Ryan Hall's Blog, page 339

October 12, 2015

Photos: Saucony 26Strong at the Chicago Marathon

Counted among the 45,000 runners registered for the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon were the members of Team 26Strong. This year marked the third year for the collaboration between Competitor and Saucony, pairing 13 experienced marathon mentors (coaches) with 13 first-time marathon runners (cadets). Coaches provided training plans and guidance for the cadets who met the challenge with the enthusiasm and sense of accomplishment of those new to the process—remember, for the cadets every long run was their longest run ever! The group inspired and motivated each other through the training cycle, until they finally met up in Chicago. The weekend included plenty of running, good food and celebrating marathon success.

Scroll through the gallery to see images from the weekend. Go here to find out more about 26Strong and the Team’s journey.

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Team 26 Strong strikes a pose (Photo: Allison Pattillo)

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The ladies head out for an early morning shakeout run. (Photo: Allison Pattillo)

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Sharon Barbano, Saucony’s Vice President of Public Relations, gave the coaches and cadets a pre-race pep talk about finding their strong and making the most of the race experience. Barbano, who has won several marathons and is a former National Trail 50K Champion and American record holder, ran in the first ever Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials in 1984. Photo: Allison Pattillo

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Although the course was fast and flat, the Race Expo had a couple flights of steps to wake up tapered legs.

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Cadets Lauren Fisher and Bridget Durkin ready to head to the starting line. (Photo: Allison Pattillo)

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The team had time for a quick stop by the Bean in Millennium Park before the race. (Photo: Allison Pattillo)

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The final send off before Bridget Durkin, Jessica Hofheimer, Kristi Dushek, Morganne Hockett, Kendall Shultes, Olivia George and May Zhu made their way to the starting corals. (Photo: Allison Pattillo)

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The view as runners approached the start line. (Photo: Kristi Dushek)

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Cadet Kellen McAvoy and coach Katie Morse were all smiles on course. (Photo: Katie Morse)

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Kristi Dushek and her coach Jessica Hofheimer having fun on the course. (Photo: Jessica Hofheimer)

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First-time marathon finisher Brittany Champagne and her coach Laura Anderson were all smiles at the finish.

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Lauren Fisher and her coach, Katherine Hopper, were ready to celebrate once they made it to the family reunion area. (Photo: Katherine Hopper)

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Theodora Blanchfield’s and cadet Heather Cavanagh’s race medals were fitting bling for the celebratory dinner. (Photo: Theodora Blanchfield)

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Published on October 12, 2015 11:50

Photos: The 2015 B.A.A. Half Marathon

The B.A.A. Half Marathon, run along Boston’s famed Emerald Necklace, took place Sunday, finishing at the White Stadium track in Franklin Park. More than 6,000 runners participated, with Kenyans Daniel Salel (1:00:56) and Mary Wacera (1:10:21) winning.

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

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Just before the start.

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The elite men take off.

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The lead men, illuminated by sunshine.

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Stephen Sambu finished second in 1:01:18.

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Caroline Rotich, the Boston Marathon champion earlier this year, finished fourth in 1:10:45.

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Clara Santucci finished seventh in 1:14:23.

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Daniel Salel crossed in 1:00:56 to take the win.

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Mary Wacera was the women's winner in 1:10:21

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The B.A.A. Half finished on the track.

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The winners, Daniel Salel and Mary Wacera.

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The top women.

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The top men.

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Published on October 12, 2015 10:36

Photos: The 2015 Staten Island Half Marathon

As part of the New York Road Runners’ Five-Borough Series, the Staten Island Half Marathon took place on Sunday in New York City. The course ran along the Upper New York Bay along the island’s eastern coastline, finishing at home plate of Richmond County Bank Ballpark, home of the Staten Island Yankees, with the skyline of Manhattan off in the distance.

Ayele Megersa Feisa won the men’s race in 1:05:46, while Fiona Bayly took the women’s race in 1:22:53. A total of 8,586 runners finished.

The Staten Island Half was the finale of the Five-Borough Series, which also included the NYC Half, the Brooklyn Half, the Queens 10K and the Bronx 10-Mile. Here are photos from Sunday’s race, courtesy of NYRR.

