Las Vegas Marathon Next

Running New system is a Chip off the old timing block

By Jim Gerweck
Special Correspondent


Running may be among the oldest and most traditon-bound of sports, yet it also embraces new technology rapidly, albeit mainly when forced to do so, either by circumstance or outside pressure.

Take transponder, or as it's more commonly known, chip timing. By now, any runner who's competed in anything bigger than one of the local summer series races is probably familiar with the ChampionChip, a little piece of plastic with a microtransmitter inside, that provides all sorts of information about a competitor during a race.

The Chip came into vogue at the 100th Boston Marathon in 1996, when the centennial anniversary attracted huge fields that organizers knew they wouldn't be able to score using the traditional bib number and pulltag system. Chip timing enabled them to start the runners in waves, subtracting the time it took them to cross the mats at the start line from their overall finish time, which was also generated by crossing a mat. These "net" times, which have since come to be called "Chip" times by most runners, are what has made the system so popular with runners, who no longer have to press forward to be near the front of the pack at the start.

In addition, timers and organizers realized that by placing timing mats along the course, they could generate intermediate split times for the runners, and by feeding this information to the proper software, generate cell phone or Internet text messages to inform family and friends of the en route progress of their favorite runners. This process was taken to perhaps its ultimate extreme at the CelCom Green Bay Marathon, which provided live splits every mile (I suppose some European race will top that by giving splits from each of the 42 kilometer marks).

Another advantage of the system is at the finish, where runners no longer need to be kept in chutes to maintain their finish order, since the Chip produces their time and place the instant they cross the line. The one small drawback to the system is that the Chips aren't cheap, and need to be collected at the end of the race, creating a new task that replaced the pulltag collection and timing of the past.

A new system debuted at the Philadelphia Marathon two weeks ago, and will be used in Las Vegas today and Honolulu next week. Called the SAI system, it uses a transponder embedded in a small plastic strip the size of the little discount cards many of us carry on our keychains. The strip is attached to the race bib number by adhesive, and is peeled off and tied on the runner's shoe before the race. Everything else functions like any other transponder system, except at the finish, where the runners can simply walk away - the strips are disposable, meaning no more chasing down runners who get through the collection area or don't even show up for the race in the first place. This could be a huge boon for races like many Turkey Trots where people check in early but then decide not to run (it's been reported that some of these events experience Chip loss rates of close to 30 percent).

So, sometime at a race in the next year, expect to get a number with a little sticky plastic label on it, and don't forget to tie it on your shoe. If this system takes off the way it potentially could, timers and runners alike may soon be saying, "Goodbye Mr. Chip."

Jim Gerweck is Managing Editor of Running Times Magazine and organizes many races in the area.

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

Reposted from

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com

Zhang Zhi Li is Miss World 2007

Zhang Zhi Li is Miss World 2007

Miss China Zhang Zhi Li won the Miss World 2007 title late on Saturday (Dec 1) in Sanya, China. The 23-year-old said: "There are 1.3 billion people behind me. I want to become a link between the Olympic Games [to be held in Beijing next year] and the Miss World Organisation." In pic: Miss World Zhang Zhi Li, centre, poses with first runner-up Michaela Reis of Angola, left, and second runner-up Carolina Moran Gordillo of Mexico." Images: Getty Reposted from sify.com

Their Second Straight Fiesta Bowl

Sooners jumble BCS mess

Missouri falls from title berth, probably landing in Cotton Bowl

By Randy Riggs
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, December 02, 2007

SAN ANTONIO — For the Oklahoma Sooners, it's just another trophy for their shelf.

But for Missouri's Tigers, OU's 38-17 victory on Saturday night in the Big 12 championship game at the Alamodome meant the end of a national title dream — for them and their league.

Jay Janner
AMERICAN-STATESMAN

OU's Jermaine Gresham (second from left) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a third-quarter touchdown against Missouri. OU is Fiesta Bowl-bound.

