Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Sunday, November 7, 2010

NYC Results


Marathon Results 2010


The NYC Marathon is by no means over, but the winners have already crossed the finish line in Central Park.
This was Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia’s first marathon. And he won it. Gebremariam not only won his first marathon, he won the biggest marathon in the world with more than 40,000 runners. The grand prize for his efforts and achievement is $130,000.

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Gebremariam ran the 26.2 mile race with an unofficial time of two hours and eight minutes (2:08:14).
That means Gebremariam ran, on average, each mile in just under five minutes. Wow.
Gebremariam’s time is the fastest recorded time since Rodgers Rop ran the NYC Marathon in 2:08:07.
Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai finished second with a time of 2:09:17. Kigen Kipkosgi, also of Kenya, finished third with a time of 2:10:39.
The 2009 NYC Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi, the first American to win the NYC Marathon since 1982, finished in sixth with a time of 2:11:30.

More NYC

re about the New York City Marathon around the Web:

 
How to get ready for the New York City Marathon

New York City Marathon - The official site with info on this year's race, entry details, participant list, race week events, feature stories, athlete bios, complete results from every marathon, or get your official New York City Marathon T-shirt at the online store...
New York Road Runners - The club that started it all, with the latest news, results, marathon entry information, training, strategy and fitness guides.
ING New York City Marathon - Race Details - The complete skinny on the stats dating back to 2001, contact details, related links, and visitor reviews with course descriptions from marathoners.
The Marathon in NYC Photo Tour - Run the virtual marathon, via dozens of pictures with colorful shots taken in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

Watch Live Online Now :: Cost $5



LIVE IN NEW YORK? CHECK OUT NBC NEW YORK FOR ALL THE ACTION.

You can watch the race three different ways: the main feed, the men's leader feed or the women's leader feed. The $4.99 package price gives you access to all three. Click GO LIVE on the video player to watch LIVE.
Got questions on Live Video? Please click here to get answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Mammoth Running Club

Elevate Your Expectations in Mammoth this Winter

By Terrence Mahon
Ever wonder how a place like Mammoth Lakes, CA produces so many great middle and long distance runners? It must be something in the pristine Sierra Nevada air. Mammoth Lakes, sitting at 8,000 feet above sea level is one of the most ideal training locations in the world. With its challenging terrain and ideal altitude any runner can get a great benefit from running on the endless amounts of trails and roads that surround Mammoth Lakes.
If you are interested to see where numerous national champions call home then Mammoth is the place to visit this winter. Here is your chance to find out the secret to this magical place that we call home. Mammoth Track Club member Deena Kastor and her husband Andrew have put together a great winter vacation package that is going to be auctioned off soon. The money raised from the weekend getaway will go to help fund all of the great youth running programs put on by the New York Road Runners.
The Mammoth Track Club has had a great relationship with the NYRR. Since our inception back in 2001 The Mammoth Track Club (formerly Team Running USA) have been fortunate to benefit from the generosity of this great NYC association that puts together so many quality road races throughout the year – culminating with the ING NYC Marathon next weekend.
Mary Wittenberg (NYRR’s CEO) and company really understand what it takes to create successful running programs for both the world-class athlete and for the young runner just getting started. It is through their hard work, dedication to the sport and unending generosity that US distance running is where it is today.
It has been an honor for all of us at the MTC to do anything that we can to help support these great programs. Please help us by bidding on this tremendous auction item. If you win you will not only have an out of this world experience in Mammoth, but you will be helping further the future of US distance running by funding America’s running youth.
The auction package will be an adventure filled weekend for the runner that loves to hit the slopes during the off-season. Included in the package are…   Airline tickets, 4 nights stay, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing/Cross Country Skiing, dinner at Skadi – one of Mammoth’s many great restaurants, as well as ski passes for Mammoth Mountain, ski equipment from Footloose Sports and more!
Here is the link for more info:
Thanks for considering supporting such a great cause.
Mammoth Track Club

Update on Chilean Minor


UPDATE: 2010 New York Marathon Welcomes Chilean Miner Edison Peña, 'The Runner'

