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Thankfully, Not LetsRun.com:
"Sportsmen and women such as Jones are not innocent victims but they are often the ones left to carry the can when the authorities come knocking. Managers, agents, doctors, coaches, internet sites and countless peripheral players hide the real cancer of cheating because for many the sporting success of others is how they earn their crust. These are the people who need to be aggressively targeted and the more who end up in prison like Victor Conte, the better."

-Steve Cram pointing out how many in the sport continue to turn a blind eye to the drug problem or don't care if they profit from it. And we liked a comment in the comment section for Cram's article which could be applied to track and field, "I'd suggest that you try a credibility exercise that's common on cycling blogs; instead of trying to guess who's cheating, do the opposite: Who would you stake your shirt on as being 100% clean as an athlete? The list is depressingly short once you get past the obvious contenders."

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Book Review: Running Within
Want to improve your mental outlook on running? Then Running Within is the book for you. Read our review of this excellent book.
Recommended Reads
Looking for a good running book ? Read our mini-reviews and suggestions

We interview one of our own:
LetsRun.com's Rojo talks about coaching at Cornell

IOC Wants Marion Jones's Teammates to Return Their Medals if It's In Their 'Conscience' How about convicted drug cheat Chryste Gaines giving hers back and we call it a day?
*Merlene Ottey Likely to Get Bronze from Marion Jones' DQ

More Drugs: Adil Kaouch, Pacemaker for El Guerrouj at 1999, 2001 Worlds, Gets 2 Year Suspension for EPO Moroccan born distance runners either dope the most or just don't do it as well as others because they've gotten caught fairly often of late.

Kastor Wins USA Women's 10K Title at Tufts Up next this weekend is the World Road Running Champs in Udine Italy.
*Boston Globe's Recap of Deena Kastor's Win at Tufts Health Plan 10k

This Weekend:
More on World Worad Running Champs

*
Samuel Wanjirui, Zersenay Tadesse Highlight World Road Running Champs this Weekend
*Deriba Merga Headlines Weak Ethiopian Squad at Road Running Champs in Udine This Weekend IAAF

These Were in the News Section Last Week but Didn't Make Front Page:
*Former Mexican Presidential Candidate Pulls a Martin Franklin at Berlin Marathon
Why a man would cheat about his marathon time baffles us.
*Alan Culpepper and Jorge Torres Headline New USA Track and Field Club in Boulder, CO Pete Julian the man behind Bouler 2007 is involved..
*Lynn Jennings Test Anatomically Correct Socks in NYTimes and Says They are Not Needed

LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Men
Unvelievable:
Invuti Wins Unbelievable Finish in Chicago
Words don't do it justice just watch the video above.
*Chicago Tribune Recap of Ivuti's Narrow Win

It's hard for words to describe the greatest finish in (Chicago) marathon history. It came down to two time world champ
Jaouad Gharib and former track/xc star Patrick Ivuti, fresh off his 59:27 half marathon. Gharib surged ahead going up a slight incline down the finishing straight. Ivuti then battled back and took the lead on the downhill. Gharib dug back and retoook the lead as they barreled towards the finish and the two guys still standing there with the finish tape which is only about 5 feet wide. Ivuti surged back right at the finish and it was too close to tell but Ivuti got the win. Hot weather took its toll on everyone.
*Video: Patrick Ivuti Talks About His Narrow Win In Chicago

Weather is the Other Story in Chicago: One Man Dies, Many Hundreds Hospitalized, Race Cancelled Early in Chicago It's sad that in the final year of LaSalle Bank being the sponsor (they own the race but are being purchased) that the weather created so much havoc. Race organizers called the race early and told people to stop running, yet many people on the race message board are pissed off for various reasons (some for the race being cancelled, some for saying there was not enough water in the water stations, etc)
*Message board thread
A letsrun.com message boarder talks about buying ice with his own money and saving a man's life.

Paula Radcliffe Is Running NYC
It's official. And she'll face World Champ Catherine Ndereba and an incredibly strong field.
*Radcliffe Fired up for NY, Says She Needs to be in Sub 2:20 Shape to Win Guardian

*Paula Talks About Her Love of New York City New York Times

*Paula Radcliffe Running 2007 New York City Marathon (Her First Marathon in 2 Years) Times of London

*Audio of Paula's Teleconference She talks about being more determined after her break from running, how you need to be in sub 2:20 shape to run NYC, her love of running, and Beijing 08 (and London 2012).
Last Week: Motherhood and Sporting Elite International Herald Tribune

Shops Closed, Town in a Frenzy as Janeth Jepkosgei Comes Home

Edna Kiplagat, Samuel Ndereba, Richard Kiplagat Highlight BAA Half Marathon This Weekend in Boston

Asics Founder Kihachiro Onitsuka Dies The guy was a legend and is the reason many hard core runners love Asics shoes. Abebe Bikila gave up running barefoot for Asics.
*
Message Board thread on Onitsuka "Seems to me that if Onitusuka-san had had a better patent attorney, Martin Smith might still be coaching at Oregon."

Geb Believes 2 Hour Marathon Can Be Broken, But He Wants World Half Marathon Record Back IAAF

GEB 2:04.26 The great one just got a little greater as he shattered the world record in the marathon. "Let me hear you acknowledge that Geb is now without any shadow of a doubt the best ever," - message board poster.
*Gebrselassie Offers Apology to Tergat
*Tergat Congratulates Geb On Breaking His Record
*100+ thread on Geb's Run
*Watch the Race In It's Entirety on WCSN

Janeth Jepkosgei Ends Sensational Season With Fastest Time Ever on Kenyan Soil She left the local fans pleased with her 1:59.00 clocking.

