by Larry Eder
Well, Ryan took fourth today, driving up on Gebre Gebremariam, running 2:04.55, the fastest time EVER, under any conditions by an American. As one observer noted, “Well, Ryan just told the other U.S. marathoners to be really worried about how he will run in Houston next year.”
Ryan did tell the media that he will focus on the 10,000m and 5,000m this summer. That is good news. If Ryan can get his 10,000m down to 27 minutes or so (and he can), he will get to a new level in the marathon.
This release is from ASICS America, one of Ryan Hall’s sponsors:
RYAN HALL FINISHES FOURTH AS THE FASTEST AMERICAN AT THE 115th BOSTON MARATHON
Olympic marathoner and ASICS athlete Ryan Hall finished in fourth place at
the 115th Boston Marathon with a time of 2:04:58, the fastest time ever by an American. Hall beat his current Boston record in 2010 (2:08:41), by four minutes and broke his fastest marathon time by more than two minutes
(2:06:17) at the 2008 London Marathon.
On a cool, crisp, sunny morning with the high hovering around 48 degrees,
America’s favorite, Hall led from the start for his third consecutive
appearance at this prestigious event. Hall finished third in 2009 (2:09:40)
and fourth in 2010 (2:08:58).
The 115th Boston Marathon, one of five World Marathon Majors began in
Hopkinton with a strong tailwind from the back propelling racers along this
historic course. Hall, in his red, white and blue uniform with “USA”
across the front of his chest, led the pack, pushing the pace for the third
consecutive year. The self-coached Hall pushed the first half of the race
for a speed under world record pace.
At mile 13, as he passed Wellesley College, Hall ran near the side closest
to fans to capitalize on the energy. Like he did the previous year, Hall
put his hand to his ear to encourage the fans to cheer him on and showing
obvious signs of enjoying every minute of this race.
Hall fell behind the pack around mile 15 for several miles, running his own
race, yet being persistent and staying close behind the lead pack. Just
before Heartbreak Hill, Hall charged back and surged in the front again.
Towards the 35K mark, Hall reluctantly let Moses Mosop (Kenya) and Geoffrey
Mutai (Kenya) take off putting significant distance between the two top finishers from third and fourth place. Mutai crossed the finish line
setting the fastest time ever run in a marathon (2:03:02).
“I participated in an historic race today and kept thinking to myself I
can’t believe I feel this good,” said Ryan Hall. “It was a tough competitive
field and I truly held my own finishing four minutes faster than last year.”
Hall will donate all of his prize earnings to The STEPS Foundation, the
non-profit organization he co-founded with his wife with the goal of ending
poverty.
Ryan Hall, 2011 BAA Boston Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net
Hall, sponsored by ASICS since 2005, currently holds the record for the
fastest Olympic Men’s Marathon Trial (2:09:02) in 2008 and the fastest
marathon time ever by an American (2:04:58) with today’s finish at the 2011
Boston Marathon.
