Can Ryan Hall medal or win the Olympic Marathon?

Have you paid much attention at the Olympics for the past 50 years? Kenya has never won the marathon, but Ethiopia has:

Abebe Bikila (twice)

Mamo Wolde

Gezahegn Abera

Fatuma Roba

Since 1960, they've won 5 Olympica marathon golds. In that same time frame, no other country has won more than two. I'd call that some 'A' game.

Sure 5 golds in 50 years is impressive, but compare that to how Kenya and Ethiopia have fared when it comes to placing in big city marathons.

The sometimes less than ideal conditions and the lack of pacemakers definitely seems to have an effect.

Kenyans and ehtiopians are completely justified for not having their fastest guys in the race. Your looking at guys who dont have the same financial opportunities as a US runner. Ryan Hall could quit running today, find a job and do just fine for himself. the same cant be said for every Kenyan marathoner. Therefore, I dont blame them for not running Olympic marathons because instead they can go get a nice payday at a big city marathon.

Ryan Hall can medal if he can get his hands on a singlet that actually fits him. Without that blue parachute he wore at the Trials, this guy is going to fly.

LA Fan wrote:

If he stays lanced and on the clear it should be no problem.

never gets old

roboto wrote:

Ryan Hall can medal if he can get his hands on a singlet that actually fits him. Without that blue parachute he wore at the Trials, this guy is going to fly.

good point. maybe it just helps with nipple chaffing or something.

Remember my name. Hall will win the gold. Ritz slips in for the bronze. You heard it here.

southie wrote:

Medal shot yes, terrible conditions predicted, might not be all that dis similar to Athens with strength runners (Baldini, Meb) outlasting speed guys (Tergat, Radcliffe)

Finally, somebody on letsrun that posted something that is reasoned and makes sense... The Beijing course is supposed to be tough with similarly hot conditions as Athens, and I bet that nobody on letsrun correctly predicted the top 3 men's finishers prior to the race. A lot of guys will probably be in the mix for a medal. It seems to me that Hall has the credentials to be in the running depending how the race plays out that particular day.

yes, it could happen...look at 2004 and the Americans! It would take some luck, some racing smarts, etc., but IS possible.

Ryan Hall is the Bill Gates of running. He owns the Marathon. He gonna fly like Muahammad Ali on Raisenettes. His sting will be like that of a Porcupine. His essence will be of Sandlewood. His fist pumping will be in the midst of an orgasmic Victory. He is the Second coming of American Distance Running.. Watch out for the Phenomenon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He has a chance if he stays on his juicing schedule.

as long as he can wear an oxygen mask

geb has not shown he can beat a top notch marathon field. at this point i would bet on someone like cheriyout, lel, limo, or goumri. all of these guys, with maybe goumri as an exception, are proven winners over the last 1-2 years in the biggest marathons. goumri hasn't tasted victory but he was 2nd in london and nyc on his first and second attempts at the distance. hall is a medal contender at this point because of his massive negative split at the trials. the rest of his credentials are not much different than any other contender but the trials was an impressive performance. geb is getting old and is probably going too deep into the well by running his third marathon this year similar to what meb did after his silver medal. as many previous posters have said though, anything can happen, its the marathon, no pacers, terrible weather, etc. hopefully no one assaults the leader late in the race like in athens.