Ryan Hall's Blog, page 176

Beef Up Your Snacking With These Meat Bar Options

Forget the sugary, chalky protein bar. If you’re a savory, carnivorous eater, get your protein from a tasty meat bar instead. Unlike your standard Slim Jim, these bars pack extra nutrients, intriguing flavors and juicier bites. Plus, they’re easy to stash in a pocket for a satisfying post-run pick-me-up.

RELATED: 6 Guilt-Free Chocolate Bars for Runners to Indulge

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Here’s What Went Into Making The 2016 Boston Marathon

Have you ever wondered what goes into producing the Boston Marathon every year? To get an idea of the magnitude of the race, over 30,000 runners descend upon Boston for the iconic marathon and that doesn’t even take into consideration the sheer size of the crowds spectating along the course!

We rounded up some incredible statistics from last year’s race to give you an idea of what goes on behind-the-scenes to get runners safely from Hopinkton to Boylston.

RELATED: Why The Boston Marathon Is So Special

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Announces New Race In China

Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI), operators of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, today announced an agreement with United Airlines to create the first Asian event under the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series umbrella in Chengdu, China.

The inaugural China event, the United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Chengdu Marathon & ½ Marathon, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017. The City of Chengdu is the provincial capital of Sichuan and the 10th largest city in China with over 7 million people. The marathon will start and finish in northwest Chengdu’s Dujiangyan City and expects to attract more than 15,000 runners.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to extend the reach of the Rock ‘n’ Roll brand into Asia and we are thrilled to work with United Airlines to take that first step in the City of Chengdu,” said Patrick Byerly, SVP of Global Events for CGI. “We look forward to hosting an inaugural field of 15,000 runners who can expect to enjoy unforgettable and picturesque views and ancient architecture. Plus we’ll be bringing not only our backdrop of a rock ‘n’ roll band performing at every mile along the race course and a headliner concert at the finish line.”

 The event will be held in conjunction with the Chengdu Sports Bureau, Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Tourism, People’s Government of Dujiangyan and the operators of the Chengdu Panda Marathon, Double Heritage Sports, to compliment CGI’s international marketing expertise.

 “We are pleased to join forces with Competitor Group to launch this exciting new event in China,” said Mark Krolick, Vice President of Marketing for United. “United has proudly served China for more than 30 years; sponsoring the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chengdu Marathon is another example of our dedication to grow our presence in China’s secondary markets. We look forward to welcoming runners, fans and visitors from around the world to this event.”

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series began in San Diego in 1998. Famous for lining race routes with live bands and entertainment, the series has expanded around the world to include more than 30 events in 2017 with the addition of the Chengdu Marathon. In addition to the sponsorship of Chengdu, United Airlines was recently announced as a new title sponsor of Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events in Washington DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Further information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series can be found online at RunRocknRoll.com.

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Molly Huddle and Ben True Seek Fourth Wins At 2017 B.A.A. 5K

Molly Huddle and Ben True both won and set the American 5K record at the 2015 B.A.A. 5K. Photo: Photorun.net

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has officially announced the elite field for the 2017 B.A.A. 5K, which is held a couple days before the Boston Marathon. This year, Americans (and both New Englanders) Molly Huddle and Ben True, will return to the race on April 15, each aiming to claim a fourth B.A.A. 5K title.

Huddle has placed first in the race the past three years in a row, making this year a possible fourth consecutive win. She also set the current American women’s 5K and course record of 14:50 at the 2015 B.A.A. 5K. This year, she’ll be toeing the start line with training partner Emily Sisson, who is coming off a U.S. record-setting half-marathon debut in New York City, and boasts a 5,000m best of 15:02.10 on the track. Last year’s B.A.A. 5K runner-up Buze Diriba of Ethiopia will also make another appearance at the race to redeem her 2016 second-place finish of 15:28.

“I love being in Boston during Marathon weekend,” said Huddle on her return to the B.A.A. 5K. “It’s great that the B.A.A. offers a 5K and Mile race to include a wide range of athletes in the festivities, though I hope to be able to race the 26.2 from Hopkinton to Boylston Street myself one day!”

True, another veteran of the race, has won the B.A.A. 5K three times in 2011, 2012, and 2015. His last win set the American men’s 5K and course record of 13:22. This year, True will face another match-up with Ethiopia’s Dejen Gebremeskel, who returns to defend his 2016 B.A.A. 5K victory (in which True placed two seconds after Gebremeskel) and has recently claimed his fifth victory in the Carlsbad 5000 on April 2.

“Last year, I was rebounding from an injury that was still limited to the amount of running I could do,” said True on his confidence going into this year’s race compared to last year. “Add to the fact that the B.A.A. 5K was my first race in over seven months, I must admit, I did not toe the line in my greatest condition. This year, I am healthy, training well, and even ran a few indoor races in February. I am in an entirely different position this year than last.”

Like True and Huddle, though, Gebremeskel has also won three B.A.A. 5K titles (2013, 2014, and 2016), and will present a tough competitor in the men’s field come race day. Winners of the men’s and women’s elite races will each take home a prize purse of $7,500.

