Klecker to give the half another shot, running US Champs in Atlanta hoping to qualify for Worlds + Kelati & 20k prizes

I really have a hard time understanding Biya Simbassa. I mean, nothing (except Tokyo) is off the table with signing up for US Road Champs. I'm not sure the mechanics of it but he could still theoretically enter Boston or London. I just haven't heard any news on that front.

But I find his lack of a spring major marathon disturbing. Perhaps he simply prefers road racing to marathoning. I don't know.

Good to see Tyler Day back in the mix. It's been a minute.

Looks like the new Puma signees are going all in on the roads this winter--solid strength work that may generate some nice results on the track this summer.

What can 2:06 man Simbassa do on the Atlanta hills?

Can in-form Vestri narrow the gap btwn her and Kelati?

Bor was 1st American in the Houston Half. Once again?

Clay-t, all by his lonesome in this one.

I hope Klecker doesn't get too greedy. Any podium spot would be a solid rebound from his previous race.

Could this be Klecker’s last race as a pro? Wouldn’t be surprised if he hangs it up after not breaking 61 again

No one is breaking 61 minutes on this course. Times will be 2 minutes slower than we saw in Houston.
Track guys just throw times out like every course is the same.

I do not understand the downvotes on your post. this is not inflammatory stuff. I feel Klecker is one of those Webb/Solinksy types (though not with the same peak) who has pushed his body to achieve good things, but has taxed his adrenal system to the point where I don't think there is much left to offer. I anticipate injury, retirement or lackluster results... and NO slight on this guy, he's put in the work and achieved some great results.

yeah Wejo we’ve known klecker was gonna run this race for a few weeks now. He announced it on his Strava. But yeah great thanks for telling us almost a month later

Huh?

20k ftw not bad at all

poor Mantz, set an AR and already forgotten

Oops! Change that to 1st American in the voluminous tier of guys below Mantz...

Downvotes simply mean people don't agree with a poster.

What is gazelle elite of grand rapids? How do they have adidas backing, are they the new tinman elite? Have 2 athletes in field.

Gazelle Sports is a local running store in West Michigan for the past 40 years. Them sponsoring a couple semi-pro runners isn't really crazy.

I'm not familiar with the group. Despite the Adidas connection, it seems more similar to Railroad Athletics rather than the Hunter/Fischer/Parsons-led pro team.

you have unlocked the mystery to me.

my opinion is that Klecker's career will be a struggle going forward. I don't wish this and I don't feel negatively about him at all. I am absolutely rooting for him and hope I am wrong!! but I think ignoring the warning signs and after effects of his epic battles (and great results) with Woody in 2023 and disappointing 2024, his huge training efforts and good but lower than expected results is short sighted.

could it be that Klecker is finally rounding the corner on injury and has a clear path back to great results? its possible. 28 isn't old man territory. but we have examples of runners who burned it super hot... so hot they burned it out...

hope I'm wrong here, dude is a beast and has had an awesome career. would love to see him mixing it up with Grant, with Mantz or whomever/wherever he chooses to race.

This is awesome! Have we ever had a half champs this deep before?

Both sides look stacked. Great to see so many people coming out and so many young (24-27) athletes.

That COVID eligibility set a lot of people up really well. A bonus year of funded running does wonders

I’d like to see Taylor Roe make her way into a USA uniform in her 2nd 1/2 marathon ever.

Young, but no Mantz? Half might be too short for Young. Why not Casey Clinger in here? Instead he's busy running 13:30 5k's, he could easily be running what Alex Maier is.

Right now CJ is the 3rd guy in for the US to Tokyo world championships. CJ is pretty far ahead of Biya due to the massive 65 bonus points from Chicago. I think it's dumb that CJ gets 65 bonus points for a 2:08:17 at Chicago (they only pay out 5 international athletes and don't get very deep of fields) but Valencia Biya didn't get anything because it's not a WMM even though they have way deeper fields. Biya ran 2:06:53 there. Nothing against CJ, but Biya could show up to and win Grandma's Marathon and run yet another PR of 2:06:20 and CJ would still be ranked above Biya. A course that CJ himself has run multiple times and never ran under 2:10.. The bonus points are a bit much. Running 2:08 and not even being on the podium shouldn't be better than a 2:06 victory somewhere else.