The most consistent marathoner in American history is not retiring at the age of 38. 2004 Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi has re-signed his contract with Skechers through 2016.
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A Record Number of New Yorkers Watch Marathon Weekend on ABC7
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JEPTOO, MUTAI VICTORIOUS IN WINDY NEW YORK CITY MARATHON
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LIVE UPDATES: New York City Marathon 2013
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DICRESCENZO FEELS RIGHT AT HOME ENTERING NEW YORK CITY MARATHONBy Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom(c) 2013 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permissionNEW YORK (30-Oct) -- When American Delilah DiCrescenzo toes the starting line for Sunday's 43rd running of the ING New York City Marathon, many of the roads ahead will look familiar. Having gone to college at Columbia University and spending nearly a decade living in the area, DiCrescenzo will be running a race she's envisioned doing since college."I'm excited. I'm nervous, but I'm really looking forward to it," said DiCrescenzo, who is making her marathon debut here. "I do like that New York City is familiar to me. Hopefully, that's going to be an advantage for me."DiCrescenzo's ties to the marathon date back to her days at Columbia, when she would join her teammates and volunteer at the race. One year she helped collect clothes at the start on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge; another she handed out water. Seeing all of the elites helped set a goal of one day running alongside them.Choosing to debut in New York City was an easy one. In addition to going to college here, the Illinois native trains under coach Frank Gagliano as part of the New Jersey-New York Track Club. There is no place where DiCrescenzo feels more comfortable than on the streets of the Big Apple."I'm not intimidated by the City, like the crowds and the noise. I experience that on a daily basis. So that's really not going to be too much out of my element. Hopefully, that will be a calming and grounding thing for me," she said. "This is where I really came into my own as a runner in college, and then more recently as a professional."DiCrescenzo has made a name for herself on the track in the 3000m steeplechase and in cross country, representing the USA at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in both 2009 and 2013. At 30, DiCrescenzo felt it was time to transition to the roads, particularly the marathon."My desire to do it really came about naturally, and it really started from the beginning of this year," she said. "I feel like I'm at the point in my career where I really genuinely desire to do a marathon, and I also feel like I will regret if I never do one when I'm in shape."In her marathon build-up, DiCrescenzo won the Hamptons Half-Marathon in 1:15:05, running the race as a progression workout. Having increased her mileage in anticipation of Sunday's race, DiCrescenzo hopes to run six-minute miles for 26 miles. That would put her on 2:37:12 pace."She's ready to go," said coach Gagliano in a confident tone. "She's very, very happy with how it's gone."Going into the race, DiCrescenzo looks forward to entering Central Park and the final five miles most."That's where I do my training every single day," she said, an eager smile crossing her face. "I want to still have some gas left in the tank at that point and be smiling and happy to be there. Those are my stomping grounds."
AFTER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SILVER, STRANEO READY FOR MORE IN NEW YORK CITYBy Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom(c) 2013 Race Results Weekly, all rights reservedNEW YORK (30-Oct) -- On Sunday, Italy's Valeria Straneo will make her ING New York City Marathon debut, something the 37-year-old mother of two has been looking forward to since she was canceled out of the race last year by Super Storm Sandy. Coming off a 2:25:58 silver medal performance at the IAAF World Championships Marathon, Straneo is ready to hit the road running once again."New York is the marathon with a big 'M.' Everybody knows it and everybody would like to participate. I really feel proud to be here," Straneo told Race Results Weekly here yesterday.Sunday's race through the city's five boroughs will be Straneo's first marathon since August's IAAF World Championships, when she surprised many to finish second only behind Kenya's Edna Kiplagat, the defending champion. After earning Italy's only medal from the World Championships, Straneo returned home to a hero's welcome. In an instant she had become a national celebrity and running icon."People now recognize me. In my town everyone is so sweet and nice to me, making many signs," a glowing Straneo said, giving a thumbs up.In the weeks and months after the World Championships, Straneo was invited everywhere: she made appearances at dinners and parties, granted many television and radio interviews, and even was a guest at a fancy political gala."That was a really big evening --I was dressed in an elegant dress with heels. I don't usually wear those kind of shoes. Running shoes only," said the Nike-sponsored athlete with a laugh. "Everything is new. I liked to do these experiences."Though Straneo's notoriety has grown, she remains grounded and focused on what really matters: family and training. She