Fastest Marathon Ever – Boston 2011
Fastest marathon, anytime, anywhere…
In an amazing morning of marathoning, Kenya’s Geoffrey Mutai emerged with not just a Boston Marathon victory, but the ownership of the fastest recorded marathon time, 2:03:02. Remarkably, it was a last mile sprint where Mutai edged fellow countryman Moses Mosop.
For a little perspective, that 2:03 finish represents a 4:42 average pace per mile. Even Ryan Hall was surprised, as he was quoted afterward, “I’m running 2:04 pace and I can’t even see the leaders.” But Mutai credited Hall’s steady pace in his ability to get his victory.
While the time will not be recorded as a world record due to a course net elevation drop (and a swift tailwind helped a bit), Mutai’s performance is remarkable, Indeed, the conditions made for a great marathon for many runners. Ryan Hall was America’s first male finisher in an American record time of 2:04:58.
On the women’s side, Desiree Davila gave the Americans something to cheer about as she came within 2 seconds of being the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1985. It was Kenya’s Caroline Kilel’s strength in that last mile that helped her edge out Davils for a 2:22:36 victory. Davila now trails only Deena Kastor and Joan Benoit Samuelson as the third fastest American in history. Kara Goucher also set a PR, finishing 5th in 2:24:52. No American — man or woman — has won Boston since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach (Rainsberger) in 1985.
New Podcast For Colorado Endurance Athletes
Podcast: Download
We’re please to announce the launch of our new podcast, Endurance Racing In The Rockies. The podcast will highlight upcoming races and events, in addition to local and regional news of interest to endurance athletes.
Each episode will take a look at running, cycling, triathlon, and Nordic sports events as they are in season in the Rocky Mountain Region, especially Colorado. Working on the theory that every race is perfect for someone, the podcast aims help people identify races they’ll enjoy. So whether you’re a seasoned athlete looking for the ultimate race, a fit competitor looking for an off-season crossover test, a soccer mom with strollers in tow, or a newbie fearing that first race, we’ll try to help you find just a race with just the right fit.
In this premier episode we’re pleased to include an interview with Mindy Nicholds, race director of the Swift Skedaddle Snowshoe Adventure. We also review some upcoming races and touch on a bit of cycling news.
In addition to interviews with race directors, future episodes will include interviews with athletes who might help out with a review of a recently completed race. If you’d like to join us to talk about a race (or something else…), please contact us at podcast at racingcolorado.com
Your comments are also welcome, even if you don’t want to add your physical voice to the show. Your comments, ideas, and suggestions about either a race or the podcast itself are very welcome. Feel free to email us or add your comments and suggestions below.
NOTE: The Endurance Racing In The Rockies podcast is brand new, so it has not yet been approved by iTunes. It should take a week or so, and we’ll announce when you’re able to subscribe at iTunes and get the podcast delivered directly to your iPod.
Colorado Turkey Trot Is Tradition In Every Town
For most of us Thanksgiving is about pumpkin pie, turkey, football, and of course, giving thanks. But for active people in Colorado, Thanksgiving morning usually begins with the traditional turkey trot.
Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July are easily the busiest running race days of the year, and in Colorado, a turkey trot is held in nearly every community across the state. The majority of Colorado turkey trot races are relatively short, allowing for plenty of time for regional travel, socializing, and of course, eating.
Turkey trots really vary by race. Some will be the “stroll along with the kids, dogs, strollers, teddy bear, etc” type, while others such as the race in Fort Collins bring out some pretty stiff competition. Some Colorado turkey trot races have a strong traditional aspect, such as the Longmont Turkey Trot, now in it’s 36th year. True to the spirit of the holiday, prizes at any given turkey trot is likely to be something along the lines of a turkey, a turkey-shaped prize, a pie, or in some cases, CASH (see Panicking Poultry and Fort Collins Thanksgiving Run) so you can treat all your friends to dinner. But regardless of the character or competitive level, nearly all Colorado turkey trots welcome the entire family and likely include special kids events, such as the free kids fun run at Colorado Springs’ Briargate Turkey Trot.
In addition to the fun, competition, and tradition of any Colorado turkey trot, the biggest motivation for most is calorie offset. When people know they’re planning to put in a really substantial day of eating, there’s a fair amount of incentive to help balance the calories for the day. Running in a Turkey Trot is also a wonderful way to begin, or hopefully, maintain a healthy lifestyle through the holidays. If you need help finding a turkey trot in your area, the Racing Colorado Running Calendar lists plenty of Colorado turkey trots.
