TheFinalSprint.com - Track & Field, Marathons, Racing News, Training Advice, Elite Athlete Blogs, Interviews, Podcasts, Videos and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Destination for Track & Field, Marathon, Cross Country, Olympic and Road Racing Enthusiasts.

Lead Stories: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Lagat Wins 1500m Final; Webb Misses Out on Beijing

Posted July 6th, 2008 at 10:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Image details: U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials - Day Eight served by picapp.com

The Men’s 1500m at the 2008 US Olympic Trials was billed as a showdown of America’s finest milers and certainly didn’t disappoint. Much of the attention leading up to the race was given to reigning World Champion Bernard Lagat, Alan Webb (the American Record holder in the mile), and former national champion Gabe Jennings. Five runners (Webb, Lagat, Leonel Manzano, Lopez Lomong, and Jon Rankin) achieved the Olympic A standard in previous races, while the rest of the field needed it in this meet to get to Beijing. The US team in each event is made up of the top three Trials finishers who have attained the A standard in the Trials or in a previous race, meaning that the five runners mentioned above could focus on place while the rest of the field needed to watch the clock as well.

The race got out to a fast start in the first 100m with double World Champion Bernard Lagat reaching the pole first. Lagat immediately slowed the pace, bunching up the field and causing a lot of pushing and jostling right behind him. With the A standard already slipping away, Gabe Jennings took the lead at the 300m mark (reached in 47s) and picked up the pace. The field reached the 400m mark in 1:01 and the 800m mark in 2:00.70 as Jennings continued to lead but wasn’t able to make up time on the standard.
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Willard Wins Trials Steeple in American Record

Posted July 4th, 2008 at 8:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Anna Willard, the 2007 NCAA steeplechase champion who had to contest last year’s AT&T U.S. Outdoor Championships on an injured ankle, ran the fastest ever 3000m steeplechase by an American woman here last night as the U.S. Olympic Trials resumed after a two-day break. Her winning time of 9:27.59 was also the fastest-ever women’s steeplechase performance on U.S. soil.

“I just felt so fantastic,” an enthusiastic Willard told reporters after the race.

Willard, her short blonde hair accented with a bright red streak she had dyed-in just for the Trials, followed the early lead of reigning NCAA champion, Jenny Barringer of the University of Colorado, her chief rival for last night’s title. They were joined by Lindsey Anderson and Nicole Bush of Michigan State University, and the pace was strong.

“I wanted it to go out fast like it did,” said Anderson who is coached by former City of Los Angeles Marathon champion Paul Pilkington. “That is what we were planning on and I knew if I could stay right with Jenny and Anna that I would be there at the end and be able to finish strong and make the team.”
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Webb is Back, Back Again

Posted July 4th, 2008 at 12:31 AM by Stephanie Lowe

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Image details: U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials - Day Five served by picapp.com

The much-anticipated U.S. Olympic Trials men’s 1500 meters finally started today with three action-packed qualifying races.

Jordan McNamara of the University of Oregon led the first heat, with Steve Sherer close behind. McNamara stumbled in the third lap, but reacted quickly to hold his front position. However, he did not have enough gas left in the end as he ended up last. Sherer finished strongly in second-place (3:44.71) after Gabe Jennings‘ outstanding kick for first (3:44.39).

The second heat had Lopez Lomong (3:43.38) and Leonel Manzano (3:48.41), who finished first and second. The most exciting moment was Andrew Acosta’s fall. He fell hard, did a back flip and got back up to finish the last laps despite having no chance to catch the rest of the field.

In case you were worried, Webb is back. Alan Webb had a lot to prove after recent performances, but he did well tonight with a 3:41.27, the fastest time of the quarterfinals. Behind Webb were Said Ahmed (3:41.92) and Christopher Lukezic (3:42.10). Bernard Lagat, who already made the Olympic team in the 5000 meters, looked relaxed in the back for most of the race, but eventually finished fourth (3:42.11).
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Cornell and LetsRun.com’s Robert “Rojo” Johnson

Posted June 25th, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Stephanie Lowe

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, Interviews, College

The 2008 American Milers Club High Performance Series wrapped up last Saturday, June 14, mostly without a hitch. The weather in Indianapolis was perfect, the crowd was enthusiastic and the races were stacked with talented athletes.

