As of 5:30PST:

Although Chris Lieto looked great for much of the day, it was Chris McCormack that finally has pulled into the lead in the middle miles of the marathon.

After snapping out the bike course at 24.21MPH (4:37:31), McCormack opened the first five miles of the marathon at 5:52 pace (29:20).

McCormack has been quickly building a lead and looking very strong heading into the Energy Lab. Through 18 miles of the marathon, McCormack had built up a lead of 1:45 over Craig Alexander. Former leadeers Lieto and Torbjorn Sindballe have been slipping back and are now fading quickly.

At mile 19, the differntials looked like this:
1. Chris McCormack
2. Craig Alexander 1:45
3. Chris Lieto 4:25
4. Torbjorn Sindballe 5:13
5. Tim Deboom 5:23

But by the 20 mile mark, the field look like this:
1. Chris McCormack
2. Craig Alexander 2:20
3. Chris Lieto 4:40
4. Torbjorn Sindballe 5:30
5. Timothy DeBoom 5:40

So McCormack continues to power away from the field.

On the women’s side, Chrissie Wellington seems to be powering away from the field. She apparently looks very strong out on the course and we’ve heard that she ran a 3:21 marathon in 122 degree heat at Ironman Korea. Kate Major and Samanatha McGlone were battling early in the run, running side-by-side, by McGlone put the pedal to the metal and has managed to get away from her.

Through mile 13 on the run course, the women’s race looked like this:
1. Chrissie Wellington
2. Samantha McGlone 7:12
3. Kate Major 12:13
4. Joanna Lawn 13 minutes
5. Rebekah Keat 14:50

This should be our last live update until the race concludes within the next hour or so. Check back to see how it all turned out.

Coach Joe English, Portland Oregon USA

Running Wild is a free column from runners and triathletes from running coach Joe English. Check out our archives of training and motivation articles!

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