Quote Of The Day
– Haile Gebrselassie talking about how track and field needs to change in order to create more interest and a bigger fan base. He also talked about what he sees as a problem with runners going to the marathon too early.
- BREAKING: Lance Armstrong throws Ferrari under the bus under oath
- Leo Manzano signs with Hoka One One
- Thieves stole Wilson kipsang passport days before London
- CHICKEN: Mo Farah to run in slower group in London Marathon
- Farah 2nd favorite with British betting companies
- The DEFINITIVE Hobbyjogger vs. Runner Thread
Get Excited – London Is Sunday 
*Full Coverage: 2014 London Marathon Special Section
LRCSorry, Mo Farah Fans: Five Reasons Why Mo Isn't Winning The 2014 Virgin London Marathon
Mo Farah has won just about everything on the track the last three years. When he wasn’t winning, he was running 3:28 for 1,500m. Now he makes his much-anticipated debut. We tell you why he won’t win.
*Mo Farah Going Out 2nd Pack in London:Al Sal agrees with LetsRun: Mo Farah will go out behind lead pack in 62:15 More London coverage below and in our 2014 London Marathon special section.
More Distance News
- Haile Gebrselassie Worried About The Future Of Track And Field And About Athletes Moving To The Marathon Too Early Geb: “Athletics has to change a little bit, bring in new ideas, new concepts – otherwise it’s going to be a just a bit boring to watch. I don’t know how many people are interested in just watching running for two hours …”
- Shalane Flanagan To Be Featured On “60 Minutes” This Sunday At 7PM ET The 12-minute segment follows follows Flanagan as she prepped for the Boston Marathon.
- Matt Tegenkamp 100% Focused On Road Racing As He Builds Up For A Fall Marathon Talking about the track he said, “That’s not really in the cards right now. The only thing on the track that half excites me would be to lower my 10,000 PR to get it into line with the rest of my personal bests.”
- Columbia University Alum Lisa Sublic Set Croatia 10,000 NR Last Weekend Winning Her National Champs In 33:17.91 Her training is focused on the marathon at this summer’s European Champs.
More London News
Mo Farah Ahead Of Marathon Debut: “For me, in terms of my ability and setting myself a target, my main target is going after the British record (2:07:13). But I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe I could win.” Talking about Kenenisa Bekele‘s debut, he said, “It gives me good confidence and makes me think if Bekele can do it, why can’t I do it?”- Video Highlights From Mo Farah’s Pre-London Press Conference Q&A
- Headline In Kenyan Press: “Farah faces Kenyan baptism of fire.”Wilson Kipsang: “It’s not going to be easy (for Farah) and he’s not likely to win.”
- Two-Time World Champ Edna Kiplagat Not Worried About Tirunesh Dibaba’s Debut “I know the London Marathon course well. I want to win this year and I think it will not be easy for Dibaba to run the show as she does on the tracks. Marathon is four times bigger than her 10,000m speciality.”
Distance News
- Yuki Kawauchi Led Weekend Japanese Results With A Solo 2:13:02 At Saga Sakura Marathon He took almost 9 minutes of the CR and won by more than 10.
Neely Spence-Gracey Blogs About Her First Run Back From Knee Surgery 2 x 10 minutes with a 2-minute recovery walk in between.- For Ireland’s Former World Champ Sonia O’Sullivan And Former London/Boston Marathon Champ Catherina McKiernan, Talent Runs In The Family Their daughters placed first and third at the Junior Great Ireland Run on Sunday.
- Israel Prevents Palestinian Olympian Nader Masri From Leaving Gaza Strip To Run A Marathon The decision by Israel’s high court highlighted Israel’s tight restrictions on travel in and out of the Gaza Strip.
- Vice President Joe Biden Will Attend Tribute Event For Victims Of Boston Bombing
Aussie / NZ News
- Sally Pearson Doing 100H / 100 Flat Double At Commonwealth Games She did the same in 2010, but was DQed in the 100 for a false start.
