It's spring marathon season, so how about three marathon trivia stumpers!?

1) Three big-city international marathons account for 9 of the top 10 Men's Marathon performances, all time. Can you name these three marathons?
2) Kenyans hold 7 of the Men's Top 10 Marathon performances, all time. Two of the other Top Ten times are held by Khalid Khannouchi (one as a Moroccan and one as an American). Who is the other Top Ten Male Marathoner not from Kenya?
3) You know that the Kenyan men dominate the marathon, do you know how many of the Women's Top 10 Marathon performances are held by a Kenyan?

Last month's poll showed that the most popular races in Orange County are the Pacific Shoreline Marathon, Half, & 5k and the Dana Point Turkey Trot. You can see complete results at the bottom (before the race calendar).

Hope you like these polls, 'cause we do! And, we've got more!

First, a couple of poll questions for all you walkers. Walkers ONLY please. (The Runner Polls follow). Please check one of the following:
Polls are removed from archives
Polls are removed from archives
And here's a couple of similar questions for runners. Please check one of the following:
Polls are removed from archives
Polls are removed from archives

You are probably aware of the unique idea that the Los Angeles Marathon (LAM) organizers came up with last year in which they awarded a $50,000 cash prize to the first runner, male or female, to cross the Finish Line after giving the Elite Females a head start of 20 minutes and 30 seconds. I think this was a brilliant idea!

It's a great marketing ploy. This is the kind of thing that gets people talking about an event. Even people not into marathons will talk about whether the race was won by "the guy" or "the girl". They may not have a clue as to their names, but everyone it seems, is intrigued by a "battles of the sexes"!

And, let's face it -- for most people, watching a marathon on TV is a little like watching NASCAR with the sound off and zero likelihood of a spectacular crash.

Marathons need something like this to make them more interesting to the masses. If more marathons pitted the sexes against each other like this, it'd probably go a long way towards increasing interest in, and viewership of, marathons.

After all, when it comes to marathoning these days, most of us don't even know who the top runners are. And, there's no team to root for, so it's very hard for the average sports fan to get interested in marathons. Especially when there's no betting line!

So, it may be quirky and it may seem artificial to the purists, but the sport needs stuff like this. It's a shot in the arm. But, LAM does need to do a better job of deciding on the proper amount of head start.

This year, LAM organizers waited until just four days before the race to announce that they lowered the differential from last year's 20:30 to 15:50. Because of the depth of the women's field, they explained.

While it's true that the women's field had more fast women than the men's field had fast men, I don't think that's the way to go about setting the differential. It's just not fair to the competitors. The differential should be standardized to either a) the difference in the male and female course records, or b) the difference in the two world records (currently 10:30, by the way). I prefer the former.

When it's standardized, the athletes will know well in advance what the differential is and it'd be a much more equitable system. This year, women's winner Lyubov Denisova was a little miffed, and rightfully so, when the drastically reduced differential wasn't announced until four days before the event. With no appearance fees paid at LAM, she might have opted to run Boston or some other marathon where she could get some appearance money, if she had this information in advance.

Denisova subsequently missed out on this year's $75,000 bonus -- even though she broke the Women's Course Record! - when she finished 16:36 behind Men's Winner, Ben Maiyo who ran 2:09:35. A very fast time on the L.A. course, but it did not best the Men's Course Record of 2:09:25 set by Simon Bor) in 1999.

Does it really matter?! Well, to many runners, it does. A lot of runners are very serious about what we do. We work hard trying to improve; struggle to get fitter and faster. And it takes a lot of effort and some sacrifice to get out there on a consistent basis. So we hate to have what we do referred to as...jogging.

It just sounds kind of demeaning, doesn't it? Random House dictionary says jogging is "to run at a leisurely, slow pace". Well, we may be slow, but we're definitely not leisurely. Ever! We're runners dang it, not joggers.

Okay, runners do at times jog and at other times race. And sometimes we're in between. So, is there a specific mile-pace that separates jogging from running, and running from racing; some magic mile-pace that defines runner versus jogger? No.

I've heard some elitist-type runners say something like, "Well, if you're running slower than a 10:00 pace, you're just jogging". Rather than tell them that they're just being arrogant, I simply explain to them that that speedy 7:00/mile "race" pace of theirs, is a jog for Alan Webb; or, if they're older, Steve Scott! In other words, it's all relative.

