by Larry Eder#lamarathon #finishline #regram @markphiliptierney People react to #lamarathon winner Elisha Barno 100 metres from the finish. #santamonica #fog #freezing #olympusA post shared by RunBlogRun (@runblogrun) on
1. Elisha Barnu is one tough athlete, and he is on the rise.
The last half of the LA Marathon for men was quite compelling, as the field dropped from ten, to nine, to six, to four, to three, and finally, to Barnu and Limo. Between mile 23 and 24, Barnu had stomach distress as Danial Limo dropped the pace to 4:40 for the mile. Barnu cut the lead down and ran the 24-25 mile in 4:49, which finally broke Limo, who had surged several times over the last four miles in attempts to break Barnu. Elisha told RBR afterwards that warm sports drink, which he had mixed the night before upset his stomach. Elisha Barnu is coached by Yobes Ondieki, the first man under 27 minutes for 10,000 meters. Barnu has run a 2:09, but is building his resume around the world, with races such as LA Marathon.
2. Hellen Jepkurgat is a highly motivated athlete.
Hellen Jepkurgat wanted to run LA Marathon. So much, that when U.S. Passport Agency did not allow her into the country, she had her passport, within six months of expiring, to be expedited, with an expidited VISA. Hellen took over the lead at 14 miles and did not give it up, winning by nearly 90 seconds. It was very painful over the last few miles. But, with her big win in LA, our guess is that a training group will invite her to join and she will no longer be paying her way to run her next marathon.
3. LA Marathon TV is one of the best in the country
I was pleasantly surprised with the media set up and TV coverage on the LA Marathon. Toni Reavis, who has covered the TV broadcast for LA for the entire last 32 years was awesome. He and Deena Kastor, who is a fine broadcaster in her own right knew when to allow us to watch the program, and when to illuminate us. The local talent told the strong human stories and the top local broadcaster allowed Reavis and Kastor to weave the LA Marathon story. The coverage of the title sponsor was positive and informative, not an advertorial. Skechers sponsored the entire broadcast, showing once again that a title sponsor can get positive response without shoving their messageds down our throat. I hope that other TV regions watch the LA Marathon and learn how to do a fine broadcast.
