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Lead Stories: Monday, December 1, 2008

Hall puts on stunning display, Wins Olympic Trials in men’s marathon

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 3:27 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

All the chatter about the resurgence of American distance running came to fruition in powerful fashion Saturday, with Ryan Hall leading Dathan Ritzenhein and Brian Sell onto the 2008 Olympic Team. Competing at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men’s Marathon in Central Park, Hall tamed what had been thought of as a slow and very difficult course, breaking the Olympic Trials record with his winning time of 2:09:02. Ritzenhein was second in a personal-best time of 2:11:06, with Sell third in 2:11:40.

A 25-year-old Californian, Hall has been looked to as a future star since he was a national cross country champion in high school, and in 2007 he broke the American record in the half-marathon (59:43) and posted the fastest American debut marathon in history in placing eighth at the Flora London Marathon (2:08:24).

But Hall on Saturday served notice to the world that he is not just a star of American distance running, he has the capacity to be a major player on the global scene. After leisurely opening miles in which the main pack came through 2 miles in 11:00, the pack finally caught up with earlier leader Michael Wardian at 7 miles, after a 5:19 mile split. From that point on, however, the hammer was down, and Hall made it look frighteningly easy.
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Elite Athlete Quotes:
U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Men’s Marathon

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 12:35 PM by J. R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

Ryan Hall (1st, 2:09:02, Olympic Trials record): Today was a dream come true for me. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for 10 years. But as great as the moment is, my heart and my thoughts are with Ryan Shay and his family. I’m just thrilled with the day the Lord gave me and thrilled to be part of this Olympic team. I was thinking about the Olympics when I was out there on that last lap and the fitness it will take. I thank all of you for celebrating this with us. I thought the weather was really good. I didn’t feel the wind too much out there, especially in the Park. It was much cooler than my experience at London. I thought it was a great day to run. Read the rest of this entry »

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USATF comment on the death of Ryan Shay

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 11:48 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Ryan Shay, a four-time national champion on the roads, died Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men’s Marathon. Shortly past the 5-mile mark of the race, Shay collapsed and was immediately given CPR. An ambulance transported him to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:46 a.m.

“We all are devastated over Ryan’s death. He was a tremendous champion who was here today to pursue his dreams. The Olympic Trials is traditionally a day of celebration, but we are heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s wife, Alicia, and all of his family. His death is a tremendous loss for the sport and the long-distance running community.”
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Ryan Shay Tragically Passes Away While Competing in Olympic Trials Marathon ‘07

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 10:44 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Ryan Shay has tragically passed away, as confirmed by a devastated Mary Wittenberg (President/CEO of NYRR) who delivered the sad news in a post-race news conference. He had dropped out of the U.S. Olympic Trials men’s marathon at the five mile mark and had been taken to the emergency room. The cause of death has been reported as being heart-related. Further details are unknown at this time. Our hearts go out to his wife, Alicia, and his family, friends and teammates.

Shay’s trials qualifying time had been 2:14:58. His hometown was Central Lake. He competed for Saucony. He was the 2003 USA Marathon champion. He placed 22nd in ‘04 marathon trials. He had moved his training base from Mammoth Lakes, CA, to Flagstaff, AZ. He was 28 years old.
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Ryan Hall Makes History in Olympic Trials Marathon ‘07

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 9:47 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Ryan Hall, having come into the Olympic Trials Marathon with a solid 2-year aerobic base behind him, was reaping the benefits of having trained at 9,000 feet in the Sierra Nevadas. Once he decided to break free from the other favorites in the middle section of the race, there was no stopping him. He cranked out miles of 4:32 to 4:50, looking silky-smooth the entire way. Even at that pace, he looked like he was on a training run. This type of speed boded well for an American medal in the Beijing Olympic Games.

