The Real Spirit Of The Marathoner

Thanks to Haris for featuring this compelling video. I won't spoil the moment with words. Just play it and be TRULY inspired.

Even The Big Names Get It Wrong

The Chicago race this year incidentally witnessed a death of a 35-year old man after the 28K mark Runners who have yet to reach the halfway mark were stopped and ushered into air-cond buses for transportation to the finish area. and about 9,000 of the 45,000 plus registrants did not start the race. Temps of 31C coupled with high humidity did many in.



The Chicago Marathon ended quite disastrously despite the finishing drama for the Mens and Womens categories where it came down to a sprint finish (see my last post). Tragically 1 runner died (collapsed after the 28K mark) in the 31C heat and humidity (over 250 runners were hospitalized) and there were lots of complain about inadequate cups, water and Gatorade (something the organizers should've been prepared for since the weather had been consistently high the whole week). Taking into account nearly 10,000 registrants who didn't even start, one would think there would be sufficient supplies. But the slower runners were forced to crowd around water fountains, and stations which still have whatever little water left. Many had to queue at gas stations and shops, while many spectators lend assistance by providing much needed fluids and ice.



The conditions prompted the race organizers to kick in the contingency plans. Many who didn't reach the halfway mark were asked to board the air-cond sweeper buses and transported to the finish area, even though they were good to finish. They were given medals which were received reluctantly - many chose not to wear them.



Naturally, there were plenty of heated discussions about this in the forums and here's just one of them. To read more go to the Chicago Marathon 2007 Forum. Which is a shame as Chicago is one of the Big 5 in the Marathon Majors. There was even a feature on this unfortunate drama in the Mandarin news just now. Having said that, this incident shouldn't be used by local race organizers to justify their sub-standard preparations. I strongly feel that runners should be prepared the best they can, in training and for the weather. In today's world, where commercialism is the order of the day, major marathons sometimes over-market their event to the point that complete beginners or newcomers to the sport may be misled to think that running a marathon is an easy task. Hardly so. I can only hope that the recent focus on deaths (including Alberto Salazar's recent heart attack) are not construed to be risks associated with running, and that underlying factors be taken into consideration before arriving at the conclusion.



Back to the race:
If you think only the men had all the action, you're wrong. The women too were at it with the champion Berhane Adere of Ethiopia storming past a celebrating Adriana Pirtea of Romania in the final meters of to win by three seconds in a time of 2:33:59. Adere apparently "changed into track racing" in the final meters to nip a disappointed Pirtea. Who wouldn't be disappointed? I'd be banging my head to have lost the race as a result of carelessness of failing to check your six.

The Marathon Is Turning Out To Be Sprint Events For These Fellas

There's been no shortage of dramatic marathon finishes. Remember Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley's Duel In The Sun in the 1982 Boston? Then there was German Silva who veered off course in the final half mile but somehow had the kick to rope in his fellow countryman Benjamin Parades in 1995's New York City Marathon? Not enough drama? How about Robert Cheruiyot's sprint and stumble combo in the 2006 Chicago? The 2005 NYCM had another "incident" involving Paul Tergat and Hendrik Ramaala's who battled neck to neck in the climb towards to the finish at the Tavern On The Green.





Yesterday's Chicago Marathon presented yet another episode when Patrick Ivuti of Kenya edged Jaouad Gharib of Morocco at the finishing tape after the two had staged an all-out sprint over the final 400 meters. Ivuti won in 2:11:11.00 to Gharib’s 2:11:11.05. Take a look at the photo below and see how close the 2 were. They might as well hold hands and cross the line together.





I wonder what went through the minds of these machines as they head toward the finish line. Let me hasten a few guesses:




- "Where the did he come from?!"


- "Oh no, you're not getting away with that. I didn't hustle my @ss over 42K to get beat by you!"


- "C'mon, let's give 'em a photo finish!"