doesn't own any makeup, doesn't drink coffee or wine, and still does housekeeping duties at home."It's nice [to be recognized]. But I always train with my coach, I have my children, things to do at home, housekeeping," she said. "Nothing much has changed."Asked her goal for Sunday, Straneo answered without a moment's hesitation."Podium," she said in an affirmative tone. "But I know it would be very, very difficult. Who knows. I think to be first is impossible, to be second it's really hard, and third place is affordable. I hope so. It would be --what can I say-- the last thing of the year and it's my goal. A dream."Since the World Championships, Straneo has trained with this weekend's race in mind. Now on everyone's radar, one would think Straneo would feel an added weight on her shoulders, trying to match her Moscow performance. The opposite is true."I don't feel pressure. I feel comfortable. I have nothing to demonstrate, and so I'm just happy to be here and run this race which I always wished to run," she said. "Last year it wasn't possible. It was my dream to be here and now they invited me and I'm so happy to be here."Straneo doesn't have a specific strategy for Sunday other than to run by feel, exactly what she did at the World Championships and at the 2012 London Olympics, when she finished eighth."I just run and feel my sensations and just keep going. If I feel good I keep on running," she said. "If they start very fast I don't think I will be there with the first [group] if they start at 3:20per kilometer because it's impossible because it's not my pace."I have no strategy. It's elementary," she added with a laugh. "Just feeling."If she finishes on the podium, Straneo believes the reaction back home in Italy would match what happened after the World Championships."I think it would be like the Olympics or World Championships. The level is like that," she said. "It's so important to be on the podium here because it's a really hard race. If you finish on the podium you are one of the best."
ING NYC MARATHON HONORS BOSTON MARATHON WITH YELLOW LINE TO FINISHBy Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom(c) 2013 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permissionNEW YORK (30-Oct) -- In honor of those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings this past April, New York Road Runners President and CEO Mary Wittenberg announced today that a painted yellow line will accompany the traditional blue line guiding participants in Sunday's race to the finish. The yellow line, symbolizing Boston's strength, will be painted by the Department of Transportation from Columbus Circle to the finish in Central Park, approximately 400 meters in length."This year when our runners from around the world turn the corner to the finish from Columbus Circle, they will be greeted by a line of inspiration," said Wittenberg, speaking near the race's finish. "That line will be a line to the future and a line that represents our unity with Boston."As has been an annual tradition, a blue painted line has guided participants from the marathon's start on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, through the city's five boroughs, to the finish in Central Park. This year, two lines will be painted in the closing stretch."Every year we paint the blue line. This year we are adding a color of great significance to our signature blue," Wittenberg said. "Last April, the running community, our cities of New York and Boston, and this nation, united like never before. We united together because our friends in Boston needed that, just like they did for us after 9/11."At the 117th Boston Marathon on April 15th, two bombs exploded in the final quarter mile of the race, killing three and wounding more than 200. Boston Athletic Association Executive Director Thomas Grilk accompanied Wittenberg and representatives of New York City at this morning's announcement."There is no place to which we feel a stronger kinship than with New York. Maybe not at Fenway Park or at Yankee Stadium. But with that emotional separation comes an emotional strength and connection that is undeniable," said Grilk, speaking passionately in front of reporters. "In the wake of what happened in Boston last April, we received an outpouring of strength that was powerful and has been sustaining."Grilk compared the cities strength and unity to how New York City recovered after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centers."People talk about Boston Strong, and what does it mean really? Pretty simple: that we, that you, that everybody don't quit, don't give in, and that we, all of us, will live our lives the way we chose to do regardless of what somebody does to try to stop it," he said. "That kind of strength will be on display again on Sunday when once again it is New York Strong. We look forward to being here, seeing it, and being part of it."Wittenberg concluded her comments by speaking on the impact marathons like Boston and New York have on their cities' morale."This year's race had a whole other meaning. And that meaning was to carry on and celebrate and honor Boston, and to preserve the beautiful essence of what these marathons are all about: the coming together of our communities to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit."At the end of this morning's ceremony, Wittenberg and Grilk joined city and sponsor representatives in painting the first strokes in front of the finish line.
