Quote Of The Day

"(Emmanuel) Mutai steamed past the 40 km in 1:58:05, meaning he covered the fourth 10k of the course in a ridiculous 28:44 - that's 2:01:14 marathon pace for that stretch - unofficially the greatest fourth 10km stretch ever run in the history of the marathon."

- Excerpt from our write-up on the 2011 Virgin London Marathon men's race talking about how new course record holder Emmanuel Mutai, who went into yesterday's race viewed as the best guy to have never won a big one but left with a 2:04:40, destroyed an incredible field thanks to arguably the most remarkable 10km stretch in marathoning history, which included a 9:00 2-mile segment.

Virgin London Marathon *Watch Full Race On Demand

Haile G's Back & A Winner In Vienna Only Haile G could be upset with a solo 60:18 at age of 37 years and 364 days. Happy B-Day Haile!!!

Other Action From The Weekend

NCAA News

Pre-London News

More Women's News: *Japanese Runner Mizuho Nasukawa's Friend Died In Quake With Baby In Her Arms
*Japan's #1, Traumatized By Quake, Hoping For Good Day In London
*Shobukhova Respects But Doesn't Fear Paula Radcliffe
*Steve Cram Wishes More Brits Would Pay Attention To London Marathon Even When Paula Radcliffe Isn't Running
*37-Year-Old Jo Pavey Excited For Marathon Debut

More London Previews
: IAAF Virgin London Marathon Preview *5 Men & Women To Watch In London *Athletics Weekly Women's Preview & Men's Preview

US/NCAA

LRC The Week That Was This week, we investigate German Fernandez's Shoe-Gate, quote a 9th or 10th grader who says that more fans watch his 9th-10th grade meet than Leo Manzano, tell you why to be truly elite in the marathon you now need to be a sub-2:06 guy, and re-introduce you to Leilani Rios, the runner who was a national sensation 10 years ago when she was kicked off the Cal State-Fullerton track team for making a lot of money each night she worked.
*Athletics Weekly Weekend Recap: 9 World Leads Set, Including Men's Steeple, Marathon, Decathlon, And Men's/Women's 4 X 1 And 4 X 4

Doping News

Interesting Reads

Sunday's Road Action *Rotterdam Marathon Thread

Rotterdam: Wilson Chebet Wins 2:05:26 Duel In Rotterdam Rotterdam officials had taken out insurance on the $350,000 bonus for a world record, as they know what we all should know now, the course is super fast. The world record didn't fall, but Wilson Chebet battled with Vincent Kipruto until the final kilometer to make it 2 more guys under 2:06 in Rotterdam. Two 2:05s, however, is actually a letdown to Rotterdam, as this may be the fastest course in the world (see below). Last year, Patrick Makau won the battle with Geoffry Mutai as 2 broke 2:05, and in 2009, 2 guys ran 2:04 as well.
*Rotterdam Marathon The Fastest? Rotterdam Now Has The Top 10 Fastest Average Times Interesting stats from Ken Nakamura. The bar has officially been raised, and in our opinion, sub-2:06 is the cutoff for being a truly studly marathoner. 75 guys have gone sub-2:07, but only 24 have gone sub-2:06.
*Vincent Kipruto Now Statistically One Of The Fastest Marathoners Ever He's got only one win but 5 fast times.
Amazing: 80-Year-Old Ed Whitlock Runs 3:25:40

Paris: Priscah Jeptoo's More-Than-4-Minute PR Wins Paris (2:22:55, #2 Time Ever), Benjamin Kiptoo Wins Men's In 2:06:31

When To Start?
Early Vs. Late Specialization: When Should Children Specialize In Sport?

