LILLE HALFMARATHON AND TILBURG TENMILES...ROAD RACE SEASON IS STARTING...

This Sunday will go on stage the first two big road races of a long season now starting.In few weeks we will see the first fireworks in Newcastel (Uk) for half with Farah against Haile and BerlinMarathon with G.Mutai focused on a great great time.. i will write more about these events in next weeks.
Today i speak about an half in France and a 10miles race in Holland.

SEMI MARATHON DE LILLE METROPOLE (LILLE HALFMARATHON)

RACE very fast with 2011 winner in G.Kipsang (Ken) in 60'02" with 7 athletes under 62' and 13'under 63'.While in women last year winner was Valentine Kipketer in 68'20" in front of Rose Chelimo (Ken) with 69'45 and Lucy Makaria (Ken) in 70'38.
Number 1 this year will be ethiopian Atsedu Tsegay with his 58'47 realized this spring in a winner Prague HalfMarathon.Against him Bernard Kipyego with 59'10 of PB and 2h06'29 in last edition of ChicagoMarathon.Attention also to Philemon Limo strong by his 59'30 last April and predicted for kenyan-team in HalfMarathon.Number 6 will be Lucas Rotich with 26'43"98 on 10k track and 59'44 on half:.Hving also 12'55 of pb in 5k,this is considered a very talented guy and in last km it will be very hard to defeat him being very fast.An important outsider will be Ezekiel Chebii with his 59'22 of pb this spring in Berlin:i like very much this guy running!!More than 10 kenyans to complete an excellent men-list...but the big news is the debut in half from Eliud Kipchoge!!!
Gold in Paris WC 2003,bronze in Athens Oly 2004,silver in 2007 Osaka WC and in 2008 Bejing Oly, Kipchoge was an incredible star of 5k worldwide.His pb are also impressive: 7'27"66 on 3k,12'46"53 on 5k and 26'49"02 on 10k for one of the biggest.What can we wait from him in Half is difficult to preview..but in my opnion under 60' for this talent.If this race could be a step to 42k is difficult to know by now but it's very interesting as experience to see a similar talent on track trying with the road races!!
Lydia Cheromei will be the best in women strong from her pb of 67'26 in Prague last spring and 2h21'30 in Dubai last January.Chepchirchirs are the best rivals:Sarah with 68'07 on half and Filomena with 68'22 of pb.
Diane Chepkemoi will be a possible outsider with 69'08 of pb realized this spring.
Also in women another great talent track will  try half for first time and i am speaking about Priscah Jepleting Cherono !! 14'35"30 on 5k and 30'56"43 on 10k could be to hope very well also from her in this race??

TENMILES TILBURG

Another great road race in Holland on 10miles but enough to understand shape of some athletes.
Speaking about WOMEN, race will be very exciting with Joyce Chepkirui (hope completely recovered by last little injury) against Lineth Masai and Emily Chebet as precious outsider.Curious very much about big duel because Joyce has already run strong on street and we must not forget her pacing in last LondonMarathon and Lineth is an incredible talent and i am sure she will find new dimension on road!!
In MEN Patrick Makau,world record holder will test his shape less than two months before his marathon in Frankfurt and it will be very interesting to see him finally running in well shape.
Against him last year winner Philemon Rono and John Mwangangi,rumored this one to be member of kenyan team in next half world champs.Personally i saw Mwangangi as the top contender to Patrick Makau.



Eliud Kipchoge and Priscah Jepleting on the half,Lineth Masai  against Joyce Chepkirui and the shape of Makau will be the arguments most important in this weekend of road running....what do you think about these talents starting new inspiration on road??In my opinion it's good and they can only improve more being so fast on short distances.

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PADOVA MEETING....STARTINGLISTS!!

HERE you can read the official startline of PadovaMeeting this sunday in Italy!!Difficult think to livestreaming:italian tv will broadcast it but it is GeoBlocked outside Italy!!

HERE timetable of event....times are in CET  (GMT+1)

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WELTKLASSE ZURICH...PACERS AND PACES FOR DISTANCE RUNNING

Wooww...what a stellar meeting announced tonight in Zurich...

Let me show you pacers and paces to understand what an exciting night of athletics is coming..

800m MEN

As usually,Sammy Tangui will be pace David Rudisha for a finish time around 1'40"80-1'41"50 !!!!...they are going to put the race hard...and the presence of his coach Colm O'Connell in Zurich means probably something.....

1500m WOMEN

For a goal of 3'56"... the pacers will be Dianne Cummins and kenyans Eunice Sum.

3000m STEEPLE WOMEN

With absence of russian Zaripova race is changed... Ukrainan Schmidt will pace 3 laps for a possible final goal around 9'05"-9'07".

5000m MEN:

The race we are all waiting for...Rumors are completely real and what told by Bernard Lagat yesterday at FLOTRACK is it real...a race with a projected final time around 12'45" with a 3k pace of 7'37-7-40.Pacers will be 3 till 3500m and their name are: Collins Cheboi,Gideon Gathimba and Vincent Kiprop...

