidable competition including […]
Adam Goucher, who had hoped to challenge his coach’s national 8-K record at the U.S. 8-K Championship in New York City in ten days time, has been forced to withdraw from the race due to illness.
“He’s got pneumonia and he’s been sick for over ten days,” said Goucher’s coach, Alberto Salazar, in an e-mail message […]
Today’s podcast features my interview with Alan Culpepper, a 2-time Olympian, who earned his third USA Cross Country Championship with a spectacular come from behind win last weekend in Boulder.
His previous achievements include tying Alberto Salazar for the fastest debut marathon by an American, three U.S.A track titles and a top finish […]
When Adam Goucher lines up for the U.S. Men’s 8-K Championship on Saturday, March 17 in New York City’s Central Park, he’ll not only be trying to win his second national road racing title, but also knock off one of the country’s oldest national records, which happens to be held by his coach: marathon legend […]
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