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Published on October 12, 2015 09:43

October 11, 2015

What Running Shoes Do Ironman Triathletes Wear?

Jan Frodeno (left) cranked out a 2:52:23 marathon split wearing a pair of ASICS Super-J33 2 to win the 2015 Ironman World Championship, while women's winner Daniela Ryf wore a pair of ASICS DS-Trainer 20 shoes and ran a 3:06:37 marathon. Photo: John David Becker

On Saturday in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Germany’s Jan Frodeno and Daniela Ryf captured the men’s and women’s titles at the 2015 Ironman World Championship, and they were each wearing ASICS running shoes. Frodeno, who ran in ASICS Super J33-2 stability-oriented racing flats, ran a 2:52:22 marathon split (the fifth fastest run of the day) and finished in 8:14:40. Ryf, who wore the ASICS DS-Trainer 20 stability trainer/racer model, ran a 3:06:37 marathon (the third-fastest split among the women) and finished in 8:57:57.

Sometimes what the winners wear has no statistical correlation to what the rest of the field wears, but for the second year in a row both winners wore the same brand (last year German Sebastian Kienle and Australia Mirinda Carfrae wore New Balance shoes). What’s perhaps more interesting though is the fact that ASICS once again was the top brand in the field, according to this year’s shoe count conducted by Dave Jewell of ShoeRanger.com for Lava Magazine. ASICS was worn by 17.5 percent of the finishers in the count, ahead of Saucony (14.3 percent), Hoka (11.6 percent), Brooks (9.2 percent) and Newton (9.2 percent) among the other top-five brands.

Adidas (7.2 percent), Mizuno (6.2 percent), New Balance (5.2 percent), On Running (5.0 percent), Nike (4.5 percent), Zoot (3.9 percent) and Skechers (2.6 percent) rounded out the top 12 brands this year.

But it’s also interesting to note that the top men’s running split was turned in by David McNamee of the UK, who ran 2:49:52 wearing a pair of Skechers GoMeb Speed 3 shoes on his way to placing 11th in his Kona debut in 8:32:27. The fastest woman runner was Liz Blatchford of Australia, who ran a 3:06:25 marathon split in a pair of Pearl Izumi Road N2 en route to finishing third overall in 9:14:52.

ASICS and Saucony have been the top two brands in the field each of the past four years. Last year, the top five brands were ASICS (17.7 percent), Saucony (14.5 percent), Newton (10.7 percent), Brooks (10.3 percent) and Hoka (6 percent).

RELATED: Ironman Shoe Count 2014

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Published on October 11, 2015 21:46

Photos: 2015 Chicago Marathon

A windy day in the Windy City created some challenges for participants of the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. There were also other intriguing storylines among the elite racers—a lack of pacemakers slowed the men’s race down, the emergence of American Luke Puskedra and his fifth-place showing in 2:10:24, and the U.S. Masters record sought after by Deena Kastor (which she eventually got in a time of 2:27:47).

Here are photos from the World Marathon Major and one of Competitor’s marathons to put on your bucket list. All photos courtesy of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon:

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The mass start.

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With no pacemakers, the men's pace was slow.

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American Luke Puskedra had a great day, finishing 5th in a personal-best 2:10:24.

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Runners had great sights of the city.

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A couple of runners got married on the race course.

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Tatyana McFadden won the wheelchair division in 1:41:10, solidifying her dominance in the sport yet again.

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Dickson Chumba won the men's race in 2:09:25.

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Florence Kiplagat won the women's race in 2:23:33.

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Kiplagat fell to the ground in exhaustion after crossing the finish line, but let everyone know she was OK.

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The winners with Chicago Marathon race director Carey Pinkowski.

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The medals, ready to be passed out.

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Published on October 11, 2015 20:16

Kenyans Sweep at Chicago Marathon; Kastor Sets U.S. Masters Record

Men's winner Dickson Chumba, Chicago Marathon race director Carey Pinkowski and women's winner Florence Kiplagat. Photo: Bank of America Chicago Marathon

CHICAGO — The Windy City lived up to its name here today, further challenging the elite athletes competing in the 38th Bank of America Chicago Marathon who had to run this Abbott World Marathon Majors event for the first time in at least 25 years without pacemakers.