Among the outstanding performances was Anna Willard’s personal record of 4:06.26 in the 1500-meter run. In the men’s 1500-meter run, Steve Sherer also set a personal best with a 3:36.81 that barely beat Andy McClary’s 3:36.91.

The main attraction of the night, however, was Alan Webb in the 800-meter run. When word got out earlier in the week that he would race, fans expected to see him redeem himself for his sub par 1500-meter performance at the June 8 Prefontaine Classic. Instead, Webb placed fifth with a time of 1:47.41, far from his 1:43.84 personal best. With the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials just days away, what do these races mean for Webb’s chance to make the team? Will the number-one 1500 and 800-meter runner in the nation not go to the Beijing Olympics? While many of Webb’s fans remain optimistic, others are concerned.
Read the rest of this entry »

3 comments, add yours | Permalink

Despite Bumpy Start, Webb Confident Prior to U.S. Olympic Trials

Posted June 25th, 2008 at 8:30 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

When Alan Webb finished 16th at the U.S. 8-K Championships last March, then stepped off the course with about 800m to go at the Carlsbad 5000 three weeks later, alarm bells went off amongst America’s track fans. A panic practically ensued when he withdrew from the mile at the Drake Relays a week after the Carlsbad race. Was Alan Webb in trouble in this all-important Olympic year?

Not according to Webb or his coach, Scott Raczko. With the opening of the U.S. Olympic Trials just two days away in Eugene, Ore., Webb feels he’s on target to perform at his best at the Trials and make his second Olympic team. For him, his season is just getting started.

“Basically, going back to last fall to now I’ve gotten a lot accomplished in the fall and winter,” said Webb in an interview on his cell phone. “I had a little hiccup around the 8-K and Carlsbad, but things have been going great since then.”
Read the rest of this entry »

5 comments, add yours | Permalink

Last Chance: AMC High Performace Track and Field Series

Posted June 13th, 2008 at 1:00 PM by Stephanie Lowe

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Four years of preparation boil down to one weekend for athletes on the verge of making the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene. This Sunday, June 15, is the last day to qualify.

A highly competitive last chance meet takes place Saturday night at the IUPUI track in Indianapolis. It is the final meet of the 2008 American Milers Club High Performance Track and Field Series created by Indiana Invaders coach Greg Harger. The series began May 31 and continued June 9 and 11. The AMC meet on June 14 features 800-meter, 1500-meter and 3000-meter steeplechase races.

The rabbitted races are run with on the Mondo track after 9:30 p.m. when weather conditions are calm. The goal of the AMC meet is to provide an ideal environment for running fast times since most of the athletes want to hit Olympic Trials standard times.
Read the rest of this entry »

4 comments, add yours | Permalink

TFS Running Podcast 139: Gatorade XC Runner of the Year CHRIS DERRICK

Posted May 1st, 2008 at 1:30 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Cross Country, Track & Field, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts, High School

On Episode 139 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, I had the pleasure of being joined by Chris Derrick of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois.

In January Derrick was named the 2007-2008 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. He also finished second behind TFS Elite Athlete Blogger Michael Fout at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships and most recently ran the fastest 5k ever (13:55:96) in a high school race at the Arcadia Invitational.

In the interview, Derrick talks about his recent successes and why he’ll head to Stanford this fall instead becoming an Illini. Download the podcast to hear Derrick discuss these topics, as well as, whether the current crop of elite high school runners (Derrick, Fout, Puskedra, Lowe, Fernandez, etc) could match the level of success already achieved by Hall, Webb, and Ritz, his answers to our new “Rapid Fire Questions” segment, and much more!

