Anyone Know What Happened to Deriba Merga at Chicago? He's Racing This Weekend

Wasn't he quoted as saying that finishing worse than third was not worth it, and that he'd drop out if that were the case? I know he said something like that. He's done this before.

wejo wrote:

Merga is the favorite at this Sunday's Chosunilbo Chuncheon Marathon in Korea.

http://www.iaaf.org/LRR10/news/newsid=58569.html

Seeing him on the entry list reminded me of Chicago. Merga ran with the leaders until I think the 19th mile and then he just stopped.

Anyone know what happened or even if it was planned as a training run?

i think he was doing a 19 mile tempo.

Wonder if Chicago organizers knew he was going to do a tempo before paying his appearance fee (assuming he got one)?

pay2drop wrote:

Wonder if Chicago organizers knew he was going to do a tempo before paying his appearance fee (assuming he got one)?

Well, appearance fees are normally conditional on finishing.

I think it was still his top-3 reason. I don't see why not. He didn't feel good at mile 19, figured he was out of the running, and then decided he could probably pick up more cash at this race.

Right after I finished (2:37) I saw him just 100m past the finish line wandering around with some race official person. Shook his hand, and said something like "nice running, man". He kind of grumbled and looked down.

Didn't find out until later that he had dropped. I kind of feel like a jerk!

He grew a set over the past 3 weeks and wanted to try them out.

Again WEJO you surprise me, you have been running this site and around this sport/industry for long enough to know the answer to this question...

$$$$$

Someone said appearance fees are conditional on finishing, that is not the case. Race directors know the marathon is an interesting beast and so the fee structures are designed accordingly. Chances are mile 20 or 22 whereever it was that he dropped was the threshold he needed to pass for a certain amount of money to make the whole trip worthwhile, when he knew he was not going to finish in the big prize money. He could make sure his body treated it like a last hard long tempo before this other race where he will collect more appearence fee money (perhaps less than he made for completing part of Chicago) but should also easily win the race, getting a prize that perhaps is more than he could have earned in Chicago prize money.

at Chicago.

Less likely in Korea.

Well according to you and Coach Hanson- my guess is he was just being a baby at Chicago and needed to grow a pair.

Hopefully Merga has gotten tough, finally, and now is ready to race because it was ideal in Chicago.

Well said.

Agents will line up races with the intent of knowing anything can happen out on the course. Look at the drop out rate of any the majors for elites , if they are not going to be in the money or have passed the ticker point to gain a bonus , they drop. Agents are on the phone asap , race directors of the other vents are on site in many cases to do deals for their events before the sweat is dry.

The Koreans pay well for appearance money , Merga is a press draw for the event and makes the TV guys happy that have sold all the ad space.

Merga double dips for the fall events , agent walks away with a nice cut , everybody is happy.

Most likely because of the heat. He doesn't have a great coach like Kevin Hanson to tell him to try for a 2:15 and don't wuss out. It was hot, he was tired, he couldn't win, he couldn't finish hard, he knew he could do another marathon later, and it was hot for a marathon.

He can run there but he can't run in New York? Weak.

We'll never know, but if at any point Mary Wittenberg decided he wasn't worth the investment because he'll just drop, then she deserves a high-five.

Wejo continues to spend to much time on non Amercians, the front page continues to disappoint me event thought I love it once I get pass the "kenyan news"! Maybe if you could give our (Americans) top HS, colleges runners, and PRO's some extra coverage it might incourage some better results and runners for the future?

ps...Olympics, world championships, international competition, all the above....I want Amerians to win...do you get that?...screw the progress of foreigners even thought at time it can be interesting!...but to continue to not support "home grow runners" is disappointing! So what they can't run sub 28 every week or sub 2:06...I don't care, I want to hear more about up coming American talent if you know what I mean.....do you think?...Your site continues to bi-pass so many American runners is dissapointing! Sure, they are not going to be the best in the world but they deserve so headlines!..but not on this site...why, because you guys are more interested in world news...I say F them unless it is a new world record...hell, those dam Kenyans and Africans run times everyday that are World class....sounds great doesn't it, well I am tire of it! Please give a little more attention the American Runner even thought their time are subpar on the world scale. We need to encourage those 2nd classes runners with some local news that encourages them to run fasters!...do you get that?

screw....maybe you cheer for Kenyan when they race us (Americans)!!!!....seems so or maybe you feel for them because they are poor nation? Well, they are!...Anyway, help American up and coming please....they are not as fast, or talented, or whatever...but they are Ameican..please support with some extra coverage!..PLEASE...Some of our pro's train such as hard.....whatever!...you get it?

ur an idiot.

Another DNF for Merga. Wonder how happy the Koreans are with the appearance money now.

Im sure they are not smiling !

Merga may be hurt , agent rather than just having him call it a season pulls the ruse that Merga is ok , he shows up starts , show money is taken. Double dip for being injured , race directors hopefully will see through the smoke , wipe off the slim and not invite the guy back.

RuKiddingMe! wrote:

Wejo continues to spend to much time on non Amercians, the front page continues to disappoint me event thought I love it once I get pass the "kenyan news"! Maybe if you could give our (Americans) top HS, colleges runners, and PRO's some extra coverage it might incourage some better results and runners for the future?

Go back to Jogger's World.