- New Zealand Names It’s First Batch Of Athletes For The Commonwealth Games
More Weekend Road Results
2013 World Champ Japheth Korir Wins SPAR Great Ireland Run Over Andy Vernon, Poland’s Iwona Lewandowska Is Surprise Women’s Winner (33:39) Ireland’s own Fionnuala Britton was a disappointing fourth in the women’s competition but had a good attitude about it: “It’s only April. It’s not the end of the world.” *Photos- Shadrack Biwott (47:59) And Kim Conley (54:44) Have Won 2014 Credit Union SacTown 10 Miler
- William Chebor Stops To Tie Shoes, Still Wins Brighton Marathon In 2:09:25 Course Record, Alice Milgo Wins Women’s Title In 2:35:33 Chebor won $11,000 for his efforts in Brighton, where Paula Radcliffe was a spectator.
- 19-Year-Old Birhan Nebebew Picked Up $10,000 And Victory At Cooper River Bridge Run 10k In Charleston, SC Nebebew was 5th at Pre in the 10,000 last year and 6th at World XC. Azmera Gebru, who has a 14:58 PR and is 21, won the women’s title.
- Eritrean Beraki Beyene (2:11:50) And Kenyan Emily Perpetua Chepkorir (2:35:16) Win Santiago de Chile Marathon
Lesser European Races
- Crazy:MB:So awesome: Big half marathon in UK (Sheffield Half Marathon) cancelled as race organizers had no water – runners run anyway
- Zurich: Olympic Triathlon Champ Nicola Spirig Runs 2:42:53 – Under 2:44 European Qualifying Time – May Or May Not Be Selected
- Milan: Francis Kiprop (2:08:53) And Visiline Jepkesho (2:28:40) Win
2014 Carlsbad:*Results*Full Video Race Replay*LRC Photo Gallery
LRCDejen Gebremskel And Julia Bleasdale Win 2014 Carlsbad 5,000 – Bernard Lagat Sets New American Record Of 13:19 Gebremeskel turned the tables on Lagat from World Indoors but Lagat left with a nice consolation prize. In the women’s race, no one came close to Bleasdale, who became the first non-African born winner since 2002. Brenda Martinez was the top American – not JordanHasay or Gabriele Grunewald.
*MB:Official 2014 Carlsbad Live Discussion Thread: Bleasdale & Gebremeskel Win – Lagat Gets American Record
*MB:Oh crap! Grunewald vs Hasay rematch at the Carlsbad 5k, who’s gonna win?
Leo Signs With Hoka One One And Gets a New Coach
LRCLeo Manzano Talks Excitedly About The Future, His New Deal With Hoka One One And His New Coach - John Hayes
US Olympic 1500m silver medallist Leo Manzano not only finally has a sponsor (Hoka One One) and a new agent (Merhawi Keflezighi), but he revealed today via teleconference he has a new coach- John Hayes. The US star can now focus on what he does best- race.
Previous LRC:Leo Finds A Sponsor (And An Agent) – Signs Multi-Year Deal With Hoka One One
MB:Leo Manzano signs with Hoka One One
Oscar P Trial Updates
- Video With Audio Of Aggressive Cross Examination Where Prosecutor Tries To Force Oscar Pistorius To Look At Pictures Of His Dead Girlfriend Pistorius: “I’ve taken responsibility, but I will not look at a picture where I am tormented by what I saw and felt that night.”
- Prosecution Scrutinizes Oscar Pistorius’ Testimony In Cross Examination And Accuses Him Of Giving Scripted Answers The prosecution also showed video of Pistorius shooting a watermelon and referring to his bullets as “zombie stopper” and saying the watermelon was “softer than brains.”
Sprint News From Jamaica
- Sherone Simpson’s Agent Paul Doyle Slams Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel For “Harsh Ban” He also criticized the lack of explanation and how long the overall process has taken (9 months).
