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Lead Stories: Sunday, July 20, 2008

“Running Film Festival” in Eugene Sure to Be An Unforgettable Experience

Posted May 25th, 2008 at 3:30 PM by Jesse Squire

Section: News & Results, Announcements, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, Trail / Ultra, High School

I’m going to this summer’s Olympic Trials—my first-ever Trials trip—and I’m getting pretty excited. Not just about the meet, but everything else as well. It seems like everyone in Tracktown USA is going all-out to make it an unforgettable experience.

The community at large is putting on a massive “Eugene ’08 Festival” complete with a temporary sports bar, music stage, kids’ activities, and excursions to sites like Pre’s Rock and the Nike campus. The whole effect is like the NCAA basketball tournament combined with the Newport Jazz Festival and the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, with the Tribeca Film Festival on top.

In fact, one entry from Tribeca will be shown in Eugene. Without a doubt, the biggest off-track happening during the Trials will be the upcoming Running Film Festival (RFF)– where a percentage of ticket sales will benefit the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund. Entries are still being accepted, but the schedule of feature-length films, documentaries and shorts currently includes the following:
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Film Festival to Complement Olympic Trials in Eugene

Posted May 21st, 2008 at 3:30 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, High School, Road Racing

After spending hours at the track watching the 2008 USA Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field in Eugene, Ore., this summer, track fans can retreat to the cool darkness of a movie theatre to take in the inaugural Running Film Festival, presented by Nissan and sponsored by TheFinalSprint.com and Running Times magazine.

“Everyone knows ‘Pre,’ ‘Without Limits,’ and ‘Chariots of Fire,’ but there are dozens of other movies and documentaries that runners will enjoy,” said Adam Jacobs editor-in-chief of TheFinalSprint.com. “We created an event that brings together great films, talented directors, elite athletes, and people who simply love the sport. Movie makers have the chance to screen their films for appreciative audiences with entertainment that fits seamlessly with the spirit of Eugene 08.”

Jacobs said that while the festival would include some world premieres, the core of the festival would be established running films like “The Long Green Line,” “Spirit of the Marathon,” “Run For Your Life,” “Indulgence,” “Run Like Hell,” and “Showdown.” The entire line-up will be posted at http://www.runningfilmfestival.com.
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adidas, MarathonGuide.com Join Forces with WCSN to Provide Free Boston Marathon Webcast

Posted April 17th, 2008 at 9:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons

World Championship Sports Network (WCSN), the premier destination of Olympic and lifestyle sports, announced today it is joining forces with adidas and MarathonGuide.com to provide a free, first-ever global webcast of the 112th Boston Marathon. Through this partnership, fans worldwide can log-on to WCSN.com to watch the live and on-demand webcast on April 21, beginning at 9:25 a.m. EST.

“We’re excited to partner with adidas and MarathonGuide.com in offering this free webcast and to help foster worldwide awareness for this major race,” said Carlos Silva, president and COO of WCSN. “Now, for the first time global road racing fans will have unprecedented coverage to see the top marathoners square off in one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.”

On WCSN.com, running fans can also access Marathon Madness, a special editorial package that features original content, articles from road racing experts, interactive maps, results, highlights and more. Furthermore, WCSN.com will be offering special commentary from running legend and four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers.
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Lel Is Youngest Man Ever to Win Five Majors

Posted April 15th, 2008 at 1:11 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The good news just keeps coming for Kenya’s Martin Lel. The 29 year-old leader of the 2007/2008 World Marathon Majors points series has become the youngest man ever to win five Majors events: London three times and New York City twice.

Lel, who sprinted away from compatriot Samuel Wanjiru at the Flora London Marathon last Sunday to win in a course record and personal best 2:05:15, is also the first man to achieve this career milestone before age 30. The previous youngest five-time winner was Khalid Khannouchi, running for both Morocco and the United States, who was 30 years 295 days when he won his fifth lifetime Major at the 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.
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TFS Podcast 121: Jon Dunham Director and Producer of “Spirit of the Marathon”

Posted January 23rd, 2008 at 6:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Motivation, Movies, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

In Episode 121 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast I had the pleasure of being joined by Jon Dunham; Director/Producer of the running documentary “Spirit of the Marathon”.

The feature-length film, which will be shown at select theatres around the country tomorrow evening, January 24 at 7:30pm, is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries. The past and present running legends showcased in the film include: Paula Radcliffe, Bill Rodgers, Grete Waitz, Frank Shorter, Deena Kastor and Kathrine Switzer.

