USA Beats Kenya and gets 2nd at World Cross Country

Team USA had an incredible last lap: Ben True in 6th, Chris Derrick in 10th, Ryan Vail in 17th and Robert Mack in 19th for an overall score of 52 points!

All of these guys did great. Heath and Strang were 30th and 37th, as well! Amazing performance for the US!

800m Coach wrote:

They looked very good today. True and Derrick were in top 10

Wow! Just watched all 4 races. USA did well in both men's and women's races. Congrats!

Gives other non- African nations inspiration. I'd never even heard of Ben True.

Ben was somewhat well known in college (Dartmouth) for being both a top XC skiier (did a year as a pro after if I recall) and a sub 4:00 miler. Has won several U.S. road titles and was 6th Oly Trials 5000. All around badass for sure.

deanouk wrote:

I'd never even heard of Ben True.

Mainers led both the senior and junior men for the US, that was nice to see.

First U.S. men's silver since 1985!

No out of competition blood testing in Ethiopia

Maybe Nike will sell USA XC shirts in Kenya?

Perplexion wrote:

No out of competition blood testing in Ethiopia

exactly what I was thinking, the kenyan flop is not a fluke, just ask kiptanui

Yes, there is out of competition testing in Ethiopia. I think a couple Kenyan's fell during the race.

Kenya did not bring a strong team. Their top 20 guys were all absent. There is just too much money available to them in big marathons and road races over the next month.

You can't blame them.

It has nothing to do with blood testing.

aram wrote:

Yes, there is out of competition testing in Ethiopia. I think a couple Kenyan's fell during the race.

Their fell did what during the race?

800m Coach wrote:

You can't blame them.

It has nothing to do with blood testing.

Think so? There was a lot of money in road racing in 2011 too. Except 5 of the top 7 men's finishers at World Cross that year were Kenyan.

Jenny Cream wrote:

800m Coach wrote:

You can't blame them.

It has nothing to do with blood testing.

Think so? There was a lot of money in road racing in 2011 too. Except 5 of the top 7 men's finishers at World Cross that year were Kenyan.

And in 2001, when Kenya only had two of the top ten?

Jenny Cream wrote:

800m Coach wrote:

You can't blame them.

It has nothing to do with blood testing.

Think so? There was a lot of money in road racing in 2011 too. Except 5 of the top 7 men's finishers at World Cross that year were Kenyan.

Look at who was there. Statistically, none of their top 20 guys. Case closed. In 2011 more top guys ran.

aram wrote:

Yes, there is out of competition testing in Ethiopia.

BLOOD testing, foo.

you are spot on wrote:

Perplexion wrote:

No out of competition blood testing in Ethiopia

exactly what I was thinking, the kenyan flop is not a fluke, just ask kiptanui

It is a lot tougher to be the hunted rather than the hunter. When everyone knows you are the best and is gunning for you is a much tougher position to be in than having someone just ahead of you to beat.

So, did Kenya come back to Earth cuz they can't dope as much, or does it take a lot of energy to consistently be the hunted? It is a tough question. This I do know, everyone is working hard to be the best with or without PEDs.

Kenya and Ethiopia have not had runners replace the very top guys of the prior generation - Tergat, Komen, Geb and Bekele. They still,produce great runners but there is a 1 percent difference, Wanjiru was Kenya"s greatest of his generation. Mutai, Macau and Mosop are great but not of that caliber. Mutai is closest, I don't put much stock in their time trial marathon time, Mutai"s NY run was awesome,

Meanwhile the US has more 27:30 -27:45 guys than ever. Our depth gives us a shot now.

Jenny Cream wrote:Think so? There was a lot of money in road racing in 2011 too. Except 5 of the top 7 men's finishers at World Cross that year were Kenyan.

the weather was freezing ( which the top kenyans probably knew was going to be the case if they'd followed europe's recent weather )

+ prize money is decent but probably not even close to what they'd get for breaking a course record in even a 2nd tier M

Individual Prize Money

1st - $30,000

2nd - $15,000

3rd - $10,000

4th - $7,0000

5th - $5,000

6th - $3,000

Plus $60,000 in team prize money

especially when you consider that winner of world M majors title gets ? $500k

Kenyas top guns weren't running. Don't your panties in such a bunch guys