TRACK; Going the distance plus some

Grete Waitz, a two-time winner of the New York City Marathon, may never run a more frustrating race than the one she entered last week in San Francisco. Her bid to break the women's indoor 3,000-meter record was ruined when an official at the Runner's World Indoor Track Classic lost track of the lap count. As a result, the field circled the Cow Palace one too many times, tacking on and additional 160 meters to the distance.

Two officials did catch Grete's time at the 3,000-meter mark, which at 8:51.0 was nearly seven seconds below the existing world record held by Jan Merrill, who finished behind Waitz. The time will be submitted for certification, but there are serious doubts it will be recognized since three official times are normally required.