Marathon Great Grete Waitz dies at 57.

Marathon great Grete Waitz dies at 57
OSLO - Grete Waitz, the Norwegian runner who won nine New York City Marathons and the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, died Tuesday after a six-year battle with cancer. She was 57.

Helle Aanesen, the manager of the Active Against Cancer Foundation in Norway, said Waitz died early Tuesday at the Ulleval University Hospital in Oslo.

A former Oslo schoolteacher, Waitz won her first New York City Marathon in 1978, setting a world best in 2 hours, 32 minutes, 30 seconds in her first attempt at running the distance. She went on to win eight more times, with her last victory coming in 1988.

She won the London Marathon twice, in 1983 and '86, the Stockholm Marathon in 1988 and earned five titles at the world cross-country championships from 1978-81 and 1983.
Waitz also won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1983 world championships in Helsinki, Finland. A year later, she took second behind Joan Benoit in the first women's Olympic marathon.

Waitz competed at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics in the 1,500 metres, but missed the 1980 Moscow Games because of the American-led boycott.

"Grete is in my eyes one of the greatest Norwegian athletes of all time," Norwegian Athletics Federation president Svein Arne Hansen said. "Not only through her performances in the sport, but also as a role model for women in sports."

In a Twitter posting, marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe remembered Waitz as "an amazing champion and more amazing person."

Retired cyclist Lance Armstrong, who overcame testicular cancer to win the Tour de France seven times, called Waitz "a good friend and an incredible athlete" on his Twitter feed.

Aanesen said a private funeral ceremony is planned for next week, according to Waitz's wishes.

Waitz is survived by her husband Jack Waitz and her two brothers, Jan and Arild.

Waitz had never run a marathon when she started the New York City race in October 1978. Her husband had talked her into trying, but after about 18 miles she regretted it.

"I was hurting. I was mad. I was angry. I told Jack: 'Never again," Waitz recalled in 2008.

She broke the world record three more times: In New York in 1979 and '80 and in London in '83.

Waitz started undergoing cancer treatment in 2005 but rarely discussed her condition in public.

"That's not my personality," she said in November 2005. "I've always been a private person. … I'll do that when I cross the finish line and win this race."

At the time she was optimistic she could conquer the disease.

"I'm crossing my fingers," she said. "I will beat it."

Like Waitz, Aanesen declined to specify which type of cancer she had.

"She didn't wish to put too much focus on herself and her disease, but hoped she could contribute in some way to help others," said Aanesen, who got to know Waitz through her work with the foundation.

"She was a fantastic and immensely successful sports practitioner and also a role model and pioneer in women's sports," Aanesen said. "She showed that women too can run longer distances than 1,000 metres."

Born in Oslo as Grete Andersen on Oct. 1, 1953, she trained and raced in her youth at Oslo's Bislett stadium, which raised a bronze statue in her honour in 1984.

Waitz received numerous other awards and honours for her achievements on and off the track.

In 2008, Norway's king bestowed upon her the prestigious Order of St. Olav for being a role model for female athletes. Last year, she received the International Olympic Committee's Women and Sport Award for Europe.

Waitz still holds the Norwegian records in the 1,500 and 3,000 metres.

April 19, 2011 http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/top/news;_ylt=ApOPlHwimjb8bxpTZ_96sfJShgM6?slug=capress-ath_obit_waitz-6607610

Boston Marathon results

Some great results today from local runners at the Boston Marathon.
Congrats to all, well done!

Mud, Mud and Mud... oh and Lots of water.

It was a rainy day! To say the least it was, weather statements issued by Environment Canada, warned of torrential downpours high winds, and possible flooding. What better day to go out and run 52k on trails? So myself and Chris Battaglia met at 5 (ouch) and drove to pickering to take part in the Seaton Trail Races. There were 3 events, the 29k, 52k and 50 mile races, we were doing the 52k race. Once we got there we ran into Neil The Bastard Phillips and Deb Lancia, Neil wasn't running he was just there to support Deb who was doing the 52k as training for her 100 mile race at Sulphur Springs in May. The 52k and 50 mile race both started at 7:08 and we off into the rain and windthe first leg out wasn't too bad as we were the first ont he trails although there were a few spots that were already under water and getting muddy. The river crossing was at 2.5k in and we would cross that 4 times on the out and back course, it knee deep was cooollllddddd, but it doesn't hit you until you get out of the water that s when you realise your legs are numb from the knees down. Not long after you have forgotten about the numbness as you hit the first climb, on a dry day its tough and today was far from dry. The course had a few suttle changes, one was to bypass a really nasty climb up a hill on your hands and knees section, thankful for that. Another change became apparent after passing the turnarounds from previous years! Where the hell are they taking us? At 15k we turned around! Well, by my simple calculations that would add up to 60k, unless they have somemore surprises for us.
On the trail back it was becoming apparent that the trails were getting steadily worse with the amount of traffic on them and the increase in rain fall.
When I got back to the start finish area i checked ny watch and couldn't believe it was already at 3:22, at this rate it would be an 8 hour finish!!! I changed my sopping wet gloves and put some dry ones on my now frozen fingers, put on an extra jacket and plodded on back out there. I passed Chris after crossing the river and he wasn't doing well, I wondered whether he would start the second lap. Many others questioned their ability on this day too. A lot of walking and soul searching went on over the next few k, I got to 34k and wondered if it was possible to run another 10k just to get to the turnaround. I got to about 40k and though I will just go to the next aid station and turn there and quit. As it turned out, another change was that this was the final turnaround. Yahoo! I was starving at this point and devoured 2 P&B sandwiches (and I hate Peanut butter) soem salted potato and grabbed a couple of chocolate chip cookies for the road. I felt much better nw, knowing that I didn't have as far to go (only 12k!!!). With belly with some nutrition in it now off I went. I couldn't believe how well I was feeling, stiff and sore but moving forward.
With about 7k to go things began to unravel again and walking was more and more the the only option, the odd run thrown in to make my mind feel better.
I finished in 6:47, an hour and a half slower than my last attempt here. Chris as suspected, didn't finish. Which says a lot knowing what Chris is like. We had heard that at least 20 did not finish the 52k, which was actually 54.5k. I only saw one more runner going out to complete the third loop of the 50 mile race. Many had completed only 2 loops and settled with that. The weather and the course had taken its toll today. Its a tough race on the best of days, today was brutal. I was happy to finish.

