Imo this result is hard to decipher. Yeah it looks bad he was beaten so soundly by several other Americans, but on the other hand Galen usually doesn’t run fast halfs, even before he runs fast marathons.
Same thing with Ryan Hall, who ran marathons at basically his half marathon pace the same season multiple times. Both hadn't/haven't run track in ages so abilities were/are biased to the longer distance.
Idk 62 flat for a half 2.5 years out seems pretty damned good in my eyes. If he stays injury freez he could absolutely be the number 1 maratoner again. If he ran like 66 minutes I'd be concerned
Except he's not headed off to far flung spots in Ethiopia with Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe's husband.
Yeah Abdi was sauced to the eyeballs for that race. Mo and Paula were British doping cheats.
Rupp has always been clean, although he notably circumvented the rules into the gray area with Al Sal. He never did anything explicitly illegal--which he deserves credit for, but was seeking any possible legal advantage under Daddy Al Sal's orders.
I’m a big fan of Galen, and as far as doping accusations go his are among the mildest. But, I think there’s a lot of smoke to the idea that Salazar applied testosterone cream to him to aid in recovery.
The thing about rupp is “ once a gamer always a gamer”. This is why Meb and Abdi both made the marathon team late in their career. It’s important to remember that the marathon is unlike any event or distance. Much can go wrong and much can go right if you have the experience and overall fitness and ability. I’d count rupp out, never.
Except he's not headed off to far flung spots in Ethiopia with Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe's husband.
Rupp has always been clean, although he notably circumvented the rules into the gray area with Al Sal. He never did anything explicitly illegal--which he deserves credit for, but was seeking any possible legal advantage under Daddy Al Sal's orders.
His biological passport was flagged. People that don't use illegal substances have bio passports that DO NOT get flagged.
HIGH SCHOOL student athletes do not need asthma meds or test replacement "therapy."
How many clean athletes do you know that have stuff mailed to them by their coach in books with the center cut out? That would be none.
Salazar is/was the biggest bust and fall from grace in modern track history. You think his top athlete didn't do anything shady/illegal/immoral? GTFO.
Rupp has always been clean, although he notably circumvented the rules into the gray area with Al Sal. He never did anything explicitly illegal--which he deserves credit for, but was seeking any possible legal advantage under Daddy Al Sal's orders.
You think his top athlete didn't do anything shady/illegal/immoral?
That is correct. Rupp did not do anything shady, illegal, or immoral.
Honestly, I think it's a great effort. Galen is ironically playing the long game right now, to make the 2028 team. I could easily see him storming from behind to take the third spot at the trials.
How is this ironic?
It’s ironic because he’s already very old for a distance runner so you would think that more time (playing the long game) would actually be not in his favor.
Alberto never did anything to intentionally to circumvent the rules.
What about Cartinine Gate? Test cream applications/shots? (back in his running days AND with his star pupil/lab rat). Getting a high school CHILD on asthma and thyroid meds?
He more than "went out of his way to circumvent." He pushed the boundaries, went over some more.....and got caught. The sport got a little bit more wholesome when this arrogant POS was tossed out.
At his best he was only running around 60 flat for a half. And at his best he was running 2:06. He can still probably run 2:09, maybe a 2:08. But that's not going to get the job done to make another team. If the trials were on a fast course you'll need at least a 2:07 to make the team. This is because we've already got several guys who have run sub 2:08 in the last couple years, but put all the 2:08 and 2:09 guys on pace to run 2:07 high and adrenaline of top 3, they're going to push through. It's going to be a deep race at the 2028 trials. If they just choose a place that won't be 70+ degrees and mountainous terrain it's going to be a very fast day.
Rupp was a 5k/10k guy at his best. If there had been supershoes in 2012 and he concentrated on the marathon then he would have surely been under 2:05, Maybe 2:04.
I think the media like the Abdi comparison. And I think, if you're in Galen's corner, that's a solid way to motivate yourself.
But I just think, 2020 and 2024 were uniquely weak years for US marathoning in terms of the depth of the field. And even arguably 2016.
Historically the third spot, and in the 2020 trials even the second spot, was just anyone's game because the 2nd and 3rd best US marathoners were so far off the 1st and 2nd best, and at times even just flatly off the standard set by the rest of the world.
It feels like a dam is breaking. Before 2025, 3 men had gone under 60 in the marathon. Now 9 have. And that doesn't include names like Habtom Samuel and Zouhair Talbi. I think the 2028 field is going to be the most competitive US field in decades.
Any one runner could have a bad day, or be injured. Mantz can have a bad day, Samuel can have a bad day Talbi can have a bad day, Maier can have a bad day, Hicks can have a bad day, Klecker can have a bad day, Young can have a bad day, Biya can have a bad day, Kiptoo can have a bad day, Ryan Ford can have a bad day. But for all of them to have a bad day all at the same time is just asking for a lot.
Klecker is nowhere near being part of the conversation
The thing about rupp is “ once a gamer always a gamer”. This is why Meb and Abdi both made the marathon team late in their career. It’s important to remember that the marathon is unlike any event or distance. Much can go wrong and much can go right if you have the experience and overall fitness and ability. I’d count rupp out, never.
Rupp also has loads more NATURAL TALENT than those guys.
Look at that list being thrown around with Cam Meyer's mile time & take a look down at the only non-super spike area mile...Rupp 3:50 in 2013.
Rupp does not get an Olympic marathon medal without the plate shoes only 3 runners in the field had. Ghebreslassie and Simbu medal. Rupp finishes behind Ward.