Usain Bolt & Tyson Gay In The News

Recommended Read: Usain Bolt Shares His Unique Perspective On Running And Life In Profile On Front Page Of Sports In USA Today We promised to use this article as Quote of the Day for today, as there are enough quotes to last a week. Bolt talks about partying, psychologically destroying his opponents, the stupidity of getting married before your late 30s, and a pro soccer career after London 2012 (print edition only). Bolt: "Dancing is good physical activity. So don't think about partying and dancing as negative." Bolt also hints in the video that him and Gay talk a lot less since Bolt took over as the main star. *5 USA Today Questions With Bolt (video)
*AP: One-Track Mind - Gay Closing Gap On Bolt

April Fools News

LetsRun's 2011 April Fools Edition

Recommended Read Ato Boldon's 10 Pieces Of Wise Advise That Current Pro Track Athletes Don't Understand (But Retired Ones Do) Among the highlights, he advises staying away from European wine and women and to beware of falling in love with insincere shoe companies.

The Only Required Reading In The Industry

LRC: Week That Was: Flanagan Gets Bronze, Rupp Makes An Impressive Debut, An American Runs 2:27 At LA, And The US XC Dream Team Sure, we bet you know about Shalane Flanagan's bronze at World XC and Galen Rupp's half marathon in NYC. But we help put these in perspective and tell you about the American who ran 2:27 in LA (Amy Hastings) and wonder how well the US dream team of Lagat, Rupp, Solinsky, Tegenkamp and Ritz would do at World XC. And of course the most important news of the week, the fight at World XC.

Zersenay Tadese Misses His Own WR But Runs 2nd-Fastest Half Marathon Ever (58:30) In Portugal Despite having little help from rabbits and having to run into the wind the last 3 miles, Tadese was great as usual at the 13.1 distance.

2011 NCAA Champs *Full Results *2011 Event-By-Event Results With Splits *LRC Women's Preview *LRC Men's Preview *LRC Day 1 Photos *Video Highlights (48 Hours Only) Within Articles Or On Right

Day 2: LRC 3ks: Hasay Becomes A Legend, Heath Unleashes His Legendary Kick As of Fri. night, Jordan Hasay was viewed as the former teen prodigy who couldn't quite kick for the big one in college. Now, just as was the case for Galen Rupp two years ago, she is college distance running's biggest star, as she won the mile and then came back in the 3k to make herself into a legend by turning the tables on Sheila Reid. Stanford's Elliott Heath's kick was even more lethal, as he destroyed a super-talented men's 3k field over the final 140m. Includes last lap video coverage.

Day 2: LRC Mid-D: Hasay Gets Title #1, Batty Gets Title #2, Fred Samoei Wins A Nailbiter, And BYU's Bleazard Dominates After being outkicked in the DMR on Fri. night, Jordan Hasay outkicked the competition to grab her first NCAA title as BYU's Miles Batty completed the double in the men's mile, holding off a spirited challenge from Tulsa's Chris O'Hare. The men's 800 featured the best finish of the night as Michael Rutt's bold move to the lead 400 meters in almost held up. In the women' s 800, BYU's Lacey Bleazard won her 2nd indoor title - it's a shame the ESPN3 announcers had no idea who she was. Includes last lap video coverage.

Day 1: LRC DMR: Villanova's Reid Outkicks Oregon's Hasay, BYU's Miles Batty Holds Off Incredible 3:53 Anchor From Andy Bayer Both DMRs had great finishes. The women were first and 'Nova's Sheila Reid and Oregon's Jordan Hasay put on a battle for the ages. On the men's side, Andy Bayer split a sick 3:53 to take Indiana from 9th to 2nd, but it was not enough to overtake BYU's Miles Batty, as the night of incredible men's distance running continued with three sub-3:55 splits. Arizona's Lawi Lalang split 3:56.9 and his team lost 3 spots. Recap, interviews, photos, and video of last laps.

LRC 5,000m Recaps: Unheralded Leonard Korir Storms To NCAA Record, Jackie Areson Impresses, Mia Behm Surprises Everyone The men's 5,000m witnessed Iona's Leonard Korir winning a scorching-fast 5k in 13:26.01 over Sam Chelanga, as three guys broke the previous NCAA meet record. On the women's side, Jackie Areson put on a display over the last 600m and Mia Behm, who was 7th at the Big 12, shocked everyone to get 2nd.