On Sunday, Edison Peña will trade in his steel-tipped boots and underground caverns for sneakers and the streets of Manhattan when he runs the 2010 New York City Marathon. Peña, one of the 32 Chilean miners who was trapped nearly a half mile inside the Earth for 69 days, became known as "The Runner" -- every day, twice a day, he ran back and forth along a 1,000-yard path (roughly 0.6 miles) in the humid mine. He'd run as far as six to seven miles, sometimes while dragging a wooden plank for extra resistance. 
When they learned this, the New York Road Runners invited Peña to be a guest of honor at Sunday's marathon. Then they were surprised when Peña told them he'd rather run.
"Edison Pena will be one of the stars of this year's marathon as he will be among the 43,000 or more runners at the starting line on Sunday," New York Road Runners spokesman Richard Finn said in an e-mail to the Associated Press.
Pena has been on a whirlwind media tour in New York City, appearing on David Letterman Thursdays night, where he performed his other passion -- singing Elvis songs
While  Peña was certainly the only New York City Marathon runner who did their training in a mine, his attitude toward the sport makes him just like the other 43,000 runners toeing the starting line on Sunday.
"Maybe I ran because I was anxious, maybe to find a way out," he said. "Running is a way of releasing tensions, clearing the head, freeing yourself from chaotic thoughts."

New Post from Ryan Hall on Facebook

Ryan Hall’s Volcano Trek

By Ryan Hall
Our alarm went off way too early for being on vacation. It was 4:45 am, in Antigua, Guatemala and Sara and I were scheduled to meet our guide for a hike at 5 am. Two cups of delicious Antiguan coffee later (in the afternoon Sara and I had the opportunity to tour a friend of ours gigantic local coffee plantation, which was amazing) we were hopping into our guides truck for an hour drive to the base of volcano Acatenango. Sara and I didn’t know much about Acatenango-this portion of the trip had been planned by our Guatemalan friend, who had arranged everything and we were just told when to show up. We thought it would be more of a leisurely hike up one of the neighboring volcanoes- little did we know what awaited.
On the way, we learned that Oscar, our guide, was a former professional Guatemalan cyclist who had retired a few years ago. We learned many insights about what it is like to be a professional athlete in Guatemala. When we parked the truck it was still dark and fairly cold. Waiting for us was an even more local guide (who lived at the base of the volcano, at roughly 8,000 ft) named Juan. When the guide informed us we were going to be climbing roughly 6,000 ft over 6 miles (it turned out it was only 4 miles to the summit and a 5,000 ft climb…we found that things get a little exaggerated in Guatemala) I started to wonder if I had realized what I had gotten us into. However, climbing is one of my favorite things to do. I find it to be deeply revitalizing to my soul.
We started out the hike with all the enthusiasm of a school boy on his first day of class. Having been down from altitude for the past 4 weeks it was a rude awakening to my lungs to be charging uphill at 8,000 ft. Our first mile took nearly 50 minutes according to my Garmin 210 watch. It was weird to look down at the pace function and see predicted mile splits of times that I am accustomed to covering ten miles during. Sara and I were still feeling good at half way when I looked back and noticed a dog coming up on the trail behind up. “Un perro” I shouted to our guide who was not at all taken aback by our newest member. He later told us it was his dog, Coyote, who commonly joins the expeditions he guides and has even hung out on the volcano for three days before returning home.
The scenery was constantly changing as we got higher and higher. First we were trekking through the jungle, which then gave way to pine trees, but when we started to get up at elevations over 11,000 ft the trees thinned considerably until the only thing left was black sand. By the time we made our last stop we were tired. Our quads and calves were burning and Sara and I were both higher in elevation than we had ever been. Even our local guide, Oscar, seemed to be drifting off the pace that Juan was setting, despite the fact that Juan was dressed in a collard shirt, jeans, and rubber rain boots.
Oscar had promised that if we were feeling good enough we could race the last 200 meters of the climb, which he assured us was brutally steep and sandy. Despite the fatigue from fatigued from hours of climbing, how could we pass up a race? Sara took off in the opening meters while Juan was more walking than jogging. I was sitting behind Juan trying in vain to jog. Juan and I passed Sara about 25 meters into the race, by which time we were all humbled to a walk. Juan’s home turf advantage seemed to be playing off as he opened up a slight gap on me. Man, I haven’t hurt like this in awhile I thought to myself as my legs were now completely filled with lactic acid. Juan finally started to show his first signs of fatigue as he had stopped opening his lead on me. Finally, with less than 20 meters to go I threw in my last effort to try and overtake Juan. I had just enough energy in reserve to reach the summit first, although Juan had smiling commented later that he had let me win to make sure he got a good tip.
The view from the summit was one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. We could see 14 other volcanoes and as far as both the borders of El Salvador and Mexico. Not only that, but we were less than a half mile (as the crow flies) to the top of a volcano named Fuego. True to its name, Fuego spits out smoke and lava periodically throughout the day, making one to believe it’s going to blow at any second. I have climbed my share of mountains in my life but this topped them all. As Sara and I walked around the tip of the volcano I told her this was one of the coolest things I have ever done. If you want to see a preview video of Sara and my Race with Juan go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kldg0I1Yowk and if you want to check out more details of our climb then go to http://bit.ly/dsx4IH…for splits, elevation profile and more (compliments of my Garmin 210). One last note: we never saw our guide’s dog, Coyote, after we started descending, perhaps he is still up there milking other tourist for treats.