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WELTKLASSE ZURICH LIVETWEETING... #WELTKLASSE

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WELTKLASSE ZURICH...OLYMPICS IN ONE DAY..DISTANCE RUNNING PREVIEW

Tomorrow it will be Zurich-day in athletics with an incredible meeting with all the world stars.Of course we are waiting exciting results  from sprint and hurdles with the caribbean power still on the top?
In Jumps the more expectations will come from High Jump with another stellar race between Grabarz,Ukhov and younger Barshim.
My podcast will be focused more on distance-running races where all the rumors are speaking about exciting races.
800m men race of David Rudisha.Paced by training partner Sammy Tangui for a possible halfway of 49-49.50,olympic champ and world record holder has declared today to try to give his best.The question is if he will attempt his own WR?..Difficult in my opinion but surely very very close to it.The only trouble should be  the weather to give us something special.In this race will miss junior Nijel Amos,second in London,rumored to run in Rieti on another magical track.Rudisha has also announced with Zurich his season will end but why not dream him in Rieti too??
Behind Rudisha the first important name is young kenian Leonard Kosencha who come to Zurich if his health-problems are completely recovered.Other two kenyans as Chemut and olympic bronze medallist Kitum don't look like so in good shape.Ethiopian Aman is not the one as last year so difficult to think him in the top of the race.Interesting to see every improvements from english Rimmer and Osagie (last one raced very well in london-olympics) and american Duane Salomon at high level this year.
16 athletes will start in 1500 women in a race whitout any turkish or moroccan...a race absolutely true and very  promising.it is a little difficult to guess pacers but impressive startingline with all girls with PB under 4.07.Abeba Aregawi,Maryam Jamal and Viola Kibiwott should be the top names but in my opinion two younger kenyans could realize something important:i am speaking of Mercy Cherono,in very good shape this month and able to beat Vivian Cheruyot last week in Lausanne, and Faith Kipyegon so young but with 4.03 of PB and intentioned to change a season where she won at junior world champs but not so good in Olympics.
Special mentions to americans Rowbury and Simpson together with british Hannah England and Laura Weightman,a great talent this last one seen at Olympics.
Steeple women supposed to be till minutes ago an impressive fast race by attempt of russian Zaripova to a time under 9':announced today he will not start due to a cold.Kenyan Milca Chemos could be the favourite but maybe a little tired.with her i predict tunisian Ghribi and also the ethiopian Assefa and Mercy Nyoroge as outsider.Without Zaripova probably a pacer will be put inside but difficult to predict which one...maybe the ukrainan.
Last race of meeting will be probably the most important:5000m men with 18 guys at the start and 13 with a pb under 13'...what else?Only Farah and Bekele will miss!Difficult a tactical race:in an interview to Flotrack,Bernard Lagat gives his personal idea about a possible pace under 7.40 at 3k:if confirmed tomorrow it will be excellent to run under 12.50.
Race will be probably done Hagos Gebrhiwet a young ethiopian with 12.47'53 seasonal.Imane Merga and Tariky Bekele could complete an amazing ethiopian trio.Kenyans will answer with Thomas Longosiwa,Edwin Soi,Isaiah Koech and young John Kipkoech.Another impressive trio will be the americans with Lopez Lomong,Bernard Lagat and Galen Rupp to try to catch the American record on 5k held by Lagat in 12.53'60.
Final prediction time?In my opinion new WL of sure (12'46.81 of Gebremesckel) and if weather and pacers will be good also meeting record or close to it (Gebreselassie 12.41.86).
An amazing evening of distance running in zurich is waiting us....have fun!!

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WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPS PONTE DI LEGNO..THE GUIDE AND OFFICIAL RESULTS (UPDATED)

This sunday in PonteDiLegno in north italy,there will be World Champs of mountain running...
Thanks to my membership to Flotrail and friendship to Corsainmontagna.it  i will be proud to follow the event.
DETAILED course presentation through photos-report by italian friends.

OFFICIAL startinglists of the event

DETAILED maps of the courses.. (thanks to Sportdimontagna.com )

LIVESTREAMING  (to be confirmed in few days but quite sure at the moment)

Stay Tuned....more to come!!

OFFICIAL RESULTS WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNINGS CHAMPS !!!!!

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AVIVA BIRMINGHAM DL... LIVE TWEETING... #ABGP

Diamond League today in Birmingham!!
On BBC2 since 2pm till 5pm GMT and  from 3pm till 5pm GMT all the europe broadcasted.
HERE you can find last versions of startinglists and timetable in english time.
Down here u will find live-tweeting from the race: i have defined more the search and u will read only news from the meeting.
At the end u will find buttons to interact with me for some comments through Twitter-community

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DUBNICA MEETING...SHORT GUIDE

Tomorrow afternoon not only  Birmingham DL but also a very good meeting in Slovakia in Dubnica..

LIVESTREAMING

STARTINGLISTS

TIMETABLE
All times are in CET (GMT+1)

UPDATED POST WITH LIVERESULTS

Livestreaming will begin at 3pm CET  2pm GMT

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BIRMINGHAM DL....PREVIEW

Sunday is still the day of the meeting DiamondLeague "Aviva Grand Prix Birmingham" 

Let's try to anticipate possible favorites for each race:

UPDATED 

MEN:

200M:

Favored compulsory to American Ryan Bailey against Dutch Churandy Martina 19 "94 this year. The American Wallace Spearmon could play the role of an outsider but look forward to the trial of the young Adam Gemili junior world champion about 100m.Inside also Tyson Gay and Nick Ashmeade:for US the first 200m after much time.

