Boston Marathon

Man do I love Patriots Day - it should be a holiday all over not just in Mass. Patriots Day means Boston Marathon.

This year did not disappoint - it was a great race from start to finish and man did the conditions look great.

In the men's race R. Cheruiyot won the men's race in almost record time - he defended his title from last year and ran away from the chase pack in the Newton Hills - knocking out a 4:37 mile at mile 19 - and he ran it like it was nothing. I hope that this means he will get a spot on his Olympic Team.

The women's race was awesome - A. Biktimitrova pressed the pace and took the lead pack from 10 to 6 and eventually down to two. She did all the work and unfortunately got none of the glory. D. Tune drafted off her for almost the entire race and pulled ahead on Boylston St to take the win by 2 seconds. Biktimirova was game when Tune started her surges but the last effort was just too much and she could not hang.

After the winners finished and awards were given out Versus extended coverage so it could become the L Armstrong show. They had one camera focused on the cyclist for about his last 4-5 miles - they were even having runners move so they could get him on TV. Ok, it is bad enough that Al Troutwig kisses Lance's butt all the time but then to do this?? Then they let him finish on the right - the spot normally reserved for 2 people - the men's and women's winners - and they let him break a fictitious tape. Puhlease - he is another runner in a pack of 25,000. I respect Lance and his athletic accomplishments - I also respect that he was able to get 50 people in the race to support LA Foundation and that they raised $250,000 (rumored) - but why focus on Lance - why not on the 50 others that trained and raised money for the foundation.

I am sure there were many "heroes" in the race that never got a mention - how about Dick and Ricky Hoyt? How about the wheelchair athletes? I know - someone that no one has ever heard of does not sell add space and Lance A has done a lot for Al's career and the ratings of Versus over the years - but come on man - he is a retired athlete now - he is trying to stay in shape like the rest of us.

Sorry - did not mean to rant but the coverage was crazy and the special finish was not needed!