CLOSE FRIENDS DADO, DEBA HAPPY TO BE BACK IN NEW YORK CITYBy Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom(c) 2013 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.NEW YORK (30-Oct) -- Firehiwot Dado, the 2011 ING New York City Marathon champion, describes November 6, 2011, as one of the best days of her life. On a picture perfect morning, she ran her way to victory here, timing 2:23:15 to become the race's second women's champion from Ethiopia.Though she had claimed the laurel wreath, Dado recalls the day for something more than winning. An old friendship with fellow Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba was rekindled, something the 29-year-old now cherishes very much."If there is anything I will never forget, it's that day because Buzunesh," Dado told reporters here today. "We grew up together. We were very close friends and running with her was, again, the happiest day of my life. I love her very much."Nearly a decade ago, Dado and Deba ran in the village of Arsi Assella. Dado was a sprinter, Deba a 1500 meter runner. Though they focused on different distances, the two became friends as part of their village's police detention center club team.In 2005, When Deba came to New York to live in the Bronx, the two lost contact. They wouldn't hear from one another until 2011, some seven years later, when they were in the city for the marathon."[In] 2011, I saw her [name] on the list, and I'm so happy. And I miss her. I miss her after seven years," said Deba. In the time between they last saw one another, Dado had transitioned to the marathon at the urging of her coach, while Deba had become a consistent road racer in America.At that year's marathon, Dado and Deba ran side by side for nearly the entire race, working as one to reel in Kenya's Mary Keitany. Keitany had gone out at record pace and was far ahead in the distance. Remaining calm, the pair spoke and decided to make their run for the top spot together."After a certain amount of distance, we started talking," recalled Dado. "And Buzunesh was getting me water and she was trying to control Mary... she was encouraging us."With little more than a mile to go, Dado caught Keitany, going on to win in 2:23:15. Four seconds behind came Deba in 2:23:19. Together they were on the podium, smiling as one; both had set career best times."2011 is -- I don't know," said Deba, trying to find the right words. "I [was] excited. At that time, I prepared very well, and I'm focused to win. But I lose, for second. I'm happy with second place."Will the pair run together again this year?"She's looking forward to that kind of race this time too," said Dado with a smile.Race Results Weekly spoke with Dado's coach Haji Adilo on Tuesday. Adilo said that Dado is extremely focused and motivated to earn a second title, training between 150 and 180 kilometers (93-111 miles) a week. If she does indeed win, Dado will become the eighth woman in race history with multiple victories."New York is a special course for everybody. It's a special race because it is the biggest race in the world," he said. "I think every athlete wishes to win New York. I think that's why she wants to win two [times]."Deba is primed and ready too. Having increased her mileage and put an emphasis on speed work, the 26-year-old will try and become the first New Yorker to win since 1974. She still resides in the Bronx, does her training here, and her personal best remains from the 2011 contest.One thing is for certain: no matter what happens in Sunday's race, Dado and Deba are happy to be together. Today they dressed in the same pink Nike tracksuit and sported similar braids in their hair. Come Sunday, they could be together on the podium once again.
KIPROTICH, KEBEDE READY TO DUEL FOR WORLD MARATHON MAJORS TITLE
Oct 31, 2013
The ING New York City Marathon race organizers have announced that professional runners Julie Culley, Adriana Da Silva and German Silva have withdrawn from the Nov. 3 race due to injuries.
Oct 23, 2013
Oct 22, 2013
Eleven Olympians to Run NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K on Saturday, November 2
Oct 16, 2013
ESPN’s Hannah Storm and John Anderson Named Lead Hosts for ING New York City Marathon ESPN2, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes+, ABC7 and WatchABC Combine to Present the Race on November 3
Oct 15, 2013