- Glen Mills Happy With Yohan Blake’s Comeback From Hamstring Injury That Kept Him Out All Last Year Mills: “Yohan is over the injury. I think both mentally and physically, and he has been training very well, and he looks like he is going to be back on top of his game.”
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Will Miss This Weekend’s UTech Classic As Well As Penn Relays She was advised by “her medical team” to take 2 weeks rest.
- Recap Of Day 1 Of Jamaican Junior High Champs
Results Are In: Sherone Simpson Banned
Sherone Simpson Given 18-Month Ban For Doping By Jamaican Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel Her agent has said that they will appeal the decision to CAS. It was also announced that Olympic discus thrower Allison Randall was suspended for two years. Asafa Powell tested positive under the same circumstances as Simpson and will hear his ruling Thursday.
Kenya Looking Good For World Relays – But Will They Pick The Right Team?
In Case You Missed It:World 800 Champ Eunice Sum And World Indoor 3K Silver Medalist Hellen Obiri Lead Kenyan Team To Fastest-Ever 4 X 1,500 The team ran 17:08.17 at the AK Relay Series meet on Saturday to beat the previous WR of 17:08.34 set in 2009 by the University of Tennessee. In the men’s 4 x 1500m, Asbel Kiprop and Nixon Chepseba led their team to the win in 14:48.6.- Shouldn’t This Be Common Sense? Athletics Kenya Official Criticizes Kenyan Selection Criteria For World Relay Champs Under the selection criteria, a team of 4 qualifies rather than individuals, so weaker runners might end up going if they are on the best team. For example, if Asbel Kiprop runs for a horrible team that loses (or drops the baton), he won’t go to the World Relay Champs. The official argued for a system like the US uses at the OT.
- David Rudisha And Botswana’s Olympic Silver Medalist Nijel Amos Confirmed For Doha 800 May 9th
- Florence Kiplagat’s 1:05:12 Half Marathon WR Ratified By The IAAF
2014 Paris Marathon – Kenenisa Bekele’s Debut *Results
Stretti – Link FixedKenenisa Bekele Talks About His First Marathon: “(For) my first marathon, it was not bad … I was not tired … If my muscles (didn’t cause me trouble), it would be possible to run even under 2:04 or something (like that).” Alberto Stretti has catches up with Bekele. What words of advice does he have for Mo Farah?
Aussie National Champs
- 2014 Aussie National Results – Riseley Wins 1,500, Birmingham 5k And Bucknam Women’s 1,500 – World Leader By V. Mitchell
- Good Old Aussie 1,500 Drama: J. Riseley References R. Ramzi When Tweeting About Ryan Gregson, Then Spanks Gregson In Final
- Stanford’s Steve Solomon Wins 3rd Australian Title In 45.36
US 10-Mile Champs – 2014 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler *Results
LRCJanet Bawcom Crushes Single-Sexed American Record By 76 Seconds, Runs 52:12 To Win US Title, Finishes Second To Ethiopian Mamitu Daska
Janet Bawcom was very good as was Sara Hall, but no one could stop 2:21 marathoner Mamitu Daska in the overall race.
LRCChristo Landry Earns His First US Title In 46:41 As Stephen Sambu Wins 2014 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run Run In Sprint Finish At 45:29
Christo Landy dominated the US race as Matt Tegenkamp struggled. Former Arizona star Stephen Sambu continues to thrive as a pro.
*MB:Official 2014 US 10 Mile Champs Thread – Bawcom sets AR!! Christo Landry dominates in 46:41!