Running in the Big Apple

Running in the Big Apple

By Terrence Mahon
The ING New York City Marathon is finally here. It has been a long time coming and this is a very special weekend for us here in Mammoth Lakes. It has been one year since our own Meb Keflezighi won this race – the first US winner in a very long time. Meb has trained hard and he is ready to defend his title. He knows the streets of New York better than anyone and he won’t give up without a fight. I know a lot of people in our small mountain town that will be getting up extra early on Sunday to catch every minute of the race. US distance running will be well represented in both the men’s and women’s races and we should see the Stars and Stripes well represented on both podiums if all goes well. I can’t wait for the gun to go off and watch them start up the Verrazano Bridge as I know that soon enough they will be charging home into Central Park for the final sprint to the finish line. From Staten Island to Manhattan every runner will be tested by this challenging course, but they will have the support of up to one million spectators cheering them along each and every mile. There is nothing like the Big Apple to get you excited to go out for a run and participate in such an awesome sport. Lace up your shoes as it is time to be a part of something greater than you can imagine.
I can’t truly define it but there is just something about racing in New York City that is so exhilarating for all of the competitors. Maybe it is because this is the one day every year when the gridlock on the streets will not be that of honking yellow taxis. Instead it will be a rumbling of foot-strikes pounding down First Avenue as one after another after another – these thousands of runners – will take over all the five boroughs that make up this great city. Running New York is an experience that every runner should be a part of at least once in their career even if it is as a spectator. The buzz from the media, the screaming crowds and the expo mayhem cannot be matched anywhere else in the world. Once you arrive in New York City you are instantly aware that this is a special weekend.
This weekend everything in NYC is about the marathon. It all starts with the marathon banners in the airport, it then moves on to the ads on the buses and taxis as you make your way into town. From there it moves on to the hotel convenience stores where racks of soda bottles have been replaced with extra sports drinks for all the visiting guests. When you step outside your hotel you will notice that all the food carts and corner bodegas are carrying bunches and bunches of bananas to sell everyone looking to top up on their potassium levels. Water is being sold by the truckloads by places that don’t even sell water. And when it comes to those great H & H bagels if you haven’t found them early then you might as well not even try. Everything that is “runner” is front and center and for this one weekend at least – NYC is the running capital of the world.
The New York Road Runner’s have done a phenomenal job with this event time and time again – from its inception to its current state. New York has always been about more than just running 26.2 miles. It has been about giving each and every runner their shining moment on Broadway and it delivers a great show every time. From Fred Lebow, (visionary of the inaugural event) to Allen Steinfeld (former CEO of NYRR) and now with Mary Wittenberg (the current CEO of NYRR) at the helm – these leaders always have great plans for this big city marathon and we can see it year in and year out as the NYC Marathon continues to get better and better. I hope you can get a chance to experience what the buzz is all about. I will be out there with the mass of running fans cheering on all of the marathoners. Today is their moment to shine in the spotlight from the first to cross the line to the final finisher. By the end of the night each will have a story to tell and it will be one that they will never forget.
Congratulations to the New York Road Runner staff and their volunteers. We couldn’t have any of this without you. Your hard work is a true labor of love so that all of us out there on Sunday can pound the pavement and have our senses overwhelmed with all that is New York. Thanks for making the impossible possible.

New York City Marathon Spectator Guide

2010 Spectator Guide for NYC Marathon


Spectator Guide

The Best Ways to Watch on the Course


The ING New York City Marathon is unforgettable for runners and inspirational for fans. It’s New York at its finest: A boisterous, international crowd coming together for a 26.2-mile-long block party. As sports writer John Hanc put it, “I've learned that finishing a marathon isn’t just an athletic achievement. It’s a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible.” Watching the ING New York City Marathon will make you feel the same way. Here’s how to make the most of race day. 

