Home Page Items: Featured Stories | Weekend Results | News

Featured Stories

---- OLYMPICS! ----

Countdown to the Olympics Marathons
Women's Marathon: Complete!!!
Men's Marathon: 3d 1h 27m

photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport

Women's Marathon - Tomescu-Dita, Ndereba, Chunxiu
After a VERY slow start, Constantina Tomescu-Dita was the first to break away from the pack and built a lead of more than one minute at the peak. The lead pack broke down slowly to end with four women - two Kenyans and two Chinese - vying for the Silver and Bronze medals. Tomescu-Dita finished alone in 2:26:44, making her the oldest Olympic Marathon winner at 38 years old. The Silver Medal came down to a 400m sprint race between Catherine Ndereba and Zhou Chunxiu. At the line, Ndereba took the Silver Medal, her second, with a time of 2:27:06 and Chunxiu finished with the Bronze in 2:27:07. Favorite Paula Radcliffe appeared injured as she dropped out of the follwing pack and walked for a bit before beginning to run and finishing 23rd in 2:32:38. Blake Russell finished as first and only American in 27th place in 2:33:17 as Deena Kastor and Magdalena Lewy Boulet dropped out of the race.
Women's Olympic Marathon Post-Race Writeup
Complete Women's Olympic Marathon Coverage
including videos, up-to-date starter lists, previews, profiles, head-to-head comparisons, past performances, the history of the women's olympic marathon, and more, more, more...

Men's Marathon - Complete Coverage
Men's Olympic Marathon Coverage
including videos, up-to-date starter lists, previews, profiles, head-to-head comparisons, past performances, and more, more, more...

---- ----

Neil Diamond as Marathoner?
Everyone loves Neil Diamond - don't they? And when an entertainer's career lasts more than 40 years and the first No. 1 album takes those forty years, we can call that a marathon career - but carbo loading, electrolyte levels, training? We read the Aug. 12 article about Neil Diamond and repeat this quote from the New York Times: "'I want to know what marathon runners do,' Mr. Diamond said in his dressing room, where the few items... included a bottle of Gatorade... 'Because I do the same thing. I run a two-hour marathon every time onstage. So I have my electrolytes kept at a certain level, and I do my carb-loading after the shows for the next night...'" We actually have no doubt that Diamond's workload is like a marathon and are impressed that he's a fan of the sport. Can an actual marathon be far behind for Diamond?

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

Pikes Peak Marathon - Aug 17 - Manitou Springs, CO
Two-time Defending Champion Matt Carpenter, 44 of Manitou Spring CO, won the 2008 Pikes Peak Marathon in 3:36:54. This was Carpenter's ninth marathon victory at the event. 2007 Runner-up Dave Mackey, 38 of Boulder CO, the runner-up in 2001, finished second again in 3:51:57. Bernie Boettcher, 45 of Silt CO, who was third in 2007, was third again in 4:02:33.
In the women's race, 2007 Runner-up Keri Nelson, 27 of Grand Junction CO, who was third in 2006, was the winner in 4:39:00. Bronwyn Morrissey, 41 of Superior CO, finished second in 5:17:51. Sharon Kuhn, 49 of Durango CO, the runner-up in 2004, was third in 5:19:27.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

ING Edmonton Centennial Marathon - Aug 17 - Edmonton, AB, Canada
Two-time Defending Champion David Corbett, 38 of Sherwood Park AB, the winner of the 2008 Calgary and Red Deer Marathon, successfully defended his title - winning the 2008 ING Edmonton Marathon in 2:35:27. Tom McGrath, of Edmonton AB, finished second in 2:52:18. Ian Blockland, of Camrose AB, was third in 2:52:23.
In the women's race, Defending Champion Joylin Nodwell, of Calgary AB, the runner-up at the 2008 Red Deer Marathon, successfully defended her title - winning in 3:11:02. Nodwell dedicated her victory to her father who passed away earlier this year. Carmen Thiessen, of Drayton Valley AB, finished second in 3:27:12. Jill Stein, of New Territories ON, was third in 3:31:12.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Humpy's Classic Marathon - Aug 17 - Anchorage, AK
Jerome Ross, 33 of Anchorage AK, the winner of the 2007 and 2008 Mayor's Marathon, won the 2008 Humpy's Marathon in 2:46:51. Defending Champion Pete Pounds, 35 of Anchorage AK, finished second in 2:52:48. David Johnston, 38 of Wasilla AK, was third in 2:59:07.
In the women's field, Defending Champion Debbie Cropper, 47 of Anchorage AK, the winner of the 2008 Eisenhower and Museum of Aviation Foundation Marathon, successfully defended her title - winning in 3:14:05. Claudia Beitel, 27 of Mount Dora FL, finished second in 3:22:50. Gail Taylor, 42 of Wasilla AK, was third in 3:32:59.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Grizzly Marathon - Aug 16 - Choteau, MT
2006 Champion Brendan Lunty, 29 of Camrose AB, the winner of the 2007 Regina Queen City Marathon and runner-up at the 2008 Red Deer Marathon, won the 2008 Grizzly Marathon in 3:05:19. Bruce Urquhart, 53 of San Diego CA, finished second in 3:13:37. Mike Cordum, 44 of Williamsville IL, was third in 3:36:40.
Christine Beyea, 22 of Great Falls MT, was the first female finisher in 4:02:23. Margie Starr-Lawrence. 52 of Plano TX, finished second in 4:03:12. Darcy Papp, 40 of Mission Viejo CA, was third in 4:13:18.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Leading Ladies' Marathon - Aug 17 - Spearfish, SD
Defending Champion Jennifer Valentine, 26 of Boulder CO, successfully defended her title - winning the 2008 Leading Ladies Marathon in 2:56:19. 2006 Champion Kjersten Welch, 37 of Sioux City IA, finished second in 3:08:35. Amy Yanni, 54 of Rapid City SD, the 2007 runner up and 2005/2006 third place finisher, was third in 3:25:03.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon - Aug 16 - Rachel, NV
Dan Kuch, 34 of Lake Havasu City AZ, winner of the 2008 Whiskey Row Marathon and 2008 Red Rock Canyon Marathon, won the 2008 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon when he crossed the finish line in 2:47:57. Greg Sullivan, 25 of Las Vegas NV, finished second in 2:55:26. Wade McFarland, 52 of Logan UT, was third in 3:16:14.
In the women's race, Myung Kim, 59 of Los Angeles CA, was the winner in 4:09:46. Rachel Klistaui, 39 of La Crosse WI, finished second in 4:27:45. Martiann Granger, 43 of Watsonville CA, was third in 4:29:28.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

Fallsburg Marathon - Aug 16 - Lowell, MI
Gale Fisher, 40 of Battle Creek MI, won the 2008 Fallsburg Marathon in 3:25:35. Pete Bartels, 39 of Saginaw MI, finished second in 3:26:57. Defending Champion Tim Collins, 34 of Canton MI, was third in 3:28:10.
Jenny Arnette, 19 of Mt. Vernon OH, was the first female finisher in 3:51:09. Renee Jackson, 46 of Holland MI, finished second in 4:00:46. Melissa Bergenon, 43 of Muskegon MI, was third in 4:00:55.
Complete Searchable Results Here!

International Results

Older News

Where Will They Rock Next? Seattle...
The Competitor Group, organizers of the Rock 'N' Roll Marathon series has announced the location for their newest race: Seattle. The inaugural Rock 'N' Roll Seattle Marathon and 1/2 Marathon will take place on June 27, 2009 as part of Seattle's SeaFair festival. The Rock 'N' Roll Seattle Marathon will represent Competitor's first foray into putting on an event in the Pacific Northwest and will represent the company's eighth musically themed event.
Read the Press Release

Olympic Marathon - Women
Radcliffe In - Mikitenko Out
Paula Radcliffe, who suffered a stress fracture in her femur in May has told the media that she intends to run the Olympic Marathon "unless my leg breaks down." Radcliffe had been getting regular scans of the femur to ensure that her training was not hampering the healing progress and had been doing most of her training in the pool or on an anti-gravity treadmill. She will begin adding some weight-bearing work to her training, but the marathon will be the first true test of her strength.
Meanwhile... Irina Mikitenko, the winner of the 2008 London Marathon, has announced that she will not be able to start the Olympic Marathon due to a foot injury.

Olympic Marathon - Men
Marathon May be Moved Up if Air Quality is a Concern
Olympic Games organizers have announced that there is a detailed contingency plan for the Men's Olympic Marathon scheduled for 7:30AM local time on August 24. According to reports, if the pollution threatens to be dangerous to the athletes' health, the marathon may be moved forward. Details of the plan were not disclosed, except to say that the plan would ensure that all competitions would be complete before the finishing ceremony...

What Can't Michael Wardian Do?
Wins 50Mile Trail Championships in 6:52:50
Even if you were just looking at his 2008 marathon successes - eight marathon starts with all 8 ending in top three finishes and four outright wins - you might think Michael Wardian was on a roll. But those results are less than half of the story for this man who is beginning to epitomize distance running in the USA. Besides the marathons, Wardian has captured three USA championships: winning the 50K and 100K US Championships and just this weekend, the 50 Mile championship. With hopes to compete well (and, we are sure, win) the Western States 100 Miler, Wardian was disappointed when that race was canceled for 2008 due to forest fires, so with a free weekend went after a world record for the fastest marathon run on a treadmill (which attempt failed due to technical problems with the treadmill). Wardian should inspire all of us to know that there might not be limits to what we can accomplish - so get out there and run. And let's see what Wardian is up to for the rest of the year...

Ndereba, Perez, Ritzenhein in Olympic Shape - NYC Half Marathon
Catherine Ndereba proved that she deserves her title as reigning Marathon World Champion and should be the favorite at the Olympics Marathon as she made easy work of the rest of the field in the 2008 Nike NYC Half Marathon. Ndereba faced some competition from Madai Perez who will be representing Mexico in the Olympic Marathon and Yuri Kano of Japan - but Ndereba made the finish look easy. Dathan Ritzenhein looked exceptionally strong and confident as he raced to a third place finish behind two Half-Marathon specialists. Using the race as a practice and run-up to the Olympics, Ritzenhein had nothing to prove, but his strong finish 1:01:38 on a tough course and humid day show that he is ready to race the Marathon in Beijing.
Men:
Tola Tadesse (ETH) - 1:00:58
Patrick Makau (KEN) - 1:00:59
Dathan Ritzenhein (USA) - 1:01:38
Women:
Catherine Ndereba (KEN) - 1:10:19
Madai Perez (MEX) - 1:10:26
Yuri Kano (JAP) - 1:10:31

Dreaming of California? New California Dreamin' Marathon/Half-Marathon Series...
Three top California Marathons/Half-Marathons have joined forces to create a running series and to share some marketing. The San Francisco Marathon/Half-Marathon, Surf City USA Marathon/Half-Marathon and Long Beach International City Marathon/Half-Marathon have created the California Dreamin' Racing Series. Runners who complete the three marathons/half-marathons in the group in a two-year period will receive a special commemorative medal and jacket for their achievement. Not to mention an opportunity to "conquer the bridge and cruise the beach..."
Read the Press Release

Devine Racing Dismantles - Sells 2 Properties
Los Angeles Marathon and Chicago Half Marathon Sold To Pay Debts
In 2005/2006, Devine Racing was hailed as the most progressive entity in the running industry who would help to propel the sport. Devine created the Salt Lake City Marathon and then followed that up by purchasing the Los Angeles Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Chicago Half Marathon and the Chicago Big 10K. A marketing and possible future sales agreement with the Toronto Marathon gave the company a foothold in Canada and dozens of other marathons in North America had provided financials to the company in the hope that they might be acquired and join the high-flying company. 2005 saw Devine hire some of the most well-known names in the industry, pledge tens of thousands of dollars to running organizations and invest a reported half million dollars in a website community.

