PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show #35, U.S. Nationals Preview Show

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It’s not too much to say that the Road to Berlin starts this week in Eugene, Oregon. Jay Hicks and John W. Davis discuss athletes to watch at the 2009 National Championships and much more.

-U.S. Nationals

PreRaceJitters Track & Field Radio Show…Where the Real Playas Come to Hangout!

Ryan Hall, Kara Goucher lead Americans at 113th Boston Marathon

Press Release Courtesy of USA Track & Field.

NIDANAPOLIS - The B.A.A. Boston Marathon has seen a great deal of running history in 113 years and Monday’s race will no doubt see more.  The top U.S. entries, Ryan Hall (Big Bear Lake, Calif.) and Kara Goucher (Portland, Ore.) have already made marathon history of their own but will look to add to their list of accomplishments as they make their bids to be the first American man or woman to win the famed race from Hopkington to Boston since 1985 when Lisa Larsen Weidenbach took the women’s title.  Greg Meyer was the last American man to win in 1983.

Following in the footsteps of legends such as Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson, Hall and Goucher have already created some of their own marathon history. With only five total marathons between them, both started their marathon careers by turning in the fastest debut marathon ever by an American man or woman.

From there Hall ran an Olympic Trials Marathon record in only his second attempt and then went on to run the second fastest time ever (2:06:17) for an American at last year’s Flora London Marathon.

Though Boston will be only her second run at the distance, Goucher’s marathon debut at last fall’s ING New York City Marathon got the world’s attention as she ran a remarkable 2:25:53 to become the first U.S. women to finish in the top-three at New York in 14 years.

Despite their obvious talent and ability at the marathon distance, Hall and Goucher will each face competitors that that have made Boston history of their own.

The men’s field will feature four-time champion and course record holder Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya while the women’s field will feature defending champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia who won last year’s race by a mere two-seconds, the closest finish in the history of the women’s race.

Universal Sports presents LIVE TV and online coverage of the historic Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon, on Patriot’s Day, Monday at 9:30 a.m. ET. Emmy Award-winning announcers Al Trautwig and Larry Rowson will provide commentary of the Boston Marathon for Universal Sports.
Universal Sports is the broadcast home to the World Marathon Majors (WMM) which include the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and will conclude with the New York City Marathon in November.

More information, as well as highlights, full-length videos, photos, breaking news and more available at www.UniversalSports.com/marathon.

Flair For Dramatics – Stucyzynski Breaks American Pole Vault Record

One of the lessons that Jenn Stuzynski learned from her countless attempts at the U.S. indoor national record is that winning is never easy. That’s why she didn’t lose hope at breaking Stacey Dragila’s record at the Boston Indoor Games. The new record 15 feet, 9 3-4 inches, was good enough to win a $25,000 bonus for breaking the world mark.

Kara Goucher won the 3,000 meters in a personal best of 8:46.65 seconds. Sally Kipyego made history setting a new collegiate record of 8:48.77 on Saturday. The previous record of 8:49.28 was held by Kim Smith of Providence set in 2004.

Right now, Olympic champion Steven Hooker of Austrialia is untouchable. He won the men’s pole vault with a height of 19 feet, 10 1/2 inches — the eighth-best in history, and the only person other than Sergei Bubka to reach it.

Flanagan smashes American Record
In the most exciting race, Sentayehu Ejigu of Ethiopia outleaned Olympic bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan and hit the tape 0.005 seconds in front to win the women’s 5,000 meters in 14 minutes, 47.613 seconds. Flanagan, who finished with the same official time on the scoreboard, set an American record and also got a $25,000 bonus.

Ethiopian Bekana Daba led from the gun in the men’s 3,000 meters, with Galen Rupp right on his heels. But at the bell lap, Daba was pulling away as Rupp was laboring, and the Ethiopian crossed the line in 7:41.88 ahead of Rupp’s 7:44.69.

Winners in other events
Mike Rodgers continued his streaking winning the 60 meters in 6.58 seconds, just ahead of Darvis Patton (6.61) and Travis Padgett (6.62). Two-time Olympian Terrance Trammell won the 60 meter hurdles in 7.53 seconds ahead of Antwon Hicks (7.68). 2006 NCAA indoor and outdoor 200m champion Shalonda Solomon added a world leader in the Visa women’s 200m dash, winning easily in 23.17.

