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Cheruiyot, Grigoryeva Earn 2008 Chicago Marathon Titles
Posted October 12th, 2008 at 11:34 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Evans Cheruiyot, who debuted at the marathon distance only last year, became the 6th straight Kenyan to win the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Sunday. Running away from fellow Kenyan David Mandago with less than two-miles from the finish, Cheruiyot broke the tape in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 25 seconds.
Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia, 34, the 2007 Boston champion, took command of the women’s race in the 21st mile and went on to win the title in 2:27.17.Russian compatriot Alevtina Biktimova was the runner-up.
Cheruiyot, 26, now is 2-for-2 since moving up to the marathon a year ago. He won at Milan last December in 2:09.16.
Mandago was second in 2:07:37.
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Grigoryeva is Victorius at 2008 Chicago Marathon
Posted October 12th, 2008 at 11:27 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Marathons
1 Grigoryeva, Lidiya 2:27:17 (RUS)
2 Biktimirova, Alevtina 2:29:32 (RUS)
3 Shimahara, Kiyoko 2:30:19 (JPN)
4 Tomescu-Dita, Constantina 2:30:57 (ROM)
5 Davila, Desiree 2:31:33 (USA)
Gold Medalist Dita Leads Chicago Field
Posted September 11th, 2008 at 10:45 AM by David Monti
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Organizers of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will have the sparkle of gold at their race on Sunday, October 12, when Romania’s Constantina Dita steps to the starting line. The newly crowned Olympic Games gold medalist will have just 56 days to recover from her breakaway win in Beijing, then rally back to perform at her best in Chicago. It will be her fifth appearance in the Windy City, a race she won in 2004 and finished second one year later in a personal best 2:21:30.
“I am delighted to be returning to Chicago,” said Dita through a press release. “I have always felt great running there and have been fortunate to have some of the best races of my life there. It will also be nice to return because I understand Chicago is bidding for the 2016 Olympic Games and I think it would be a wonderful place to have them.”
In Beijing Dita pulled away from the field just before the halfway point, and romped to a solo victory in 2:26:44, 22 seconds ahead of silver medalist Catherine Ndereba of Kenya. She became the oldest Olympic Games marathon champion at 38.
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In Boston Cheruiyot Defends & Tune Wins Dramatic Sprint
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 6:00 PM by David Monti
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot won his fourth Boston Marathon and Dire Tune her first in a memorable 112th edition of America’s oldest and most historic marathon race.
Cheruiyot, the 29 year-old Kenyan who is the reigning World Marathon Majors champion, made a run at his own course record, leading a pack of six through the half-way in a brisk 1:03:07. Compatriots James Kwambai and James Mwangi Macharia joined him along with Moroccan Abderrahime Bouramdane and Ethiopians Kasime Adillo and Tesfaye Girma.
“As usual the course was very difficult and I tried to push harder this year to achieve my personal goal of running a 2:07,” said Cheruiyot.
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2008 World Marathon Majors Series Continues With Boston Marathon
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 1:31 PM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage
The 2008 World Marathon Majors (WMM) series continued today with the crowning of the men’s and women’s champions at the 112th running of the Boston Marathon. The inaugural WMM men’s champion Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya moved into second place in the 2007-08 series championship in becoming the youngest four-time Boston Marathon champion. Ethiopia’s Dire Tune added her name to the series leaderboard in the closest women’s finish in the history of the race.
Martin Lel of Kenya and Irina Mikitenko of Germany both earned 25 points in winning last week’s Flora London Marathon, the first of six races in the series in 2008. The next points races in the 2007-08 series will be the Olympic Marathons this August in Beijing. At the conclusion of the two-year series this fall, the male and female point leaders will each be awarded $500,000.
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LIVE at the Boston Marathon: 22-yr old Dire Tune Wins Closest Boston Marathon in History
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage
In the closest race in the 112 year history of the Boston Marathon, 22-yr old Dire Tune of Ethiopia defeated Russia’s 25-yr old stallion Alevtina Bikitimrova. Tune crossed the line in 2:25:21 and became the youngest Boston champion since 21-yr old American Joan Benoit Samuelson won the race in 1979.
Tune and Biktimirova traded the lead in dramatic fashion throughout the final 800m with each matching then other’s surge just when you thought they were done. Tune ultimately proved to be too strong as she took off with 100m to go, finished 2 seconds ahead of Biktimrova, and collapsed after breaking the tape.
