26 in Boston
Decent weather for the Boston Marathon today -- cool and cloudy -- but runners could face a tough wind.
The question is whether the winds of fortune will finally favor an American again. The last time a U.S. male crossed the line first was 1983; 1985 for a woman.
Kenyans have dominated the men's race, and most of the top runners in this year's field come from that East African marathon factory.
But American Ryan Hall is expected to give them a race.
Hey, and Boston Billy is back.
OK, don't expect too much from the 61-year-old legend.
Except I'll bet he'll outrun any Kenyans the same age.
Comments (7)
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The number 26 and the word Boston do not belong together.
The Red Sox have only won 7 World Series over the last 105 years.
26 is the number of World Series the New York Yankees have won over the last 85 years.
Posted on April 20, 2009 8:32 AM
You're right. And Derek Jeter could outrun David Ortiz in a race of any distance.
But the Boston Marathon is an American classic. I hope an American wins one of these years.
Posted on April 20, 2009 9:05 AM
Americans Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher finished third in the men's and women's races. Strong showing. Goucher led fairly late in the race, while Hall came from 9th place or so to third with a late surge. An Ethiopian won the men's race, and nine of the top 10 were Kenyan or Ethiopian. The women's winner was a Kenyan.
Posted on April 20, 2009 3:14 PM
"OK, don't expect too much from the 61-year-old legend.
Except I'll bet he'll outrun any Kenyans the same age."
Not many Kenyans make it to that age.
Posted on April 20, 2009 5:33 PM
Their top runners should. They are the elite.
Bill Rodgers finished in just under 4 hours, which is faster than I could -- and I'm a LOT younger than he is.
Posted on April 20, 2009 5:45 PM
Actually in east Africa people of higher socioeconomic status have a much higher HIV rate, so there isn't that much correlation between wealth or status and life expectancy.
I'm not quite sure you know what "a lot" means.
Posted on April 20, 2009 7:17 PM
Congratulations to Rob French of High Point, who cracked the 3-hour mark at age 50! Way to go, Rob.
Posted on April 21, 2009 8:45 AM