Boston Weekend

It's Boston weekend again and a number of local RoadRunners are off to challenge the famous old race again. Here's a list of all the Barrie runners that are registerred and you can follow them on the Boston Marathon Website:

KevO with Bart Yasso

As noted in an earlier posting Kevin O'Neill won the 5k in St.Louis on Saturday. Here is a picture of Kevin with Bart Yasso receiving his award.

Paris Marathon

As mentioned below in one of the comments, Kevin Hamilton of Barrie who used to work at the Running Room, ran his first marathon this past weekend in Paris, France. Not only that he ran a very impressive 3:18. Well done Kevin.

Early results from St. Louis & Rotterdam

Looks like it may have been a tough day on our RoadRunners in St. Louis. Except for Kevin running a 3:18, Ricky Mac struggled to finish at 4:51 and there is no sign of TMac making it past the first timing mat. She may be a DNF. Hope all is well guys.
Update: It seems the course was closed (due to the heat I'm guessing and Tmac didin't make the cut off).
Theo ran 4:07 in Rotterdam, looks like it was a tough day on both sides of the pond.

Early Weekend Results

We have a winner!

In St.Louis today, the MArathon weekend got off to a great start for one Barrie RoadRunner. Kevin O'Neill won the 5k, yes WON! his time of 18:30 was 4 seconds faster than the second place runner. Awesome job KevO. 1st out of 1532 finishers. His better half Chris finished in 32 minutes, in the top third of the field. Well done Chris! Good luck to all in the marathon tomorrow.

Roadrunners on the move.

This Weekend a few Barrie Roadrunners are off and racing in the US and Europe.
Theo Bosch is off to the Netherlands' for the "Rotterdam Marathon".This event is a big one attracting over 25,000 combined for all events, and offers one of the fastest courses to run. The streets will be lined with 900,000 cheering spectators.

http://www.abnamromarathonrotterdam.com/home

Rick and Tracy Maclean, Kevin and Chris O'neiil will be travelling not quite as far to St. Louis for the "GO St.Loius Marathon". Listed as a challenging course, St.Louis has some great sights and scenery on the route.

http://gostlouis.org/

Pictures,results, and stories to follow. Good racing to everyone!

Ontario Ultra Series Spring Warm Up

It was a nice spring day and Myself, Catherine, and Bill took off to Dunedin, Ontario to take part in the Ontario Ultra Series Spring Warm up Fun Run.

The usual crowd of Ultra folks were there and we mingled at the Community centre prior to the start. Dunedin is in a valley and the only way out is up hill, an ominous sign of thing's to come. This was to be a hilly run, which should be spelt with a capital H! after the start along the main street we turned right up a 2k + hill before turning onto a unassumed snow covered road, yes still lots of snow in these parts.

Into a even snowier ravine before coming back up. More hills, and a narly, icy, snowy, deer poop covered Bruce trail section before heading back.

The second loop I took one of the alternates, longer but it avoided the nasty trail section, the other trail section became worse as the day progressed too, slipperier and muddier. Almost dangerous if you got going too fast. The wind was another factor and it was very windy at the top of some of the "mountains". In all a good day was had by all, lots to talk about after. One couple told me about their run in with a herd of deer, in which they almost got run over, and then almost stepped on a porcupine. Five to five hours of running for most on a nice sunny day was a great way to start the Ultra season.

Harry's Spring Run Off 8K - High Park, Toronto

This is my season opener for races. I love this race. It's a friggin challenging run. I use to laugh at my brother in law for training in High Park. After the first year I ran it 4 years ago, I stopped laughing. I've never really come across a route that challenging. The hill at 7.6km is just killer. My god. The one at 3k feels like it goes on for about a whole kilometer. The flatest bit is 4-5k. it's a nice piece. The rolling hills from 5-6 k are rolling but rolling up. At the 6k mark I was at 33min even. I managed to do the math... 11 more minutes for 2 km. I could probably do it if the 7k hill didn't exist. But it did. I had a quick break around 7 k just to let my breathing steady itself, then off again. I had a lady in a red shirt that I was trying to stick to, but I lost her when I walked. At the 4oo meters left to go mark was the base of the hill. I ran for about 200 meters and my lungs were screaaaaming. I had to walk - it was about 100 meters then I took off again. I could hear the crowds clearly now & heard my sister yelling ... I saw my sis/bro in law and niece at the beginning and then again just before the half way mark and just my sis at the 100 meter left mark. God did I ever need that. I dropped it into 5th and burned up the rest of the hill, around the corner and over the finish line in 46:23 chip time. 23 seconds better than last year. I'm working hard at not doing to deep a post mortum on this run. Trying ... But it gives me and idea of where I am at and where I need to work harder to improve. The one thing I did keep thinking that I'm going to have to change is " how the hell do you keep this up for 42.2 k?" I'll have to change it to " I CAN keep this up for 42,2 k" It's all good. Next race for me? I'm not sure possums what's in store for me this year. There are a lot of factors right now ... I just may focus on training & just wait until August to do the Midsummer Nights Run & then a couple of fall races. We'll see. Til the next post.