February 14, 2015 Homepage Archive

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Archived Homepage For February 14, 2015

Quote Of The Day

Shelby Houlihan: “My workouts have been going really well. I think I can have a big PR tomorrow … I think I can run under 4:25 right now.”

LRC: “That’s the collegiate record (4:25.91). Is that the goal?”

Houlihan: “Yes.”
(and she added she can handle gong out in 2:09-2:10)

– Arizona State’s Shelby Houlihan about the hot Wanamaker women’s mile where Shannon Rowbury is going after Mary Slaney‘s American record (4:20.5), but may have some company with Houlihan chasing the collegiate record and Jordan Hasay and Treniere Moser.

2015 NYRR Millrose Games Were Saturday ResultsPost-Race Videos

What a stretch run.

LRCCentrowitz Wins Wanamaker Mile In Thrilling Stretch Run Over Willis As Year Of Lagat ContinuesMatt Centrowitz and Nick Willis delivered the goods on Saturday night with Centro edging Willis to win the Wanamaker mile in 3:51. Wanamaker mile legend Bernard Lagat took 3 seconds off the 40+ world record in 4th.

LRCSponsorless Brycen Spratling Runs New 500m World Record Of 1:00.06 The Pittsburgh grad was hoping to be the first man dub 1:00.00.

LRCMen’s 3000m: Eric Jenkins Just Misses Galen Rupp’s American Collegiate Record as Oregon Goes 1-2 Eric Jenkins and Will Geoghegan aren’t even Oregon’s best 3000m runners but they went 1-2 at Millrose and nearly broke Galen Rupp’s American collegiate record.

*Post-Race Interviews Centro, Willis, Rowbury, Lomong, Hasay, many more. The distance stars and Brycen Spratling in NYC.

Millrose On The Boards:

Mid-D News

Bizarre: Young GB Runner Abdi Abdi Given 4 Years In Prison For Committing A Series Of Robberies With A BB Gun The 19-year-old with a 3:52 1,500 PR stole $4,600 worth of mobile phones and BMX bikes from kids at a local skate park.
MB: Over/under on Nick Symmonds’ 3k? Symmonds opens his season this weekend with a 3K at Washington.
GB’s Laura Muir Says Training Is Going Really Well As She Comes Off A Very Disappointing 2014 She ran an 8:49 3,000 PR in January.
After Opening Season With Two Back-To-Back Sub-2:00 800s, Jenny Meadows Is The Favorite Going Into This Weekend’s UK Champs
Jenny Simpson Is USATF Athlete Of The Week For Her 9:18 2-Mile AR Last Weekend

Past Distance Greats In The News

Family Of Ethiopian Legend And Barefoot Marathoner Abebe Bikila Sues Vibram Over Use Of Name Vibram named some models of its shoes after him and even trademarked the name “Bikila” in 2010. The family is seeking at least $15 million in damages.
Good Read:Extensive Interview With US Miler, Jim Beatty, The First Person To Run A Sub-4:00 Mile Indoors Beatty ran 3:58.9 on February 10, 1962, a little less than 8 years after Roger Bannister ran the first sub-4:00 mile outdoors.
A Look Back At GB’s Joyce Smith, Who Won The First London Marathon In 1981 At The Age Of 43 She won it in 2:29:57 and later placed 11th in the 1984 Olympic marathon.
Luncheon In San Diego Celebrates The “Golden Age Of Track And Field” Many past Olympians/elites including Billy Mills were there.

Week That Was

LRCChris Derrick Chases Pat Porter, Chris Lear Liked What He Saw In Boston, Nijel Amos Lacked Confidence?, Robby Andrews Update

Our weekly update of the comings and goings in the running world.

Distance News: Was Sammy Wanjiru Murdered?

Pathologist Claims Sammy Wanjiru’s Death Was Murder And Not An AccidentDr. Moses Njue says that Wanjiru had head injuries which could not have been caused by a fall from his balcony and indicate he was hit on the head with a blunt object. *2nd Article
*MB: Pathologist says Sammy Wanjiru was murdered – Fall from balcony could not have killed him.
*LRC Archive: RIP Sammy Wanjiru: The World’s Greatest Marathoner Has Died

International Track Action

Anita Hinriksdottir Breaks Her European Jr. Record With 2:01.77 At Iceland Champs
Ethiopia’s Axumawit Embaye Runs 4:07.07 1,500 In France Bahrain’s Anthony Rotich won the 800 in 1:47.85, Dimitri Bascou set a WL in the 60H (7.51), Kim Collins won the 60 (6.63). Elsewhere, Fabiana Murer cleared 4.83m to set a PV WL.
More European Highlights: Switzerland’s Selina Buchel Wins 800 In 2:02.68, Spain’s Aauri Lorena Bokesa Wins 3,000 In 7:49.49
Russia’s World Indoor Champ Mariya Kuchina Clears 1.98m To Win Beskydska Latka HJ MeetMutaz Essa Barshim cleared only 2.30m to win for the men. US’s former World champ Jesse Williams was 3rd (2.27m).
British Athletics Weekend Update

