RITZ 12:56 NEW AMERICAN RECORD!!!!!

I figured today Ritz might be good for a 13:08; from the comments I heard, he and Alberto would have been very happy with a 13:05. The whole thing was stunning to watch on Universal, to actually see Ritz appearing to get within striking distance of Bekele for a bit.

I'm not going to say who should or shouldn't forego the marathon right now, although there are certain parties that seem to want to rush anyone who's even got talent in the 1500 into the marathon. But one thing people are starting to remember is that fast 5k and 10k PRs on the track are essential building blocks in the marathon. Desirtee Davila, for one, substantially lowered her 10,000 time this spring as a precursor to the 2:27:53 marathon she ran in Berlin.

But Dathan, thankfully, won't be doing a marathon anytime soon.

To all the knee-jerk accusers: Was Ritz also doping when he finished third to Bekele in WJXC, a race which this echoes?

The masses, and hence advertisers/sponsors, pay more attention to the marathon than the track.

I'm sure Al won't do anything detrimental to his athletes, but he will have to pay attention to those footing the bills.

Ritz showed more potential than Bob Kennedy, so while it may be a surprise to see the AR at this particular time and place, it shouldn't be a surprise in the long view.

Here are the results in 2002. Notice the 4th and 5th finishers. It's as if order is restored, somehow.

1 182 Bekele Kenenisa ETH 25:04

2 323 Lebo Duncan KEN 25:37 0:33

3 534 Ritzenhein Dathan USA 25:46 0:42

4 315 Kemboi Nicholas KEN 25:52 0:48

5 Tegenkamp Mattew USA 25:55 0:51

6 317 Kipchumba Robert KEN 26:00 0:56

7 191 Tedla Alemayehu ETH 26:02 0:58

8 193 Zewdie Maregu ETH 26:14 1:10

9 184 Debrework Beruk ETH 26:15 1:11

10 510 Wakou Paul UGA 26:17 1:13

static cling wrote:

To all the knee-jerk accusers: Was Ritz also doping when he finished third to Bekele in WJXC, a race which this echoes?

This is a much bigger deal. That was a mudfest that favored the Americans, and he still lost by like 40 seconds.

That faint "THUD!" you just heard coming from the direction of Eugene? Brad Hudson's stock as a coach hitting rock bottom.

Why? For delivering a solid healthy Ritz at Salazar's doorstep for finish work?

Yeah, that's exactly what Hudson planned to do. (wink wink!)

congrats to ritz! this will only elevate the expectations of american distance runners.

TFFlyer wrote:

That was the best competitive performance I've seen by an American distance runner since Prefontaine in 1972 ... Ritz ran his own race (dead last at 2k) and had the fastest last 4 laps in the end to get 3rd place overall in Zurich 5000m ... Congrat's Ritz ... American record and # 2 best non-African performance ever!

TF

I think you meant to say:

That was the best competitive performance I've seen by an American distance runner since Lagat 6 days ago.

Other Americans who've done as well or better than Pre since 1972:

Shalane

Kara

Teg

Webb

Ritz

Meb

Deena

Kannouchi

BK

Lynn Jennings

Jim Spivey

Brian Diemer

Mark Nenow

Bruce Bickford

Marianne Dickerson

Joan Benoit

Doug Padilla

Steve Scott

Bill Rodgers

Frank Shorter

TFFlyer wrote:

That was the best competitive performance I've seen by an American distance runner since Prefontaine in 1972

My guess is that you've been watching distance running since maybe last week.

Exposing the fanboys that populate this board for what they are.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

just watched the replay.

-Yeah, third in a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP is not that "big of a deal"- Yeah, lighter, more nimble Americans *always* kick African butt in the mud.-Yeah, "like 40 seconds" (42 to be exact) in a race of nearly 26-minute duration is as if Dathan's 5k PR were now, what, TWENTY SECONDS slower than KB's 12:36 5k PR....yeah, no compariso... oh, oops...

dwigt schrude wrote:

static cling wrote:

To all the knee-jerk accusers: Was Ritz also doping when he finished third to Bekele in WJXC, a race which this echoes?

This is a much bigger deal. That was a mudfest that favored the Americans, and he still lost by like 40 seconds.

newname wrote:

I have repeated it about 100 times over the last 10 yrs. Ritz was a 1:54/4:05/8:41 runner as a JUNIOR ... how many juniors over time have had PRs for all three that fast? Not Ryun, not Pre, not Virgin, not Lindgren.

Well -- Ryun did run 3:59.0 as a HS junior.

Ritz is pretty attractive :)

i agree with spencer wrote:

guess that proves that al sal is the f***ing man....well at least for coaching.

the next 2 years will be something else, webb back in the mix, german smashing, ritz!?! this will send shock waves through the american distance scene. it is on boys and girls

Uhm, ever hear of his 4 Marathon Victories?

Not to mention his American Records.

newname wrote:

I have repeated it about 100 times over the last 10 yrs. Ritz was a 1:54/4:05/8:41 runner as a JUNIOR ... how many juniors over time have had PRs for all three that fast? Not Ryun, not Pre, not Virgin, not Lindgren.

He was a 13:44 runner as a senior. Had he not concentrated so strongly on getting the 5k HSR he would have had better PRs at 800/1600/3200 ... not records but better. Maybe the 2mile record.

Are you kidding? According to an SI article in '01, he could barely break 54 sec for 400m.

He is the best American high school cross country runner ever, save for Gerry Lindgren.

I have little doubt he could have broken the then existing high school record for two miles had he made a concentrated go at it.

I thought the 8:11 two mile race validated his talent, but today's performance took it a step further.

I never agreed with his focus on the marathon at this stage in his career. Yes, he lacks the speed to win major track races but I though if he had long concentrated on the track he would have already had times at this level from 3k to 10k. Like Carlos Lopes, he could have run marathons later in his career.