Can't believe no one has mentioned Ben True yet. Maybe that's just my east coast bias, but I love the fact that he's had success doing things his way. Wasn't a superstar in college, doesn't run for one of the Oregon powerhouse programs, but just keep plugging away and getting faster.
galen rupp - seriously. a true master, his consistency is epic.
if running was my job I would take advantage of every resource too!
Rupp - been the best american forever now in any event he races.
&
Ritz - grew up watching him compete and love when he does well.
I do like Ben true's story. Has he raced lately?
I feel like you have to love Kyle Merber as well
Male- Chris Derrick
Don Underhill wrote:
Male and or female. Go!
Male: Haile Gebrselassie. Guts, range, and personality.
Female: Tirunesh Dibaba. Enduring quality, beauty in motion, and supreme confidence.
Ritz is my favourite. It's unfortunate his best distance is only raced on a big stage as sit-and-kick.
As for runners with any hope of competing with the best, I'd be most excited if a German Fernandez came back.
My favorite is Leo Manzano. Has been for years.
I've been following him closely since he came out of college.
Partially because he was coached by my old coach and because he is fun to watch and he is gracious.
I have met him in person a couple of times and have just found him to be very likable.
And he seems to be constantly the underdog.
In the 2012 Olympic final I watched him closely, which was hard because he was far back most of the race.
To see him reeling people in over that last 200 was exciting.
To see that he was the one to break the 44 year drought of American medals in the Olympic 1500 was very satisfying.
Seeing him overcome his sponsor issues and win USATF this year and run 3:30 was also gratifying.
It's just cool to follow someone for a number of years, feeling their ups and downs, and enjoying their success.
To me, he is the ultimate over-achiever.
Dathan ritzenhein
T BONE wrote:
Rupp - been the best american forever now in any event he races.
&
Ritz - grew up watching him compete and love when he does well.
NOT the 3k or 5k!!!!!!
Female: easily abbey d'agostino, met her a couple of times and she is the nicest person you could imagine and extremely humble (also grew up 15 miles from where I did so that doesn't hurt)
Male: much tougher for me but probably nick willis, seems like a great guy who handles the sport with respect and integrity. Close runners up: Kyle Merber, Evan Jager, Andrew Wheating
Love this.
toro wrote:
My favorite is Leo Manzano. Has been for years.
I've been following him closely since he came out of college.
Partially because he was coached by my old coach and because he is fun to watch and he is gracious.
I have met him in person a couple of times and have just found him to be very likable.
And he seems to be constantly the underdog.
In the 2012 Olympic final I watched him closely, which was hard because he was far back most of the race.
To see him reeling people in over that last 200 was exciting.
To see that he was the one to break the 44 year drought of American medals in the Olympic 1500 was very satisfying.
Seeing him overcome his sponsor issues and win USATF this year and run 3:30 was also gratifying.
It's just cool to follow someone for a number of years, feeling their ups and downs, and enjoying their success.
To me, he is the ultimate over-achiever.
Zane and Jake Robertson. They gave up a comfortable life in NZ to live and train in Kenya. Enough said.
Women's side - I find myself rooting for Mary Cain, Marielle Hall, and Shalane
J Simp and Mary Cain on the women's side - they genuinely seem to love running, race aggressively and are smart, decent people. Easy to cheer for them.
On the men's side it is harder - probably Ben True and Chris Derrick - love True's underdog status and Derrick's steady improvement and achievement.
I wish there were a male middle distance guy who wasn't utterly terrified of leading a race. They think they'll melt if they take the lead.
agip wrote:
J Simp and Mary Cain on the women's side - they genuinely seem to love running, race aggressively and are smart, decent people. Easy to cheer for them.
On the men's side it is harder - probably Ben True and Chris Derrick - love True's underdog status and Derrick's steady improvement and achievement.
I wish there were a male middle distance guy who wasn't utterly terrified of leading a race. They think they'll melt if they take the lead.
Charles Jock?
I'll go with Robby Andrews, even though he's had a rough couple of years. Jager's always a good one to watch, too.
David Rudisha. But I also have a soft spot for Tsegaye Kebede as he has such an amazing attitude.
Ben True and Abbey Dags. Go Green!
But also, worldwide it's probably Rudisha (or mmm ... Lagat for old timers, Kaki/Kawauchi) and Dibaba (or Shalane).
Why would Robby Andrews be one of your favorite professional runners. Robby Andrews, did you post that?
Male: Jeffrey Eggleston. He is rapidly becoming a favorite for the 2016 US Olympic marathon team. He loves to race. His college career was below average and he was pretty much on his own as a pro with minimal sponsorship. Raced to make ends meet, going to small marathons and the US road circuit. Got himself out to Flagstaff to be with other pros and has emerged as a top US runner by nothing more than hard work.
Female: Becky Wade. College career was held back due to injuries. Carefully and quietly rebuilt her running with the help of her college coach (Bevan) and with input from Vigil to have one of the top marathon debuts by a US runner. Also bucked the conventional wisdom that you have to develop on the track before hitting the roads. The result should hopefully be a long and successful career in the marathon. And her blog about her year touring all the great running meccas in the world is amazing.
1. Ben True - Representing the Ivy League. Nose to the grindstone badass, made in Hanover, NH.
2. Ciaran O'Lionaird - Ireland's premier miler. Gotta love the Sons of Erin.