Sad News

Sad News: Sally Meyerhoff Killed In Cycling Accident The two-time All-American and US Olympic Trials qualifier as well former US champion at 25km was killed on Tuesday in a cycling accident at the young age of 27 while she trained for the Ironman World Championship. *LRC MB: Sad News: Sally Meyerhoff Killed in Accident
*Abc15.com Article With Video On Meyerhoff's Death
*Ahwatukee.com Article On Meyerhoff's Death
*AZcentral.com Article
*USATF Article
*New York Road Runners Article
*More Sad News: Florida High School Track Athlete Sarah Landauer Dies After Collapsing At Practice

The Secret Is ... There Is No Secret

Coaching: There Are No Secrets, Substitutes Or Shortcuts For Success ... Do The Work

Boston Is Monday *Pro Women 9:32am Eastern, Pro Men 10:00am Eastern *Live On Universal Sports TV For Free *Live Stream For Those In New England Here *Or Pay $4.99 Online *Men's Preview *Women's Preview *Weather *Pre-Race Story/Interviews

Previous Boston News:
LRC:
Friday Press Conference: Ryan Hall Confident; Geoffrey Mutai Speaks On Kenyan System; Goucher, Davila, Cheruiyot Reveal Plans Interviews with Ryan Hall, Geoffrey Mutai,  Kara Goucher, Desiree Davila - plus record holder Robert Cheruiyot discussed his calf injury.

LRC Men's Preview: Stellar Top 3, Moses Mosop's Debut, And Ryan Hall Robert Cheruiyot went 2:05:52 on the Boston course last year and he's not even our favorite, as he faces the world's "strongest" runner, Geoffrey Mutai (the stud who averaged 2:05:08 in 2 marathons last year and then dominated the Kenyan XC ranks), NYC Champ Gebre Gebremariam and the debut of Moses Mosop. Plus, we give you Ryan Hall's chances and discuss his thyroid problem and parasites.

LRC Women's Preview: 10 Seasoned Marathoners Or Newcomer Florence Kiplagat? Former World XC and World Half Marathon champ and Renato Canova-coached athlete Florence Kiplagat (and the wife of men's debutant Moses Mosop) will battle 10 seasoned marathoners that have a chance to win. Who will come out on top? Does Kara Goucher have a chance? We tell you that and more. In our minds, a white former NCAA athlete might win, but her name most likely isn't Kara Goucher.

Non US Track News

Don't Forget Haile G
*Washington Post Looks At Haile G's Comeback From Retirement, Which Begins Sunday In Vienna
While the great one unretired, the article admits he's finally starting to wonder when he will actually retire.
*Preview Of Vienna Marathon: Haile Gebrselassie Running Half And Paul Kirui Going For Marathon CR With Boston and London coming up, it's easy to overlook this, but the Vienna Marathon is also Sunday. Geb will be making his return in the half in his first major appearance since dropping out of the NYC Marathon.

More Boston News:

Webb Coaching Search

Not So Fast: LRC Julia Webb: Alan Webb HAS NOT FINALIZED PLANS To Head Back To Virginia To Be Coached By Jason Vigilante
Steve Nearman Stands Behind His Story
Steve Nearman
, the former Washington Times reporter who first broke the story about Webb's pro contract in 2002, reported Wednesday night that sources (plural) close to Webb confirmed that Alan was going to be coached by UVA's Jason Vigilante and we said, "Nearman can be trusted." Well, Nearman is trusted in the industry, but Alan's wife Julia Webb has written and said, "Just wanted to give you a heads up that the story is definitely not true ... we are still looking at the options. No decisions made although Vig (is) still a good option." We contacted Nearman and relayed him Julia's comments and he said, "I stand by my story and I stand by my sources."
*RRW: Alan Webb's Agent Ray Flynn Calls Webb Story "Totally Bogus" In reality, Flynn said the story is "at this stage totally bogus."
*LRC MB: *Julia Webb (Alan's wife) Has Written and Said Webb to UVA Story is Not Accurate *Thread On Webb-Vig

