Galen Rupp stole my voice

Mo Farah takes gold, Galen Rupp takes silver and a dejected Kenenisa Bekele stares down at the track in defeat

It's a good thing I'm typing this and not telling you, because my voice is gone. Over the last 500 meters of that memorable Men's 10,000 meter Olympic Final, I yelled, I screamed, and I probably had my neighbors debating on whether or not to call the cops on the guy next door that has been getting up very early this weekend for some odd reason.

It was that good. No. That great. Inspiring for many and validating for Alberto Salazar and his Galen Rupp, ahem, Oregon Project.

For the English and the American fans out there, the race went about as well as it could have. Maybe even better. How did these two guys that train in Portland, Oregon beat up on back-to-back Olympic 10,000 Champion, Kenenisa Bekele? his brother Tariku? and a load of excellent Kenyans? A ton of hard work, that's how.

Now I wonder if Salazar will give them the night off. One would think that they earned it after the Pre Classic, when Farah took the 5000 win in 12:56.98 and Rupp would break the 13 minute for the first time in 12:58.90. No chance. Olympic Finals were their goal, not early June. After the meet ended and many of the journalists were finishing up their stories, Rupp and Farah emerged onto the track to rattle off eight 75 second laps before calling it a day. It wouldn't surprise me that after the fans file out of Olympic Stadium tonight, they'll do the same.

Post-race workouts like this have been more the standard and not the anomaly over the years, as Salazar has crafted Galen Rupp from wunderkind to world class. And think what you want, but adding Farah to train with Rupp over the past few years was just another piece to that puzzle. It has been extremely mutually beneficial to both.

And lucky for us, they'll be toeing the line again Wednesday, August 8th in the 5000 heats, and likely again in the 5000 final on Saturday, August 11th; the final day of track competition.

Bring it on!

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Film Major: "Town of Runners"

Jerry Rothwell's "Town of Runners" gives us a timely look at how the Ethiopian running system works from the elementary level on up. It's nice to see this, in a moment where the international road racing scene has been called into question. In America, we see new faces pop up from Ethiopia and Kenya every year and this documentary shows us how they are brought up through the ranks, from their hometown to the club system and then on from there... if they are good enough.

The film starts in the small town of Bekoji, where you see a big crowd watching the Women's 5000 meter final from the 2008 Beijing Olympics on a flat screen television. The crowd roars as it becomes obvious that one of the stars of their town, Tirunesh Dibaba, will take the Gold Medal. Other stars from Bekoji include Derartu Tulu, Kenenisa Bekele and his brother Tariku. They were all developed by longtime local coach, Sentayehu Eshetu.

Coach Sentayehu Eschetu

The story then begins to focus on two middle school aged girls, Hawii Megersa and Alemi Tsegaye, who are training with Coach Eshetu, with hopes of showing enough promise to get picked up by a club. If they show enough talent at the Regional Youth Championships in Asella, they are rewarded with a two year contract with one of the clubs, which are located through out Ethiopia. Both the girls run well, with Hawii placing a little higher, but ultimately, Alemi gets into a better situation, as although the government supports the clubs, Ethiopia is still a developing country and some limitations can't be avoided.

Coach Eshetu doesn't have to do much convincing of the girls parents, as moving on from the 12,000 person Bekoji is something they are proud of. "Winning is not without reward. They get money" is part of his sales pitch. "Only education and running" are important, according to Hawii's mother. Unfortunately, Hawii is thrown into a bad situation in Woliso, with poor living conditions, lack of money for dinner for the entire club and a town that doesn't support the runners. She retreats home before falling into another tough situation in Asella. Alemi is a better situation in Holeta, which ultimately brings out the best in her at the Oromia Club Championships.

"Most atheletes in clubs in Addis Ababa are from Bekoji" says Coach Eshetu, whose advice for some young runners during a tough hill workout is "vomit and keep going!" His runners love him and his care is genuine and proven. He's aware that very few will truly make it, but that doesn't stop him from helping all of them.

Director Jerry Rothwell

It's noted that Bekoji had "roads of mud that not many people visit," but by the end of the film, it shows that the roads have been paved and "big trucks will now come through Bekoji." Will that lead to more injuries and more opportunities outside of running? Maybe.

The cinematography in "Town of Runners" is absolutely beautiful and there's a scene of Ethiopians doing the High Jump that you must see to believe. Most of the film is subtitled, as the official language of Ethiopia is Amharic, but that doesn't take away from the very entertaining subjects. It's a film that any running fan will be very happy to see.

Follow "Town of Runners" on Twitter here. "Town of Runners" opens Friday at the Tribeca Film Festival. For all upcoming screenings, go here.

Update: Watch in the US is online for free at the Tribeca Online Festival. You can watch the film online anytime between April 19th at 6:45 and 11:59 on April 29th and it is free to watch. But you do need to reserve a virtual seat (and there are only 1000).

Check out the trailer below:


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Thanks to our sponsor, 14 Minutes, the Alberto Salazar autobiography, for sponsoring the blog this week. I'll be reviewing it very soon! If you're interested in sponsoring writing about running (and other great sites like TrackFocus, Track Superfan, Paul Merca and the House of Run podcast) in the future, check out The Relay Network.

Galen Rupp gets American 10,000 Record of 26:48.00 in Brussels!

Rupp follows closely behind Kenenisa Bekele

Galen Rupp came to play today. He looked strong the entire run and held with the rejuvenated master, Kenenisa Bekele, until about 600 meters to go. Luckily, mid race someone posted the stream of the race and I got to see Rupp run the last 7 laps. He surged, ran with poise and hung on strong when Bekele put the hammer down for a strong third place finish behind Bekele and Lucas Rotich. He was rewarded with a new American 10,000 Record of 26:48.00! Full results are here.