Given those conditions, men’s and women’s contenders responded differently. The men ran cautiously, and race champion Dickson Chumba of Kenya’s winning time of 2:09:25 was the slowest here since 2007 when the race was contested in steamy conditions. The women, however, chose to run aggressively, and Kenya‘s Florence Kiplagat ran an impressive 2:23:33 to get her first victory here (she was the runner-up last year). Both Chumba and Kiplagat won $100,000 in prize money; Kiplagat also earned a $5,000 time bonus.

When the gun went off at 7:30, the men were in no hurry to get to the finish line in Grant Park, at least by Chicago Marathon standards. A big pack of 17 sauntered through 5 kilometers in 15:31, right on 2:11 pace. Sammy Kitwara, the fastest man in the field with a personal best of 2:04:28, didn’t like the slow pace. He said later it felt like a training run, and it was affecting his strategy.

“Like I said last Friday, the race was not nice to me,” Kitwara said, referring to the lack of pacemakers. He added: “Running without pacemakers, I don’t think it’s nice for me, for my side.”

Kitwara stayed with the main group while American Elkanah Kibet, who represents the U.S. Army, went up the road and built a 13-second lead through 10K. Kibet was absorbed by the 15K mark (46:00), and 10 men remained in contention, including Kenyans Chumba, Kitwara and Sammy Ndungu. Ethiopia’s Abera Kuma and Girmay Birhanu Gebru were also in the pack.

Running at the back of that group was former University of Oregon star Luke Puskedra who at 6-foot-4 towered over the smaller Africans. Running in just his third marathon, he was a late entrant into the race, only calling race director Carey Pinkowski three weeks ago for a starting spot.

“I really didn’t come in with that much confidence,” Puskedra admitted after the race.

The group of 10 remained together through halfway (1:05:13), and the same 10 were still in contention through 30K (1:33:14). Nobody wanted to lead.

“What I can say, the pace was very slow,” said Ndungu who, like Kitwara, was getting frustrated with the pace.

But between 30 and 35K, the race changed completely. Chumba put in a surge, dropping all but Kitwara and Kuma. He ran that 5K segment in 14:36, easily the fastest of the race.

“From 30 (kilometers) I tried to push, but the wind was coming,” Chumba told the media after the race. “It was a problem; the wind was coming.”

But the wind was a bigger problem for the others. While Chumba did slow a bit to 14:51 for the next 5K, that was still good enough to put 19 seconds on the chasing Kitwara. Chumba kept looking behind him, just in case Kitwara was closing.

“When I looked back, I look (for) Sammy,” Chumba said. “Maybe he is coming.”

But he wasn’t. Chumba entered the finish straight alone, breaking the tape with arms raised. It was his second Abbott World Marathon Majors victory (he also won in Tokyo in 2014). He lamented later that he was in shape to run faster, had there been pacemakers.

“Maybe if pacemakers were there, (I could) run 2:04 or 2:05,” he asserted.

Kitwara crossed next in 2:09:50, the third consecutive time he made the podium here without a victory. Ndungu passed Ethiopia’s Girmay Birhanu Gebru in the final sprint to take third in 2:10:07.

Both Americans, Puskedra and Kibet, were rewarded with personal best times (it was Kibet’s debut). Puskedra finished fifth in 2:10:24, and Kibet was seventh in 2:11:31. Puskedra said he was trying his hardest to stay on pace in the last 10K and he felt like he was sprinting.

“With 10K to go, just get on the pony and ride,” Puskedra told the media. “I was all-out, I think. I imagined myself to be Usain Bolt, but probably looked like Luke Puskedra out there.”

In the women’s contest, Kiplagat was content to follow Japan’s Kayoko Fukushi through halfway in an honest 1:10:27. Seven women were in contention, including Ethiopia’s Birhane Dibaba, Yebrgual Melese, and Amane Gobena. Kiplagat felt like she was right where she wanted to be.

“I was controlling everything to make sure,” she said. She continued: “More tactics when it comes to a marathon without pacemakers.”

