World Marathon Majors announce Geoffrey Mutai and Mary Keitany are 2011-2012 WMM champions, by Alfons Juck, note by Larry Eder

World Marathon Majors announce Geoffrey Mutai and Mary Keitany as the champions for the 2011-2012 WMM series. Mutai and Keitany will win $500,000 each, the largest prize in our sport. 

2012 New York City Flash Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net

The city of New York, graced by a beautiful sunny day on Sunday, had marathoners out on Staten Island, providing assistance to those hurt by Hurricane Sandy. In Central Park, RBR estimates over 10,000 people ran loops in Central Park, some going for the entire 26.2 miles. Fans were out, some people were giving water, it was, a flash marathon. 

The past week has been devastating for those living in the Mid-Atlantic. The past week, for the New York Road Runners has been difficult for the sport of running. A race cancelled was not the issue, it was how it was done, and how it was managed. In the end, the NYRR, while well meaning, were caught in the politics of the now, where limited resources are in play, and where media, especially the New York Post, while not fabricating, pushed the editorial envelope with comments on how much NYRR was using of city services. In the end, the decision to cancel the race was important. The cancellation of the NYC marathon will be case studies in both public relations and legal classes for some time to come. 

G. Mutai and Keitany
NEW YORK (USA): The World Marathon Majors announced that Kenyans Geoffrey Mutai and Mary Keitany are the champions of the 2011-2012 World Marathon Majors Series. With the cancellation of the 2012 ING New York City Marathon, the 2011-2012 Series has concluded and there will be no additional points awarded. Mutai had already secured the Series title in advance of the New York race with 75 points tallied in winning the 2011 Boston Marathon, the 2011 ING New York City Marathon, and the 2012 BMW Berlin Marathon. Keitany secured the title with 65 points accumulated with victories at the 2011 and 2012 Virgin London Marathons, and a third place finish at the 2011 ING New York City Marathon. These athletes will split the 1 million USD prize purse. Top three in each category are except of one position all Kenyans. In men ranking second Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia 46 and third Wesley Korir 41. In women situation second Edna Kiplagat 50 and tie for third Sharon Cherop with Russian Liliya Shobukhova both 45. In total 37 women scored points, from them 8 Europeans. Among 36 men who scored at least one point only one European Briton Scott Overall with one point. Out of respect for the situation in New York City, World Marathon Majors will not hold its champions presentation and photo call on Monday.

Doctorate for Coach Mills
KINGSTON (JAM): Glen Mills, Founder-President and Head Coach of Racers Track Club, was honoured on Saturday by the University of the West Indies at its Mona campus in Jamaica.  The university conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Mills has been engaged in athletics coaching for over forty years — starting as an apprentice to H McD Messam, the coach of Don Quarrie, at his alma mater Camperdown High School in the 1960s.  He has coached at all levels of the Jamaican track and field system, from the high school championships and grassroots youth club competitions to the national level, serving as Jamaica’s National Coach for several Olympics. He is the coach of the two fastest men of all time over both 100 and 200 metres:  Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake. Informs Racers TC website. 

MARATHON RESULTS

CANNES (FRA, Nov 4): Kenyan Eliud Magut won in 2:10:31 the 5th Alpes Maritimes Marathon in rain from Nice to Cannes. Second William Biama 2:10:36 and third Katui Kipkemoi 2:13:13 (all Kenyans). Best non-Kenyan Ethiopian Hunde Gezahegn Abera (born 1983, not the former olympic winner) with 2:15:00 best as 5th. French titles for Stephane Lefrand 2:18:01 (7th overall) and Aline Camboulives 2:38:49 (4th overall) who defended her title from last year. Ethiopian Aregu Lechisa was the top woman in 2:31:56 ahead of Kenyan Emily Rotich 2:32:55 and another Ethiopian Ayeko Dakebo 2:35:44 PB. The race registered 11 165 participants. 

SEOUL (KOR, Nov 4): Kenyan James Kwambai won for second time in a row the Joongang Seoul Marathon in fast 2:05:50. It was new course record and second fastest in Korea ever after 2:05:37 of Wilson Loyanai in March at the Dong-A Seoul Marathon (here Kwambai was second).  Kwambai was the only one with sub 2:10, second and third his country-mates William Chebor 2:10:24 and Benjamin Kiptoo 2:10:35. For the winner 50 000 USD first place prize (and 20 000 USD time bonus). Kim Young-in was best home runner in 2:17:00 as 9th. In the domestic women field Kyung-Hee Choi won in 2:39:20.

SOWETO (RSA, Nov 4): Kenyan Shadrack Kemboi broke the Soweto Marathon record with 2:16:38 (former mark was 2:17:19). It was only second marathon for the winner, second place for Motlokoa Nkhabutlane who as the best home runner achieved 2:17:11. Two-time winner Mabhutile Lebopo of Lesotho came third in 2:17:14. Mamorallo Tjoka from Lesotho won the women category for record 7th time in 2:45:20. Kenyans followed her, Isabella Jepchumba was second 2:46:35 and Naomi Chebongi third in 2:47:00.

RENNES (FRA, Nov 4): In the 2nd edition of the Rennes Marathon fast winning time by Ethiopian Feyisa Lema in 2:09:46 what is his life-time best and course record. Second Gashaw Melesse 2:09:47 also from Ethiopia and third best Kenyan Samwel Maswai 2:13:27. Women winner Gelaw Tsega of Ethiopia achieved 2:37:15 beating Kenyan Beatrice Rutto 2:40:58.

GUADALAJARA (MEX, Nov 4): Kenyan domination at the 28th Guadalajara Maraton. Hillary Kimayio clocked 2:16:24 to win the men race and Jemeli Tarus as top woman achieved 2:39:25. Best Mexican runners were Jose Arredondo as 4th (2:22:19) and Paula Juarez also 4th in 2:44:30. 

OTHER NEWS

NEW YORK (USA): Race Results Weekly writes that in a touching sign of support and encouragement, 2009 ING New York City Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi addressed a gathering of elite athletes and managers, urging them to continue on and give thanks to the New York Road Runners, who have worked tirelessly trying to make the 43rd running of the world’s largest marathon happen.  The race was jointly cancelled by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Road Runners. “Let’s not look at the one year we missed out, but on how much the New York Road Runners and the city of New York has given us in the past, and will give us in the future,” Keflezighi said in an inspiring tone.  “There’s nothing like what the New York Road Runners have done — first class service. And it’s because of the volunteers [that] elite athletes and others can say ‘hey, we want you to have a positive race experience.'”

KIGALI (RWA): Local media are informing that Rwanda will not host the 2013 African Junior Athletics Championship, a move which has left the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) in confusion. The country was given the nod to host 2013 African Junior Athletics Championship planned for June next year. Rwanda was the sole bidder to host the event. The planned budget was around 2 million USD what is the biggest problem for the organisers. Financial difficulties were the reason for the withdrawal. 

NEW YORK (USA):  By the thousands, runners set to take part in the 43rd ING New York City Marathon, ran through Central Park on Sunday, celebrating the event by coming together in a sign of solidarity following the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy.  Athletes from all over the world ran loops of the park, some choosing to cover the entire 26.2 mile (42.195 km) marathon distance. Even some professional athletes ran alongside the thousands of marathoners. IAAF World Championships 1500m gold medalist Jenny Simpson and fellow elite Sara Vaughn found themselves caught up in the celebration. Informs RRW. 

OTHER RESULTS