See title. Webb failed to break 4 against ryan hall but a week later against a pro field he dropped a 3:53. How does that happen.
Posted 12-30-2023
I don't think most can appreciate just how good Webb was. With super spikes, he may have been a 3:50 flat runner in high school and certainly close to EL G's record as a pro. Truly a once in a lifetime talent.
See title. Webb failed to break 4 against ryan hall but a week later against a pro field he dropped a 3:53. How does that happen.
Posted 12-30-2023
First of all he was in awesome shape that spring. One race he ran a 4:06 running 2:14/1:52 splits. The only all out attempt he made that spring at the mile was his 3:53 at Pre as many have mentioned
See title. Webb failed to break 4 against ryan hall but a week later against a pro field he dropped a 3:53. How does that happen.
Posted 12-30-2023
I am going to assume you were not around for the race. Let me set this up for you a bit. Ritz and Webb were just different than any American hs kid in years. It was expected Webb would run fast at Pre. It was a special race because El Guerrouj had come over and wanted to run fast I recall predictions for Webb were all over the place. Obviously the race predates YouTube. The access to guys was more limited than today. Letsrun was even way more fringe. I will never forget being at my grandma's house to watch that race. There was such suspense. Once the gun went off you can see how in control he was. He just kept rolling up on guys as the race went on. He hit that last lap and put himself out there for what ended up being a great race and record time.
The week before Pre was a tune up race for Webb. I do not think the meet even had a live stream. For as good as Ryan Hall was he just did not get the sort of attention Webb and Ritz got. Webb had had already run right around 4 in an indoor meet the winter before and beat pro runners. Webb probably would have run 4minutes his junior year but was injured. At Pre He ran 3;53 because he was super fit and confident. The field was stacked. The magic of Hayward Field I am sure helped as well.
Some of the details might be off as I am going off the top of my head. Curious how others remember it happening.
Actually he was way back in last or next to last at 800 I believe in 1:58. I remember him catching Jason Pyrah I believe with 600 to go. He was catching guys left and right and split 55 point last lap for 4th I believe