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Lead Stories: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Dobriskey & Willis Take Fifth Avenue Mile Titles

Posted September 21st, 2008 at 6:12 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Road Racing

Britain’s Lisa Dobriskey and New Zealand’s Nick Willis won the professional races at the 28th Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile here this afternoon.

Dobriskey, who only entered the race last Wednesday, followed the fast early pace of Kenyan Rose Kosgei. San Francisco’s Shannon Rowbury also followed closely. Fourth and seventh in the Olympic 1500m respectively, Dobriskey and Rowbury were able to pull away from Kosgei and battle for the win in the final meters. Dobriskey just got to the line slightly ahead of Rowbury, winning in 4:18.6, the second fastest time in the history of the race. She is the first British women’s champion here since Paula Radcliffe in 1997. Rowbury, who like Dobriskey was making her Fifth Avenue debut, got second in 4:19.2. Kosgei held on for third in 4:23.9.
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Lagat to Battle Willis & Symmonds at Fifth Avenue Mile

Posted September 17th, 2008 at 12:12 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Road Racing

The world’s most famous road mile is poised to add another thrilling chapter to its history when double world champion Bernard Lagat does battle with Olympic bronze medalist Nick Willis and U.S. Olympic Trials 800m champion Nick Symmonds here on Sunday at the 28th edition of the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile.

Lagat, who also has two Olympic Medals to his credit, will not only be making his Fifth Avenue debut, but will also be running his first race on pavement. Already the reigning Millrose Games Wanamaker Mile Champion, Lagat will try to become only the second man in history –and the first since Isaac Viciosa in 1997– to win the Wanamaker and Fifth Avenue Miles in the same year.
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Podcast 85: SARA HALL on the Fifth Ave Mile, Olympics, parenthood, faith and more!

Posted October 1st, 2007 at 4:37 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, 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 85 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast features my interview with SARA HALL.

Hall capped off her 2007 running campaign with a third place finish at the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile and heads into the off-season with hopes of an Olympic bid – for both herself and her husband Ryan.

In the interview Sara talks about the Fifth Avenue Mile, racing in Europe, bouncing back from the disappointment of missing the U.S. World Championship team by less than a second and being inspired by Ryan’s breakthrough year.

Download the podcast to hear Sara discuss these topics, as well as, her NCAA career, how the recent birth of Dathan Ritzenhein’s first child has affected her own thoughts of parenthood and plans to adopt a child, the newest addition to the Hall family (a miniature Siberian Husky named Kyla), the importance of faith in her life & career, and much more!

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Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Sara Hall
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File Size: 9.03 MB | Length: 13:09 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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Podcast 84: JON RANKIN, third at today’s Fifth Avenue Mile, reflects on his successful summer

Posted September 29th, 2007 at 8:20 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: 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 84 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running Podcast in North America, features
my interview with emerging star JON RANKIN.

Rankin, a former UCLA All-American, had a lot of success in 2006 and has really improved since making the decision to work with Joaquim Cruz, the 1984 800m gold medalist, and after recovering from several stress fractures that plagued him in 2006. Earlier today, Rankin capped off the successful season by finishing third behind Alan Webb and Kevin Sullivan at the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile.

In the interview, Jon talks about today’s performance, what it’s like to be running in the lead with runners like Webb, highlights of the season and the source of his improvement, and the major focuses and goals in the months ahead.

Download the podcast to hear Jon discuss these topics, as well as, how former American mile record holder Steve scott, Coach Cruz and his agent Merhawi Keflezighi (brother to Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi) serve as a phenomenal support system, their ability to assist with his mental preparation and self-confidence, 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 Rankin
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File Size: 23.7 MB | Length: 34:38 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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Webb, Douma-Hussar Win Fifth Ave. Mile

Posted September 29th, 2007 at 7:00 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results

Alan Webb of Reston, Va., and Carmen Douma-Hussar of Ardmore, Pa., were the winners of the 27th annual Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile held here today on a breezy autumn day.

Webb clocked 3:52.7 to edge defending champion, Kevin Sullivan, a Canadian from Champaign, Il., who ran 3:52.9. Former UCLA Bruin Jon Rankin of San Diego, Calif., was third in 3:53.3.

Douma-Hussar, a Canadian, ran the fastest time here since 1998, winning for the second time in three years in 4:22.8. Amy Mortimer of Providence, R.I., was second in 4:23.6 and Sara Hall of Big Bear Lake, Calif., the defending champion, was third in 4:24.1.

