First Boston, now New York? If he turns up at the Marine Corps or Nike Women’s Marathons I’m filing a restraining order. I suspect my “following” him (unreciprocated) on Twitter will not help my case. The bigger news, Ryan Hall is running the New York City Marathon (as well as the NYC Half Marathon in August). Once again I will be running in his long-faded footsteps. His much hyped race in Boston resulted in an admirable 3rd place finish (2.09.40), but his countrymen had been longing for an American win in Boston. The last American New York win was Alberto Salazar in 1982, so once again he faces some patriotic pressure. A win isn’t out of reach. He boasts the second fastest US marathon result of all time with a 2.06.17, although that only landed him 5th place in London. New York is also a lucky city for him after winning the 2008 Olympic trials, albeit it on a different course. The entire NYCM elite field is not yet confirmed, but Hall is currently the leading contender. The NYCM is the home of the US Men’s Championships, so you can bet there will be a crop of local talent to challenge him. The NYRR are, understandably, thrilled to have him running:
Many have been waiting for this day, including all of us at NYRR,” Wittenberg said. “We are so glad that this is the year that Ryan Hall will take on the history, the hills, the competition, and all that New York can throw at an athlete in his or her quest to be not only America’s best, but one of the world’s best.
If the New York City Marathon is my third marathon in sixteen days perhaps I should revise my time goals and simply strive to be faster than twice as slow as Hall. I am, after all, running with a camera and intend to break my stride for the sake of a good photo op.