#USATFIncompetence #40daysandcounting
- Nike Supports Athletes As Well: Nike Holds Conference Call With TFAA’s Adam Nelson And Gives Its Support To TFAA – “We respect athletes’ rights to affiliate and align as they choose.” Nelson: “We’ve established a working relationship with the biggest sponsor in our sport, and that’s pretty critical.” *Ken Goe
- USATF Issues Statement Saying It Supports TFAA And Reminds Athletes They Are Members Of USATF And Set The By-Laws Which Govern The Competitions
- MB Discussion:Breaking — Nike supports athletes right to organize — announcement coming
- History Lesson:Track & Field News Takes A Look Back At When Athletes Rose Up Against Governing Body In 1960s
- Previous:LRCUSATF’s Incompetence Makes Front Page Of Wall Street Journal Marketplace Section Under Headline “Nike Runs Into Trouble On The Track”
2014 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships*Official Thread*Results (Updated With Team Scores)
More In OurWorld Half Special Section:
London Isn’t The Only Race This Weekend
- Rotterdam: Former World 5,000 Champ And 2:04:05 Man Eliud Kipchoge Wants A Fast Time And The Win At Sunday’s Rotterdam Marathon On the WR, he said, “If the world record falls within, then that will be a bonus. But I am not making an attempt on Kipsang’s record.” He’ll face a deep field that includes Bernard Koech (2:04:53) and three 2:05 men.
- Arcadia HS Invy: Alexa Efraimson Vs. Sarah Baxter Highlights Deep Field For This Weekend’s Arcadia Invitational 3,200Kim Mortensen‘s 1996 outdoor national HS record of 9:48.59 definitely could go down.
*Free Live Webcast Friday 7:30PM ET / Saturday 12:30PM ET
*Meet Schedule Girls 3,200 is Saturday at 11:40PM ET.
*Meet Site
Initial Squad Of 45 Named For Australia’s Commonwealth Games SquadSally Pearson is the team captain.
Week That Was
LRCKenenisa Proves He Can Handle 26.2, The Netherlands' Version Of Jordan Hasay, Motivation From The Webbs, And A World Record Holder Is Spotted From The Side Of The Road?
This week we tell you what we think about Kenenisa Bekele's 2:05:03, highlight some great sprint action in Florida (Dedric Dukes 19.97 and a tremendous 4 x 400), talk about how potential world record talent is so big it can be spotted on the side of the road, get motivation from Alan Webb's wife Julia, introduce USATF malcontents to a story about a controversy avoided with Athletics Canada, and introduce you to the Dutch version of Jordan Hasay.
Oscar Pistorius Testifies Again
- Oscar Pistorius Takes Stand Again And Sobs As He Explains The Sequence Of Events That Led To Him Shooting His Girlfriend “I shouted for Reeva to get on the floor and for her to phone the police. I screamed at the people to get out … Then I heard a noise from inside the toilet that I perceived to be somebody coming out of the toilet. Before I knew it, I had fired four shots at the door.”
- Pistorius Will Return To Stand For Third Time On Wednesday
- Defense Expert Says Oscar P’s Lawyers Should Be Concerned About Cross Examination By The Prosecutor, Who Is Known For Being Aggressive “If he’s genuinely emotional, when he gets put under pressure he’ll be worse than he is now, and [prosecutor Gerrie Nel] will carve him up into little pieces.”
- Video With Some Audio Of Pistorius’ Testimony
- Pistorius Defense Presents Texts To Contrast Those Put Forward By Prosecution The defense shared texts that portrayed a loving happy relationship between Pistorius and his girlfriend while the prosecution’s showed bitter and jealous fights.
Florida Men Take Over Top Spot In DI Team Rankings; Arkansas Move Down To 3rd, Oregon Up To 2nd Texas A&M stays #1 for the women as Florida moves to #2 and Oregon goes down to 4th.
US Pro News
Kara Goucher Out With Sacral Stress Fracture She says her training had been going well and she was dreaming of running a sub-31 10K and sub-15 5K this summer.
