Basically the Olympics start tomorrow-in NYC. Several interesting elements to this:
1. the trials are a day before the NYC marathon (the women will have theirs the day before Boston in the spring).
2. Several top 10K and 5K runners as well as some amateurs and a steeplechase guy are in the race. When someone breaks early everyone has to figure who they are? Are they for real? Will the "speed" guys be able to be around at the end and what will their kick be like THEN?
3. 1.4 miles to get into Central park and then 5 - 5 mile laps (or something like that)
The start will be live on the Today Show tomorrow.
November 2, 2007
At stake: Top three finishers qualify for the 2008 Games in Beijing, provided they have run an Olympic qualifying time of 2:15 or faster.
When: Tomorrow, 4:35 a.m. (PDT)-7:25 Eastern
Where New York, the final 25 miles in Central Park. The New York City Marathon is Sunday over the traditional five-boroughs course. It's the first time a major marathon has hosted the trials.
Weather forecast: Mostly sunny with temperatures in the low 40s at the start.
Prize purse: $250,000 total. 1st – $60,000; 2nd – $40,000; 3rd – $30,000. Top three finishers earn $20,000 bonus for starting the 2008 Olympic marathon.
Broadcast: Streaming video live on www.nbcolympics.com; half-hour special on Channel 7/39, 11-11:30 a.m. tomorrow.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20071102-9999-1s2marabox.html