As the first event of the 2017 B.A.A. Distance Medley, a field of 10,000 participants will take part in the B.A.A 5K. The race starts and finishes on Charles Street adjacent to Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden, and passes the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street approximately 2.4 miles into the race.

Following the B.A.A. 5K, which starts at 9:30 a.m. EST, the men’s Invitational Mile starts at 12:50 p.m. EST with the women’s Invitational Mile starting shortly after at 1:10 p.m.

RELATED: Why The Boston Marathon Is So Special

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Triumph And Heartbreak At The World’s Toughest Race

John Kelly at the finish wearing a Walmart bag and an orange beanie he picked up along the course. Photo: Courtesy of Canadian Running

This past Sunday, John Kelly won one of the hardest races in the United States, if not the world. The Washington D.C. native was the first and only finisher of the 2017 Barkley Marathons, a 100-plus-mile race, in 59:30:33. He came in only 27 seconds before the 60-hour race cut-off. In doing so, he became the 15th person to ever complete the race.

The Barkley Marathons is not your typical race—or even your typical ultramarathon. Started in 1986 by Gary “Laz” Cantrell and Karl Henn, the course runs through the woods of Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. Runners must complete five loops of the course in less than 60 hours. Three loops completed in less than 40 hours is known as a “fun run.” There are no aid stations, except for two water tables.

The course is dotted with books that serve as checkpoints, much like a timing mats in a traditional road race. Runners take the page corresponding with their bib number to prove they have followed the course. Bib numbers change with every loop.

Entry is limited to 40 runners. Although each loop is supposed to be 20 miles, most competitors maintain that the distance is closer to 25.

The conditions for the race were brutal—bitterly cold with snow and fog. According to Running Magazine, Kelly finished wearing a Walmart bag and orange hat that he found along the course after passing out.

Kelly had company for most of the race. He ran the first four loops with Gary Robbins of North Vancouver, British Columbia. They were the only runners to make it beyond the fun run stage of the race. Runners must alternate directions for the 5th and final loop. Kelly chose to go clockwise, requiring Robbins to go counter-clockwise.

A navigational error on the trail caused Robbins to omit 2 miles from the loop and finish in the wrong direction. However when he finished, Robbins was told only told he missed the cutoff by six seconds, causing a heartbreaking scene. Race director Gary Cantrell later cleared up the mistake on Facebook.

Next year’s race should take place March 31-April 1. Gaining an elusive bib number to the Barkley Marathons is just as tough as finishing. Entry deadlines and requirements are closely guarded secrets.

RELATED: Campbell Wins One Of The World’s Hardest—And Quirkiest—Races

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Triple Amputee Trains For His First 5K

After not running for nearly eight years, Mike Atherton decided he wanted to try running again. Like most runners who take time off, he knew getting back his stride wouldn’t be easy. This would be especially challenging for Mike, though: he hadn’t tried running since the amputation of his legs and left arm in 2009.

Mike had always been active, but that all changed when a horrific boating accident on May 9, 2009 resulted in the loss of both legs and left arm. Mike’s life had changed in an instant, and lying in his hospital bed, he felt uncertain about his future: What would become of him? Would he even ever walk again?

But Mike turned his doubts into rugged determination: he decided he would walk again and was soon fitted with prosthetic limbs. After forging through countless hours of physical therapy, Mike finally took his first steps.

But that was just the beginning. Mike wanted to see how far he could push himself, to see what he could accomplish. He decided he wanted to run again, and in true runner’s fashion, that meant running in a race. Mike set his sights on the 2017 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas 5K.

As a triple amputee, running this race meant more than just proving his athletic prowess—it was a testament to the strength of Mike’s mind, as well as his body, and proof that he could do anything he set his mind to. It was about getting his life back.

Mike knew running again as a triple amputee wouldn’t be easy—it would require training, patience, and resilience, but Mike would also have to learn how to run on his prosthetic legs. This would be especially tricky for Mike, whose uneven leg amputations complicated the biomechanics of his stride; his balance was disrupted further by the amputation of his left arm.

Before the race, Mike was understandably nervous; once again, his future was uncertain. What if he tripped and fell, or failed to finish the race? He was terrified of letting himself and his family down.

But when Mike is faced with self-doubt and unbelievable odds, he only becomes more determined, leaning on his inner strength and his family’s support. And, in turn, his family had great faith in him. “He’s going to struggle,” his daughter Maddie said, bluntly, “But he’ll pull through.

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Two Guide Dogs To Be Named After The Boston Marathon Winners

Photo: Guiding Eyes For The Blind

There are many rewards that await the winners of the Boston Marathon, but this one may be the cutest.

Guiding Eyes For The Blind have announced that they are going to name two aspiring guide dogs from future litters after the winners of the Boston Marathon. The organization breeds and trains guide dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired and for children with autism. The puppies, who are not born yet, should arrive sometime around the marathon.

Thomas Panek, the CEO of Guiding Eyes For The Blind, is a visually-impaired runner. He has completed dozens of marathons and trains alongside his own guide dog, Gus. This year he will be running Boston with two volunteer guide runners, Russell Pixton and Obed LeDuc. In a statement, Panek says that he is running “to raise money and awareness for Guiding Eyes, so that we can continue to provide trained guide dogs to people who are blind or visually impaired.”

