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Lead Stories: Sunday, July 20, 2008

Bobby Doyle Rembrance
Blog / Fundraiser

Posted December 24th, 2007 at 4:18 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

On the blog of Providence Journal sports reporter Carolyn Thornton, runners have been sharing their memories of the late Rhode Island marathoner, Bobby Doyle, who died earlier this month of a heart attack at 58 years old. You can read the posts, or add one of your own, at this link:

http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/running/

In addition, a fundraiser for Doyle’s children (he had three younger children from a second marriage: Brian, 15; Conor, 12; and Mackenzie, 6) will be held in February in Rhode Island, according to George McLaughlin who is organizing the event.
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Marathoner Bobby Doyle Dies of a Heart Attack

Posted December 14th, 2007 at 7:45 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

On the heels of launching a new road racing festival to be held next spring, the state of Rhode Island lost one of its best-ever marathon runners today, Bobby Doyle, who died of a heart attack, friends reported.

“This is heartbreaking,” wrote CVS Caremark Downtown 5-K race director, Charlie Breagy, in an e-mail message. “Terrible news for the Rhode Island running community.”

Doyle, a former All-American runner at Johnson & Wales University, was the winner of the first Ocean State Marathon in 1976, and went on to win the race six more times. He finished in the top-10 at the Boston Marathon three times, including a seventh place finish in 1979 in 2:14:04. Doyle also won the 1978 George Washington Birthday Marathon.
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Remembering Ryan Shay

Posted November 11th, 2007 at 9:45 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Columns, SPOTLIGHT

Today in East Jordan, Mich., a funeral was held for Ryan Shay, the 2003 USA marathon champion who collapsed and died at the USA Olympic Team Trials - Men’s Marathon on Nov. 3, in New York City. He was 28 years-old and had been married only for four months to the former Alicia Craig, the Stanford University star who won the NCAA 10,000m title in 2003 and 2004.

The exact cause of Ryan’s death is still unknown, but it is clear that his heart abruptly stopped at about the 9 km mark of the Trials and, despite heroic and immediate medical intervention, he died before reaching Lennox Hill Hospital on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

I knew Ryan both through my role as a journalist and a race organizer. It would be a stretch to say were close, but we were certainly friendly and shared a passion for the sport. I recruited Ryan to run the 2004 ING New York City Marathon where he set his personal best time of 2:14:08, cracking the top-10 in ninth place. It didn’t surprise me that Ryan would run his best marathon in New York, despite the difficulty of the course. He was so strong and so tough, the kind of runner who was well suited to the hills of the Five Borough Classic. Ryan really had heart.
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Marathon Participants
Given the Run-Around
with Portable Audio Devices

Posted November 9th, 2007 at 3:26 PM by Megan Hueter

Section: News & Results, Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Motivation, Music

All year long, thousands of runner train for this time of year: marathon season. You see them preparing themselves everywhere: running around the neighborhood, down the highway, even at the gym. Runners spend so much time preparing for fear that they will hit the wall after twenty miles.

This year, however, that is not their only concern. The New York Times reported on October 31st that USA Track & Field, the national governing body for running, banned the use of headphones and portable audio players at its official races in order to ensure safety and to prevent runners from having a competitive edge.

However, banning the use of headphones is easier said than done, especially on races that are 26 miles long, like the New York City Marathon. Some marathons do not police their fields or follow through on the rule of disqualifying contestants who use iPods and other audio players.

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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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