Pre-Race Berlin Marathon Coverage
*Gebrselassie Dreams of 2:03:00 Marathon The Great one is in superb shape as evidenced by his 59:24 in NYC. He says of that run, "honestly, if it would have been a flat course, I would have run 58 minutes flat." He's upped his training to 156 miles a week.

Kenya Meet: Janeth Jepkosgei Goes Sub 2 in Nairobi, Emerging Star Edwin Soi Gets Another Win IAAF

Relook at British 'Success' in Osaka: ""The evidence proves that the system devised by the UKA does not work"

Kelly Holmes Sport Can Change Lives www.telegraph.co.uk

Michigan Hurdler Joi Smith Battling Cancer

Andy Norman, Arguably Once the Most Powerful Man in British Athletics, Dies Message board thread here. Norman fell from power with the Cliff Temple affair but was a giant in the sport at one time.
*Kelly Holmes will Miss Norman

Haile Gebrselassie Teaming Up with Chris Chataway to Promote Clean Water The great one even went on a run with Chataway. Vicky Buchanan, Chataway's soon to be daughter in law, was killed while riding a bike but was committed to clean water in Ethiopia.

"Most people would never guess that some the best college distance runners sign contracts between $100,00 and $200,000 per year. The world of sprinting pays even better, with the best guys earning up to $600,000 per year. Right out of college. That’s good money. And once you realize all of the bonuses that athletes can earn for running certain times or finishing in the top spots at certain races, you sit up and pay attention. If contracts and signing bonuses were public knowledge, as they are in all the other major sports, more people would pay attention."
-Matt Taylor writing an in depth article on the money in the sport of running and the need to publicize it. Plus he is critical of the reliance of appearance fees in marathoning. Thankfully, the 2008 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon
is shaking things up with a $250,000 first place prize. It has already secured Haile Gebrselassie for next year's race and will make the World Marathon Majors pay attention.

World Athletics Final Event By Event Recaps
*
Results/Start lists

Sunda
y: Robles 12.92, Edward Soi's 3k/5k Double Highlights World Athletics Final We're sure most of you have never heard of Soi (but he could be Kenya's future star. He's run 12:52 and has a sick kick). Soi picked up the 5k title to go with his 3k title the day before. A nice $60,000 weekend.
Distance: Day 2 World Athletics Final Distance Recap: Soi Gets 3000, 5000 Double, Defar Impresses

Hurldes: Robles' 12.92 in Final Event Brings World Athletics Final to Triumphant Close
Robles is only 20. Not sure what the Chinese will do if Liu Xiang loses next year in Beijing.
More on Moi:
"Even our sprinters are afraid of my 200m"
*Unheralded Jaysuma Saidy Ndure Wins 200m in 19.89 at World Athletics Final IAAF

*British Press Still Seem Surprised Sanya Richards Cleans Christine Ohuruogo's Clock Every Time They Race

Saturday:
*Event By Event Recaps
Day 1 of World Athletics Final:
Asafa Powell's 9.83 Highlights The dude is so fast people are upset if he doesn't break the record even though he ran 9.83 into a wind.
*Jamal's Dominating 1500m Win the Distance Highlight of Day 1 of 2007 World Athletics Final
This meet is set to reward the top performers of 2007. You can tell who the true stars are, at least financially, by looking at who skips the meet and the chance to pocket $30,000 for the win (Tirunesh Dibaba, Jermey Wariner, Bernard Lagat)

*Reuters Recap of Day 1 of World Athletics Final
*Marek Plawgo of Poland Wins 400m Hurdles at WAF

*Asafa Powell Wins 100m at 2007 World Athletics Final (AFP Recap of Meet with 2 Photos)

*
Live Audio Stream Saturday and Sunday of World Athletics Final IAAF

Leonard Mucheru Wants His Kenyan Citizenship Back

Maria Mutola May Miss Event In Kenya Next Weekend With Injury

Wednesday's Action: Asafa Powell Runs 10.12 in Poland
*Pedro's Cup Results (Jeremy Wariner 44.43)

*Photo of Powell in Poland

Past Champions Abdirahman, Browne Headline USA Men's 10 Mile Championship Next Month in Minneapolis

LetsRun.com
Wisconsin Men, Stanford Women #1 in 2007 LetsRun.com NCAA PreSeason XC Super Polls
Both teams were #1 all of last year until nationals where the Colorado Buffaloes upset the #1 ranked Badgers. See the preseason national, conference, and regional predictions.

$30,000 First Prizes on Tap at This Weekend's World Athletics Final IAAF

LaSalle Bank Announces 2007 Chicago Women's Field: Benita Johnson Headlines
*athy Butler and Liz Yelling Running Chicago Marathon

Steve Cram Says World Athletics Final Doesn't Serve Much Purpose Guardian

For Oregon Ducks With Everyone Back But One from Last Year's 5th Place Team Expectations are High And they added Chad Hall and Centro Jr.