News From Down Under

Canberra Track Classic: Sally Pearson Wins Showdown With Aussie Sprint Rival And NR Holder Melissa Breen Over 100m And 200m Pearson ran 11.16 and 22.97 to crush Breen’s 11.27 and 23.47. NR holder Alex Rowe won the 800 in 1:45.38. Michelle Jenneke won the 100H in 13.04 to move to 4th on the Australian all-time list.
Former NCAA Champ David McNeill And Victoria Mitchell Win Australian World XC Trials Races Mitchell (who ran the race barefoot) had to be “conned” into doing it by her coach and isn’t sure if she’ll race World XC or the Aussie track champs. *Results

LRC Remembering LRCer Van TownsendThe running world lost one of its bright lights this week with the death of Van Townsend.
*MB: RIP Van Townsend: Share Your Respects Here

2015 NYRR Millrose Games Were SaturdayResultsPost-Race Videos

LRC A Wobbly Shannon Rowbury Hangs on to Win Women’s Wanamaker by Over 3 Seconds Poor pacing ruined the AR attempt and Rowbury wobbled during the final straight but held on for a dominating victory. Treniere Moser 2nd, an upbeat Jordan Hasay faded the last lap, and Mary Cain struggled.

More Track Action All NCAA Results Live Results:
Dempsey Iowa St.BU Valentine’s UK Championships

MB Talk:

BU: 12 guys – including 4 Georgetown Hoyas in the same heat – go sub-4 at BU!!
John MF Trautmann!! 4:12.33 at age 46!! Sick.
Florida State’s Colleen Quigley runs 4:29.67 in mile at BU!! Moves to #5 in NCAA history.
Villanova men 9:27.04!
Iowa State: Thomas Curtin Va Tech runs 13:38.56 WOW!!!!! Curtin is #2 in the NCAA in both the 3k and 5k.
UW: Who Says Colorado Guys Can’t Run Track? Pierce Murphy Takes Down Anthony Rotich And Lutz – Wins Husky 5k In 13:39.29!On the negative side of things, Ben Saarel only managed 13:58.
What’s up with Saarel?
Over/under on Symmonds’ 3k?
British Champs: *Results
Day 1 Recap: Lee Emanuel Wins Men’s 3k
Katarina Johnson-Thompson Beats Morgan Lake, Sets New British Record Of 1.97m

Season-Opening News For Track’s Biggest Stars – Rudisha, Farah And Bolt

Rudisha: David Rudisha To Open 2015 In Australia On March 14 And 21
*Alex Rowe Hopes Facing Rudisha At Home Will Lead Him To New NR Of Sub-1:44.40
Farah: Mo Farah To Make 2015 Outdoor Debut Vs. 5 Sub-1:00 Guys At EDP Lisbon Half On March 22
*Mo Farah Might Run 2016 World Half Champs In March Of 2016 In Cardiff
Bolt: Usain Bolt Won’t Open 2015 Season With 400 In Jamaica Today Many thought Bolt would run. Despite the DNS, Ricky Simms told LRC on Saturday in NYC that Bolt is in good shape.
*Usain Bolt: “I will break a world record again.”
*Bolt Will Race 100 In Paris DL In July

For Your Weekend Pleasure

Recommended Read: An Incredible Rebuttal:Bob Hersh Responds To USATF Board’s Memo That He Claims “Contains Many Incorrect And/Or Misleading Statements”
Oscar Pistorius Rival Wants Him To Return To Competition Once He’s Out Of Jail
After Shedding 60 Pounds, 1992 Olympian John Trautmann Is Shooting For 45-49 WR In Mile This Weekend – 4:16.83 Trautmann had trouble running 60-second quarters when he first started training.
Nick Arciniaga The Favorite At Ome 30k In Japan This Weekend – Japanese Weekend Preview

Kenyan XC Champs Are Saturday Unless Runners Strike

Killer Fields Set For Saturday’s Kenyan National Cross-Country Championships Men’s field includes World XC champion Japhet Korir, WJ XC champ Geoffrey Kipsang, doper Matthew Kisorio, Augustine Choge. Women’s field has 2-time world champ Emily Chebet, WJ champ Faith Kipyegon, world medalists Vivian Cheruiyot, Mercy Cherono and Gladys Cherono.
AK Head Isaiah Kiplagat Says Meet Still On Despite PAAK Boycott Threats
This Might Hurt His Chances: World Champ Japhet Korir Made His Marathon Debut Last Sunday With A 2:19:46 For 4th Place At The Tapei Marathon
DailyNation: “Cocky Karoki Looks Beyond National Trials” Two-time Kenyan XC champ Bedan Karoki looking for a third title as well as a world medal.

Nevada Looking Into Lifting Ban On Olympic Betting The LRC staff might have to take a trip to Vegas in 2016.

