Track & Field’s Grand Finale – The 2nd IAAF Continental Cup *Schedule *Results*TV / Streaming (12:30 ET Sun.) *Event-By-Event Recaps *Video Day 1

LRC Full Day 1 Recap: Souleiman Runs 50.09 Final Lap To Win 1,500m Over Kiprop, Eunice Sum And Ajee Wilson Entertain Again With a ton of $$$ on the line, the races meant a lot to everyone involved and the women’s 800 and men’s 1,500 did not disappoint. The men’s 1,500 had the 3rd-fastest close-ever. Francena McCorory went sub-50 in the 400 and LaShawn Merritt got another win.  We recap all the events.
*Day 1 Race Videos & Highlights
*IAAF Day 1 Recap: Europe Leads After Day 1 After Hosts Africa Have Brief Moments In Spotlight
*IAAF: Event-By-Event Recaps
*Event-By-Event Predictions

MB: Official 2014 Continental Cup – Marrakech, Morocco 9/13-14 – Discussion Thread 

• Pre-Race: Recommended Read: Toni Reavis: Prize Money Validates A Sport’s Worth – Running Needs To Do Away With Hidden Appearance Fees“Only when all the money is open and visible to the public, and a single athlete is awarded a check with seven figures on it (before the decimal point) can the sport of athletics hope to compete for fan interest and loyalty,” says Reavis, who includes a list of all-time prize money won by runners. Haile leads the men at $3.58 million, Radcliffe the women at $2.24 million.
• LRC Women’s Preview: Great Mid-D Action On Tap With Sum Vs. Wilson Vs. Sharp, Rowbury Vs. Hassan; Coburn Battles Ayalew In Steeple
• LRC Men’s Preview: Amos Vs. Aman, Jager Vs. Birech, Ndiku Vs. Lagat And A 1,500 Worthy Of The Olympics

Drug Cheat Matthew Kisorio’s Revival Continues With Half Marathon Win He dominated in Kenya and ran under 65 (time says 64:60, which makes no sense).

Reaction To Oscar P Verdict

• Reeva Steenkamp’s Mother Is Outraged: “This verdict is not justice for Reeva.” “He shot through the door and I can’t believe that they believe it was an accident.”
• Oscar Pistorius Culpable Homicide Verdict Causes Uproar In South Africa
• Oscar P Guilty Of Negligent Homicide – Will Be Sentenced Next Month The sentencing process apparently is very drawn out and like a mini-trial. In the meantime, Oscar P is out on bail which upset the prosecutor who views him as a flight/suicide risk.
• South African Legal Expert Predicts Oscar Pistorius Won’t Get Jail Time He could get house arrest instead.
• MB Discussion: Unbelievable: Judge Says Oscar Pistorius Isn’t Guilty Of Murder, Goes On Lunch Break Before Finishing Case The judge then called it a day shortly after lunch but it looks like Oscar P will get nailed for negligent homicide on Friday as well as some weapons/ammo charges.

Weekly Recap – The Week That Was

WTW Was The Great North Run Fixed? Chicago Is Loaded (Up Front) With Talent, Betsy Saina’s Dream 2014, NCAA XC Gets Under Way And Proof That Indoor Track Is As Fast As Outdoor We ponder if Mo Farah‘s Great North Run win was fixed (with video), praise Betsy Saina‘s incredible 2014, get excited about the BofA Chicago Marathon, talk a little NCAA XC and Eric Jenkins, and ponder indoor vs. outdoor tracks in light of Galen Rupp‘s 1,500 in Brussels. 

Upcoming Marathon Action: Kipsang Vs. Mutai In NYC

• Wilson Kipsang, Geoffrey Mutai And Stephen Kiprotich Lead Elite International Field For 2014 TCS New York City Marathon Defending champ Priscah Jeptoo faces runner up Buzunesh Deba as well as Edna Kiplagat and Mary Keitany in her return to the marathon.
  *MB: 2014 new york marathon elite field
• Berlin Is In 2 Weeks: Dennis Kimetto (2:03:45) Takes On Emmanuel Mutai (2:03:52), Tsegaye Kebede (2:04:38) And Geoffrey Kipsang (2:06:12) Ethiopia’s 2:21 runners Feyse Tadese and Tirfi Tsegaye will face Shalane Flanagan on the women’s side.