Kevin Pool at the 2010 San Diego Half (Photo courtesy of Kevin Pool)
Local speedster Kevin Pool stormed Philadelphia this weekend and wound up taking 2nd overall in the Philadelphia Marathon–just 6-seconds behind Ethiopia’s Folisho Tuko.
Tuko’s winning time was 2:19:16.
The winning woman was Mariska Kramer, of the Netherlands, in 2:35:46.
Unless there is some egregious error in a post, I almost never revisit something I’ve written here.
Last week, I wrote Going Big, which was a lamentation of sorts on the state of the marathon.
The article was triggered by my reading a newspaper story about Chris Spangenberg’s attempt to set a world record for being the heaviest person to ever complete a marathon. This story sparked considerable, energetic reactions in a number of people.
What was most fascinating to me was how my post served as a sort of Rorschach ink blot for the readers. Many readers resonated with my concerns about the sport, while others saw it as an attack on a specific individual (i.e., Mr. Spangenberg) or slower runners.
In truth, the irritation and frustration that I was trying to express was with two specific issues: the press for not covering running in any meaningful way, and the “marathon training industry” that has sold the idea that everyone can and should run a marathon.
Things have changed for women runners!
There are a couple of recent articles about women runners of note that are delightful in their juxtaposition, in what they say about women’s running.
First off was a New York Times article about women’s running pioneer Dr. Julia Chase-Brand.
On Thanksgiving Day, Dr. Julia Chase-Brand, 69, plans to run a 4.75-mile race in Manchester, Conn., where the presence of women will be plentiful and unremarkable. Fifty years ago, when she and two other women ran there the first time, it was a widely publicized act of civil disobedience that became a pioneering moment in female distance running in the United States.
Not only was she pushing against the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) prohibitions against women competing in road races, she was fast. Starting a block behind the rest of the runners (to avoid race officials), she still managed a 33:40 for that run.
This picture has nothing to do with the story.
When I read the Press Democrat’s article about Chris Spangenberg’s attempt at this past weekend’s Cloverdale Harvest Marathon to set a world record for being the heaviest marathon finisher, my first reaction was: “Our sport is dead.”
This story bothers me on a number of fronts. The 425 pound man who trudged the course in 13 hours and 45 minutes gets an entire newspaper article about his efforts, but the winner–Sacramento’s own Ray “I’ll run anything” Sanchez–gets nary a mention. While this certainly took some effort, it is not running. It’s not even brisk walking.
There is something disturbing about the fact that Spangenberg put in all this effort and training to complete the event and probably did nothing to improve his health or enjoyment of life. He began his training with the stated intent of being the heaviest man to ever complete a marathon, and only lost 20 lbs in the process. At the end of that long effort, he’s still morbidly obese and still facing a life-time of poor health and discomfort.
While not necessarily saying he’s not legit, the folks at the Guinness World Records are not accepting Fauja Singh’s record for the oldest marathon finisher since he cannot produce a birth certificate.
Singh’s supporters say that birth certificates weren’t available in India 1911.
WMA is still recognizing his track and field records since they accept a passport as proof of age. Of course this raises an interesting question regarding the quality of WMA’s records.
How many other record times are suspect?
Some of us seem to be outrunning Father Time!
There are a few “age related” running stories for you today.
At Sunday’s Toronto Marathon (flat, fast and festive!), 100-year-old Fauja Singh became the first centenarian to finish a marathon. His 8:25:16 wasn’t a particularly speedy time, but I think by the time you reach his age (You should be so lucky!), you’re a winner just by making it through your training! See a video of him finishing here.
Meanwhile, at that same race, while Fauja Singh was still working his way to the half-marathon mark, Ed Whitlock was wrapping up his marathon in 3:15:54. What makes this spectacular is that Whitlock is 80-years-old. You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that he won his age group. It was also a new world record. Of course, the record he broke was his own that he’d set six-months prior.
Incidentally, Whitlock was in Sacramento this summer for the World Masters Championships, where he set new age-division world records in the 1,500 and 10,000 meters. His times were 5:48 and 42:39, in case you are curious (Wow!).
Hopefully, you didn’t put off registering for this year’s California International Marathon.
Race management is reporting that the event has filled to capacity.
However, as of last night, there were 300 special charity entries available for the low, low price of $250. Don’t expect these to be around very long!
We are in the heart of the fall marathon season and there are many stories to choose from! Here is a sample from around the world.
This past weekend was the Bank of America Chicago Marathon where Ryan Hall was due to a) win, b) set an American Record, and/or c) set a course record.
Unfortunately for Ryan Hall, there were some other fast guys out there on the course, too. After hanging with the lead pack for 14 miles, Hall faded to 5th (no small thing there!) and Kenyan Moses Mosop was the one to (barely) set a new course record of 2:05:37.
Liliya Shobukhova of Russia was the women’s three-peat champion, with a smoking fast 2:18:20. This is the 4th fastest marathon time ever by a woman.
I couldn’t help myself.
It looks a lot easier with a groovy sound track. I hope you enjoy it.
Folsom’s Kevin Pool, 28, ran a personal best at the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday but his 2:19:34 finish time was a tantalizing few seconds shy of the sub-2:20 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying time he was looking for.
It was good enough for a 12th place overall.
Auburn runner Brad Poore, 33, was also a top finisher, coming in 17th overall with a 2:22:05.
Rumor has it that local running empresario Michelle La Sala also ran a personal best at Twin Cities, in 3:06:31. La Sala is better known to many of you as the Race Director of the SacTown 10.
La Sala was the fastest Sacramentan listed in the results.
The overall race winners were Kenyan Sammy Malakwen in 2:13:11, and Ethiopian woman Yeshimebet Bifa with a 2:28:24.
