There were some amazing stories over the course of this year. I am not ranking them, but I would say these were the top stories in the running world. Feel free to submit your thoughts and opinions.
9.69 - Usain Bolt set the world record in the 100m in Beijing. His performance was effortless, and in the video it looks like if he hadn't slowed at the end, the record could have gone even further.
Oregon Men - I have to say this is one of my favorite moments of the year. Eugene, OR hosted the Track and Field Trials for the Olympics. The 800m final was thrilling. Nick Symmonds came from the back of the pack to place first. Second and third place were fellow Oregonians - Andrew Wheating and Christian Smith respectively. Until last 200m, Symmonds stays in back, then he pours it on to win. Wheating is a shocking second, and Smith fell forward to take third.
Joan Benot Samuelson and her last competitve marathon. Samuelson took the road in the 2008 Women's Olympic Marathon Trials. She was not going to qualify, but she wanted to set an age group record in the marathon. She finished 90th overall with a time of 2:49:08, and set the American record for women 50-54. Trials champion, and Athens Marathon Bronze Medalist Deena Kastor was at the finish cheering on the Gold Medal winning Samuelson.
Dean Karnazes races the world. The Ultramarathon Man ran the 4 Deserts Challenge this year, and won the overall title. This is a grueling set of races, where runners run across the following deserts: Sahara, Atacama Crossing, Gobi and Anarctica. Karnazes is one hell of a runner, and his journeys inspire runners all over the world.
The Men's Olympic Marathon. There were three main stories here: the weather, the winner, and the Americans. The weather in Beijing was always going to be an issue. Poor air quality and humid conditions were what everyone worried about. Haile Gebrselassie, the world record holder, declined to compete due to the possible conditions. In the end, a Kenyan, Sammy Wanjiru took everyone by surprise and took Gold - a first for Kenya in this event, in a time of 2:06:32. Americans did their country proud by placing 2 in the top 10. Dathan Ritzenhien and Ryan Hall finished 9th and 10th respectively. Clearly the Americans are becoming relevant in the marathon world.
Berlin is FAST!!! 6 of the top 10 marathon times have been accomplished at the Berlin Marathon. This year, again, Haile Gebreselassie lowered his record in this event - 2:03:59. Folks not to out a too fine a point on this, but that is FAST. Usually at that time I have covered about 10 miles.
So there are the stories of the year in my humble opinion.
2009 is already looking to be an interesting year. Kara Goucher and Ryan Hall are entered in Boston. So you know that will have the running world's attention.
Happy running to everyone.
Charlie
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