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Lead Stories: Friday, November 21, 2008

Cont. Airlines 5th Ave Mile
Interview with Jon Rankin

Posted September 27th, 2007 at 4:45 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Special Features, Interviews

Jean Cann of MensRacing.com, a member of the New York Road Runners (NYRR) family of websites, recently did an interview with former UCLA All-American Jon Rankin about Saturday’s Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile. Rankin, who is coached by 1984 800-meter gold medalist Joaquim Cruz and represented by Olympic marathon bronze medalist Meb Keflezighi’s brother Mahawi, will be competing against a tough race field that is led by Alan Webb and Kevin Sullivan.

Here is an excerpt from the interview:

Q. Let’s start off with the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile, since it’s coming right up. Why did you choose to include it in your racing schedule?

A. I got a slow start to my season after coming back from my injury—I had broken my fifth metatarsal at the U.S. Championships in 2006 and missed a lot of time. I decided to extend my track season all the way until around this time of the year and the Fifth Avenue Mile happens to be at this time. My coach and I figured it would be great to shoot for if I was still feeling good. It’s a great event and I haven’t done it yet; I’m so excited to give it a try.

To read the interview in it’s entirety, please visit: MensRacing.com

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Interview with Matt Downin

Posted September 14th, 2007 at 8:28 AM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Interviews

Cecil Harris of Mensracing.com, a member of the New York Road Runners (NYRR) family of websites, recently did an interview with four-time All-American and Olympic Marathon hopeful Matt Downin about the November 3 U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials in New York City and much more.

Here is an excerpt from the interview:

MensRacing.com: This may be unfair to ask, but if you don’t do as well at the Trials as you would like, would you second-guess yourself about not having a coach?

Matt Downin: No, not about that part. I would second-guess a lot of other things I did. Every athlete who doesn’t meet his expectations might second-guess his training and preparation whether he has a coach or not. I’m never going to look back and say that not having a coach was a mistake. I’m sure there will be people who say that’s a bad approach to take in sports, and they may be right, but it’s a decision I’ve made.

To read the interview in it’s entirety, please visit: MensRacing.com

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Note on the News: Excellent NYC Half-Marathon articles, athlete profiles, and interviews

Posted August 4th, 2007 at 6:17 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons

In addition to The Final Sprint’s pre-race podcast interview with top American marathoner Peter Gilmore, I also highly recommend that you check out the following articles, athlete profiles, and interviews concerning the elite runners competing in tomorrow’s NYC Half-Marathon:

“Interview with Catherine Ndereba”
– FastWomen.com

“Haile Gebrselassie Takes on the Big Apple” (Video) — LetsRun.com

“A Brief Chat With Hendrick Ramaala” — RunnersWorld.com

“The Distance-Running King Isn’t Resting on His Laurels” — NY Times

“Interview with Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot” — MensRacing.com

“Elite American Racer Finds Full-Time Commitment Pays” — NY Times

Note: TheFinalSprint.com will feature LIVE coverage and continuous updates of the race beginning at 7am EST, as well as, post-race press conference video footage and spotlight interviews! .

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