Daily Daegu Recap

"Worlds" were quite exciting this summer in Daegu, South Korea. This page serves as the index for the "Daily Daegu" series of articles that previewed and recapped the 2011 Track and Field World Championships.

Day 1: Women's Marathon starts the party tonight

Published on August 26, 2011

This post is a preview for the first event of the 2011 Track and Field Championships, the Women's Marathon.

Day 2: Kenyan Women dominate and is Kenenisa Bekele back?

Published on August 27, 2011

This post was a recap of the Kenyan domination in the Women's Marathon and a preview of the Men's 10,000 and the Men's 800 prelims.

Day 3: Bolt false starts, Eaton finishes fast

Published on August 28, 2011

The highlight of the day was Usain Bolt being disqualified for false-starting in the 100. Also, Ibrahim Jeilan outkicked Mo Farah for the Gold in the 10,000, as Kenenisa Bekele failed to keep pace.

Day 4: Is Day 4 Nick Symmonds time to shine?

Published on  August 29, 2011

Symmonds goal towards a podium finish was today. Prelmins continued for the Women in the 1500 and the 5000. 

Jenny B does it!

Day 5: Jenny B fights in the 1500, but should she come back to the Steeple?

Published on  August 30, 2011

Highlights were David Rudisha winning Gold and Jenny Simpson fighting hard to make the final in the Women's 1500. The Men's 1500 heats also began.

Day 6: Bernard Lagat's quest for Gold starts today

Published on  August 31, 2011

Highlights were previews for the Men's 5000 prelims, the Women's 800 semis and the Men's 1500 semis.

Day 7: Jenny Simpson digs for Gold!

Published on September 1, 2011

The big news was pre-race favorite, Morgan Uceny, going down in the final of the Women's 1500, but Jenny Simpson surprising with a big kick for the Gold Medal.

Day 8: Maggie Vessey powers into Women's 800 Final

Published on September 2, 2011

Highlights were Maggie Vessey edging out Jenny Meadows for a spot in the 800 final and the Women's 5000 final.

Centro take the podium

Day 9: Matt Centrowitz surprises with Bronze Medal

Published on September 3, 2011

The highlight for Americans was Matt Centrowitz kicking home in 51 seconds over the last 400 to earn a Bronze Medal. Also, Usain Bolt took Gold in the 200.

Day 10: On the last day, Mo Farah gets his Gold

Published on September 1, 2011

The big highlight was Men's 10,000 Silver Medalist, Mo Farah, redeeming himself and winning the Gold in the 5000. Also, Abel Kirui, of Kenya, dominated the Men's Marathon.

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Daily Daegu: Women's Marathon starts the party tonight

2 different Dreams in Daegu

We're finally here. After plenty of talk and speculation, the dance starts tonight (at 8pm for us east coasters) as the 2011 Women's World Championship Marathon kicks things off in Daegu. First things first, if you want to watch the Women's Marathon and the rest of the championships live, get access for $14.99 from Universal Sports. They have a deal now where if you enter the code "trackc2l" you get full Daegu access, plus the 2011 Diamond League package. That package includes on-demand replays of all the previous meets, plus live coverage of Zurich on September 8th (aka the Olympics in a day) and Brussels on September 16th. You can also get my coverage/opinions/predictions every day here on the Daily Daegu and via twitter.

2010 New York City Marathon winner, Kenya's Edna Kiplagat, leads the way in the Marathon this evening with many top names missing, as there isn't any appearance fee money at the World Championships. It is an excellent place to earn some for the future though! What will be exciting is the team title that will likely come down to Kenya vs. Ethiopia (shocking I know). The Kenyan stars are Kiplagat, Sharon Cheprop, Priscah Jeptoo and Caroline Rotich. The Ethiopian stars are Aselefech Mergia, Bezunesh Bekele, Atsede Baysa, Aberu Kebede and 2008 Boston Winner Dire Tune. My money's on Kenya, but I would be surprised if Ethiopia won in a landslide either. The American team is comprised of five women looking to cut their teeth a little more on the international level. Leading the team is the master, Colleen De Reuck. Tera Moody ('09) and Zoila Gomez ('07,'09) also bring experience, with Kathy Newberry and Zap Fitness' Alisa McKaig rounding out the team (I write this a few miles from Zap en route to the USATF 10k Trail Championships). A podium finish may be a stretch for my fellow Americans, but I'm pulling for you ladies!

Tomorrow morning at 8am eastern, Shalane Flanagan leads the charge for a medal in the Women's 10,000. Making the podium will be tough, but definitely not impossible. Kenyan Sally Kipyego, who trains with the Oregon Track Club, has the best time in the world this year at 30:38 and has gotten the better of Flanagan of late, but will likely be a must beat for Flanagan to get on the stand. Vivian Cheruiyot and Meseret Defar will be duking it out up front with defending champion, Kenya's Linet Masai, in the mix as well. Finally, Ethiopia's Meselech Melkamu will be pushing the pace in the Flanagan/Kipyego and possibly Masai. If Flanagan can run like she did at World Cross and bide her time until the last 2k, she should be in the position she needs to be to bring home some hardware. It will also be interesting to see how the recently injured Kara Goucher and 5-time World Championship team member, Jen Rhines, do. If either crack the top 7 or 8, it should be deemed a success.

Again, the festivities begin at 8pm eastern tonight on Universal Sports. IAAF World Championship central is here with startlists, etc. And finally, the Let's Run prediction contest is here.

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