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Memorable Scenes From the 2017 Los Angeles Marathon

2017 Skechers Los Angeles Marathon

March 19, 2017


©2017 Rich Cruse LA Marathon

On Sunday, nearly 20,000 runners took to the streets of the City of Angels in the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon. As the fourth largest marathon in the U.S. (10th largest worldwide), the “Stadium to Sea” course features a landmark every mile, more than 50 bands, 4 entertainment centers and 90 cheer zones, and 40 Snapchat Geofilters specially-designed for the race.

Among the 20,000 finishers, eight athletes set official Guinness World Records for recording the fastest-ever times running a marathon dressed in costumes ranging from a boxer, a tennis player, a swimmer and a three-dimensional bird. A Guinness World Records adjudicator was on-site to provide record-breakers with on-the-day verification.

“Congratulations to all finishers of the 2017 Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon,” said Tracey Russell, Chief Executive of race organizer Conqur Endurance Group. “It’s amazing to see the Los Angeles community come together every year to celebrate this vibrant event. Through new and innovative partnerships, including Snapchat and Guinness World Records, the energy this year was felt across all four cities from the Stadium to the Sea and globally on social media.”

As for the winners of the race, Kenyans swept both the men’s and women’s podiums. Elisha Barno broke the tape with a time of 2:11:52 and Hellen Jepkurgat comfortably led the women’s pack throughout the majority of the race, ultimately breaking away at mile 13 and finishing in 2:34:23.

The first American man to finish was local Angeleno John Pickhaver, who placed tenth.

Check out the sights and crowds from race day:

Photos: Courtesy of Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon

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Boston’s Hop 21 Is Making the Long Training Run Fun Again

Photo: Courtesy of Charity Teams

The long training run, a time-honored milestone on the way to running a marathon, can be a slog—a lonely one at that. When training for a spring marathon like Boston, add in the fickle weather, and it makes it all the more challenging to find the inspiration to lace up and get out the door. For those Boston Marathoners who live in the Boston area, they have the benefit of being able to run parts of the course during training, including the traditional long run segment from Hopkinton to Heartbreak Hill.

This sparked an idea for Susan Hurley, who through her business, Charity Teams, manages training and fundraising for nonprofits promoting philanthropy through athletics. The Boston Marathon has a significant number of charity runners, and many are running Boston or a marathon for the first time. Which means pre-race nerves may begin to edge out the fun component of the process. Hurley created the Hop 21 to bring the fun and camaraderie back to training by making the final long run (the Hop 21 is a 21.5-mile run) a group endeavor.

“This started as a small, hokey thing seven years ago,” says Hurley who knows her runners take the training seriously, but wants the experience to be about participating and having fun too. “Word of mouth has taken over because people are pumped about their last big training run. We’ve added costumes, aid stations and a post-run party!”

Photo: Courtesy of Charity Teams

Hurley, who buses runners from Boston to Hopkinton for the Hop 21, usually has 300 to 400 runners show up. But other runners and charities have taken to the idea as well, and some estimates predict upwards of 1,000 runners for this year’s Hop 21 on March 25. The Boston Athletic Association is aware of the run, but the event is not officially sanctioned. It’s a run, not a race. However it is well organized—some communities along the route provide police support, there are aid stations staffed by charity partners, brand involvement, and people cheering along the route. Hurley sees it as a welcoming of spring, celebration of the last long run and an all around positive day of running.

Costumes are a key component of the experience. Given the season, bunny and spring themed costumes are popular, as are other riffs on “hop.” Think hip-hop artists or even running while dressed as a stack of IHOP pancakes, with a sign that reads, “Carbo-loading for Boston” like Alan Seymour of Natick, Mass., did one year.

“As far as costumes go, I think a bit outside the box, and then try to tailor it to the fact that I have to run a very far distance wearing it,” says Seymour, 53, who is running with the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. “Part of the appeal of a costume run, for me, is that mental fortitude training that comes with it. If I can run this many miles dressed up in a ridiculous, often cumbersome costume, then the marathon will be a breeze!”

