Ritz wins Campaccio XC!!!

Doesn't he need a marathon to qualify for WCs? I don't actually know selection procedure works for that.

Here is a thought: pan am games.

He could probably make the Olympic team in the 10k too, right? The marathon trials are in February, and for 10k they are in what, June?

great interview post race.

good guy, doing what he loves.

one last great build-up before his 4th oly team.

need to get behind this guy.

I am really happy for Ritz. He made the tough decision last year and it will allow him to retire a hero. He was thought of as one of the best HS runners ever, But the longer he stayed with Alberto the more his reputation took a blow. I am not saying that this is right or wrong or that he was dirty but I do know that there was a lot of whispers. Dathan knew this as well and hated that perception.

sad but true wrote:

I am really happy for Ritz. He made the tough decision last year and it will allow him to retire a hero. He was thought of as one of the best HS runners ever, But the longer he stayed with Alberto the more his reputation took a blow. I am not saying that this is right or wrong or that he was dirty but I do know that there was a lot of whispers. Dathan knew this as well and hated that perception.

Please tell me in what way he took a blow to his reputation in his 5 years w/ Salazar? He was in the best shape of his life w/ Salazar, I don't see what the problem is...

If you have watched any other yrs Campaccio you will know that this was the weakest field by far. No Kenyans/Ethiopians running at all. Does anyone know why this was the case this year, as its always been a big race in Europe.

Tommy2Nuttz wrote:

If you have watched any other yrs Campaccio you will know that this was the weakest field by far. No Kenyans/Ethiopians running at all. Does anyone know why this was the case this year, as its always been a big race in Europe.

The East Africans were ducking Ritz, obviously. Sheesh the IQ around here never fails to amaze me.

NOP Skeptic wrote:

Please tell me in what way he took a blow to his reputation in his 5 years w/ Salazar? He was in the best shape of his life w/ Salazar, I don't see what the problem is...

Because all performances run under the direction of Salazar have an asterisk in many peoples eyes. Again, I am not saying that is deserved but it is true. If you don't believe me ask Dathan. I can tell you that Southwest Michigan is much more involved now than they were before.

cool kid wrote:

Fortean wrote:

Who?

Umm, ever heard of Jordan Hasay

You aren't funny, you are just pathetic.

Ritz Ducker wrote:

Tommy2Nuttz wrote:

If you have watched any other yrs Campaccio you will know that this was the weakest field by far. No Kenyans/Ethiopians running at all. Does anyone know why this was the case this year, as its always been a big race in Europe.

The East Africans were ducking Ritz, obviously. Sheesh the IQ around here never fails to amaze me.

Yep. That's why Mo dropped out of the Edinburgh 4k because he is scared that Ritz will break him with a fast pace.

I thought he was doing really, really well with Salazar.

massive 2009, great olympics and ensuing 2:07 in 2012, and a better than usual 2013

his workouts under Salazar were insane

The organizers wanted an italian to win I think

Tommy2Nuttz wrote:

If you have watched any other yrs Campaccio you will know that this was the weakest field by far. No Kenyans/Ethiopians running at all. Does anyone know why this was the case this year, as its always been a big race in Europe.

NOP Skeptic wrote:

sad but true wrote:

I am really happy for Ritz. He made the tough decision last year and it will allow him to retire a hero. He was thought of as one of the best HS runners ever, But the longer he stayed with Alberto the more his reputation took a blow. I am not saying that this is right or wrong or that he was dirty but I do know that there was a lot of whispers. Dathan knew this as well and hated that perception.

Please tell me in what way he took a blow to his reputation in his 5 years w/ Salazar? He was in the best shape of his life w/ Salazar, I don't see what the problem is...

This itself is a flawed premise as many including the brojos believe that athletes enjoy the benefits from their "special programmes" long after their discontinued. The stigma of the very cause that would give rise to this supposed asterix shouldn't just magically go away when an athlete returns to blue collar Midwest lifestyles. Ah but I know the Midwest too well.. In their "blue collar" self serving Contradictory prejudices and absurdities. Facts shifted, eyes shut, as it suits the changing winds of mob fashion.

It is not a matter of whether or not he still is receiving the benefits if the NOP special sauce. For us it is the fact that he has separated himself from the Devil. Most of us believe that getting out of NOP is like leaving the Mob and that once you are in you are in for life. Meanwhile there are others that have a hard time believing that the Mob (or NOP) is doing anything wrong.

Someone look at the picture of Ritz crossing the line on the IAAF article posted on the home page.

Wtf direction is Meucci heading towards?! It's like he is bee lining it towards a hot dog stand.

When Ritz comes back from injury he WINS. When Ryan Hall comes back, he DNFs or finishes in the middle of the pack.

John Clendon wrote:

Someone look at the picture of Ritz crossing the line on the IAAF article posted on the home page.

Wtf direction is Meucci heading towards?! It's like he is bee lining it towards a hot dog stand.

That's not Meucci, that's probably a lapped runner heading for another lap.

It will be Boston,

http://www.runnersworld.com/boston-marathon/meb-keflezighi-shalane-flanagan-head-us-squad-for-boston-marathon?adbid=552840154927226881&adbpl=tw&adbpr=14882900&cid=social38389487