Getting Around With Ease
The race stretches over all five boroughs and 26.2 miles, but more than two million people come out to watch, so expect crowds. In addition to the hordes of people, the city’s usual traffic patterns are disrupted by the race, so plan to use the subway as your mode of transportation throughout the day. If you want to watch the race from several spots, consider purchasing the $8.25 one-day Fun Pass. Out-of-towners should get a subway map and plan—or even practice—their route, advises Charlie Butler, executive editor at Runner’s World and author of The Long Run. “If you haven’t done it before, you can miss a good portion of the race by making a mistake on the subway,” he cautions.

 
Race Day Expectations
You’ll know the race is approaching when you begin to see cyclists; they precede the wheelchair racers, who make up the first wave of participants. Next, a motorcade will pass through before the lead women runners appear. The lead men, whose wave starts thirty minutes later, trail the ladies. These elite athletes may appear impassive as they pass, but don’t let their stoic demeanor fool you: They thrive on the crowd’s energy just like all the other runners.

Finally, tens of thousands of amateur athletes will begin to pass. The crowd of runners will remain thick for several hours, but try to stick around and cheer as the pack thins: every runner will appreciate your support.

Cheer Tactics
Summon your inner Dallas Cowgirl for a day of serious cheering. Runners rely on the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd to get them through the course.  “It sounds cheesy, but the support makes a huge difference,” says native New Yorker and ING New York City Marathon veteran Kristine Solomon. “Don’t just standing there gawking: If you're gonna show up, bring the energy!”

Runners’ names, countries, and charitable causes are plastered on their shirts for a reason: They want you to cheer for them! And don’t forget the runners without names on their chests, says Charlie Butler, “Find something that makes a person unique and call them out by it.” Funny signs, pompoms, and good old-fashioned clapping will keep a smile on runners’ faces. However, avoid offering advice to runners—and don’t say “You’re almost there!” unless you’re holding the finish-line tape.

Dress for the Day
The keys to happy marathon watching are a pair of comfortable shoes and temperature-appropriate clothes. Be sure to check the forecast before you head out on race day. Plan to dress in layers, as the temperature can change dramatically throughout the day. You may want to bring gloves and a hat, as it can get chilly standing still for several hours— though vigorous cheering can keep you warm.

 
Spotting Runners
With 45,000 runners streaming past, it’s often hard to spot friends in the race. Find out your pal’s anticipated pace and what time his or her wave starts. You can also track up to three runners with the Athlete Alert on the official ING New York City Marathon website (www.ingnycmarathon.org), which will send text messages to your cell phone alerting you to your runner’s progress. And this year, there’s a new app to help you find your fittest friends; iPhone users can download it from the iTunes App Store.

However, you should still be prepared to use your eagle eyes. “Bring a sign or a bunch of balloons so your friend can easily spot you,” advises Queens resident Elizabeth Ersenkal, who brings her family out to cheer every year. “Agree on a corner and be specific.” For example, don’t tell your friend “We’ll be at 96th and Fifth.” Instead, get as detailed as possible: “We’ll be on the southwest corner of 96th and Fifth, and we’ll have a big bunch of orange balloons.”

You’ll be more likely to see your runner pass from some of the less densely packed parts of the course, like the first miles of Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, First Avenue above 96th Street and Fifth Avenue above 110th Street in Manhattan, and the Bronx. Central Park and the eight-mile mark in Brooklyn are exciting vantage points, but they’re also some of the most difficult places from which to spot a friend.
 

Where to Watch
If you’re a die-hard running fan like Scott Douglas, senior editor at Running Times, stake out a spot along Central Park South (the last half mile of the race). “You can see people coming from a long way down the street, and the elites are usually strung out enough that you can really size up each one,” notes Douglas. “One of the most interesting things is that the first and sometimes second woman are at that point moving faster than all but the top few men.”

For a great view with less dense crowds, check out these under-the-radar spots for watching the race: 

“I like the bird’s eye view from the footbridge to the subway station at Queensboro Plaza,” says Queens resident Elizabeth Ersenkal. 

Brooklynite Tim Gideon claims that “Lafayette Avenue between South Oxford and Cumberland is the place to be.” In fact, one enthusiastic local resident hauls his speakers outside and plays music all day.
 

