Jen Rhines commits to 2011 New York City Marathon

According to Runner's World's racing news section (see below), Jen Rhines will give the marathon another try at the 2011 NYC marathon in early November. Jen let it be known recently that she'll be focusing on the 10,000 meters in her bid to make the 2012 Olympic team (which would be her fourth Olympic team -- she previously made the team at 5000 meters (2008), 10,000 meters (2000), and the marathon (2004)). Whether her commitment to run the NYC marathon reflects a change in plans remains to be seen. Jen has a marathon PR of 2:29:32 from Rome 2006.

Keflezighi, Gebremariam, Rhines, Edna Kiplagat Will Do 2011 New York City Marathon

Gebre Gebremariam and Edna Kiplagat will defend their titles at the 2011 ING New York City Marathon on November 6, while Meb Keflezighi will try and regain the laurels he won in 2009. Jen Rhines, a three-time Olympian, once in the marathon, will also be in the five-borough marathon. "Marathons are always challenging, but I’m challenging myself further with my goal to run both the ING New York City Marathon 2011 and the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials," says Keflezighi, who has had second and third place finishes in New York City along with his '09 triumph. "This timing and challenge is very similar to 2004, when I won the silver medal at the Olympic Games and was the runner-up in the ING New York City Marathon 70 days later. This experience gives me, Coach Bob Larsen, and the rest of my team the confidence to pursue the goal of winning the ING New York City Marathon again, and making a third U.S. Olympic team." (See also our item about Keflezighi at Bay to Breakers below)

Gebremariam was third in the recent Boston Marathon in 2:04:53 after taking second in the NYC Half Marathon in March in 1:00:25. Kiplagat was also second in the NYC Half, being a 1:09:00, and she was third in the Virgin London Marathon on April 17 in 2:20:46. her time. Rhines, 36, will be doing her first marathon since a fourth place in Rome in 2006. A marathoner at the 2004 Olympics, she is the 2011 USA Half Marathon and USA 15K titleist. "It is with great excitement and anticipation that I return to the streets of New York this fall," says Rhines, who last ran New York in 2005. "My training this year shows me that I am stronger than ever, and I will be ready to reach a new personal best. I can’t wait to be fighting for a place on the podium this November!"