Olympic Marathon Preview
A Look at America's Top Prospects for the 2008 Olympic Marathon
America's most obvious medal contender, Meb Keflezighi looks to improve upon his silver medal in Athens. A few weeks ago, Meb was asked about his upcoming racing plans, he responded, "The big picture is Beijing...go for the gold." With a second place finish at New York in 2004, just 7 days after his Olympic marathon, and a third place finish in Boston in 2006, Meb is gearing up to show the world that he can do it again. Look for Meb Keflezighi to be leading a strong contingent of American marathoners in 2008.
If Meb is the seasoned veteran, than Ryan Hall is the promising rookie. Most recently, Hall ran 2:08:24 in the London marathon, one minute and sixteen seconds faster than any other American debut at the distance. Hall's run in London makes him the second fastest American all-time in the marathon. His marathon debut wasn't exactly unexpected, on January 14th, 2007; he set an American record in the half-marathon running 59:43 to win the national championship. Setting records left and right, Ryan Hall is sure to be running with the best come Beijing.
Racing the 10k at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, Abdi Abdirahman looks to move up to the marathon in 2008. With a 10k best of 27:22, Abdi sure has the foot speed to run with the best, and with a marathon PR of 2:08:56 there's no doubt he will. In 2006 he ran personal bests in the 10k, half-marathon, and marathon. One of the top American men, top five all-time for the marathon, half-marathon and 10k, Abdi Abdirahman should make a strong bid for the American team.
2004 marathon time trials champion Alan Culpepper looks to repeat that feat again in the 2008 time trials. Most recently Culpepper won the U.S. Cross Country championships, sending a message that he is still one of the best distance runners in the country. Culpepper is no stranger to the Olympic marathon, finishing 12th overall at Athens, in only his third marathon. With a best time of 2:09:41, look for Alan Culpepper to make another strong bid for the 2008 Olympic marathon team.
Another runner who is relatively new to the marathon distance, Dathan Ritzenhein, looks to make the Beijing marathon squad. An Olympic qualifier in the 10k in 2004, "Ritz" made his marathon debut in 2006 at New York with a time of 2:14:01. The 2005 U.S. 12k cross country champion and collegiate record holder in the 10k has proven himself before, come November, he looks to do it once more.
November 2nd, 2007 will be a historical date in American distance running history as one of the strongest fields ever assembled toes the line for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Marathon trials. Only three men will make the team, and until November 2nd, we can only speculate which three it will be. One thing is certain, it is going to be an exciting race.
Published by Jacob Ring
I am a college student currently seeking my degree in Biology with an emphasis in Marine Sciences. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a Commentyes you are a typical letsrunner, thanks for the criticism
Two things -
America's most obvious medal contender, Meb Keflezighi looks to improve upon his silver medal in Athens. A few weeks ago, Meb was asked about his upcoming racing plans, he responded, "The big picture is Beijing...go for the gold." With a second place finish at New York in 2004, just 7 days after his Olympic marathon.
Meb would be a greek god if he came in 2nd just 7 DAYS! after his silver in Athens!
I don't think he an obvious medal contender. Its four years later and he has run bad in his last two major marathons.
This writer is retarded. Its like saying the most obvious contender for the World Series champion are the last place New York Yankees who have recently won 26 World Championships.