RELATED:  A Guide To Running With Your Dog

According to the organization, it costs $50,000 to breed, raise, train, match and support the guide dog throughout its lifetime. They create more than 160 guide dog teams every year. All services are offered free of charge to families who need them.

“In celebration of what I’m sure will be a great race on April 17, we are proud to announce that we will name two puppies from upcoming litters after the male and female winners of one of the greatest—and most competitive—marathons in the world,” added Panek.

RELATED: First Certified Running Guide Dog Graduates From Training

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Watch The Full 2017 Carlsbad 5000 Men’s Race

The world’s fastest 5000m road race continues to crown the same king: Dejen Gebremeskel of Ethiopia, who won his fifth Carlsbad 5000 title on Sunday. The 27-year-old Ethiopian Olympic silver medalist blazed the scenic seaside course in 13 minutes and 27 seconds. American Paul Chelimo, also an Olympic silver medalist in the 5000m was second in 13:47. Sam McEntee of Australia was third in 13:51.

RELATED: Gebremeskel Secures Record Fifth Win At The Carlsbad 5000

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Watch The Full 2017 Carlsbad 5000 Women’s Race

In a close women’s elite race at the Carlsbad 5000 on Sunday, Violah Lagat of Kenya put forth a dominating effort to win over second-place finisher Shannon Rowbury of the United States. Lagat’s time for the 5000m race was 15:35, while Rowbury came across the line one second later. Third place went to Aisha Praught of Jamaica who clocked the same time as Rowbury (15:36). Lagat has raced Carlsbad three times. It was her first win there.

RELATED: Gebremeskel And Lagat Secure Wins At The 2017 Carlsbad 5000

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Gebremeskel Secures Record Fifth Win At The Carlsbad 5000

Dejen Gebremeskel, Photo: Photorun.net

The world’s fastest 5000m road race continues to crown the same king: Dejen Gebremeskel of Ethiopia, who won his fifth Carlsbad 5000 title on Sunday. The 27-year-old Ethiopian Olympic silver medalist blazed the scenic seaside course in 13 minutes and 27 seconds. American Paul Chelimo, also an Olympic silver medalist in the 5000m was second in 13:47. Sam McEntee of Australia was third in 13:51.

Conditions along the race course were quintessential Carlsbad, sunny skies and a coastal breeze that made for better beach going than logging world-class road-racing times. After a very quick opening surge from an overzealous pacemaker, the race turned into the expected duel between Gebremeskel and Chelimo, both silver medalists, but at the 3K mark, Gebremeskel dropped the hammer and was able to gap Chelimo, coming across the finish line with all five fingers up to signify all of his victories in Carlsbad.

“After one mile, I joined Chelimo and pushed the rest of the race myself,” Gebremeskel said. “It is amazing for me to win five times. No one has ever run five times in this event. This is a big deal.” Gebremeskel said that the best part of the course was the last turn to the finish with 1K to go. “I see all the spectators. At that point it is my cup of tea.”

VIDEO: Watch The Full 2017 Carlsbad 5000 Men’s Race

In a close women’s elite race, Violah Lagat of Kenya put forth a dominating effort to win over second-place finisher Shannon Rowbury of the United States. Lagat’s time for the 5000m race was 15:35, while Rowbury came across the line one second later. Third place went to Aisha Praught of Jamaica who clocked the same time as Rowbury (15:36). Lagat has raced Carlsbad three times. Today was her first win there.

Violah Lagat and Shannon Rowbury sprint to the finish. Photo: Photorun.net

“I just kind of sat behind everyone,” she said afterwards. “I’m a 1500m runner and I was really nervous racing against the 5000m runners. I just sat there and waited for my turn. I used the speed from the 1500m to take the lead and kick it home in the last 1K. The fans here make it amazing. When you run past them, you can hear the crowd. It is music to my ears. The course is really nice. It’s so great to have Rock ‘n’ Roll set up such a fast event for us.”

Rowbury had run Carlsbad three times. “The beauty of the course is that you get to run along the ocean,” the second-place finisher said. “A large portion of the morning runners stay to root the athletes. There are a lot of reasons to choose it.” Rowbury said she was pleased with her race and wasn’t sure how her fitness would be going into it. “I wanted to make sure I was battling for a podium finish at the end and I was. This race will set me up for a good outdoor season.”

VIDEO: Watch The Full 2017 Carlsbad 5000 Women’s Race

Along with the elite men and women racers were the Masters Division runners who were competing for prize money and first place finishes.

Courtney Babcock, a former Canadian Olympian in the 1500m and 5000m back in 2004, won the women’s Masters title in 17:29. “I felt pretty fit,” she said. “I didn’t race too well here before and wanted to do better today. Babcock moved up from the back during the race. “We went out and I tucked in the pack,” she said. “I let everyone else do the work. Coming off the last turn, I felt pretty good.”

 The men’s Masters race went to Neville Davey of Palo Alto, Calif., who won in 15:20.

 For full race results and more information, visit runrocknroll.com/carlsbad-5000.

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