Photo: Courtesy of Charity Teams

For all the fun of the day, the Hop 21 is also a valuable run to do before the Boston Marathon. “It helps to bridge that gap between charity runners and qualified runners training wise,” Hurley adds.

Mark Zurlo is training for his fifth Boston Marathon as a charity runner and wouldn’t miss the Hop 21.

“For a training run, it really is great prep for the race, not only because you’re on the course, but because it so closely replicates a lot of what you’ll go through on race day. From the early morning wake-up call, to the nerves you feel as you take the bus from Boston to Hopkinton, to the excitement of the first few steps off the starting line, to the camaraderie, and all the way to the finish where you’re elated and exhausted, but you know you need to keep moving so you can get a warm change of clothes,” says the 30-year-old from Brighton, Mass., who is running as a guide for Greg Schwartz, a Paralympian. “A traditional 21-mile training run doesn’t do justice to the entire marathon experience.”

This year Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to finish the Boston Marathon as a registered entrant and the founder of 261 Fearless, is running Hop 21 alongside others running the 2017 Boston Marathon with 261 Fearless.

“I’ll never forget the Boston Marathon route, but this is a wonderful opportunity to refresh my memory,” says Switzer who is also running to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her 1967 run. “I ran Heartbreak Hill last October, and it did seem more significant than I recalled!”

If you’ve never run for a charity, something Hurley recommends everyone try at least once, spectating the Hop 21 will give you a sense of what to expect when the Boston Marathon, community outreach and spirit of running all come together.

RELATED: Boston-Bound: One Month To Go Until Race Day!

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Kathrine Switzer On Her Return To The Boston Marathon

Kathrine Switzer poses with a replica of her first Boston Marathon bib number 261. Photo: Hagen Hopkins.

In April, Kathrine Switzer—athlete, activist, author, Emmy award-winning television commentator and founder of the nonprofit 261 Fearless—will run the Boston Marathon again. In 1967 the now 70-year-old runner was the first woman to run the race as a registered entrant (in 1966 Bobbi Gibb was the first female to run the Boston Marathon, but she was denied a registration). The course of Switzer’s life crystallized the moment race director Jock Semple tried to rip off her race bib, number 261. That’s when Switzer realized she wanted to empower other women through running. From starting the Avon International Running Circuit for women in the ’70s to lobbying to have the women’s marathon included in the Olympics in the ’80s, any woman who toes the line at a race today does so because of Switzer’s efforts.

What does the Boston Marathon mean to you?

The race, in a funny way, has given me everything—my inspiration, my feistiness, a career path. After that first race, I had a whole life plan about creating opportunities and becoming a better athlete.

How does the renewed activism today remind you of what you experienced during the women’s running revolution?

Since the turn of the century, I’ve been shaking my head a little bit because young women today don’t understand that all the rights and freedoms they enjoy were hard-fought. And now some of them may be taken away. What if someone came along today and said, “Women can’t run more than 800 meters, there’s been a mistake”?

What will be on your mind during the race on April 17?

The 50th anniversary is about celebration and gratitude. Because I’m really lucky to even be considering running 26 miles at age 70, 50 years later! I’ll be thankful to the city of Boston, to the race, and even to Jock Semple because he radicalized me and created a great photo. And then I’m going to be thinking of the future, as I always do: of other women in the world who still live in fear and how they deserve opportunities; how easy and cheap and accessible running is; and how hopefully with 261 Fearless we can create community clubs and online portals all over the world, even in isolated places.

Thinking back to race day 50 years ago, at what point did you and Bobbi Gibb become aware of each other on the course?

We didn’t. In 1966, I heard that a woman named Roberta Gibb ran the Boston Marathon. And she was part of the argument with my coach for running a marathon. He told me Boston Marathon stories every day on our training runs. I finally told him I wanted to run the Boston Marathon. He said it wasn’t possible, “No dame ever ran no marathon.” I said it was possible, and had even seen it in Sports Illustrated. My focus was on my race. It wasn’t until I saw the newspapers that I realized she ran as well. We finally met in 1978. PBS did the first broadcast of a marathon in the US outside of the Olympics. I was asked to be a commentator, and I interviewed Roberta before the race.

