Yes. I definitely agree. Welcome back Ms. Dalferes. Pleasant memories brought to reality.

Same with Ms. ... Nimet, who seems to be hosting on a more expanded basis. The more the better. Unfortunately my listening day barely overlaps with Nimet's hosting time.

P.S. Admittedly, until I'd seen "Clayelle Dalferes" in writing I wasn't sure where the first name ended and the last began.

WELLCOME BACK MS.ALVAREZ,
I HAVE MISSED YOU. THIS STATION
IS SLOWLY GETTING BACK ITS ORIGINAL FLAVOR WITH YOUR SWEET
VOICE ON THE AIRWAYS.

Having run track in HS, I think Ken Lane's list comes close.....

I would start off with the Valkyrie to mirror the opening enthusiasm of the race. Then, as the insanity of what you're doing starts to sink in, I would try Von Zuppe's Light Cavalry. Later on, Rossini's Wiliam Tell overture. Then the final movement of Beethoven's 9th as you cross the finish line!

When I see movement I think of Enesco's Roumanian Rhapsody kinetically enthralling as it is. Fot more of an abstract sense of movement one can throw in the second prelude from the first book of Bach's Well Tempered Clavier.

Frank

Being a long-time runner myself, I would gauge my running in the marathon by starting out at a comfortable pace for me [playing on my ipod perhaps, Ravel's Daphnis & Chloe Suite #2] and then as I "warmed-up" speed up my pace, [playing Tschaikovsky's 1812 Overture], and in the last quarter mile, geared for maximum effort, [playing first the William Tell Overture then Wagner' s Ride of the Valkyries.]

"Chariots of Fire" original soundtrack composed by Vangelis. It's not really "classicial" per se, but seems appropriate.

This may not be original but once I hit the 20 mile mark, the William Tell Overture and the 1812 Overture can bring me in to the finish quite spritely. It works on Monday mornings as well!

If you are going to transmit and eulogize the 'running' music from Rocky it would be just to credit the performers and composer.

There are so many wonderful options to inspire while I perspire...Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Hayden, Bach...the list is seemingly endless, as are the miles I pass. Running with headphones or earplugs are, unfortunately, not a good option, as they can lead to recklessness and possible injury. So, I am left to the loud and sometimes noisy, brash music from the streets, and after the crash of the cannon on Staten Island, yet another rendition of Frank Sinatra crooning "These little town blues....are melting away..."

I couldn't think of the name of the "tune" but I remembered it was used in one of James Cagney's last films, to hilarious effect. A little search based on that found the answer.

Sabre Dance - Aram Khachaturian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqg3l3r_DRI

I think this was mentioned by someone in a comment long ago about demanding that he (the commenter) play the tune on a piano that he was delivering - play it on the move from the back of a pick-up truck. But then my memory isn't that sharply focused so it's probably only vaguely related, if at all. :P

Like William Tell and Bolero, it would only work for a sprint finish. Better would be any tune that had a steady, even mesmerizing, rhythm.

The Bolero of Maurice Ravel

I would recommend Flight of the Bumblebee and Rossini's William Tell Overture. I think those pieces will get you going.

Interesting that this morning you should bring up the topic of music by which to run the marathon!

The tune that was going through my head while I was running yesterday was Offenbach's
Ballet des Flocons de Neige (Snowflakes Ballet) from Le Voyage dans la Lune (Journey to the Moon). In fact, it's still running through my head.

Last week, my persistent mental running music was Otto Nicolai's Overture from the Merry Wives of Windsor.

First, the obligatory admonission not to run the marathon with headphones. As crowded as the race is for its first several miles, you are a hazard to yourself and others if you can't hear what's going on around you.

I never really got into using music while running. I prefer to focus on my surroundings and how my body is responding, and not be distracted from them. I did, however, do one long training run listening to the Saturday afternoon broadcast of Madama Butterfly. Twenty-one miles of Puccini wasn't bad at all!

Schubert's Trout Quintet. It is easy to entrain one's exercise (I used an exercycle) to the Trout's wonderful rhythm and joyousness. With it on, I have twice the energy, distance (endurance), speed, enthusiasm and duration. But I like the William Tell for the finish!

My choice for the marathoners is the andante (or fast) movement from Beethoven's Pathetique piano sonata. Thank you.

I'm no runner, but I think I'd prefer some mellow pieces, Hayden quartets and such. Or how about the Adagio movement from the "Gayane Ballet Suite", used in "2001" while Gary Lockwood jogs around the cylindrical interior of the ship.

Les Preludes by Franz Liszt. Hands down.

The finish line deserves the Great Gate of Kiev.

My favorite marathon training piece is Orff's Carmina Burana. The varying tempi and intensity seem to magically match whatever stretch of road and mood I am running. On grey days (such as today) any Philip Glass seems to work also. And I must admit - the non- (and never to be!) classical contingent - Madonna's "Vogue" - perhaps the best training music ever!

Ride of the Valkyrie, Danzon #2, Chariots of Fire (not classical of course but very motivating) 1812 Overture for the finis

The 1812 Overature should be quite spritely with the injection of "The Flight of The Bumblebee" near the finish line.

For the first 18 or so miles, the Bach B-flat Partita (harpsichord or piano) for the serenity, then switch over to the finale from the William Tell Overture.

My choices would be Carnival of the Animals or Sorcerer's Apprentice or Romeo and Juliet (Prokofiev) but don't ask me why.