Dathan Ritzenhein, not to be denied, was keying off of Hall. When Hall took off his stocking cap and threw it down on the road, Ritzenhein threw his down, too. It seemed as if they were throwing down gauntlets, because soon afterwards, they had broken free of pre-race favorites Abdi Abdirahman and Meb Keflezighi.

Brian Sell had never been in the lead pack. He knew this race would determine his future. He had decided to quit competitive running and go to dental school if he didn’t make the Olympic team.

Dan Browne, the final key player in this American drama, fought valiantly but was finally overcome by a cramp that forced him to give up the 3rd place spot on the team to Brian Sell.

But this drama was all about Ryan Hall. In the final miles of the race, he was waving to the crowd and high-fiving them occasionally, reminding some of the women’s race in the Chicago Marathon. The marathon has a way of humbling runners who get too confident.

That didn’t matter to the usually-humble Hall, who could not be stopped today from being coronated as the new king of American marathoning. He demolished the Olympic Trials record of 2:10:19 by a minute and 17 seconds, winning in 2:09:02.

Dathan Ritzenhein finished in 2nd, making his 2nd Olympic team with a solid time of 2:11:07. A 5:00 per mile pace, it was a PB by over 3 minutes.

Brian Sell completed the U.S. Men’s Olympic Marathon team by finishing third in 2:11:36. Never having run among the leaders, his patience proved to be the key to his making the team.
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4:47 for the 25th Mile; Hall may set record

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 9:42 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

2:10:19 is the current U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials record - but NOT for long!

Hall ran the 25th mile in 4:47 and is going to break that record unless something goes terribly wrong.

He has started to high five the crowd and celebrate just a bit; showing both the passion and the grace that he exemplifies each and every day.

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4:42 Split for the 23rd Mile; Overall Time at 1:54:06

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 9:29 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Sell is now officially in third and showing a ton of heart as he continues to approach Ritz.

Hall is having no problems - making this all look far easier than it is.

Dan Browne, who showed many signs of fatigue before Sell caught him, is still in 4th but that won’t last for long.

At this point, it will be very difficult for anyone to take a spot away from Hall, Ritz and Sell.

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Sell about to catch Browne; Ritz slows as Hall continues to excel after 22 miles

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 9:25 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Mayhem has broken loose after 22 miles.

Although Hall continues to tear it up and lead by more than 30 seconds after running a 4:41 22nd mile. Ritz lost 30 seconds or so over the last mile.

Dan Browne is also about to be passed by Brian Sell who has come all the way up to retake a spot in the Olympic Team.

Abdi and Khalid trail Browne by 10-20 seconds.

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Olympic Trials Marathon ‘07: Hall Ripping Sub-4:40 Miles

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 9:20 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

Abdi Abdirahman dropped out with a leg injury. Ryan Hall had a 27 second lead over Dathan Ritzenhein who was in 2nd place. Dan Browne was in third place by himself. Mile 20 was 4:34. Incredibly fast. Meb Keflezighi was in 4th, well back. Suddenly, Browne began to limp. He stopped and stretched then resumed running. It must have been a cramp, one which he was able to overcome. Brian Sell was now in 4th place, 25 seconds behind Browne, who was in a vulnerable condition. Mile 21 was 4:40. Suddenly Sell was only 12 seconds behind Browne.

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Hall efficiently running like a champion; Leads by 26 seconds after 20 miles

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 9:11 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Track & Field, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Drugs In Sports, Live Race Coverage, Pump-up iMix's

Ryan Hall seems to have been born a marathoner; setting a new debut, American record in London - and now running to a 26 second lead after 20 miles in the most competitive U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon trials in History.

Hall hit the 20 mile mark in 4:34.

Ritz is in second and Dan Browne trails him by about 10 seconds.

Abdi, who had been in 5th after 18 miles, has dropped out of the race with an injury.

Meb, the reigning Olympic marathon silver medalist, is in 5th place.

Reports indicate that Gilmore has also dropped out; as did Alan Culpepper several miles ago.

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