How has running changed since you started training for your first marathon in 1966?

Running has become a social revolution! When I finished Boston in 1967, a journalist asked me what I was trying to prove. I said I wasn’t trying to prove anything, I just wanted to run. I also told him that one day women’s running would become as popular as men’s running. What’s changed hugely is women have become empowered from running. I submit the reason women run at all is because of that sense of accomplishment, self-esteem and confidence running gives them. Once you start running, you question other things in your life that don’t make you happy. I often say, “If you’ve run a marathon, you can do anything!”

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Get A Sneak Peek At 7 Special-Edition Boston Marathon Shoes

Runners love to commemorate their racing accomplishments. (Can you think of a group of people that takes the cliché “been there, done that, got the T-shirt” more literally than runners do?) Shoe companies eventually caught on, and have increasingly started memorializing big races on shoes, as well—often with fun and wildly creative designs on these limited-edition treatments of their current lines.

The trend appears to have started way back in 1996, when adidas, which has sponsored the Boston Marathon since 1992, released the SL96 shoe with a Boston Athletic Association logo and a blue and gold colorway. Other companies eventually followed suit, and these days you can find them for sale at marathon expos and online ahead of the race for the Boston, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles marathons. Only a race’s official sponsors can display the race’s logo, but that doesn’t stop every other shoe brand from getting truly creative and reflecting the spirit of the race, the city or the region on the insides, outsides and outsoles of its shoes.

Here’s a sampling of 2017’s special-edition releases ahead of the Boston Marathon.

The post Get A Sneak Peek At 7 Special-Edition Boston Marathon Shoes appeared first on Competitor.com.

Get A Sneak Peek At 6 Special-Edition Boston Marathon Shoes

Runners love to commemorate their racing accomplishments. (Can you think of a group of people that takes the cliché “been there, done that, got the T-shirt” more literally than runners do?) Shoe companies eventually caught on, and have increasingly started memorializing big races on shoes, as well—often with fun and wildly creative designs on these limited-edition treatments of their current lines.

The trend appears to have started way back in 1996, when adidas, which has sponsored the Boston Marathon since 1992, released the SL96 shoe with a Boston Athletic Association logo and a blue and gold colorway. Other companies eventually followed suit, and these days you can find them for sale at marathon expos and online ahead of the race for the Boston, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles marathons. Only a race’s official sponsors can display the race’s logo, but that doesn’t stop every other shoe brand from getting truly creative and reflecting the spirit of the race, the city or the region on the insides, outsides and outsoles of its shoes.

Here’s a sampling of 2017’s special-edition releases ahead of the Boston Marathon.

The post Get A Sneak Peek At 6 Special-Edition Boston Marathon Shoes appeared first on Competitor.com.

Molly Huddle Claims Historic Three-Peat Win at the 2017 United Airlines NYC Half

Molly Huddle is the first runner to claim three consecutive wins in the race's history. Photo: Photorun.net

(c) 2017 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved

After 13 miles of racing, a pair of sprint finishes decided both the men’s and women’s champions at the 12th annual United Airlines NYC Half, as Molly Huddle and Feyisa Lilesa prevailed victorious on March 19.

Racing side-by-side with training partner Emily Sisson the entire race, Huddle took the final turn for the finish and simply out-sprinted her close friend, winning by two steps at 1:08:19. Minutes later, Lilesa edged Scotsman Callum Hawkins in the same manner, crossing the line in 1:00:04 with his wrists crossed to protest the treatment of the Oromo people in Ethiopia.

Though the temperature read 34 degrees Fahrenheit here in Manhattan, both Huddle and Sisson felt like they were running back in sunny Arizona as they covered Central Park’s roadway in the early miles. Step for step, stride for stride, the pair distanced themselves from the field as the miles clicked by and Lower Manhattan came into view.