Sprint / Hurdle Stuff

Usain Bolt Ready To Return To His Winning Ways In 2015 Bolt, who said he felt like he’d “retired, the way people were talking about Justin Gatlin” last year, will open his season on Saturday with a 400 in Jamaica … although he says, “I’m trying to get out of it.”
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Wants To Break Her 10.70 PR In 2015
Good Read: USA Hurdle Great Terrence Trammell Says Goodbye To Track And Field The two-time Olympic silver medalist is officially retiring from the sport at 36 years old.
Good Q&A With US 100H Champ Dawn Harper-Nelson
Bolt Will Return In The 100m To The Paris DL Meet In July

9-Year-Old Zach Blum Going For Age World Record For Track 5,000 This Spring In the fall, he ran 18:30 to set the road 5K record (track record is 18:41). Talking about his race back in November, Blum said, “I was pretty sad because [my dad can] usually can keep up with me. But that day, he fell back because I was probably going 5:59 mile pace.”

2014 Is Officially Over

LRCLRC Nation Has Spoken - The 2014 LRC Awards: The Athlete Of The Year, Race Of The Year Is ...

The LRC Nation has spoken. Close the door on 2014 by seeing your choices for Best Male Distance Runner, Race of the Year, Moment of the Year and more.

USA Cross-Country Photo Gallery

2015 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix In Boston *Results

LRC Bernard Lagat Still Has It, Nick Willis Breaks The Kiwi Mile Record, And Matt Centrowitz Just Misses The American 1,000m RecordTremendous mid-d action led by the 40-year-old Lagat showing he still can kick (in a losing effort).

LRC Brenda Martinez Edges Nicole Tully In World Record DMR, An American Record For Jenny Simpson And Treniere Moser Impresses AgainBrenda Martinez put back a superb challenge from Nicole Tully, Jenny Simpson got a much deserved American record, Treniere Moser, Mary Cain, Emma Coburn and more.

Bruce Jenner In Serious Car Crash, One Person Killed Jenner was at fault as he rear ended a car into oncoming traffic.
*Was Jenner Texting?
*MB: Bruce Jenner kills a woman

Good Read:Spikes Talks To Max King About How He Manages To Excel At Everything From The Steeple To Ultra-Marathons King: “My take on it is running is running. It is all the same mechanics. There is something to be said for focusing on one event and being really good at it, but for me I would just burn out.”

RAK Half Marathon Race/ Post-Race Photos

2015 RAK Half Marathon – World’s Fastest Half *Results

LRCRecap: The Marvelous Mary Keitany And Remember The Drone

Mary Keitany ran the third fastest time ever (66:02) to put away a stiff challenge by Mamitu Daska, who set a new Ethiopian record of 1:06:27. The men's race came down to a 5-way sprint but the big news was the drone that filmed parts of the race with stunning shots.

One Of Africa’s Top Talents Will Train In The USA

World 800 Champion Mohammed Aman Joins Oregon Track Club Aman, who has a 1:42.37 PR and three world titles to his name, said, “I want to run fast. OTC Elite is a good team with a good coach and I want to improve my performance.”
*Discuss

Championship / Olympic News

New Balance Indoor Grand Prix Photo Gallery

Marijuana – The Next Performance Enhancer?

Wall Street Journal Asks, “Do lots of ultramarathoners smoke weed? Marijuana Has Enormous Benefits – But Is It Ethical?”
*MB: WSJ-Ultra runners smoke hella weed
*MB: Is that a picture of Galen Rupp smoking weed on back cover of WSJ?

2015 USA XC Champs In Boulder Results/ StreamingOfficial Live Discussion Thread!

Christ Derrick Wins His 3rd USATF XC Title in a Row

Nothing But Net:Chris Derrick For Three!Chris Derrick 3-peated as USA Champion in dominating fashion as Bobby Curtis was 2nd and Dathan Ritzenhein 3rd. Ben True, the guy who tried to stay with Derrick the longest, faded to 11th.

LRC Laura Thweatt Dominates At 2015 USA Cross-Country ChampionshipsupdatedThe CU alum won her first major US title in convincing fashion before the home crowd. Mattie Suver 2nd, 40-year-old Jen Rhines 3rd.

RRW:Derrick, Thweatt Dominate USA XC Utah high schooler Conner Mantz and University of Colorado’s Kaitlyn Benner won the junior races.

The Year Of The Vault Continues

Pro: Renaud Lavillenie Makes Three Attempts But Fails To Break His Own Pole Vault World Record At French Indoor Meet Lavillenie cleared 6.01m, but failed to get over 6.17m, which would have broken his 6.16m mark from February last year.
*IAAF:Fabiana Murer Cleared 4.83m To Set A Women’s WL
NCAA: Akron’s Shawn Barber Breaks Collegiate PV Record With 5.88m (19-3½) He broke the record of 5.85m from 1999 as well as his own unofficial record (set competing unattached) of 5.87m (19-3). In women’s action, Demi Payne won a historic showdown between the three career 15-foot collegiate vaulters as she beat Sandi Morris and Kaitlin Petrillose with a 4.66m clearance.
HS: High School National PV Record Goes Down Twice On The Same DayDeakin Volz set a new record of 5.43m (17-10.5) early on Saturday, but later Paulo Benavides broke that mark with 5.46m (17-11).
*More High School Weekend Highlights