Rupp is the only American-born runner capable of winning a WMM, and AlSal won't let him run one. That's a problem.

The marathon lead to AlSal's demise as a runner: injury, injury, injury. Hence, he is dreadfully afraid to let his golden-boy run one.

What is this obsession with elite athletes running marathons?

Wait, who pretends that Teg or Ritz can win these things?I don't think anyone entertains that idea.By the time Rupp gets to the marathon he will be burned out big time.

anacondarunner wrote:

Are there any other American-born runners capable of winning a major marathon? Maybe Eric Jenkins, I'd like to see him become a marathoner relatively early in his career like the Africans are doing now but that seems doubtful. I'm sick of pretending like Ritz/Teg/whoever can actually win these things, because they CAN'T.

Now a Coach wrote:

What is this obsession with elite athletes running marathons?

Ummm, not any "elite athlete"; 10k runners who run best at longer distance.

Salazar let his biggest star Mo Farah run one.

I am sure Rupp will run and win many marathons in the future, though Salazar said he would not run any before the 2016 Olympics.

I think Rupp will win the worlds championship marathon in his home of his college, town of Eugene in 2021.

athletes? wrote:

Ummm, not any "elite athlete"; 10k runners who run best at longer distance.

Rupp isn't one of those. He has run a 3:50 mile indoors.

saw it wrote:

athletes? wrote:

Ummm, not any "elite athlete"; 10k runners who run best at longer distance.

Rupp isn't one of those. He has run a 3:50 mile indoors.

Don't forget 7:30. Almost as good as all-around distance GOAT Choge.

Rupp has a very real shot at WC and Olympic medals in the next two years if he stays dedicated to the track. His chances at the marathon are very difficult to predict. Some fast 10k guys never run a good marathon. Mo may be one of them. Tadese is definitely another example. Even Geb was more of a time trial runner than a real racer in the full marathon. Salazar is right to go with the bird in hand with Rupp. After 2016, Rupp will make piles in his marathon debut and will have plenty of time to assert himself on the road.

"I am sure Rupp will run and win many marathons in the future,"

Give us, roughly, the low side of "many".

Now a Coach wrote:

What is this obsession with elite athletes running marathons?

^This.

He might end up being good at the marathon. But will he? He seems more like a track stud to me. He's never liked cross country. I doubt he would enjoy road racing that much. And if he hates it, we may not see the best from him...

askjfjk;asdfkj wrote:

"I am sure Rupp will run and win many marathons in the future,"

Give us, roughly, the low side of "many".

I'd say zero. Or possibly even more.

Seriously, would Rupp ever enter a non-major marathon just to get a win? Because it is very difficult to imagine him winning a major (including Olympics).

douglas burke wrote:

Salazar let his biggest star Mo Farah run one.

Two reasons: Money $$$$$, and Mo is over 30.

$$$

I am sure Ben True has a pretty great chance at running really well at the marathon.

So you think if Rupp really wanted to run a marathon that Alberto would forbid him to?

DC Area Runner wrote:

So you think if Rupp really wanted to run a marathon that Alberto would forbid him to?

Yes...and at the end of the day, he will do what the boss (AlSal) says: to paraphrase Mo Farah. Rupp is much more of an AlSal sheep than Farah.

you know what's a problem? this OG silver medal around my neck - it's heavy bruh!

Rupp is one of the 3-4 best 10k runners in the world, with the Olympics looming in 2016 he has a legitimate shot at gold. He's doing the event he should be doing.

Jenkins, with his finishing speed, might be able to achieve a similar level of competitiveness in the 5k or 10k after a few years training as a pro.