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Lead Stories: Friday, November 21, 2008

Faces in Races: Lagat, Teg, Solinsky and Curtis Look to Dominate Men’s 5000m

Posted June 30th, 2008 at 8:00 AM by Jared Markowitz

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

The men’s 5000m features several potential Beijing medalists and is one of the most wide-open events of the 2008 US Olympic Trials. Again the A standard will be in play, as seven finalists have run 13:21.50 or better (Tegenkamp, Solinsky, Asmeron, Lagat, Vaughn, Dobson, Riley) in the qualifying window. The US Olympic team will be comprised of the top three finishers who have attained the A standard, either in the final or in a previous race. This sets up a dynamic where the aforementioned men can run for place while the rest of the field needs to ensure an honest pace. With several studs who have not yet achieved the A standard and the impressive list of those who have, the men’s 5000m final promises to be one of the most exciting races of the 2008 US Olympic Trials.

Velow we take a closer look at four of the favorites in this race: Bernard Lagat, Matt Tegenkamp, Chris Solinsky, and Bobby Curtis. To reward readers who get to the end of this article there will be some poorly thought out, undoubtedly biased, and completely unofficial picks for this showdown.
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Faces in Races: Flanagan, Goucher & Huddle Lead the Way in Women’s 10,000m

Posted June 27th, 2008 at 11:00 AM by Jared Markowitz

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Shalane Flanagan

Shalane Flanagan enters the 2008 USATF Olympic Trials as the favorite and American Record holder in both the 5000m and the 10000m. Flanagan’s PRs of 14:44.80 and 30:34.49 place her in the company of the world’s elite and demonstrate her ability to medal in this summer’s Olympic Games.

Flanagan began her running career as a high schooler in Marblehead, Massachusetts and had a standout career at the University of North Carolina. As a Tar Heel “Shenanigans” dominated the college ranks, winning two individual NCAA cross country championships and earning 15 All-American certificates. After graduating in 2004 Flanagan signed with Nike and made the U.S. Olympic team in the 5000m. She placed 11th in the semifinals of the Athens Games and continued her success with victories in the 2004 and 2005 USATF 4km XC races and the 2005 USATF outdoor 5000m.
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