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Featured Stories

BofA Chicago Marathon Opens Registration Feb. 1 noon CST
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon opens registration for the Oct. 7th marathon (it's 35th anniversary run) on February 1st at noon. The race has stated it will accept the first 45,000 registrants as it has the last few years. Registration for the 2011 race opened on the same day and filled in 31 days. The 2010 race took 51 days to fill. How long will it take for the 2012 race to fill? We will see...
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Incredible Times at Dubai Marathon
Eight men sub-2:06; Three women sub-2:20...
The Friday, Jan. 27th Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon saw times that defy logic and set a new standard of what can be achieved in a single marathon. In his debut marathon, Ayele Abshero, 21 and a former world Junior Cross-Country champion, won his debut marathon in 2:04:23 - the fastest debut marathon and fourth fastest marathon ever run. Three other men ran sub-2:05; Dino Sefir finishing in 2:04:50 and 2011 LA Marathon champion - and previous fastest debut marathoner - Markos Geneti finishing third in 2:04:54; and Jonathon Maiyo finishing fourth in 2:05:10. Four additional men finished in sub 2:06 fashion: Tadese Tola in 2:05:10; Yami Dadi in 2:05:41; Abduallah Dawit and Desressa Chimsa both clocking in at 2:05:42.
The women's race was equally impressive with three women finishing sub-2:20. Aselefech Mergia was the winner in 2:19:31 - a new Ethiopian record; followed by Lucy Kabuu in 2:19:34 and Mare Dibaba in 2:19:52.
Read the Press Release

Recent Press Releases...
If you aren't checking out the Press Release page on a daily basis, you're missing out. We'll do our best to highlight the most important items - but often we can't write about everything on the home page... Don't forget this page...
Press Release Page

Weekend Results
USA/Canada Results | International Results

USA and Canada Results

ING Miami Marathon - Jan 29 - Miami & Miami Beach, FL
Samuel Malakwen, 33 of Two Harbors MN, who won the 2011 Twin Cities Marathon and finished third at the 2011 Grandma's Marathon, won the 2012 ING Miami Marathon in 2:16:55. Malakwen caught Teferi Bacha, 25 of Cambridge MA, from behind to win by just a step. Bacha finished second with the same time of 2:16:55. 2009 champion Benazzouz Slimani, 37 of Torreglia Pardova AL ITA, who finished second in 2011, was third in 2:19:48.
Raquel Maraviglia, 34 of Junin Buenos Aires ARG, was the first female finisher in 2:41:39. Wioletta Kryza, 43 of Gronity Minesota POL, who was third in 2006 and the winner of the 2011 Detroit Free Press International Marathon, was the runner-up in 2:45:32. Defending champion Alena Vinitskaya, 38 of Vitebsk Belarus RUS, who finished second in 2010, was third in 2:45:48.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

ARR Desert Classic Marathon - Jan 28 - Phoenix, AZ
Robert Preston, 42 of Athens TN, who had seven marathon podium appearances in 2011, won the 2012 Desert Classic Marathon in 2:43:31. Ricardo Maldonado, 48 of Fountain Hills AZ, who was third at the 2010 Tucson Marathon, finished second in 2:46:53. Chuck Engle, 40 of Coos Bay OR, recorded his third marathon podium appearance of 2012 by finishing third in 2:51:16.
Sarah Labass, 34 of Simi Valley CA, was the first female finisher in 3:17:45. Susan Kramer, 46 of Cave Creek AZ, who finished second at the 2010 Lost Dutchman Marathon, finished second in 3:21:20. Meghan Manaois, 30 of Bellingham WA, was third in 3:30:11.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

