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|  ATF eNewswire - Final thoughts on the Flora London Marathon
ATF eNewswire Media Centre -- Kudos to Nicola Oakey and staff The Flora London Marathon is a lesson in how an event should be run.
Most
of my time was spent around the media room and the organization and
assistance of the staff was quite important to the successful coverage of
the event. The press room had all of the daily papers' highlights on the
walls. Nicola Oakey, the head of the press office, should be commended in her
quick response to all inquiries and to the way the media center was set
up.
Credentials were required and the enviroment for getting writing done,
checking
on quotes, and the presence of wireless was very much appreciated. ******* Khalid Khannouchi's performance highlighted what may be one of the
premier weeks in American marathoning history: three men in the top
five at Boston, Deena's win and American Record at Flora London and
and the superb fourth place finish by Khannouchi. Khalid ran by himself much of the race, trying to stay with the pack and
was dropped off the back at least two times, but he pushed back and
was rewarded with a fine 2.07.04 performance--considering that he has
been healthy for only
12 weeks, this is an even more amazing performance. ********** The five major marathons also opens some real opportunities for the
sport to work together. There are categories of sponsors that would see
the opportunities
to be involved in five of the largest races in the world as a true global
marketing opportunity. The first step, the agreement on vests to better
identify the athletes at various events is an important first step in the
races working together. Our sport is growing in leaps and bounds. The advent of the Five Majors
is, in this writer's mind, a good step in working together for common
interests. Running is quite the smart investment at the moment. Consider the adidas/Reebok merger. Under the lights last year,
Cannondale purchased Sugoi, the performance apparel manufacterer,
and last week, Bershire Hathaway purchased Russell Sporting Goods,
or is making a strong attempt to buy the company. For Berkshire, it
shores up their investments in apparel, and the companies Moving
Comfort and Brooks Running should surely benefit from the new
association. But, as our sport gets larger, there will also be companies, and
individuals who are looking for the quick dollar, the quick return and
without making an investment in the sport we love, will hurt it or seem to
hurt the sport. Those
things are temporary, and the people who work the sport and also love
the sport,
will endure in the end. ****** Some final info on the race: 33,502 finishers at 2006 Flora London. Plus some trivia: tallest costume,
some guy wore a costume that was six feet, eleven inches tall, he took 6
hours, 15 minutes to finish. There is someone who is in a full coat for
armour--he was at
three miles as of Monday morning, and was expected fo finish by
Thursday.
Sir Stephen Redgrave, a 2004 crew gold medalist, set the record for the
most money ever
donated to charities by one person, over one million pounds! ****** Deena talked about her smart run and the pace that she kept. She also
is going home to a nicely redone kitchen. Deena is not talking about
moving homes, she said that no one gets into this sport by getting rich.
Kastor said, "Our motivation has never been money, and that is why we
keep our focus.The way that I pick a race is based on where I can go to
find the best competition, that is the primary factor." Kastor also said abou the US Trials system, "I believe that our Olympic
Trials is the perfect way to pick a key team...I like
the Trials, I have to be there on the day and make the team...I believe in
the
program and the trials system." Deena Kastor is at the top of her game, and as the winner of The La
Salle Bank Chicago Marathon, and now the Flora London Marathon,
she can claim the moniker of best women marathoner in the world
today! ****** The last press conference has finished....a few meetings on advertising
and then a few hours in the Royal Academy of Arts museum. Thanks to
all who read our coverage of both Boston and London, and special
thanks to Dave Bedford, Nicola Oakey and staffs for making our first visit
to Flora London so wonderful! Good bye from London! ********* 2007 London is on April 22 ****** atf enewswire is published by shooting star media, inc. a proud member
of the
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