Jay Janner
AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel walks off the field after the Tigers' loss. With the defeat at the hands of Oklahoma, Missouri lost out on a conference title \— and, more importantly, a chance to play for the national title. Daniel's Heisman Trophy candidacy may have ended, too.

The Big 12 should be used to seeing one of its national title-contending teams derailed in the conference championship game. Saturday marked the fourth time that has happened in the league's 12-year history.

But this was new to Mizzou. If it's any consolation to the formerly top-ranked Tigers — and it assuredly isn't — they've got a lot of company in their misery.

With their high-powered offense failing to fully capitalize on numerous trips inside the Oklahoma red zone, Missouri (11-2) saw its berth in the Jan. 7 championship game evaporate. The Tigers are likely bound for the Cotton Bowl to face either Tennessee or Arkansas.

"I would like to think if you're 11-2, it's somewhat of a success," Tigers coach Gary Pinkel said. "Certainly we're disappointed, but we'll get over this and learn from it and be a better team."

The Sooners (11-2) will appear in their second straight Fiesta Bowl after claiming a fifth straight Big 12 crown. They could meet conference foe Kansas — they didn't face each other this season — or perhaps Arizona State.

In this totally unpredictable season, the Tigers became the fifth top-ranked team to be knocked from its perch since Oct. 6. With their loss and No. 2 West Virginia's stunning home upset to Pittsburgh, the national title race opened up, with bowl berths set to be announced today.

Oklahoma scuttled the Tigers' hopes with an aggressive, stifling defense. It frustrated Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, the Big 12's top offensive player, whose Heisman Trophy dreams also went by the wayside in Mizzou's first-ever appearance in the Big 12 championship game.

Missouri entered as the only team in the nation to score at least 30 points in every game. Twice in the first half and once in the second, the Tigers had first-and-goal situations but had to settle for chip-shot field goals after they were denied by the Sooners.

"Our defense played outstanding in the second half," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "I felt we could have been better in the first half. I was displeased with how they ran the ball some. But it was just a complete game for us.

"We play very good defense. I don't know why that would be so surprising to people. It's not to us."

With the score 14-14, Oklahoma blew the game open midway through the third period.

After a 4-yard scoring burst by Allen Patrick capped an 80-yard march and gave OU a 21-14 lead, the defense sealed the deal for the Sooners. On Missouri's second play, linebacker Curtis Lofton intercepted a pass that deflected off the hands of all-conference tight end Martin Rucker.

Lofton returned the ball 26 yards to the Tiger 7-yard line. On second down from the 5, OU's heady freshman quarterback Sam Bradford found tight end Jermaine Gresham open in the back of the end zone to build the Sooner lead to 28-14.

Bradford completed 18 of 26 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He was not intercepted.

Daniel, meanwhile, completed 23 of 39 passes for 219 yards, his second-lowest total of the season. He was intercepted once and failed to throw a touchdown pass in a game for the first time this year.

The Sooners, defeating Missouri for the sixth straight time, added a 4-yard scoring catch by tight end Joe Jon Finley and a 26-yard field goal by Garret Harley.

The Tigers, who had to settle for field goals on their first two forays deep into OU territory, capitalized on their third try.

They tied the game at 14-all with 14 seconds left before intermission, on a 4-yard run by Daniel and a bit of razzle-dazzle on a 2-point conversion.

On the conversion, Tony Temple took a handoff and swept left before handing off to Maclin on an apparent reverse. But Maclin pulled up as the Sooners closed in and lobbed a pass to a wide-open Rucker for the game-tying two points.

Missouri's TD drive was aided by a personal-foul call on OU linebacker Ryan Reynolds for grabbing Rucker's facemask at the end of a 13-yard reception. The play and penalty moved the ball from the Mizzou 47-yard line to the Sooners' 25.

Oklahoma penalties also aided the Tigers on their scoring drives that ended in 28- and 18-yard field goals by Jeff Wolfert.

The Sooners' first-half touchdowns were supplied by Chris Brown.