USA Fit Marathon - Jan 29 - Sugar Land, TX
Cheney Chang, 32, won the 2012 USA Fit Marathon in 3:03:43. Richard Humphrey, 49, who was the runner-up at the 2010 Running With The Devil Marathon, finished second in 3:10:24. Michael Aikman, 47, was third in 3:11:46.
Melinda Davis, 31, who finished second at the 2007 Lake Geneva Marathon, was the first female finisher in 3:21:30. Allison Vasquez, 33, was the runner-up in 3:32:42. Jessica Scott, 20, was third in 3:38:26.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Waco Professional Firefighters Association Miracle Match Marathon - Jan 29 - Waco, TX
Lamech Mokono, of Kenya, who won the 2008 Grandma's and Montreal International Marathons, won the 2012 Miracle Match Marathon in 2:34:17. Scott Jansky, who won the 2010 Lakefront Marathon and finished second at the 2011 Bass Pro Shops Marathons, finished second in 2:49:47. Pompelio Ramirez was third in 3:05:49.
Gail Illich was the first female finisher in 3:11:59. Hannah McCall finished second in 3:23:35. Maria Martinez, who won the 2010/2011 Fort Worth Marathons and finished second at the 2010 Fort Worth Marathon, was third in 3:24:18.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Callaway Gardens Marathon - Jan 29 - Pine Mountain, GA
Alec Blenis, 17 of Roswell, won the 2012 Callaway Gardens Marathon in 2:54:23. Donald Quintana, 28 of New Orleans LA, finished second in 2:55:56. Jeff Kobinsky, 40 of Wauwatosa WI, was third in 2:59:11.
Monica Lawrence, 38 of Shreveport LA, who won the 2010 Arkansas Marathon, was the first female finisher in 3:28:06. Ali Rieger, 22 of Fortson GA, finished second in 3:32:15. Liesel Cottrell, 33 of Auburn AL, was third in 3:37:50.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Yuma Territorial Marathon and Half Marathon - Jan 28 - Somerton, AZ
Defending champion Dan Kuch, 37 of Lake Havasu City AZ, who has four marathon victories in 2011, successfully defended his title - winning the 2012 Yuma Territorial Marathon in 2:42:45. Kris James, 29 of Wheeler MI, who had three marathon podium appearances in 2011, was the runner-up in 2:54:25. Evan Fisher, 31 of Yuma AZ, was third in 3:08:16.
Amber Hansen, 31 of Gilbert AZ, who was third in 2011, was the first female finisher in 3:43:45. Jennifer Toavs, 38 of New Hope MN, who finished second in 2010 and 2011, finished second again in 3:46:51. Tami Harmon, 42 of Yuma AZ, was third in 3:50:43.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

ONU Polar Bear Indoor Marathon - Jan 29 - Ada, OH
Brendon Moody, of Van Wert OH, who was third at the 2009 Mayor's and Sunburst Marathons, won the 2012 ONU Polar Bear Indoor Marathon in 2:50:03. Brian Yowler, of Beaver Falls PA, finished second in 3:25:10. John Milligan, of Pella IA, was third in 3:29:03.
Cassie McConville, of Painesville Twp. OH, was the first female finisher in 4:09:21. Christine Tokarz, of London OH, who won the 2010 Cross Timbers Trail and TRC Post Oak Lodge Trail Marathons, finished second in 4:26:28. Molly Rouns, of Louisville KY, was third in 4:38:50.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

International Results

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon - Jan 27 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon saw three 2:04 marathon finishes today completing an Ethiopian sweep of the men's race - 21 year old Ayele Abshero won in 2:04:23 in his marathon debut followed by Dino Sefir in 2:04:50 and 2011 LA Marathon winner Markos Geneti was third in (2:04:54) shaving nearly 2 minutes off that finish.
The women's event saw incredibly fast times as well with three 2:19 finishes - defending champion Asefelech Mergia won in 2:19:31 (a new Ethiopian National record), Lucy Kabuu (2:19:34) and Mare Dibaba (2:19:52). Of note Bezunesh Bekele, the runner-up at the 2010 Berlin Marathon and fourth place finisher at the 2011 World Championships and 2010/2011 London Marathons, was fourth in 2:20:30.
Read the Press Release

photo credit: PhotoRun

Osaka Int'l Ladies Marathon - Jan 29 - Osaka, Japan
Risa Shigetomo, of Japan, won the 2012 Osaka International Ladies Marathon in a new course record time of 2:23:23. Shigetoma pulled away at about the 15-mile mark on her way to her first career marathon victory. The win moved Shigetoma closer to making the Japanese Olympic Marathon team. Tetyana Gamera-Shmyrko, of the Ukraine, finished second in 2:24:46. Azusa Nojiri, of Japan, was third in 2:24:57.

Napoli (Naples) Marathon - Jan 29 - Naples, Italy
Ahmed Nasef, of Morocco, won the 2012 Napoli (Naples) Marathon in 2:18:58. Massimiliano Brigo, of Italy, finished second in 2:25:43. David Kirkland, of the UK, was third in 2:30:43.
In the women's field, Ornella Ferrara, of Italy, was the winner in 2:41:15. Daniela Cirlan, of Romania, finished second in 2:44:14. Tatiana Betta, of Italy, was third in 2:49:56.

Older News

USA OLYMPIC TRIALS - MARATHON

photo credit: PhotoRun

Wow! The fastest USA Marathon Trials ever for both the men and the women.
Meb Keflezighi! A hero, winning in a personal best time of 2:09:08, followed by Ryan Hall, Abdi Abdirahman and Dathan Ritzenhein (first alternate).
Shalane Flanagan - wins another championships race in her best marathon of 2:25:38; followed by Desiree Davila, Kara Goucher and Amy Hastings (first alternate). All of the top women ran faster than the previous Olympic Trials record.
Post-Race Writeups:
2012 Men's Olympics Team Trials Race Recap
2012 Women's Olympics Team Trials Race Recap
Archived:Live Coverage Page - As It Happens (real-time notes and thoughts)
Other coverage links:
Main Link:Full Coverage/Bios/Previews/More
We have the history of the Trials, bios on all of the top athletes, summaries, the best collection of YouTube videos, more news and more and more and more.
Click here now!