But how quickly the great can fall... By 2007, reports were surfacing that Devine was not paying its vendors or prize money to athletes. The company dismantled its central sales office and top executives began "resigning" for personal and other reasons. Reports in the Las Vegas Review-Journal stated that the city of Las Vegas was giving Devine a June 15th deadline to make good on its financial obligations to that city and local vendors. Last week it was announced that Devine had sold the Chicago Half Marathon to US Road Sports & Entertainment Group - the company that purchased the ING Miami and ING Georgia Marathons. Rumors have swirled for weeks that the Los Angeles Marathon was up for sale - with the list of suitors including Elite Racing, the New York Road Runners and US Road Sports. According to a June 4th article in the Las Vegas Review Journal and June 14th articles in the Los Angeles Times and Las Vegas Review Journal, Devine has agreed to sell the Los Angeles Marathon to an investor group led by David Kingsdale and Russ Pilar. According to the Los Angeles Times, Devine technically owns the "operating rights" for the marathon and any sale will have to be approved by the City which technically owns the race. Chris Devine, the founder of Devine Racing, was quoted as saying: "To own the L.A. Marathon and screw it up is a monumental failure."

Branson/Virgin Sign a £17M (=$33M USD) Five Year Deal as London Marathon Title Sponsor
The London Marathon has announced that beginning in 2010, Virgin - and specifically Virgin Money, the financial services division of Virgin Group - will be the new title sponsor of the London Marathon through 2014. The five-year deal, valued at £17Million - which is the equivalent of over $33Million at current exchange rates - is a record for the industry. Flora, the current sponsor, had chosen not to renew its sponsorship after its latest five year arrangement comes to an end in 2009. At the same time, Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson has stated that he plans to run in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon. In what confuses us and must be a slap in the face to current sponsor Flora, the London Marathon has already supported the creation of a website for the new sponsor and press-releases and the current website encourage visitors to surf to www.VirginLondonMarathon.com for more information. We would normally expect an event to honor the final year of its sponsorship agreement by supporting that sponsor and not promoting other arrangements. While the new arrangement is certainly beneficial for the London Marathon - Virgin is an amazing company and the funds are substantial - we are disappointed that the London Marathon is, in our estimation, not standing up to what would be a commonly expected standard of treatment for an existing title sponsor.
Read the Press Release

New Feature: Best/Biggest Boston Marathon Qualifying Races
This IS NOT a list of the fastest marathons - but at some level it could be interpreted to be an approximation of that list. We're always asked which are the best Boston qualifying marathons - and while different runners will have varying degrees of success on various courses, there are some courses that just seem to do better than others (and/or do they just attract faster runners?). Here, for the first time is a year-by-year list of the marathons that provide the highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifying times and those that create the most Boston Marathon qualifying times. Statistics are interesing as always...
The Best/Biggest Boston Qualifying Races

2007 USA Marathoning - Growth Across the Sport, Despite the Weather
The Numbers are Here!
Highlights:
- The weather is the big story of the year...
- Total USA marathoning grows by 2.3% to nearly 407,000 finishers from over 397,000 in 2006.
- Percentage of women participants declines again. This is turning into a trend.
- Average Age of male participants decreases, meaning more young men are entering the sport.
Read it all: 2007 USA Marathon Annual Report

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.

Because we (MarathonGuide.com) and they (M&B) share a common vision and because they're friends, we've convinced them to offer the lowest subscription rates that they've ever offered to the public (this is true!) - so if you aren't yet a subscriber, there's no better time - and this deal is only available through the link below.
- Click here for the secure order form and special pricing.