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Lead Stories: Tuesday, October 14, 2008

How to Watch Today’s Chicago Marathon on TV, via Internet

Posted October 12th, 2008 at 8:45 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Columns, What To Watch

Catch all the action of the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon live on TV, radio and the Web:

NBC 5 Chicago
NBC 5 News coverage begins at 6 a.m. followed by live on-air and on-line coverage of the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon from 7 to 11 a.m.

The Score Sportsradio 670 AM
On race day, The Score Sportsradio 670 AM will bring you all the race action live. Tune into 670 AM to catch the live broadcast from 7 to 11 a.m.

Universal Sports
Watch the Bank of America Chicago Marathon live webcast from 7 to 11 a.m. and on-demand at universalsports.com. This online broadcast and on-demand video coverage of the Chicago Marathon is brought to you by MarathonGuide.com. MarathonGuide.com also sponsored the 2008 Boston and Berlin Marathon webcasts, and will sponsor similar coverage for the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2, 2008.

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TFS News Briefs Special Edition: London Marathon

Posted April 12th, 2008 at 10:00 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Near-Perfect Weather Forecast For London Marathon
A quick look at tomorrow’s forecast reveals near-perfect conditions for tomorrow’s Flora London Marathon. According to weather.com, the forecast for Sunday at 9:00am (the start time for the women’s race) is Partly Cloudy, 46°F, 20% chance for precipitation, 77% humidity and winds from SW at 8 mph. Of course, perfect weather means fast times, and tomorrow’s race promises to be one of the fastest.
Read more at: [Weather.com]

The Wacky Side Of London
Big marathons tend to attract the wackier elements of running and London is no exception. A woman running on 4 foot stilts will be competing, as will a man dribbling a basketball, a guy in a robot suit and more.
Read more at: [BBC News, UK]

TFS Success Story Gilbert Tuhabonye To Run In London
Burundi runner Gilbert Tuhabonye, who was awarded The Final Sprint’s Success Story Award in December ‘07, is featured in a BBC Sport article in the build-up to tomorrow’s race. As a teen, Tuhabonye survived a horrifying massacre in his village during a civil war in 1993. He is hoping to run a qualifying time and make it to Beijing in what he calls “tremendous message about forgiveness.”
Read more at: [BBC Sport, UK][TFS Podcast]
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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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London Marathon 2008: Elite Men’s Race Preview

Posted April 11th, 2008 at 2:00 PM by Jared Markowitz

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Even with the upcoming Beijing Olympics, the Flora London Marathon stands out as the most competitive distance race of the year. The 2008 edition features a mixture of accomplished marathon veterans and talented newcomers, all vying for spots on the prestigious London podium.

Leading the way will be defending London and New York champ Martin Lel. Lel won both of his titles last year in sprint finishes over Abderrahim Goumri, who will also be back for more. Lel’s London buildup has gone well, as he moved his camp to Namibia to train with 2007 Boston champ Robert Cheruiyot and avoid the recent violence in Kenya. He should once again be the favorite, although Goumri’s track pedigree (12:50 for 5k) will give him a chance if it again comes down to the last quarter mile.
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Lel, Radcliffe Prevail in Close ING NYC Marathon Races

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 5:55 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Kenyan Martin Lel hung on through a dramatic ING New York City Marathon to defeat Moroccan Abderrahim Goumri in the final half-mile, 2:09:04 to 2:09:16. It was Lel’s second victory in New York.

Briton Paula Radcliffe also earned her second New York City victory by fighting off a late-race challenge from longtime rival Gete Wami of Ethiopia, winning in 2:23:09 to Wami’s 2:23:32.
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Lance Armstrong Finds His Groove at ‘07 NYC Marathon

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 12:52 PM by J. R. Markham

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

Lance Armstrong ran a consistent, progressively faster 2007 New York City Marathon, finishing in a time of 2:46:43. His time beat his 2006 time of 2:59:36 by a huge margin of 12 minutes and 53 seconds. Here’s how his race progressed:

Split, Time, Pace
5k, 0:20:01, 6:26
10k, 0:40:08, 6:27
15k, 0:59:54, 6:25
20k, 1:19:27, 6:23
Half, 1:23:41, 6:23
30k, 1:58:40, 6:21
35k, 2:18:00, 6:20
40k, 2:37:47, 6:20
Finish 2:46:43, 6:21
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NYC MARATHON ‘07: Lel Outkicks Goumri to Win ING New York City Marathon

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 12:21 PM by J. R. Markham

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

In the 2007 ING New York City Marathon Kenyan Martin Lel exhibited a ferocious kick in beating Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco, winning in a time of 2:09:04 to Goumri’s 2:09:16. Hendrick Ramaala had tried to steal the race from the gun but was unable to match Lel’s or Goumri’s strength. He faded after 18 miles and finished a distant 3rd in 2:11:25. Italy’s Stefano Baldini, the 2004 Olympics gold medalist finished 4th in 2:11:58.

On a great day for a marathon (clear, upper 40’s to lower 50’s, 52% humidity, mild winds) Hendrick Ramaala was determined to lead the ING New York City Marathon from wire to wire. For 9 of the first 18 miles he did it, too. The pace varied from 4:26 to 5:15 per mile during that time, with most of the surges being thrown in by Ramaala.