Ndereba Gets Promotion in Kenyan Prisons Service

Golden League
Berlin: Isinbayeva, Richards Win $500,000 Each
*Results
There wasn't a lot of drama as Richards ran another World leader and dominated with Allyson Felix back at USC. In other action, Bernard Lagat got beat by Daniel Komen in the 1500, Allen Johnson showed he still has it in the hurdles, and Janeth Jepkosgei got another win in the 800.
*Sanya Richards and Isinbayeva Content to Share $1 Million IAAF
*
Susanna Kallur Wins Hurdles in Berlin, Wants to Get Swedish Record IAAF
*
Richards and Isinbayeva's Road to Jackpot
*World Champ Christine Ohuruogu a Distant Second in 400 in BerlinTimes of London

Sad News: The Man Responsible For Possibly More World Records/Olympic Medals Than Anyone In Track History Has Died Dr. J. W. Eschbach has succumbed to lung cancer at age 74. Eschbach is the one that discovered that EPO plays a huge role in red-blood cell production and led the clinical trials of the first EPO drug. Message board thread here

Paul Tergat Calls On Athletics Kenya To Have Full Time Coaches So Kenyans Won't Have To Train Abroad

Craig Mottram Says Hamstring Is What Caused his Debacle at Worlds It seems like instead of his coach talking about the heat causing Mottram's problems it would have been much easier to tell the truth at Worlds instead of misleading everyone for 2 weeks.

Jaouad Gharib, Felix Limo, and Evans Rutto Headline 30th LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Robert Cheruiyot, the world's top marathoner is not on the list, but if he runs, it should be a sick sick race.

London Champ Martin Lel, London Runner Up Goumri To Race at 2007 ING NYC Marathon Remember the days when NY was 2nd class to Chicago?
*Video: Watch the Incredible Sprint Finish in London this Year (Final Quarter Mile of arguably the greatest men's marathon ever)

Rieti Results
Asafa Powell 9.74 WR He did it in a semifnal heat, letting up before the finish. He had a nice wind and some slight altitude, but he wasn't even trying to set the record. It's really anticlimatic to see a WR in a semi of some meet a week after he should have run fast and when he wasn't even trying to run his fastest.
*Rieti: Recap Asafa Powell Runs 9.74, Janet Jepkosgei Runs 1:56.29 IAAF

Mesage board threads:

*Powell the best time trialist ever?
*Thread on the record
More Rieti: Rupp, A Goucher, Riley bomb in 3k Post Worlds blues
*Kara Goucher Continues Fine Form with 8:34 3k

World Champs Wrap Up
Great Read:
Tim Layden Writes a Worlds Recap: Allyson Felix 48. Relay, Seb Coe on Alan Webb, Mo Greene Update and Mor Layden takes issue with Lagat running for Kenya while a US citizen in 2004 (in actuality the US had 3 distance runners get medals in 2004, they only had 2 at Worlds). Others (including a Kenyan guy who emailed us today) are saying Lagat should have been DQd in the 5k for cutting off Kipchoge.
*Message board thread on Layden's article
*South African Editorial: Make Changes Now To Avoid Beijing Disaster
For the 4th time in 8 wchamps, SAfrica won a grand total of zero medals.
*Kenyan Editorial: This Is Why We Are Proud To Be Kenyans
The Kenyans had their finest major championship ever as they finished 2nd in the medal count. They rightly are proud (but apparently now want sprint and field event success as well).
*Uganda's Moses Kipsiro Is Happy With 5k Bronze
- The African champ won his country's 3rd ever medal by edging American Matt Tegenkamp
*Steve Cram: Osaka Was Better Than Expected For Britian

Worlds News:

*Results

Jeremy Wariner Leads US Men to 4*400 Gold as US Sweeps all 4 Relay Golds For First Time
*Video of Men's 4*400 Final

US Women Win 4*400 as Felix Gets 3rd Gold
*
Video of Women's 4*400

Men's 800
Yego Edges Reed

Unrabbited races often produce surprises but rarely so much so in the 800. The field went out in 55 seconds giving everyone a chance. Canada's Gary Reed had the lead the entire homestretch except for the last 3 feet as Alfred Kirwa Yego edged him by .01. The entire field finished within half a second of each other as Yego got the surprise win. Yego's highest finish this year in an international race was 5th before worlds.
*
Photo of Yego and Reed at Finish
*Video of Final 250 of Men's 800

Japan US Wins Men's 4*100
Tyson Gay Gets 3rd Gold

The hometown Japanese who have 0 medals at these championships (they did win the World Marathon Champs men's team title) ran faster than any winning team since the 2000 Olympics). The problem for the Japanese was that 4 teams ran sub 38 seconds, as the US held off an incredible anchor run by Asafa Powell to get the gold.

US Women Run World Leader to Edge Jamaicans in 4*100

Friday Distance Qualifying
800 Semis: Rashid Ramzi Bows Out

The defending champ did not make the final and neither did the Americans.
*2 Kenyans Bungei and Kirwa Make 800m Final

*2007 Word Leader Mbulaeni Mulaudzi Makes 800 Final
s

1500m Semis:
Americans Clement and Donohue failed to advance
More Distance News: *Craig Mottram Has a Traveling Hippie to Keep Him Company and Calm at Races He'll need all the help he can get trying to beat Lagat on Sunday.
*Martin Keino: Kenya Has Shown Dominance at Worlds

Cuban Yargelis Savigne Upsets Tatyana Lebedeva in Triple Jump The real question is Castro dead?