Previous Boston Marathon News

Last Sunday's South African Champs *Results (Scroll Down)

NCAA Action *Texas Relays Results *Pepsi Invite Results *More NCAA Results

2011 World XC *Results *New Women's Race Photos *New Men's Race Photos

LRC: Shalane Flanagan Gets Bronze The Olympic bronze medallist and ING NYC Marathon runner-up ran a stellar race to snatch the bronze versus a star-studded field. Flanagan appeared to be dropped with 2km to go, but dug deep to stay in contention and battle back for the bronze. World 5,000m champ Vivian Cheruiyot pulled away from World 10,000m champ Linet Masai for gold. The American women did very well to get a repeat bronze medal.

Men: Imane Merga Blasts Away From Four Kenyans In Sprint To Win The Kenyan men dominated the team competition and had 4 of the top 5 guys in the pack for the sprint the final 400m. However, the lone Ethiopian - Imane Merga, the Diamond League 5,000m champion - got the win the Kenyan nation wants most every year. Ben True was the first American in 36th, as he and fellow Ivy Leaguer Max King were America's two best.
*Merga: "Before I used to think of myself as a track runner but this winter I have got to like cross-country races more."
*Craig Mottram Finishes As Top Non-Afrrican Born Male In 21st As Two Guys Ahead Of Him Are DQed For Fighting In Race To Line Eritrea's Samuel Tsegay and Ethiopia's Abera Kuma were given the DQ.

Junior Boys: Geoffrey Kipsang Leads Kenya To 13th Straight Title Kipsang was only 4th at the Kenyan Trials but dominated. High schooler Craig Lutz was the first American in 29th.

Junior Girls: Faith Kipyegon Of Kenya Wins, But Ethiopia Edges Them For Team Title High schooler Aisling Cuffe was the first American in 17th.

Other Nationals *NCAA D3 Champs *NCAA D2 Champs *HS Nationals Results *Photos

HS: Lukas V. Runs Away From The Top Milers To Complete Historic High School Nationals Triple His double on Sunday was super-impressive, but we had completely forgotten about German Fernandez's 4:00, 8:34 double at the California state meet.
*IAAF Article On Verzbicas

We Wrote This Article Too Soon:
Gerry Lindgren's Legendary 47-Year-Old High School National Record Survives Scare From Lukas Verzbicas And Edward Cheserek Verzbicas hammered home over the final lap to pull away from Cheserek, but in the end, Lindgren's 8:40.0 lived to see another day, as Verzbicas ran 8:40.70 and Cheserek shattered the high school indoor and overall sophomore class records with his 8:42.66. More: Gerry Lindgren 8:40 indoors *LRC MB Lukas V. 8:40.7!! *LRC MB So close *Running Times Q&A With Lindgren About His 8:40.0 Note: This article incorrectly implies the record was set in a 16-lap race.
*
Lucas Verzbicas (14:06.78) & (Waverly Neer) 16:35.15 Set National HS 5,000 Records

Tokyo Marathon: A Legend Is Born *Photos

Hailu Mekonnen Wins, Japanese Amateur Yuki Kawauchi Runs Amazing 2:08:37 For 3rd And Faints At Finish Yuki Kawauchi's story is amazing. A 13:59 5ker and 29:02 10ker, he has a full-time job and has stayed away from the Japanese collegiate and professional system, yet he stunned all of Japan with a 2:08:37 run. Dreams do become reality.
*On The Boards: 13:59 5k, 29:02 10k Japanese AMATEUR Runs 2:08:37 at Tokyo Marathon and Passes Out

