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Lead Stories: Friday, November 21, 2008

Beijing Swelters in Advance of Opening Ceremony

Posted August 8th, 2008 at 11:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

In advance of tonight’s Opening Ceremony, Beijing remains in the grip of a humid haze so thick that one could barely see the sun over Tiananmen Square this morning (see photo).

This is the third consecutive day that this Olympic host city has seen stifling humidity which has greatly reduced visibility and has left athletes, tourists and members of the media alike sweating profusely. There has not been a blue sky to look at since Tuesday afternoon.
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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Women through 15k; on pace for 2:30 finish

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 9:53 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Women hit 9 miles in 51:30. 5:45 for the 9th mile. They subsequently hit the 15k mark in 53:20.

If they keep this up they are on pace for a 2 hours and 30 minutes finish time. That would be the slowest women’s pace at the Chicago marathon since 1996.

Reports from the course say that both the women and the men are drinking far more water than usual.

The women’s lead pack still includes seven favorites, including Benita Johnson and Berhane Adere. In addition, Kate O’Neil, who is making her debut at the distance, is catching up to the lead pack. She had been about 150 feet back at the 10k point and has cut that in half.

The women continue to allow Alevtina Ivanova to stay int he lead and do all of work. This may prove crucial down the stretch.

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Steamy Chicago Marathon On Tap For Sunday

Posted October 5th, 2007 at 8:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The leaves may be falling from the trees of this bustling Midwestern city, but the temperature decidedly is not. Usually blessed with crisp autumn days, Chicago is in the middle of an untimely heat wave in advance of Sunday’s 30th edition of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

Britain’s Liz Yelling will be competing here for the first time. Usually joined by her triathlete husband, Martin, she is by herself here because he is preparing to compete in the Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii a week from tomorrow.

“It’s hotter here,” said Yelling.

The average high temperature for the last ten marathons here was 14.7°C (58.5°F), but forecasters are predicting a high temperature for Sunday of 31°C (88°F) accompanied by 65% humidity.

At the 8:00 a.m. start, the temperature should be around 21°C (70°F). It will be the hottest Chicago Marathon on record; the previous high temperature for the race, according to records kept by the organizers, was 29°C (84°F) in 1979. The record high for Oct. 7 here is 86°F (30°C).

Executive race director Carey Pinkowski and his team have taken steps to protect the massive field –last year’s race had 32,995 finishers– from the heat. They have posted a heat advisory on their website, beefed up their medical team, instituted a plan to move unused water from earlier drinking stations to later ones, and will have cooling sprays installed in various locations.
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