The 202-pound sophomore tailback, who scored three TDs in OU's 41-31 victory over the Tigers on Oct. 13, punched it in twice in the second quarter Saturday, from three and two yards out.

rriggs@statesman.com; 445-3957

No. 9 Oklahoma 38, No. 1 Missouri 17

Oklahoma 0 14 14 10 — 38

Missouri 3 11 0 3 — 17

First Quarter

Mo—FG Wolfert 28, 3:19.

Second Quarter

Okl—Brown 3 run (Hartley kick), 14:57.

Mo—FG Wolfert 18, 9:46.

Okl—Brown 2 run (Hartley kick), 3:41.

Mo—Daniel 4 run (Rucker pass from Maclin), :14.

Third Quarter

Okl—Patrick 4 run (Hartley kick), 4:04.

Okl—Gresham 5 pass from Bradford (Hartley kick), 2:32.

Fourth Quarter

Mo—FG Wolfert 32, 14:51.

Okl—Finley 4 pass from Bradford (Hartley kick), 10:28.

Okl—FG Hartley 26, 3:42.

A—62,585.

Statistics Okl Mo

First downs 19 23

Rushes-yards 40-166 32-98

Passing 209 219

Comp-Att-Int 18-26-0 23-39-1

Return Yards 49 3

Punts-Avg. 4-49.5 6-44.5

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 13-113 7-93

Time of Possession 32:34 27:26

Individual statistics

Rushing—Oklahoma, Patrick 13-88, Brown 23-71, Gutierrez 2-11, Team 2-(minus 4). Missouri, Maclin 4-40, Daniel 11-26, Temple 13-26, D.Alexander 1-19, Jackson 1-0, D.Washington 1-(minus 2), Saunders 1-(minus 11).

Passing—Oklahoma, Bradford 18-26-0-209. Missouri, Daniel 23-39-1-219.

Receiving—Oklahoma, Finley 5-34, Kelly 4-72, Iglesias 3-32, Gresham 2-34, Brown 2-22, M.Johnson 1-17, Patrick 1-(minus 2). Missouri, Maclin 8-69, Rucker 6-76, Saunders 6-61, Franklin 2-19, D.Washington 1-(minus 6).

Reposted from

http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/12/02/1202big12.html

BCS Selection Show

BCS disarray

When dust settles, it will be Ohio State and LSU

Who likes complete and utter college football chaos?

Yep, that's what we've got this morning – BCS confusion and chaos.

No. 1 Missouri drowned in the San Antonio Riverwalk, and couches all over Morgantown were spared Saturday night when Pittsburgh, a 28 ½-point underdog, upset No. 2 West Virginia.

Can you just imagine the crazy, confused look on the faces of those coaches and Harris poll voters? Surely they knew that the college football world is relying on them to figure it all out.

I know Georgia (10-2) and Kansas (11-1) were in the BCS top five last week, but they don't deserve to play in New Orleans. If you can't win your division and play for a conference title, you don't deserve to play in the national championship game.

Virginia Tech was sixth in the BCS standings last week. Good team. Excellent defense. The Hokies won the ACC title on Saturday, but there aren't many people bragging on the strength of that league.

Give me LSU (11-2).

The Tigers had a roller-coaster ride through Atlanta like no other on Saturday. Coach Les Miles started the day fending off what he called erroneous reports from ESPN about him leaving for Michigan.

He ended it by celebrating a Southeastern Conference title with a 21-14 win over Tennessee in the Georgia Dome.

"Well, I don't exactly know how votes will go, but we're the champions of the finest conference in America," Miles said. "We played Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida. I challenge any other team in America to go through this conference and come out unscathed."

Here's the thing about Miles' Tigers. Yes, LSU did lose against Kentucky and Arkansas. Both of those are respectable teams, but neither one is anywhere near the BCS discussion. The Wildcats and Razorbacks needed six overtimes combined to knock off the Tigers, though. Anything can happen in overtime.