400M:

One over all should be the Dominican Leguelin Santos silver medal at the Olympics.Another star behind  will surely be the Belgian Jonathan Borlee and attention to Sudan Yousif growth in net this season and ready for a lap under 45. "

1500M:

What a great race! After Lausanne Kenyan Kiplagat and American Centrowitz are favorites but will not appear absolutely easy against Nixon  Chepseba and Leonel Manzano immediately back:Gebremedhim and Willis as outsider.Particular mention to the Kenyan Magut much improved this year and ready to seek further progressions timekeeping.

3000M STEEPLE:

Training partners Abel Mutai and Jairus Kipchoge a step above and behind them all extremely interested in the trial of the young American Don Cabral a very good talent.

2 MILES:

A tribute to the great Mo Farah .. A race that more than technical content will play an opportunity to claps the triumphant English champion in front of their audience.

110m Hurdles:

Another race with the Olympic podium to via.It will be important fatigue after competing individual also Lausanne.In normal Aries Merritt of all as shown in the season even though Merritt  false start of Lausanne.

LONG JUMP:

Not as with exceptional levels this year and therefore difficult to predict a favorite.If he will rediscover the sensations Olympic English Rutherford may be the top and with him the Australian Watt and South African Mokoena.Anyway race definitely open to any result.

HIGH JUMP:

Exciting wait for this race.Afte the stellar performance of Lausanne trio Barshim, Ukhov and Grabarz is expected still important measures by all? .. In my view:YES!!

DISCUS:

Robert Harting against Virgilius Alekna! .. Attention to measures! ... Well four actors with a seasonal over 68m.


WOMEN: 

100M: 
Needless to say but will once again sure duel between Carmelita Jeter and Fraser to decide the fastest woman .Many other girls of excellent quality for a race that you can register with interesting content under 11. "

400M: 
DeeDee Trotter could say her view after the brilliant Olympic form but eye to a Christine Ohuruogu who wants to say and try to dominate in her own nation home.Surely interesting and exciting as a challenge.

800M:
Another duel Savinova-Jelimo with Jepkosgei third.It is announced a race very fast and will be measured for revenge after the defeat of Russian in Lausanne.

1500M: 
It will be the clash between the strong Kenyan Hellen Obiri and the American Morgan Uceny returning after the fall of Olympics.Many english-language young athletes try to mature and among them we find also the former Olympic champion Nancy Langat.Morgan Uceny has decided to end the season early:still favourite Hellen Obiri and then a race absolutely open to many solutions.

3000M:
One of the best perhaps the most interesting race of meeting.It could be run on the pace and make something interesting in what appears to be a kenian affair.Vivian Cheruyot as alone favourite; behind her medallist Sally Kipyego Mercy Cherono, victorious in Lausanne and the other Kenyan Viola Kibiwott.Curiosity for the Magdaleine Masai (sister of the great Lineth) and the young American Tara Erdmann a few weeks arrived at the court of Alberto Salazar.

400m Hurdles: 
Jamaican Spencer Should have an asy life during race.Against her russian Natalya Antyuhk.

SHOT PUT: 
The Kiwi Valerie Adams can only lose this gara.Nobody can give her a trouble

TRIPLE JUMP:
The theme is always the one with Saladukha against Rypakova.To an interesting competition which would finally bring this 15m.

JAVELIN: 
Favored the Czech Spotakova victorious in Lausanne, against her Russian Abakumova and South Africa Viljoen.

ITALIAN VERSION:

Domenica sarà ancora giornata di DiamondLeague con il meeting inglese di Birmingham.

Cerchiamo di anticipare possibili favoriti per ogni singola gara:

UOMINI:

200M:

Favorito d'obbligo l'americano Ryan Bailey che si scontrerà con l'olandese Churandy Martina a 19"94 quest'anno.L'americano Wallace Spearmon potrebbe rivestire il ruolo dell'outsider ma attendo la prova del giovane Adam Gemili campione del mondo junior sui 100m.

400M:

Un nome su tutti come quello del domenicano Leguelin Santos medaglia d'argento ai giochi olimpici.Alle sue spalle probabile protagonista il belga Jonathan Borlee e attenzione al sudanese Yousif in netta crescita questa stagione e pronto ad un crono sotto i 45".

1500M:

Che bella gara!!Dopo la prova di Losanna il keniano Kiplagat e l'americano Centrowitz appaiono favoriti ma non daranno tregua il keniano Chepseba e l'americano Manzano con subito alle loro spalle.Gebremedhim e Willis come outsider.Menzione particolare per il keniano Magut assai migliorato quest'anno e pronto a cercare ulteriori progressioni cronometriche.

3000M STEEPLE:

I compagni di allenamento Abel Mutai e Jairus Kipchoge un gradino sopra tutti e alle loro spalle estremamente interessato alla prova del giovane americano Don Cabral da cui lecito ottenersi un miglioramento cronometrico.