Download the podcast to hear Jon discuss the concept and purpose behind the film, his personal love and admiration for running and specially the marathon, what it was like to work with some of the sport’s greatest heroes, the potential for a related, spin-off documentary about the history of the marathon, and much more!

Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)

[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Jon Dunham
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 13.2 MB | Length: 19:18 MIN

Episode Sponsored By: Nike +

Long Live Running!
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.

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Marathon Comes to Big Screen, But For Only One Night

Posted January 7th, 2008 at 10:07 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Motivation, Movies

In an unusual arrangement, a full-length feature documentary film on marathon running will be shown in USA theaters, but only for one night: Thursday, January 24.

The film, “Spirit of the Marathon,” presents the stories of six runners who competed in the 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, from from first timers to elite runners like Deena Kastor and Daniel Njenga. The film explores how recreational runners use the marathon as a device to confront other issues in their lives –like divorce– and how elite runners are in it for equal amounts of glory and cash.

“The normal person, they want to make their body slim,” Njenga says over shots of him warming up before the race. “But for us, we want to make money. This is like a job and I love my job.”

Filmed on four continents, the two-hour movie chronicles the training of these athletes, interspersed with interviews from well-known marathon runners and experts, like Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Amby Burfoot, Dick Beardsley, Joe Henderson, Roger Robinson, and Kathrine Switzer. Shot in hi-def video, the footage of the Chicago Marathon is both varied and majestic; the producers had a crew of 62 on the scene and used 15 camera operators. There is also a rousing score.
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Podcast 109: BILL RODGERS
“Don’t Boycott Beijing”

Posted December 17th, 2007 at 5:00 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 109 of The Final Sprint Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, features my interview with marathon legend BILL RODGERS; four-time winner of the New York City and Boston Marathons, 1976 Olympian, former American-record-holder in the marathon and winner of an astounding 21 marathons.

Rodgers, along with his friend and long-time rival Frank Shorter, was instrumental in the creation of the American distance running boom. Although he is about to turn 60, he has no plans to quit running, may run the Boston Marathon again next year, and even wants to be able to emulate his running hero Johnny Kelley by running into his 80’s.

In the interview, Rodgers talks about the early days of his career when he would come home with under-the-table appearance money stuffed in his shoes, his feelings about boycotting the upcoming Beijing Olympics and what he thinks should happen with the World Marathon Majors. He also tells us who is the faster runner nowadays whenever he races Frank Shorter. Download the podcast to hear “Boston Billy” discuss these topics, what he thinks about hot-weather running even after all these years and much more!

Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)

[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Jimmie R. Markham | Guest: Bill Rodgers
Producer: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 17.8 MB | Length: 25:59 MIN

Episode Sponsored By: Nike +

Long Live Running!
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.

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Quote of the Day: 10/24/07

Posted October 24th, 2007 at 6:00 AM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

“The starting line of the New York City marathon is kind of a giant time bomb behind you about to go off. It is the most spectacular start in sport.”

- Bill Rodgers

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FINISH STRONG with TFS’s collection of famous quotes!

Posted September 14th, 2007 at 7:06 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes, Special Features, Famous Quotes

From Jesse Owens to Dr. George Sheehan … from Steve Prefontaine to Sir Roger Banister … from ancient philosophers to runners just like you …

The Final Sprint has accumulated the most comprehensive anthology of motivational quotes to help you FINISH STRONG!

Pick out your favorites and read them before a big race or even choose one as your training credo!

Have one you want us to add?

No problem; just send an email to thefinalsprint@gmail.com!

Start Here . . . Finish Strong!
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Bill Rodgers Sportswear going out of business; holding 50% off close-out sale

Posted August 31st, 2007 at 5:00 PM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Announcements, Gear & Apparel, Apparel

Bill Rodgers Sportswear announced that they are going out of business and are holding a close-out sale on all merchandise.

“First, let me thank you for using our products in the past,” said Rodgers in a marketing announcement. “Now after 21 years of manufacturing the Bill Rodgers Sportswear line of running apparel we are closing our doors.”

Rodgers is offering deep discounts on the entire line of merchandise; including top-quality running and general athletic apparel for both men and women. For more information and/or to place an order (No better time to stock-up and take advantage of these great values then when prices are at rock bottom!), please click on the following link:

http://www.shopfest.com:80/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?storeid=00008&preadd=action&key=00008-U547:

Rodgers, 59, won the Boston and New York City Marathons four times, and remains one of the most recognizable faces in U.S. distance running. He still travels the running circuit and appears at dozens of events each year.

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