Indeed, Kiplagat controlled the race perfectly. By 35K (1:58:44), only Gobena had been dropped, and Kiplagat realized she had waited long enough. She ran the 5K between 35 and 40K in 17:14, and put the race away. She had ample time to enjoy her run to the tape, and after falling to the ground in exhaustion after finishing, she got up, and jumped up and down several times, something she said was inspired by her two daughters, Faith (11) and Asha (7).

“I jumped because I love my kids,” she told reporters. “I told them when I win I have to jump. I was jumping because I love my kids very much.”

Melese got second (2:23:43), Dibaba third (2:24:24), and Fukushi fourth (2:24:25).

Behind the podium finishers, 42-year-old American Deena Kastor was having a record run of her own. Through halfway, the 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist was easily on pace to break Colleen De Reuck’s national record for athletes over 40 (2:28:40). Strategically tucking in behind some male runners from time to time to save energy, she seemed to be gliding down the finish stretch before smashing De Reuck’s record with her 2:27:47 clocking. She later admitted that the final stages of the race were actually very difficult.

“I guess being a mom has taught me everything, including flexibility,” Kastor said, referring to several critical choices she had to make during the race with regard to her pace and positioning. She went on, “It hurt just like I knew it would.”

En route to the finish, Kastor set another pending national masters record, passing through 30K in 1:45:04, well under the previous record of 1:49:31.

“I just wanted to seize the opportunity of the day,” said Kastor, who refused to say if she would run next February’s USA Olympic Trials Marathon. She added: “Today it was just putting my head down and grinding through it.

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Published on October 11, 2015 13:53

Kenyans Salel, Wacera Win B.A.A. Half Marathon

Photo: Chris Lotsbom/Race Results Weekly

BOSTON—Kenyans Daniel Salel and Mary Wacera made triumphant returns to Boston today, claiming wins here at the 15th annual B.A.A. Half-Marathon, presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Making decisive moves in the final mile, Salel and Wacera entered Franklin Park’s White Stadium out front, securing their first B.A.A. Half-Marathon titles with times of 1:00:56 and 1:10:21, respectively. Under crystal clear skies (and a comfortable temperature of 49 degrees), a field of 6,412 athletes started the race.

From the start in Franklin Park, Salel and fellow Kenyan Stephen Sambu established their dominance on the competition. Prior to the race, the pair discussed plans of attacking the event record of 1:00:34, set by two-time Boston Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa in 2013. After five miles, Salel and Sambu were all alone, racing side-by-side along Boston and Brookline’s picturesque Emerald Necklace park system.

“We have raced a long time together. I knew he was a very strong guy, so we agreed we wanted to maybe push the pace so we can maybe break the course record,” Salel would say later. Hitting 10K in 28:26, Salel and Sambu soon passed Jamaica Pond and the Arnold Arboretum. Returning to Franklin Park, it was anyone’s race.

Familiar with his compatriot’s strong finishing abilities, Salel chose to make a bid for the win while in Franklin Park Zoo, knowing there was roughly a mile left in the competition.

“After 11 miles I started pushing there. I pulled away and I go. I was very confident that everything can happen and I knew I could win,” said Salel, winner of this year’s B.A.A. 10K. The move worked to perfection, as Salel quickly gapped the two-time defending B.A.A. Distance Medley champion. By the time he entered Franklin Park’s White Stadium for the sprint to the finish, Salel’s gap was 22 seconds.

Breaking the tape in 1:00:56, Salel was elated. His victory not only earned him the $10,000 first-place prize, but also a $20,000 bonus for winning two of the three B.A.A. Distance Medley events.

“It is very special to me because I have been trying. This is the third time I’ve come here. In 2013 and 2014, I came in second,” Salel said, following a ceremonial victory lap in front of fans. “Today I am very happy to win.”

Salel credited his energy and win to the people of Boston who cheered him on from start to finish. Those on the course waved and shouted words of encouragement to the 24-year-old.

“When you turn to come back you see people waving to you, which was so nice. The crowd was so happy and they kept you confident,” he said. “I like running here. I hope to come back and run the Boston Marathon.”