TO DOWNLOAD: Right click here and select “Save As”

Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Chris Derrick
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 13.6 MB | Length: 00:19:56

Episode Sponsored By: U.S. Army Special Forces

If your measure of success goes way beyond the mainstream, if you think limits are something to be pushed, if your greatest motivation is doing the impossible, we may have a career for you.

U.S. Army Special Forces.
Visit goarmy.com/specialforces.

There’s strong and then there’s Army Strong.

Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

TFS News Briefs: 4/07/08

Posted April 7th, 2008 at 4:37 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, TFS News Briefs

Ethiopian Wins Carlsbad 5000
Terefe Maregu Zewdie of Ethiopia did what Alan Webb was hoping to do. He outkicked everyone to win the 2008 Carlsbad 5000. His winning time was a slow 13:34, one second ahead of Mo Farah. Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot won the women’s race in 15:14.
Read more at: [IHT]

Webb DNFs at Carlsbad Debut
Already hurting just 800m into the race at the 2008 Carlsbad 5000, Alan Webb walked off the course at 2 1/2 for his second straight DNF. These recent performances may have been caused by his more-intense training regimen in 2008. “I’m always trying to push deeper and go harder and get better. I might have dug myself a little hole I’ve got to slowly get out of,” said Webb.
Read more at: [San Diego Union Tribune]

800m Olympic Gold Medalist Critiques Kenyan Selection Process
Paul Ereng, the 1988 Olympic gold medalist in the men’s 800m and now head cross-country coach at UTEP, offers his critique of the Kenyan teem selection process. He has some harsh words for Athletics Kenya, writing that “either [Athletics Kenya] does not understand the facts about training adaptation or they just want to harvest from where they did not sow.”
Read more at: [AllAfrica.com][UTEP]
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Road Race Action This Weekend Includes Cherry Blossom and Carsbad Races

Posted April 3rd, 2008 at 2:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

This weekend’s road racing action includes the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 mile in Washington, D.C., and the Carlsbad 5000 in Carlsbad, Calif. Both events are scheduled for Sunday, April 6.

In Washington, two-time world marathon champion Catherine Ndereba will open her 2008 season. The 35 year-old Kenyan, who also holds an Olympic silver medal, has never won the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 mile. Her best finish there was second in 2004 to Kenyan compatriot Isabellah Ochichi. Ndereba, who will be challenged by Kenyan Lineth Chepkurui and Romanian Lidia Simon, will lead a field of elite women in a special early start, 20 minutes prior to the main race of 12,000 runners.
Read the rest of this entry »

3 comments, add yours | Permalink

Barleycorn, Bannister, Barriers and Beyond

Posted March 29th, 2008 at 8:00 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Or, How I learned To Live Without New Mile World Records

Between July 17th, 1945 and May 6th, 1954 a period of 3,215 days or 8 years, 9 months, 20 days passed. What’s so significant about that time period? Well, the track historians among you might recognize the latter date as one of considerable historical significance for our sport, for humanity, really. That was the date on which Great Britain’s Roger Bannister ran himself into immortality by becoming the first man to break four minutes for the mile run. Bannister ran 3:59.6 that day, surpassing the world record of 4:01.3 that had stood for nearly a decade and was owned by Sweden’s Gunder Hägg.

That time period of 3,215 days is the longest passage of time between world records in the mile since the IAAF era began in 1912. That dubious record is about to be broken. That’s right, folks – on April 25th, 2008, 3,216 days will have passed since Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco set the current world record of 3:43.13 for the mile run on July 7th, 1999. Those of you who consider yourselves to be track historians realize the significance of this fact. Before Bannister was able to break through that four-minute barrier, track pundits had been postulating that man had reached the limits of his abilities, that the four-minute barrier was impenetrable. They argued that so much time had passed since the world record had been broken, it was obvious that it would never again be broken; in fact, some argued that those foolhardy enough to try would die in the process. (A great account of the lead-up to Bannister’s historic achievement can be read in Neal Bascomb’s terrific book entitled The Perfect Mile: Three Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It.)
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink