Instant Analysis: Millrose Games Lagat Undeniable

Millrose Games Results by event | Millrose Official Site | Visa Championship Series

Bernard Lagat (3:58.44) won the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games for the seventh time Friday night to tie Eamonn Coghlan’s record.  He beat New Zealand’s Nick Willis (3:59.48), the Olympic bronze medalist in the 1,500 meters.

Lagat said, “The race was good. I was prepared coming in. I had been training very well. I feel fast, I feel fresh. It’s good to come back and win.  Ending up the season not winning a lot last year because of the injury I had, to start the year with the win, this is not another race for me. This race means a lot.”

Don’t call it a comeback, he’s been here for years.  Veteran, two-time Olympian Terrence Trammell first race since a left hamstring strain knocked him out of the Beijing Games, winning the 60 meter hurdles in 7,45.  Antwon Hicks came in second, while Ron Bramlett back from retirement placed a respectable fourth place in 7.78, ahead of Aries Merritt 8.03.

Bianca Knight made some noise in New York City, winning the women’s 60 dash, beating U.S. Olympian Muna Lee.  “I was a little jumpy at the start. I caused the first false start. It was my first Millrose Games, so to come out with a win, I’m excited. It’s really noisy in here, even after they tell the crowd to be quiet. This year I decided my goal is to break the 200 (world) record indoors at Fayetteville (the Tyson Invitational on February 13).”

The circle produced more riveting performances.  Christian Cantwell threw 67-4.25, then was one upped only  by Adam Nelson, who won his second consecutive Millrose victory with a final throw of 68-2.5.

As we predicted in the preview, the women’s pole vault was close.  Stuczynski cleared 15-5, before taking a shot at the 15-9.75 the American record.  Stacy Dragila vaulted 15-1.5.  Look for battle  Stuczynski and Dragila to battle during the indoor season as Dragila  is healthy.

Instant Analysis: Millrose Games Is Goucher Show

Millrose Games Results by event | Millrose Official Site | Visa Championship Series

Is it a sign of things to come? The Millrose Games (MSG) television coverage kicked off with Seton Hall upsetting University of South Carolina in the women’s college 4×400 meter relay.

You get one move indoors. Allian Pompey (1:19.51) of Guyana used her move in the early part of the 600 yards, after failing to beat Monica Hargrove to the break. After drafting in second place Hargrove (1:19.50) scored a razor thin victory in her inaugural MSG appearance.

The thrill is not gone. Kara Goucher continues her success in New York City, getting down in the NYRR Women’s Mile, delivering an impressive 4:33.19 in the New York Road Runners mile, without another runner in striking distance. Runner up, Marina Muncan finished in 4:37.77.

Reigning pole vault Olympic champion Steve Hooker lives up to all expectations, winning in 19-8.50. The Aussie attempted the world record (20-2.5) held by Sergey Bubka before calling it a night. That height however, is good enough to qualify as the best indoor performance to be recorded on U.S. soil and the new Australian indoor national record. Runner up, Derek Miles clears 18-08.25 tonight in New York City.

PreRaceJitters.com will provide updates and a recap of the meet, so check back often.

Event 15 Women 600 Yard Run
===============================================================
Name Year Team Finals
===============================================================
Finals
1 Monica Hargrove USA 1:19.50
2 Aliann Pompey GUY 1:19.51
3 Clora Williams JAM 1:22.86
4 Marian Burnett GUY 1:22.90

Event 20 Women 1 Mile Run NYRR
===============================================================
Name Year Team Finals
===============================================================
Finals
1 Kara Goucher USA 4:33.19
2 Marina Muncan SRB 4:37.77
3 Mestawot Tadesse ETH 4:38.30
4 Barbara Parker GBR 4:38.64
5 Shayne Culpepper USA 4:38.92
6 Courtney Babcock CAN 4:39.56
7 Kelly Macneice IRL 4:56.99
– Korene Hinds JAM DNF
Event 7 Men Pole Vault F Schmertz
==========================================================================
Name Year Team Finals
==========================================================================
Finals
1 Steven Hooker AUS 6.01m 19-08.50
5.35 5.50 5.60 5.70 5.80 5.88 6.01 6.16
PPP O PPP O PPP XXO O XXX
2 Derek Miles USA 5.70m 18-08.25
5.35 5.50 5.60 5.70 5.80 5.88
PPP O XO XXO PPP XXX
3 Giovanni Lanaro MEX 5.60m 18-04.50
5.35 5.50 5.60 5.70
O O XO XXX
4 Darren Neidermeyer USA 5.50m 18-00.50
5.35 5.50 5.60 5.70
O O XXP X
– Jacob Pauli USA NH
5.35
XXX
– Paul Burgess AUS NH
5.35
XXX

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show - Episode 5

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Kicks: Nike Womens Air Max 360

You have heard of walking on sunshine, and you’ve heard of walking in the clouds.  Now you can walk on air.  The Nike Womens Air Max 360 III running shoes features the most Air-Sole cushioning ever engineered into a running shoe, which allows you to have a comfortable run. The foot-hugging fit is best for narrow to medium feet.  These lightweight shoes (3 oz) were performance shoes were road tested by Nike at over 50,000 miles and they kept going.

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Preview Notes: Millrose Games

The Millrose Games is the first event of the 2009 indoor season, PreRaceJitters.com will provide updates and a recap of the meet, so check back often.

Will Lagat seal the Wanamaker Mile deal?

The wait is finally over.  Traditionally the Millrose Games is the indoor season opener, marking the official start of the pro season and the end of the slow run of events in professional track and field. And that alone is a reason to celebrate.

Every race on the 2009 Indoor Visa Championship Series is unique, but there are more nuances to consider at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  It’s a 160-yard banked track for starters. And it’s New York City, don’t underestimate the effect the Big Apple plays in running this event; to win this event is bragging rights.

And then there’s the travel element - most pros will be competing for the first time this indoor season, while most will enter the meet more rested.

History in the making: Bernard Lagat is shooting for a record seven straight victories.  If he wins the Wanamaker Mile at the 102nd Millrose Games at Madison Garden on Friday night, Lagat will tie Irishman Eamonn Coghlan.  Last year, Nick Willis of New Zealand ran third in the foot race and again this year Willis poses a challenge to Lagat.

First timer: Travis Padgett formerly of Clemson University jumps into the 60 meters, competing in his rookie season on the professional track and field circuit.  Not the biggest guy at 5 foot 8 inch, but with a personal best of 9.89 seconds in the 100 meters, Padgett is seeking to make a splash on the professional level this season.

Time for Michael Rodgers to break through?
Little known going into last season, Rodgers made a name for himself in winning the 60-meters U.S. indoor national title last year.  Rodgers will contend with veterans Terrence Trammell and Shawn Crawford, but look for Rodgers to come blasting out the blocks.

A loaded field is scheduled for the women’s 60 meters.  Second year pro Bianca Knight takes the track along side Carmelita Jeter, Muna Lee Lisa Barber, and Sheri-Ann Brooks of Jamaica.  Muna Lee is coming off a break through season after winning her first national title in impressive style at the winning the women’s 100m in a personal best 10.85. She then came back to finish runner-up in the women’s 200m in a windy 21.99.

A veteran group including Terrence Trammell, Antwon Hicks, and Aries Merritt round out the 60-meter hurdles.  Rob Bramlett a former two-time NCAA champion is back on the scene after retiring.

Well, Amy Acuff is nearly 34, and all of a sudden is making concessions to father time. Really. Amy Acuff is performing in her last Millrose Games with plans possibly to retire at seasons end.  Acuff takes on fellow 2008 U.S. Olympians Chaunte Howard, Amy Acuff and Sharon Day.

Acuff said. “I’ve learned over the years how to take care of my body better and better. Chinese medicine helps preserve me, and being smarter about how I train. But this will probably be the last year. I’d like to have a family. It’s going to at least take a year since you can’t be jumping with a baby. So, I think this is going to be it for me.”

Kara Goucher has a history of running well in New York City. The defending champion at this weeks event, Goucher is making a run in the women’s mile run.

Notes on field events:
The shot put is loaded with big names that always catch your eye.  Reese Hoffa, Christian Cantwell, and Adam will put a show that you can’t miss.  Last year,  Nelson brought down the roof 2008 with his 22.07m/72-5 throw.  This year Cantwell comes in riding the hot hand. On Saturday in Nordhausen, Germany, Cantwell fired off a throw of 21.47m/70-5 1/4 on his final attempt.

Also in field event match ups, 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials pole vault champion Derek Miles, who was fourth at the 2008 Olympic Games, has been added to a field that includes gold medalist Steven Hooker of Australia.

Jenn Stuczynski and Stacey Dragila: These two have been inextricably tied in history, so why buck the trend in 2009?  Dragila, 34, returned last season to the sport after two years plauqed with injuries.  Here’s a question to mull.  With an Olympic gold, nine national outdoor titles, two Olympic teams, and two world titles is Dragila a future first time hall of fame pick?  What about Stuczynski, with a Olympic silver, U.S outdoor record, and a half dozen national titles. In a relatively short period of time, Stuczynski has become the second best vaulter in history.

The Millrose Games in New York is the first event of USA Track & Field’s 2009 Indoor Visa Championship Series. The event will be televised live on ESPN2 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Jan. 31 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on NBC (all times Eastern).

Fam Signs Endorsement Deal With Saucony

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2009

Saucony, Inc.

SAUCONY SIGNS ENDORSEMENT DEAL WITH TWO-TIME
U.S. OLYMPIAN ANTHONY “FAM’ FAMIGLIETTI

“Fam” to make brand debut at 2009 USA Cross Country Championships, presented by Saucony

LEXINGTON, MA (January 28, 2009) – Saucony, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, today announced the signing of two-time U.S. Olympian Anthony Famiglietti to a multi-year endorsement contract. Famiglietti, the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, competed for the U.S. in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at both the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Famiglietti, who’s versatility extends to the roads as well, is the 2007 USA 8K and 2006 and 2008 USA 5K champion. In 2007, Famiglietti, known to the running world as “Fam,” ran the fastest 5,000 meters ever by an American on U.S. soil (13:11.93).

