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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

London Marathon 2008: Elite Women’s Race Preview

Posted April 11th, 2008 at 3:30 PM by Jared Markowitz

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The women’s competition at the 2008 Flora London Marathon promises to be intense despite the absence of perennial favorite and World Record holder Paula Radcliffe, who recently withdrew due to a toe ailment. The race will still include a pair of Ethiopian stars as well as several other first class British marathoners. These women will be racing for one of the most prestigious titles in the marathon world as well as points in the World Marathon Majors contest.

Leading the way for the women will be the inaugural World Marathon Major Champion, Gete Wami of Ethiopia. Wami had a stellar track career before turning to the marathon, and has finished on the podium in numerous world class marathons. She won last fall’s Berlin marathon and finished second at London last year (to China’s Chunxiu Zhou). Her lifetime best of 2:21:34 ranks near the top of the field but is almost a minute slower than that of fellow Ethiopian Berhane Adere, whose 2:20:42 is the fastest in the field. Adere also sports an impressive marathon resume with two Chicago victories and the 2008 Dubai title to her credit. Adere will be looking to avenge a few uncharacteristically poor performances at London as her fourth and eleventh place finishes the last two years are far below her standards.
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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Pirtea leads through 23 miles; O’Neil moves into third!

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 11:10 AM by Adam Jacobs

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

Pirtea has hit 23 miles in 2:14:13. Her last mile was in 5:57. She has an 8 second lead on Adere.

Kate O’Neill has moved into 3rd place! She is abuot 1:45 behind Pirtea. Benita Johnson is in 4th about :45 behind O’Neill.

Yelling in 5th about 0:20 behind Johnson

Women’s 35k split times are:

Adere 2:06:42
Pritea 2:06:42
O’Neill 2:07:37
Johnson 2:08:04
Ivanova 2:0836
Yelling 2:09:00
Olaru 2:09:52
Higgins 2:11:47

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

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Chicago Marathon ‘07: O’Neil, in her debut, is beginning to catch up after 10 miles

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 9:59 AM by Adam Jacobs

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

Women through 10 miles in 57:17. 5:47 for the last mile.

Kathy Butler has fallen back by 30 seconds. American Kate O’Neill is 17 seconds back and continuing to gain on the leaders.

Here are the elite women’s 15k rankings and times:

Alevtina Ivanova 52:21
Berhane Adere 53:21
Benita Johnson 53:21
Nuta Olaur 53:22
Liz Yelling 53:22
Adirana Pirtea 53:22
Kate O’Neill 53:30
Kathy Butler 53:38
Jessica Ruthe 53:49

The women are stopping at every opportunity to take water. This slow pace may allow runners, such as Kate O’Neil, to stay close and have a shot at the end.

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Ivanova takes lead at 8 mile marker

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 9:47 AM by Jeremy Sussman

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

Alevtina Ivanova has taken over the lead for the women at about the eight mile mark. The 7 other women are still packed closely behind her and are mixed in with a bunch of the male age groupers.

The women’s 8 mile split is 45:45; 5:50 for the last mile.

However, Adere is right behind Ivanova’s shoulder and is looking comfortable.

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Women’s 10k splits

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 9:42 AM by Adam Jacobs

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

The women’s 10k splits were as follows:

Nuta Olaru 35:22
Berhane Adere 35:23
Adriana Pirtea 35:23
Kathy Butler 35:23
Alevtina Ivanova 35:23
Benita Johnson 35:23
Liz Yelling 35:24
Kate O’Neill 35:31
Jessica Ruthe 35:41

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Butler falls in line with pack at 10k

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 9:36 AM by Adam Jacobs

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

Kathy Butler is back with the pack, which includes Berhane Adere, Teyba Erkesso, Liz Yelling, Benita Johnson, and Alvetina Ivanova.
35:22 at 10k which is 2:29 pace.

Australia’s Benita Johnson, who ripped her thigh in a freak accident at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, is about 10 seconds behind the leader.

If they stay packed and make it tactical, Adere is a former 10k World Champion and has a devastating kick. Adere is coached by her husband who used to be an international cross country runner.

The women’s Chicago Marathon course record is 2:17 by Paula Radcliffe.

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Butler increases lead after 5 miles

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 9:27 AM by Jeremy Sussman

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

Now past the 5 mile mark, Kathy Butler has increased her lead to about 8 seconds over a pack of 5 women 5 seconds behind her, which includes Berhane Adere and Teyba Erkesso.

In all, the women’s 5 mile split time is 28:30 and the last mile wa run in 5:54.

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Butler through 4 miles in 22:35

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 9:25 AM by Jeremy Sussman

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

Kathy Butler 22:35 at 4 miles. 5:39 last mile.

The pack of favorites trailing Butler is about 5 seconds behind her.

It should be interesting to see what kind of wear and tear this causes Butler in the later stages of the race. It is always harder to lead then to stay close and then make your move at the end.

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

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Chicago Marathon ‘07: After three miles, Butler alone in women’s lead

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 9:18 AM by Jeremy Sussman

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

Kathy Butler is alone at 3 miles in 16:55, 5k at 17:26.

Her third mile was 5:39. She is on 2:27 pace.

This race is very important for Butler who will be trying to qualify for the British Olympic team this Spring and who is trying to bounce back from a DNF at last April’s Flora London Marathon. The former University of Wisconsin star looks great thus far today.

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Women run through 2 mile mark

Posted October 7th, 2007 at 9:12 AM by Jeremy Sussman

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Women are through 2 miles in 11:17; 6:00 minutes even for the second mile.

All of the top women are still near the front, including: Berhane Adere, Kathy Butler, Teyba Erkesso, Alvetina Ivanova, Benita Johnson, Nuta Olaru, Kate O’Neil, Driana Pirtea, Jess Ruthe, Linda Somers Smith, and Liz Yelling.

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Check back often for TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 Chicago Marathon, sponsored by Ultima Replenisher, at:

http://chicago.thefinalsprint.com

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