Ryan Hall's Blog, page 271

April 4, 2016

Watch: The 2016 Carlsbad 5000 Elite Races

The 2016 Carlsbad 5000 was another fast day of racing in the seaside town north of San Diego, California. If you weren’t able to be in Southern California, you can see the elite races in full right here.

Elite Women

Three-time Carlsbad 5000 champion Meseret Defar of Ethiopia returned 10 years after setting the road 5K world record in Carlsbad, looking for her fourth title:

Elite Men

A fast field, with crowd favorite Bernard Lagat looking for a Masters world record, thrilled the crowd. Here’s how it played out:

RELATED: Photos: 2016 Carlsbad 5000

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Published on April 04, 2016 10:29

April 3, 2016

Photos: 2016 Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago

The 2016 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle took place Sunday on the streets of Chicago. The 8K (4.97 miles) was a chilly one, but the race featured several big-name runners like Desiree Linden, Stephen Sambu and others (Dathan Ritzenhein was entered but tweaked a hamstring and didn’t start).

Overall, Sambu won the men’s race in 22:45, beating second-place Jason Witt (23:51) by more than a minute. Alexi Pappas won the women’s race in 26:17. Kristen Heckert (26:35) and Linden (27:07) rounded out the women’s podium.

Here are a few photos from the race, courtesy of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle:

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Published on April 03, 2016 21:46

Photos: 2016 Carlsbad 5000

The World’s Fastest 5K, the Carlsbad 5000, took place Sunday in Carlsbad, Calif., north of San Diego. Thousands of runners wrapped up a weekend of racing by participating in the 5K, which took runners through downtown Carlsbad and along the Pacific coast.

Here’s our gallery of the age-group and elite races. All photos taken by Justin Britton:

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Meseret Defar won the elite women's race in 15:00.

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Jen Rhines finished in 15:51 to place sixth.

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Defar celebrates.

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The women's podium.

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The elite men's race.

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Joshua Cheptegei won in 13:24.

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Bernard Lagat finished fourth in 13:38, breaking the masters world record he set last year.

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Published on April 03, 2016 16:06

Defar, Cheptegei Win Carlsbad 5000; Lagat Breaks Masters Record

Sunshine and speed: those two words perfectly embodied the Carlsbad 5000 on Sunday. The 31st edition of the world’s fastest 5K took place with thousands of runners taking to the streets of one of California’s most scenic seaside towns.

The ultimate showdown for the day took place last with the men’s and women’s elite divisions that started after 11 a.m. Ethiopian Meseret Defar, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 5000 and the top-seeded runner on Sunday lived up to expectations to clearly dominate the woman’s race. The 32-year-old Defar’s time for the 5K was 15:02. Kenyan rival Caroline Kipkirui came across the line second in 15:13. Susan Kuijken of the Netherlands was third in 15:28.

RELATED: Photos: 2016 Carlsbad 5000

“The race was good. The first kilometer was a little bit fast,” Defar recalled. “I didn’t run a very fast time, but the race was good for me.” Defar flashed a smile at the end and admitted that Carlsbad is her favorite road race. “It’s my favorite place. The fans are amazing. They cheer me on. I am so happy to be here.”

Defar is now setting her sights on preparations for the Summer Olympics in Rio later this year. “I will try to run the 10,000 at some Diamond League meetings before the Olympics,” she said.

In the men’s race, Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda held back speedy competitors to win in 13:24. Wilson Too of Kenya (13:29) and Debeli Gezmu of Ethiopia (13:38) were second and third respectively.

The big news in Carlsbad in the men’s race went to the American Bernard Lagat who, at 41 years old, was in prime shape to place fourth overall in 13:38 and better his own World Masters record by two seconds. “I’m always happy to come here in Carlsbad and compete,” Lagat said. “Thank you to the fans, too.”

Lagat now hopes to make yet another Olympic team. “I’m going to try and train and stay healthy before the U.S. Trials. I still want to run the 5000m in Rio, but my coach said we should mix it up a little bit and try the 10,000m and see if I can run a good time in May. If I run a good time like 28 [minutes] flat then I will be happy. But I’m a miler and to go up to a monster like a 10,000m will be a challenge.”

The day started with the men’s masters division. Forty-eight-year-old Christian Cushing Murray from Santa Ana, Calif., broke the tape first at the finish line in downtown Carlsbad in 15 minutes 11 seconds.