But through all the running, walking and competing, it’s important to remember the real purpose of Thanksgiving. Most Colorado turkey trots are fundraisers for worthy causes, such as the Loveland Turkey Trot, supporting Stepping Stones Adult Day Care. But even if your turkey trot is just a training run or some kind of informal run with friends, remember to take just a moment to reflect on all you have to be grateful for – even if it’s just the simple fact that you can run/walk/trot/move on Thanksgiving.
Major Pro Cycling Tour Returns To Colorado
The old Coors Classic has been gone since 1988, but pro cycling has finally returned to Colorado. This time it’s the Quiznos Pro Challenge, and by their own admission, will be ‘the greatest bike race ever to be held on American soil.’ The tour will cover 600 miles and will include mountain, sprint and downtown stages. The 11 cities selected to host a stage start and/or finish are Vail, Colorado Springs, Crested Butte, Avon, Gunnison, Breckenridge, Salida, Aspen, Golden, Steamboat Springs and Denver.
Many of the specific stage routes are still being worked out, but the stages are scheduled as follows:
August 22 – Prologue, Prologue time trial, Colorado Springs
August 23 – Stage 1, Salida to Crested Butte, mountain-top finish
August 24 – Stage 2, Gunnison to Aspen, mountain stage
August 25 – Stage 3, Vail, time trial, former Coors Classic stage
August 26 – Stage 4, Avon to Steamboat Springs
August 27 – Stage 5, Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge
August 28 – Stage 6, Golden to Denver
The event will bring in top European riders, and will give local pro riders a chance to race with a ‘home field advantage’. While there are some minor grumblings in the corners from Boulder residents about being passed over to host a stage (with valid justification, unofficially), most are heartily welcoming the return of pro stage racing to Colorado.
National Cyclocross Spotlight Shines On Colorado
U.S. gran prix of cyclocross from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.
For Colorado cyclists, Fall is cyclocross season. This year the New Belgium Cup in Fort Collins hosts the third of four stops on the 2010 US Gran Prix of Cyclocross, adding to the ever-growing popularity of the sport.
Professional and amateur riders will compete over two days at the New Belgium Cup, with Friday events including a kids ‘cross clinic and the numbers ceremony. Extra focus will be on Fort Collins local favorites, Georgia Gould, Meredith Miller, and dominating junior rider, Skylar Trujillo.
For those not as familiar with the sport, cyclocross might be to cycling what cross country is to running – only grittier. Races are a series of laps over varied terrain, which may include sand, grass, mud, and the mandatory obstacles which riders must dismount, carry the bike, and run to get through. Cyclocross is a wonderful spectator sport, as the racers complete laps every few minutes, so there is always plenty of action happening right before your eyes. Spectators with cowbells (or the occasional vuvuzella) are common, and Nascar fans will appreciate the inevitable crashes.
In addition to standard obstacles, a course highlight features this year will be a ‘flyover’, a staircase on one side and ramp on the other that cyclists must traverse each lap… just in case the thighs aren’t burning quite enough!
So whether racing or spectating, don’t miss this chance to get out with the nation’s top junior, amateur, and professional cyclocross racers.
Specifics: The 2010 Greenware® USGP New Belgium Cup takes place on November 13 and 14 at 5757 South College Ave in Fort Collins and features two full days of amateur and professional racing. The event is free to the public but there is a $3 per day parking charge. For more information about the New Belgium Cup and the USGP Series visit www.usgpcyclocross.com. Registration for all races is available on BikeReg.com.
Upcoming Colorado Events- Ralston Creek Half Marathon
- Valentine`s Day 5K
- 3W Heart Throb Run 5K
- Cupid`s Undie Run
- Love `em or Leave `em Valentine`s Day 5K Run/Walk
- Dick`s Sporting Goods Loveland Sweetheart Classic
- Dick`s Sporting Goods Loveland Sweetheart Classic
- HRCA Sunday Bloody Sunday 5k Challenge
- Super Bowl 5K
- Gold Rush Nordic Race Series
- Super Sunday Fun Run 5K
- SnowDash Extreme 5K / Echo Mnt. Colorado
- 5 k Moonlight Snowshoe
Oakley Offer