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New York, New York, Big City of DreamsThe New York Marathon is fast approaching, a race that created a marriage between marathon running and big cities that has lived happily in urban settings all over the globe. Since 1976 when it moved from Central Park to the five boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Yonkers, The Bronx, and Manhattan, the New York City Marathon has set the standard for metropolitan marathons.
The First Baystate MarathonWith the Baystate marathon coming up Sunday, I thought I would again post this article about the history of the race, now in its ninth running. I initiated the race in 1990 with my now Cool Running friend Dave Camire, of the Greater Lowell Road Runners. The original goal was to stage a marathon after the new year, but before Boston. All that existed in New England at the time was Hyannis, an iffy proposition at best for those of you who have ever been to Cape Cod in March. As Boston qualifying was open until March, it seemed another opportunity in the area would be welcome.
The Fall Marathon Season: Made For RunningRunning has been around since the dawn of man, but it's pretty clear that autumn marathoning was born on October 24, 1976. On that date, the preposterous idea of taking a small four lapper around Central Park and moving it across all five boroughs of New York City was realized by a visionary named Fred Lebow.
Jack Fleming, BAA press liason, addresses questions on the 1997 Boston MarathonAre the costs associated with the Boston Marathon so high as to demand a fee of $75?
Race Entry Fees - How Much Is Too Much?In 1995 I had the opportunity to run in the famed Comrades Ultra Marathon in South Africa. It had been long time goal to make the journey to South Africa for this race. Needless to say, it required quite a significant cash outlay just to get to the race, some 8000 miles distant from Boston.
An ocean away, but close to our hearts: we'll miss MaryAnyone who has come to know Mary Collins is not at all surprised by the fact that her departure from Boston is making a far bigger fuss than did her arrival here in June of 1992, although God knows she doesn't want it that way. Given her choice, Mary would just as soon slip out of town with a few good-byes to her closest friends, and promises to keep in touch.
It was Twenty Years Ago TodayA few years ago at the Marine Corps Marathon pre-race pasta dinner, I had the chance to deliver a motivational talk. During the speech, I asked how many were running in their first marathon. Over fifty percent of those in attendance raised their hands. I was stunned to realize how many new runners were coming into the sport regularly. With each passing year, it becomes a little harder to remember when I was a newbie, trying to figure out what this running thing was all about. As a matter of fact, it was in August of 1976 that I undertook a " running program". 20 years later, that program has turned into lifelong affair, sometimes passionate, sometimes acrimonious, but almost always interesting.
Thoughts and Opinions on the Centennial Olympic GamesThe women's marathon was a striking confirmation that all of the shoe sponsorship, media promotion, living in Boulder, and magazine articles in the world simply will not get it done if the body is not able. Ethiopian Fautama Roba ran beautifully through the streets of Atlanta Sunday, crushing the dreams of the pre-race favorites. Roba seemed capable of running even a few minutes faster if necessary. It's too bad she didn't have the competition to push her to a time of 2:23-2:24.
The Olympic Marathon - Women Run For Gold on SundaySo far it's been a women's Olympic Games in Atlanta. Perhaps then we can expect a great women's marathon on Sunday morning at 7 a.m., when over 100 of the world's best marathoners line up for a 26.2 mile run through the streets of Atlanta.
Fear and Loathing in the Western StatesIt seemed like a good idea back in February, it really did. With my Team In Training Anchorage Marathon trip scheduled for June 22nd, I learned the Western States 100 mile run would be the next Saturday, June 29th. With my friend Jim Garcia running, I offered to re-route my return trip in order to crew for him in the race. Western States is the big enchilada, the grandaddy of all 100 milers.
Twietmeyer/TrasonFor anyone who's interested (and who wouldn't be?), the legacy of the Double T's - Tim Twietymeyer and Ann Trason - at the Western States 100 dates to 1980. Twietmeyer sent in his entry, but didn't make it to the starting line. He asked the race to hold his entry to the followiing year and then began his 15-year finishing history.
The Comrades: South Africa's GemOn Monday June 17th, the 71st Comrades Marathon will be held in Durban, South Africa. "Marathon" is actually a misnomer, as the run is over 56 miles in length. Last year, I had the unique opportunity to run the Comrades. I've devoted my column this week to the Comrades, both a historical look at the race, and a<a HREF="don0611a.htm"> first person account</a> of my experience in 1995. Look for results of the 1996 Comrades next Week on CR. 1995 American male and female ultra runners of the year Tom Johnson and Ann Trason will both be competing.
Trail Running - Mountain Man MachismoWhen you stop and think about it, running is really quite a diverse sport. This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to participate in a unique niche of the sport known as trail running, at the Nipmuck Trail Marathon in northeastern Connecticut. Believe me when I tell you, there are no pretty boys out there - only tough guys and women who don't mind getting dirty and spending a good part of a day risking life and limb running over trails better suited for a slow hike.
So many races, so little timeMany columns have been written concerning the health of road racing in recent years. To get a good handle on this situation, it is only necessary to consult the road race calendar in any running magazine, newspaper or web site across the USA. Races are proliferating in general, but almost any race director will tell you they spend countless hours figuring out how to attract runners to their event.
Olympic Preview - What can we expect in Atlanta?Guess what's fast approaching, like a locomotive? In less than two months time, the Olympic Games return to the USA - Atlanta Georgia, to be exact. In this new age of multimedia, coverage of the Olympiad will blanket the world of sports and beyond for 17 days in late July and early August. We marathoners had our 100th anniversary celebration in Boston last month. Now the Olympic Games will turn 100, celebrating the anniversary of the first modern Games in Athens, 1896. It's still early, but here are few questions that are begging answers as we look down the road to hot 'lanta - and I mean hot.
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