Manhattan marathoner Allison Mezzafonte likes the Starbucks at 85th Street and First Avenue. “It’s got a great outdoor patio!”
 
And if you’re really feeling festive, drop by one of several Coors Light parties at watering holes along the course, featuring live bands as well as suds. Visit ingnycmarathon.org for exact locations.


The Marathon, Mile by Mile

Miles 1–2: Staten Island and the Verazzano-Narrows Bridge
Sorry, the start of the race on Staten Island is closed to spectators. Tune in to NBC4 New York for live coverage of the start. 

Mile 2: Bay Ridge
Spectators get their first glimpse of runners is the pack comes off the Verazzano-Narrows Bridge. Crowds are relatively sparse here, and the view is spectacular!

Miles 3–8: Fourth Avenue
This five-mile stretch of the race has more than 30 official entertainment spots. Position yourself near one of the bands for double the fun.

Miles 8–9: Fort Greene to Clinton Hill
An official cheering station and the merging of three lanes make the eight-mile mark at the Brooklyn Academy of Music a hot spot for watching the race. Enthusiasm continues up Lafayette Avenue, where crowds can be less dense. 

Miles 10–12: Williamsburg
As the race makes a sharp left onto Bedford Avenue, the route crosses South Williamsburg—traditionally a Hassidic Jewish neighborhood—before crossing into the hipster haven of Williamsburg. McCarren Park is a popular vantage point.

Miles 12–13: Greenpoint
Further off the beaten path than Williamsburg, the miles through Greenpoint on both sides of the Pulaski Bridge (which is closed to spectators) are populated by loyal Brooklynites.

Miles 13–15: Queens
The Queens portion of the race has enough onlookers to be exciting, but not so many that you’ll be uncomfortable. Plus, Queensboro Plaza offers easy access back into Manhattan via several subway lines.

Miles 15–16: Queensboro Bridge
Spectators are not permitted on the bridge, but the lead-up to it is a popular spot from which to watch the race.

Miles 16–19: First Avenue
These are some of the most crowded miles of the course, but some say the sight of runners coming off the bridge is worth the six-person-deep crowds. Spectators tend to thin out above 96th Street.

Miles 19–21: Bronx
Only one mile of the marathon course is inthe Bronx. Many runners may hit “the Wall” at this point, and they rely on cheers to carry them through.

Miles 21–23: Harlem and North Central Park
Harlem’s vitality and enthusiasm make it a high-energy place to watch from. You might also see the elite athletes staging breakaways.
  
Miles 23–24: Fifth Avenue
A slight incline makes this a grueling part of the race for runners. Throngs of spectators provide a much-needed boost.

Miles 24–26.2: Central Park and Central Park South
Crowds will be dense but very enthusiastic inside the park; be prepared to bump elbows with strangers.

Beyond the finish: Upper West Side
If you’re meeting a runner, designate a spot beforehand. The further north you go, the easier it will be to congratulate your tired loved one.


Party On!
Host a Marathon Bash


If you’re lucky enough to live near the marathon course, you’ve got the perfect spot for one of New York’s most cherished traditions: Brunch. Here are some pointers for throwing a memorable marathon bash.

Set the Scene
Marathon colors are orange and blue—look for paper napkins, plates, cups, and silverware to show your spirit. Be sure to have your television tuned to NBC4 New York’s marathon coverage during the fête, then head outside in time to see the runners pass. A playlist of Gotham-centric songs like “New York, New York” will help set a festive mood.

Nosh Like a Native
New York may be the Big Apple, but we couldn’t live without bagels, cream cheese, and lox. Fruit salad is a healthy option if your guests crave sweets.

Quench Their Thirst
Brunch isn’t complete without a cocktail. Offer your guests a “Bloody Mary-thon” or a “Mile Nine Mimosa.” Have plenty of hot coffee and cocoa on hand to keep guests warm on the sidewalk.

Don’t Wait for a Sign—Make One
Gather supplies like posterboard and colorful markers so that guests can make signs to encourage runners. The funnier your message, the better.

Don’t Miss a Minute
For comprehensive race coverage, tune in to NBC4 New York. The station will air local, live coverage of the race, including the start and the finish. Coverage begins at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 2:00 p.m. on race day. Post-race, NBC Sports will also air highlights from the race from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. nationally. You can also watch online at universalsports.com.

Fall Back
Don’t forget that daylight savings time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Marathon Sunday!