Huddle entered today’s race knowing it would be a war of friends. As if connected by a tether, Huddle and Sisson led the opening 5K (16:59), as a strong pack formed behind them, including two-time world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat, 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon champion Amy Cragg, Burundi Olympian Diane Nukuri, and Swedish Olympian Sarah Lahti, who was making her half-marathon debut.

In the days leading up to the race, both Huddle and Sisson told Race Results Weekly that the podium, in essence, would be decided by the 10K mark: If you leave Central Park feeling comfortable, the second half will be a breeze. If you’re struggling, good luck getting to the Water Street finish line. Though Cragg and Kiplagat looked poised, Huddle and Sisson appeared driven and bound for a battle down the stretch. After all, they had done this dozens of times in practice.

“I knew that Emily and I would be step-for-step for a long time because we had practices that were similar and our coach told us to do that. It felt kind of like a practice tempo run, a very hard one. But I was just thinking back to Arizona when we were out on the canal for miles and miles,” Huddle said. “Until we turned [for the finish] it didn’t feel like a race, until then. But we were working hard!”

To get to the finish together, Huddle and Sisson kept the pace honest; they subtly created distance between themselves and Nukuri, Kiplagat and Cragg, running through the heart of Times Square where hundreds of children were participating in youth races. Though the 15K checkpoint data said Kiplagat and Nukuri were only two seconds adrift (and Cragg an additional eight seconds back), the gap soon seemed like an eternity.

Unbeknownst to Sisson, Huddle was beginning to hurt along the West Side Highway. Running a half step ahead of her mentor, Sisson cruised with the same form she’s always shown on the track. In her half-marathon debut, she appeared completely comfortable.

“I was starting to get tired so I was hoping that if she couldn’t see me she’d slow down a bit,” Huddle said, laughing. “I felt controlled, just my legs were feeling a little tired. I was just trying to take a break.”

Huddle knew it’d come down to a kick, just like last year when she edged Joyce Chepkirui by a fraction of a second. Leaving the Battery Park Underpass with 400 meters to go, Huddle surged ahead, giving her an edge in the race. Slingshotting around the final corners and hitting the homestretch, she was in sprint mode. Sisson, finally feeling fatigue in her quads, had no response.

Breaking the tape in 1:08:19, Huddle didn’t have time to celebrate before Sisson crossed two seconds later, giving her a congratulatory hug at the finish. Sisson’s time was the fastest women’s half-marathon debut ever by an American.

“It’s really cool. I never would have thought I could come back here and win three times. I remember the first one was such a surprise for me, and last year we ran so fast. I just feel really lucky to win for a third time,” said Huddle, reflecting on becoming the first runner to complete a three-peat in United NYC Half history (Ernst van Dyk completed the same feat earlier this morning in the wheelchair competition). “It just contributes to my enthusiasm for New York.”

PHOTOS: Molly Huddle Triumphs in Close Finish at 2016 NYC Half Marathon

Sisson was surprised to find out that she’d broken the American debut record, and moved to No. 5 on the all-time USA list. “It’s pretty special. I didn’t even know what [the record] was coming into today, but I’m pretty happy. Especially to do it here, a tough course.” The Providence College grad credited confidence gained from training with Huddle for the strong showing.

Behind Huddle and Sisson, Nukuri finished third for the second straight year in a near personal best of 1:09:13.  It was her third time making the podium here. She’s gearing up for April’s Boston Marathon, and was thrilled with the performance.

“I was really jealous of them, thinking they probably train like that and have so much speed,” she said with a laugh, speaking of Huddle and Sisson. “It was fun to mix it up with them.”

Kiplagat was fourth in 1:09:37, a second up on Cragg. Lahti, in her debut, ran 1:09:59 for sixth, breaking Isabella Andersson’s Swedish record. American Des Linden, who is also running the Boston Marathon this year, was seventh in 1:11:05, the approximate pace she hopes to run in the marathon.

