zvcxzcvx wrote:
TheSummerSoldier wrote:
Did you get a chance to talk to Ritz, Teg, or their coaches before the race even though you didn't go? If you did, could you share some of that with us?
??
I didn't know if you did like pre-interview research for the team. I'm a writer too. Sometimes I will call folks even before a pitch just to feel a story. Guess that wasn't the case here. Anyway, thank you for your openness about this event.
Kobbs Hessler wrote:
Ben True's 6th in the senior race at the 2013 World Cross was another great story. It was the best American performance since the early/mid 80s when we had Virgin, Salzar, and Porter and remains the highest American finish this century.
Goucher was 6th in the short race in 2006, only 8 seconds behind the winner. And, of course, you are leaving out the impressive performances of some US women.
read me a story wrote:
Kobbs Hessler wrote:
Ben True's 6th in the senior race at the 2013 World Cross was another great story. It was the best American performance since the early/mid 80s when we had Virgin, Salzar, and Porter and remains the highest American finish this century.
Goucher was 6th in the short race in 2006, only 8 seconds behind the winner. And, of course, you are leaving out the impressive performances of some US women.
Here are some other top finishes this century:
2002
Women’s Senior Race - Deena Drossin 2nd, Colleen de Reuck 3rd, US women’s team 2nd.
Women’s short race - Suzy Favor Hamilton 5th.
2003
Women’s Senior Race - Deena Drossin 2nd, US women’s team 3rd.
2010
US women’s team 3rd.
2011
Women’s Senior Race – Shalane Flanagan 3rd, US women’s team 3rd.
Also, I think Goucher’s performance in 2006 was far more impressive than True’s. He was only 8 seconds behind Bekele and look at some of the people he beat.
1 Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia 10:54
2 Isaac Songok Kenya 10:55
3 Adil Kaouch Morocco 10:57
4 Benjamin Limo Kenya 11:00
5 Ali Abdosh Ethiopia 11:01
6 Adam Goucher United States 11:02
7 Augustine Choge Kenya 11:03
8 Edwin Cheruiyot Soi Kenya 11:06
9 Saif Saeed Shaheen Qatar 11:08
10 Sultan Khamis Zaman Qatar 11:08
11 Craig Mottram Australia 11:10
12 Sileshi Sihine Ethiopia 11:12
Now compare that field with the field in 2013. The top of the field in 2006 was far better.
1 Japhet Kipyegon Korir Kenya 32:45:00
2 Imane Merga Ethiopia 32:51:00
3 Teklemariam Medhin Eritrea 32:54:00
4 Moses Ndiema Kipsiro Uganda 33:08:00
5 Timothy Toroitich Uganda 33:09:00
6 Ben True United States 33:11:00
7 Goitom Kifle Eritrea 33:16:00
8 Collis Birmingham Australia 33:18:00
9 Feyisa Lilesa Ethiopia 33:22:00
10 Chris Derrick United States 33:23:00
11 Rabah Aboud Algeria 33:28:00
12 Hosea Mwok Macharinyang Kenya 33:29:00