James Carney and Kate O’Neill (Pictured) got their 2008 racing campaigns off to a flying start by winning their first-ever USA titles at today’s Aramco Houston Half-Marathon here.
Carney, from Boulder, Colo., ran boldly for a man who had never run a half-marathon before. He launched to the lead through the first mile, and by the four-mile mark only Jason Lehmkule and Ryan Kirkpatrick were able to hang on to Carney’s pace.
“I decided to take it out hard and hold on as long as I can,” said Carney just after crossing the finish line and being presented with a massive silver belt buckle. He added: “If I blow up, I blow up.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Eugene Crowned Track Town, USA for Foreseeable Future
Despite sour grapes from some in track hamlets such as Sacramento, Eugene, OR will be getting all the track & field glory for the next few years. Its fable Hayward field – site of next year’s US Olympic Track & Field Trials – is now set to host the 2009 and 2011 US Championships and the 2012 Olympic Trials, allowing it to continue to be called “Track Town, USA.” Read more at: [The Register-Guard, OR]
NY Times Honors Life of Running Pioneer Ted Corbitt
The New York Times has honored running pioneer Ted Corbitt with an article that spotlights the running legend’s lifetime of achievements. Read more at: [New York Times]
Golden League Schedule Announced for 2008
The IAAF has announced the 2008 Golden League schedule. The season will begin on June 1st and end on September 5th. The venues will include Berlin, Oslo, Rome, Paris, Zurich and Brussels. The prize will be $1 million in gold and the events will be 100m, 400m, 1500m, 400m hurdles long jump and javelin (men) and 200m, 800m, 100m hurdles and high jump (women). 2007 winners Sanya Richards (400m) and Yelena Isinbayeva (pole vault) will not be able to repeat in 2008 – at least not in their specialties. Read more at: [Voice of America]
Read the rest of this entry »
Kenyan Steeplechaser Has Eye Marathon World Record
Boit Kipketer, a 35-year-old Kenyan who is one of just eight men to have finished a 3000m Steeplechase in under 8:00, now has eyes for Haile Gebrselassie’s marathon world-record time of 2:04:26. Read more at: [IAAF]
USOC Chair Ueberroth: Hayward Field Like Wrigley Field
United States Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth visited Eugene, OR, the location of next year’s U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, and made the storied Hayward Field his “first stop.” He compared Hayward Field to Wrigley Field, saying, “this community, with its heritage, with its magical facility, it’s kind of like Wrigley Field. That magical experience can provide a rebirth (and a) regeneration in track and field. I think it really is going to be wonderful.” Ueberroth also apologized to the whole world for Marion Jones’ actions, saying, “we damaged the Olympics. When you do something that hurts the organization, you better stand up and own up to it.” Read more at: [The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, OR]
Chariots of Fire, IRL
Sam Dobin, a 19-year-old economics student at Cambridge, has stolen a memorable scene from the movie Chariots of Fire and made it his own, in real life. You might recall the memorable scene in which Harold Abrahams, a central character in the movie, attempts to run all the way around Trinity College’s Great Court (pictured at right) before the clock finishes striking noon. Well, Dobin has done it, and he has done so in record time, and has been inspired to make a run at the 800m and 1500m runs in the 2012 Olympic Games. Read more at: [Daily Mail]
Read the rest of this entry »
The Houston Marathon Committee, governing body of the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and EP5K, has established a philanthropic organization to support running initiatives in the Houston area and nationwide.
“The Houston Marathon Committee wanted to find a way to support running in the community and nationally on a level that goes beyond offering a series of races once a year,” says Committee President Brant Kotch. “The Houston Marathon Foundation will allow us to do that through contributions to programs and projects that promote running.”
The Foundation primarily will support efforts that foster education about running and the advancement of running, and organizations that help develop running as a sport in the Houston community and nationwide. Three programs are being funded initially: the USA Distance Project, a national program that focuses on developing elite U.S. distance runners; the HARRA Kids’ Race and the Texas Children’s Hospital Kids’ Fun Run. Foundation members will meet quarterly to review other programs for potential funding.
Read the rest of this entry »
From time to time TFS will try and highlight other stories, usually news related, that you might find of interest:
Berlin Marathon 2007 Registration Begins — B.M. Press Release
Lagat Set for 2007 Indoor Start in UK — IAAF
Lauryn Williams: Visa’s Humanitarian Athlete of Year — Runner’s Web
Scientists racing to catch gene-doping athletes – ESPN
Is Marathoning Too Much of a Good Thing for Your Heart? — NY Times
US Left out of Bidding for 2011, 2013 Worlds — LA Times
Proposal to Shift Some Schools into Different Track Regions — T&F News
Low testosterone, high cholesterol — Dr. Gabe Mirkin
Houston Marathon Has Few Lottery Spots Open — Houston Chronicle
© 2006-2008 The Final Sprint, LLC | Privacy Policy | Design by The Blog Studio
The Final Sprint, LLC is owned and operated by Adam Jacobs
The Final Sprint