RRW: The Marathon Project Delivers Fast Times, Great Racing
By David Monti, @d9monti
(c) 2020 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
(20-Dec) In this pandemic year marked by so much pain, struggle and loss, The Marathon Project today in Chandler, Ariz., provided a much-needed high note before 2020 passes into infamy, at least for fans of distance running. Today’s elite-only race –bootstrapped by Josh Cox, Ben Rosario and Matt Helbig– ended up being one of the best-ever marathons on U.S. soil for North American athletes, punctuated by exciting victories for Sara Hall (2:20:32) and Martin Hehir (2:08:59). Depth was impressive for a mostly domestic race, with 12 women going sub-2:30 and 13 men going sub-2:12 (seven sub-2:10).
Hall Vaults To #2 In U.S. History, Hehir Prevails At The Marathon Project
Dec 20, 2020David Monti
(c) 2020 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
(20-Dec) In this pandemic year marked by so much pain, struggle and loss, The Marathon Project today in Chandler, Ariz., provided a much-needed high note before 2020 passes into infamy, at least for fans of distance running. Today s elite-only race bootstrapped by Josh Cox, Ben Rosario and Matt Helbig ended up being one of the best-ever marathons on U.S. soil for North American athletes, punctuated by exciting victories for Sara Hall (2:20:32) and Martin Hehir (2:08:59). Depth was impressive for a mostly domestic race, with 12 women going sub-2:30 and 13 men going sub-2:12 (seven sub-2:10).
Martin Hehir Wins Marathon Project In 2:08:59 at 7 Americans Break 2:10
December 20, 2020
It was a historic day in the desert today, as seven Americans broken 2:10 at the Marathon Project in Chandler, Ariz., obliterating the previous record for most American sub-2:10’s in one race (four at the 2012 Olympic Trials). Between a deep field (11 men with sub-2:12 pbs), perfect weather (in the 30s and 40s during the race, with almost zero wind) and terrific pacemaking, and the super shoe revolution, conditions were ripe for a very, very fast day. And the race delivered.
2:09:00 pace was the goal, and nine men were on track to do that at 35k. In the end, however,