2 MIGLIA:

Il giusto tributo per il grande Mo Farah..Una gara che piu che contenuti tecnici rivestirà l'occasione per una passerella trionfale del campione inglese davanti al proprio pubblico.

110M HURDLES:

Un'altra gara con il podio olimpico al via.Sarà importante la stanchezza dei singoli dopo aver gareggiato anche a Losanna.In condizioni normali Aries Merritt su tutti per quanto dimostrato nella stagione seppur reduce dalla partenza falsa di Losanna.

LUNGO:

Specialità non con livelli eccezionali quest'anno e difficile quindi prevedere un favorito unico.Se ritroverà le sensazioni olimpiche l'inglese Rutherford può essere il top;con lui l'australiano Watt e il sudafricano Mokoena.Gara cmq decisamente aperta ad ogni risultato.

ALTO:

Tanta attesa per questa gara.Dopo la stellare prestazione svizzera di Losanna del trio Barshim,Ukhov e Grabarz è lecito attendersi ancora misure importanti da tutti??..a mio avviso si!!

DISCO:

Robert Harting contro Virgilius Alekna!!..attenzione alle misure!!!...e ben 4 comprimari con uno stagionale oltre i 68m.


DONNE:
100M:
Inutile dirlo ma sarà ancora una volta duello scontato tra Carmelita Jeter e la Fraser per decidere la donna piu veloce.Tante comprimarie di eccellente livello per una gara che può annunciarsi di contenuti interessanti sotto gli 11".

400M:
DeeDee Trotter potrebbe dire la sua vista la brillante forma olimpica ma occhio ad una Christine Ohuruogu che vorrà dire la sua e provare a dominare in casa propria.Decisamente interessante e avvincente come sfida.

800M:
Ancora un duello Savinova-Jelimo con Jepkosgei terzo incomodo.Si annuncia una gara decisamente veloce e sarà da misurare la sete di vendetta della russa dopo la sconfitta a Losanna.

1500M:
Sarà scontro tra la forte keniana Hellen Obiri e l'americana Morgan Uceny al rientro dopo la caduta alle Olimpiadi.Tante giovani atlete anglofone cercheranno di maturare e tra loro ritroviamo anche l'ex campionessa olimpica Nancy Langat

3000M:
Una delle prove forse piu interessanti del meeting.Potrebbe essere corsa sul ritmo e realizzare qualcosa di interessante in quello che sembra essere un affaire keniano.Vivian Cheruyot su tutte come favorita unica,alle sue spalle Sally Kipyego e la giovane Mercy Cherono,vittoriosa a Losanna e l'altra keniana Viola Kibiwott.Curiosità per la sorella d'arte Magdaleine Masai (sorella della grandissima Lineth) e per la giovane americana Tara Erdmann da poche settimane approdata alla corte di Alberto Salazar.

400m HURDLES:
Jamaican Spencer should be and easy life during race.Against her russian Natalya Antyuhk.

PESO:
La kiwi Valerie Adams può solo lei perdere questa gara.Nessuna in grado di impensierirla.

TRIPLO:
Il tema rimane sempre quello con Saladukha contro Rypakova.Per una interessante competizione che possa finalmente avvicinare questo 15m.

GIAVELLOTTO:
Favorita la ceca Spotakova vittoriosa anche a Losanna,contro di lei la russa Abakumova e la sudafricana Viljoen.

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LAUSANNE DL....SOME VIDEOS

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LIVE-TWEETING FROM LAUSANNE DL

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EXCLUSIVE!!...LAUSANNE DL PACERS AND PACES

I can proudly announce Lausanne DL pacers and paces for middle distance races!!

1500m MEN:

-Ismael Kombich (Ken) will pace through 400m in 56" and 800m in 1'53".

-Geoffrey Barusei (KenI will be second pace through 1000m in 2'21".

3000m STEEPLE MEN:

-Patrick Terer (Ken) will pace through 1000m in 2'37".

-Elijah Chelimo (Kenn) will be second pace through 2000m in 5'17".

800M WOMEN:

-Yekaterina Kupina (Rus) pacer through 400m in 56".

3000m WOMEN:

-Lydia Wafula (Ken) first pacer at 2'52" at 1k.

-Elizabeth Maloy (Usa) second pacer at 5'44 at 2k

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BEST OF LONDON2012.... AMAZING VIDEO!!!

 Olympics are gone...these are the best moments of an incredible edition!!!...What an incredible show!!!

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LAUSANNE DL...PREVIEW

Thursday evening will be very good athletics in Switzerland with the famous Athletissima meeting in Lausanne. 

Important names are announced at the start in this big race at the end of August.

Let's present every races in the program ..

MEN:

100M:

It will be a battle between four men with seasonal  under 9 "90 where victory may shrink in my opinion between the American Ryan Bailey and Jamaican Yohan Blake with the last definitely my favorite in my opinion.Outsider returned Tyson Gay.

200M:

6 men under 20 "as a seasonal but the real battle will be for second place behind Jamaican Usain Bolt.Youngers Ashmeade, Weir and Young are definitely my favorites for silver but without forgetting the American Wallace Spearmon.

