Can Hall set the Marathon WR?

You're an idiot if you think those predictions carry any relevance in this thread, save the Webb/Ritz 10k claim.

This is a running forum--we're not pros at predicting football game outcomes, let alone the potential development of distance runners based on a couple of great performances.

That said, sure Hall has potential to chase the Marathon WR. Who knows who will break the WR in any event at any point. There are likely numerous runners in any event who have a shot at breaking the world record in their event, if their training comes together perfectly, the race unfolds ideally, and the stars align properly.

No way. Hall had a great run but I'd like to see him under 13:05 and 27:20 before we start crowning him. I think a marathon debut for him would be in the 2:09-2:11 range.

KK didn't run those numbers for 5 and 10. 2:08 at least, or what the fu?

does anyone remember how ecited the experts were after ritz ran the great north run last september?

how did his debut work out?

the marathon is a cruel race.

But Ryan is more talented than Ritz. Don't get me wrong-Ritz has got talent and grit. Hall has a lot more talent and just as much grit. Can't compare apples and oranges. Ritz may run sub-2:10 one of these days, but I think he'll tap out there. Who knows where Ryan taps out. He is one of those rare kinds of runners that only comes along every so often. Has he had his ups and downs? Yep. Will it be clear sailing from here? Nope. But when he is healthy and in a groove, I think Ryan can toe the line with anyone. Give him another year or so to gain a little more experience and watch what he will do.

Two things that stood out to me when I trained with Ryan and lived with the Halls. One, Ryan was fast, but not blessed with a lot of pure footspeed. I remember timing him when he ran a short, fast workout to see where his 300m and 200m speed was. He couldn't break 40 for the 300m or 25 for the 200m (this was at sea level). In the end he ran something like 50 point for the open 400m his senior year (compared to Webb's 47 point split). Two, we did a hill surge run one day. I mean all we did was climb, surging for something like 2-3 minutes, "gliding" for 1 minute. In the first 5 minutes Ryan was gone. All I could think that day was, "This guy is a horse who has three lungs." Mickey mentioned it on Flocast.com, but I remember the day he and Ryan came back from Ryan's 10 mile threshold when he ran under 49 minutes. Unreal. And that wasn't the only time he ran under 50 minutes for a 10 mile threshold in high school.

Also, Ryan is clearly on an upward trajectory at this moment. No plateau in sight.