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Lead Stories: Sunday, November 23, 2008

Olympian Jon Brown Changes Allegiance to Canada

Posted November 14th, 2007 at 6:30 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

Jon Brown, twice fourth at the Olympic Marathon wearing the vest of Great Britain, has switched his allegiance to Canada. A long-time resident of British Columbia, Brown had already possessed a Candian passport but still ran for Britain.

“I no longer will be representing Great Britain in athletic competition,” said the 36 year-old athlete in an e-mail message sent to the Race Results Weekly office. “Instead I will now be running for Canada.”

A three-time Olympian for Britain, Brown still holds the British record for 10,000m, 27:18.14, set in Brussels in 1998. His best times at the standard distances are 7:45.41 for 3000m, 13:19.03 for 5000m, 61:49 for the half-marathon and 2:09:31 for the marathon.
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Okari Looks to Defend Bloomsday Title

Posted May 3rd, 2007 at 9:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

Gilbert Okari, the lanky road racing ace from Kenya, will attempt to become the third man to win back-to-back titles at the Lilac Bloomsday 12-K on Sunday in Spokane, Wash.

His chief rivals will be John Korir, George Misoi and Simon Ndirangu, all of Kenya, Ethiopian Tadesse Tola and Welshman Jon Brown.

The other two men who won consecutive Bloomsday titles were Okari’s compatriots Josephat Machuka (1994, 1995) and Lazarus Nyakeraka (1996, 1997).

On the women’s side, Olympic silver medalist and former world marathon champion, Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, will take on Teyba Erkesso of Ethiopia. Kathy Butler of Scotland, who was unable to finish the Flora London Marathon on April 22, is also in the field.
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Warm conditions for today’s London Marathon; Britain’s Brown drops out of race

Posted April 22nd, 2007 at 4:00 AM by David Monti

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

Just a few minutes before the elite women’s start of Flora London Marathon, athletes are preparing themselves for warm and sunny conditions.

The current temperature is 13°C (55°F) with 66% humidity, perfect for marathon running. But the mercury will be headed up soon, reaching an afternoon high of 21°C (70°F).

The weather forecast forced race director Dave Bedford to temper the pace of the men’s lead group to a half-marathon split of 62:45, still a 2:05:30 marathon pace.

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Britain’s top male entrant, Jon Brown, withdrew from the race this morning. “He was feeling unwell yesterday morning and unable to eat throughout the day,” read a statement issued by the race this morning. “He was undecided last night whether to withdraw, but has taken this decision this morning.”

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(c) 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.

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As race weekend begins, Brits reflect on their training & the marathon’s elite competition

Posted April 20th, 2007 at 5:15 PM by Kristin Bland

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The buzzing anticipation for Sunday’s Flora London Marathon is in full force and can be felt in corner pubs, restaurants and underground tube stations throughout the city. The emotions and excitement of race day have filled the city and are impossible to ignore, especially with the official countdown looming in the distance on the face of Big Ben.

Today, amidst this atmosphere, the elite British athletes gathered for a press conference to discuss the competition, racing strategy and the training regimens they endured over the preceding months.

Asked whether the competition had panned out as expected, the prevailing opinion among the British athletes was summarized by Jon Brown, the nation’s top marathoner and current Van Damme 10,000m record holder:
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Elite British Runners: “Training alone prepares you for racing in lonely marathons”

Posted April 20th, 2007 at 4:15 PM by Kristin Bland

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Top elite British male and female runners Jon Brown, Dan Robinson, Mara Yamauchi, Kathy Butler and Liz Yelling gather for Flora London Marathon press conference earlier today next to the Tower of London. The racers discussed the British preference for individualized training techniques as opposed to American “squad-training”.

The athletes were asked whether the American mentality of constantly training as a group provides stronger running results than training alone like these Brits.

Kathy Butler, current record holder for the Canadian 5000m indoors [15:37.02] and two mile [9:27.18], responded:

“A marathon can be a very lonely event, so training on your own gets you used to that, if you can’t run hard without your friends, you’re not going to be a good marathon runner.”

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