LSU was seventh in the BCS computer rankings last week. The voters are going to have to do all the heavy lifting on LSU's behalf. It's incumbent on the voters to forget about their ballots last week and vote who they think truly deserves to be 1-2 and play for the national title.

Unfortunately for the Big 12, neither Missouri or Oklahoma is going to get in the BCS title mix.

Mizzou (11-2) can't be included after the way OU dominated the second half and ran away with the final score. OU (11-2) won't climb over LSU and USC into the No. 2 position, either.

Same goes for West Virginia. The Mountaineers (10-2) cannot lose to a big underdog such as the Panthers and then get into the national title game. Now, West Virginia will still be in a BCS bowl by virtue of winning the Big East title. But quarterback Pat White's dislocated thumb injury will be talked about in coal mines for years to come.

The rest of the BCS fallout will be relatively easy once the top two teams get decided. Oklahoma is going to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Missouri and Kansas will battle it out for an at-large berth.

Don't forget about Hawaii. If the Warriors held on late Saturday and finished the regular season undefeated, June Jones' team will be in the BCS mix, too.

You can bet the happiest people on earth were Fox television executives. Now, we've all got a reason to tune into today's BCS selection show.

Then, we can start the argument all over again an hour later.

WHO WILL IT BE?

Ohio State (11-1) looks like a lock for the BCS national title game. Staff writer Brian Davis ranks the possible opponents for the Buckeyes:

1. LSU (11-2): Any team that wins the SEC title must be considered. Voters have to move the Tigers way up, though.

2. USC (10-2): The Pac-10 champion Trojans can beat anybody right now. USC's November dominance was no fluke.

3. Virginia Tech (11-2): The Hokies make a nice storyline, but the ACC simply isn't stronger than the SEC and Pac-10.

4. Kansas (11-1): The Jayhawks have a legitimate beef with an 11-1 record. But KU didn't even win its division.

5. Georgia (10-2): Georgia's in the same boat with Kansas. Winning your division must be a prerequisite.

PROJECTING THE BCS

Staff writer Brian Davis projects the five BCS games as things stand today.

Allstate BCS national championship: Ohio State vs. LSU

FedEx Orange: Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia

Tostitos Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. Arizona State

Allstate Sugar: Georgia vs. Kansas

Rose: USC vs. Hawaii

Reposted from

http://www.dallasnews.com/

Written by: Brian Davis

Jesse James Hollywood

Directed by Andrew Dominik; starring Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepard, Sam Rockwell, Mary-Louise Parker

There are certain defining characters and incidents in the history of the American West that generated a popular mythology during the 19th century and to which Hollywood has regularly returned to re-examine them in the light of changing social and political attitudes. The greatest of these concern the Earp brothers and the gunfight at the OK Corral in Arizona, Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War in New Mexico, and the escapades of the James brothers in Kansas and Missouri, all of them the subject of major movies in every decade since the late Thirties.

It's noteworthy that the latest addition to the James legend, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (based closely on Ron Hansen's novel), should be directed by Andrew Dominik with music by Nick Cave, both from Australia, a country famous for making heroes out of outlaws.

The cinematic image of Jesse was first established in Henry King's 1939 Jesse James, where Tyrone Power's glamorous outlaw is a Robin Hood figure, a creation of post-Civil War injustice and, by implication, of the Great Depression. The following year, in Fritz Lang's The Return of Frank James, his equally heroic and misunderstood elder brother was played by Henry Fonda, between impersonating the future President in Young Mr Lincoln and the honest, persecuted Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath. In the mid-Fifties, Nicholas Ray's The True Story of Jesse James, a movie originally planned with James Dean in mind, presented Jesse as a mixed-up rebel without a cause.

Philip Kaufman's 1972 The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid captured the antiheroic zeitgeist by having Robert Duvall play Jesse as a psychotic religious fanatic in a world of random violence and capitalist cynicism. In the next James gang saga, Walter Hill's The Long Riders (the first western shown in competition at Cannes), crime was seen Godfather-style as a way of life with the outlaws participating in community activities when not robbing banks and trains.

