Hall vs Meb at NYC 2013

Hall DNS

Meb 2:11 for 3rd

I like Hall and am pulling for him, but I fear his best days are behind him. Until he actually puts together another decent marathon, I'll go with Meb.

My guess:

Hall: DNS or DNF

Meb: 2:09

Hall just pulled out of R'n'R due to a "training setback."

troof be told wrote:

Hall just pulled out of R'n'R due to a "training setback."

Oh my. This doesn't bode well. I see a DNS for NYC. He will probably be confirmed for Boston soon thereafter and then pull out of that, too.

I think he's done.

troof be told wrote:

Hall just pulled out of R'n'R due to a "training setback."

Stick a fork in him - he's done. When was the last time he actually completed a training cycle?

At what point does Hall announce his retirement? He's just hanging on at this point.

Hall is fine. He withdrew because RnR isn't going to pay an appearance fee for his tempo effort and he doesn't want to have to go for the win (which would be easy for a 2:04 Marathoner like him).

Hall had a nice career and now he's washed up. Time to move on. No shame in that - it happens to everyone sooner or later.

Renato Ganova wrote:

Hall is fine. He withdrew because RnR isn't going to pay an appearance fee for his tempo effort and he doesn't want to have to go for the win (which would be easy for a 2:04 Marathoner like him).

Kinda sad that he wouldn't give 100%. So scared he'll get injured. And he's probably not wrong.

It'll be a good showdown. Hall seems ready to go and that would be cool if he has legs, but the onus is on him to prove he's back.

Raptured wrote:

If he runs 2:10, he's not going to beat Meb. Dude is a pretty consistent 2:09 nowadays, except when he took 4th in 2:11 at the Olympics. Meb will break 2:10 and I think he has a reasonable shot at finally going sub 2:09.

This.

A healthy Meb is about the most reliable 2:09 performer there is, including on relatively challenging courses.

I would love to see him put down a 2:08:xx PR, especially after throwing up and still nearly PRing two years ago. 100% badass.

Renato Ganova wrote:

Hall is fine. He withdrew because RnR isn't going to pay an appearance fee for his tempo effort and he doesn't want to have to go for the win (which would be easy for a 2:04 Marathoner like him).

Hall would still receive an appearance fee, as a matter of fact he is still under contract from Competitor Group.

It is amazing how little people understand about the RNR situation.

Renato Ganova wrote:

Hall is fine. He withdrew because RnR isn't going to pay an appearance fee for his tempo effort and he doesn't want to have to go for the win (which would be easy for a 2:04 Marathoner like him).

2:04 marathoner like who?

Here's your answer:

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/S4usjBC99Iw4NCp9YoiN5A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTEyMDg7cHlvZmY9MDtxPTc1O3c9OTYw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/0bb850346c3f4901040f6a7067006d2b.jpg

Raptured wrote:

Who will be the top American? Will Hall finish his first marathon in awhile? Will he ever get back to his former speed? He sounds healthy, so I peg him with a 2:08-mid finish, falling off the pack around mile 15 or 16. I bet Meb will PR, thanks to a fast leading pack that he also falls off, but finish just behind Hall after significantly closing the gap in the last couple miles.

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War of the has beens , please note recent times at Berlin ( yes a fast course ), puts both of these guys one mile behind ... Far better athletes in the run faster these days , both Meb and Hall have seen their best, lets hope we can get a new crop of younger americans to get excited about...