Beijing Recap: From Boring to Bolt

The 2008 Games began with a dull marathon, ended with a spectacular one, and included plenty of highs and lows in between.

olympic highlights

Greatest Ever? Amby Burfoot on Sammy Wanjiru's Olympic marathon—and his place in history.	Wanjiru Wins Marathon Gold Sammy Wanjiru won the Olympic Men's Marathon, run in blistering conditions, in an Olympic-record 2:06:32.	Deena Breaks Foot American marathoner Deena Kastor has a broken right foot suffered in Sunday's Olympic marathon.
Marathon Milestone Constantina Tomescu, at age 38, became the oldest winner of the women's Olympic Marathon Sunday in Beijing.	Bolt Blazes to Glory Jamaica's Usain Bolt won Olympic gold on Saturday in the 100 meters - and smashed the world record (9.69).	Bolt Uncovered Video of the world's fastest man as you've never him seen before.
What Happended to Paula? Amby Burfoot looks at Paula Radcliffe's latest Olympic misfortune.	Shalane Flanagan's Secret The story behind the surprise bronze-medalist's success.

features

Women's Marathon Slideshow

Exclusive photos from the Women's Olympic Marathon in Beijing on Sunday.

Secrets of the Olympians

When you're a full-time elite athlete, you pick up a thing or two. Here's what you can learn from 15 U.S. Olympians.

The Power and the Glory

A decade ago, God told Ryan Hall to run. Now Hall's an Olympic favorite.

Chasing the Kids

How parenthood affects training for the Olympics.

Opening Ceremonies Slideshow

Photos from the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Trials and Stipulations

An in-depth look at the Olympic Trials start list controversy.

Japan: Where the Marathon Matters

In the past 13 Olympic Games and worlds, 14 Japanese athletes have garnered 17 marathon medals.

Top 10 Olympic Moments

RW presents the top 10 moments in Olympic history.

El Tigre del Tejas

Leo Manzano, his team and his money. The Mexican-born Manzano is one of three foreign-born runners on the USA 1500-meter team.

Southern Cooking

Coach John Cook directs 'the little things' for three rising stars: Shalane Flanagan, Shannon Rowbury, and Erin Donohue.

Beijing Bound

How have U.S. Olympic Marathoners prepared for their big event? Very carefully.

Team Ethiopia Heads to Beijing

A fierce sense of national pride motivates the world's top running team.

previews

The Sprints

Once again, the United States brings the swiftest team to the Games. Among possible gold medalists: Tyson Gay, Sanya Richards and Jeremy Wariner.

1500 Meters

In his first Olympics as an American, Bernard Lagat looks to make history. He's aiming for medals in two events and he's rated equal to any in both.

5000 Meters

A good-natured but determined Aussie is out to end Africa's dominance. It won't be easy, but Craig Mottram is counting on his strong finishing speed.

10,000 Meters

Two world record holders, Tirunesh Dibaba and Kenenisa Bekele, seek to lift Ethiopia's hopes on and off the track.

Men's Marathon

In a deeply competitive field, Kenyan runner Martin Lel stands apart. But he'll have to contend with his teammates, the Ethiopians, and Ryan Hall.

Women's Marathon

Deena Kastor, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, and Blake Russell � America�s Olympic marathon team � head to Beijing seeking gold.

Viewer's Guide

Here's not who, but what to watch for in the distance races in Beijing.

Men's Marathon: The Lead Pack

Chats with Ryan Hall, Atsushi Sato, Lee Troop, Stefano Baldini, and Martin Lel.

athlete interviews

Ryan Hall

"I am a very all-or-nothing type of guy," says Hall, so focused on Aug. 24 that he'll miss the opening ceremonies.

Nick Symmonds

He's one of three Oregon runners representing the U.S. in the 800, with Christian Smith and Andrew Wheating.

Dathan Ritzenhein

How is Ritz preparing for 26.2 miles of heat and humidity that awaits in Beijing?

Brian Sell

"I'm hoping for the worst conditions possible," Sell says of the Beijing Games. "It could be a big equalizer."

Ian Dobson

Before arriving in Beijing on Aug. 2, Dobson will hit the track a few times in Europe for tuneups he hopes will have him ready for his first Olympic Games.

Bernard Lagat

Lagat already owns silver and bronze Olympic medals in the 1,500 meters. In Beijing, he seeks the one still missing from his collection.

athlete profiles

Jenny Barringer

For this steeplechaser,'second place is no longer good enough.'

Gete Wami

'I relish the challenge of making people eat their words,' says the women's marathon underdog.

Stefano Baldini

At age 37, the reigning Olympic marathon champ is 'still motivated'—to the chagrin of his rivals.

Robert Cheruiyot

He won the inaugural World Marathon Majors title. Can he win gold?

Magdalena Lewy Boulet

She balanced training, work, and family to snag a spot on the U.S. Olympic marathon team.

Bernard Lagat

In his dreams, America's shining star 'always come out the winner.'

podcasts

Culpepper: 'What I'll Be Watching'

Alan Culpepper chats about which Americans he'll be following in Beijing.

Greatest Olympic Races

Roger Robinson discusses what he considers the best contests in Olympic history.

Ryan: Ready to Roll

In this archival podcast, Ryan Hall talks with Running Times before his win at the Olympic Marathon Trials.

greatest races, by Roger Robinson


100 Meters	100 Meters
200 Meters	200 Meters
400 Meters	400 Meters
800 Meters	800 Meters
1500 Meters	1500 Meters
5000 Meters	5000 Meters
10,000 Meters	10,000 Meters
110 Meter Hurdles	100 Meter Hurdles
400 Meter Hurdles	400 Meter Hurdles
Steeplechase	Steeplechase
Decathlon	Heptathlon
4x100 Meter Relay	4x100 Meter Relay
4x400 Meter Relay	4x400 Meter Relay
Marathon	Marathon

u.s. olympic trials

Track
Men's Marathon
Women's Marathon

Track

Men's Marathon

Women's Marathon

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