Rita Jeptoo, the 2007 Boston Marathon Champion, finished third in a time of 2:26:34, over a minute behind Biktimirova. Latvia’s Jelena Prokopcuka came in fourth in 2:28:12 while Ethiopia’s Askale Tafa Magarsa rounded out the top five in 2:29:48. Defending champion Lidiya Grigoryeva was part of the lead pack for the first half of the race but eventually faded to finish ninth in 2:35:37. Top American honors went to Ashley Anklam who ran 2:48:43 to finish an impressive 15th in a race where many top Americans were absent due to yesterday’s Olympic Marathon Trials.
Top Female Finishers:
1. Dire Tune ETH 2:25:25
2. Alevtina Biktimirova RUS 2:25:27
3. Rita Jeptoo KEN 2:26:34
4. Jelena Prokopcuka LAT 2:28:12.
5. Askale Tafa Magarsa ETH 2:29:48
For more news, analysis, interviews, videos, and results from the 2008 Boston Marathon and USA Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials, please visit:
LIVE at the Boston Marathon: Tune, Biktimrova battle through final 3.2 miles in extremely close race
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 11:50 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage
Tune and Biktimirova a 5:12 mile between 22 and 23, and they continue to run essentially stide-by-side as they head towards the 24 mike mark.
Tune looks more comfortable than Bikitimirova at this point, and most believe the young Ethiopian also has better finishing speed. Therefore, Biktimrova needs to find a way to either make a move or hang with Tune and the legendary Ethiopian kick.
The next closest elite woman is Rita Jeptoo and she is almost 1:30 behind.
For more news, analysis, interviews, videos, and results from the 2008 Boston Marathon and USA Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials, please visit:
LIVE at the Boston Marathon: Biktimirova, Tune battle it out through 20 miles in two-woman race
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 11:32 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Dire Tune, the 22-yr old phenom from Ethiopia, and Russia’s 25-year old Alevtina Biktimirova, who has eight top-three finishes in her young career, are not battling it out in what has become a two-woman race.
Between mile 19 and 20, Biktimirova ran a 5:23 mile … going UP Heartbreak Hill
The Ethiopians are known for their finishing kick speed and they longer she is able to hang on and stay on the heels of Biktimirova - the better the odds of her coming out on top. It is only a matter of time before the 22-yr old makes a move.
For more news, analysis, interviews, videos, and results from the 2008 Boston Marathon and USA Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials, please visit:
LIVE at the Boston Marathon: Pack of four pull ahead of Prokopcuka; Tear through Mile 18
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 11:15 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Jelena Prokopcuka has been passed at mile 18 after being unable to keep up with the 5:10 pace run over the hills by Ethiopia’s Dire Tune, Russia’s Alevtina Biktimirova, and Kenya’s Magdaline Chemjor & Rita Jeptoo.
Prokopcuka, after initally falling back and starting to make a dent on the distance between her and the leaders, has now further even further back and is out of sight for those riding in the lead truck. We are hearing reports that she is at least 35 seconds back.
Bikitimirova is really pushing the pace, trying to win her first major, marathon title. Her previous victories have come in Honolulu (2007) and the European Championships (2006).
Top Women at 30k:
1. Alevtina Biktimirova RUS 1:45:24
2. Dire Tune ETH 1:45:24
3. Rita Jeptoo KEN 1:45:24
4. Askale Tafa Magarsa ETH 1:45:29
5. Jelena Prokopcuka LAT 1:45:52
6. Nuta Olaru ROM 1:46:05
7. Bruna Genovese ITA 1:46:43
8. Lidiya Grigoryeva RUS 1:47:07
9. Robe Tola Guta ETH 1:47:40
For more news, analysis, interviews, videos, and results from the 2008 Boston Marathon and USA Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials, please visit:
LIVE at the Boston Marathon: Prokopcuka back in front; Pack begins to spread out
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 11:12 AM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Latvian sports hero and World Marathon Major contender Jelena Prokopcuka is back in front as the ladies began to pick up the pace - ever so slightly - at mile 15. They are through 15 miles in 1:25:45; running the previous mile in 5:46.
Prokopcuka then went on to further pick up the pace and is showing a very efficient and quick leg turnover. She is now through 25k in 1:28:37 as the lead pack of thn has begun to spread out with Prokpcuka leading the last three in the pack by about 3 seconds.
