Category Archives: Olympics

The Olympic Trials – Day 3

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Jon Waldron

Three days in, The U.S. Olympic Track and Feld Trials is reminding us all why it’s the most exciting, dramatic, and poignant track event of the quadrennium. Unlike the Olympics and World Championships, which are all about medal counts and … Continue reading →

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Amy Cragg Wins, and it’s Complicated

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Jon Waldron

In all likelihood, four years from now at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, someone not named Amy Cragg, Desi Linden, Shalane Flanagan, Kara Goucher, or Janet Bawcom will finish in the top five. But here in 2016, that change … Continue reading →

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The Awesome Uncertainty of the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Jon Waldron

Pete Pfitzinger leading the 1984 Olympic Trials Marathon At 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning in Los Angeles, the United States will select three men and three women to compete in the marathon at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Prestige marathons … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Colin Welland

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Jon Waldron

The working title of the script was originally “Runners” — about as boring as you could imagine. In retrospect, the whole project seems beyond improbable. David Puttnam, who would produce the film, happened to be convalescing from a case of the flu … Continue reading →

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Almost Famous

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Jon Waldron

“The marathon trials are the average runner’s version of the Olympic Games.” Jill Geer, spokeswoman for USATF.

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Four Minutes of Ugly

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Jon Waldron

As a spectator, fan, coach, or athlete, races don’t always go as planned, and when that happens, you do your best to accept the outcome and move on. But I have a vivid memory of watching the TV broadcast of … Continue reading →

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Olympic Sour Grapes

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Jon Waldron

Opening the front page of Tuesday’s Boston Globe, we were greeted by a grim headline. The two-word verdict, rendered in a font size normally reserved for announcing national calamities, read “GAMES OVER,” and below it, there appeared a photo of … Continue reading →

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Summoning the Spirit of John Ngugi

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Jon Waldron

“It won’t matter unless he [Kamworor] decides to fulfill his destiny as the second coming of John Ngugi. If he won’t gap Farah, nobody ever will.” – LetsRun poster, responding to the news that Geoffrey Kamworor ran 13:13 in his … Continue reading →

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A Modest Proposal to Bring Cross Country to the Olympics

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Jon Waldron

Slogging along Sunday afternoon in what was becoming a steady rain, I suddenly realized what must be done to bring the sport of cross country to the Olympics.

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Olympics Idol

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Jon Waldron

I have to admit, upon hearing the news that the U.S. Olympic Committee had backed Boston as the U.S.’s bid city for the 2024 Summer Olympics, I had a sudden urge to scream, jump up and down, and then run … Continue reading →

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