“I just knew it was a loaded field today,” Murray said. “I didn’t think there was one guy who could run me down; I thought there were five guys who could do it. I had never been more afraid.”

Murray said the race was thrilling down to the wire with rival Greg Mitchell doing most of the work. “We slowed down a bit and that helped because I knew I could kick. But on any given day, depending how the race plays out, I could end up losing this race 8 out of 10 times and I just got him.” Murray had been struggling with injury last year and dealing with the challenges inherent in trying to run fast at the master’s level. “Everyone is dealing with being old,” he said. “Everyone is banged and dinged up. You got to step on the line and put yourself in the position to win it.

Greg Mitchell from McMinnville, Oregon, came in 4 seconds later in 15:15, while third place was awarded to Jeremey Deere (15:18).

Julie Ertel won the women’s masters division in 17:30. “It was good. The weather was fantastic, but those gals went out much faster than I expected,” the 43-year-old Ertel who lives in nearby Irvine said. “My family used to vacation here. I love Carlsbad. I’m starting my vacation today. The crowds were great. There’s nothing better than running a 5K and have people cheering the entire way. You don’t get that at any other race.”

Second masters went to Janet McDevitt (17:33) from Bainbridge Island, Washington, and Renee Tolan of Clifton Park, New York took third in 17:37.

Nick Scarpello, a former Penn State standout, won the men’s 29 and under division in 14:31. “It was a great addition to the weekend,” he said. “The race went out quick. I wanted to try and stick with my teammates. It was an effort from start to finish. This has to be one of the best races in the country to compete in. The Rock and Roll series always does a phenomenal job with post-collegiate athletes like myself.”

Roosevelt Cook won the men’s 30-39 division in 15:17, while Julia Budniak was the first women in that age group (17:15).

Regardless of performance or time, all participants got to enjoy the same rewards at the finish line. Runners over 21 toasted their achievements in a beer garden sponsored by Pizza Port, while the headliner of the Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series, Betamaxxx, jammed on stage to 80s cover songs as part of the race’s finish-line festival.

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Published on April 03, 2016 13:07

5 Places to Run In…Honolulu

Atop the Koko Head Crater (Photo courtesy of City Running Tours)

Welcome to paradise.

Honolulu, Hawaii is a picture-perfect tourist destination on the island of Oahu, and with gobs of scenery and beautiful tropical weather year-round, it’s also a great place to go running.

For some advice on must-run routes in Hawaii’s capital city, we reached out to Yovo Stefanov. He’s the Honolulu Manager of City Running Tours, a business that offers a variety of options to combine running and tourism—one-on-one personalized runs that take clients to whatever they want to see, personalized group runs, and scheduled group runs that visit the city’s most well-known attractions.

Here are some of the spots that have proven to be a hit with Honolulu locals and those visiting Oahu.

Diamond Head

Near the famed Waikiki Beach is Diamond Head, the iconic volcanic cone that’s a staple of the Honolulu skyline. This is a popular spot for runners with a couple of different options. You can circle the base of Diamond Head via Diamond Head Road, or add to it by running through the Diamond Head crater and running/hiking to the top.

“The pictures from the top of Diamond Head will most likely make the cover of your Hawaii trip album,” Stefanov says.

Circling the base of Diamond Head totals about 5 miles. Adding a trip to the top increases it to about 8 miles with some serious climbing.

Historical Downtown Honolulu

Starting at Waikiki, runners can head toward downtown Honolulu and become immersed in the culture of Hawaii and its largest city. Downtown Honolulu features the King Kamehameha statue, Iolani Palace, the State Capitol, the Honolulu Financial District and the Aloha Tower, among other landmarks.

“There’s not a lot of the exotic beaches and tropical sites (on this run),” Stefanov says, “but a great dive into Honolulu’s history, culture and diversity.”

A round-trip run hitting these sites can total 7 to 8 miles.

Lanikai Pill Boxes

About 30 minutes from downtown Honolulu on the windward side of Oahu is the renowned Lanikai Beach. Near that is the Laniaki Pill Boxes trail, about a 5-mile loop with stunning views of Kailua and Waimanlo Bays.

“Trail running the entire ridge could add an optional 3 to 4 miles,” Stefanov says.

Manoa Falls

It’s hard to beat a run that passes a tropical waterfall. Just a few miles from downtown Honolulu is Manoa Falls, which drops 150 feet and is surrounded by tropical rainforest.

