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Lead Stories: Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Lemoncello Carries British Hopes into World Cross

Posted March 28th, 2008 at 7:07 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Cross Country, Track & Field

It’s not often that a major world championship comes to Great Britain, seemingly a prime opportunity for the host country’s best athlete’s to shine. However, only a handful of Britain’s best have answered the call to run for Queen and country, and an athlete with an American father and a Scottish mother who works part-time at a restaurant in Flagstaff, Ariz., will be the U.K.’s top man when the gun sounds for the senior men’s 12 km race here on Sunday afternoon.

Andrew Lemoncello, a talented steeplechaser who starred at Florida State University and won the ACC indoor titles at 3000m and 5000m last year, is excited to compete in Holyrood Park. Rooming with Irishman Martin Fagan in high altitude Flagstaff where he is coached by American Greg McMillan, Lemoncello has come through a snowy winter with some solid training under his belt.
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Olympian Jon Brown Changes Allegiance to Canada

Posted November 14th, 2007 at 6:30 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

Jon Brown, twice fourth at the Olympic Marathon wearing the vest of Great Britain, has switched his allegiance to Canada. A long-time resident of British Columbia, Brown had already possessed a Candian passport but still ran for Britain.

“I no longer will be representing Great Britain in athletic competition,” said the 36 year-old athlete in an e-mail message sent to the Race Results Weekly office. “Instead I will now be running for Canada.”

A three-time Olympian for Britain, Brown still holds the British record for 10,000m, 27:18.14, set in Brussels in 1998. His best times at the standard distances are 7:45.41 for 3000m, 13:19.03 for 5000m, 61:49 for the half-marathon and 2:09:31 for the marathon.
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As race weekend begins, Brits reflect on their training & the marathon’s elite competition

Posted April 20th, 2007 at 5:15 PM by Kristin Bland

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The buzzing anticipation for Sunday’s Flora London Marathon is in full force and can be felt in corner pubs, restaurants and underground tube stations throughout the city. The emotions and excitement of race day have filled the city and are impossible to ignore, especially with the official countdown looming in the distance on the face of Big Ben.

Today, amidst this atmosphere, the elite British athletes gathered for a press conference to discuss the competition, racing strategy and the training regimens they endured over the preceding months.

Asked whether the competition had panned out as expected, the prevailing opinion among the British athletes was summarized by Jon Brown, the nation’s top marathoner and current Van Damme 10,000m record holder:
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Elite British Runners: “Training alone prepares you for racing in lonely marathons”

Posted April 20th, 2007 at 4:15 PM by Kristin Bland

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Top elite British male and female runners Jon Brown, Dan Robinson, Mara Yamauchi, Kathy Butler and Liz Yelling gather for Flora London Marathon press conference earlier today next to the Tower of London. The racers discussed the British preference for individualized training techniques as opposed to American “squad-training”.

The athletes were asked whether the American mentality of constantly training as a group provides stronger running results than training alone like these Brits.

Kathy Butler, current record holder for the Canadian 5000m indoors [15:37.02] and two mile [9:27.18], responded:

“A marathon can be a very lonely event, so training on your own gets you used to that, if you can’t run hard without your friends, you’re not going to be a good marathon runner.”

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