Ritz had one actual "world class" year.
Webb has a few US track Championships and has won a couple Golden Leagues which have the same amount of talent as a major marathon.
Hall has consistently placed high at major marathons.
1. Hall
2. Webb
3. Ritz
Ritz had one actual "world class" year.
Webb has a few US track Championships and has won a couple Golden Leagues which have the same amount of talent as a major marathon.
Hall has consistently placed high at major marathons.
1. Hall
2. Webb
3. Ritz
You are consistently one of the dumbest posters on this site. I honestly believe you have the mentality of a 12 year old. I read what you say, and I look at your posting name, and I always know it matches up. That being, Your name indicates that you are a D-bag, and what you post confirms it. Stopping hating on Webb indiscriminately, he is clearly the best here, just let it go, and move on , please stop trolling and posting slanted nonsensical facts. I hope a bird shits on your head
I'd agree with pretty much everyone else here, Hall has had the best career so far. It's kind of interesting when I think about it; when I consider their potential to finish well at major championships, I'd rank the three of them (from best to worst) Webb, Ritz, Hall. But when I rank their actual championship performances, it's the opposite: Hall, Ritz, Webb. Hall has been incredibly consistent in the marathon, which is a tough event to be consistent in. I just don't see him winning a major marathon too soon. He's always a ways back from the winners, and he's never really competing for the win.
Next, Ritz. He's an aerobic monster, and his bronze at the world half marathon championships (along with the incredibly tough way he ran the race) gave a brief glimpse into his true potential, if he were ever healthy. I don't think he'll ever be the marathon runner he wants to be, but I believe he could contend for the win in major half marathons, and potentially sneak in for bronze in the 10K at a world championship (again, if he were ever healthy for an extended period of time). His championship/major race performances so far are behind Hall, but they're still not too bad; his third at the world half marathon championships, sixth at the WC 10K, and 9th at the Olympics are good but not great for a runner of his calibur.
And finally, Webb. Webb's championship potential is extraordinary. If he could ever get his head straight and get things worked out, I truly believe he could win a world championship or Olympic 1500. If he performed up to his level, he could get bronze at the world championships and rightfully be somewhat disappointed. Unfortunately, it never freaking happens. His championship record is almost as bad as Manzano's, and he only has a couple of wins at big races (I'd say Manzano has a comparably good collection of strong performances at non-championship races, he just has slower PRs). It's a damn shame, too; I hope the coaching change won't prevent him from continuing the excellent trajectory he was having in the year so far, because he was starting to look like he could run better than he has in years this year, get a respectable finish at the world championships this year (top 6, maybe?), and come back next year at his best ever. We'll see what happens, though.
I realize the question is "as of right now", but that got me to thinking about the near-term future for these three. Basically - the next 3 years.
You've got 2011 Worlds (Webb and Ritz), 2012 Olympics (all three), and 2013 Worlds (Webb and maybe Ritz). You can throw in a spring and fall marathon in 2013 for Hall and possibly Ritz. So all three will have ample opportunities to compete. If one of these three can actually get a World (Track) or Olympic medal, OR a major marathon victory, then that will trump everything else in the past.
The one of the three that can do that will bring an end to this discussion. But the clock is ticking. If it doesn't happen in the next 3 years, I don't think it will ever happen for them.
Webb.
Hall has had the best career in that he has been consistently competetive at a world level in the marathon. Webb and Ritz have had flashes of brilliance but in the past few years they've spent more time on the couch than on the roads.
Webb has had a couple good TT's, nothing else.
FWIW Webb was ranked 7th in the world in 2005 by Track and Field News in the 1500/mile. Webb was ranked 6th in the world in 2007.
Hall has never been ranked in the top 10 in the world by Track and Field News in the marathon. Ritz has not been ranked in the top 10 in the world by Track and Field News in the 5000 or the 10000 or the marathon.
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/men/05-1500Rank.pdf
Interesting stats.
Guess at which race I yelling at the computer screen?
Ritz picking off ten East Africans and making a move on Bekele.
Clearly, Webb.