Top Women at 25k:
1. Jelena Prokopcuka LAT 1:28:37
2. Dire Tune ETH 1:28:37
3. Askale Tafa Magarsa ETH 1:28:37
4. Rita Jeptoo KEN 1:28:37
5. Alevtina Biktimirova RUS 1:28:38
6. Nuta Olaru ROM 1:28:38
7. Lidiya Grigoryeva RUS 1:28:39
8. Magdaline Chemjor KEN 1:28:40
9. Bruna Genovese ITA 1:28:40
10. Robe Tola Guta ETH 1:28:40
For more news, analysis, interviews, videos, and results from the 2008 Boston Marathon and USA Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials, please visit:
Which currently declared candidate would most improve USATF if elected as President of the Board of Directors?
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Page 2 Articles
- 2008 Previews & Predictions: Women’s Marathon
The marathon promises to be one of the marquee events in women’s track and field in 2008. Among the highlights will be an epic showdown in London, a thrilling U.S. Olympic Trials, and Paula Radcliffe’s last chance at Olympic glory in Beijing. These and a few other huge races should provide many memorable […]
- Defending Champions to Return to Boston Marathon
Organizers of the Boston Marathon announced today that Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot and Lidiya Grigoryeva, their 2007 champions, planned to return to the race this year to defend their titles.
“We are very excited to have both of our defending champions returning for the 112th Boston Marathon,” said Guy Morse, executive director of the Boston Athletic Association […] - NYC MARATHON ‘07: Radcliffe Wins Second NYC Title; Wami Earns World Marathon Majors $500k
After taking a hiatus from racing to have a child, World Marathon Record Holder Paula Radcliffe quited the doubters and made a loud and impressive statement this morning in her first 26.2 mile race since giving birth.
Britain’s Radcliffe dominated one of the most talented fields of female marathon runners ever assembled to win the 2007 […] - NYC MARATHON ‘07: Prokopcuka Breaks From Grigoryeva, Ndereba In Move for 3rd Place Finish
After 35k, Jelena Prokopcuka decided that enough was enough. She has made a move and broken away from Grigoryeva and Ndereba. Her 8 second lead is growing.
However, the leaders are too far out reach and now trails Radcliffe and Wami by almost four minutes.
Radcliffe has begun to press forward and opened a slight lead […] - NYC MARATHON ‘07: Radcliffe Allows Wami to Stay Close On First Avenue; Ndereba Climbs Back
After entering First Avenue - one of the loudest and most supportive sections of the marathon course - Radcliffe continues to lead with Wami literally “in her back pocket”. Historically, many runners have chosen the turn onto First Avenue as the moment to make a move.
However, Radcliffe has decided against it; maintaining […] - NYC MARATHON ‘07: Ndereba Falls Off Pace Near 25k Mark
Catherine Ndereba, the 2007 World marathon Champion, really struggled with the Queensborugh Bridge and has fallen behind Prokopcuka and Grigoryeva as a result. If anyone has the power and ability to come back it’s Catherine “The Great”, but she can not allow herself to fall much farther behind.
At the front of the race, Radcliffe […] - NYC MARATHON ‘07: 3rd NYC Title May Be Out Reach for Prokopcuka; Must Pray Radcliffe Edges Wami
The women have now reached the half-way mark (1:10:47). However, they have slowed a bit; running the 13th mile run in 5:27.
The only way Wami can pull ahead of Prokopcuka in the World Marathon majors standings is to win the race, otherwise Prokopcuka will win the $500,000. Therefore, if she can not catch […] - NYC MARATHON ‘07: More of the Same for Women After 20k
In sports - especially endurance events like marathon running - we have all seen thrilling and seemingly impossible come-from-behind victories.
Although anything is possible and the race is far from over, the other favorites may already be too far behind to have a shot at this year title. After 20k (12.4 miles), Radcliffe and […] - NYC MARATHON ‘07: Women Complete 15k; Radcliffe and Wami Dominate Field
Radcliffe and Wami continue to lead the women’s field at course-record-setting pace and they fly by the 15k mark.
Their overall time is 50:12 which translates into a 5:23/mile pace. Having made their moves so early, Radcliffe and Wami have managed to run in the lead at a pretty consistent pace that […] - NYC MARATHON ‘07: Showdown Looms Between Radcliffe and Ndereba
You might be disappointed that neither Radcliffe or Wami have made a move since the second mile of the race. You might be tired of watching Wami run just behind Radcliffe with no one else in site.
However, the showdown is brewing - you can feel it. Approaching the 35k mark and after several […]
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On November 30, 2008
Chris Mcduffie said:
Hello I am writing because I wanted to see when is the Newyork city marathon is and how much...