It's Official: Galen Rupp is Running NYC Half March 20th

I think one has a better shot at busting a very fast half if they are training for a 10k then if they are training for a marathon.

Given that Rupp supposedly was going for the 10k AR just 2 weeks ago, what are people's thoughts on him targeting the AR in the half?

Seems to me very similar to what Ritz did. Ran a solid 10k at Worlds and came back a month later or whatever it was to run 60:00 for the 1/2. I'm sure AlSal is modeling Rupp's 10k to 1/2 training very similarly. Rupp just didn't get the chance to run that fast 10k because of the earthquake.

Anyway, I bet Rupp goes for the AR for the half... and pulls off something between 59:45 and 60:30 (I know, a big range).

More to come later. The press conference has some great quotes.

When we asked Rupp on whether he was disappointed he couldn't go after the AR in NZ said something to the effect of: No. Those people are really suffering so I can't be upset about missing a 'silly' track race.

Claims that he will target or get the AR in the half on the NYC half course are extremely overblown. Will he run fast? - definitely. Will he get the AR? - unlikely.

Conto wrote:

Given that Rupp supposedly was going for the 10k AR just 2 weeks ago, what are people's thoughts on him targeting the AR in the half?

I asked him about his time goals as his 10k equates to about 60:07 but he said his goal was to just compete.

The NYRR release is here:

http://www.letsrun.com/2011/ruppnyrr-0302.php

In that and on the conference, Alberto said Rupp's training was on the 10k this year (whereas he said it had been more 5k in year's past).

Alberto is saying some interesting stuff about Galen's training and what his group is called.

"Running is running. Whether you're running a 5 mile cross country race or a 10k track race which he was going to run outdoors in cross-country..."

He indicated Jerry's group will not be called the Oregon Project going forward it will have its own name. Nike's push now is for each group to be its own tribe with their own jerseys.

Alberto said he has told Nike for years it is boring for 7 athletes to line up at the Pre Classic with the same jersey on.

Also Alberto said he wants Galen to race 20 times a year and he believes it is good for Galen's psychological development as a racer to race often. He said Lagat races often and look at the results.

Conto wrote:

I think one has a better shot at busting a very fast half if they are training for a 10k then if they are training for a marathon.

Given that Rupp supposedly was going for the 10k AR just 2 weeks ago, what are people's thoughts on him targeting the AR in the half?

Seems to me very similar to what Ritz did. Ran a solid 10k at Worlds and came back a month later or whatever it was to run 60:00 for the 1/2. I'm sure AlSal is modeling Rupp's 10k to 1/2 training very similarly. Rupp just didn't get the chance to run that fast 10k because of the earthquake.

Anyway, I bet Rupp goes for the AR for the half... and pulls off something between 59:45 and 60:30 (I know, a big range).

I didn't think the NY half course was eligible for ratification.

I have run Rupp's numbers. With no comparable of races longer than 10K, the half marathon is tough to predict. His 10K PR is his best effort to date. I'm a little concerned if he will get the pacing he needs and also about the rolling course. If everything goes well I see him between 60:47 and 61:23. I'm surprised he is moving up but am excited. I think this is a good move for him.

Rupp will win his debut, fueling a summer of arguing whether or not he will run the marathon trails next year.

Rupp is running the Trials. There is no question, no argument.

Rupp wouldn't do this if he wasn't trying to at least keep the trials an option.

Unlikely to set any ARs on that course. He knows this. He does have decent odds of winning, though. ALSO if he does do well and beat several top name American marathoners, that will give him the confidence to believe he could beat them in the marathon trials come January.

Alberto is doing a good job of keeping his options open.

Spoiler Alert: Do not read this if you don't want to know the results of the NYC Half.

The whole US pack (Hall, Meb, Jason L, Smyth, Rupp) together until 10.5, then Hall makes a move. Meb and Rupp go with him. Hall makes another move around 12 and drops Meb, but Rupp hangs on. Rupp looks close to death just hitched on the back of Hall, but makes his own move with 1/4 to go and puts 5 seconds on Hall to take the top US spot.

watch for canadian Reid Coolsaet.

he probably wont be in total peak shape, but you've got to respect the 2:11:23!

Anyone have a field list of all elites in the race? Not just Americans but also E Africans, Canadians, etc?

Yeah, just like in NYC 09 Marathon. Watch Meb hammer the move on mile 12 and takes the win.

kkk wrote:

Anyone have a field list of all elites in the race? Not just Americans but also E Africans, Canadians, etc?

They said on the call that they will announce the foreigners over the weekend or Monday-Tuesday next week.

They indicated some past people would be returning and that some from the European champs would be here, but didn't say names.

I don't think he and Hall will be that close. Rupp isn't mentally ready to run sub-60 yet but I would think sub-61 is a good bet and top American is another solid chance.

No way Hall goes sub 61.

wejo wrote:

kkk wrote:

Anyone have a field list of all elites in the race? Not just Americans but also E Africans, Canadians, etc?

They said on the call that they will announce the foreigners over the weekend or Monday-Tuesday next week.

They indicated some past people would be returning and that some from the European champs would be here, but didn't say names.

Mo Farah???

spoiler wrote:

No way Hall goes sub 61.

Yes he will. He has superior credentials and track speed compared to any previous American that stepped up to the (half)marathon (at the time they stepped up).

The other American's definitely don't want to go moderate and try to drop him with 5k to go. Rupp would crush them in that situation. So they gotta go fast...and it won't matter, because he'll still finish faster.

The race has been won in sub 60 before, so assuming there are good foreign competitors, sub 61 is in the bag.