Thursday Distance Qualifying:
5000:
Tariku Bekele, Kipchoge Lead 5000m Qualifying as All 3 Americans Advance Adam Goucher even qualified despite kicking a lap early. (Slightly related: the IAAF should end qualifying on time in events above 800).
Ethiopian Perspective: Tariku Bekele and Abraham Cherkose negotiate tricky 5000m semis

800

*Round 1 of 800: Rashid Ramzi Runs, All the Favorites Advance The most exciting event at Worlds.

Jana Pittman Wins 400m Hurdles
*
Video of Jana Rawlinson Winning 400m Hurdles

Lagat Gets Gold
Webb 8th
The world's 2nd fastest ever at 1500m has been the bridesmaid twice and missed the last 2 World Championship. But on Wednesday he was golden as he powered down the final straight to capture the title as a slew of guys were in contention for the title. It was the first US 1500m title in 99 years. 2007 World leader Alan Webb faded to 8th during the final straight.
Alan Webb Quote
: "It was a colossal breakdown"
*Tim Layden Writes About the Dejection of Alan Webb and Stomach Problems That Plagued Lagat Earlier This Summer
*Philip Hersh: Did Webb's Desire to Get in Front Doom Him?

*Washington Post on Bernard Lagat and Webb
Washington Post

*IAAF Recap here. Letsun.com recap coming
*Quotes from top 4 (Ramzi said he had bad tactics)
*Photos

*
Video 1500: The Final lap of the men's 1500m

Previous Days Distance Action by Event:
Steeplechase:

Kipruto Shows There is Order in the World and Leads Kenyan 1-2-3 Sweep
No country dominates an event like Kenya does the steeplechase. Kenyan born athletes have every gold medal and 30 of the 39 total medals since 1988.
Women:Russia Goes 1-2 in Women's Steeplechase And that was e ven with Russian world record holder Gulnara Samitova-Galkina finishing 7th after fading off of her fast opening pace.
*Jepkorir Talks About her Bronze in Steeple, Admits Women's Steeple Isn't that Deep

Tirunesh Dibaba Survives Fall Retains Gold
Goucher Gets Bronze

A side stitch to Tirunesh Dibaba and a collision between the Ethiopians shook things up in the women's 10k and gave the opportunity for Kara Goucher to get the bronze. Dibaba fell off the pack, grabbed her side, and contemplated dropping out but stormed back to the victory. Goucher held off Jo Pavey for the bronze.

*Sports Illustrated's Tim Layden Writes about Goucher's Historic Medal
*Dibaba's Effort Is Herculean
*Britain's Jo Pavey Runs Race of Life But Finishes 4th in 10k Independent
*
Kara Goucher Talks About her Historic Bronze with Oregonian
"I thought, 'You know, a non-African is going to get a medal. Why can't it be me?'" Not sure why she fears the African women. 1 Kenyan woman has ever won a gold on the track. She should fear the Ethiopians.
*
Women's 10k Final: 2007 World Championship Women's 10k Preview: Dibaba Going for 9th World Crown at Age 21 Dibaba is truly incredible and only 21.

Luke Kibet Wins Marathon Kibet was unheralded coming in, but blew away the field for the win in the opressive heat. The hometown Japanese got the team gold as the World champs got underway.
LetsRun.com Previews (Plus Your Predictions):
*
Men's Steeplechase World Champs Preview: Can The Kenyans Sweep?
*On the boards:
Renato Canova Coach of Marathon Silver Medallist Shami Talks About Heat Specific Training They Did

Marilson dos Santos Leads S. American Challenge at Road Running Champs This Weekend in Italy IAAF
*
World XC Champ Lornah Kiplagat Defending Her World Road Running Championship This Weekend

*
Provisional Entry Lists for World Road Running Champs This Weekend IAAF

Scientist Looks at "Heatstroke" and Chicago Marathon The author points out that very few runners likely had heatsroke. For the masses, the problem was the warm weather coming in the middle of October when the runners were not used ot it which can cause blood pressure problems apparently.
More Chicago News:
*Mayor Defends Chicago Marathon, Carey Pinkowski

*Honolulu Marathon Experienced in Dealing With Heat
 
*6 Athletes at High School XC Race in Chicago Had to Be Taken to Hospital Due to Heat
Editorials:
Phillip Hersh: Some in Chicagos Marathon Shouldn't Have Run in Heat (Or Perhaps No Matter the Conditions)
*"This is a moment that calls for regret, accountability, perspective and determination, not defensiveness"
We agree the Chicago people need to own up to some mistakes. Clearly there are some things they might have done differently but that does mean we cast the blame on them.
*Marathon Should Have Protected Runners From Themselves (We Think He Advocates Cancelling the Race Beforehand Which is Ridiculous)
*Jay Mariotti Weighs in On Chicago Marathon
And This Guy Is the Harshest on the Runners:
"If you are foolhardy enough to run a marathon when the temperature outdoors is up to 88 degrees, then it is your fault, no one else's...when 35,000 people jump off a ledge, you can only catch so many in safety nets. The rest are going to fall. This is a professional competition that the public sometimes confuses with a company picnic."

Marion Jones' Returns Her Olympic Medals, Gets 2 Year Drug Suspension
Marion Jones on the Message Baords:
*Coworkers' Views on Marion Jones
*How Can Marion Jones Be Broke?