Records For Rupp And Farah *Video Of Rupp's And Farah's Race

Galen Rupp & Mo Farah Set National 5k Records! (13:11.44 and 13:10.60) The two Alberto Salazar-coached athletes put on a brave battle, with Farah coming out on top on the last lap, as Rupp regained his American record from Bernard Lagat by .06. Rupp and Farah will be training together through 2012 and their partnership is off to a strong start. Rupp is scheduled to go for the American 10k record next week in New Zealand. The meet also saw a cool 400m hurdles race (video here or on the right), an 8:30 3k and American Morgan Uceny going sub-2:00 in the 800.
*Mo Farah Breaks British 5,000m Record With His New Coach Alberto Salazar One Of The 8,000 In Attendance Telegraph.co.uk
*Farah Credits Salazar's Coaching
*Rupp/Farah 5k Video

The 10 Best High School XC Runners Ever

LRC Week That Was: The 10 Best High School XC Runners Of All Time, Verzbicas, Tribute To Gary Reed, The NY Times & The NE Patriots And More We've got the entire running world covered from San Diego to Japan, from the high school ranks to the pros, and even talk about the NE Patriots and the NY Times.

Emmanual Mutai Becomes A Star, Legend Martin Lel Outkicks Makau (You Can Watch The Full Race Here)

Mary Keitany Crushes London (Highlights And Post Race Comments)

Mt. SAC Relays/NCAA *Results *Schedule *Live Video Stream *Heat Sheets *Sea Ray Results *Other NCAA Results

Results The 2011 US outdoor season unofficially heated up for the first time on Friday night in Southern California, as US star Shalane Flanagan edged collegiate star Sheila Reid in the 1,500m (4:11), Russell Brown blitzed a 53.84 last 400 to catch Chris Solinsky in the 1,500m as both pros ran 3:35 to NCAA champ Miles Batty's 3:36 (Matt Tegenkamp 3:40, video on right), American record holder Molly Huddle held back a challenge from Jenny Simpson in the 5,000m (15:10) and Aaron Braun held off a fast-closing Jorge Torres in the men's 5k.
More: *53.84 Last Lap Gives Russell Brown Victory Over Chris Solinsky At Mt. SAC *BYU Release On Miles Batty's 3:36.25 Not mentioned in the release is the fact that Batty came within .41 of the American collegiate record and within 1 second of the collegiate record. *LRC MB: DID SOLINSKY JUST RUN 3:35? *Jenny B got OWNED

*Jeff Demps 9.96 With 2.4mps Wind

2nd-Year UCLA Coach Loves Dual Meets, Deserves Praise For Keeping UCLA/Oregon Dual Meet Alive

Mt. SAC Men's 1,500m Video (Russell Brown And Solinsky) *Meet Results

Kara Before Boston: "The person who finally delivers is going to be a hero." (More Boston Here)

Ryan Before Boston: "While I don't need to go with every surge, I do need to keep myself a little closer." (More Boston Here)

London Race Director Dave Bedford On The Men's Field At London (With Hi-Def Race Footage)

Desiree Davila Ready For Boston (More In-Depth Here)

Texas Relays Photo Gallery (That's The Final 100m Of The Men's Mile Below)

Updated Carlsbad 5,000m Photo Gallery

Question Of The Day?

Can Blanka Vlasic dunk??

Train Smarter (More In The Training Forum)

Women's World XC In Photos

Men's World XC In Photos

The Greatest Comeback Ever?

Train Smarter (More In The Training Forum)

Training Talk Is Back

Training Talk With New Marathon Star Stephanie Rothstein And Ben Bruce Stephanie lowered her marathon PR by over 10 minutes, skipping the 2:30s entirely, running 2:29:35 in Houston. And she's still got her sights on lowering it another 10 minutes. Textual recap coming later, but you can listen above or download the podcast here (1:30).

Last 250 (Or Full Race - Rewind It) Of Dejen Gebremeskel Outkicking Mo Farah In Boston With 1 Shoe

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Two Of The Best Running Movies Of All Time (Don't Believe Us? Click Here)

Relive Men's NCAAs: *Recap *Results *Photos *New (2nd Photo Album Added Here)

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