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Lead Stories: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Dutchwoman Kibet Is First at 37th New York Mini 10-K

Posted June 7th, 2008 at 1:20 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Road Racing

In hot and sticky conditions, the Netherlands’ Hilda Kibet won the 37th edition of the NYRR New York Mini 10-K, adding her name to the list of stars who have won what is the oldest and most famous all-women’s road race in the world.

Kibet, who just qualified for the Dutch 10,000m team for the Beijing Olympics at a race in Utrecht last Saturday, was in a group of four women through the half-way mark on the winding and hilly course in Central Park (16:12). Kenya’s Everlyne Lagat was the first to fall back from this group, then a little injection of pace in the seventh kilometer put USA marathon record holder Deena Kastor a few steps behind.

Kibet was then left to battle with Mexico’s Madai Perez for the last two kilometers. With 800m to go Kibet pushed one more time, and it was enough to secure her second New York City road racing victory in her last two starts (she won the NYC Half-Marathon presented by NIKE last August).
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USA Olympic Marathon Team to Run New York Mini 10-K

Posted May 28th, 2008 at 2:35 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Road Racing

They finished 1-2-3 in Boston at the USA Olympic Team Trials - Women’s Marathon last month, and now Deena Kastor, Magdalena Lewy Boulet and Blake Russell will be teaming-up again to compete in the 37th edition of the NYRR New York Mini 10-K. Slated for Saturday, June 7, the “Mini” is the oldest all-women’s road race in the world, founded by Fred Lebow and the New York Road Runners in 1972.

“This is a formidable and very experienced squad with legitimate Olympic medal hopes that all of America should be very proud of,” commented Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of the New York Road Runners. “Having them all here for the Mini reflects our commitment to America’s top athletes and demonstrates that the road to Beijing continues to run through Central Park for America’s Olympians.”
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“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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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”)

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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 +

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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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NYC MARATHON 2007:
Elite Athlete Profile:
JELENA PROKOPCUKA

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 9:30 AM by thefinalsprint.com

Section: News & Results, Marathons

After an outstanding season of summer racing, during which she established four new national records on the roads and track, Latvia’s Jelena Prokopcuka returns to attempt something only Grete Waitz has accomplished: a third consecutive ING New York City Marathon title.

In 2005 she was voted the country’s most popular athlete. Prokopcuka is married to Aleksandr Prokopcuk, the Latvian men’s record-holder in the marathon, and they reside in the resort town of Jürmala, near the Latvian capital of Riga. She finished second to fellow ING New York City Marathon entrant Lidiya Grigoryeva in the Boston Marathon earlier this year.

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The Final Sprint Podcast Highlighted by Running Times

Posted October 29th, 2007 at 9:07 AM by thefinalsprint.com

Section: News & Results, Announcements, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Resources, Olympics, Special Features, Podcasts, Trail / Ultra

The Final Sprint Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, continues to capture audiences and receive praise from athletes, coaches, journalists, industry leaders and running fans from around the world.

Most recently, Running Times Magazine chose to highlight The Final Sprint Podcast along with Flocasts/Flotrack and the World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) in their October 2007 issue.

The Final Sprint Podcast, launched in January 2007, features three to five audio interviews each week and is hosted by TheFinalSprint.com Editor-in-Chief Adam Jacobs.

Jacobs has proudly welcomed a dynamic and eclectic list of guests, including track & field superstars (Sanya Richards, Ryan Hall, Alan Webb), Olympic marathon medalists (Deena Kastor, Meb Keflezighi), ultra-elite champions (Dean Karnazes, Scott Jurek), coaching icons (Dr. Jack Daniels, Jeff Galloway), courageous heroes (Jim MacLaren, Kathrine Switzer, Billy Mills) and running legends from years past (Gail Devers, Jim Ryun, Grete Waitz).

To listen in, subscribe to the podcast feed, or even download recent episodes right to your mp3 player, please visit: TheFinalSprint.com.

The podcast is also available at no charge in iTunes.

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Quote of the Day: 10/29/07

Posted October 29th, 2007 at 6:00 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

“I’m never going to run this again.”

- Grete Waitz, after winning her first of nine New York City marathons

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Quote of the Day: 10/25/07

Posted October 25th, 2007 at 6:00 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

When I came to New York in 1978, I was a full-time school teacher and track runner, and determined to retire from competitive running. But winning the New York City Marathon kept me running for another decade.
- Grete Waitz

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Quote of the Day: 9/4/07

Posted September 4th, 2007 at 6:55 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

“Sustained motivation is essential to achieving your potential.”

- Grete Waitz

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