USATF 10 Mile Champs on Sunday...who you got?

Chelanga could challenge Ritz. A few others in there who should be in the mix. Has German Fernandez ever raced anything this long?

Huddle should run away with this. Good depth behind her, though.

Pure speculation here, but it doesn't seem so far fetched when you think about it. German is taking a stab at a longer distance here. He has had achilles issues for years now when he has tried to push the speed for 1500-5000 training. He was able to run the times he did off of rather limited training due to his massive aerobic engine. 2016, a typical contract year, is rapidly approaching.

I wonder if he isn't at least considering the marathon trials. Right now, his options for making an Olympic team on the track look rather limited (not saying he doesn't have the talent, but he would need to stay healthy and train well to compete with Rupp/Hill/True/Jenkins/etc. at 5000m). If this race goes well, why not tempo a half marathon this fall to get the qualifier?

The training would be easier on his achilles, and although no one knows what his potential is at the marathon, why not give it a shot? Progress has been a little limited on the track these past few years.

Anyway, sorry to detract from the thread, I predict Chelanga wins, with Ritz close behind in second.

really? why even MENTION german fernandez in this discussion?

dude's gonna get dropped within 3 miles, count on it.

personally i like jared ward for a podium favorite, but maybe not FTW

ritz has a good shot, abdi should hang in there for most of it and may end up top 3

Is the course relatively flat? I'm going with Ritz in 46:30-46:40 if so. He's been third in his last three races. He's overdue for a win.

Ward

Chelenga

Pennel

Ritz

Spisak

This is a good distance for Brian Shrader, top ten.

Ritz hasn't won for a while, maybe he will in this field.

craig lutz

Huddle & Chelanga

pretty big uphill just after mile 1 and then another big uphill at about 2.5 miles. After that rollers until the last sizeable hill right before mile 5. Then gradual uphill up Summit and some small rollers around 8-9

People need to start owning up to how good Jared Ward is. He's not my favorite guy, but he's still really good. I think he takes this. Obviously Ritz will be up there too. Another person to think about is Jake Riley. Not really sure what his fitness is like right now, but after being on pace to take the American record at Cherry Blossom, one has to think that this is a good distance for him.

RunningAntelope wrote:

Is the course relatively flat? I'm going with Ritz in 46:30-46:40 if so. He's been third in his last three races. He's overdue for a win.

Not flat. The "big" uphills the previosu poster moentioned are not big. the uphill from 4.5 to 7 is big though. overall course is ~1min slower than flat.

Ritz and Huddle

Jimmy Spi!!!

Perhaps a dozen or so on each side that have collected a pro paycheck big enough to buy the entire field breakfast at IHOP!

Don't rule out my man Jon Grey. He's been training in Boulder under Lee Troop and this will his first race back in Minnesota. Watch for that skinny b*stard to tear some people up.

Lutz for sure

I could see Lutz running away from the field midway in and clocking a 44:25. They guy is a beast.

He's been at altitude for the first time for training and has been crushing workouts. Saying Lutz is gonna be in top 3 is more of a guarantee than a wish.

I agree Jared Ward is not getting the respect he deserves.. he is running great. I will take him for the win. With ritz in the top 3 and don't know who else to put in top 3 but will say Sam C. for fourth place.