Chicago Marathon Holds Press Conference to Talk About What it Did to Prepare for Heat Nearly every press account we have seen (like this one) has praised the race for cancelling the marathon before everyone finished due to the heat. But of course some are upset at the cancellation but most are upset for the race running out of water. Many complaints are from people way back in the pack who did not get water at the first few water stops. The race increased the amount of water cups by 200,000 but so many people were taking water and dumping it on their heads that at the first few water stops, they ran out (or if they did not run out of water the volunteers could not get it in cups by the time everyone came by.) When 35,000 people run a marathon in 90 degree heat you're likely going to have problems (23 Minute Video of Press Conference) and they sure did Sunday in Chicago. The race even made the front page of the New York Times which is a bit ridiculous.
*Heart Condition Killed Runner at Chicago Marathon, Not Heat But of course some on letsrun.com want to disagree. Interestingly we read that 1 in 50,000 people should die during a marathon.
*Runner Who Died Knew he Had a Heart Condition

*Message board thread on the heat in Chicago 180+ posts
*Chicago Marathon Message Board A lot of people are really upset, but a lot acknowledge that Chicago has run a first class organization in the past and this was the perfect storm.

Bahama's World Athletes Get Homecoming (3 Medals for 300,000 is Pretty Impressive)

LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Women
Unbelievable
Adriana Pirtea Blows It

Just watch the video above. Shorter video here if you're impatient

*
Chicago Tribune Recap of Ivuti's Narrow Win
Adriana Pirtrea, a runner basically no one has heard of (including ourselves) (she did finish 2nd at an NCAA indoors once), was on her way to winning the Chicago Marathon. She had been clear of Berhane Adere for miles. Pirtrea, as she took the final turn, was high fiving the crowd. She had a 15 second lead with 58 seconds of runing left. Little did she know that Adere had overcome whatever problems she had had and was quickly making up ground. Pirtrea never looked back and was strolling into the finish thinking about her career changing win. Meanwhile, Adere was in an all out sprint on the other side of the road. She flew by Pirtrea and Pirtrea had no chance to respond. A truly incredible turn of events as Adere made up a 15 second deficent in 47 seconds. Watch it to believe it.
*Former Yalie Kate O'Neill 3rd in Her Debut

*Wheelchair Race Decided by 1 Second All the races in Chicago were close.

Today in Boston: Deena Kastor, Katie Mcgregor Highlight Today's US 10k Champs In Boston at Tufts Health Plan 10k w

Thanou's Lawyer Says She Deserves 100m Gold Due to Jones Admitted Drug Use

Previous Marion Jones
*Victor Conte Says Marion Should Keep Medals
*Lamine Diack Blasts Marino Jones as One of the Biggest Frauds BBC

*Editorial: Ready Set Cheat, The IOC is In Trouble with Drug Cheat Thanou in Line to Get Marion's Medals Guardian

Previous:
Marion Jones Pleads Guilty, Apologizes and Cries She got herself in this mess but it is a sad tragedy.
*Video: Tearful Jones Apologizes/Retires
*Sally Jenkins Gives Jones Some Compassion Washington Post Jenkins explores the personal tragedy side of it all and actually has compassion for Marion. "Marion Jones swallowed steroids, and lied about it, and who knows if she's telling the whole truth now, when she says she didn't take them knowingly, but rather was given them by her coach, Trevor Graham. Frankly, it doesn't matter anymore. She's dead broke, her career is finished and she's facing a prison sentence....Other people may see a criminal in Jones, but all I see is a personal tragedy."
*Mike Rowbottom: A World Class Cheat The Independent Rowbotton correctly points out that Jones almost got a big drug ban at age 16.

*Sean Gregory Time: "So forget about track and field.. "In today's track world, as far as I'm concerned, you're practically guilty until proven innocent, and really, how can you prove you're innocent?"
*Talk About Ironic If Jones Is Stripped of Her 2000 Olympic 100 Meter Gold, Medal May End Up With Suspected Drug Cheat Ekaterina Thanou
*USATF's Craig Masback's Statement After Marion's Guilty Plea
*Owen Slot Of Tines of London Wonders If Marion Is Still Lying In Her Confession Letter Victor Conte Did Say She Knowingly Injected Drugs
*Victor Conte: Marion Jones is Not a Bad Person
New York Times

*Editorial: Track star owes apologies to more than her family and friends; she cheated her sport and her fans too
*Australian Olympic Head Says Athletes Who Marion Jones Cheated Will Never Get Justice www.news.com.au
*Marion Jones Always Adamant in Doping Denials Plus Victor Conte says the wisest thing we have ever seen him say: "We need to change the focus and put the spotlight upon Olympic governing body officials, owners of pro sports teams and players' union representatives — those that control the money in elite sport." USA Today
*Law Enforcement Sources Say Attention to Turn to Barry Bonds Next Nydailynews.com

Bulgarian 800 Meter Runner Tests Positive

Japanese Update: World Record Holder Wanjiru Out of NYC Due to Conflict With Toyota Corporate Team, Mekubo Mogusu Runs His 3rd Sub 1 Hour Half Marathon of 2007

Sunday is Final Day to Qualify for Men's Olympic Marathon Trials New York Times And the warm weather in Chicago is already freaking a lot of people out.

US 10 Mile Champs This Weekend A lot of US guys are using this as a tuneup for the Olympic Trials including favorite Abdi Abdirahman, Dan Browne, James Carney, and Ryan Shay.

Kenyan News:
*President Kibaki Honors World Champs Medallists in Eldoret
*President Kibaki Vows to Put in Tartan Track at Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret
But it's election season so believe it when you see it.

