US Men's Marathon Championships
Saturday, February 8, 2003

Ryan Shay wins at 2:14:28

Ryan is closing in on the finish line

Finish order likely Ryan Shay, Kevin Collins, Clint Verran, each with a trip to Paris this July

Mile 25, 2:08:12, Split 5:01 ,This appears to be the pivotal move in the race, Ryan now controls the race, estimated 200 feet ahead of Kevin Collins

Ryan Shay has surged ahead of Collins, both look good, but Collins has not responded, move made at 2:04, now 100 feet ahead

Mile 24, 2:03:10, Split 5:25, No change at front

Clint Verran has fell back from the lead group, appears to be struggling, 2:00 into race

Mile 23, 1:57:45, Split 5:22, No change at front

Splits through Mile 20 are posted, Jeff Campbell holds fourth at split, almost 1:30 back of the leaders, behind Jeff, is a group of three runners the includes Birmingham's Scott Strand, currently in sixth postion

Mile 22, 1:52:22, Split 5:14, Leaders continue to look fresh and are running smoothly, the order is now Shay, Collins, Verran, this is the only change at the front for some time now

If this holds Ryan Shay, Clint Verran, Kevin Collins will represent the U.S. at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Paris this July

Mile 21, 1:47:08, Split 5:16, No challenge has been made to the leaders, opportunity to make a challenge is fading

Mile 20, 1:41:51, Split 5:15, Projected finish now over 2:14, this group of three has led for the last eight miles

Mile 19, 1:36:36, Split 5:16, Ryan Shay, Clint Verran, Kevin Collins still are leading, Kyle Baker 27 seconds back at mile 15

Splits posted through Mile 15,

Mile 18, 1:31:19, Split 5:17, Closer review of the 13.1 split has a group 12+ three mintues back, pace continues to slow at the front

Mile 17, 1:26:02, Split 5:10, pace has slowed over last two miles, the order of Ryan Shay, Clint Verran, Kevin Collins still holds

The Half splits show a group seven runners three minutes behind the leaders

Mile 16, 1:20:52, Split 5:05, No change at front, Brilliant sunshine, light breeze

Crowd support is excellent for a cold morning in Alabama, the leg leading into the criterium was lonely, but the loop design through downtown Birmingham provides a spectator friendly course, and spectators have turned out

Mile 15, 1:15:46, Split 4:55, Lineout still has Shay in front, followed immediately by Verran, Collins, pace has quickened over last two miles, Finish projection shifts to 2:13 or better

Mile 14, 1:10:49, Split 4:57 Shay, Verran, Collins still in lead, close together, single file, nearest competitors almost out of sight

1:06:22 Half Marathon point, projected 2:14 finish, this projection is above the Olympic qualifying time

Mile 13, 1:05:52, Split 5:04, lead group single file,

Times posted through mile 10 see LIVE RESULTS link at lower left

Mile 12, 1:00:47, Split 4:59 , Lead group of three working together - Clint Verran, Ryan Shay, Kevin Collins, runners appear smooth and in control , Kyle Baker 20 meters back, Campbell 100 meters behind

Mile 5 times posted see LIVE RESULTS link at lower left

Kyle Baker is starting to lose contact with the lead runners, 5 meters behind

Mile 11, 55:47, Split 4:57 Clint Verran, Ryan Shay, Kevin Collins,Kyle Baker make up lead pack, Jeff Campbell is holding 20 meters back, fighting to stay with the lead runners

Mile 10, 50:49, Split 4:55, Jeff Campbell has fell 15 meters behind, Clint Verran now leads the front runners, now a pack of four

Large crowd of spectators greeted the lead runners as the enter the criterium portion of course during the 47th minute

Mile 9, 45:54 , Split 5:10, Status Quo in the front as they near downtown Birmingham, Kyle Baker is again slightly in front of the four runners - Jeff Campbell, Clint Verran, Ryan Shay, Kevin Collins

Mile 8, 40:44 , Split 5:04, Lead group back together, in another 1.5 miles, the course begins its criterium loops

Lead pack 300 meters ahead of next group of runners, appears to be group of 6-10

Mile 7, 35:40 , Split 5:01, Kyle Baker in front by several feet of other four, not sure if this is a move on Kyle's part or not

Mile 6, 30:38 , Split 5:00, First aid station, all five lead runners got their own special drink without issue

Lead Group 150 meters ahead of next runner, Patrick Muturi, group working together against cold headwind

Mile 5, 25:37, Split 5:03 No change at front, Projected finish time 2:13:50

Mile 4, 20:33, Split 5:03 Pack now 5, Kyle Baker, Jeff Campbell, Clint Verran, Ryan Shay, Kevin Collins, Slight headwind, Mitchell dropped back quickly, Muturi is alone 100 yards back

Mile 3, 15:29, Split 4:59, Teddy Mitchell, Kyle Baker, Jeff Campbell, Clint Verran , Ryan Shay, Kevin Collins make up lead pack, 50 meters in front of field, field strung out

Lead group now six runners,

Mile 2, 10:30, 5:17 Split, Group was actually eight runners,Kevin Collins was part of group in lead at mile 1

First mile completed in 5:13 Group of seven in lead, Ryan Shay , Teddy Mitchell, Peter DeLaCerda, Clint Verran, Jeff Campbell, Patrick Muturi, Klye Baker,