But one thing does seem clear: it's a universal annoyance to serious runners when you call them joggers, or describe what they do as jogging. Despite the fact that at times we jog, what we do is RUN; and what we are is RUNNERS. I always chuckle when I remember listening to a talk by Bill Squires, the famous coach of the Boston Athletic Club.

Squires had been out for a morning run with his team in which they did a 10-mile workout at 6:00 pace. A short time later when he was out at breakfast, someone at the restaurant said to him, "I saw you out jogging with your boys this morning". It was like fingernails scraping down the chalkboard. The hair stood up on the back of his neck. He was appalled.

So please,...don't call it jogging.

Here are the final results of last month's poll (which should not be considered scientific!). According to those who voted, the most popular races in Orange County are the Pacific Shoreline Marathon, Half, & 5k and the Dana Point Turkey Trot.
Polls are removed from archives

Race information courtesy of RacePlace.com

Date	Event / Distance	Contact	Location	Misc
3/5/05 Saturday 8:00 am	2nd Annual Santa Ana North Rotary Health Run 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run, & 1/2 Mile Kids Run/Walk	The Finish Line International 714/841-5417	Centennial Park, Santa Ana, CA 92704 (Edinger & Fairview; enter on Edinger Ave. side; See Thom Bros Map, OC, pg. 829, A6).	Course through River View Golf Course & neighborhood. Streets measured/sanctioned to USATF standards.Proceeds benefit the Santa Ana North Rotary Club & Rotary charities. Website: nealand.com/finishline
3/5/05 Saturday	RND Winter Trail Running Series Team	RND Running, Inc. 949/857-1055 RNDRunning@aol.com	Cleveland National Forest, CA	Course is well marked & will be run within the Cleveland National Forest, trails and fire roads. RNDRunning.com
3/6/05 Sunday 8:20 am	20th Anniversary Los Angeles Marathon, 5k Run/Walk, Acura L.A. Bike Tour.	310/444-5544 raceinfo@lamarathon.com	Los Angeles, CA -Course starts at 6th and Figueroa and finishes on Flower Street at 5th.	NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION!Plan to attend The Emerald Nuts Quality of Life Expo at the L.A. Convention Center on March 3-5.Website: www.lamarathon.com
3/13/05 Sunday 8:00 am	Village Runner St. Patrick's Day 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and Little Leprechaun Dash for the Gold.	Village Runner 310/375-2626 villagerunner@earthlink.net	Start/Finish: Torrance Marriott, 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance, CA 90503	Kids Dash start/9:45am. Long sleeved t-shirts, fast course/computerized, Race Party and Expo. Packet Pick-up: Village Runner from noon-7pm on Saturday, March 12th. Website: www.villagerunnerracing.com
3/13/05 Sunday 7:15 am	22nd Annual Blue Cross of California Spirit Run - 10K Run/Walk, 5K Family Walk, Youth Races & Toddler Trot	Spirit Run Hotline 949/222-3131 Kinane Events 760/434-7706 info@kinaneevents.com	Edwards Cinema Theatres, Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA	USATF certified course w/rolling hills around Fashion Island. Post event celebration with refreshments, medals for youth, age group awards, drawing prizes, Kids Expo, & live entertainment. www.kinaneevents.com