The next film touching on this particular legend was Ang Lee's Ride With the Devil of 1999, which dealt with Southern guerrilla bands, most famously Quantrill's private army, west of the Mississippi, engaged in a vicious sideshow to the Civil War. They were the preparatory school for the idealistic innocents, farm boys, preachers' sons, opportunists and psychopaths who spawned the postwar crime wave led by the James brothers.

If Lee's film can be seen as a prologue to the story of the James gang, The Assassination of Jesse James can be viewed as its complement, an epilogue to the saga. It's a long, quiet, meditative work that largely takes place over a period of about eight months, beginning in 1881 with the 38-year-old Frank James (Sam Shepard) and his 34-year-old brother Jesse (Brad Pitt) meeting the 19-year-old Bob Ford (Casey Affleck) and his brother Charley (Sam Rockwell), all of them the sons of rural preachers. Their conduct is stiffly formal, their vocabularies and cadences influenced like those around them by the King James Bible and The Book of Common Prayer. The gang's great days concluded in 1876 with the debacle of the bank raid in Northfield, Minnesota, which resulted in the break-up of the James-Younger gang and drove Frank and Jesse into permanent hiding, the latter living with his wife and small children under a pseudonym.

After that, they did occasional jobs and are currently planning a small train robbery with a pick-up team of inexperienced, unreliable, trigger-happy country boys, including Jesse's future assassin, the hero-worshipping Bob Ford.

This is a typical theme of American crime movies: ageing men once proud of their professionalism, now forced to work and ride with inferior companions. James is a sick man, mentally and physically burnt out by his thirties. Like his brother, he's only living off, and for, the popular legend. They bring hope and pride to the local common folk and excitement to those on the tame Eastern Seaboard who read dime novels relating their adventures. 'In Europe, there are only two Americans everyone knows - Mark Twain and Jesse James,' says someone proudly of these two great Missourians. So this is a story of celebrity, of having a public persona that competes with one's real identity.

In addition to hero worship and celebrity, the movie is about the complex relationship between assassin and victim and we think of the killers of Lincoln, Trotsky, Gandhi and even John Lennon. Casey Affleck subtly traces the way Bob Ford both identifies himself with Jesse and develops a bizarre hatred for him, until eventually they're unconsciously involved in a form of suicide pact. We sense Jesse's death wish in the way he tracks down his suspected betrayers, in bizarre gestures like firing his revolver at the frozen river on which he stands and in the pristine pistol he gives Ford shortly before his death.

The movie does not end with Jesse's assassination, but with the following decade in which Ford himself becomes a puzzled, guilt-ridden celebrity and, like Lee Harvey Oswald, the target for another self-justifying, publicity-seeking assassin.

This is a subtle, perceptive, ruminative film, with little violent action and a deal of eloquent talk. The acting is understated, undemonstrative and the striking images, the work of the fine British cinematographer Roger Deakins, are cold, dark and bleak. Among the many incidental delights is the brief appearance of James Carville, the 'Ragin' Cajun' who managed Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign, as the vindictive governor of Missouri. I wish the film-makers had mentioned that a couple of weeks after Jesse's death in St Joseph, Missouri, the celebrities' celebrity Oscar Wilde appeared on 18 April 1882 at the town's Tootle's Opera House during his exhausting coast-to-coast lecture tour. He wrote from there about the looting of Jesse's effects by souvenir hunters, remarking that Americans 'always take their heroes from the criminal element'.

Reposted from

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/

Jesse James Hollywood - Alpha Dog

Alpha Dog, the Jesse James Hollywood story, based on actual events that took place in Los Angeles. Events that led to the murder of 15 year old Nicholas Markowitz on June 6, 2000. Jesse Hollywood was captured and is awaiting trial in LA ...
Reposted from
http://www.brightcove.tv