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Featured Stories

Dathan Ritzenhein Announced for New York City Marathon
The New York Road Runners has announced that Dathan Ritzenhein will be running the 2010 New York City Marathon adding to their previous announcements that Meb Keflezighi would be running the race. Ritzenhein set his marathon PR of 2:10:00 at the London Marathon, making him arguably the third fastest American currently running marathons (behind just Ryan Hall and Keflezighi). Ritzenhein, has had recurring foot problems, but has seemed to regularly bounce back - successfully placing in the 2007 Olympic Trials, finishing 9th at the 2008 Olympic Marathon, setting a 2:10:00 PR at the 2009 London Marathon, earning bronze in 60:00 at the 2009 World Half Marathon Championships and setting the USA 5000m record on the track. Injuries kept Dathan sidelined through much of 2010 and his coach, Alberto Salazar, told us that he was keeping Dathan on the "soft stuff," but Ritzenhein did make an appearance to win the 2010 USA X-Country Championships. At 27 and considering his past performances, we believe that Ritzenhein's best marathons are still ahead of him - his return to the marathon after 18 months is eagerly anticipated. Salazar added comments about Ritzenhein: "He's got a great stride for the marathon, very efficient but not too bouncy where he is going to waste energy. We've done work on his form, changes that will all be for the better, such as improvements in his arm carriage. From years of training alone he's got a mental toughness, which was evident in Zurich at the 5000m. The only question mark could be physical with the injuries, but I think we've got a good handle on that with what we've been doing. If Dathan can get in the consistent training, he's really going to improve." Ritzenhein is looking forward to other news, as he is expecting his second child - to be named Jude - imminently.
Read the Press Release

Upcoming Marathon Registration Fee Increases
Following are some marathons that have price increases through the end of the month. If you plan to register for one of these races, you can save some money by registering now:
Erie Marathon + Half Marathon, 5K (Erie, PA - 9/12/10)
USAF Marathon + Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K (Dayton, OH - 9/18/10)
Maui Oceanfront Marathon + Half Marathon, 15K, 5K (Lahaina, Maui, HI - 1/23/11)
Napa Valley Marathon + 5K (Napa, CA - 3/6/11)

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

The San Francisco Marathon - Jul 25 - San Francisco, CA
In his first marathon ever, Keith Bechtol, 25 of Palo Alto CA, was the winner of and broke the course record at the 2010 San Francisco Marathon in 2:23:28. The previous record was set by Andrew Cook, of Texas, in 2007 in 2:25:57. Michael Wardian, 36 of Arlington VA, who in July broke the record for fastest Indoor Marathon at the 2010 Grant-Pierce Indoor Marathon and was first at the 2010 Miami Marathon, the 2010 National Marathon, and the 2010 Delaware Marathon, also finished before the previous course record, coming in second in 2:25:21. Harm Sengers, 27 of the Netherlands, was third in 2:29:23.
Emily Harsin, 24 of Durham NC, was the first female finisher in 2:51:54. Brandy Bengoechea, 38 of Nampa Idaho, was second in 2:53:26. Morgan Robinson, 24 of San Francisco, was third in 3:01:11.
Complete Searchable Results Here!
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Deseret Morning News/KJZZ-TV Marathon - Jul 24 - Salt Lake City, UT
Kenyan, Edward Kiptum, 31 of Auburn CA, was behind fellow countryman Peter Omae at mile 23 of the 2010 Deseret News Marathon, but pulled off an impressive come back in the final stretch winning in 2:20:47. Kiptum who was third in 2008 said that he needed to really push from mile 24 to mile 26 to claim the victory. Omae, 32 of Sparks NV, who was second at the 2010 Utah Valley marathon and first at the 2009 Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon, was only 4.5 seconds behind Kiptum was the runner up in 2:20:51. Moninda Marube, 31 of Coon Rapids MN, who was first at the 2010 Little Rock Marathon, was third in 2:30:41.
Jenn Shelton, 26 of Ashland OR, who was third at the 2010 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon and first at the 2008 Crater Lake Marathon, was the winner of the women's race in 2:54:23. Allie Scott, 23 of Salt Lake City UT, who was third in 2008 and first in 2009 and who was first at the 2008 Top of Utah Marathon, was the runner-up in 2:54:35. Rael Murey, 29 of Coon Rapids MN, who was third at the 2008 Indianapolis Minumental Marathon, was third in 2:58:26.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Carrollton Education Foundation/ The Saginaw News Carrollton Festival of Races - Jul 25 - Carrollton, MI
Chuck Engle, 39 of Dublin OH, in his sixth win in a row and his tenth win in 2010, won the 2010 Carrollton Festival of Races Marathon in 2:43:12. Mike Ehrmantraut, 42 of Midland MI, was the runner up in 2:45:14. Gary Krugger, 25 of Endinboro PA, who won the 2010 University of Okoboji Marathon and the 2010 Swan Lake Marathon and was second at the 2010 Pacific Crest Marathon and the 2010 Bear Lake Idaho Marathon, was third in 2:50:34.
Melissa Bergeron, 45 of Muskegon MI, who was the winner of the 2010 Martian Marathon and runner-up in the 2009 Fallsburg Marathon, was the first female finisher in 3:27:12. Theresa Martin, 24 of Ann Arbor MI, was second in 3:30:09. Amanda Dennison, 29 of Middleville MI, was third in 3:37:27.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon - Jul 25 - North Bend, WA
Brent Evans, of Seattle WA, was the winner of the 2010 Light at the End of the Tunner Marathon in 3:32:41. Michael Gouin, of Silverdale WA, was the runner up in 3:40:27. Tony Philippi, of Tacoma WA, was third in 3:43:51.
Juliann Spencer, of Dallas TX, who was the winner of the 2010 "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon and the 2010 InStep Icebreaker Marathon and the 2009 Frankenstein Marathon and the 2009 Fox Cities Marathon, was the first female finisher in 4:01:13. Sheila Lawless-Burke, of Warren RI, was second in 4:04:42. Seujan Bertram was third in 4:03:12.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Nova Scotia Marathon - Jul 25 - Barrington, NS, Canada
Results and Write-up as we get them in.