“I’m very excited to join the Saucony family and represent a brand that is both inspiring and authentic,” said Famiglietti, named the number one ranked steeplechaser in the U.S. in 2008 by Track & Field News. “Based upon the experience I’ve had training in their footwear and apparel, it’s obvious that Saucony truly appreciates the technical needs of the performance runner at every level. The brand’s commitment to inspiring every runner, on every run, on every day is one that I’m honored to share,” added Famiglietti.

“We are all very excited about the addition of Fam to the Saucony brand and family,” said Richie Woodworth, president of Saucony. “Our values and commitment to product innovation and excellence are shared by Fam, both as an athlete and as a person. Fam, as all our athletes, is more than a product spokesperson: He inspires us in our relentless pursuit of creating the best running shoes and apparel on the planet and will be a valued partner in that effort,” added Woodworth.

Famiglietti’s first competition in a Saucony uniform will be at the 2009 USA Cross Country Championships, presented by Saucony, on February 7th in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He then plans to continue his progression as an athlete aiming at American records on the track in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters this spring as well as debuting in the marathon in the near future.

Famiglietti, 30, graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in Long Island, New York. He attended Appalachian State University and the University of Tennessee, where he graduated in 2000. At Appalachian State, Famiglietti was 1996 Southern Conference Freshman of the year in Cross Country and 1997 Southern Conference Cross Country Runner of the Year runner-up. On the track, he was 1998 Southern Conference Champion in both the steeplechase and the 5,000 meters. In 1998, he transferred to Tennessee, where he placed 11th at the SEC Cross Country Championships and 75th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. In 1999, he was 6th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the steeplechase, and 8th in his heat at the U.S. Championships. In 2000, his final year of college, Famiglietti was 2nd at the SEC Championships, 4th at the NCAA Championships, and 7th at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where he ran an 8:25.37.

Since 1998, Famiglietti has followed the coaching advice of George Watts, head cross country and distance coach at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. For his altitude training program, Famiglietti consults with Jack Daniels, Ph.D., a world-renowned authority on distance running.
Famiglietti currently lives and trains in Knoxville, Tennessee. When not running, he is an artist with a special interest in abstract expressionism and composing music.
For interviews with Anthony Famiglietti or Saucony executives, please contact Sharon Barbano at Saucony (617-824-6126), sharon.barbano@saucony.com or Jeff

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc., is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.
About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units covering a powerful brand portfolio, as well as multiple price points and selling channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain, with its brands American Eagle™, Airwalk®, Dexter®, Champion® and designer collections Abaeté for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless and alice + olivia for Payless, among others; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk®, Vision Street Wear®, Lamar®, Sims®, LTD®, genetic®, Dukes™, Rage®, Ultra-Wheels®, and Skate Attack®. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at http://www.collectivebrands.com.

Kicks: ASICS Gel-Nimbus 9

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Running is hard on body, producing 2.5 times your body weight in on impact with each step. The ASICS Men’s GEL-Nimbus 9, provides a supportive platform for reviving a cardio program. With more lightweight gel material in the Nimbus 9’s heel than previous versions, it’s better-able to attenuate shock where novice runners feel it the most.

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PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show - Episode 4

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PreRaceJitters.com Exclusive Interview: Brad Walker, Superstar

His career has largely been under the radar, but as Brad Walker proved with his clutch vault at the Prefontaine Classic, the face of the U.S. pole vaulting can fly high with the best of ‘em. Read more

PRECLASSIC.COM GOES INTERACTIVE

Eugene, Oregon—One of track & field’s first websites—preclassic.com,
created in 1997–is continuing its groundbreaking role by providing fans
of the sport with an unprecedented level of meet-related information and
interactivity through its revamped presentation. The Pre Classic site
now includes features that showcase the rich history and current content
of the Western Hemisphere’s best outdoor meet.

Want to see:
        
     *       a replay of the 2008 NBC telecast of the meet?

     *       photos of Brad Walker’s American Record in the pole vault?

     *       meet information for 2009?

     *       fans with their own websites who plan on attending?

     *       video highlights of each Pre Classic going back to 1986
(released weekly)?

All this and more can be found on the expanded site. Visitors will also
have the opportunity to interact and share with other Pre Classic fans,
including posting their own comments, memories, videos, photos, and
website links, thanks to software developed by RunnerSpace.com.
                                                #   #  #

  The 35th Prefontaine Classic is a part of the IAAF’s World Athletics
Tour and USA Track & Field’s Visa Championships Series. The 2009 edition
of the meet will be held on Sunday, June 7, at Hayward Field in Eugene,
featuring scores of the world’s greatest athletes.  It will be broadcast
live by NBC beginning at 11 a.m. Pacific Time.

RunnerSpace.com is a social networking website for all runners to
connect and share with other runners and fans through its
industry-leading team and event website creation software.

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