contents

news

6 Devonish teams up with Gay 7 World Cross future under threat 8 Pregnant Pavey on her 2012 ambition 9 Athletics Networks gather pace 10 Masya receives Great Run honour

performance

18 How much mileage is ‘right’? 19 Coach Geoff Barraclough interviewed 20 Understanding weight training 22 AW Basics – middle-distance focus

features

16 Rags to riches story of John Kemboi 27 Army Athletics heads to Australia 28 Track and field fixtures guide 2009 38 How to submit results to AW

events

40 Results 42 Steph Twell in form in Guernsey 45 Isle of Man Easter festival 54 What’s On

regulars

12 Rising Stars 14 Letters 62 Official Line

Right: Marlon Devonish– page 6

Mark S h earman

Guernsey Press

Mark S hearman

42Guernsey Easter Running Festival

28Get on track this summer

IOM Ph o t o s

Cover: Stephanie Twell in action at the KPMG Easter Running Festival last weekend (Guernsey Press)

45Runners take the high road on Isle of Man

ED I T OR ’ S LET TER

Marathon fever beginning to take hold

MARATHON season is in full swing. The Paris event earlier this month saw five men go under 2:07. In Rotterdam, Duncan Kibet of Kenya became the second fastest man in history with 2:05:47. Next week is the Flora London Marathon.

But before London comes Boston – and this year’s Boston, which takes place on Monday, looks far more interesting than usual.

In recent years some of my relatives in the United States have sent me newspaper clippings from Boston. But apart from admiring the grandiose coverage, there is little to get too excited about.

There has been an East African (mainly Kenyan) monopoly on the men’s title since 1991, the women’s race has been similarly dominated by Africa and the local media coverage is an odd mix of small-ish

stories on the winners and pieces on charity raisers, “leading” American runners and wheelchair racers – all of which has left me non-plussed.

Boston has been overshadowed in recent years by London and New York, but it undoubtedly has a certain magic. For starters, its rich history helps – with this year being the 113th edition – and it has seen some classic races in the past, such as Alberto Salazar v Dick Beardsley in 1982 – a clash excellently captured in the book Duel in the Sun.

So this year could see Boston jump back in with the big boys, New York and London. Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher are aiming to give America its first victory in the race – by a man or woman – since 1985. Both athletes have caused great excitement in US endurance circles in the past couple of years. Hall

has run 2:06:17 and is still improving. Goucher has followed her track successes by finishing third on her marathon debut in New York last November.

Outside the elite races, Boston will also feature one of the most fascinating stories in sport. Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father and son who have completed hundreds of marathons and ironman triathlons in the most extraordinary fashion (this will be their 27th Boston). Dick is a retired military man, while Rick has celebral palsy – and Dick’s record pushing Rick in a marathon in his wheelchair is an impressive 2:40:47.

On April 26 I hope to be among the thousands of runners tackling 26.2 miles in London. And what better way to get into the marathon mood than by following the news from Boston on Monday.

Jason Henderson, Editor

4 athleticsweekly.com