3/19/05 Saturday 7:00 am	20th Annual The Great Race of Agoura Chesebro Half Marathon, Deena Kastor 5K, Old Agoura 10K, Kids 1Mi.Family Fun Run	Endurance Events 818/313-2102 help@GreatRaceofAgoura.com	Agoura High School Stadium, 28545 Driver Ave.,Agoura Hills , CA	ChampionChip Timing, Coveted 2005 Great Race T-shirt, Dri-release performance T-shirt for 1/2 marathoners; Best post race party with food,drink & raffle with tons of prizes. Silent Auction with great running & sports gear, Sports Camp & Fitness Expo. Website: greatraceofagoura.com
3/19/05 Saturday 6:30 am	Catalina Marathon, 10K, 5K & Kid's Run	Pacific Sports, LLC 714/978-1528 CatMar@PacificSportsLLC.com	Two Harbors, Catalina Island, Avalon, CA	Scenic, challenging trail course for marathon, challenging paved 5K/10K courses. (Marathon Walkers: 6:30am Marathon: 7am. Website: PacificSportsLLC.com
3/19/05 Saturday 8:00 am	St. Patrick's Day 5K Run/Walk & 1/2 mile kids fun run.	Try-Us Events 323/779-4149 runner_tyrus@yahoo.com	Placerita Jr. High School, Santa Clarita, CA	Flat fast 5k course out and back on the South Fork Path. Awards for top 3 in each age division. Register on www.active.com
3/26/05 Saturday 9:00 am	5th Annual 5K Spring Into Health Run (5K Run/5K Walk, @ 9am & 1/2 Mile Kids Run @ 10am).	The Finish Line Int'l. Oscar Rosales 714/841-5417	Finish on the track at So. Cal. University of Health Sciences, 16200 Amber Valley Dr., Whittier, CA 90609 (See Thom. Bros. LA Map, Pg. 708, A7).	Proceeds benefit "Help for Brain Injured Children", of La Habra, CA.Course through scenic city streets around campus, measured to USATF Standards & sanctioned. Website: www.nealand.com/finishline
3/26/05 Saturday 8:00 am	The Reggae Rhythm of Life Run 5K, 10K and 1K Kiddie Run	W2 Promotions 310/828-4123 W2Promo@aol.com	Start and finish in beautiful Griffith Park. 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA	A fairly flat & fast course along park streets. The5K is a looped course. The 10K runners do this course twice. Proceeds from this Event will Benefit: The Verdugo Mental Health Center W2Promotions.com
3/26/05 Saturday	CANCELED-The City of Carson Caesar Chavez 5K Run/Walk	W2 Promotions 310-828-4123 W2Promo@aol.com	Carson Park, 21411 So. Orrick Ave., Carson, CA	CANCELED
3/26/05 Saturday	RND San Juan Trail 50K	RND Running, Inc. 949/857-1055" RNDRunning@aol.com	Bluejay Campground, Cleveland National Forest, CA"	Course is well marked & will be run within the Cleveland National Forest, trails and fire roads. RNDRunning.com
3/28/05 Mon-Sat am & pm	Sonki Fitness Boot Camp - "Stronger, faster, leaner...for life!"TMMarch 28 - April 30.	Sonki Hong 310/260-2518 sonki@att.net	Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood	5-week outdoor fitness program designed to improve total body fitness, strengthen mental toughness, and teach how to have fun working out. (No yelling or screaming). Website: www.SonkiFitness.com