This run can be a blend of road and trails depending on where you start. While the trail itself is about 2 miles round trip, the waterfall is about 6 miles away from Waikiki.

Makapuu Point Lighthouse

The trail to this lighthouse was recently repaved, and runners can head up by the 100-year-old lighthouse that sits on a 600-foot sea cliff overlooking Makapuu Beach. On clear days, the islands of Molokai, Lanai and perhaps even Maui can be seen.

The run is only 2 to 3 miles, but it “pays off with breathtaking views and one of the best whale-watching spots on Oahu,” says Stefanov. Whale-watching season is December to April.

A few bonus spots

Here are a few additional spots that Stefanov recommends:

Koko Head Trail Challenge: “Test yourself against Koko Head Crater Hike’s 1,048 stairs, gradually increasing to 1,028 feet elevation in just 0.7 miles. The view at the top will make every step worth the effort.”

Tantilus and Roundtop Drive: “This 10-mile loop goes up over 1,000 feet elevation but features beautiful paved road through a tropical forest on the way up and amazing views of Honolulu on the way down.”

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Published on April 03, 2016 11:58

Photos: 2016 Transamerica Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon San Francisco

With the iconic Golden Gate Bridge nearby for most of the race, more than 9,000 runners took on the streets of San Francisco for Transamerica Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon San Francisco. The hilly course tested runners, with Jonathan Varela Obando (1:14:14) and Alisa MacDonald (1:22:14) winning.

Here are photos of the race, taken by PhotoRun.net:

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Alisha MacDonald, the eventual winner.

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Published on April 03, 2016 11:57

Over 9,000 Runners Rock The Streets of San Francisco

Alisa MacDonald breaks the tape to win the Transamerica Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon San Francisco. Photo: Mario Fraioli

An ideal day for running with fog-shrouded skies and temperatures in the low-50s greeted over 9,000 participants at this morning’s Transamerica Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon San Francisco. Jonathan Varela Obando of Costa Rica and Alisa MacDonald of Canada were the top finishers, breaking the tape in 1 hour, 14 minutes and 14 seconds, and 1:22:14, respectively.

The 36-year-old Obando took control from the start, hitting the 1-mile marker in 5:44 to open up a lead that he never relinquished. Obando, who ran 2:23:17 to finish 16th at the 2015 L.A. Marathon, passed the 10-mile marker along Marina Green in 57:15 before covering the final 5K to the finish line at Civic Center Plaza in a quick 16:59.

In the women’s race, 35-year-old Alisa MacDonald of Canada, who is training for the Boston Marathon on April 18, dominated from start to finish. She covered the first 5K in 18:44 and passed 10 miles in 1:02:21 en route to victory.

“This is a much harder course than what I’m used to,” said MacDonald, who is hoping to run between 2:42 and 2:44 at Boston. “It was tough but it was beautiful. The conditions were absolutely perfect.”

The hilly course starts along the Great Highway before making its way inland down Balboa Street. It weaves through the beautiful Sea Cliff district along Camino Del Mar before heading up Lincoln Blvd., toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Runners cross “the gateway to the west” just after Mile 4 and return at Mile 8 before heading toward Crissy Field and running along the Marina Green. Just after Mile 11 runners make their final climb up Polk Street before enjoying a downhill finish to Civic Center Plaza.

Transamerica Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon San Francisco Results

Top-5 Men

Jonathan Varela Obando, 36, Costa Rica, 1:14:14
Tyler Wasieleski, Union City, Calif., 30, 1:16:32
Ben Goldman, Monte Sereno, Calif., 37, 1:20:09
Derek Lactaoen, Seattle, Wash., 26, 1:20:26
Kevin Schneider, San Francisco, 26, 1:20:20

Top-5 Women

Alisa MacDonald, Canada, 35, 1:22:14
Morgan Larson, Waseca, Minn., 21, 1:27:12
Janet Mulvey, Sunnyvale, Calif., 32, 1:27:45
Courtney Kostrikin, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 26, 1:30:54
Elva Guttormsen, Petaluma, Calif., 42, 1:31:38

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Published on April 03, 2016 11:36

