lets talk Ryan Hall, Alan Webb, Dathan Ritzenhein, & World X-Country Championships

So strong was Ryan Hall SOLO run at the 12km distance that he would have challenged a young and fit Bob Kennedy, Meb Keflezighi, or a (benefit of the doubt) tapered and ready Dathan Ritzenhein. Not saying he will do the same at Worlds because Ryan has been somewhat inconsistent in past year (including 2005); however, if he can compete at the same level Dathan may again finish behind Ryan Hall.

I\'m a big Hall fan, but I\'m also pretty sure Ritz was not right. Very sick after the finish. With Ritz off form and Abdi dropping, I\'m not sure how to rate Hall\'s performance. I already believed that Hall was ready to make a dent on the international scene, but I personally think Rits will take him at Worlds. Overall, it doesn\'t look like the US will be sending its top team in the 12K.

Did you see her walk up at the start and grab his crank? That would inspire me.

Vipam wrote:

So strong was Ryan Hall SOLO run at the 12km distance that he would have challenged a young and fit Bob Kennedy, Meb Keflezighi, or a (benefit of the doubt) tapered and ready Dathan Ritzenhein. Not saying he will do the same at Worlds because Ryan has been somewhat inconsistent in past year (including 2005); however, if he can compete at the same level Dathan may again finish behind Ryan Hall.

Hall would have wrecked a young Bob Kennedy. There's such a huge difference in the level of competition in the US between the crappy '90s and today. Bob Kennedy in his prime would have won, but not for long.

Ryan Hall with the assumption that he carried an even pace from start to finish (not likely) would have went thru 10km around 28:50 and maintain that pace for another 2km. The course may have been frozen and fast but it was still a x-country course with some hills and slick footing. The fact that he did it SOLO and judging from photos he looked to have more left in him. The fact that Ryan has not been consistent shouldn't diminish such an outstanding/ dominating performance and its evident on that day he could have challenged and probably beaten any American on 19 Feb 06.

Ryan Hall is right now doing more then Ritz, and I'm gonna say more then Webb even. But so far none of these guys, with the exception of maybe Webb a little, has done anything internationally. But this is 2006, its a new year, so lets sit back and see what happens, cause it looks like its gonna be interesting.

How so? Because he won a 12k USA Cross Nationals race? That ain't shit. Ritz has won how many of those? And Webb has the American Record in the 2 mile and made it to World Championship Final. Ranked in the top 10 in the World. Hall had a Great Race and may run fast this year on the track but for now is not at the same level as those two guys when it comes to accomplishments.

some runner wrote:

excuses, excuses, excuses...big training loads, blisters, going out too hard, etc.

the only internal load i have to remember is the one Ryan Hall just dumped on Ritz in New York today...

It was actually an external load that Hall dumped on him.

Exactly, no is on the level of Webb in American distance except for Meb. Hall is starting to step it up and looks primed for a big summer. Ritz needs to make something happen this summer, and I think he probably will put up a good time. We dont know, but sounds like he might have been sick, but its still disappointing. Nothing should detract from Hall though, this guy could go sub 1305 sometime, and I wouldnt shocked.

I agree with several posters that Ryan Hall performance was extraordinary; however, its too early to tell what his capabilites are in longer distances. The sub 13:10 barrier certainly is possible barring injury this year but other than that Hall haven't been healthy long enough and to inexperience to gauge his potential at 5000m and even less at 10000m. He could be great and maybe after a few more races this year we will get a glimpse of whats in store for Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, Josh McDougal, Alan Webb (and the rest of the 23 and under young U.S. distance corp).

I had forgotten about his STELLAR 5K leg at Ekiden where he held his own against top Ethiopean/Kenyan guys. That was 13:20 for that leg; very fast for the road without a crowd to pull you through in a draft.

Vipam wrote:

I agree with several posters that Ryan Hall performance was extraordinary; however, its too early to tell what his capabilites are in longer distances. The sub 13:10 barrier certainly is possible barring injury this year but other than that Hall haven't been healthy long enough and to inexperience to gauge his potential at 5000m and even less at 10000m. He could be great and maybe after a few more races this year we will get a glimpse of whats in store for Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, Josh McDougal, Alan Webb (and the rest of the 23 and under young U.S. distance corp).

EITS wrote:

I gotta agree. Hall has always been super talented if somewhat inconsistent. Recall that he was only a few ticks behind Dathan at NCAA's the year that Dathan won. I don't know why people are making such a big deal out of him winning. The kid is talented, and had a breakthrough season in track. He's gotta be full of confidence. So Ritz had a bad race. What's the big deal?

When Hall got second to Ritz at the 03' ncaa it looked like he had the race wrapped up but kind of gave up at the end. Thats what it looked like when i watched the video of the race. I could be wrong. Ritz may have just dug deep and outsprinted him or Hall may have just run out of gas.

Keep in mind that he ran the 4k hard yesterday as well, which had to take something out of him. Sky's the limit for this guy.

Kennedy did pretty well a few years ago at the world cross champs in Oostend. He led his young american teammates(Abdi and Meb) to a very nice finish and this was after Kennedy's peak years. Let's hope Hall can do as well at worlds. It would be nice to see Hall, Ritz, etc... finish 10-15 at the world champs

What happened to Abdi and Josh MacDougal?

boriole wrote:

What happened to Abdi and Josh MacDougal?

Abdi didn't finish, McDougal didn't start. He ran a 4:01/8:20 mile/3k double instead.

'roids. Nuff said.

nope wrote:

Exactly, no is on the level of Webb in American distance except for Meb. Hall is starting to step it up and looks primed for a big summer.

I assume you meant to say "no one is on the level of Webb...."

Hey man, no disrespect to you or (or to Webb), but Webb is not on Meb's level! Olympic medal count: Meb: 1 silver. Webb: 0.

As far as Hall goes--the guy is a machine. 2 fantastic races back to back with stiff competition (i don't care if abdi or ritz weren't in it) Hall did a great job. he showed the US that he can come prepared on race day with the ability to run well. that's half the battle--the part that abdi and ritz did not win. he made it through the majority of the winter without getting injured or sick and has developed his talent into that of a national caliber athlete.

Hall may run the 4K. Most of the runners have stated their preferences would be to run on the better team, and the 4K team >>>> 12K team. Plus this is the last year for it.

In addition, Hall always opted for the 4K in college meets. Judging by his race and even post-race comments, I'd still bet on the 12K, but hardly concluded.