certifiably wrote:
It's no wonder then, that while Webb has inspired Hunter, Hunter's biggest running idol is actually Centro. In the end, it's winners not time trialers that matter
It is more than Hunter is too young to remember Webb. Seriously by the time he turned like 12 Webb was no longer a factor.
Dat Troll Do wrote:
DLR wrote:Yes. That was as good an answer as possible.
Excellent answer but if he was being honest he would have said Ritzenhein.
You mean the guy that is 2 mins slower than Hall and who couldn't beat Webb over 10k?:) Hall had more fast races than the others. Their peak races are all very similiar in quality. None have medals in WC/olympics
o.o wrote:
They're all on a drug, sub 4 just isn't naturally possible.
PLEASE!!! Most ridiculous comment ever!!!
I had no idea that Webb was such a smart, articulate and thoughtful guy. Come Nov 4, he's my write-in candidate of choice.
asdfads wrote:
Dat Troll Do wrote:Excellent answer but if he was being honest he would have said Ritzenhein.
You mean the guy that is 2 mins slower than Hall and who couldn't beat Webb over 10k?:) Hall had more fast races than the others. Their peak races are all very similiar in quality. None have medals in WC/olympics
I give it to Ritz because I feel he was the most well-rounded--success in XC, on the track, and in the marathon. He made the Olympics twice as compared to once for Hall and Webb. And he is still competing whereas the other two are retired. Webb's mile record is the most impressive time and I think Hall's stint as a top-marathoner was probably the closest to the top of the world, but Ritz's total package eclipses them.
Dat Troll Do wrote:
I give it to Ritz because I feel he was the most well-rounded--success in XC, on the track, and in the marathon. He made the Olympics twice as compared to once for Hall and Webb. And he is still competing whereas the other two are retired. Webb's mile record is the most impressive time and I think Hall's stint as a top-marathoner was probably the closest to the top of the world, but Ritz's total package eclipses them.
I'm with you. This is all totally subjective, but if I had to pick which resume I would want to have out of those three, it would definitely be Ritz's. Even though Webb beat Ritz in their only 10K matchup, Ritz was clearly the best out of three in the 5K/10K, based on PR and World placing (even Webb acknowledged this). In the 3K/2 miles, it was very close between Ritz and Webb, although I'd give a slight edge to Webb. The mile, that's a no brainer. Then as you move up to half marathon, Hall has the edge but Ritz wasn't far behind him. Then Ritz put together some good marathons, including his 2:07 at Chicago and Olympic finish (ahead of Hall). Plus Ritz is still active as you mentioned, so the book isn't closed.
So yeah, based on his range from 3K to marathon, I'd give it to Ritz but I could see someone making case for any of the 3.
Yes, a 5k / 10k runner was better than a miler and a marathoner at 5k / 10k, that is definitely true. I have no idea how that makes Ritz better than the other two.
Good interview. Alan is really likable guy.
Thanks for everything you gave us, Alan!
Letsrunner wrote:
Dat Troll Do wrote:I give it to Ritz because I feel he was the most well-rounded--success in XC, on the track, and in the marathon. He made the Olympics twice as compared to once for Hall and Webb. And he is still competing whereas the other two are retired. Webb's mile record is the most impressive time and I think Hall's stint as a top-marathoner was probably the closest to the top of the world, but Ritz's total package eclipses them.
I'm with you. This is all totally subjective, but if I had to pick which resume I would want to have out of those three, it would definitely be Ritz's. Even though Webb beat Ritz in their only 10K matchup, Ritz was clearly the best out of three in the 5K/10K, based on PR and World placing (even Webb acknowledged this). In the 3K/2 miles, it was very close between Ritz and Webb, although I'd give a slight edge to Webb. The mile, that's a no brainer. Then as you move up to half marathon, Hall has the edge but Ritz wasn't far behind him. Then Ritz put together some good marathons, including his 2:07 at Chicago and Olympic finish (ahead of Hall). Plus Ritz is still active as you mentioned, so the book isn't closed.
So yeah, based on his range from 3K to marathon, I'd give it to Ritz but I could see someone making case for any of the 3.
More like 2:08 unless you think Hall was a 2:04 runner:)
How many top 5s did he have in the marathon with nonAmericans
Ritz: 2
Hall: 6
it is easy to forgot about how good Hall was for those 5 years before he faded away. The dude showed up at every marathon he ran and even if he didn't win, he was there. That was a period of domination the other 2 never did.
Webb and Ritz had similiar careers. Some great races, some ok ones, and a lot of disappointment.
Someone said none of them had WC/Olympic medals, and that is not true. Ritz had bronze at 2009 Half WC. He ran his PR of 60 flat there in a championship race. It's a solid performance.
As for Ritz definitely being better than Webb at 5000 and 10000, I'm not so sure. According to IAAF, Webb ran exactly 1 10000, beating Ritz, and a single 5000, running 13:10, back when that time meant more.
Webb also ran sub 1:44 for 800. That's great range. A standard from 800 to 10000.
Neither Hall nor Ritz could say that. Rupp probably couldn't do it either due to lack of 800 wheels.
oh please wrote:
Someone said none of them had WC/Olympic medals, and that is not true. Ritz had bronze at 2009 Half WC. He ran his PR of 60 flat there in a championship race. It's a solid performance.
As for Ritz definitely being better than Webb at 5000 and 10000, I'm not so sure. According to IAAF, Webb ran exactly 1 10000, beating Ritz, and a single 5000, running 13:10, back when that time meant more.
Webb also ran sub 1:44 for 800. That's great range. A standard from 800 to 10000.
Neither Hall nor Ritz could say that. Rupp probably couldn't do it either due to lack of 800 wheels.
The half WC isn't an event that anyone plans their season (or even summer peak) around. It like coming in 3rd in london or winning a golden league event. A nice feather but not something people dream about as kids.
July of 2007 was amazing for Webb. He was pretty much unstoppable at the time. It was too bad he couldn't carry it over to the world champs.