Ryan Hall Run 2:08:24 American Debut Record in London By David Monti (c) 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
LONDON
(22-Apr-2007) -- Ryan Hall didn't come to London to prove a point, but
that's exactly what the 24 year-old from Big Bear Lake, Calif., ended
up doing.
Joining the lead group in the 15th mile, the North
American record holder for the half-marathon, found himself leading the
race three miles later, impervious to the nervous glances that his
surprised rivals were throwing his way.
"I felt good leading,"
said Hall, his lunch plate piled high with slices of pizza and couscous
after the race. "That's why I went to the front. I wanted to taste
the lead."
And the taste was sweet. Although he would fall back
in the final miles to finish seventh, his 2:08:24 debut made him the
second-fastest American of all-time behind Khalid Khannouchi, and the
fastest ever born in the United States.
While stars like
Khannouchi and Olympic gold medalist Stefano Baldini were forced to
drop out because of the warm conditions, Hall followed coach Terrence
Mahon's orders and made sure he got each of his bottles. The heat was
only a minor problem for the Californian.
"I was drinking water
a lot," explaining that he did not simply throw it on his body. "It
didn't feel too bad. Honestly, when you have a good day you don't
really notice those things much."
Hall came to the marathon
distance somewhat unexpectedly. In February last year, at the U.S.
Cross Country Championships in New York City, he easily won the 12-K
event, at the time the longest race of his life. Under coach Mahon he
turned more to the roads, winning the U.S. 20-K title last year and
taking 11th place at the IAAF World Road Running Championships, the
fastest non-African finisher, setting a U.S. 20-K record. Coach Mahon
then prepared him for a fast half-marathon, and in Houston last January
Hall ran a solo 59:43, sealing the thought that he was destined for the
marathon.
"One
thing I'm surprised by is it took me so long to figure it out," he said
of discovering his real talent was as a marathoner. "I was stuck on
the mile so long in college. Then I went to the 5-K. I think I'm
really made for it."
Hall, who plans to contest the U.S. Olympic
Trials - Men's Marathon in New York City on Nov. 3, sees the marathon
as his best chance for a medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
"With the Olympics coing up so quick, I want to take a swing at a medal," he said, devouring his pizza.
Hall,
whose gentle personality belies his fierce competitive spirit, was
genuinely thankful to race London director Dave Bedford for giving him
a chance to try the distance in such a prestigious event.
"It just gave me an incredible opportunity to do something special," he said.