Wallace Spearmon Runs 19.88, Gets Sprint Double, Xiang, Isinbayeva Win in Daegu S. Korea Worlds will be here in 2011.
*Daegu Results

Kenyan World Medallists to be Honored Today by Kenyan President Kibaki and be Given Cash

Adidas, Nike Ramping Up Business in China Ahead of 2008 Games

We're Not Joking: RunnersWorld with Extensive Olympic Marathon Trials Section The editor, Amby Burfoot, was a Boston Marathon champ back in the day, and has done a good job. You learn that Brian Sell looked good in the Olympic Trials simulator in Central Park, Khannouchi is fasting for Ramadan, Josh Cox is running 150 miles a week, and more.

Lengthy Video Interview With Gebrselassie with Sean Hartnett After His World Record Hartnett knows his stuff so we're sure this is a great interview without even watching it. Hartnett knows virtually every top runner in Kenya and Tergat turned to Hartnett for advice prior to moving to the marathon.

Victah Sailer's Berlin Marathon Photos See Geb make history.

America's Top Ultra Runner Scott Jurek Defends Spartathlon Title

AL OERTER 1936-2007 The death of this legend basically is being ignored in the US but thankfully the NYTimes gave him the homage he was due in this tremendous article by Frank Litsky on Oerter. And we like Oerter's anti drug stance and honesty (admitting to trying roids in 1976). When he quit competitive throwing he said, "The drug culture had taken over."
*Daily Telegraph in Britain Remembers Al Oerter

*Kansas City Star Remembers Al Oerter

*More Oerter: *
Message Board Thread
*
More on Oerter from Florida Paper
*Article on Oerter and His Painting: "I know this won't sound right but painting is the same dadgum thing I found in training for the Games"

Defending World Road Running Champs Zersenay Tadesse of Eritrea and Lornah Kiplagat to Defend Titles Next Weekend in Italy IAAF

Bupa Great North Run Paula Settles For Second As Kara Goucher Sets New American Best Kara Goucher was sensational as she ran 66:57 to spoil Paula's return. Paula ran well (67:53) in her first race in 21 months. The course is a net 30m downhill and point to point (Goucher supposedly ran 2 sub 5 minute miles), but this run is super impressive.
*Video Interview With Kara Goucher After Her Amazing Great North Run Victory
**
Video With Paula Radcliffe After Great North Run
*Radcliffe Buoyed By Race - May Run NYC
The article reveals that many local fans thought Goucher was Radcliffe as they both are white
*Mo Farah Wins 3k at Great North Run (Recaps of Men's, Women's 3ks, Men's, Women's Miles) Eliud Kipchoge had trouble leading and a late burst by Farah produced the win as American Adam Goucher was 6th
*Great North Run Top Results (Josh Rohatinsky 1:02:52, Adam Goucher 1:03:15)

5th Avenue Mile Alan Webb/Carmen Douma-Hussar Win On an absolutely beautiful fall day, both winners let others set the pace before winning in 3:52.7 and 4:22.8 respectively. This was our lead story late on Saturday night but all the great long distance action has pushed it down a bit. Watch the men's race video here and women's race video here. Still photos here.

Profile Of New 800 Meter Kenyan Sensation Janeth Jepkosgei The former 400 hurdler's only regret for the year is not getting the African record.

Shanghai:
*
Tyson Gay Beaten in 100, Liu Xiang Beaten in Hurldes in Shanghai
Good thing Asafa Powell wasn't in the race.

Kenyan Sensation Janeth Jepkosgei Ready for Tusker Meet in Kenya, She Wants a Sub 2 at Altitude
*Janeth Jepkosgei and Olympic silver medallist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi Highlight Tusker Kenya Meet on Saturday

Fifth Avenue Mile This Weekend:
*Webb Still Learning, Says 2006 Setbacks Helped Him in 2007
AP
*Jon Rankin Interview
The Former Bruin started running well again the end of this summer.

A Michigan Reunion: Webb, Willis and Sullivan Running Continental Fifth Avenue Mile This Weekend

World Record Holder in Half Samuel Wanjiru to Make Marathon Debut at 2007 ING NYC Marathon Wanjiru may not have the fanfare of others because of he has not starred on the track, but NY getting him is a mini coup. He's set the WR at the half 3 times. The big question is how does he find the adjustment to the full marathon. Many half -marathon specialists (Hendrick Ramaala for example) struggled at first in the marahton. Plus, the concern is how focused he is on NY. We're almost 100% certain the article below which came out today originally talked about him wanting to run a marathon in London in April.
*Samuel Wanjiru to Lead Kenyan Squad at World Half Marathon Champs
IAAF

Top Female Cyclists Admits She Doped Since Age of 16 velonews.co

PBS Nova to Have Show on Marathoners on October 30th

Documentary Coming Out on York High School

More Weekend Action: Zersenay Tadesse Wins Dam to Dam 10 Miler in Netherlands in 45:52 in Preparation for Defense of his World Road Running Title IAAF

Deena Kastor to Headline US Team at IAAF World Road Running Championships Half Marathon on October 14 The men's team is not being sent, a casualty of the fall marathon trials.

Huge Steroid Bust
26 underground steroid labs busted, 11.4 million doses seized, plus millions of dollars seized.
*In Depth Article on the Ease of Getting the Drugs From China and How They Pass Steroid tests:
"Selling these supplements is more profitable than selling cocaine and less dangerous than selling methamphetamine," and "Asked if shipping to the U.S. is a problem, she replies, "Is Federal Express okay? We do it for our other American clients."

