PUBLISHED 11/03/2007
RW: Who are you, and why are you here?
I'm Lynell Stillwell, from Nebraska And this is Ava McGown. She here's with her Mom and her baby sister, Lydia. They're here to watch their Daddy run.
What's his name?
James McGown.
How's he doing so far?
Well, he's doing great. He's ahead of a lot of people.
What was his qualifying time?
He was right at 2:22. At Twin Cities.
How early did you wake up this morning to make it here?
Our time? It was 3 a.m. We're on Mountain Time. We tried not to think about it.
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Who are you, and why are you here?
Beverly Jensen. (At left in photo, with friend Ashley.) I'm a volunteer.
How did you wind up being a volunteer?
I'm a dancer, as is Ashley here, and we just came back from doing "42nd Street" and got an e-mail to volunteer for the Road Runners.
Do you guys run yourselves?
Occasionally - but only on the treadmill.
What was the appeal of volunteering? You had to get up pretty early to come stand here in the cold.
It was basically just being part of the experience. This is the first time the Olympic Trials has been here in New York.
What do you think so far?
I think it's amazing. The energy is great.
Your credentials say "Finishing Grounds." What exactly is your job today? What were your instructions?
To make sure that everybody has a wristband or a pass
And if they don't... then what?
Then we beat them up.
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Who are you, and why are you here?
I'm Jerry Frostick. (At left in photo.); We're all from Virginia Beach, we're all running tomorrow (in the New York City Marathon). Just coming out to cheer on the American runners.
Who's your favorite to win today?
JERRY: I like Ryan, just because he's young and aggressive. Looks like he's pushing the pace. But it's an awesome day. The New York Road Runners did a great job of putting this one. It's awesome for American running.
What's your goal for tomorrow?
JERRY: To have fun through all five boroughs. To just enjoy New York City.
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Who are you, and why are you here?
Laura Mahnker and Rick Mummery. We're from around Hazelton, Pennsylvania. We came into the city last night for someone's 21st birthday party.
So you're not here to watch the race.
LAURA: Nope. We just came to New York to hang out.
And you took a stroll to the park today and stumbled across this race.
LAURA: Well, I had an idea there was a marathon going on. We saw signs. And also the hotel rooms were all booked up, so they were expensive. To put it mildly.
So I guess you don't have a favorite in today's race, then.
LAURA: No, not really. (laughs)
If you had to guess, what would you guess the winning time would be here today?
LAURA: How many miles is it?
26.2.
LAURA: 26.2? Um... 25... minutes?
RICK: 26.2 miles? Um... hour and a half.
LAURA: No, less than that. Forty-five minutes? I don't know. Is it three hours?
RICK: Five minutes a mile... Maybe 2 hours, 10 minutes?
That's actually a pretty good guess. [Note: Ryan Hall would go on to win in 2:09:02.;
LAURA: Yeah, he's pretty good with numbers.
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Who are you, and why are you here?
Nicole Chalker, and he's Randy.
RANDY: Randy Chalker.
The Chalkers. Are you from here?
NICOLE: We're from Chicago, but have lived here for the last year.
You're both runners?
NICOLE: Both runners. I'm a three-time Chicago Marathoner. And he's a one-time marathoner. I have the best time: 3:59.
RANDY: But when we ran together, I ran 4:01 and she finished...
NICOLE: ...4:05. I walked at mile 26. I walked the last 0.2. (laughs)
Are either of you running the marathon tomorrow?
NICOLE: We are not.
Just out to cheer on the men today?
RANDY: Yeah. We've got some of the world's best runners, right here in our back yard. I think it's the coolest thing ever.
Who are you rooting for?
NICOLE: Brian Sell. And Ryan Hall. RANDY: I like Meb. Brian Sell, because he used to run all these local races, when we lived in Chicago. But I don't think he's going to make the team. NOTE: He did, finishing in third place.
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Who are you, and why are you here?
I'm Lois Sell, and I'm from Woodbury, Pennsylvania ? that's near Altoona ? and we're here because our son Brian is running in the Trials. And we're very proud of him.
I'm guessing he's your favorite to win today.
Yes he is. Absolutely.
So who do you like for second and third place?
Well, I'd like some of the Hanson boys to be two and three. I'm hoping that might happen, but I don't know. Just have to wait and see.
I'm seeing a lot of yellow (Brian Sell) sweatshirts? How many of you are here today?
About 60 of us. Or more. All from Pennsylvania.
Brian has said that if he doesn't do well here today, he'll never run another Trials race. True?
That's what he's told us.
And he may go to dental school instead?
Yes. That's what he'd like to do. He has a biology degree, and I think first he was planning on being a doctor. But now he's changed that. He wants to be a dentist.
You're his mom, so you'd be proud of him no matter what he chooses.
Yes. Absolutely.
Plus, if he becomes a dentist, you'll get free dental care.
Yes? We hope. (laughs)