Photo courtesy: Matthew Healy

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

Barber and Lee set for women’s 60m; Goucher enters women’s miles for 102nd Millrose Games

INDIANAPOLIS -2006 World Indoor champion Lisa Barber and 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials 100m champion Muna Lee headline the field in the adidas women’s 60m dash while Kara Goucher aims for her second Millrose title in the women’s mile on January 30 at the 102nd Millrose Games, held at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

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 7-8:30 p.m., and on January 31 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on NBC (all times Eastern).

A local favorite from Montclair, N.J., Barber will be looking for her first win at the Garden as she returns to Millrose for the first time since her runner-up finish to Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown in 2006, where the two finished 7.095 seconds to 7.098. Later that season, Barber went on to win the U.S. Indoor title and was named the Indoor Visa champion.

Two-time Olympian Muna Lee comes to Madison Square Garden in search of her first win. In 2008, Lee took fourth in the women’s 200m and fifth in the 100m at the Olympic Games. Jamaica’s Sheri-Ann Brooks returns to the Garden looking to improve upon her third-place finish from 2007, and 2008 NCAA Indoor 200m champion Bianca Knight enters the Millrose Games for the first time. Last year’s champion, 2007 World Outdoor 100m bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter, is also in the mix.

The defending Millrose champion, 2007 World Outdoor 10,000m bronze medalist Kara Goucher will chase her second win in the women’s mile next week. Coming off an outdoor season where she competed in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Goucher debuted in the marathon this past fall where she turned in a history-making American performance by finishing third in the 2008 NYC Marathon. Crossing the line in 2:25:53, it was the fastest marathon debut ever by an American woman.

Tickets for the 2009 Millrose Games are now available at Ticketmaster (call 212-307-7171, visit www.Ticketmaster.com or at Ticketmaster outlets); at the Madison Square Garden box office or on-line at www.Millrose-Games.com. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa.

For more information on the 2009 USATF Visa Championship Series, visit www.usatf.org.

Radcliffe Repeat NYC Marathon Champion

Paula Radcliffe defended her title at the New York City Marathon on Saturday to become the second woman to win the race three times.

Unlike Radcliffe’s tight victories in 2004 and ‘07, the world record holder from Britain pulled away from Ludmila Petrova of Russia at about the 22nd mile mark to win comfortably in 2 hours, 23 minutes, 56 seconds.

“The last two times it’s been a really close finish at the end,” Radcliffe said. “It was nice to make it a little easier on the husband.”

Kara Goucher, in her marathon debut, took third. She became the first American to claim victory since Anne Marie Letko was third in 1994. Goucher posted the fastest time in a marathon debut by an American woman, breaking Deena Kastor’s record established back in 2001.

Radcliffe said afterwards,”It was tough out there this year because of the wind. … Everybody wanted to run behind me,” Radcliffe said. “This year I was determined to feel comfortable at the halfway point.”

Top-ten finishers (unofficial times):

MEN -
1. Marilson Gomes Dos Santos, BRA 2:08:43
2. Abderrahim Goumri, MAR 2:09:07
3. Daniel Rono, KEN 2:11:22
4. Paul Tergat, KEN 2:13:10
5. Abderrahime Bouramdane, MAR 2:13:33
6. Abdi Abdirahman, USA 2:14:17
7. Josh Rohatinsky, USA 2:14:23
8. Jason Lehmkuhle, USA 2:14:30
9. Hosea Rotich, KEN 2:15:26
10. Bolota Asmerom, USA 2:16:37

WOMEN -
1. Paula Radcliffe, GBR 2:23:56
2. Ludmila Petrova, RUS 2:25:43
3. Kara Goucher, USA 2:25:53
4. Rita Jeptoo, KEN 2:27:49
5. Catherine Ndereba, KEN 2:29:14
6. Gete Wami, ETH 2:29:25
7. Dire Tune, ETH 2:29:28
8. Lidia Simon, ROU 2:30:04
9. Lyubov Morgunova, RUS 2:30:38
10. Katie Mcgregor,USA 2:31:14

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

The Amy Begley Show!

While at the Olympic Trials, the 10,000 meter run was a final event.  Amy Begley was arguably the story of the night. Not only did she have to place third to make the Olympic Team, but she also had to run the ‘A’ standard.

The top two finishers in Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher had left her behind earlier in the race.

With a lap and half to go, she left nothing to spare. She accomplished the A standard and third place with just 1.4 seconds to spare, leaving her race on the track in the process.

At the press conference she said, “I looked in the stands, and my husband had a worried look on his face,  I decided that I had to go now or regret this the rest of my life.”

Gouche and Begley are lifetime friends, and both train under the Nike’s Oregon Project with coaching sensation Roberto Salazar in Portland. This morning Begley has no regrets at all.

By Jay Hicks.