It looks like living in Redding is agreeing with the Halls, well, Sara at least. She won gold in the 3000 meter steeple at the Pan American Games this past Sunday.
If you want to see one of North America’s top runners putting the hurt on the competition, you can watch the video.
Does a 200,000 square foot office building belong here?
Regular readers will remember that we’ve already written about the gigantic, flood control facility proposed for construction along the American River Parkway, at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.
The proposal is still alive and kicking, and today’s Bee includes an article with some important information about the project.
Most of us who use the Parkway are concerned about adding significant traffic to an area already congested with vehicle traffic (Hazel Avenue and US 50), as well as impinging on a major recreation and bicycle commuting route.
Things have changed for women runners!
There are a couple of recent articles about women runners of note that are delightful in their juxtaposition, in what they say about women’s running.
First off was a New York Times article about women’s running pioneer Dr. Julia Chase-Brand.
On Thanksgiving Day, Dr. Julia Chase-Brand, 69, plans to run a 4.75-mile race in Manchester, Conn., where the presence of women will be plentiful and unremarkable. Fifty years ago, when she and two other women ran there the first time, it was a widely publicized act of civil disobedience that became a pioneering moment in female distance running in the United States.
Not only was she pushing against the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) prohibitions against women competing in road races, she was fast. Starting a block behind the rest of the runners (to avoid race officials), she still managed a 33:40 for that run.
This picture has nothing to do with the story.
When I read the Press Democrat’s article about Chris Spangenberg’s attempt at this past weekend’s Cloverdale Harvest Marathon to set a world record for being the heaviest marathon finisher, my first reaction was: “Our sport is dead.”
This story bothers me on a number of fronts. The 425 pound man who trudged the course in 13 hours and 45 minutes gets an entire newspaper article about his efforts, but the winner–Sacramento’s own Ray “I’ll run anything” Sanchez–gets nary a mention. While this certainly took some effort, it is not running. It’s not even brisk walking.
There is something disturbing about the fact that Spangenberg put in all this effort and training to complete the event and probably did nothing to improve his health or enjoyment of life. He began his training with the stated intent of being the heaviest man to ever complete a marathon, and only lost 20 lbs in the process. At the end of that long effort, he’s still morbidly obese and still facing a life-time of poor health and discomfort.
While not necessarily saying he’s not legit, the folks at the Guinness World Records are not accepting Fauja Singh’s record for the oldest marathon finisher since he cannot produce a birth certificate.
Singh’s supporters say that birth certificates weren’t available in India 1911.
WMA is still recognizing his track and field records since they accept a passport as proof of age. Of course this raises an interesting question regarding the quality of WMA’s records.
How many other record times are suspect?
Some of us seem to be outrunning Father Time!
There are a few “age related” running stories for you today.
At Sunday’s Toronto Marathon (flat, fast and festive!), 100-year-old Fauja Singh became the first centenarian to finish a marathon. His 8:25:16 wasn’t a particularly speedy time, but I think by the time you reach his age (You should be so lucky!), you’re a winner just by making it through your training! See a video of him finishing here.
Meanwhile, at that same race, while Fauja Singh was still working his way to the half-marathon mark, Ed Whitlock was wrapping up his marathon in 3:15:54. What makes this spectacular is that Whitlock is 80-years-old. You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that he won his age group. It was also a new world record. Of course, the record he broke was his own that he’d set six-months prior.
Incidentally, Whitlock was in Sacramento this summer for the World Masters Championships, where he set new age-division world records in the 1,500 and 10,000 meters. His times were 5:48 and 42:39, in case you are curious (Wow!).
Hopefully, you didn’t put off registering for this year’s California International Marathon.
Race management is reporting that the event has filled to capacity.
However, as of last night, there were 300 special charity entries available for the low, low price of $250. Don’t expect these to be around very long!
Lloyd Levine
Ryan Hall seemingly draws more criticism than praise with each successive marathon he completes.
At the press conference after the 2011 Chicago Marathon, Phillip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune touched a nerve by saying to Ryan Hall, “Just being the best in the U.S. doesn’t mean much anymore.” It seems that Hersh was feeling a bit let down by Hall’s performance in the race.
While Hersh’s question was uncalled for and unwarranted, I can understand why he, perhaps, felt let down. Ryan Hall teases us with his results, talent and reports of his training exploits. Based on all of that people expect him to win, or at least contend for a win every time he runs.
Hall is the most talented U.S. born marathon runner in decades (and to a degree, being U.S. born matters in this discussion as the running community seems desperate for a U.S. born runner who can compete with the Africans).
The leaders of the open men's race at around 1.6 miles. (Photo by Craig Newport)
In Folsom last Saturday, the hills were alive with the sound of running. The weather was ideal for a day outside, so why not a little cross country?
The 3rd Annual Buffalo Chips’ Willow Hills XC Open saw runners from all over northern California join local racers for this Pacific Association of the USA Track and Field Grand Prix event.
There were three 5K races making up the event: Women (for open and masters women), Masters Men, and Open Men.
We are in the heart of the fall marathon season and there are many stories to choose from! Here is a sample from around the world.
This past weekend was the Bank of America Chicago Marathon where Ryan Hall was due to a) win, b) set an American Record, and/or c) set a course record.
Unfortunately for Ryan Hall, there were some other fast guys out there on the course, too. After hanging with the lead pack for 14 miles, Hall faded to 5th (no small thing there!) and Kenyan Moses Mosop was the one to (barely) set a new course record of 2:05:37.
Liliya Shobukhova of Russia was the women’s three-peat champion, with a smoking fast 2:18:20. This is the 4th fastest marathon time ever by a woman.