Even the Greats Have Bad Days:Paul Tergat Only Runs 64:58 at Porto Half Marathon We had seen Tergat slated to run this weekend's Great North Run. Not sure if that was an error or the run in Porto was just a training run for this weekend's effort.

Most Track and Field Meets Are Boring are We Going to Do Anything About it? Nice article from Pat Butcher (author of the Coe and Ovett biography) in the Financial Times.
*Does World Marathon Majors Help Promote the Sport? Steve Nearman of the Washington Times looks at the issue. $200,000as a marketing expense is not that much for each of the World Marathon Majors, so don't express to much sympathy for their inability to find a sponsor. One thing not mentioned in the article is that the majors may have the unintended consequence of having Robert Cheruiyot. the top marathoner in the World, not run a fall marathon as he's guaranteed $500,000 already.

Dave Bedford and Brendan Foster Don't Like Paula's Chances in 2008 A pretty decent article but our highlight was photos of Paula's baby. She's got cute blue eyes.

GUILTY
Floyd Landis
lost his drug case and now like seemingly nearly every top cyclists the last few years is a drug cheat. And as some LetsRun.com message boarders predicted the ruling was 2-1. Although anti dopers should be a bit alarmed at all the mistakes the lab made and are documented in the report.

Deena Update: Race Director Admits to Not Realize Who the Application for $25 Free Entry Was For

JK Speaks on Running Economy, Part II For all you physio geeks, JK is going more technical in this series.

Peaks And Valleys: The History Of Competitive Distance Running In The U.S. Since 1954 (37 Pages, 56 Including Charts)

JK Speaks: Total Quality Management - Boosting The Economy
First in a multi part series on running economy.

Asafa Powell's Agent Says He's Unlikely to Race Tyson Gay Again This Year
*Brief Interview With Asafa after his WR

If Trevor Graham Perjury Case Goes to Trial Expect Athletes to Testify Graham will call athletes he knows are still doping to testify if we're reading the article correctly.

Lagat Gets Double
Tegenkamp 4th
We thought Lagat would win regardless of the pace but the other competitors gift wrapped it for Lagat, basically jogging around for 10 laps and sprinting the last 2. Eliud Kipchoge put up a brave fight down the final stretch but Lagat was too good. American Matt Tegenkamp missed a medal by .03 seconds. Somehow Craig Mottram and defending champ Ben Limo could not even stay close when the pace picked up and were 3rd to last and 2nd to last respectively, leaving Mottram grasping for answers.
*IAAF Recap

*Video
of Final 500 of Bernard Lagat's 5000m Win

Catherine Ndereba Wins Marathon Gold Just when it started to look this summer she might be over the hill she stormed to gold as the Keyan women are having their best Worlds ever.
*Ndereba the Worlds Most Consistent Marathoner
*Reiko Tosa Saves Japan by Getting Bronze in Marathon
* World Marathon Majors Update after Worlds
* Ndereba Gets Her 2nd World's Marathon Title (Race Results Weekly Recap)

Defar Blows Away Field on Final Lap for 5k Gold
Historic Medals for Kenyan Women
We believe this is the first event ever where the Kenyan women have received more than 1 medal at Worlds. Jen Rhines of the US was 7th and Shalane Flanagan 8th as 10 women were together at the bell.
*Video of Final Lap of women's 5000m

More Saturday Action:
Brad Walker Becomes First American to Win Gold in Pole Vault at Worlds
*Men's Pole Vault Video Highlights
*Olympic Champ Roman Sebrle Finally Gets World Gold in Decathlon
*Barbora Spotakova Wins Javelin Gold

Allyson Felix Dominates 200m at Worlds
21.81. Ms. Felix has shown she runs her best in the big meets.
*Tim Layden Full of Praise for Felix's incredible run
Video: Allyson Felix's 200m Win

Jeremy Wariner's 43.46 Leads US Sweep of 400 95% of you expected him to win.
*Jeremy Wariner: America's Clean Cut 400m Runner LaShawn Merritt is a good story as well and broke 44 for the first time to get silver. Times of London
Video: Jeremy Wariner's Win at 400 in 43.47
*Interviews with the US Guys Who Swept the 400

Liu Xiang Wins Gold in Hurdles It was the first gold by a male for China ever at Worlds. Terrence Trammell also went sub 13 for the silver.
Video: 110m Hurdle Win by Liu Xiang in 12.95

Thursday:
Tyson Gay Gets Second Gold Hopefully Lance Brauman his coach was able to see his prodigy win gold live on WCSN. Irving Salidino won a thrilling men's long jump on the final leap. In the 5k heats, All 3 Americans made the final. It looks good for Lagat's 2nd gold on Sunday as the 5k is super weak with Bekele and Sihine out. Plus the final will only have 2 Kenyans instead of the normal 10 at a Golden League meet.
Video: Video of Tyson Gay's 200m Win
*Now the Marketing of Tyson Gay Begins An article in the NY times doesn't hurt to kick things off.

Saladino Wins Incredible Long Jump Andrew Howe PRd on the final jump to take the lead then Saladino prd as well to get the win on his last jump. Not quite as good as Powell and Lewis in 1991.
*Video of Saladino's Clutch Winning Long Jump
*Video of Andrew Howe Taking Lead in Long Jump and Then Going Nuts
Yes nuts. Worth a watch.

