The Trials

The Men's Marathon Olympic Trials took place February 7 in Birmingham, Alabama in conjunction with the Mercedes Marathon on February 8. The goal of an Olympic Trial is to pick a team that can best represent the U.S. in international competition. Our success at this event, on the men's side, for the past two decades has been sad. Steve Spence and Mark Plaatjes aside, the U.S. has not sent teams who know how to race internationally. For example, in Sevilla, Spain, the first 5k was covered in about 17 minutes, while the leaders covered the last 5k in 14.26.

The nadir of our Mens' Marathon Trials system was 2000, where Rod de Haven was the only representative. Rod, one of our most consistent marathoners, set a record for bathroom stops that day in Sydney--it was not his best marathon day.

The men's team that was decided at Birmingham is arguably the best team the U.S. has sent in over 25 years --Alan Culpepper, Meb Keflezighi and Dan Browne should represent us well. The Cinderella Story of the meet --Trent Briney, running out of his head, breaking his pr by eight minutes and taking fourth in 2.12.25--also shows a good sign for our discipline.

The kids from Brooks-Hansons Racing team set up the race, and showed that the FTC, Colorado RC, Aggies, Club Northwest et al were not smoking crack, but actually training together and focusing on long term goals is a good thing and one of the ONLY ways to reach success in the marathon.

Alan Culpepper and Meb Keflezighi are great for our sport too. It is amazing that two athletes can compete so close to each other, staying together for 25 laps or 26 miles, and treat each other like the sportsmen that they are. I sure wish that the sports columnists would pick that up.

My only real beef about the event is how NBC blew the chance to cover the marathon, and then would not release the event without exorbitant rates. The Olympic Trials marathon should be part of their schedules and it can be sold. Instead, it is thrown out at the last minute for local entreprenuers to finance.

My coverage came via cell phone, every 2.5 miles as Jan Seeley, publisher of Marathon & Beyond--the geek magazine for real distance runners who love the marathon--and Juli Emmons, the race czarina of the Peachtree Road Race, who updated me through the whole race on the whereabouts of Brian Sell, and the movement of Alan Culpepper and Meb Keflezighi and the crowd. It was pretty exciting to hear Jan, breathless, excitingly telling us, "Alan Culpepper has just won the Olympic Trials!"

*****

The Millrose Games

What a weekend of track and field! The Millrose Games was ressurected, and that is a story in itself.

The meet had 8,000 fans last year, and my friends in a certian track promo company remember seeing the meet last year and wondering if it would continue to be around!

This year, under the watchful eyes of Skip Stolley, VP of Running Events at Pro Sports, and Fred Tressler, the consultant for the event, Millrose is running again. Up to 12,500 paid seats BEFORE the event and a well done TV show, plus some good competition should get the meet off to a good start for 2005. Marion Jones running was a big part of the success, but it was also that many of the parties involved found ways to compromise.

*****

Winter XC Trials

The weather in Indy was, winter... Bob Kennedy winning the 12k in snow, Charlie Gruber winning his first US championship, and many of the top distance runners in the country trying to make the most challenging distance championship of them all--the World Cross Country Champs.

My biggest beef with the US Winter Trials: Why did they put three events on the same weekend? And, if the World Trials wants a sponsor, it sure is putting the screws to itself by being the odd guy out on a weekend with Millrose and the Men's Marathon Trials.

*****

Final Thoughts of the Week

In a strange way, this weekend again shows the promise of our sport. With three major events, there were athletes, fans and ...weather. Now, we just have to get on the sponsorship band wagon. If they can sell professional walleye fishing, then we can find a darn sponsor for cross country!

******

atf newswire is a publication of shooting star media, inc. www.shootingstarmediainc.com copyright 2004 by shooting star media, inc. Shooting Star Media, Inc. publications are american track and field, athletes only, california track & running news and missouri runner.

All SSM, Inc. publications are proud members of the Running Network, LLC. www.runningnetwork.com

This newsletter is published for the good of the sports. Please feel free to use anything from the newsletter, just remember to credit shooting star media, inc.