Photo of the Weekend: London Marathon

This weekend's Photo of the Weekend comes to us all the way from the far side of the Atlantic. Ryan Hall throws down a 2:06:17, earning respect from everyone except the kind of folks foolish enough to keep snakes as pets. I think you know what I mean. As evidenced in the Photo, Hall knows what I mean, too.

The runner-up photo was, in fact, snapped just one moment later, and narrowly misses weekly honors...




What I find most impressive about both of these pieces of photographic craftsmanship, was how the photographer was able to, ya know, capture something that Hall was saying verbally in a still image with no sonic accompaniment. Now that's talent.












both photos courtesy Photorun.net

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What They Didn't Tell You: London Marathon Weekend

You know, it's easy to sit around here and make jokes, acting all disaffected as the world of running plays out its little dramas for us. But you know what? Sometimes a performance demands the respect to be treated as the achievement that it is, and not undermined by jokes. This weekend, one American athlete gave us just such a performance, so, after the jump we dig into that sterling, inspirational performance to place it in a historical context and celebrate it for the accomplishment it is. It's What They Didn't Tell You - Serious Edition.

Chris Derrick. Wow. 13:55 for a high schooler. That's some serious shite. Check these numbers out:

• 7th American high schooler to break 14-minutes.
• 5th American schoolboy all-time behind Rupp, Lindgren, Ritz & Pre.
• To my knowledge, neither Ritz nor Rupp achieved their marks in HS-only competition, as Derrick did.

And, that's about it. Not much else to say about the weekend.

Well, except for the fact that Flora, the title sponsor of the London Marathon, is a manufacturer of margarine (pronounced mar-gar-EEN, over there) and that the margarine-eating-contest they held in conjunction with marathon weekend saw an American actually take down a whole field of Africans. Until Ryan Hall throws shit down in Beijing, THIS will be the victory I savor.

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Live Blog Beer Bash: 2008 London Marathon

Less Than Our Best proudly presents our first ever Live Blog Beer Bash (its like watching it normally, but with dick jokes!!) We will be following the London Marathon and, let's face it, we mainly care about Ryan Hall. Enjoy, and don't be shy, crack open that Zima that you've been eying and make sure to throw in a comment or two. We're going to get started around 4am Eastern (mens' race starts at 4:45) or whenever we stumble home from the bars tonight.

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Fearless Predictions: File Your Taxes Edition

We here at Less Than Our Best are concerned with very little. One of those few interests is Larry Legend dropping rhymes. The other is acting like we have some expertise in predicting things. Here's a few things that will LITERALLY happen this weekend:

1) Ryan Hall wins the London marathon in 2:06.14. After the most intense LIVE BLOG BEER BASH in internet history, we hold a special Champagne toast at LTOB headquarters (you're all invited) at approximately 6:51am Eastern Standard Time. Afterwards, Jeremy proclaims: "Let's keep this party going...You're ALL invited!!" No one is there except the old Greek guy that cuts my hair down the street. I am able to get half a Budweiser tall boy down with Mr. Popadopolis before I pass out in a gutter. With a smile on my face.

2) As Hall makes his way toward the finish line in London, victory well in hand, the following picture is snapped and runs in all American Newspapers Monday morning, creating much hostility between the English and USA.

London Marathon champion, Ryan Hall, left hanging as bitter Britons refuse to give it up.
(thanks to reader "Seth" for this tip)

3) At approximately 6:52am EST, letsrun.com explodes the entire internet. It is never mentioned again (neither letsrun NOR the internet). The last person seen in the message board, a man simply known as RunningArt2004 describes the final scene in the popular forum as "chilling" and "boners galore"

4) In other action, some people race at the Sea Ray Relays and some other places. No one is impressed.

5) Inspired by the Golden Boy's performance in London, American youth put down their footballs and basketballs and pick up their heart monitors and inhalers. American 20 somethings quit their high salary business jobs to live in the woods to train full time and chase their dreams. American Moms and Dads of adult children collectively groan, roll their eyes, and go bankrupt.

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Don't Miss LTOB's Live Blog Beer Bash: London Marathon

Most American running fans are excited about the London marathon on Sunday. How will our Golden Boy Ryan Hall fare against the world's best? They cannot wait to watch the race when they wake up Sunday morning (WCSN will have free video on demand!).

The hard core fans, though, they are going to bed early. They will forgo the ignoble debauchery of a Saturday night, just like they have done so many times for Sunday morning long runs or races. They will peel themselves out of bed at 4 o'clock Sunday morning with a fresh cup of coffee and plain bagel in hand. They are to be commended for their commitment.

Your good friends at LTOB are committed too. We are committed to peeling ourselves away from the physical embodiment of bad decisions that we have been chatting up all night, just in time for the gun and one of the most intense, beer-goggled, all-nighter live blogs you have ever witnessed.

So, come Sunday morning/Saturday night, be sure to keep LTOB open in one window while your watching Ryan Hall do the robot down the streets of foggy London-Town. And don't be afraid to make that coffee a little Irish. But keep the bagel plain, don't kid yourself.

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