Chicago Women's Race

ttc wrote:

I'm not sure why everyone's only ripping on the last mile. Verran did bow out during the last few hundred yards. What's the problem???

He was turning round and giving Deena precise information about how far back Dita was with about 2 miles to go.

When Chepchumba passed Liz McColgan on the line in London a few years ago, McColgan didn't even know she was closing on her.

De Reuck 2:28:39

why does it look bad? isn't the point of the race to win and run as fast as you can?...i believe she accomplished both of these, even if she didn't break her goal of sub-2:20...like i said, Dita coulda won if she woulda gone out more conservatively...but she didn't...nice race by both ladies...oh yeah, and i am an idiot, thank you for reminding me...twat

..... wrote:

He was turning round and giving Deena precise information about how far back Dita was with about 2 miles to go.

When you have a pacer, then it comes with being in a close race. Either Verran's a pacer or he's not. If he is, then don't expect him to just look straight ahead quietly while Deena's about to get caught.

I don't agree with pacers, but if he is doing it then giving her info is par for the course.

Deena was given a large check for $155,000 on the podium.

It's my understanding that Clint Verran wasn't just pacing Deena, he was actually coaching her throughout the course, talking to her and such. I don't really recall very many marathons when the male pacemaker for the men turns around and starts talking to them, encouraging them.

I understand that the marathon is a road race whith mixed genders, but you don't see men pacing women in cross country or track races at the junior high, high school, collegiate or international level, so why do we see it in the marathon?

Damn. you guys are paranoid. I could hear what he said--

Clint: "Deena, it looks like it may rain later, your flight might be cancelled."

Deena: "Oh, thanks Clint. I forgot to check the weather report before I left the hotel this morning. Good race today, but I'm hurting pretty bad right now."

God Forbid a CLEAN American win on US soil. I figure with Dita's drug use it's pretty even that Deena should have a pacer. I'm sick and tired of these Russians and Romanians cleaning up on our roads when we all know they are dirty!

because they start at the same time and don't run seperate races

I agree 200%. Deena clearly had an advantage in the last mile and a half.

trackhead wrote:

because they start at the same time and don't run seperate races

True, but does that make a male turning around and basically dishing out coaching advice throughout the entire race distance ethical?

I thought pacers were supposed to go to the finish?

My guess would be that Landers and Verran finished for American Prize money, if Verran did not finish it was in deference to Landers who had fought back to PR and may have grabbed the last spot in the American prize purse.

They were giving her encouragement and it looked lie information but any friendly competitor could have done the same thing in a mixed race. i.e. I could say "hey buddy you better get going that jerk Tom is catching up" to someone that I train with as I pass by, or runwith them the last miles to help them to a PR. In addition, Dita was furnished with an escort (Chad Johnson) and could have used him in any way she wanted as well. She could have requested an escort to run any distance and any pace with her. There was nothing unfair in todays race and people conjecturing otherwise are ignorant. Notice I did not say stupid or idiotic I said ignorant, as in you don't know how things are worked out in chicago.

DK only won by cheating and should be disqualified from the race.

Wasn't the goal to pace Deena to a 2:18, then why did Verran slow down when Deena did and not stay on that pace

Because they are escorts not pacers

American Pride wrote:

God Forbid a CLEAN American win on US soil. I figure with Dita's drug use it's pretty even that Deena should have a pacer. I'm sick and tired of these Russians and Romanians cleaning up on our roads when we all know they are dirty!

Say what...? I'm off for a easy bike ride but when I come back, I'll expand on my sentiments about pacing.

Quickly: pacing isn't new by any means. Anybody watch Four Minutes the other nite? And, I don't begrudge anybody who's served as a pacemaker & made some bread as the rule is muddy and rarely enforced.

Kastor - 1st

DeReuck - 4th

Russell - 5th

All three were sub-2:30

My guess wrote:

My guess would be that Landers and Verran finished for American Prize money, if Verran did not finish it was in deference to Landers who had fought back to PR and may have grabbed the last spot in the American prize purse.

It looked like Verran pulled off to the side during the last mile. I'm guessing he did not finish.