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Lead Stories: Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Jon Rankin:
A Letter to the Goddess of Victory: Falling In-Love
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #3)

Posted January 2nd, 2008 at 4:00 PM by Jon Rankin

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Elite Athlete Blogs, Jon Rankin

Welcome to the official blog of rising U.S. track & field star
Jon Rankin; the inaugural member of TheFinalSprint.com’s
Elite Athlete Blog Series. Make sure to check back every other Wednesday for Jon’s latest entry.

I assume you heard it at least one hundred times already, so bear with me as I say it to you one more time:
‘Happy New Year!’ to all of you.

In this entry I will be sharing a letter from my newly minted journal. It’s a letter that describes how I feel about the sport that I play (I want to achieve all that I’m capable of achieving) and also, a girl that has helped re-ignite my passion for life—a passion that I thought only existed in dreams before she won my heart.

I write this letter and will write any subsequent letters to a Goddess known as Victory. In these letters I personify the word victory because in sports victory and the idea of victory is talked about so much that it sounds like it’s something tangible, something that can be touched; and sometimes, even someone that is real. Victory is unique because the concept behind victory and what it really is goes beyond finishing first. I’ve gained a greater sense for the broadness of the definition and meaning of the word from a mentor of mine, Mebrahtom (”Meb”) Keflezighi who tells all that he meets: “RUN TO WIN.”

The interesting thing about his mantra is that it sounds like he is saying run to get first place, and that’s all. But what he is really saying is that you must run in such a way that you’re always giving your best. If you can do this then you’re truly “running to win.”
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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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NYC MARATHON ‘07: Prokopcuka Breaks From Grigoryeva, Ndereba In Move for 3rd Place Finish

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 11:33 AM by Adam Jacobs

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

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 over Wami and is still on pace for a new course record.

1 RADCLIFFE, PAULA GBR 1:58:16 +0:00 5:26
2 WAMI, GETE ETH 1:58:16 +0:00 5:26
3 PROKOPCUKA, JELENA LAT 2:02:10 +3:54 5:37
4 GRIGORYEVA, LIDIYA RUS 2:02:24 +4:08 5:37
5 NDEREBA, CATHERINE KEN 2:02:41 +4:25 5:38

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NYC MARATHON ‘07: Men Drop Pace To 4:50 Per Mile by 25k

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 11:28 AM by J. R. Markham

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

Here’s a Lance Armstrong report at 15k:

Time: 59:54
Pace: 6:25
Behind leaders: +13:41

Dmytro Baranovsky (Ukraine ) was back with the lead pack and took thew men through 13 miles in 1:05:13. The last mile was 5:15.

With the slowish pace, the halfway mark had a lead pack of 17 men:

1 5 ROP, RODGERS KEN 1:05:45 +0:00 5:00
2 3 LEL, MARTIN KEN 1:05:45 +0:00 5:00
3 9 RAMAALA, HENDRICK RSA 1:05:45 +0:00 5:00
4 1 GOMES DOS SANTOS, MARILSON BRA 1:05:45 +0:00 5:00
5 8 KIPSANG, WILLIAM KEN 1:05:45 +0:00 5:00
6 11 KWAMBAI, JAMES KEN 1:05:45 +0:00 5:00
7 7 BARANOVSKY, DMYTRO UKR 1:05:45 +0:00 5:00
8 16 NDEREBA, SAMUEL KEN 1:05:46 +0:01 5:01
9 18 CHIRLEE, JOSEPH KEN / GA 1:05:46 +0:01 5:01
10 15 KEMBOI, ELIAS KEN 1:05:46 +0:01 5:01
11 12 KIBET, JULIUS KEN 1:05:46 +0:01 5:01
12 2 KIOGORA, STEPHEN KEN / CO 1:05:46 +0:01 5:01
13 4 GOUMRI, ABDERRAHIM MAR 1:05:46 +0:01 5:01
14 14 PERTILE, RUGGERO ITA 1:05:46 +0:01 5:01
15 35 BAUTISTA, FRANCISCO MEX 1:05:47 +0:02 5:01
16 6 BALDINI, STEFANO ITA 1:05:47 +0:02 5:01
17 10 KUZIN, ALEKSANDR UKR 1:05:47 +0:02 5:01

Elias Kemboi led at 14 miles in 1:10:03. The last mile was a fast 4:50.

Rop Rodgers led at 15 miles in a time of 1:14:53. Mile 15 was also 4:50. It was a race now.

Here are the leaders through 25k:

1 3 LEL, MARTIN KEN 1:17:46 +0:00 5:00
2 4 GOUMRI, ABDERRAHIM MAR 1:17:46 +0:00 5:00
3 12 KIBET, JULIUS KEN 1:17:46 +0:00 5:00
4 16 NDEREBA, SAMUEL KEN 1:17:47 +0:01 5:00
5 1 GOMES DOS SANTOS, MARILSON BRA 1:17:47 +0:01 5:00
6 11 KWAMBAI, JAMES KEN 1:17:47 +0:01 5:00
7 2 KIOGORA, STEPHEN KEN / CO 1:17:47 +0:01 5:00
8 9 RAMAALA, HENDRICK RSA 1:17:47 +0:01 5:00
9 6 BALDINI, STEFANO ITA 1:17:47 +0:01 5:00
10 14 PERTILE, RUGGERO ITA 1:17:51 +0:05 5:00
11 7 BARANOVSKY, DMYTRO UKR 1:18:04 +0:18 5:01
12 35 BAUTISTA, FRANCISCO MEX 1:18:23 +0:37 5:02

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NYC MARATHON ‘07: Radcliffe Allows Wami to Stay Close On First Avenue; Ndereba Climbs Back

Posted November 4th, 2007 at 11:20 AM by Adam Jacobs

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

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 the status quo.

In the “race for third”, Ndereba has ran back into the thick of things; joining Prokopcuka and Grigoryeva.

Here are the leaders and their times at 30k:

1 RADCLIFFE, PAULA GBR 1:41:16 +0:00 5:25
2 WAMI, GETE ETH 1:41:17 +0:01 5:26
3 NDEREBA, CATHERINE KEN 1:44:49 +3:33 5:37
4 GRIGORYEVA, LIDIYA RUS 1:44:49 +3:33 5:37
5 PROKOPCUKA, JELENA LAT 1:44:49 +3:33 5:37

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