International Results

König Ludwig Marathon - Jul 25 - Füssener, Germany
Titus Kipchumba Kosgei, of Kenya, won the 2010 König Ludwig Marathon in 2:19:08. Tobias Brack, of Germany, finished second in 2:32:54. Klaus Mannweiler, of Germany, was third in 2:40:33.
In the women's field, Beatrice Jepkorir Rutto, of Kenya, was the winner in 2:43:16. Silvia Krull, of Germany, was the runner-up in 2:54:56. Carola Bendl-Tschiedel, of Austria, was third in 3:14:20.

WestlinkM7 Cities Marathon - Jul 25 - Blacktown, Australia
Rop Cleophas, of Kenya, won the 2010 WestlinkM7 Cities Marathon in 2:23:21. Mark Tucker, of South Yarra, the winner of the 2010 Great Ocean Road Marathon and 2008 Canberra Marathon, finished second in 2:24:49. Josphat Mwangi, of Kenya, who was third in 2009, finished third again in 2:25:19.
In the women's race, Jackie Fairweather, a former world triathlon champion amd bronze medalist at the Commonwealth Games, was the winner in 2:42:44. Fairweather also has previously won the 2008 Canberra Marathon and 2005 Gold Coast Airport Marathon. Defending Champion Magda Karimali-Poulos, the winner of the 2010 City of Christchurch Marathon and 2007/2009 Canberra Marathons, finished second in 2:44:45. Karen Barlow, the winner of the 2010 Rock N Roll Mardi Gras Marathon, was third in 2:49:34.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Hornindalsvatnet Marathon - Jul 24 - Lindvik, Norway
Jan Birger Hansen won the 2010 Hornindalsvatnet Marathon in 2:51:13. Helge Hafsås finished second in 3:03:59. David Urnes Johnson was third in 3:05:23.
Jodi Brautaset, of Mount Vernon WA, the winner of the 2009 San Juan Island and Wenatchee Marathons, was the first female finisher in 3:28:36. Turid Landsvik finished second in 4:12:09.

Older News

35th Annual Grandma's Marathon (6/18/11) Opens Registration, Revamps Website
Grandma's Marathon - our favorite summer destination - is blowing it out for their 35th anniversary with a new website, early registration opening, and the announcement of extra runner perks. Named after the original sponsor, Grandma's chain of restaurants, Grandma's Marathon is the largest Summer Marathon in the USA (and always one of the largest 15 in the country). The marathon is embraced as the largest annual event in Duluth. On the shores of Lake Superior, a short flight or 2-1/2 hour drive north of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Grandma's is unique in the world of marathoning as this city of 85,000 hosts nearly 20,000 runners participating in the marathon, half marathon and 5K. Being in Duluth for the weekend, it seems like the city was created just for the marathon, as - it appears - nearly everyone in town is wearing their volunteer shirts 24x7 and are there just for the runners... In addition to posting many of the fastest finishing times in the country, Grandma's was chosen to host the 2012 and 2013 USA Half Marathon championships on the Half Marathon course which covers the second half of the marathon course.
More about Grandma's Marathon
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Michael Wardian Runs 2:27:21 Indoor Marathon; Sets World Record (pending ratification)
Why do we appreciate Michael Wardian, and why should you? The Arlington VA runner - a father of two with a full-time job - is always pushing the envelope in running and showing the rest of us that anything is possible.

