lohalloran wrote:
Man there are some idiots out there. Hall will probably run a new course record and still come in 3rd. This race is definitely not set up for him to win. It's probably one of the most competitive Boston races ever. You've got the Boston and Chicago champs running, both of who are smart and can run much faster than they have already run. You have Merga, who is liable to go out at 1:01 pace and kill everyone and you have a 20yr old kenyan who has run 2:07 in his only marathon ever. Hall is going to need to run the race of his life to take this one.
Yes, it's definitely going to be a great day, whatever happens. Hall has exceeded expectations in three marathons and a half marathon. Only in the Olympics did he miss the boat. He's certainly primed to exceed expectations once again--which would, in this case, have him throw down like a stud beat every guy you mentioned. It's far from a sure thing, although not the longest of long shots. He's a better bet for 2nd or 3rd than first, but only a fool would completely rule him out for first, given the fact that his PR is the fastest.
He surprised in the Olympics by failing to deliver a great race. But he's been honest about the training mistakes that hobbled him, and he's likewise been honest about the terrific shape he's in this time. If he wins the race by beating one of these guys in a head-to-head, down-to-the-wire race, or by running away decisively, then yes, it will certainly be one of the greatest sporting events I've ever seen on TV, precisely because his victory is anything but a sure thing, and arguably not likely.