Date	Event / Distance	Contact	Location	Misc
4/2/05 Saturday 8:00 am	Ulis C. Williams 5K/10K Run, 5K Walk, & 1/2 Mile Kids Run/Walk	The Finish Line Int'l. Oscar Rosales 714/841-5417	"On the Track", Compton Community College, Compton, CA (Artesia Ave., between Santa Fe & Long Beach Blvd., So of 91 Fwy. See Thom Bros. Map, LA, pg. 735, A7).	Run in & around the Compton campus & city streets. Finish on the "track". Course measured/certified to USATF standards.Website: www.nealand.com/finishline
4/2/05 Saturday 8:00 am	La Habra 5k/10k Run/Walk & 1k Kiddie Run	Steven Coumparoules 562/905-9708 ext. 277 steven_coumparoules@lahabracity.com	In front of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, 1801 W. Imperial Hwy., La Habra, CA	Race features medals to the top 3 runners in each age group, money prizes to the top 2 male & female in 5K & 10K. Official race T-shirt to all runners, time line management and much more! Course is USATF certified.Health & Fitness Expo, Register online at www.active.com
4/2/05 Saturday 5:00 am	Avalon Benefit 50 Mile Run	Spectrum Sports Management LLC 909/399-3553 mike@spectrumsports.net	Avalon, CA, on Catalina Island	Experience a run and sites unlike any other that you have ever experienced. This run crosses Catalina Island & provides for spectacular scenery running on mostly trails through the interior of the island. www.avalon50.com
4/2/05 Saturday 9:00 am	Running the Waves Malibu 5K, Benefiting Challenge 4 Charity	Jamie Monroe 818/618-2087 jamie.monroe@pepperdine.edu	Malibu, CA	THE 5KM RUN/WALK is the primary race for the event - an out and back along the Pacific. THE CHILDRENS' LIFESAVING ONE-MILE is a race for allkids 12 and under... Visit website for more information at: www.malibu5k.com
4/3/05 Sunday 8:30 am	The Achievable 5K Walk/Run, Dog Walk, & special Kids Fun Run	W2 Promotions 310/828-4123 W2Promo@aol.com	Century City, CA	Flat, fast course with giant sports/fitness expo, food & drink galore at finish. Proceeds benefit the Achievable Foundation. Register on-line at: www.W2promotions.com
4/8/05 Fri-Sat April 8 & 9	Angel's Run -24-hour Run/Walk & for Angels Charity.Health & Info Fair on Saturday	Doug Hansen 949-650-2757 www.angelsrun.com info@angelsrun.com	Newport Harbor High School Track & Field, 600 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92663	Angels Charity is a 501c3 non profit that is raising money to help children that were born with multiple birth defects. www.angelsrun.com
4/9/05 Saturday 7:45 am	31st Annual Seal Beach 5K/10K Run, 5K Walk & Kids 1K Fun Run	Elizabeth Kane sealbeachrace@hotmail.com	Marina Community Center, 151 Marina Dr., SealBeach, CA 90740. (corner of First St. & Marina Dr.)	Come celebrate our 31st Anniversary of one of the most scenic & organized events in So. CA. For more info, see website at: www.sealbeachrun.com
4/9/05 Saturday 7:45 am	11th Annual Derby Day 5K Run, 5K Walk, Kid's Six-Furlong Race and Homestretch Dash at Santa Anita Park	W2 Promotions 310/828-4123 W2promo@aol.com	Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA (finish on the Santa Anita racetrack!)	Run through beautiful Arboretum of LA County and finish on the track! Post race Expo in the infield w/live entertainment & beer garden. All registered receive free parking & entrance into Santa Anita Park for a day of racing. www.W2Promotions.com
4/10/05 Sunday 8:00 am	1st Annual Jack Wilson 10K, 5K, 2K Fun Walk/Run	Laura Iden 2082 Stonehill Circle Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Lauraleeiden@aol.com	Thousand Oaks High School (Track area) 2323 N. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360	Fast, accurate and scenic on streets of beautiful Thousand Oaks & finishes Olympic style on the all weather track inside Lancer Stadium. Sourses: 5K out & back, 10K is a double loop, 2K will be run on the track. eteamz.active.com/jackwilson5k/
4/10/05 Sunday	CANCELED-Healthy Neighborhoods 5K/10K	909/828-8323 5k10krace@healthycities.com	San Bernardino, CA	CANCELED
4/10/05 Sunday 8:00 am	Victory For Victims 5K Walk/Run, 10K Run & Kids Fun Run	W2 Promotions 310/828-4123 W2Promo@aol.com	Balboa Lake Park (enter off Balboa Blvd.) Encino, CA	A flat, fast, 5K looped course starting & finishing in the park. 10K runners do the course twice.Proceeds Benefit Children's Assault Treatment Services Sponsored by Northridge Hospital Medical Center. Register online at: www.w2promo.com
4/10/05 Sunday 8:30 am	Walk the MS Walk5K & 10K	MS Society,OC Chapter 949/752-1680 800/486-6762	University of California, Irvine (UCI)	5K & 10K routes, Finish line festivities, Rest stops stocked with snacks & beverages, Live entertainment,Commemorative medals for all participants, Prizes for fundraisers & Kids Fun Zone.Website: www.mswalkoc.org
