KORIR PREVAILS IN HEAT AT BOSTON MARATHONBy Chris Lotsbom(c) 2012 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission
Apr 17, 2012
WITH LATE SURGE, CHEROP CLAIMS BOSTON MARATHON TITLEBy David Monti(c) 2012 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.
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TOP ATHLETES SHRUG OFF HEAT WORRIES IN BOSTONBy David Monti(c) 2012 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permissionBOSTON (13-Apr) -- The Boston Red Sox have their home opener here today, and local weather forecasters have been gushing about the sunny and warm day that awaits fans at Fenway Park. But their tones turned somber when they spoke about conditions for Monday's 116th Boston Marathon."It's going to be absolutely perfect for April baseball around here" meteorologist Dylan Dreyer told her viewers on the local NBC affiliate this morning. "But, for the marathon it looks very, very hot, starting off at ten o'clock in the morning at 72 degrees (22C), 86 (30C) for a temperature later in the afternoon. So, there will be some serious concern for the heat."When asked about the conditions for Monday's race --the hottest here since 2004 when the mercury hit 86F (30C)-- the top athletes didn't seem fazed, and at least one was enthusiastic about it."I'm excited about that," said Kenya's Wesley Korir, the runner-up at last October's Bank of America Chicago Marathon which was also held in warm conditions. "I've always done well in hot weather."Korir, who clocked a personal best of 2:06:15 in Chicago, wasn't cavalier, however. He said that he would simply factor in the weather as one of the obstacles he had to overcome in order to contend for victory."With the warm weather you have to be careful," he intoned. "No matter what happens, I have to put myself in position to be in contact with the leaders near the end of the race."Weather for the Boston has been famously variable, and has played a big role in about two dozen editions of the race. The event has seen snowy conditions five times, driving rain twice (it was almost cancelled in 2007 because of a Nor'easter), and unseasonably warm conditions ten times. Also, because the race is is run on a hilly point-to-point course from west to east, the wind can also play a big factor in determining the pace. That was especially true last year when a powerful tailwind helped propel Geoffrey Mutai to victory in an improbable 2:03:02."Last year I didn't expect that time," said 2010 ING New York City Marathon champion Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia who finished third behind Mutai in 2:04:53. "Now we know we can run fast at Boston."Gebremariam said that Monday's weather wouldn't affect his overall race strategy."I feel good; I feel strong," he said. "I prepared for the race for four months. I'm feeling that the weather is the same for everybody; same for Kenyans, same for us."The last hot edition of Boston was in 2004 when Kenyans Timothy Cherigat and Catherine Ndereba were victorious. Nderba won in a dramatic battle with Ethiopia's Elfenesh Alemu, and collapsed at the finish line because her legs were so badly cramped from the heat."The heat was so tough, I don't even have words to say," Nderba told Race Results Weekly after the race. She continued: "Towards the finish I felt like I was dead. All of a sudden I had those cramps in my calves. I could not stand it!"Boston, like the ING New York City Marathon, doesn't employ pacemakers and finish time has never been particularly important. Boston is the only event in the World Marathon Majors which doesn't offer athletes a schedule of time incentive bonuses, although there is a $50,000 bonus for a world "best" (2:03:02/2:15:55) and a $25,000 payment for a course record (2:03:02/2:20:43).The bottom line, athletes said, is Boston is about winning."I think it's all about relative performance," said Jason Hartmann, one of two American men in the race's invited field. "As far as times go, weather is a factor: a 25 MPH wind at your back and a guy runs 2:03:02. Two years ago, it was 2:15, 2:14 that won. The simplicity of running is just trying to beat people. That's what I kind of like to focus on."
SAM CHELANGA STILL DREAMING OF BOSTON; WILL COMPETE IN B.A.A. 5-K SUNDAYBy Chris Lotsbom(c) 2012 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permissionBOSTON (13-Apr) -- Since Sam Chelanga's first professional race here in Boston last June, things have changed for the diminutive 27-year-old Kenyan. He now has a sponsorship, an elite training group, and is beginning to establish a professional career, three things the Liberty University graduate was missing when he finished fourth at the inaugural B.A.A. 10-K in 2011."It's a good change," noted Chelanga, who is signed up for all three legs of the inaugural B.A.A. Distance Medley Relay, a series announced by the Boston Athletic Association that awards $100,000 to one male and one female athlete who total has the lowest cumulative time between three of the B.A.A.'s events: Sunday's 5-K, June's 10-K, and October's Half-Marathon.Chelanga said that he has enjoyed his new surroundings, training under Mark Rowland in Eugene, Ore., as part of the Oregon Track Club Elite."When you compare it to college, I'd say it's a good change, because now you're more relaxed and focused and you have professional help. And you have the time, you don't have to go to class!" said Chelanga. "I'm starting to get used to the new training regimin, because I never did gym stuff before."Before the B.A.A. 10-K last June, Chelanga expressed his love of Boston, saying that ever since his brother Joshua finished third in the 2001 Boston Marathon, he has envied the city, dreaming of its famed CITGO Sign and John Hancock building. In the eleven years since then, Chelanga's adoration for the city has only grown."The dream is only getting better. And to think, I mean, what if I win the $100,000 here [from the Distance Medley Relay]," said Chelanga with a smile.On Sunday, Chelanga will face Ethiopia's Ali Abdosh and defending champion Ben True, among others, in a race that finishes across the same yellow painted finish line as the Boston Marathon. He predicts a time around 13:30 will be needed to win the race.The 14-time All-American, though, most looks forward to the day when he can cross that same line after running through the eight cities and towns that make up the Boston Marathon course."All your dreams, the anticipation. It's going to be a great day when I do it," he said, a twinkle clearly visible in his eyes, the excitement building in his voice. "A couple years, maybe one or two. I'm coming."