Wardian's feats are legendary and he receives, according to our non-scientific study, more press than any other runner in the world including, for example, a 14-page feature article in the May/June 2009 Marathon & Beyond Magazine and a 1-1/2 page article in the May 30th Washington Post (spanning 80% of the front of the Sports section plus 75% of the back page of the sports section - that's huge)... Whether it be winning the ING Miami Marathon, leading the Olympic Trials Marathon, finishing top three at the World 50K Championships and top 10 at the 100K world championships, finishing top three at the grueling Marathon des Sables, taking the USATF ultramarathoner of the year honors... - oh, we could go on forever...

Leading up to a 4th of July weekend bereft of marathon or ultra-marathon options, Wardian did what he has done in the past and set up a world record challenge for himself - in this case, a challenge to break the 80+ year-old world record for fastest indoor marathon (similar to indoor track records, a race run on a standard 200m indoor track). Running a steady pace, Wardian clicked off the 211 x 0:42 laps to win the inaugural Grant-Pierce Indoor Marathon (named after Wardian's two sons) and set a new world indoor marathon record (pending) of 2:27:21. Officials are still reviewing the intermediate times to see what other records may have fallen in the race as well. (we'll update this as we learn of the findings)

Seven runners started the race - some not planning to finish under the cutoff time - but three, in addition to Wardian, did finish the marathon: Andy Mason - 2:50:47; Karsten Brown - 2:59:09; and Michael Tietz - 3:25:23. Because we at MarathonGuide.com like to point out silly trivia, we'll mention that with those finish times, the Grant-Pierce Marathon should also enter the record books for open marathons (anyone could register) with the fastest average finish time (2:55:10), highest percentage of sub-3:00 finishes (75%) and highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers (75%)... A day full of records.

photo credit: Victah Sailer

Shalane Flanagan to Debut at Marathon at 2010 ING New York City Marathon
Shalane Flanagan, the American record holder at 3000m, 5000m and 10000m is set to make her debut at the Marathon distance at the 2010 ING New York City Marathon, which will also host the USA Women's Marathon Championships. In her debut Half Marathon, Flanagan won the 2010 USA Half Marathon Championships held in conjunction with the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in 1:09:41. Flanagan also won bronze at the 10000m at the Beijing Olympics in the American record 30:22.22. This debut at the marathon distances is much anticipated.

We spoke with Shalane and she added perspective to her decision to switch to the marathon: "I look forward to becoming a full time marathoner. I'm not sure if I will be running the track or marathon at the 2012 Olympics, but if I can make it to Rio [the location of the 2016 Olympics], I will definitely be running the marathon." Flanagan's parents are both accomplished marathoners - her mother ran 2:49:40 in 1971, just the third woman to break the three hour barrier and her father is a 2:18 marathoner. Flanagan joked, "I chose my parents well. I saw their enthusiasm for the marathon and that has rubbed off. I like that I can run the New York City Marathon and my father can run in the same race." We asked Flanagan if the American debut record would be a goal, "no, that will be a nice byproduct, but it is not a goal. I want to be in it to win it."
Read the Press Release

2009 Marathoning In the USA - 2009 Shows Unprecedented Growth
The most comprehensive report ever... The growth in numbers was the greatest ever at 9.9% and there were more NEW marathon finishes added in 2009 than had been added in the previous three years combined - wow! Read all about it...
2009 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:
Special Subscription Offer From Marathon & Beyond Magazine
Note: This is not an ad (paid or otherwise) - it's a special offer from our friends to our friends...
Marathon & Beyond is truly one of our favorite magazines. The only running magazine targeted specifically to Marathoners and Ultra-Marathoners - it is a must-have or a must-give - really! Each bimonthly issue is set out in a format that looks more like a book than a magazine - so it can sit on your shelf and be read and re-read - and is filled with articles, profiles, training - everything for the distance runner (experienced or novice). We started to write a description of the magazine, but decided that they describe it best themselves on their website - so, if you don't know Marathon & Beyond, check them out. Then, if you like what you see, use the link below for special subscription pricing starting at $32.95 for one year.

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