*MB Thread- Alberto Salazar Says Mary Cain Is Healthy And Talks About Her 2014 Racing Schedule He says it’s difficult to plan as they have to schedule races around her AP testing schedule, but she’ll definitely race the Pre Classic, and other meets, including World Relay Champs, are on the table. She might skip US Champs to focus on World Junior Champs.
- Q&A With Ryan Vail, Who Will Head The American Charge At The London Marathon Vail says he’s done more quality and volume than he ever has before and is confident about attacking his 2:11:45 PR.
- Phoebe Wright Blogs: Is “Professional Runner” Code For “Unemployed”? While potential employers might hear pro runners and think “unemployed,” Wright explains how it really means “168-hour weeks” running her own small business.
- Heather Kampf And World Indoor 1,500 Bronze Medalist Nicole Sifuents Headline May 8th Medtronic TC 1 Mile
- IAAF “Work, Rest And Play” Q&A With US High Jumper Brigetta Barrett Barrett talks about her life as an athlete and her other big passion/talent in life, singing. She also reveals that she is a twin.
Excellent Read
- Recommended Read: Kenenisa Bekele’s Marathon Debut Gets 1,264 Words Of Coverage In NY Times A great piece which also talks about Farah’s debut in London. Bekele’s agent Jos Hermens has some pointed words for Bekele: “He has to get his act together, and stay motivated and forget about business and run for five or six years.”
Weekend NCAA Track Action *All Weekend NCAA Results *Stanford Results
- Stanford: MB:Abbey D watch out – Texas’ Marielle Hall wins Stanford 5k in 15:19 over Alisha Williams!!!
- MB:28 guys Break 29:00 At Stanford – Edward Cheserek 28:51
- MB: WHY is NOBODY talking about the 19 year old Dutch girl who won the Stanford 10k invitational in 32:11.90?
- Florida Relays: MB: Florida Gators 4×4- 2:59.73 – #2 All-Time Ever!!
- MB: NCAA 200 runner-up Dedric Dukes runs 19.97 into headwind at Florida RelaysJoanna Atkins was pretty darn good as well in women’s action at the Florida relays as she ran 11.09 and 22.27.
- MB: So so sick: Triple jump gold medalist Christian Taylor 45.37!!! Will he focus on 400 in 2014?
- Oregon Vs. Arizona: Oregon Vs. Arizona: Mac Fleet Beats Lawi Lalang At 1,500, Laura Roesler Experiences Going Out In Under 60 “Just to go out in under 60 and get a feel for that will help me later on. I’m not very comfortable going out hard; I’d rather kind of sit back. So it’s a good thing that 59 felt pretty comfortable today.”
*Fleet On Lalang: “I could kind of tell he was a little tired or not into it.”
Bizarre News
- Looking For A New Challenge? 200 Lucky (Or Unlucky) Tourists Will Be Allowed To Run A Marathon In Pyongyang, North Koreaon April 13
- Pat Butcher Writes About The Fact It’s Now Illegal To Jog In Groups In Burundi
- Kenya’s Kericho Marathon, Which Ended Up Being 52K Last Year By Mistake, Will Be 42.2 This Year And Features $17,000 In Prize Money It costs $5.80 US to enter.
- Veteran Modesto, CA Runner Survives After Making Wrong Turn On Trail Run And Being Lost In Snow For 55 Hours
High School News
- JamaicaObserver.com: 2014 Champs Were A Record-Breaking “Champs” To Be Remembered Not only did the boys 100 (10.12) and 400 (45.00) records fall, 19 other records fell as well.
- Q&A With US HS #1 At 3,200 (8:53.99) Ian Milder, Who Is Headed To NC State
LetsRun Goes To Jamaica
LetsRun.com Founders Named as Two of “The 50 Most Influential People in Running”
Runners World Honors You and the Brojos
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American Strong: The Untold Story of How American Teamwork Helped Meb Keflezighi Win Boston
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A Real Running Hero:
The Flo Groberg Story
Flo Has Now Won the Medal of Honor