4/16/05 Saturday 7:30 am	Earth Week 5K, 8K, 1 Mile Challenge Run, & 1K Fun Run	Placentia Community Services 714/993-8232 earthweekrun@placentia.org	Placentia-Linda Hospital - 1301 N. Rose Drive, Placentia, CA	Help raise funds for cancer research, recycling education/physical education programs in local schools, and Community Health Charities.
4/16/05 Saturday 8:00 am	Santa Barbara Running "Chardonnay" 10-miler & 5K	Wally Marantette wallytor@cox.net	Leadbetter Beach, Santa Barbara, CA	Beautiful out-and-back shoreline course featuring the best of Santa Barbara.
4/16/05 Saturday 8:30 am	10th Annual LMU Run for the Bay 5K & 10KProceeds Benefit "Heal the Bay".	310/258-8660 Online Registration at www.active.com jgoodkind@ethicsandbusiness.org	Loyola Marymount University 7900 Loyola Blvd. at West 80th St., Los Angeles, CA 90045	10K course is two 5K loops on mainly asphalt, some dirt & grass; 1 hill entirely on LMU campus. Sorry, no pets. Sponsored vy the LMU Center for Ethics and Business. Website: www.runforthebay.org www.ethicsandbusiness.org/run/index.htm
4/16/05 Saturday 6:30 am	27th Annual Kiwanis Club of Camarillo 5K/10K Run	Bob Gaboury 805/389-0347 BobGaboury@aol.com	Camarillo Community Center 1605 Burnley Camarillo CA 93010 1/2 mile of of 101 Freeway	Course through Central and Scenic Camarillo. Refreshments, gift certificates to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in all divisions. Plenty of parking and T-shirts for all participants
4/17/05 Sunday 8:00 am	24th Annual Jimmy Stewart Marathon Relay (26.2 miles; 5-person teams w/each person running 5.2 miles)	310/829-8968 www.stjohns.org marathon@stjohns.org	Griffith Park Los Angeles, CA	Teams of 5 runners compete on a fairly flat course. Family expo, children's races & live entertainment. Benefits the St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica. www.stjohns.org/JSRM/Jimmy/26.2Mile.html
4/23/05 Saturday 7:30 am	3rd Annual Donate Life 5K/1K Run/Walk(Reg/7:30am, Warm Up/8:30am, Donor Ceremony/8:45am, 5K/9am, 1K/9:30am)	Hotline: 714/526-0181 or 213/401-1101 info@donatelife.org	Cal State University, Fullerton, 800 State College, Fullerton, CA	Hosted by Cal State Fullerton to benefit the National Kidney Foundation and spread education of organ donation. Post Event Health Festival. Website: www.giftoflifeoc.org
4/30/05 Saturday 8:00 am	9th Annual San Bernardino County Sheriff's West Valley Search and Rescue Run for Rescue & Safety Fair 5/10K Run, 5K Walk, 5K Dog Walk & Kiddie K. USATF Sanctioned	San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department West Valley Search & Rescue Team. 909/207-2444	Chaffey College Campus, 5885 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Race times: 6:30 am registration, 8:00am/10K Run, 9:30am/5K Run/Walk	Quality T-Shirt, Post Race Refreshments, 10K & 5K Awards 3 Deep per Division, 5K Walk & Dog Walk/Non- Competitive. Medals to all Kiddie K's. Many Police, Fire & Rescue items/rigs on display. Safety Fair from 9am to 1pm.All proceeds to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. West Valley Search & Rescue Team. A 100% Non-Profit Organization
4/30/05 Mon-Sat	Sonki Fitness Boot Camp - "Stronger, faster, leaner...for life!"TMApril 30 - May 7, 2005	Sonki Fitness 310-260-2518 sonki@att.net	Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, CA	5-week outdoor fitness program designed to improve total body fitness, strengthen mental toughness, and teach how to have fun working out. (No yelling or screaming) Website: www.SonkiFitness.com
4/30/05 Sat-Sat	Hawaii Fitness Vacation - "The only vacation where you will come home in better shape!"TM(April 30 - May 7)	Sonki Fitness 310-260-2518 sonki@att.net	Oahu, Hawaii	7-day vacation includes airfare, luxury accomodations, transportation, workouts, activities (hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, luau, etc.), and much more! www.SonkiFitness.com
4/30/05 Saturday 8:30 am	4th Annual CSUN 5K/10K Run/Walk/Roll	W2 Promotions 310/828-4123 W2Promo@aol.com	Start/Finish on campus Cal State University, Northridge.	Course is flat and fast through the CSUN campus & neighborhood streets of Northridge. Proceeds benefit Center of Achievement for the physically disabled. Live entertainment and giant expo. Register online at Website: www.W2promotions.com

1) Berlin (4), Chicago (3), and London (2).
2) Ronaldo da Costa of Brazil is currently in 8th place with a time of 2:06:05 in the 1998 Berlin Marathon.
3) Three. All by Catherine Ndereba (3rd, 5th, and 9th). Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain also holds three of the Top 10 Women's performances (1st, 2nd, and 4th!). The only other Kenyan in the Women's Top 25 times is Tegla Loroupe.