New Haven

Von G - it is likely that many of these posts are by 1 or 2 New Haven "locals" that worked the race andare trying to diminish the problems with the race. Frequent posters to this Board understand that some threads are just 1-2 people beating their point of view into the ground (under numerous screen names). JimG, any views on the race and course?

George VonG. wrote:

Any info on the seconds lost by Abdi when he was led off course or "disturbed" by a wayward car? I cannot believe the board is not blasting someone for this (the various race reports mention it, but did not dwell on it, so maybe it was only a few seconds).

Technical question, does any race ranking group adjust times for such things? I have seen mentions of rankings that adjust for weather and altitude, so why not course problems.

Jim G. assists with elite athletes. I do the same, but was not even there for the event on Monday. I always post under my own name as does Jim. From those on the press truck and from the liaison to the race, they were upset about 2-3 cars on the course and a garbage truck at one point. I would say that it's not bad to close the streets of a big city like New Haven for 3-4 hours and have the problems limited to this. Again, from what I am told, Abdi "danced around" a van doing a turn on the course at the same time the press truck/lead vehicle stopped. If it cost him 2-3 seconds, I'd be surprised. I was also told he took a wrong turn and may have lost 4-5 seconds there. Conspiracy theories continue to abound on Letsrun!!

Ray, cut the crap. You saw it. The people on the press truck saw it. And the few of us on that lonely stretch at mile 8 saw it. Abdi was abducted by aliens that uncloaked for just 20 seconds, which was enough time to scoop him up and study him. They put him back pretty much where he was taken. So he lost 20seconds, and during that 20seconds it's not like he didn't get a little rest,I am sure his heart race was through the roof being in the alien spaceship. The guy next to me claimed he saw a Brooks logo on the spaceship and concluded that the Hansons were trying to bump Abdi off, or at least study him, so they could get one of their guys on the World team. I told him I doubted either of those organizations had the belief in science to pull something like that off and told him he was trying to spin a conspiracy. The stuff about the alien spaceship is true though, that much I am sure of.

The course at Austin will not be used. Why? Because the Hansons said that it would not be fair to use a downhill course. Hardly fits in with the silly argument about the Hansons looking for a loophole.

so wait, the hansons get to decide what courses are used or not? shouldn't the usatf people decided by themselves?

No. They just asked that their athletes times not be used from Austin because of the downhill course.

huh? wrote:

so wait, the hansons get to decide what courses are used or not? shouldn't the usatf people decided by themselves?

Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Can I ask why Mike Morgan would be considered for the World Half team? Abdi, Shay, Jason H. (How many are being taken from New Haven?) He was behind Matt G., Jason L, Chris Graff, Matt Lane, Justin Young, and Peter De La Cerda at the Houston Half in Jan. AND Downin, Baker, Cordes, and Driscoll at the New Haven 20k.

With all due respect, why would Mike Morgan be chosen unless it was because he was a Team Hanson member? It looks to me like there are a dozen or so qualified candidates that should be chosen BEFORE Mr. Morgan is considered.

And I'm still confused why he was chosen for the RRCA scholarship when he is fully funded athlete.

Could it be because he is a Hanson athlete?

DAZED wrote:

And I'm still confused why he was chosen for the RRCA scholarship when he is fully funded athlete.

Could it be because he is a Hanson athlete?

Mike Morgan has been a Hanson athlete since August 15th 2005. The Roads Scholar was awarded months ago.

Yes, but...perhaps he indicated his intention to train with the Hanson's. If he didn't then it still seems an odd coincidence. Whatever. Who really cares when you think about it...Life is political. Someone said that before, I think.

Then also, Why was Trent awarded the scholarship? Nothing against Trent, but He was a Hanson member, wasn't he?

Thanks for the info. I am always surprised when a lead vehicle misses a turn (but, I have never been in such a venhicle, so I do not know the issues). Maybe the course designer or maybe the measurer should be in the lead vehicle.

On cars, that probably happens in many (but not the "best") city races - a garbage truck seems a little odd. More of an injury/liability issue than anything.

Confused? wrote:

Can I ask why Mike Morgan would be considered for the World Half team? Abdi, Shay, Jason H. (How many are being taken from New Haven?) He was behind Matt G., Jason L, Chris Graff, Matt Lane, Justin Young, and Peter De La Cerda at the Houston Half in Jan. AND Downin, Baker, Cordes, and Driscoll at the New Haven 20k.

With all due respect, why would Mike Morgan be chosen unless it was because he was a Team Hanson member? It looks to me like there are a dozen or so qualified candidates that should be chosen BEFORE Mr. Morgan is considered.

lets play by the rules.

2 of top 3 from US half marathon

LEHMKUHLE was the only one to accept

2 of top 3 from 20k.

ABDI accepted

SHAY accepted

THE RULES NOW SAY THAT THE REMAINING POSITIONS ARE SELECTED FROM A TIMED LIST OF 20K AND HALF MARATHON.

The fastest 20k time is 61:15 (Hartman) which converts to a 64:52 for a half marathon which would make him the 5th selection behind Morgan.

1:04:17 Christopher Graff declined

1:04:18 Matthew Lane hurt

1:04:36 Justin Young coming off of surgery

1:04:48 Peter delaCerda retired

1:04:48 Michael Morgan would be the 4th selection

1:05:08 Nicholas Rogers (OR)

1:05:12 Peter Gilmore (CA)

The US half-marathon was way back in Jan. Why wouldn't they choose the remaining slots - that are based on time - using recent results? Also, why wouldn't Matt G. accept a spot?

I agree with you. I believe that they use the Houston race to show some love for Houston. I don't know the story with Gabrielson. I think that he is returning from injury. If he does accept then that would keep Jason Hartman off the team and that would also be a shame. I believe that current fitness should outweigh what happened in January. They should go right down the list from New Haven until they get 5 guys to say yes. If you want to be on the World Half team, show up to New Haven.

Estes will make the call

Why does anyone have to "make the call"? Set up standards and then stick to them. We have no problems selecting a World Cross Team. We have no problem selecting an Olympic Team (assuming everyone has the A standard). Why make it political when our sport is so simple? You run and you go.

You should never have more than one race deciding a single team. I hope that USATF is paying close attention to this. Just wait until the politics involved in the selection process for the Olympic marathon team.

Matt Lane is not hurt, he ran 1:04:02 for a half marathon 10 days ago in san jose. check out the san jose mercury news.