Boulder Wave released the following press release five minutes ago:
Grassroots Support Growing for Lee Merrien to be Named to UK Olympic Men’s Marathon Team
April 25, 2012
A fan of British marathon runner Lee Merrien has created an impromptu Facebook page called “Select Lee Merrien” to support the selection of Merrien to the British marathon team for this summer’s London Olympic Games. As background, Merrien ran a PB 2:13:47 to finish as the top British runner in Sunday’s Virgin London Marathon, thereby also winning the race’s Jim Peters Award for a second consecutive year. While Merrien’s result is well under the IAAF “A” standard of 2:15:00, he missed UK Athletics’ own standard of 2:12:00. The British federation had opened the door somewhat by also including a standard of a Top 20 finish in last summer’s Daegu world championships marathon as sufficient for selection; however, Merrien came up just short in Daegu, finishing 22nd, 18 seconds off of 20th place.
When the Olympic selectors named the UK team this past Monday, a full contingent of three women (Paula Radcliffe, Mara Yamauchi, Claire Hallissey) was named, but only two men (Scott Overall and David Webb) were tabbed. Merrien has followed procedures to file an appeal, and a final decision is pending.
Jonathan Bean provides a very calm and rational explanation of his reason to support Lee’s selection in an article he posted yesterday to the “Ethical Athletics,” entitled “The case for Lee Merrien.” (http://ethicalathlete.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/the-case-for-lee-merrien/)
Facebook users can check out the new “Select Lee Merrien” Facebook page. In less than 24 hours, the site had gained 2,385 “Likes,” and was adding about two per minute at the time this press release was being written.
In addition to Lee Merrien, Boulder Wave represents three other UK athletes who raced the Virgin London Marathon: Lee’s teammate on Newham and Essex Beagles, John Beattie (adidas), who ran a seven minute PB of 2:16:38 to finish as 2nd UK man; Freya Murray (adidas), coached by Steve Jones, who finished as 2nd UK woman in a sterling 2:28:10 debut; and Louise Damen (adidas), who finished as 3rd British woman in 2:31:37, the 2nd-fastest mark of her career. Boulder Wave also represents reigning Olympic champion Constantina Dita (ASICS) and reigning World Champion Edna Kiplagat (Nike).
Attached photo: Lee Merrien and wife Theresa with the Jim Peters Award at the Sunday evening farewell dinner of the Virgin London Marathon.
Please contact Brendan Reilly with any questions or comments. Brendan@boulderwave.com or cell phone +1-720-280-2689.
