Re: t-and-f: National Depth Trivial Pursuits?

[Mike Prizy]

With the exception of Roger, has everyone gone into a lurking mode?

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> Perhaps this will bring the board alive. Where's Martin & Dan K?
>
> happy new year

t-and-f: National Depth--Discus

[Roger Ruth]

The charts summarize the number of athletes each country placed in the
world top-100 outdoor rankings for 2003 (plus ties) and the highest-ranked
of these. Since one or two placings may represent only exceptional
individuals, rather than national program strength, I've listed only
countries with three or more athletes in the top 100. The data base drawn
upon is the world deep list from Mirko Jalava's web site
.


MEN'S DISCUS THROW 2003 WOMEN'S DISCUS THROW 2003
Country  Top 100  Highest   Country  Top 100  Highest

United States   20   7  United States   18   9
Germany  8   3  China   13  10
Finland  6  33  Russia   9   1
Russia   5  14  Germany  6   6
Hungary  4   1  Greece   5   4
Italy4  21  Cuba 4  21
South Africa 3   6  Ukraine  3   7
Belarus  3   9  Poland   3  15
Canada   3  12  Australia3  38
Australia3  48
Norway   3  56

38 countries represented35 countries represented
100th = 59.62m = 195'7 1/4" 100th = 55.11m = 180'9 3/4"

To me, these are surprisingly wide distributions. In the men's list, 28
countries are represented in the first 50 placings. Why should this be?
There doesn't seem to be any specific physical characteristic that would
provide an advantage to athletes having that characteristic, regardless of
country or coaching. When I looked at top ten heights and weights, in an
October post, discus throwers were big, of course, but only two inches
taller, on average, than shot putters or hammer throwers, twenty pounds
heavier than hammer throwers, but twenty pounds lighter than shot putters.
If top throwers aren't identified by physique, then one would think
superior technique would be the key, but why would coaching excellence be
so widely distributed? Strange.

t-and-f: National Depth--5,000 Meters

[Roger Ruth]

The charts summarize the number of athletes each country placed in the
world top-100 outdoor rankings for 2003 (plus ties) and the highest-ranked
of these. Since one or two placings may represent only exceptional
individuals, rather than national program strength, I've listed only
countries with three or more athletes in the top 100. The data base drawn
upon is the world deep list from Mirko Jalava's web site
.


MEN'S 5,000 METERS 2003 WOMEN'S 5,000 METERS 2003
Country  Top 100  Highest   Country  Top 100  Highest

Kenya   38   4  Russia  13  14
Ethiopia11   3  Japan   13  35
Morocco  7   2  Ethiopia12   1
Spain6  50  Kenya   12   9
United States4  54  United States   11  34
Japan4  71  Morocco  4   7
Bahrain  3  16  China3  10
France   3  23  Spain3  13

28 countries represented27 countries represented
100th = 13:30.31100th = 15:34.14

t-and-f: [Fwd: LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON NEWS RELEASE]

[Mike Prizy]

 Original Message 
Subject: LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON NEWS RELEASE
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 16:08:50 -0600
From: THE LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON



THE LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON PARTNERS WITH ACTIVE.COM
  FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION
 Five-Year Deal Gives Top U.S. Marathon New Services For its Participants
  and Spectators;
   Services Extend to The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle

CHICAGO ? LA JOLLA, CA ? January 7, 2004 ? The LaSalle Bank Chicago
Marathon, Chicago's premier 26.2 mile road race and one of the largest and
most popular marathons in the world, has partnered with Active.com. Through
a five-year agreement, Active.com ? one of the largest providers of online
registration for participatory sports ? will provide online registration,
electronic marketing and data management services for The LaSalle Bank
Chicago Marathon and The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle.

Online registration for both events is open now and can be accessed through
the race Web sites (www.chicagomarathon.com, www.shamrockshuffle.com). The
LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle is March 28, 2004 and The LaSalle Bank
Chicago Marathon is October 10, 2004.

"We're looking forward to working with Active.com to not only bring
technology innovations to our participants, but also provide the
reliability, stability and technology infrastructure that comes with being
a leader in the endurance sports market," said Event Chairman and Chief
Marketing Officer of LaSalle Bank Mark A. Nystuen.

One innovation for the nearly one million spectators and fans who will
follow The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is Active.com's Runner Update
Network (RUN) service. Customized for LaSalle Bank, the new service will
include better ways for friends, family and fans to track runners' progress
during the race.
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will utilize other Active.com services,
including customized online registration; e-mail communications and list
management for ongoing electronic marketing; virtual training; and race
results.

"The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is entrusting us to provide the highest
quality data
management services so participants and spectators can fully enjoy the race
experience. This isn't an easy decision for any race organizer and we are
truly excited for this opportunity," said Jon Belmonte, chief operating
officer for Active.com's parent company, The Active Network. "The LaSalle
Bank races are known for their great community spirit and every
participant, sponsor, volunteer and city official receives first-class
treatment. We're looking forward to continuing this commitment, while
taking these services to a new level."

About Active.com
Event organizers in multiple sports use Active.com's services for online
registration and donation processing, data management, and event promotion.
Active.com Event Services (www.active.com/myevent) currently works with
hundreds of events in the Chicago area and has recently added such Chicago
favorites as the 7th Annual Chicago Race for the Cure, Chicago Distance
Classic, Chicago Half Marathon, and Chicago Quarter Marathon. For
participants, Active.com offers one of the Web's best resources to find,
learn about and register online for participatory sports and recreational
activities nationwide. This service is highlighted at ChicagoWorksOut.com,
where Active.com provides a searchable calendar of Chicago-area
participatory events and activities. Part of The Active Network, Active.com
(www.active.com) has deep ties in the industry and a solid history in
participatory sports and event management. For more information about The
Active Network, visit www.theactivenetwork.com.

About The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
The 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon begins Sunday, October 10 at 8 a.m.,
starting  and  finishing  in  Chicago's  Grant  Park.  CBS 2 CHICAGO is the
official  broadcast  partner  of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and will
cover  the  race  live  from  7:30  a.m.  to  11  a.m.  race  day. For more
information, go to www.chicagomarathon.com.

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