Ritz vs Webb (vs Abdi) March 15th 8k

How similar is the course this race is run on to the Healthy Kidney 10k and/or the Marathon OT course? Because both of those courses seemed to suit Ritz pretty well . . .

1) Ritz 22:06 (just misses the record)

2) Webb 22:22 (goes out with Ritz, fades, holds on for second)

3) Carney 22:38 (runs smart and well on the roads)

4) J Torres 22:42 (goes out with the leaders and fades)

5) Ed Moran 22:44 (strong runn for a more track-oriented guy)

6) Abdi 22:50 (prediction I'm least sure about--I think he might go out and blow up, just because he hasn't raced in a while . . . he might just win the whole thing, though!)

GO BLACK CACTUS!! REP FLAGSTAFF

Abdi: 27:2x & 2:08 - hard to discount someone who is stronger...

Mr. McGuire wrote:

Tim Culpepper for the win.

When I saw "Alan" on the front page, my first thought was Culpepper. I guess I'm used to seeing "Webb" instead.

Is Abdi healthy now? What did he last race?

Don't buy into the Ritz/Webb hype; if Abdi is fit, Ritz and Webb might be be battling for second. Adbi has a faster 10K PR than Ritz/Webb and he ran close to 60 minutes flat on the tough Philly half marathon course. Adbi has run some pretty fast 5Ks as well.

I think it is a shame that the NYRRC mention Abdi as a side note.

just like that 10k!

sc runner wrote:

I'd definitely pick Ritz in this one, unless Webb can hang with him for the first 4.75 miles, then Webb can beat him.

Abdi was 12 seconds faster than Ritz/Webb in 2006. He's two years farther from his prime and they are two years closer to theirs.

I wouldn't count any of them out, but I can't blame NYRRC for focusing on the guys who appear ready to topple the old guard.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

Ritz will beat Webb. I can't believe the AR hasn't been broken since 1981.

Every time I muse over who might be the "best" American runner of all-time (on a side note, I'm not sure if you can say there is a best American runner without adding further disclaimers, like best American marathoner, 10k runner, etc.), I come back to Salazar. Yes, he had a short career, but even by the elite of the elite standards his accomplishments are astounding. Perhaps they're even more impressive because he achieved them in such a short time. It speaks volumes to his abilities and talents that this particular record is still standing.

webby wrote:

Abdi was 12 seconds faster than Ritz/Webb in 2006. He's two years farther from his prime and they are two years closer to theirs.

I wouldn't count any of them out, but I can't blame NYRRC for focusing on the guys who appear ready to topple the old guard.

NYRR made the mistake of doing the opposite at the trials and it bit them in the ass. Meb and Abdi and Culpepper (the old guard) received a lot of love, but were dominated by the youngsters.

Ritz beat Webb at 2 miles and Webb beat Ritz at 10k WTF ?

Webb can win this no doubt. he is hungry to race, stronger than ever.

Any foreigners allowed to run or just good old Americans ?

International competitors are welcomed.

Mrr82,

I'm not trying to call you a liar, but wasn't there just a story posted here not too long ago that said Ritz was injured after the race across the pond and had to alter his training? It might have been in an Oregon paper. He was running on some type of machine for a while, from what I remember.

Webb is gonna steamroll this bitch. Not to take away from Ritz and Abdi, both are in good shape and will be tough competitors. But Webb is gonna put on a kick for the ages to get his 2008 season started.

Just out of curiosity, what are Webb's, Rtiz's, Abdi's, and Torres' 8k PBs?

Diabetes-free since 1983 wrote:

Mrr82,

I\'m not trying to call you a liar, but wasn\'t there just a story posted here not too long ago that said Ritz was injured after the race across the pond and had to alter his training? It might have been in an Oregon paper. He was running on some type of machine for a while, from what I remember.

You did see an article that said that, so, yes, he was injured. That being said, it seems that this is his longest stretch without a stress fracture or other very serious interruption in a long time. I think that's what mrr82 meant, and I thought it was pretty clear. Too many people discount (or look to discredit) what mrr says all the time because many people don't like him. That's plain silly; he often makes good points, and has grown up a lot since his Dyestat terror days.

In addition, mrr82 has been making some very significant posts lately from his high-altitude training camp in Lincoln, Nebraska. I look for some great things from mrr82 in the very near future!

Ritz, Webb, Abdi, Torres, no doubt.