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Allison Mendez, Jacob Krolick Win Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon

The saying goes that everything is bigger in Texas, and that couldn’t have been more true at Sunday’s Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon. With warmer-than-usual early-spring temperatures, thousands of runners laced up to take part in another edition of one of Dallas’ largest running events.Coming across the line first for the women in the 13.1-mile half marathon was Allison Mendez of Rockwall, Texas. The 28-year-old’s winning time was one hour, 19 minutes, and 45 seconds.

“I felt really good,” she said. “I didn’t really know the course, but I told myself that this was a piece of cake.”  Mendez admitted that she talked with her friend through the first 9 miles. “I told myself to stay calm and cool. When I got to the first hill, people started dropping.” In the last 3 miles, Mendez said she made a hard move and asked the lead cyclist how she was doing. “She said, ‘You’re good.’” Despite the assurances, Mendez decided to keep pressing the pace anyway.  The cyclist then said, “You can still walk and win the race.” But Mendez responded, “I’m not walking. I’m going to sprint!”

Second place in the women’s half went to Stephanie Andre of Bixby, Oklahoma (1:21:06), while third place was awarded to Lauren Versweyveld (1:23:01).

The margin of victory for the men’s half was much closer with Jacob Krolick of Commerce, Texas finishing with a time of 1:09:52. Second and third place went to Jonnathan Varela Obando (1:10:44) and Adam Waldum (1:11:13) respectively.

Krolick, who is 26 years old, coaches distance runners at Texas A&M Commerce. Along with winning Sunday’s race, Krolick managed to supervise his athletes in a Saturday meet at Texas Christian University.

“We usually don’t get back from meets until early on Sunday morning, but since TCU was close by, it allowed me to get this race in.” Krolick said that his effort wasn’t an over-exertion, and, despite the warm temperatures, he didn’t need any water along the way. “I wanted to be controlled and comfortable in the first three miles and run 5:10 pace. That worked.” He aspires to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials.

RELATED: Thousands of Participants Lace Up at Annual Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon

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Allison Mendez, Jacob Krolick win Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon

Photo Credit: Kevin Morris

 

The saying goes that everything is bigger in Texas, and that couldn’t have been more true at Sunday’s Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon. With warmer-than-usual early-spring temperatures, thousands of runners laced up to take part in another edition of one of Dallas’ largest running events.Coming across the line first for the women in the 13.1-mile half marathon was Allison Mendez of Rockwall, Texas. The 28-year-old’s winning time was one hour, 19 minutes, and 45 seconds.

“I felt really good,” she said. “I didn’t really know the course, but I told myself that this was a piece of cake.”  Mendez admitted that she talked with her friend through the first 9 miles. “I told myself to stay calm and cool. When I got to the first hill, people started dropping.” In the last 3 miles, Mendez said she made a hard move and asked the lead cyclist how she was doing. “She said, ‘You’re good.’” Despite the assurances, Mendez decided to keep pressing the pace anyway.  The cyclist then said, “You can still walk and win the race.” But Mendez responded, “I’m not walking. I’m going to sprint!”

Second place in the women’s half went to Stephanie Andre of Bixby, Oklahoma (1:21:06), while third place was awarded to Lauren Versweyveld (1:23:01).

The margin of victory for the men’s half was much closer with Jacob Krolick of Commerce, Texas finishing with a time of 1:09:52. Second and third place went to Jonnathan Varela Obando (1:10:44) and Adam Waldum (1:11:13) respectively.

Krolick, who is 26 years old, coaches distance runners at Texas A&M Commerce. Along with winning Sunday’s race, Krolick managed to supervise his athletes in a Saturday meet at Texas Christian University.

“We usually don’t get back from meets until early on Sunday morning, but since TCU was close by, it allowed me to get this race in.” Krolick said that his effort wasn’t an over-exertion, and, despite the warm temperatures, he didn’t need any water along the way. “I wanted to be controlled and comfortable in the first three miles and run 5:10 pace. That worked.” He aspires to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials.