Placing second was Sambu in 1:01:18, followed by Kenya’s Eliud Ngetich in third (1:02:40). The B.A.A.’s own Eric Ashe was the top American, fourth in 1:05:48. Ethiopia’s Raji Assefa rounded out the top five in 1:05:53.

For Mary Wacera, today’s race provided a bit of redemption. Last year, Wacera was forced to drop out mid-race due to a knee injury. In 2015, she was determined to prevail stronger than ever and take home the title.

Through 5K in 16:38 and 10K in 33:31, a group of four women had congregated out front. Included among the pack were Wacera, 2015 Boston Marathon champion Caroline Rotich, last year’s B.A.A. Half Marathon runner-up Cynthia Limo, as well as Ethiopian Belaynesh Oljira.

Similar to the men’s race, the women’s contest would be decided in the final miles. Approaching the Franklin Park Zoo, Limo established a gap of roughly 10 yards on Wacera, with Rotich and Oljira an additional 10 yards back. At that point, Wacera was unsure she’d be able to catch up.

“I didn’t think I could close the gap. It just happened, I don’t know how,” said Wacera. Minutes later, she’d have a second wind of energy. Despite the building fatigue in her muscles, the mother of one daughter pushed on, thinking about the bonus incentives she’d earn if she finished first.

“I had a surge to close the gap because in the back of my mind I was thinking about the bonus. In the front of my mind was Cynthia; in the back of my mind was the bonus,” she said with a laugh. Wacera quickly caught up and passed Limo.

With the crowd on their feet, Wacera came down the finishing straight in full sprint mode, a step up on Limo. The title was hers in 1:10:21, one second ahead of Limo. Oljira placed third in 1:10:41, followed by Boston Marathon champion Rotich (1:10:45).

“It feels good. I have to forget how painful it is and I have to be happy! It was a tough race,” said Wacera, taking home a total of $30,000. Like men’s winner Salel, she won $10,000 for finishing first, plus $20,000 for winning two B.A.A. Distance Medley races (she won the B.A.A. 10K in June). With the money, Wacera plans to build a home back in her native Nyahururu, Kenya. She’ll also take home a shiny gold medal, which she plans to give to daughter Ann, who turns 5 this coming week.

“She loves to run and she’s always saying ‘Go Mommy, you have to win!” said Wacera. “She’ll be very happy.”

Rotich, who triumphantly won the Boston Marathon in April, was happy with her fourth place performance. She enjoys racing in Boston, and is now gearing up for the TCS New York City Marathon on November 1.

“It was a good race and I am OK with what happened, but at the same time I wanted to win,” said Rotich. “It’s good to be back in Boston.”

The top American woman was Clara Santucci of Dilliner, Penn., seventh place in 1:14:23.

Also in the field were over 500 runners representing Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds to improve patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber. The B.A.A. Half Marathon has been presented annually by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund since 2003. Dana-Farber runners have raised more than $5 million USD through this event over the past 12 years.

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Published on October 11, 2015 13:19

October 10, 2015

NFL Star Brandon Marshall Rocks The Run In Brooklyn

Photo: PhotoRun.net

Professional football players in the middle of their season are incredibly busy people. That’s why New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall’s presence at the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Brooklyn Marathon was particularly special. The 31-year-old All-Pro surprised members of his foundation, Project375, with 2 miles to go in the half marathon on Saturday.

“It’s your world,” Marshall said after his run in response to a question about how some people on the sidelines may feel seeing him come across the finish line. “A lot of times we caught up in how others see us. Go out there and be yourself and be comfortable.”

Marshall’s foundation seeks to build awareness and getting people comfortable talking about mental illness to help eradicate the stigma. “We’re all dealing with issues,” Marshall says. “With Project375 we want to build a safe community where we are validated. And that’s a big deal, because this world can be so nasty, and when you’re dealing with something—whether it’s a physical ailment or a mental-health condition—it’s always good where you can go through it where someone understands you in a safe environment.”

Marshall said he enjoyed his experience on Saturday. “The race was fun. If you’re having a hard time getting started running…there are all shapes, sizes, and colors out there. We look forward to being back next year and hopefully in all the Rock ‘n’ Roll races.”

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Published on October 10, 2015 16:16