NYC Kenyans

well said.

Half-Irish wrote:

I realize that Chicago is always lauded over New York City on this website, and it should be, although it would be a bit mroe credible if the Johnsons didn't have business arrangements with Chicago.

But the Page One banner about the "Irish" New York City Marathon goes on to imply that the quality of the Kenyans in New York this November will somehow be subpar.

I think everyone on this site knows I got paid to rabbit Chicago. What are we supposed to do not comment on Chicago? I ran the NY marathon last year as well so I guess I can't comment on it either. And I know a bunch of the runners we put up stories about as well.

I found it somewhat ammusing that Eammon Coghlan got a big press release from the IAAF and NY. The women's field is great at NY but all we hear about is the Irish runners. And it was presented like Eammon running 6:50 miles was a big deal. A viewer wrote us the following:

"quoting from the IAAF story: "Coghlan will compete seriously in the New York City Marathon for the first time since 1991..."

Coghlan's stated intention is to finish in approximately 2:55-3:00..."

his comment:

Those 2 sentences do not belong in the same story. "

Our "criticism" of NY if that is what you want to call it, was really more a humorous attempt to get at their pride and raise their prize $$$ and purse to get a field like Chicago or London (well London has never paid me a $$ so I guess it is one of the few marathons I can write about for I did run NY last year). Plus, NY and Boston seem to rest on their past and a lot of runners do not know that Chicago and London are the top marathons in the world.

But then again is having the best at Chicago and London a bad thing? Perhaps it is not. One truly incredible race each season (Chicago, London) along with a few pretty good ones (NY, Boston, Belin, Tokyo, et) might be better than 4 equal races. But as an athlete, I want all races spending more cash on their athletes.

Our attempt was not to say that the NY field was subpar. We just wish they'd get the world's best instead of Ireland's best. Having said that it still is one of the top marathons in the world. And Lornah Kiplagat is running tremendously this year but getting no attention.

With all due respect Wejo, what is your issue with the fact that a couple of Irish runners happened to receive some press for running NYC this year?

It's not like we're talking about two schmoes here. We're talking about 2 World Champions. Sonia O'Sullivan's debut is definately press worthy, not to mention the fact that she has an outside shot to win the women's title.

Eamonn C. is as close to a legend in this sport as your going to get. Anytime you can tie a marketable name with a major race, no matter which one, go for it. Star power won't hurt our sport at all.

Oh yeah and in case you didn't realize there are only a couple million people with Irish heritage living in NYC area who might find it interesting that these two fine atheletes will be competing two Sunday's from now.

random guy wrote:

With all due respect Wejo, what is your issue with the fact that a couple of Irish runners happened to receive some press for running NYC this year?

It's not like we're talking about two schmoes here. We're talking about 2 World Champions. Sonia O'Sullivan's debut is definately press worthy, not to mention the fact that she has an outside shot to win the women's title.

Eamonn C. is as close to a legend in this sport as your going to get. Anytime you can tie a marketable name with a major race, no matter which one, go for it. Star power won't hurt our sport at all.

Oh yeah and in case you didn't realize there are only a couple million people with Irish heritage living in NYC area who might find it interesting that these two fine atheletes will be competing two Sunday's from now.

Coghlan was basically adopted as a NYer when he was competing in the mile in the '70's/80's. The fact that there's a press release regarding his participating in this year's NYC Marathon should be a surprise to no one.

Hmmm.

Have to disagree.

Sure, NYC is putting on a "good" race, but still not up to the same level as Chicago. Okayo? Sure she is great, and kudos for her beating Catherine, but still not Racliffe, nor the previous WR holder. Lornah? Her marathon results have been sub-par based upon what she has run for the shorter distances. I think LetsRun had a quite "Lornah to run NYC...because she can't win Chicago?" Perhaps. And keep in mind, these folks are all professionals, and they are going to go where they get the most $$$. Sonia is a GREAT story...hope she kicks butt in her debut, but still the 26.2 is an "unkown" at this point. Marla, a GREAT human interest story, but I really think she'll be lucky to break 2:30, perhaps even 2:35. I would like to see her run close to 2:26, but again, and "unknown"

Now the Men's field...not even close to Chicago. None of these guys could have challenged KK, El Mouaziz, etc. Heck, Chicago had 5 guys under 2:07!!! Yes, the faster course has a lot to do with it (Alan's 2:09 was one of the highlights!) but so does the big $$$, with time bonuses.

But again, even for Meb, he is going to go where the $$$ sends him, and regardless, whether it is NYC, Boston, Chicago, etc. at some point, there is only so much money to throw around for appearance fees. But to have the two fastest marathoners of all time (both men and women, plus new Japanese and Russion National Records) battle it out, well I find it hard not to say that Chicago was the best marathon for 2002.

Both the male Kenyan, Rop, and the female Kenyan, Okayo, who won Boston are coming to NYC. Those are pretty good Kenyans. Boston still counts, doesn't it?

Sonia O'Sullivan said she would like to average 5:15 a mile pace, WOW that pretty gutsy for a debut in NYC Marathon!

brettnsuzy wrote:

"Hmmm.

Have to disagree.

Sure, NYC is putting on a "good" race, but still not up to the same level as Chicago"

Bottom line: NYC is first when it comes to cities. NYC marathon will always be a bigger deal to the general public than Chicago. Runners of course know that KK and Paula are the best and that Chicago was a better field, but if they did in NYC what they did in Chi-town they would be far bigger and worth a lot more advertising dollars now. Instead of Oprah, Paula would be on Letterman, TODAY, Leno etc.

Brian

- Please, peoples, it's the "LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon" -- and Weldon, if you want to see the runners get paid more, you really should be as unwavering in this nomenclature as I am -- it won't beef up LaSalle Bank's top line much but it's a positive effort in the branding and it's respectful to the people who fork over the bucks.

- LaSalle Bank CM's men's field was better than NYCM's field. And LaSalle Bank CM's women's field had the unquestioned "star power." But the depth of NYC's women's field is just f---ing sick. There is also a "lottery factor" in that no one really knows how O'Sullivan's going to do (my early handicapping has her wining, around 2:23:00).

- I do not just look like Brian Fullem, I think like him. Like it or not, the NYC Marathon is the 500-lb gorilla when it comes to publicity for American running. Oprah's a very highly-watched show (and conveniently enough is produced in Chicago, if I remember right), but I read the gig on RWOL and the most telling question was the one about eating. Real respectful of top-end sports. Jared Lorenzen, Kentucky's excellent but lard-butt QB, is about the only sports figure who should get asked a question about diet. Was "So, who designs your cute little runnign outfits?" on the cutting--room floor?

- My comments on Khabnnouchi's recognition problem have appeared elsewhere on this website.

brettnsuzy wrote:

Hmmm.

Have to disagree.

What are you disagreeing with?

Half Irish never said they were equal. His point being that there was no reason to dis NY because Chicago was a better race. As a matter of fact if you would read the f***in' post you would see this is EXACTLY what the poster said.