Block Head Blog
Your source for news, analysis, and musings from the track & field and marathon worlds, now featuring contributions from around the globe.
Posted: 5:51p ET, Sunday, March 18, 2012
Americans left in wake of early surges at NYC Half
Two months after Olympic Trials, leading U.S. runners no match for international counterparts
By Joe Battaglia, Universal Sports
Two months removed from the Olympic Trials Marathon, the leading Americans weren't expecting to win the NYC Half. But Kara Goucher, Meb Keflezighi, Desiree Davila and Dathan Ritzenhein weren't planning on getting dusted either.
Posted: 9:16p ET, Thursday, March 15, 2012
Kim Smith chasing seventh straight victory
By Vicky Oddi, Universal Sports
Kim Smith is back in New York City four months after her fifth place
finish at the 2011 ING New York City Marathon. This Sunday, in her first
race back since that day in November, Smith will run the New York City
Half-Marathon.
Posted: 10:09a ET, Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wang Junxia's nomination to IAAF Hall of Fame a cruel joke
Induction despite suspicion around performances flies in face of global anti-doping efforts
By Joe Battaglia, Universal Sports
The career of China's Wang Junxia is highlighted by a season shrouded in doping suspicion. Her inclusion in the IAAF's inaugural Hall of Fame class is a cruel joke for those championing clean competition in the sport.
Posted: 3:18p ET, Thursday, February 23, 2012
Yelena Isinbayeva is at her best when challenged
Overlooked after a rough three years, Russian shatters world indoor record in pole vault
By Joe Battaglia, Universal Sports
History has shown us that the minute Yelena Isinbayeva is discounted she rises to new heights. Such was the case Thursday when the Russian broke out of a three-year malaise with a new world indoor record in the pole vault.
Posted: 6:44a ET, Monday, February 6, 2012
Analysis and takeaways from New Balance Indoor Grand Prix
Ethiopia's Meseret Defar: 'I don't think dominance of Kenya will happen again'
By Joe Battaglia, Universal Sports
Ethiopia is on a mission to restore its distance running pride and prevent another Kenyan romp this summer. Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba took first steps in their preparation at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.
Posted: 12:22p ET, Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wittenberg, Grilk make World Marathon Majors wager on Super Bowl
By Joe Battaglia, Universal Sports
As the New York Giants and New England Patriots get set to square off in Super Bowl
XLVI, the race directors for two of the most prestigious marathons in
the world have placed a friendly bet in support of their home
teams.
Posted: 6:29a ET, Monday, January 30, 2012
Analysis and takeaways from inaugural U.S. Open
By Joe Battaglia, Universal Sports
The first major domestic track meet of this Olympic year is in the books. Here are our
takeaways from Saturday night's inaugural U.S. Open at Madison Square Garden.
Posted: 8:03a ET, Monday, January 16, 2012
After marathon failures, it's back on track for Dathan Ritzenhein
Ritz: 'I am really going to focus on the disciplines and distances that I am good at'
By Joe Battaglia, Universal Sports
In finishing in the dreaded fourth-place position at the Olympic Trials men's marathon, Dathan Ritzenhein came to the realization that he's not cut out for 26.2 miles. He is now focused on a full-time return to the track.
Posted: 1:42p ET, Saturday, January 14, 2012
U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials: They said it
By Joe Battaglia, Universal Sports
The first six runners on the U.S. Olympic track and field team have
been decided. Here are some excerpts from their post-race interviews
along with those of some of their competitors:
Posted: 12:55p ET, Saturday, January 14, 2012
U.S. men's marathoners prove achieving is all in believing
Keflezighi, Hall, Abdirahman all erased doubts on the way to making 2012 Olympic Team
By Joe Battaglia, Universal Sports
At one time or another over the last four years, Meb Keflezighi, Ryan Hall and
Abdi Abdirahman have all had or faced moments of doubt. That all three
persevered and qualified for the Olympic marathon team is a testament to their self-belief.
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