April 2, 2016

Photos: 2016 Junior Carlsbad

The 27th Junior Carlsbad took place on Saturday, April 2, 2016. The emphasis is on fun, not speed. At Junior Carlsbad, every child is a winner and receives a Finisher’s medal, goodie bag, and official race T-shirt. For the past 26 years, Junior Carlsbad has continued to provide a fun, fitness filled weekend for youths and their families in beautiful Carlsbad, California. Photo Credit: Andrew McClanahan / Photorun.net

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Published on April 02, 2016 18:01

Photos: 2016 Carlsbad 5000 One-Mile and Junior Carlsbad Races

The first day of Carlsbad 5000 race weekend consisted of several Junior Carlsbad races and the inaugural one-mile race on the streets of Carlsbad Village. Here are photos from the action, taken by Justin Britton:

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Published on April 02, 2016 14:11

April 1, 2016

Elite Insights: 10 Pieces of Awesome Advice From Top Runners

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Meb Keflezighi on what it takes to be successful

"No matter how fast you are, it all comes down to commitment, hard work, perseverance and passion. If you have those things and have the courage to test yourself from time to time, you never know how things might turn out or whom you might inspire. Reach for the stars; you might only get one or two or maybe 10, but you won’t get any if you don’t reach for them." Photo: PhotoRun.net

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Zach Miller on developing as an ultrarunner

"You’ve got to get yourself strong. It’s a long way. I see from my first 50K to JFK, I’ve seen myself develop as a runner. You’ve got to get strong. You need to be strong to cover that distance. Enjoy it and have fun with it. Once you’re strong and you’re ready physically, it’s a battle mentally. You got to love it and go after it. Stay positive. Just throw your heart into it. If you can get that mental component done after you’re physically in shape, you can be really successful." Photo: Franck Oddoux/ULTRA-TRAIL DU MONT-BLANC

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Desiree Linden on patience

“You need patience to understand that it’s a process just to step up to the start line and to develop into a better athlete,” Linden says. “I would’ve loved immediate results, but that wasn’t in the cards for me. I had to put in the work and chip away. It was the one controllable. That way, I could be satisfied with results even if I didn’t make the team.” Photo: Scott Draper

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Ryan Hall on quality over quantity

"If I could go back and do it again I would have put a lot more value on quality rather than quantity. I know there is a value for aerobic running and putting time on your feet, but I needed to be less married to the schedule and more aware of and in tune with my own body." Photo: PhotoRun.net

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Shalane Flanagan on the cumulative training effect

"I think the beautiful thing is that a lot of the work I’ve done since my first one has accumulated. I can go away from the marathon and go back to the track like I did [last] summer and jump back in it and my body remembers how to do it again, which is great. I don’t have to keep up this high volume all year round to be a marathoner so I’m appreciative that all those miles I’ve logged over the past five years or so are still in the legs and the body still remembers how to go the distance. So that’s nice to know—that I don’t have to out-do myself every time, and, in fact, I feel like I can actually do a little bit less volume and a little more quality now, which is fun for me." Photo: PhotoRun.net

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Lauren Fleshman on healing from injury

"When an injury has turned out to be something big and I realize I’m going to have to start back at ground zero, I do my best to try and let go. I take advantage of the time to be a more balanced human and do things with my family and friends. I think it helps with the healing." Photo: Scott Draper

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Rob Krar on easy days and recovery

"Fundamentally the biggest change I made [since turning my focus to the trails and ultrarunning] was taking my easy days easy and having focused hard days. There are really no exceptions to that. I think running by myself a lot allows me to do that a lot more. I don’t get caught up in a faster pace or the testosterone that builds when you get a bunch of dudes out there on the trails. So yeah, easy days easy and respect the recovery as well." Photo: Glen Delman

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Kara Goucher on dealing with doubters

“I hear it—people tell me I’m too old or my best days are past me. That’s too bad they think that, but it doesn’t matter what they think. I’m not running for those people. I’m 100 percent focused on what I need to do, and whether I make the team or not, it’s been worth the journey to try.” Photo: James Carney

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Steve Jones on dedication

"For me, it was about getting up in the morning, running to work, running at lunchtime, go back to work and then run home from work. It’s that kind of mentality, but I knew every stride was helping me. Sometimes I’d be out there at midnight, doing 4 x 5 minutes on a country lane and all I could see was a little dot of a light at the end of the road. I would be charging down that street in the pitch black, and in my head, Carlos Lopes, Mike McLeod and Brendan Foster were on my shoulder. I just drove myself, mentally, as much as physically." Photo: Scott Draper

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