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Lead Stories: Friday, November 21, 2008

Never Trust A Pacemaker: Mbogo Takes Title in Marathon Debut in Singapore

Posted December 5th, 2007 at 7:23 AM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Never trust a pacemaker. They have a habit of carrying on and winning the race. Elijah Mbogo of Kenya exhibited the habit early Sunday morning, when he won the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on his debut, and in a course record, no less: 2.14.23. The man who should have known better, two-time winner, Amos Matui failed by just two seconds to catch his 19 year old compatriot, thus missing his hat trick. Veteran, David Cheruiyot, who won Istanbul just five weeks ago, made it a Kenya one-two-three with his 2.14.43, also under the old record.

Mbogo knew who Matui was, because his two previous victories with a fast finish have forged a reputation for the 33 year old. All Matui needed to know about Mbogo was that he was a pacemaker. In contrast to his previous marathon start, when he duly dropped out at 30k, Mbogo said he every intention of finishing today, if he felt good at that point.
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Interview Excerpts: Gilmore, Rohatinsky and Shay on being Marathon Trial “Underdogs”

Posted October 26th, 2007 at 9:50 AM by Adam Jacobs

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

Earlier this week, the New York Road Runners hosted the final installment in a three part series of teleconferences related to the about the November 2 U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon trials in New York City.

This third teleconference provided the media with an opportunity to speak with NYRR CEO/President Mary Wittenberg and the following professional athletes: Peter Gilmore, Josh Rohatinsky, Ryan Shay

On being referred to as dark horses and training for the Trials:

Ryan: Since winning the USA Marathon title in 2003, my training has had a long period of ups and downs, some changes in coaching and changes in training environment . . .
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Hladyr & Wanjiru Withdraw from ING NYC Marathon

Posted October 4th, 2007 at 6:55 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Two key athletes who had been contracted to run the 2007 ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 4, have withdrawn from the race, according to the New York Road Runners, the race founders and organizers.

Tetyana Hladyr of Ukraine, the surprise second place finisher in last year’s women’s race, has been forced to quit the field due to a foot injury which will require surgery, according to her agent Andrey Baranov. Her husband, Aleksandr Kuzin, still remains in the field, however. He set a personal best of 2:07:33 in a solo run in Linz last April.

Also out of the race is the world record holder in the half-marathon, Samuel Wanjiru. Wanjiru, who runs for a Japanese corporate team, decided to postpone his debut because of unspecified difficulties with his preparations, according to his agent, Federico Rosa.
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Two Elites Drop Out of New York City Marathon

Posted October 4th, 2007 at 10:41 AM by Jamal Walker

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Previously announced entrants Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya and Tatiana Hladyr of the Ukraine will not compete in the ING New York City Marathon 2007 on Sunday, November 4, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

Wanjiru, the half-marathon world record-holder, had planned to make his marathon debut in New York; however, he told race organizers he was withdrawing due to problems with his preparation. Hladyr, the runner-up in last year’s race, has a foot injury that will require surgery, according to her manager, Andrey Baranov. The surgery is planned for October 11.

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Podcast 86: KATE O’NEIL on making her 26.2 mile debut at Sunday’s Chicago Marathon

Posted October 2nd, 2007 at 12:24 PM by Adam Jacobs

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

Episode sponsored by: Bill Rodgers Sportswear
After 21 years BR Sportswear is closing out their line of high -quality running apparel. Visit shopfest.com to take advantage of an unprecedented 50% discount on all in-stock items!

Episode 86 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my interview with 2004 Olympian KATE O’NEIL about making her marathon debut at Sunday’s Lasalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

In January, Kate finished second and ran a personal best 1:11:47 at the Aramco Half-Marathon in Houston. She continued her success with third places finishes at the Falmouth Road Race in August and the New Haven 20-K in September (where she also set another PR).

In the interview, Kate talks about her mental and physical preparation for Chicago, plans to run in next April’s U.S. Olympic Women’s Marathon Trails in Boston, and why she chose Chicago over other fall marathons (i.e. - New York) for her debut.

Download the podcast to hear Kate discuss these topics, as well as, how Deena Kastor and the other members of Team Running USA in Mammoth Lakes, CA have helped with her approach to the marathon, her views on the role of pacesetters, how cheering fans have confused her with her twin sister Laura when they ran together at Yale, and much more!

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Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Kate O’Neil
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 12.0 MB | Length: 17:30 MIN

Episode sponsored by: Bill Rodgers Sportswear
After 21 years Bill Rodgers Sportswear is closing out their line of high-quality running apparel. Visit shopfest.com to take advantage of an unprecedented 50% discount on all in-stock items!

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Best in Shoe: the R.W. International Shoe Summit

Posted December 9th, 2006 at 10:30 AM by Jenna Sumara

Section: Announcements, Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes

The Nike Air Pegasus 2006 took home the Shoe of the Year Award at the second annual International Editor’s Choice Awards. The awards were given at a special ceremony following the conclusion of the Runner’s World International Shoe Summit; the now annual four-day conference which features nine international editions of Runner’s World and manufactures of the world’s leading running shoes. These manufacturer’s also use the event as a time to announce and promote their upcoming product lines.
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