400M:

Great race the 400m with the renewed battle between all Dominican Kirani James, Lequelin Santos and Trinidad Lalonde Gordon.Curious to see the Belgian Borlee if he can find the condition pre-Olympics.

1500M:

Perhaps one of the most awaited events of the evening that will give us good times.Pacers for a good rythm as Kenyans Barusei and Cheboi.Who will make the race then? A clash between giants Chepseba, Silas Kiplagat and Caleb Ndiku (in good form recently). trust also in Americans Manzano, Centrowitz and Rupp with the last in the race for a bit of speed before the assault on the American record of 5k next week in Zurich.

3000M STEEPLE:

Definitely a duel between Paul Koech and Kipruto Conselsus with training partners Jairus Kipchoge and Abel Mutai to contend the podium of outsider.An interesting race as a stopwatch given the presence of two pacers as reliable as Nganga and Yego.

110m Hurdles:

The complete Olympic podium for the rematch with the addition of the new Russian name Shubenkov.Aries Merritt remains my favorite of course.

HIGH JUMP:

The English Grabarz may be the favorite a must view his condition but the American Williams with a vengeance after the defeat olimpica.Attention for the Russian Ukhov, one of my ever preferred.Race high technical content.

POLE VAULT:

Revenge of the Olympics in the pole vault even with an amazing cast, but the French Lavillenie will be even on the top.I Germans will do anything to not make life easy for the French.

DISCUS:

Many athletes are presented with a seasonal over 68m but my favorite is still the Lithuanian Alekna with its 70.28 m

WOMEN:

100M:

Shelly Fraser against Carmelita Jeter for a race with 6 stellar athletes under 11 "as seasonal.Difficult to predict an outsider as the possible winner.At Olympics showed both a very good shape.

800M:

The Russian Savinova is my favorite before for condition and also for tactical ability in managing race.Her compatriot Poistogova can give some problems to her.Curiosity for young burundian Nyionsabanew  real name of the season.Waiting also an attempt to rescue Pamela Jelimo of Kenya.

3000M:

A great race in my opinion, with many new names and young of the world show.It could be a duel between Mercy Cherono and Silvia Kibet but kenyans should pay attention to young Ethiopians who could have their say.

100M Hurdles:

An all-American duel between Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells.Nobody can create troubles to them.

400M Hurdles:

The Russian Antyhuk the favourite necessary, as her seasonal.But the Jamaican Spencer and Walker will rival even worthy of the name with the completion of the high-level startinglist

LONG JUMP:

Only duel between the American Britney Reese and the RussianSokolova.Many athletes of the first order for a race to say the least stellar.Probably race will win over 7m or slightly below.

TRIPLE:

The Ukrainian Saladukha and the Kazakh Rypakova for an attempt above the 15m.Reaction of Lebedeva and Aldama??

WEIGHT:

Valerie Adams to the rescue after the medal denied the Olympics .. Nobody can create problems to her for the winner

JAVELIN:

Barbara Spotakova and South African Viljoen for the gold of the day.

ITALIAN VERSION:

Giovedi sarà sera di grande atletica in Svizzera con il famoso meeting Athletissima a Losanna.

Grandi nomi sono annunciati al via in questa grossa gara di fine Agosto.

Presentiamo le singole specialità in programma..

UOMINI:

100M:

Sarà un duello tra 4 uomini con personale stagionale sotto i 9"90 dove la vittoria potrebbe restringersi a mio parere tra l'americano Ryan Bailey e il giamaicano Yohan Blake con quest'ultimo decisamente favorito a mio avviso.Outsider il rientrate Tyson Gay.

200M:

6 uomini sotto i 20" come stagionale ma la vera battaglia sarà per il secondo posto dietro Usain Bolt.I giovani giamaicani Ashmeade,Weir e Young sono sicuramente i miei favoriti per l'argento senza però dimenticare lo statunitense Wallace Spearmon.

400M:

Grande gara i 400m con il rinnovato duello tutto dominicano tra Kirani James,Lequelin Santos e da Trinidat Lalonde Gordon.Curioso di vedere il belga Borlee se saprà ritrovare la condizione preolimpica.

1500M:

Forse una delle gare piu attese della serata che potrà regalarci ottimi tempi cronometrici.Le lepri ci sono per un ottimo ritmo come i keniani Barusei e Cheboi.Chi farà la gara poi?Uno scontro tra giganti con Chepseba,Silas Kiplagat e Caleb Ndiku(in ottima forma recentemente).Confido anche negli americani Manzano,Centrowitz e Rupp con quest'ultimo in gara per un po di velocità prima dell'assalto al record americano dei 5k la prossima settimana a Zurigo.

3000M STEEPLE:

Sicuramente un duello tra Paul Koech e Conselsus Kipruto con i compagni di allenamento Kipchoge e Mutai a contendersi il posto di outsider.Un gara interessante anche come cronometro vista la presenza di due lepri affidabili come Nganga e Yego.

110m HURDLES:

Il podio olimpico si scontra per la rivincita con l'aggiunta del nome nuovo russo Shubenkov.Aries Merritt rimane il mio favorito d'obbligo.

