Each year, it seems as if London, Boston and the underfunded Rotterdam battle for top honors as the world's greatest marathon. Boston has the longer history, Rotterdam the faster course, but lately it seems as if London's deeper purse is the key variable.

Haile Gebrselassie earned his money as this year's headliner in London, and while his debut over the 26.2-mile distance may have disappointed some, it is clear that he helped make it one of the greatest marathons ever. The little Ethiopian helped with the scintillating pacesetting in the later stages, but when he went to grab a drink in the last two miles, his more experienced rivals got the slip on him and broke away.

Gebrselassie finished third in 2:06:35 and saw from a distance the world record performance of American Khalid Khannouchi (2:05:38) as well as Paul Tergat's 2:05:48. Altogether, nine men broke 2:10. Now Gebrselassie is aiming at the one-hour track record in June, and he has reportedly asked the organizers of that race to make sure that Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" be played over the stadium loudspeakers.

For debutante Briton Paula Radcliffe, a near-world record 2:18:56 said it all. Radcliffe shook off the heavy pressure that had been put on her to dominate a solid field (11 broke 2:30). And it was no hang-on-and-try-not-to-die race. Her fastest mile (5:06) was her 25th.

It was humid in Boston as Rodgers Rop of Kenya won in 2:09:02, leading three others under 2:10. Margaret Okayo of Kenya defeated world-record holder Catherine Ndereba with a course record 2:20:43 as six women broke 2:30.

Rotterdam, held a week after the others, also had warm temperatures. Simon Biwott of Kenya ran to the win in 2:08:39, with the most amazing performance coming in second place. Kenneth Cheruiyot, another Kenyan, fell at 10 kilometers and broke his arm. He got up and ran another 20 miles to finish in a stunning 2:09:43. Three men broke 2:10.

Japanese women dominated their race at Rotterdam, with Takami Ominani improving to 2:23:43 (from 2:31) to finish ahead of her teammates in second and third.

Jones in the headlines
As usual, Marion Jones got the lion's share of publicity with her 50.46 season opener at 400 meter at the world's largest all-comers meet, the Mount San Antonio College Relays in Walnut, Calif. Yet there were other great races, as well.

Kenta Bell exploded to 57-10.25 in the triple jump, becoming the No. 5 American ever in the event. Chris Rawlinson of Britain ran 48.49 to trim a hundredth off the meet record of 48.50 set by legendary Edwin Moses back in 1979.

Last year's high school phenom, Alan Webb, emerged from a quiet winter (he had an Achilles injury) to place ninth in the 1,500 in 3:44.74. The 5,000 saw six men run 13:23 or better, while another star freshman, Dathan Ritzenhein of Colorado, fell down after the start, and had to fight his way back for a 13:41.85.

Deena Drossin wanted to break a world track record, and because the Chinese have put all of the standard records out of sight, she had to dig up the archaic two-mile distance. She fell short, her 9:35.89 beating Nicole Teter's 9:49.09.

USOC and USATF face off in drug dispute
USA Track and Field says it is doing what it has to do to uphold the law and protect the innocent. The United States Olympic Committee says that the track federation is not adhering to international drug testing guidelines and that if it doesn't come into compliance by Aug. 31, it will be placed on probation with the potential for its charter to be revoked.

The USOC also listed several other issues of noncompliance, but the major sticking point is the drug testing issue.

What does this all mean? Well, for one, it's hard to imagine the two sides getting together for many weenie roasts this summer. The USOC threat is big, and if USATF is stripped of its right to administer the selection of the U.S. Olympic team, then you can expect that the organization would fold into a little shell that could barely support CEO Craig Masback, let alone his minions. That's how much the marketing of USA's team is worth.

The USOC has administered this kind of punishment before, to the National Rifle Association as well as to the bobsledding federation. USATF is planning to resolve its dispute with the International Association of Athletics Federation through arbitration. Bill Roe, USATF's president, says everything will be ironed out before the August deadline.

Helsinki will host the 2005 Worlds
The IAAF has awarded the 2005 World Championships to Helsinki, Finland, after canceling its deal with London to host the event. Insiders indicate that the move will go a long way toward fulfilling the IAAF's desire to have the stadium packed with knowledgeable fans (as well as to have a stadium, period -- the bone of contention with London).

Helsinki hosted the 1952 Olympics as well as the inaugural World Championships in 1983. Attendees to that latter meet have raved about how well that meet went. Still, it took the IAAF Council six rounds of voting to settle on the Finnish capital, and the Russians are still griping that Moscow lost out. That city hasn't been host to an Olympics or Worlds since the cheating-plagued 1980 Games.

Not what he intended
Tim Montgomery, silver medalist in the 100 at last year's World Championships, has been racing the South African circuit recently, and while he may not have left his heart there, his shoes are definitely gone.

After winning the 100 in 10.03 at the final Grand Prix meet of the season, Montgomery threw one of his shoes to the crowd. In an enthusiastic and quite possibly criminal act of hero worship, fans jumped onto the track and wrestled Montgomery's remaining shoe off before fleeing.

Said the victim: "It's not so much that they took my shoe. I was worried because as they twisted my foot to get the spike off, they could have caused an injury."

Old British long jump record finally falls
That Briton Chris Tomlinson long jumped 27-1.75 in Tallahassee, Fla., is notable in itself. The mark is the longest wind-legal jump of the year so far this outdoor season. For British fans, though, it marks the end of an era. Tomlinson, just 20, broke the 33-year-old national record of 27-0 set by 1964 Olympic gold medalist Lynn Davies in the high altitude of Mexico City.

Another U.S.A. vs. the World contest slated
The Penn Relays will again host the popular U.S.A. vs. the World relays, which will feature over 150 athletes from eight nations in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400. Olympic gold medalists Marion Jones, Angelo Taylor, Alvin Harrison, Jearl Miles Clark, Antonio Pettigrew, LaTasha Colander-Richardson and Monique Hennagan are among the names who have confirmed for the April 27 event.

Also set for the weekend is the 93rd edition of the Drake Relays, which will feature athletes from 86 nations.

Jeff Hollobaugh, former managing editor of Track and Field News, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com. He can be reached by e-mail at michtrack@aol.com.