Live Webcast of World XC Championship this Saturday.

Well 11th place isn't too bad i guess. He's the first non african is he not?

Kenya and Ethiopia definitely smoked us.....I count that Uganda beat us by 34 points. Not bad USA for an injured German and lack of participation by some of our better juniors.

Derrick and Puskedra were both top 10 at NCAA XC as true frosh which is unbelievable, in the top 30 here.

How about the women's race?? Neely Spence 19th 22:33

Lickety Split wrote:

Kenya and Ethiopia definitely smoked us.....I count that Uganda beat us by 34 points. Not bad USA for an injured German and lack of participation by some of our better juniors.

This has to be our best top 3 (in terms of talent) ever.

wejo wrote:

Derrick and Puskedra were both top 10 at NCAA XC as true frosh which is unbelievable, in the top 30 here.

More to the point, is there any *adult* American who could have won this race?

What's up with Puskedra? Is he not running as well as he was in cross or has Derrick stepped it up that much?

Very very solid placings especially injury considered for Fernandez.

Lost a bit of ground over last 7 minutes.

Have to believe an uninjured Fernandez may even have been a top 5-7 candidate.Just the shipping to another side of the World alone for 18 year olds, can be taxing for the first time.

Great job.

damn wat the heck do u need to have to beat those kenyans? sub 3.50 indoor mile???

Wow! The leaders put half a minute on German in the last loop. All the times seem slow, so I'm guessing the course just ran very slow. But adding 29 seconds to their lead over German after the 3rd lap? Hard to believe they're that much better than him ... I look forward to hearing an interview, to hear how German's leg felt.

I am shocked! It is a stretch even for me to say that German could have won had he not been injured. These runners are better cross country runners than they are even on the track.

KICK wrote:

damn wat the heck do u need to have to beat those kenyans? sub 3.50 indoor mile???

While the mile's not the best indicator of how one will perform over 8k on a hilly course ... you may be right. I'm guessing those top 6 or so could close a fast 5k under 4. While they never run a mile on the track, they probably have incredible mile speed.

They just wound it up. Start seamed pretty slow and then the Kenyan who was 2nd destroyed everyone for a few mins other than the guy that ended up winning. Winner went like a train up the last hill and looked great, if about 24 years old!!

They start fast and get faster it seems. Good run by the USA guys though.

wejo wrote:

This has to be our best top 3 (in terms of talent) ever.

The 2001 group might argue that.

Ritz 3rd

Teg 5th

Spiker 24th

Dobson 39th

Nothing like a little bad taste in his mouth to make him HUNGRY. Hopefully, he (German) doesn't work that much harder and get more injured.

He lost to a guy named AbsHero. German's gotta do more than 800 situps to match that.

Gotta love the age haters.

If the people beating Fernandez are all 24, then the people beating Rupp, Ritz and Meb on the track are in their 50s. It works at both ends..so what gives?

Ladies are 7 minutes in.

Kim Smith is leading atm, Steph Twell is in lead pack too.

after first lap...

Pos Bib Athlete Mark Gap

1 23 Mimi BELETE BRN 5:52

2 72 Deska MAMITU ETH 5:52

3 154 Kimberley SMITH NZL 5:53 +0:01

4 130 Pauline Chemning KORIKWIANG KEN 5:53 +0:01

5 125 Iness Chepkesis CHENONGE KEN 5:53 +0:01

6 129 Florence Jebet KIPLAGAT KEN 5:53 +0:01

7 65 Gelete BURKA ETH 5:53 +0:01

8 126 Lineth CHEPKURUI KEN 5:53 +0:01

9 73 Meselech MELKAMU ETH 5:53 +0:01

10 64 Wude AYALEW ETH 5:53 +0:01

Anonym0us wrote:

More to the point, is there any *adult* American who could have won this race?

Not a chance. Probably less than 10 Americans who would have even beat an injured Fernandez today. From that top group, you'll probably see several sub-13 performances this summer.