ALTO:

L'inglese Grabarz può essere il favorito d'obbligo vista la sua condizione ma l'americano Williams ha sete di vendetta dopo la disfatta olimpica.Occhio di riguardo per il russo Ukhov,uno dei miei preferiti da sempre.Gara dai contenuti tecnici elevati.

ASTA:

La rivincita delle Olimpiadi anche nell'asta con un cast incredibile ma il francese Lavillenie saprà farsi ancora valere.I tedeschi faranno di tutto per non rendere la vita facile al francese.

DISCO:

Molti atleti si presentano con uno stagionale sopra i 68m ma il mio favorito rimane sempre il lituano Alekna con il suo 70,28m

DONNE:

100M:

Shelly Fraser contro Carmelita Jeter per una gara stellare con 6 atlete sotto gli 11" come primato stagionale.Difficile prevedere una outsider come la possibile vincitrice.Alle Olimpiadi hanno mostrato entrambe una condizione egregia.

800M:

La russa Savinova è la mia favorita d'obbligo per condizione e anche per capacità tattica nel gestire la gara.La sua connazionale Poistogova può dare filo da torcere.Curiosità per la giovane burundiana Nyionsaba vero nome nuovo della stagione.Aspettiamoci anche un tentativo di riscossa della keniana Pamela Jelimo.

3000M:

Una grande gara a mio avviso con tanti nomi nuovi e giovani del firmamento mondiale.Potrebbe essere un duello tra Mercy Cherono e Silvia Kibet ma stiano attente le keniane alle giovani etiopi che potrebbero dire la loro.

100M HURDLES:

Un duello tutto americano tra Dawn Harper e Kellie Wells.Nessuna penso possa impensierirle.

400M HURDLES:

La russa Antyhuk la favorita d'obbligo visto il crono stagionale.Ma le giamaicane Spencer e Walker saranno rivali degne di nome con anche il completamento della startinglist di alto livello

LUNGO:

Duello solo tra l'americana Britney Reese e la russa Sokolova.Tante comprimarie di prima grandezza per una gara a dir poco stellare.Probabilmente si vincerà sopra i 7m o poco sotto.

TRIPLO:

L'ucraina Saladukha e la kazaka Rypakova per un tentativo sopra i 15m.Reazione di Lebedeva e Aldama??

PESO:

Valerie Adams alla riscossa dopo la medaglia negata alle Olimpiadi..Nessuna potrà impensierirla per la vittoria.

GIAVELLOTTO:

Barbara Spotakova e la sudafricana Viljoen per l'oro di giornata.

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GALEN RUPP AND ALBERTO SALAZAR LONG INTERVIEWS

Last week in StMoritz (swi) i have met Salazar's group training in altitude!!. what an experience!!..in other post u saw my personal interview to coach but,this time i want to suggest you these both:very well done!!
I saw two workouts of the guys and we have only to learn as they train!!
Two great interview by Holland-guys!!
look at Galen interview...the guy behind him around 4.03...is the owner of this blog!!!..:))))

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A BUSY MONDAY OF LIVESTREAMING

Two important meetings today in Europe and both possible to be seen by livestreaming worldwide.

-MEMORIAL ISTVAN GYULAI

 Held in Budapest in Hungary from 5pm CET main programme.
TIMETABLE and detailed STARTINGLIST
Livestreaming of the event could be found HERE

-GUGLGAMES

Held in Linz (Austria) from 7 pm CET main programme.
TIMETABLE can be found here.
STARTINGLIST is here!!
Streaming of the event could be found HERE starting at 9pm CET

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A BRIEF CHAT WITH ALBERTO SALAZAR

Yesterday i met Alberto Salazar and i spoke with him about incoming races,his athletes and improving of american distance running movement...

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MARATHON MEN...DEEP ANALYSIS BY RENATO CANOVA

OLYMPIC  MARATHON  MEN  :  WHY  WE  MUST  FORGET  THE  RESULTS  OF  MAJOR  MARATHONS.