At 18 miles, however, it proved to be too much for Ramaala to handle. At that point Abderrahim Goumri (MAR), making his New York City Marathon debut and who had a PB of 2:07:44, and Martin Lel (KEN) who won the 2003 New York City Marathon in 2:10:30, and who had a PB of 2:06:41, took over the race. Goumri had a dangerous 1500m PB of 3:39.80, so – even though he had out-kicked him in London – Lel had to be aware of this as he took over the pacing duties, trying to break Goumri.
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NYC MARATHON ‘07: Radcliffe Wins Second NYC Title; Wami Earns World Marathon Majors $500k

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 12:08 PM by Adam Jacobs

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

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 ING New York City Marathon; her second NYC title.

The marathon became a two-person race after about the second mile, when Radcliffe and Wami made strong moves and opened a lead on Prokopcuka, Grigoryeva and Ndereba. After increasing their lead by over a minute, Radcliffe and Wami never looked back. Radcliffe assumed the lead, but was then followed by Wami throughout the remainder of the race.

Over the Williamsburg Bridge and through the roaring crowds of First Avenue, Radcliffe refused to make a move and allowed Wami to remain just over her shoulder. At various points during the last two or three miles Wami seemed too close to comfort. Despite Radcliffe’s constant efforts to lose her, Wami never trailed by more than 3 or 4 feet and even took the lead for about 2-3 seconds on the 26th mile.

As the pair entered the park, Wami gained what would be a very short-lived lead of 2-3 feet. Radcliffe came flying back a few seconds later with an intense, final surge that officially shut the door on Wami’s hopes of winning the race.

Radcliffe finished the race in a near-course record of 2:23:09. Wami, showing basically no signs of fatigue from her victory at the Berlin Marathon last month, finished second (2:32:32) and defending champion Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia came in third (2:26:13)

Despite being unable to overtake Radcliffe, Wami has a lot to celebrate: She held onto her lead in the World Marathon Majors series to win the $500,000 prize purse.

America’s Elva Dryer came in sixth; finishing in a time of 2:35:15.

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NYC MARATHON ‘07: Down to Three Men at 35k

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 11:58 AM by J. R. Markham

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

Hendrick Ramaala, having led most of the race, was safely tucked in behind Lel, Rop and Goumri, letting them cut the wind for him. Kwambai was off to the right of that pack by himself. ROp led through the 20 mile mark in a time of 1:38:52. The last mile was 4:54. They were on track for a 2:09:36 marathon. The previous 4 miles were run in 4:26, 4:40, 4:53 and 4:54. They were hammering now.

Kwambai and Lel were now sharing the pace-setting duties. Goumri, Rop and Ramaala were tucked in behind them. They had slowed to a 5:07 pace, passing the 21 mile mark in 1:43:59.

Lance Armstrong report:

1/2 marathon: 1:23:41, a 6:23 per mile pace, still on track for a 2:47:15.

At 35k, Rop had lost contact with the lead pack. Here are the results after 35k:

1 11 KWAMBAI, JAMES KEN 1:47:34 +0:00 4:56
2 3 LEL, MARTIN KEN 1:47:34 +0:00 4:56
3 4 GOUMRI, ABDERRAHIM MAR 1:47:34 +0:00 4:56
4 9 RAMAALA, HENDRICK RSA 1:47:35 +0:01 4:56
5 5 ROP, RODGERS KEN 1:47:49 +0:15 4:57
6 1 GOMES DOS SANTOS, MARILSON BRA 1:48:28 +0:54 4:59

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NYC MARATHON ‘07: Five Men Left After 30k

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 11:45 AM by J. R. Markham

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

Hendrick Ramaala led through 16 miles in a time of 1:19:59. His last mile was 5:06.

Suddenly the pack of 15 men was down to 4 men:

Hendrick Ramaala, Rodgers Rop, Martin Lel and Abderrahim Goumri (Morocco ) who was making his NYC Marathon debut.

Lance Armstrong passed the 20k mark in 1:19:27, a pace of 6:23 per mile. He was on pace for a 2:47:15, a significant improvement over his 2:59 from 2006.

Ramaala led at 17 miles, which the leaders passed in 1:24:25. The last mile was a sizzling 4:26.

Martin Lel was trying to take over now, throwing in surges to try and break Ramaala. Rop, Kwambai, Gourmi and Kipsang were all right there with him. One of these 5 men was certain to win the race. William Kipsang was 11 seconds back.

Here are the leaders after 30k:

1 3 LEL, MARTIN KEN 1:32:20 +0:00 4:57
2 5 ROP, RODGERS KEN 1:32:20 +0:00 4:57
3 11 KWAMBAI, JAMES KEN 1:32:20 +0:00 4:57
4 9 RAMAALA, HENDRICK RSA 1:32:21 +0:01 4:57
5 4 GOUMRI, ABDERRAHIM MAR 1:32:21 +0:01 4:57
6 8 KIPSANG, WILLIAM KEN 1:32:31 +0:11 4:57
7 12 KIBET, JULIUS KEN 1:32:36 +0:16 4:58
8 1 GOMES DOS SANTOS, MARILSON BRA 1:32:41 +0:21 4:58
9 16 NDEREBA, SAMUEL KEN 1:32:44 +0:24 4:58
10 2 KIOGORA, STEPHEN KEN / CO 1:32:44 +0:24 4:58
11 18 CHIRLEE, JOSEPH KEN / GA 1:33:00 +0:40 4:59
12 6 BALDINI, STEFANO ITA 1:33:00 +0:40 4:59
13 14 PERTILE, RUGGERO ITA 1:33:24 +1:04 5:00
14 15 KEMBOI, ELIAS KEN 1:33:24 +1:04 5:00

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