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Thousands of Participants Lace up at Annual Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon

More than 14,000 runners from 48 states and 14 countries toed the start line at the 8th annual Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon on Sunday. Jacob Krolick of Commerce, TX placed first in the men’s half marathon and Allison Mendez of Rockwall, TX finished first in the women’s half marathon. Upon finishing, runners celebrated with family and friends at the finish line festival where Texas’ own Bob Schneider took the stage to headline the post race Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series.

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Tech Buzz: First Looks at New Suunto, Strava and Decibullz Releases

March is the month when new technologies announced with great fanfare at the January Consumer Electronics and Outdoor Retailer shows start to show up. Competitor has just received samples and taken a few of these exciting new products out for some early miles. These products reflect the growing trends toward wrist-based heart rate monitoring, apps for GPS watches from Apple and Android, and wireless earphones.

Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist Heart Rate GPS Watch, $500

Suunto, a long time GPS player with a focus on mountain activities and scuba, launches its first wrist heart rate multi-sport and triathlon focused watch. Featuring the well-regarded Valencell heart rate monitoring technology, the Spartan Sport is light and comfortable on the wrist despite its thickness and weight (74g). Handmade in Finland with a full steel bezel unlike lighter competitors, it has a playful yet sophisticated look and interface. The Spartan has a very strong 100-meter depth water pressure rating and phone notifications, but no music control. It leaves out the more accurate barometric altimeter of the Spartan Ultra but does include GPS based altitude stats. Suunto likes to provide lots of on-the-run data per customizable screen, 4 to 5 data fields. To make all that data readable the Spartan Sport has a 320 by 320 display resolution topping the new Garmin Fenix 5X’s 240 by 240. We found all that data very sharp and readable in bright sunlight, even with sunglasses on by tilting the wrist to catch the sun or by changing the display theme to a white background. In our initial testing distance, average and lap pace calculations, and heart rate were consistent and generally matched others in its class. Along with its March 30th retail-release, Suunto will leverage the Valencell wrist heart rate monitoring to include 24/7 heart rate monitoring (once every 10 minutes outside of workout modes and every second in workout) to better inform a 360-degree training view via the excellent Movescount app and website. Battery life is up to 10 days in watch/time mode, up to 12 hours in training mode with GPS and wrist heart rate, up to 16 hours without wrist heart rate, and up to 30 hours with 60 seconds of GPS sampling.

Strava Apple Watch Series 2 App, Free

Strava has launched a free app for the Apple Watch Series 2 with GPS as well as an app for select Android Wear watches with GPS. The Apple Watch Series 2 app can be used phone-free. If you own an Apple Watch 2, want to use the app for running or riding, and are a Strava fan, this app is one of very few watch apps where data is easily and automatically imported to Strava or exported from Strava elsewhere. The app includes basic run stats of distance, time, current lap pace, heart rate, and time of day all on a single very readable screen. Settings include auto pause, select run or ride and units of measure. Compared to other GPS watches running simultaneously, we found distance comparable to other Apple Watch apps somewhat optimistic. Strava has told us that the next version, expected the week of March 20th, seeks to address this issue.

Decibullz Custom Molded Wireless Earphones, $120

Decibullz is a company whose origins are in custom molded hearing protection. The custom part comes from heating the ear molds in boiling water, and then, when soft, gently pressing and molding them to your ear cavity for a custom fit. They are even re-moldable. The result is an amazingly secure and comfortable earphone fit, among the most comfortable and secure of any we have tested. They are a great solution for those who have never found a comfortable fit. There is no sensation of weight or pressure, which is also helped by separating the weight of the controls and battery into two pods. For outdoor running, the downside is that sound from the outside world is blocked, but a great option for noisy environments. Music quality is adequate, somewhat tinny and lacking base, but given how tiny the speakers are, this is not a surprise.

RELATED: 5 Tech Trends You’ll See in 2017

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