If You Can Make It Here, You Can Make It Anywhere
November 04, 2010
So I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole marathon thing. I've got two big ones under my belt now, and I'm glad I'm not going into New York unprepared, because this weekend is going to be HUGE! The 26.2 NYC will showcase some of the fastest athletes on the biggest stage there is. The race course weaves its way through all five boroughs before the big finish in Central Park, and I'm going to have to be on my A-game if I want to see everything I want to, including a star-studded lead pack.
Returning champion Meb Keflezighi is looking to become the first repeat champ in New York since Alberto Salazar's three-peat nearly 30 years ago. Salazar is now coaching Dathan Ritzenhein, who will be one of many elites looking to put Meb's repeat plans on hold. Between Ritzenhein, who finished 2nd at the 2008 marathon trials, and Abel Kirui, the 2009 World Marathon Champion, Meb will have his work cut out for him in the Big Apple!
Maybe the most exciting story in the women's race is Shalane Flanagan. The bronze medalist in the 10,000m from Beijing will be making her marathon debut this weekend, and expectations are high. I can't wait to see how she handles the jump and competes with the best in the world.
I've got a lot to see before the runners even toe the line, though! I'm going to stop by Niketown on Thursday to help fire up some of Nike's elite racers at the pre-race pep rally. Meb, Abel, Dathan, and Shalane will all be on-hand to kick off an exciting weekend.
Friday I'm going to get up to speed at the NYRR press conference. And on Saturday I'm going to join a few of the thousands of marathoners in a little shakeout run through Central Park; afterward, American distance studs Matt Tegenkamp and Evan Jager will be answering runners' questions and signing autographs. Saturday night promises to be pretty crazy. I'm going to jump in a crazy event called the "Rebel Run," where young runners from all over the city are sent on an unknown race course through downtown for 2.62 miles. I have no idea what to expect other than a crazy, unique experience.
Then Sunday, it's on. The big race. Some of the world's best marathoners and some of the most promising marathon rookies the course has ever seen. I can't wait. NYC, here I come! Hope to see you all there!
-Shamus, Nike RunReporter
Returning champion Meb Keflezighi is looking to become the first repeat champ in New York since Alberto Salazar's three-peat nearly 30 years ago. Salazar is now coaching Dathan Ritzenhein, who will be one of many elites looking to put Meb's repeat plans on hold. Between Ritzenhein, who finished 2nd at the 2008 marathon trials, and Abel Kirui, the 2009 World Marathon Champion, Meb will have his work cut out for him in the Big Apple!
Maybe the most exciting story in the women's race is Shalane Flanagan. The bronze medalist in the 10,000m from Beijing will be making her marathon debut this weekend, and expectations are high. I can't wait to see how she handles the jump and competes with the best in the world.
I've got a lot to see before the runners even toe the line, though! I'm going to stop by Niketown on Thursday to help fire up some of Nike's elite racers at the pre-race pep rally. Meb, Abel, Dathan, and Shalane will all be on-hand to kick off an exciting weekend.
Friday I'm going to get up to speed at the NYRR press conference. And on Saturday I'm going to join a few of the thousands of marathoners in a little shakeout run through Central Park; afterward, American distance studs Matt Tegenkamp and Evan Jager will be answering runners' questions and signing autographs. Saturday night promises to be pretty crazy. I'm going to jump in a crazy event called the "Rebel Run," where young runners from all over the city are sent on an unknown race course through downtown for 2.62 miles. I have no idea what to expect other than a crazy, unique experience.
Then Sunday, it's on. The big race. Some of the world's best marathoners and some of the most promising marathon rookies the course has ever seen. I can't wait. NYC, here I come! Hope to see you all there!
-Shamus, Nike RunReporter
Comments (2)
