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Large Pack Still Together at 10 Miles
Posted August 16th, 2008 at 8:09 PM by Jared Markowitz
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics
A large lead pack is still intact 10 miles into the 2008 Women’s Olympic Marathon. Romanian Constantina Tomescu-Dita (Pictured) was the leader of the 40 woman pack at the 10 mile mark, reaching it in 57:49. The pace thus far has been sluggish but consistent, with opening 5k splits of 18:24, 17:46, 17:42.
Britain’s Liz Yelling has assumed most of the pacing duties despite a nasty spill around a tight corner, undoubtedly caused by the light rain that has begun to fall on the course. Also at the front of the lead pack is World Record Holder Paula Radcliffe and fan favorite Zhou Chunxiu of China.
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Britain’s Yelling Leads Large Pack Through 5 Miles
Posted August 16th, 2008 at 7:58 PM by Jared Markowitz
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics
The field has passed the 5 mile mark in the Women’s Olympic Marathon tightly bunched in about 29:20. Britain’s Liz Yelling has assumed most of the pacing duties and has kept the pace relaxed as almost all the main competitors are still together.
The only notable casualty was American Deena Kastor (the reigning Olympic Bronze medalist), who dropped out of the race around the 5k mark after “hearing something pop” in her foot. Also notable are the surprisingly favorable conditions, as the temperature is about 72-73 degrees with only about 80% humidity.
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London Marathon Champions Return for BUPA London 10,000
Posted May 7th, 2008 at 10:28 AM by David Monti
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Britain’s two leading organizers of road races have joined forces to launch a new event slated for Monday, May 26. Dubbed the BUPA London 10,000, the event will be jointly produced by the Flora London Marathon and Nova International and will feature Martin Lel (Pictured) and Irina Mikitenko, the 2008 Flora London Marathon champions.
“We are delighted to have such strong elite fields for the first ever BUPA London 10,000,” said David Bedford, race director of the Flora London Marathon. “To have our current Flora London Marathon champions on the start line is a great boost for us in our first year.”
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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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Kenyans Kibet and Cheruiyot Claim BUPA Great South Run Titles in Portsmouth
Posted October 29th, 2007 at 10:20 PM by Martha Jones
Section: News & Results
Luke Kibet and Rose Cheruiyot added their names to the list of Kenyan’s who have triumphed at past BUPA Great South Runs in Portsmouth on Sunday.
The pair of African stars who despite awfully wet and windy conditions at the south coast venue, both showed their rivals a clean pair of heels in one of the world’s top 10 mile road races.
Neither they or the 18,500 entrants were deterred by the weather and slippery conditions after Portsmouth FC’s goalkeeper David James set them off a scenic journey through the historic naval city.
Kibet after his emphatic World Championships marathon produced another flowing victory emulating the feats of previous Kenyan winners Benson Masya (1995), Christopher Kelong (1997), Simon Kashmir (1999), Simon Kismamili (2002) and last year, Simon Arusei.
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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Berhane Adere comes from behind to earn second consecutive championship!
Posted October 7th, 2007 at 11:35 AM by Jeremy Sussman
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage
Berhane Adere has done it again; winning her second consecutive LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon title in dramatic fashion.
In uncharacteristically warm conditions, the women’s marathon field came down to the defending champion and a debut marathoner. Berhane Adere, from Ethiopia came into the race looking to repeat last years win and make up for her sub par, 10th place performance in London this year.
After early leaders Kathy Butler, from Great Britian, and Nuta Olaru, from Romania, fell off the pace, Alevtina Ivanova, from Russia took over the lead. Ivanova stayed at the front through 20 kilometers before Adere took over the lead by the half way mark.
While Ivanova stayed on the pace, a new comer to the marathon, Adriana Pirtea, from Romania, was also quietly sitting on their shoulders. Adere was able to drop Ivanova, but Pirtea continued to stay on her shoulder. Pirtea made her move just after 22 miles and put 20 - 30 meters on Adere within a few seconds.
She increased her lead to around ten seconds and came into the home stretch waiving her hands, not realizing that Adere had come back and was making a mad sprint for the finish. Completely unaware that she was about to be defeated, Pirtea continued to celebrate until, at the last minute, she viewed Adere passing her for the win. Adere finished in 2:33:49 and Pirtea in 2:33:52.
Kate O’Neil was the first American women to cross the line in 2:36:15. She was third place overall. Liz Yelling was fourth in 2:37:14, followed by Benita Johnson, of Australia, in 2:38:30.
The slow times were due to the temperature that reached as high as 87 degrees.
Official Times:
1. Berhane Adere 2:33:49 5:51
2. Adriana Pirtea 2:33:52 5:52
3. Kate O’Neill 2:36:15 5:57
4. Liz Yelling 2:37:14 5:59
5. Benita Johnson 2:38:30 6:02
6. Nuta Olaru 2:39:04 6:04
7. Paige M Higgans 2:40:14 6:06
This article was written by Joe Renguso. To contact Joe and for more information about his training advice for high school track and cross country runners, please visit: http://thehighschoolrunner.com/
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:
http://chicago.thefinalsprint.com
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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Women hit half-way point in 1:15:10
Posted October 7th, 2007 at 10:15 AM by Jeremy Sussman
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage
The women’s field is now at the half-way point in 1:15:10. They are on pace for the slowest women’s Chicago Marathon in over 10 years.
Adere is sitting on Ivanova just waiting to pounce.
The women’s 20k time was 1:11:15 and the leader’s times are as follows:
Ivanova 1:11:18
Adere 1:11:18
Pirtea 1:11:18
Johnson 1:11:18
Olaru 1:11:19
Yelling 1:11:31
O’Neill 1:11:44
At 7:30am this morning the humidity was 86% and the heat continues to challenge these runners.
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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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Chicago Marathon ‘07: Yelling takes the lead after 11 miles
Posted October 7th, 2007 at 10:04 AM by Jeremy Sussman
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage
After 11 miles, Liz Yelling of Great Britain has taken the lead.
However, Ivanova and Adere are right behind her.
The women are through 11 miles in 1:03:45.
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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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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:
http://chicago.thefinalsprint.com
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Liz Yelling (Bedford and County) won today’s Bath Half-Marathon in a course record 1:09:28. It was also a career best time for Yelling, 32, last year’s Commonwealth Games bronze medalist in the marathon.
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On August 28, 2008
Rima said:
Good job, Ryan! You ran a smart race in Beijing. Who knew that anyone would be able run 2:06 under those...