photo credit: MarathonGuide.com

New York City Marathon Coverage
The New York City Marathon delivered! Geoffrey Mutai proved that his world best at Boston was legitimate as he ran more than two minutes faster in New York than anyone has ever run before - 2:05:06. Emmanuel Mutai and Tsegay Kebede in second and third also ran faster than the old course record. For the women: what was Mary Keitany thinking as she went out well faster than WORLD RECORD pace? She held onto third place, but let Firehiwot Dado take the win in 2:23:15 and local runner Buzunesh Deba take second in 2:23:19.
Note: Additional photos and Monday quotes to come later...
Top Links:
- The Men's Race - Post-Race Recap
- The Women's Race - Post-Race Recap
- As It Happened/Real-Time Coverage
- NYC Marathon Coverage Homepage (all links)
- Men's Field Preview & Starter List
- Women's Field Preview & Starter List
- Pace Chart/Spectator Locations
- and much more...

photo credit: PhotoRun

Wilson Kipsang - 2:03:42 at Frankfurt Marathon!
Wilson Kipsang - 2:03:42 at Frankfurt, misses world record by 4 seconds.
Wilson Kipsang said he would go for the world record at the Frankfurt Marathon and go he did - missing the record by only 4 seconds and finishing the marathon in 2:03:42. The 2:04 mark was not broken until 2008 when Haile Gebrselassie ran 2:03:59 at the Berlin Marathon, but this year (2011), 2:04 has been beaten four times: twice at the course and wind-aided Boston Marathon, then with Patrick Makau's world record of 2:03:38 and now with Kipsang's time. Levy Matebo finished second in 2:05:15, Albert Matebor was third in 2:05:23. In all, ten men ran faster than 2:09 amd fourteen men ran faster than 2:10, including pacer Peter Kirui who paced beautifully and continued on to finish sixth in 2:06:31. Mamitu Daska was the first woman in 2:21:59 (a PR by 2:20) and beating the old course record by Caroline Kilel in 2010 (2:23:25).
From the Race:
Race Report (10/30/11)
Additional Thoughts / Kipsang (10/31/11)

photo credit: PhotoRun

2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Coverage
Finals:
The Course record falls at the 2011 Chicago Marathon - Moses Mosop runs 2:05:37, beating Sammy Wanjiru's previous record from 2009 of 2:05:41. Ryan Hall is 5th in 2:08:02. Liliya Shobukhova wins the 2011 Chicago Marathon in 2:18:20. That makes her the second fastest female marathoner ever, behind only Paula Radcliffe (who owns three faster times). With the win, Shobukhova becomes the first person to ever three-peat at Chicago.
The 2011 Chicago Marathon Men's Race
The 2011 Chicago Marathon Women's Race

photo credit: PhotoRun

Makau: New World Record at Berlin Marathon (2:03:38)!
The Berlin Marathon loves world records. Since the dawning of the 21st Century, the Marathon world record has been bettered eight times - five of those nine times have been in Berlin.
Patrick Makau made it look easy. Running with his pacemakers through 30K and then alone for the final 12K, Makau knocked a full 21 seconds off the previous record set by Haile Gebrselassie in Berlin in 2008. Gebrselassie tried to keep up, but dropped out at 17 miles. With much of the field fading, it was a pacemaker from the second pack, Stephen Kwello Chemlany, that continued on to finish in second place more than four minutes back in 2:07:55. In the women's race, Florence Kiplagat completed her first marathon in strong fashion to win in 2:19:44. Paula Radcliffe started with the leader, but injuries slowed her and she faded to third place in 2:23:46 - but happy to have her Olympic qualifier set. Irina Mikitenko, started conservatively, passing Radcliffe at mile 20 and finishing in second place in 2:22:18.
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It's Time to "Like" and "Follow" MarathonGuide.com
With 15,000 unique visitors to this website each day, we never felt totally compelled to jump into the Social Media pool - but our friends and visitors have kept asking us about it. So, now it's time...

MarathonGuide.com has been and will be posting news articles and tweeting about significant happenings, news and reminders for the marathoning world. If you use facebook and/or twitter; if you're interested in being among the first to know what's happening, need running news to get you motivated and/or just want to be cool, then... click the buttons to the right.
And, please recommend our page and feed to your friends...

2010 Marathoning In the USA - 2010 Shows Unprecedented Growth
Our usual comprehensive report - everything about the year... Record numbers, again. The Los Angeles Marathon affects the year. Rock N Roll numbers down...
2010 Marathoning in the USA

Other Items

Our Favorite Running Products
From time to time, people ask us for recommendations on products or books, so we've gathered together some of our favorites in a new section. Everything from The Stick (which will make your muscles feel great) to a Watch/Speedometer to measure your speed and distance to lotion and scrub for your skin to books galore.
Check out our favorites in MarathonGuide.com's Recommended Products

Great Magazine:
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