Wednesday:
*Michelle Perry Repeats as World Champ in Hurdles
She still is in contention for the Golden League jackpot as well.
*
Ohuruog and Sanders 1-2 Reminds Britain of Its Glory Days in Track and Field
Independent
*
Michael Johnson: Christine Ohuruogu's ban helped transform her
*Donald Thomas Wins High Jump
He's the guy who jumped 7 feet in high tops with his buddies last year after they said he'd be good at it.

Wednesday's Minor Action:
*Women's 5k Heats
America's Jen Rhines and Shalane Flanagan made the final
*Britain's Jo Pavey Makes 5000m Final
*
Fa
vorites Advance in Women's 1500m Qualifying Treniere Clement and Erin Donohue made the final.

Tuesday: Women's 800m: Historic Win for Janeth Jepkosgei Contrary to popular opinion, the Kenyan women have had very little success at the World Champs or Olympics (only 12 medals of any kind at the last 16 champs) Jepkosgei helped change by getting Kenya's second track gold ever on the women's side and first medal ever in a middle distance event.
*
Current UTEP Coach, Former Olympic Champ Paul Ereng Discovered 800m Champ Janeth Jepksogei

Monday: Bekele Survives Strong Challenge from Sihine and Mathathi Mathathi nearly broke Bekele and Mr. Silver Sihine appeared to be sprinting away from him on the final lap, but in the end Bekele had a monster final 200 to get the win. Abdi Abdirahman hung with the leaders for 7k and finished 7th. Dathan Ritzenhein and Galen Rupp were off the pace throughout but finished a respectable 9th and 11th.
*Quotes from the Americans
We Agree: Sileshi Sihini the Most Underrated Runner in the World

Veronica Campbell Wins 100m in Blanket Finish at Worlds It took at least 5 minutes to determine a winner as she edged Lauryn Williams and the unknown Carmelita Jeter
*On the boards: Was Lauryn Williams Robbed?
*
Tim Layden Writes About Lauryn Williams, Lance Brauman, Alan Webb Sports Illustrated

Tyson Gay 9.85 Win over Asafa Powell
He walked down Powell to get the coveted 100m title as Powell locked up and got 3rd.
*Michael Johnson Says Asafa Powell is Not a Great Competitor

Final Day to Vote: LetsRun.com NCAA XC Polls And can some of you please support Title IX and vote in our women's polls.
*Coaches' Rankings: Women: Stanford Still #1 23 of the top 30 teams including the Cardinal will be at Pre Nats
Men: Vin Lananna's Oregon Ducks #1
Oregon and #9 Arkansas (yes #9) are the only top 10 teams skipping preNats.

Photographer Victor Sailor Was the First Person to Expose Former Mexican Presidential Candidate Roberto Madrazo as a Cheat at Berlin Marathon

15,000 Expected for Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on October 21

Kenyan Coaches Told to Not Shun Media

In Case You've Been MIA:
*
Chicago Men
*
Chicago Women
Just click on the links above to see the two greatest marathon finishes ever on one day.
*Top Results

Impressive: Michael Cox Somehow Qualifies for the Trials in the Heat of Chicago
*Kimbia Reaction to Chicago
Disappointed but Gharib and Cheruiyot on paper should finish ahead of their guys.

Katerina Thanou Distances Herself from Her Laywers Comments Saying She Deserves Marion Jones' Gold Medals BBC

Bill O'Reilly Compares Marion Jones to Larry Craig Only if Marion decides 2 months from now she's not guilty.

More Drugs: Do Athletes Only Use HGH for Superstition? Doctors used to say steroids didn't have an effect either.

Gebrselassie to Run Part of Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon This Month

Twin Cities: Abdi Abdirahman Wins, Jason Lehmkuhle Impresses at Medtronic US 10 Mile Champs
*
Message Board Thread Abdi is a favorite for the Olympic Trials but Lehmkuhle now is a strong darkhorse candidate.
*Mykola Antonenko Wins Twin Cities in 2:13, Svetlana Ponomarenko Wins Women's in 2:34

Other Weekend Action:
Boston: Tom Nyariki Sets Course Record, Edna Kiplagat Wins BAA Boston Half

DC: Brazilian Men Dominate Army Ten Miler, Firaya Zhdanova Wins Women's

Cologne: Sabrina Mockenhaupt Wins Cologne Marathon in Debut in 2:29

Italy: Moses Mosop Back from Injury Wins Giro al Sas 10.5km Road Race
IAAF
Slovakia:
William Biama‘s 2:09:53 takes 84th edition of Kosice Marathon

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Orders $99 and up

Olympic Champ and UTEP Coach Paul Ereng Talks About Runing the 800 EA Standard

Got Information for Us? (News/Results/Link): Email us at tips@lesrun.com

Lynn Jennings Test Anatomically Correct Socks in NYTimes and Says They are Not Needed

Former Mexican Presidential Candidate Pulls a Martin Franklin at Berlin Marathon What makes grown men cheat in a marathon we'll never figure out. LA Times
*Message board thread

Alan Culpepper and Jorge Torres Headline New USA Track and Field Club in Boulder, CO.

Blanka Vlasic Voted European Athlete of the Year

World Marathon Champ Luke Kibet to Run Great South Run on October 28th BBC

OU, Texas Navy ROTC Members Do Relay to Run Game Balls to Dallas