The Week Ahead- (Apr. 14-21ish)

April 16, 2008

Get ready because this weekend will be crazy. I am sure that you have all heard about this week at Mt. SAC where you the viewer will not only be able to see the race live, but will also have the opportunity to interact with the announcers. This is just another example of how Flotrack is taking the coverage of track and field to another level. Make sure to log on and be apart of history this weekend. Not only will you be watching history, but you will be making it. Thanks Mark and the crew!

There is plenty more going on this weekend including the Boston Marathon (well its on Monday), the Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, and a plethora of college track meets. The big question is can the 2008 Boston Marathon live up to the hype of years past? It will be hard to say but this past weekend's Flora London Marathon will make it harder for it to. With that said how about we give credit to Ryan Hall's 2:06:17 in the marathon this past weekend, which makes him the fastest born American marathoner of all time. How about this fact, â€œUntil Sunday, only 7 guys had ever run under 2:06:15, now 11 have,â€ thats in the world. (letsrun.com) Ryan is so close! It still amazes me that he ran so fast, however it shouldn't because I was there to see him run away from the men's Olympic Trials field. He was so dominate and fluid that day I knew that the sky was the limit for him. I wish him luck and hope that he will keep carrying the torch for American distance running all the way to the medal stand.

The Boston Marathon though maybe not as competitive as in year's past is still a gem in America's heart. It will still bring together a great field of elite and recreational runners alike for a weekend long celebration. Sunday morning will start with the Women's Olympic Marathon Trials. We all know who will win it (Deena Kastor), but this year's marathon is a great sign as there will be 162 competitors in the race all vying for those 3 spots on the U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon team. Though only 19 athletes got the â€œAâ€ qualify time we are still moving forward to producing top world marathoners. The future is bright too because soon women like Kara Goucher will be moving to the distance in the early future. I had so much fun in New York at the men's marathon and I am sure the women's will not disappoint.

This weekend will be highlighted by the Marathons and Mt. SAC for sure, but don't forget about meets such as the ACC Championships (yes, they are this weekend), LSU Gold Alumni meet, Arkansas McDonnell Invit., Baylor Michael Johnson Classic, Indiana Invit., Kansas Relays, Texas Twilight, and another dual Oregon vs UCLA. Look for FSU to come out strong at the ACC's to prove they are the team still to beat!

It's about time for pros to start making their run at the Olympic qualifying times and Mt. SAC will be full of them. Make sure to post your predictions for this weekend's Mt. SAC races. Who will win the men's 5k or the women's 5k? The fields are packed and my predictions are for FAM and Sally to take the titles!

Good luck to all the teams/individuals competing this weekend be safe and run fast! Always make sure to check out the News and Results on the Flotrack Website for any extra information!

Nathan Haskins

â€œNews and Results Guyâ€

Post a Comment

#3	Cheryl_x April 17, 2008 at 12:52pm Sally will win the 5k at Mt. Sac. :) reply
#2	Nathan Haskins April 17, 2008 at 8:00am Thanks! reply
#1	Track Rankings April 16, 2008 at 11:22pm good article nate reply