Connecticut's Moonlight Run Attracts National Talent

Nice job with the elite field Michael!

I had a great time and the guys upfront were blazing. Among some of great Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, local New Englander Nate Jenkins had an excellent run... 14:21 I believe.

Somebody pat this guy on the back. He's agravating an old arm injury by having to do it himself. Remember the good old days when they put on good races in CT and the CT guys won?

I hope there was drug testing or this time should not go on the CT list. Was there Drug Testing? If yes i would hold off till your bronze medalist pees in the cup before giving prize money.

I just posted the race results because I thought it might be of interest. I was not looking for a pat on the back and I did not post as someone else to pat myself on the back. I posted using my name and am not hiding behind anything. The course was sanctioned and certified but there was no drug testing. The only questionable athlete would be Alena Reta who has been tested and banned but has served his 2 year suspension. I have had friends that have lost prize money to him and feel he shouldn't be allowed to race. However the winner, Tom Nyariki, is a well established runner who is class act and has won many major races where there has been drug testing. Again the purpose of the post was just so people could see some fast times at a nice small town race. Also I do not recall anyone from Connecticut having the ability to run under 14 minutes on the road. If I am mistaken please correct and educate me.

Dear Anthony Michael Hall,

I was wondering what you have been up to. Thanks for checking in. Loved you in Breakfast Club.

Michael,

A CT yankee here...I thought once again the Moonlight race put together a great field. Don't let anonymous posters take shots at you. One of these years, I will have to run the race.

-Road Dog (aka R. Barker)

Michael Hall wrote:

Also I do not recall anyone from Connecticut having the ability to run under 14 minutes on the road. If I am mistaken please correct and educate me.

uhh, me michael.

Whats with the DNF on Saturday Dan?

Sounded like an awesome race - too bad drug cheats like Alene Reta (or whatever name he goes by these day) are allowed to take prize money and mar the reputation of such a fine race.

what's nate jenkins been up to? no updates to his training log since january. does he have a new site? i was really pumped up at his blazing half and full marathons last year. would love to be able to keep up on his training and racing still. anyone?

Nate has his stuff up on a blog site now. http://nateruns.blogspot.com/

If you are talking present....Dan is one. If you are talking past there have been more than a few. The state has an extensive history of national record holders at various distances. I think the statement that things have gone downhill for the CT runner is, unfortunately, quite accurate. I would think that if you looked at major road races in this country, never mind just CT, you'd find Nutmeggers at the top of the results in the 50's through the early 90's.

I almost ran this race last year...always seemed like I'd have someone to run with no matter what level I was at.

Is there a list of the CT road or track records anywhere?

Michael Hall,

Did you give these drug cheats appearence fees? Why did you not give american $$? This would would have atleast promoted some home grown Americans.

I would rather see a legit 14:00 race than a couple guys juiced up on EPO to run 13:36.

I question whether you are promoting the use of EPO?

ray wrote:

If you are talking present....Dan is one. If you are talking past there have been more than a few. The state has an extensive history of national record holders at various distances. I think the statement that things have gone downhill for the CT runner is, unfortunately, quite accurate. I would think that if you looked at major road races in this country, never mind just CT, you'd find Nutmeggers at the top of the results in the 50's through the early 90's.

Bill Rodgers being the most obvious.

Rod Ares wrote:

Michael Hall,

Did you give these drug cheats appearence fees? Why did you not give american $$? This would would have atleast promoted some home grown Americans.

I would rather see a legit 14:00 race than a couple guys juiced up on EPO to run 13:36.

I question whether you are promoting the use of EPO?

I'm sorry, are you suggesting that Tom Nyariki, Philip Koech, and Linus Maiyo are on drugs? Do you have any proof, or are you just bitter and narrow-minded (I won't say racist)? If your post had read, "Did you give Alene Reta an appearance fee?" I could undertsand your concern. But you say "these drug cheats," and then later "...a couple guys juiced up on EPO to run 13:36." That implies that you think the top few guys are on drugs, which is ridiculous and untrue.

Your attitude is not unique and it's one of the issues killing our sport - people who can't comprehend non-white runners running very fast without drugs. I hope you realize that 13:36 on the roads from athletes who have run under 13:00 on the trck is not something that should raise a red flag. The race and the times are - contrary to your statement - legit. Who wants to see a 14:00 race when they can watch a 13:36 race? Or are you just suggesting that you'd rather watch a race with "homegrown Americans" over any other type of race, which is your opinion and there's nothing wrong with it? But to take that sentiment and turn it around to make false accusations about the top atheltes in the race is absurd.

There are several Americans who could have been competitive in this race, including Dan Wilson, but they chose to run somewhere else or not at all. For many reasons, the top Americans have steered clear of the roads over the last decade or two. But I think as we continue to increase the depth at the top end, we'll see more quality Americans showing up at these races. Until then, you'll have to settle for a few East Africans...

I agree with Rod,Rod,Rod. Reta is or at the minimum was dirty, the other guys in this race are class acts. Look at the prize money structure here, 1k for the win and only paid 5 deep. I think whats impressive is that they put together such a strong field at all. I doubt they had the money for drug testing or american prize money. Heck how big is this race a thousand finishers? They did bring in some decent americans too, jenkins has already been mentioned but Mario Marcias(sp?) has run 28:02 and 13:38. and the Laboy brothers at ct. kids and have run a 14:12, and 8:50 steeple between them. Instead of riding this guys ass how about giving him some props for making one hell of a race in a small town and a small race.

If Nate Jenkins 14:21 qaulifies him as a decent american we are in some serious trouble!

Patrick Cheriuyot ran 14:14 for 7th, he ran 45:14 to set the american all comers record at the Philly Broad street run in may but since he only ran 14:14 on this day is he not a good kenyan the race brought in. Same for Jenkins 14:21 ain't great but the kid has run 2:15, i'd say that makes him a decent american the race brought in.