South Africa’s Independent Newspapers group has posted an article to their on-line site on Rene Kalmer’s (adidas) plans for this year’s Olympic Marathon. “South Africa’s leading female marathon runner, Rene Kalmer, has channelled all her focus this year on one race – the Olympic marathon…” Click here for the full article.
In The News
Osaka Women’s Marathon Starts in a Few Hours
3 hours until Osaka start. Heading to stadium soon with Constantina, Kayoko, Kiyoko, Naoko and all. A bit cold, but good day for running: 6C temps, no wind, no humidity, clear skies. Last-minute article on Kayoko Fukushi.
All eyes on Fukushi as Japanese Olympic squad selection continues in Osaka
Kayoko Fukushi following her 3rd place finish at the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
The IAAF website preview of Sunday’s Osaka Women’s Marathon, with a focus on our athlete Kayoko Fukushi (Wacoal/adidas).
Tagged Kayoko Fukushi, Osaka Women's Marathon
Lee Merrien Will Run Virgin London Marathon
In the midst of his altitude training camp with UK Athletics in Iten, Kenya, Lee Merrien (ASICS) has confirmed he will return to the Virgin London Marathon this Spring. The BBC reports on Lee’s plans. Last year in London, Lee earned the Jim Peters Trophy as the top British finisher, with a PB 2:14:27 effort. The London course and sure to be rocking this April as the British men, including also John Beattie (adidas), compete for the remaining two spots on the Olympic marathon squad.
Post-Olympic Marathon Trial Recap with Patrick Rizzo
Arrived in Osaka last night and have settled in to the New Otani hotel next to Osaka Castle for Sunday’s women’s marathon. Catching up on some recent news articles on our athletes. Here is the first, a RunnersFeed interview with Patrick Rizzo (Mizuno) shortly after he became the proud owner of a shiny new marathon PB in Houston. Click here.
Tagged Patrick Rizzo
Constantina Dita Comments on Mizuki Noguchi’s Prep for Osaka
Constantina Dita (ASICS) has done quite a few interviews since arriving in Osaka ten days ago. She had expected Mizuki Noguchi, who also was training in Boulder for the past ten weeks prepping for Osaka, to be back on form for Sunday’s Osaka International Women’s Marathon. That is, until Mizuki suddenly withdraw from the race this week with an inflamed . Brett Larimer of Japan Running News provides a translation of one of the articles that appeared in the January 24th from Sankei Sports newspaper. Click here for Brett’s translation, and click here for the original Japanese-language post, which includes a photo of Constantina opening the Osaka athlete’s village on Monday.
Lee Merrien, Louise Damen take Hampshire County Cross Titles
A couple of days late on this report, but at the January 7th Hampshire County Cross-Country Championships, Lee Merrien (ASICS) and Louise Damen (adidas) took the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, with John Beattie (adidas) runner-up to Lee by just a handful of seconds. John reports: “Louise won comfortably, and on the men’s side Lee just outsprinted me in the last few hundred yards to win by 4 seconds. Was quite an undulating course and I tried constantly for 12k to drop him at every available chance, though he just wouldn’t go away and held on to find more of a sprint than me in the end! Both of us ran well and were 90 secs clear of 3rd which was encouraging. Nice to have my confidence restored somewhat and start 2012 much better than most of what went on in 2011.”
Click here for a short video report on the day’s racing, courtesy of channelonline.tv
Tagged adidas, ASICS, John Beattie, Lee Merrien, Louise Damen
Edna Takes 3rd at Kenyan Police Cross Championships
On Saturday, IAAF Marathon world championships gold medalist Edna Kiplagat (Nike) returned to the turf for the first time since last February’s Kenyan Cross-Country Championships, and posted a solid 3rd place result at the Kenya Police Inter-Divisional Cross Country Chmpionships, running 28:59 over the 8 km course in Nairobi. Click here for the IAAF’s report on Saturday’s racing.
Kiplagat seeks to make history at the Olympics
Kenya’s Capital FM Sports chats with reigning world champion Edna Kiplagat (Nike) on what it will take to become Kenya’s first-ever women’s Olympic marathon champion. Click here.
Tagged Edna Kiplagat, Nike
5 Minutes with Meghan Armstrong Peyton
Running Times on-line interview (click here) with Meghan Peyton (Team USA Minnesota).
