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Current Public News
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| The Olympic Trials, Tribulation and Triumph |
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| 4/20/2008 |
On a perfect April day in Boston, a city already heating up with marathon fever, some 140 of the country's best female marathoners lined-up for their chance to represent the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Hosted by the B.A.A., the club also had the distinction of having six women qualify for and compete in the race. For months they had trained and now they were ready to see how they would stack-up against the elite field.
When the race was over, the results were impressive: five women finished in the top half of the field. Kasie Enman led the way with an impressive 11th place finish, lowering her personal best by almost 7 minutes. In addition to being the first B.A.A. runner, the Vermont resident was the first New Englander to cross the line. No doubt her performance was aided by the 40+ family members and friends who spread out over the course in t-shirts reading "Kasie's Crew" and waving handmade banners decorated with the Olympic rings.
Also having a great day on the course were Heidi Westerling and Brett Ely. Ely, a Cambridge resident, made the most of her home course advantage and ran a relaxed and controlled race. She finished in 34th place and also lowered her personal best by over 4 1/2 minutes. Ely was also the top finisher from Massachusetts. Ahead of her in 26th place, Westerling, the 2008 New Bedford Half Marathon Champion, lowered her personal best by almost 3 minutes.
But the marathon is an unforgiving distance. After getting off to a great start, Janelle Krause was eventually hampered by the SI injury that she had been battling and faded to 57th, posting a still-impressive 2:45:02. Carly Graytock was not as lucky and, after running 14 miles side by side with marathon legend Joan Samuelson, she was forced to drop-out with recurring injuries. While disappointed that she was unable to finish, just getting to the line was a victory in and of itself: three weeks ago, it looked unlikely that Graytock would be able to start the race at all.
The final finisher for the B.A.A. was Emily LeVan, who was running to raise funds for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Having modified her goals for the race after her 4-year old daughter, Maddie was diagnosed with leukemia in November, LeVan set out to enjoy the race and raise funds for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. She was successful on both counts. Slow by her standards, her 2:45:45 still placed her in the top half of the field, in spite of a fall at 2 miles which left her with cuts and bruising on her right knee and shoulder. She was even more successful in her fundraising effort. Her organization, Two Trials, exceeded their fundraising target of $52,400 by over $12,000!
Race conditions were near perfect with cool weather, sunny skies, and only a moderate headwind on Memorial Drive. Marathon fans lined the course and, at the start and finish, the crowds were lined up ten deep to see Deena Kastor, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, and Blake Russell secure their spot on the 2008 U.S.A. Olympic Team. It was a memorabe experience for competitors and fans alike!
2008 U.S.A. Olympic Trials Women's Marathon Results:
11. Kasie Enman 2:37:14
26. Heidi Westerling 2:41:09
34. Brett Ely 2:41:54
57. Janelle Kraus 2:45:02
67. Emily Levan 2:45:45
Carly Graytock DNF
For complete results go to the Event Website.
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