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Lead Stories: Saturday, November 22, 2008

Note on the News: Ramsak Looks at Winning Streaks

Posted November 19th, 2008 at 9:30 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Bob Ramsak, assistant editor at our partner service Race Results Weekly, takes a look at some of athletics’ key winning streaks, both those which ended and grew in 2008, in a new article published today at iaaf.org.

The direct link for viewing the published story is here:

http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=48346.html

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Lel & Wami Ranked #1 in Marathon in 2007 by RRW

Posted December 31st, 2007 at 2:24 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Race Results Weekly, the wire service of distance running, announced today that Ethiopian Gete Wami and Kenyan Martin Lel were the top-ranked marathon runners of 2007. RRW produced for the third time an annual top-10 marathoner ranking based on key victories, head-to-head competition, fast times, consistent performances in multiple races and, in some cases, heroic efforts.

“Lel was a clear choice for us by winning both London and New York, a feat no man had ever accomplished” said Editor & Publisher, David Monti. “However, it was much closer on the women’ side between Wami and China’s Zhou Chunxia.”

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Tadesse, Wanjiru Cautiously Optimistic In Udine

Posted October 13th, 2007 at 2:23 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results

When the gun sounds the start of Sunday morning’s men’s race at the 2nd IAAF World Road Running Championships, it will also set off one of the finest road battles of the fall. But the chief protagonists, defending champion Zersenay Tadesse and world half marathon record holder Samuel Wanjiru (Pictured), don’t necessarily view it as a two-horse race.

“I’m not predicting anything,” said Tadesse, whose victory over 20 kilometers in Debrecen, Hungary, last year was the first world title of any kind for Eritrea. “I’m feeling good, but there many strong athletes here.”

Wanjiru, who lowered the half marathon standard to 58:33 at The Hague last March, echoed Tadesse’s sentiments. “Tomorrow I think will be very hard and tough. There’s a half dozen who can make the race interesting. The Kenyan team is really tough.”
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Despite attempted coup Bekele retains 10,000m throne

Posted August 27th, 2007 at 8:57 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

The prince saw an opportunity to take the throne, but in the end the king’s reign would continue, at least for another two years.

That was the basic scenario which played out in tonight’s much-anticipated men’s 10,000m final which capped an exciting evening of middle and long distance running at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics at Nagai Stadium.

Sileshi Sihine, the Ethiopian who took the silver medal behind compatriot Kenenisa Bekele at both the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2005 World Championships, saw a chance to move up to the top step of the podium when Bekele fell to third place late in the race and appeared to be struggling.

A fast pace set by world cross country champion Zersenay Tadesse of Eritrea followed by an attack with three laps to go by Kenyan Martin Irungu Mathathi, set the stage for Sihine’s bid for victory. He shot ahead, opening a big gap and it looked like a gold medal move.
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As Golden League kicks off, Dream Mile, Defar the focus of attention

Posted June 14th, 2007 at 6:03 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

A strong field in the men’s Dream Mile and a possible world record assault by Meseret Defar will steal the focus of attention as the 2007 IAAF Golden League kicks off at the ExxonMobil Bislett Games on Friday.

The Dream Mile, the meeting’s signature event, annually lures many of the world’s top milers, and this year’s is no exception. This year’s field includes an intriguing match-up between a pair of runners who brought some impressive momentum to the Norwegian capital: Daniel Kipchirchir Komen of Kenya and Australia’s Craig Mottram.

At last Sunday’s Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., Komen took down a solid field in the mile with a blazing 3:48.28, the year’s fastest. Mottram also dispensed with an all-star field over two miles, clocking a national record 8:03.50. Only Daniel Komen and Haile Gebrselassie have ever covered the distance faster.
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