Hall to run Chicago

Jefe in the CO wrote:

This does seem strange. From the outside looking in it seems as though Hall is hedging his bets. A bad performance at Boston would decrease his marketability. Has he resigned himself to the fact that his training is not going well?

I really wish he would get back to the track.

Hall's return to the track won't be until 2012, after he misses making the US team in the marathon and is forced to try to salvage a potential Olympic appearance.

There is no chance Geb is doing the NYC Marathon this fall.

Yanqui wrote:

There is no chance Geb is doing the NYC Marathon this fall.

Agreed, no way in hell. Too much competition and the course does not play to his strengths at all.

goomb wrote:

SayItLikeItis wrote:

I bet if Ritz decides to do Chicago, Ryan will pull out. Ryan wants to maintain the top American marathoner status (more $$ from appearance fees).

Ritz and Hall have only gone head to head twice, and they're 1-1. Hall is the fastest current US marathoner, but that doesn't (or shouldn't, at least) make him the top US marathoner.

They are 1-1 in the marathon but Ritz has a big edge head to head dating back to Foot Lockers and going through NCAA and into pro. Halls only other win is his 12K US XC win.

So if Hall is doing this so that he can still get a big payday in the fall, what does Chicago get out of it? Presumably, if he does poorly in Boston, they could get him for a lot cheaper in two weeks. Are they worried that if he does well at Boston, he will be out of their price range?

What does Chicago get out of it? I'll put it to you this way: would you be talking about The Chicago Marathon right now if it weren't for this announcement? Chicago is getting what they're paying for - publicity. If Hall has an awesome day and resurrects himself from the racing dead to run like he did in '08 at the Trials to win Boston, think of the publicity Chicago gets. If he runs terrible, two things still happen for Chicago's benefit. One, the immediate gain of people (in the running community) are talking about it right now and it's still 6months away. Secondly, even if Hall bombs at Boston, Chicago can put the face of a fast, white American on all their brochure's and claim to have the fastest U.S. marathoner coming to town. I see it as a win-win for Hall and Chicago.

Right now the focus of running is turning to the Boston Marathon. So is the sports world in some sense.

If Chicago puts this announcement before while there's some buildup and interest in running, they can steal some of the publicity.

After, there will be less interest in running.

publicity stealing wrote:

Right now the focus of running is turning to the Boston Marathon. So is the sports world in some sense.

If Chicago puts this announcement before while there's some buildup and interest in running, they can steal some of the publicity.

After, there will be less interest in running.

Uh.....can somebody translate this?

A quick note. Hall is represented by Ray Flynn. $$$$$$.

The biggest reason Hall committed to Chicago is $$$$ being offered to just show up. Ray goes where the $$$ is. He likes that more than fast times or great races. I'll bet my bottom dollar he "advized" young Mr. Hall to go to Chicago....and thereby Mr. Flynn will get more $$$$.

good times wrote:

I thought Chicago closed last week??

closed for runners who do not have top notch credentials.

hall has some credentials.

i say NYC announces meb and tulu will be back to defend their titles and werknesh kidane to make her eagerly awaited marathon debut.

To make this announcement now, it tells me Ryan is not focused on Boston. When it starts to hurt, he'll be thinking about Chicago. Boston will be a disaster...

The Vindicator wrote:

To make this announcement now, it tells me Ryan is not focused on Boston. When it starts to hurt, he'll be thinking about Chicago. Boston will be a disaster...

I really don't feel like that's accurate at all.

Well..it's also possible that Ryan might just be freed to race in Boston, to not worry about time or pushing the pace himself, since he's talking American record in Chicago.

It makes perfect sense. Found this article on Running Times, per Ryan.

“It’s nice for me to head into Boston knowing what the future will hold. When I’m out there running, I won’t necessarily feel the need to go out and run a fast time because I’ll be trying for a fast time in the fall."

Correct Answer.

Ryan is not in this for the money. Come on, guys. He donates his race winnings to charity and lives a meagre life.

To whomever is concerned that he will race poorly now that Chicago is his relief- That kind of stuff always makes me race better. Once you've done the training, the only thing that can really mess you up is stressing yourself out.

Am I the only one who realizes that this means that there will be no good African runners in Chicago? We won't see Wanjiru or Geb there, they'll make sure that Hall has a chance. Just like Boston did. Boooooring.

Nutella1 wrote:

Am I the only one who realizes that this means that there will be no good African runners in Chicago? We won't see Wanjiru or Geb there, they'll make sure that Hall has a chance. Just like Boston did. Boooooring.

Have you seen the Boston field moron?