The Drew Hunter Dilemma

I’m telling you that he SHOULD try to run the standard at the trials, because why not go for glory? If he doesn’t, he has a loser mentality and is content with being a middling US 2nd tier pro

his own hope of getting on a team is to take up the race walk

Drew Hunter doesn't have a dilemma. He isn't making the team in any event and he's smart enough to know that.

The dilemma is that he likely isn’t even going to try to make the team (by going for the standard). As a track fan, this makes me sad and is bad for the sport

The only way going for the standard works is if someone else is pushing the pace. We have a couple decades of examples of people chasing and dying.

now why he isn’t running a fast 5k this week….

If he doesn’t go for the standard, there is a 0% chance he makes the team.

if he goes for the standard, while there is a strong chance he blows up, there is at least a 1% chance it works and he makes the team.

Logically, if one wants to make the team, they would take the 1% chance over the 0% chance.

I hope he runs the 10k and places top 3 to show the illogic nature of Hunter haters.

”He didn’t deserve to make the 2019 Doha world championships team because he only finished 5th, he just luckily had the standard others didn’t have!”

”He finished top 3 but he didn’t deserve to qualify for the 2025 world championships team because he didn’t run the standard!

It’s very difficult to gap runners that are 30+ seconds faster and unless Fisher, Young and Blanks are injured, he has no chance. 1% is not enough to suffer through being passed by several runners and finishing with a 75 last lap. He would have to be the best runner in field to push the pace, get the standard and finish in the top three.

So you’re saying risking blowing up and suffering while taking a chance is worse than being complacent with not making worlds and accepting mediocrity??

Option 4. If he runs the 5000m and gets top 3 with a 13:10 he's right on the edge of being qualified by ranking. He has two other 13:14/13:17 races for his ranking right now, and a 13:10 or faster with top 3 should be enough to sneak him in. So that's what he should go for.

He has no chance of beating Fisher, Young or Blanks. Fisher can break 26:30 and Blanks, and especially Young are sub-26:40. Trying to gap those guys is impossible and even if had the standard, there’s no chance of him making the team. Running 3:33 and 27:24 does not make him a contender.

It’s great to see him running well after such a slow start after turning pro, but he’s not ready yet to take those guys on.

What’s the harm in him going for it though? Trying for greatness (and risking failure) is way better than settling for being 2nd tier

Thank you for this answer. This option makes the most sense (if the ranking thing is true)

I think realistically, that's where he is. Very, very good runner, but didn't progress quite as much as needed after going pro, and now getting overtaken by younger guys.

He's is too far off the best to beat three US runners in the 1500, 5000 and 10000, unless it's a tactical (meaning slow) 5000 or 10000. He can show up prominently, keep himself visible from a sponsorship point of view, and likely not make the team (I don't think trying to front run to the standard is going to come off). He can then go to the roads, and probably win a race or two in the USATF road championships. He could make teams for the World Road Race Championships.

Not against the guy, and was full of admiration for his gutsy 10000m effort in the trials, but the reality is that he is a top of second tier domestic pro, not a Olympic/World/Diamond League level track runner.

Tinman Delite

So you’re saying he should be content with being 2nd tier domestically and not aim higher? Because placing mid pack is better for sponsors than risking a blow up and coming in last?

I feel like fans would be way more inspired to buy ASICS if he went for the standard and blew up compared to if he finished 3rd (at best) in a tactical 10k (not even trying to make worlds). The fans love a runner with guts (ex. Prefontaine)

Remember the respect and admiration Cooper Teare got for blowing up at NCAA XC??

Needs to post more videos.

This dilemma shouldn't be reserved or talked about for Drew Hunter at this scale. Every time he runs well in something these boards light up. Imagine if Drew wasn't the high school phenom we can't seem to leave behind in our minds. He'd then just be in the same boat as every other runner who's on the outside looking in (on a top 3/world qualifying spot). It's simple, he's one of those guys whom you think might has a shot but given the depth and top heaviness at the front of the US distance events, will likely fall just short; as will a ton of others just given the depth. All the attention this guy gets all because he was good in high school whether you admit it or not. He's also the spoiled "yes man" or however Josh Kerr would put it, that always had to be top dog and get his way. Still has yet to accept any real responsibility for the Tinman departure or contract disputes. Just immature, like a high schooler lol.