I think nobody could think of STEPHEN KIPROTICH as a possible Olympic Champion.  However, this is what happened.
STEPHEN KIPROTICH is Ugandan, managed by the Global Communication (the management of Jos Hermens), such as Abel Kirui, silver medal.  Born on 18th April 1989, Stephen trains in Kaptagat under Patrick Sang, who is also the coach of Emmanuel Mutai.  Very small and light (168 x 54 kg), started as track runners, reaching a PB of 13’23”70 in 2008, 27’58”03 and 8’26”66 (steeple) in 2010.
Originally training with Eliud Kipchoge, at the beginning of last year he decided to move to longer road races, advised by Patrick Sang and Valentijn Trouw, responsible of Global management.
As beginning, Stephen went to pace in Enschede (17th of April 2011) for 30 km, but, feeling good, decided to finish, winning the race in 2:07:20, National Ugandan Record.  Due to this result, he was selected for World Championships in Daegu, and ran a anonymous race, finishing in 9th position with 2:12:57.
Looking at Olympics (in Uganda there are not trials, and he was automatically selected), following a strategy of growing in his international experience, this year he went to compete in Tokyo (26th February), obtained the 3rd position in 2:07:50.
The winning key is that he had more time, after Tokyo, for recovering and starting the full preparation again.  In his case, there were  168 days of time, while in the case of Wilson Kipsang and Abel Kirui, both competing in London, 110 days only.  This is a difference of almost 2 months, and is the reason because it was not possible to prepare Olympics reaching the same peak of shape for all the athletes running in April.
ANALYSIS OF THE COMPETITION.
The race started with a temperature a little bit hot, but not too much.  The real problem the athletes had to face was the course, with a lot of turns and different kinds of surface (soft and hard asphalt an cobble stones), that at the end provoked muscle diseases and became the reason of slowing down during the last 10 km for the most part of runners.
All together in the first 5 km at moderate speed (15’23”), the group went at the same pace till 10 km (30’46”, 8” behind the Brasilian de Almeida, alone in front).   At this point, WILSON KIPSANG (running with the name of KIPROTICH, that is his family name, also if everybody knows him as Kipsang) did something we can consider a big mistake, pushing the pace with an astonishing 14’11” till 15 km.  Nobody wanted to follow him, but his action determined the creation of a small group of purchasers, with Abel Kirui, Stephen Kiprotich, Emmanuel Mutai, Ayele Abshero and Getu Feleke, 13” behind.
Wilson continued to stay in front, without pushing too much, running a split of 14’59” between 15k and 20k, exactly like the chasing group.  Near 25 km, the gap started to become smaller : with 1:14:58 versus 1:15:05, Wilson was 7” only in front of the group, including only more Stephen Kiprotich, Abel Kirui and Ayele Abshero.  
At 27 km, Kiprotich and Kirui closed the gap, while Abshero started to struggle, and had to let the others go.
At 30 km, 3 athletes in front in 1:30:15, the same at 35 km (1:46:03).  
Abel and Wilson were normally in front, controlling one another, and probably not looking at Stephen as a possible winner….  So Stephen could be completely relaxed, and at 36 km decided to try, looking the two Kenyans controlling themselves.   
Abel Kirui was the one having still fuel in the tank, but didn’t react immediately, still looking at Wilson, and in 2 km the gap was 20”.  When Abel decided to try to go, suddenly Wilson lost, and was no more able to follow.  Nothing changed till the end : Stephen Kiprotich became the 2nd Ugandan Olympic Champion after John Akii Bua, and was still fresh at the end, with Abel Kirui winning silver and Wilson Kipsang bronze.
Here there are the splits of the first 5 athletes, plus some of the most expected before, for 5 km  :
Stephen  Kiprotich UGA 2:08:01 (1:03:31 + 1:04:30)
(15:23 – 30:46 – 45:12 – 1:00:11 – 1:15:05 – 1:30:15 – 1:46:04 – 2:01:12 – 2:08:01)
(15:23 – 15:23 – 14:26 –   14:59   -   14:54    -  15:10    -   15:49    -  15:08   -   6:49

Abel  Kirui KEN 2:08:27 (1:03:31 + 1:04:56)
(15:24 – 30:46 – 45:11 – 1:00:11 – 1:15:05 – 1:30:15 – 1:46:03 – 2:01:31 – 2:08:27)
(15:24 – 15:22 – 14:25 –   15:00   -   14:54    -  15:10    -   15:48    -  15:28   -   6:56)

Wilson  Kipsang KEN 2:09:37 (1:03:15 + 1:06:22)
(15:23 – 30:47 – 44:58 – 59:57 – 1:14:58 – 1:30:15 – 1:46:03 – 2:02:03 – 2:09:37)
(15:23 – 15:24 – 14:11 – 14:59  -  15:01   -   15:17    -   15:48    -  16:00   -   7:34)

Meb  Keflezighi USA 2:11:06 (1:04:30 + 1:06:36)
(15:25 – 30:46 – 45:37 – 1:01:00 – 1:16:47 – 1:32:17 – 1:48:16 – 2:04:11 – 2:11:06)
(15:25 – 15:21 – 14:51 –   15:23   -   15:47    -  15:30    -   15:59    -  15:55   -   6:55)

Marilson dos Santos BRA 2:11:10 (1:03:32 + 1:07:38)
(15:25 – 30:46 – 45:12 – 1:00:12 – 1:15:21 – 1:30:55 – 1:47:17 – 2:03:45 – 2:11:10)
(15:25 – 15:21 – 14:26 –   15:00   -   15:09    -  15:34    -   16:22    -  16:28   -   7:25)

Emmanuel  Mutai KEN 2:14:49 (1:04:03 + 1:10:46)
(15:23 – 30:46 – 45:12 – 1:00:35 – 1:16:27 – 1:32:18 – 1:49:39 – 2:07:04 – 2:14:49)
(15:23 – 15:23 – 14:26 –   15:23   -   15:52    -  15:51    -   17:21    -  17:25   -   7:45)

Ruggero  Pertile ITA 2:12:45 (1:04:57 + 1:07:48)
(15:28 – 30:46 – 45:43 – 1:01:28 – 1:17:24 – 1:33:28 – 1:50:06 – 2:05:57 – 2:12:45)
(15:28 – 15:18 – 14:57 –   15:45   -   15:54    -  16:04    -   16:38    -  15:51   -   6:48)


CONCLUSIONS
We saw a race nobody could suppose before.  There are some points emerging with evidence in the final result  :

1. In all the Athletic History, only once an athlete selected in a Spring Marathon for Olympic and/or World Championships was able to win.  This happened in 2008, when Sammy Wanjiru ran London (but the winner was Martin Lel).  All the other times, never who had to peak in a Spring Marathon for being selected was able to reach again the same level of shape for the top Championship.

