So both James Preston and Peter Bol were rumored to be running but Bol is not going to race until mid Feb now and Preston has pulled out because he was dealing with something health related.
It's interesting because there is no oval indoor track there (there isn't one in all of NZ actually) but they do have an 8 lane 60m indoor surface there in the sports hall next to the track. So they 60m races, 60m hurdles, jumps and the shot put.
Back to the 800m, I would guess that the 50.5 was floated when Bol and at least Preston were potentially starting. Clearly the Ruthe camp has control over this pace how - I'd guess it's closer to 51.5 with his target being 52.0
What can he run? Well the Hastings track has short straights and long bends which is great for distance running. Problem might be the wind because at this time of the year in HB the wind rarely drops before complete sunset and the race is at what, 7.40pm? Shame they couldn't get the floodlights on for this one.
I think he might run a small PR battling the breeze. 1.46.55 for the win.