Over 4000 runners took part in various heats on Fifth Avenue, normally one of Manhattan’s busiest streets.
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Cont. Airlines 5th Ave Mile: Webb Wins Men’s Race

Posted September 29th, 2007 at 1:10 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

The men’s race of the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile, held on Saturday, September 29th, 2007 at 1:05 PM, showcased 2006 winner Kevin Sullivan and American-record holder Alan Webb.

The 1/4 mile split was 57.6. The runners were all bunched up. Juan Luis Barrios of Mexico was pushing the pace.

Chris Lukezic led at the half-mile mark in 1:59.1.

3/4 mile split was passed 2:55.7 Rankin was in front, followed by Lukezic, Sullivan and Barrios. Webb was fifth, but moving up quickly.
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Cont. Airlines 5th Ave Mile: Douma Wins Women’s Race

Posted September 29th, 2007 at 1:01 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

The women’s race of the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile, held on Saturday, September 29th, 2007 at 12:45 PM, showcased 2006 winner Sara Hall.

The 1/2 mile split was 2:13.3. Kim Smith was in the lead. Sara Hall was toward the back, but gaining.

Canadian Carmen Douma-Hussar was the winner in 4:22.8. Amy Mortimer was 2nd. Sara Hall was 3rd.

Today’s race was the fastest race since 1998, when Regina Jacobs won in 4:20.8. Jacobs had to retire in disgrace in 2004 after failing a doping test.

Douma’s time was similar to Paula Radcliffe’s time in 1997, a 4:22.96. Carmen was also the 2005 winner with a time of 4:28.0. Here are the final results:

1. Carmen Douma-Hussar 4:22.8
2. Amy Mortimer 4:23.6
3. Sara Hall 4:24.1
4. Kim Smith 4:25.0
5. Meskerem Legesse 4:30.6
6. Marina Muncan 4:31.2
7. Yuriko Kobayashi 4:32.6

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Cont. Airlines 5th Ave Mile
Interview with Jon Rankin

Posted September 27th, 2007 at 4:45 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Special Features, Interviews

Jean Cann of MensRacing.com, a member of the New York Road Runners (NYRR) family of websites, recently did an interview with former UCLA All-American Jon Rankin about Saturday’s Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile. Rankin, who is coached by 1984 800-meter gold medalist Joaquim Cruz and represented by Olympic marathon bronze medalist Meb Keflezighi’s brother Mahawi, will be competing against a tough race field that is led by Alan Webb and Kevin Sullivan.

Here is an excerpt from the interview:

Q. Let’s start off with the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile, since it’s coming right up. Why did you choose to include it in your racing schedule?

A. I got a slow start to my season after coming back from my injury—I had broken my fifth metatarsal at the U.S. Championships in 2006 and missed a lot of time. I decided to extend my track season all the way until around this time of the year and the Fifth Avenue Mile happens to be at this time. My coach and I figured it would be great to shoot for if I was still feeling good. It’s a great event and I haven’t done it yet; I’m so excited to give it a try.

To read the interview in it’s entirety, please visit: MensRacing.com

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American Record Holder Alan Webb to Run 5th Ave. Mile

Posted September 20th, 2007 at 3:14 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

American record holder Alan Webb will look to add more honors to an already stellar track season as he tops the field of the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile on Saturday, September 29, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

Joining Webb in the famed one-mile road race down Fifth Avenue will be defending men’s champion Kevin Sullivan of Canada and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand. Sara Hall of Big Bear Lake, CA, the 2006 women’s champion, will defend her title.

“Alan comes into the mile off one unbelievable season,” Wittenberg said. “Is this his chance for a victory lap through the streets of New York City and a celebration of a breakthrough year? Certainly Sullivan, Willis, and the field aren’t going to hand it to him.”
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Kevin Sullivan & Sara Hall Win the Continental Airlines “Fifth Avenue Mile”

Posted September 30th, 2006 at 2:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results

Canada’s Kevin Sullivan won the 2006 Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile with a time of 3:54:1. Nick Willis (3:54.7) and Matt Tegenkamp (3:54.8) finished second and third, respectively.

Sullivan participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Sullivan also ran at the 2000 Games in Sydney where he finished fifth in the 1500m.

On the women’s side, Sara Hall won the competition with a time of 4:28:0; beating out Kim Smith (4:30.3) and Erin Donaghue (4:31.7). Read the rest of this entry »

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