FAMILY TIES MATTER FOR GEBREMARIAM AND KIDANEBy Chris Lotsbom(c) 2012 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permissionBOSTON (14-Apr) -- One year ago, Gebre Gebremariam and Werknesh Kidane returned home to Ethiopia following the 2011 Boston Marathon pleased. Gebremariam had just run 2:04:53, a personal best good enough to finish third, while Kidane, his wife, placed seventh, running 2:26:15, also a personal best.But in their children Nathaniel and Muse's eyes, something seemed wrong. "They say, 'why don't you win all the time. We lose and they keep asking 'why don't you win,'" said Kidane here yesterday with a bright smile.Their answers were simple. Gebremariam had planned all along for a 2:06 race. Judging from history, that mark would keep him close to the lead; he never imagined 2:04:53 would only earn third place. Kidane, on the other hand, battled leg trouble through her own marathon.On Sunday and Monday, respectively, here, the pair hope to earn wins for both themselves and their children. Kidane is racing Sunday's B.A.A. 5-K, while Gebremariam will toe the line in Monday's marathon."I prepare for winning," said the younger Gebremariam, 27. "Winning is enough in Boston. It's special."Training in Addis Ababa, the husband and wife duo have been working hard, even with some help from their children. After tough training sessions, Nathaniel and Muse know how to help their hard working parents, by behaving well."After practice, they don't bother us, because they know we are runners and we need sleep and rest," said Kidane, 30, through a translator. "They aren't like other kids. They are really good kids."In addition to their rest times, though, Gebremariam and Kidane have been training to win their respective races. Gebremariam is intent on improving higher towards the top of the podium."I run to win," said the 2010 ING New York City Marathon champion.Gebremariam also said he won't be intimidated by Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai, the defending champion and course record holder here. Head-to-head, Mutai has beaten Gebremariam in both the 2011 editions of the ING New York City Marathon and Boston Marathon, as well as at the B.A.A. 10-K last June."No, this is the marathon. Anything can happen in the marathon. And I am training for winning," he said. "I know Boston [now]. I know how much it is hard, and I know how much I've done for it."If both Gebremariam and Kidane were to win this weekend, the husband and wife would leave for home completely satisfied, ready to enjoy a victory with their children."We would be so happy. I can't even think about it, how we would be," Kidane said. "Celebrating, it would be a good celebration."
HEAT CAUSES BOSTON MARATHON ORGANIZERS TO ALLOW DEFERRED ENTRIESBy David Monti(c) 2012 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with PermissionsBOSTON (14-Apr) -- Concerned about the high temperatures forecast for Monday's 116th Boston Marathon, race officials announced here today that they were taking the unusual step of allowing any of the more than 27,000 entrants to defer their participation in the race until next year."Our first and strongest focus is on the safety of the people who are running," said Boston Athletic Association executive director Tom Grilk in a hastily called press conference this afternoon. He continued: "We're doing everything we can to provide for their safety, but we need them to look out for themselves."Grilk, flanked by his medical director Dr. Pierre D'Hemecourt and race director Dave McGillivray, said that while his organization was making sure that all safety precautions were being taken, he wanted each runner to be sure that he or she was confident about their ability to run in the heat. If they were not, he said, he wanted those runners to skip running this year and run in next year's race, instead. Any runner who picks up their number this year but does not start the race will be automatically qualified for the 2013 event."We don't want someone to think that they have to run," Grilk explained. He added: "If you don't start, we'll allow you to defer your entry for a year."Race director McGillivray said that this was not the first time that the race had allowed deferred entries. In 2010 when the eruption of a volcano in Iceland halted international air travel, organizers allowed 300 overseas athletes who were unable to make it to Boston to defer their entries until the following year.Dr. D'Hemecourt said that people with "underlying medical problems," like coronary disease, and "unfit" runners should strongly consider sitting out the event. He also said that well-trained recreational runners should dial back their expectations for their finish time."This is not a day for personal bests," Dr. D'Hemecourt said.McGillivray told reporters that the race had a contingency plan for hot weather and, in concert with local and state officials and their water sponsor Poland Spring, there would be plenty of water for runners to drink throughout the course."It's pretty amazing to witness the cooperation with all the different agencies to make this thing safe for all of the runners," McGillivray said. He continued: "Everything that can be done is being done."Barry Burbank, a weather forecaster at local CBS affiliate WBZ, said today that "it would be at least 70 degrees (21C)" at the start of the race and be "at least 85 degrees (29C)" at the finish line.
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BOSTON MARATHON RELEASES ELITE FIELDSBy David Monti(c) 2012 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.
Feb 9, 2012