Personally, I had this experience for the first time in 2000, when Elijah Lagat, at that time training with me, won Boston, considered as selection by Athletic Kenya, and in Sydney competed very bad. I had also an opposite experience in 2011, when Abel Kirui was out of shape in London Marathon, but able to reach his seasonal top in the right period for winning World Championships.

2. This fact is not connected with the physical fatigue of the competition, but with the nervous energies the athletes have to spend for focusing for being selected.  This is specifically a problem of Kenya and Ethiopia, that can produce a lot of runners able to win a medal.  For example, in the past we had top Champions, like the Italian Olympic Champion 2004 Stefano Baldini, or the Portuguese World Champion for women Manuela Machado, always able to be at their top shape in the Championships (in summer, Baldini won also 2 bronze medal in World Championships and 2 gold medals in European Championships, Manuela Machado won 1 gold and 2 silver in WCh, 2 gold in European Championships), always running London in a good, but never maximal, personal shape. It’s very different to train about 4 months for a shape of 90%, that you can use as base for the next step, or for a shape of 100%, from which you need to recover the full nervous energies.

3. This is confirmed by the results of today, and also of one week ago with the women competition.  All the athletes in top shape in London (Mary Keitany and Edna Kiplagat, Wilson Kipsang and Abel Kirui) or in Rotterdam (Getu Feleke), today had different efficiency, but nobody could be at his top. We had only two exceptions, all belonging to the women marathon : the Champion Tiki Gelana, winner in Rotterdam in very tough conditions with 2:18:57, and Prisca Jeptoo, 3rd in London and silver in Olympics.  But also in this case, we can say they didn’t have any mental pressure in the race: in the case of the Ethiopian, she had only to run fast, having big margin for being selected, male pacers and the second in Rotterdam very far ; in the case of Prisca, she had to cut a part of training for some injury, and this fact made her more mentally relaxed.

4. The system of selection used by Ethiopians (the best times with a dead line of 30th April) never can work.  It’s too much difficult to compare different marathon, and too many times athletes able to run wonderful times are not able to manage a competition without pacers and different weather conditions.  Two of the Ethiopians were selected from Dubai Marathon.  I was there, and can tranquilly say the difference between Dubai and London, for example, was of more than 1:00, probably 2:00.  In Dubai (that is not shorter) everything was perfect : temperature, humidity, no wind, course, pace.  Ayele Abshero had only to stay in the group, at even pace, for 40 km before increasing his speed at the end.  In the group of Ethiopians, I had one athlete selected for Olympics, Dino Sefir, and asked to the Technical Director not to select him, because not yet mature for an event like Olympics.  He had only another marathon like experience, in 2:10:23, and Abshero was in his first marathon….  Really, Ethiopia had a strange selection, with a big mistake leaving at home the most expert and adapted for this type of course : Tsegaye Kebede.

5. Wilson Kipsang, able to dominate Frankfurt last year and London this spring, general favorite because of his great ability in “reading” inside his body, had an action completely opposite to his normal behavior.  I explained him and Abel their shape was not more than 90%, and that they needed to be tranquil till 30 km before trying something important, because in any case the other athletes, at 100%, were weaker than them.  Probably Wilson felt the pressure there was in the Kenyan Committee, and followed his instinct without using the ability in reading the race, that is his best quality.  In a course like this, to go for a split of 14:11 after 10 km is something crazy, and at the end he paid.

6. Abel Kirui demonstrated that is really stronger than what people think, and this silver can qualify also his two World Titles.  He always had some problem before the Major, for example, before London this year he suffered for stomach problems, that didn’t allow him to finish in 2nd position, due to the “helicobacter pilori”, that only after the race was possible to investigate and remove. So, I that follow him daily, well know his value is very much better than the results he obtained in the Major marathons.  I think he can still improve his time, running in perfect conditions under 2:04:00.

7. Also if not in top shape, nobody can stay with these athletes. If not other Kenyans or Ethiopians, when they are at their best.  The experience of Meb Keflezighi showed that in this type of competitions the ability to distribute in the right way the energies, and to modulate the personal speed looking at the full distance, is the main attitude for being competitive.

8. In a course like this, it’s not possible to achieve good results if the athletes have some small physical problem.  A small hamstring, a pain in the back, a blister in one foot, become going ahead a limit the athletes cant overtake, because under muscular point of view the body has to suffer every time there is a turn or a change of surface.

9. Wilson Kipsang didn’t get water several times, and this is another mistake he have to avoid in the future.  In the past, he never used to drink too much, but he ran all his marathon in cold conditions. This is another demonstration that marathon is not a distance, but every marathon can be a different event, and must be prepared knowing exactly the situations the athletes have to face.   

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