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Diamond Dash: DL Final in Brussels sees Galen Rupp targeting American 10k Record

No pollen, no problems
(TrackAndFieldPhoto)

At 1:15 pm eastern today, the final Diamond League meet of the season will get started in Brussels, Belgium. At 1:25pm, the Men's 10,000 will go off with Galen Rupp taking on Kenya and Ethiopia's finest (including Kenenisa Bekele). Rupp will have one number on his mind, 26:59. Rupp was planning on going after this record earlier this year at Distance Night in Eugene, but a high pollen count spoiled the attempt. That won't be an issue today, and with highs in the low 60's, the weather should be great for the attempt.

Next up will be the Women's 1500 at 2:21pm. All American eyes will be on Morgan Uceny, as she attempts to take one more victory and clinch the Diamond League 1500 title. Maryam Jamal will be her biggest competition for the $40,000 pay day. Also in the field will be golden child, Jenny Simpson, as she attempts to rebound from a poor showing in Rieti.

The Men's 800 goes off at 2:45pm with another epic showdown between David Rudisha and Abubaker Kaki. A very fit Asbel Kiprop will join the mix to make things interesting as well, but no Americans will be in the field. At 3:13pm, the Women's Steeplechase will finish it's Diamond League season. Milcah Chemo leads this field with no Americans joining the party. Closing out the day will be the Men's 5000 at 3:38pm. Vincent Chepkok and a recently disqualified Imane Merga will lead another American-less field. 

Follow along at Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com

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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: Bolt false starts, Eaton finishes fast

Channeling teammate Andrew Wheating
(TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Day 2 at Daegu had many highlights, but one lowlight; Usain Bolt false starting in the 100. What a letdown! Something tells me he'll be sitting in the blocks in the 200 until the field is 5 meters up. Ashton Eaton's 60 second final 400 in the 1500 of the Decathlon was impressive. He wanted Silver and he got it. His strong 4:18.94 was enough to jump Cuba's Leonel Suárez on the medal stand to get one step closer to repeat Gold Medalist, Trey Hardee. Walter Dix was also second best in the 100, behind Jamaica's Yohan Blake.

On the distance front, an Ethiopian man won the 10,000, but not the one you'd think. Ibrahim Jeilan came out of nowhere and kicked down Mo Farah in the last 40 meters to take the gold. It was pretty gut-wrenching to watch Farah get passed at the end, but he'll be in contention for the win in the 5000 in a few days. Kenenisa Bekele stepped off the track with 10 laps to go, citing lack of fitness, but happy he gave it a shot. Galen Rupp hung in there until about two laps to go and proceeded to take seventh overall. A nice showing, but not what he was hoping for. He lapped Matt Tegenkamp and Scott Bauhs in the process, which tells you all you need to know about how their day went.

In the prelims, all three American Women advanced in the 1500, with Morgan Uceny, Shannon Rowbury and Jenny Simpson all getting automatic qualifies to the semis. Nick Symmonds looked great in the 800 and will be the only American in the final as Khadevis Robinson failed to advance.

Day 3 kicks off this evening with the Men's Steeplechase prelims. Dan Huling, Billy Nelson and Ben Bruce will have their hands full, but hopefully can find their way into Thursday's final. That's the only distance race of the day, but there will be finals in the Women's 400, Men's 110 Hurdles and Women's 100 to close the day.

You can watch on television and online via Universal Sports. Results are on the IAAF's Daegu site.

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Daily Daegu: Kenyan Women dominate and is Kenenisa Bekele back?

Will Kenny B hoist the flag in Daegu?

The first day at Daegu was the won by the Kenyan Women. Edna Kiplagat led the sweep in the Women's Marathon and Vivian Cheruyiot led another sweep (including a the 4th spot) in the Women's 10,000. Tera Moody led the Americans in the Marathon with a 17th place finish in 2:32:04. Shalane Flanagan led much of the 10,000, but ended up 7th in 31:25.57 (with a strong 9th by Jen Rhines). Oregon Track Club got their first ever World Championship medal with Sally Kipyego taking the silver in the 10,000 in 30:50.04, just over a second off the win.

Day 2 brings on the first Men's distance final. It's been awhile since we've seen the king of distance running, Kenenisa Bekele. And until he's on the line Sunday morning at 6:30am eastern (7:30pm Daegu), I won't be 100% convinced he's actually running. Kenny B hasn't toed the line since January 2010, when he finished fourth in a cross country race in Edinburgh. Whether he shows up or not, he and the field will have their hands full with the star of 2011, Mr. Mo Farah. As strong as Farah has looked all season, it's going to be hard to pick against him, although it will be very fascinating to see what kind of shape Bekele shows up in.

Beyond the two superstars, in America, we'll be cheering for Galen Rupp, as he's got a legitimate shot at a podium finish. Standing in his way will be the bruising Ethiopian, Imane Merga, the up and down Sileshi Sihine, as well as Eritrea's Half Marathon World Record Holder, Zersenay Tadese. This isn't even speaking of the always strong Kenyan contingent. Rupp will have his hands full, but if he runs to his capability, he should be in the mix with a mile to go. Also in the mix for America is the 10k newcomer, Matt Tegenkamp, and Mammoth Track Club's Scotty Bauhs.

Day 2 also brings on the semifinal heats for the Men's 800, as Khadevis Robinson and Nick Symmonds qualified out of the opening round. The Women's 1500 heats start as well with Morgan Uceny, Jenny Simpson and Shannon Rowbury taking the stage. Finally, day 2 brings on the 100 meter final. Not a distance race, but always exciting to see Usain Bolt go against the world!

As usual, Universal Sports will have coverage on television and online. Full results are on the IAAF Daegu page here.

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