Several years too late, but will be interesting to watch.
I love the grey hair. A smart move financially.
Anyone know if the Hanson's still has the $100,000 guarantee in income for anyone who is sub-2:11 or sub 28.00.
We have an article up about the development on the homepage.
Anyone think he was sending a subtle shot to Salazar with this quote.
"Having known Keith and Kevin for 20 years, there is nobody I trust and respect more to help guide me to new heights in the marathon while I chase my fourth Olympic team."
Am I reading too much into the word "trust"?
The timing of the announcement isn't a surprise. An astute reader emailed us a few weeks ago reminding us that he thought we'd hear something about Ritz soon as the Boris Berian contract saga revealed that Nike had 180 days to match offers.
Note: The original title of the thread was "According to RW, Ritz to Hansons"
Making bank sounds so easy the way they put it.
"Here, we'll give you $100,000 if you break sub 28."
I bought 4 pairs of Brooks shoes for about $300 in just a few days ago.
Brooks is cool. Nick Symmonds is cool.
Rojo-
I thought the exact same thing about the statement, but after thinking about it, decided it's just a normal statement with a normal cliche/saying, e.g., "couldn't be happier, couldn't be more proud," etc.
I for one don't think it's a shot at Salazar.
Ritz doesn't take shots at people. It is understood from the break and the investigation that he had mentally departed from Salazar a long time ago, and of course Salazar doesn't like runners who are unhealthy for long periods. Remarkable that Ritz has run so well this year after months off from tearing the plantar fascia, but then he has always run well after limited time training.
This will be a bit of a referendum for the Hansons, as Ritz seems to be fit an healthy for the first time in a great while. They have never taken on an already developed athlete of Ritz's stature, instead they have taken pride in their "in-house" development of athletes like Desi and Sell. Should be good match, best of luck to a great guy.
And no, that wasn't a shot at Salazar.
Was he coloring his hair per Nike's orders. He is all grey now. Kind of early for someone who is 34.
Similarobssrver wrote:
Rojo-
I thought the exact same thing about the statement, but after thinking about it, decided it's just a normal statement with a normal cliche/saying, e.g., "couldn't be happier, couldn't be more proud," etc.
I for one don't think it's a shot at Salazar.
same here. probably a PR statement.
Excuse moi wrote:
This will be a bit of a referendum for the Hansons, as Ritz seems to be fit an healthy for the first time in a great while.
Less than a year ago, he was second to True at Beach to Beacon, then second to Farah in a half marathon.
ritzforPREZ wrote:
Wow. Discuss.
http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/new-sponsor-new-attitude-can-dathan-ritzenhein-make-the-2020-olympic-team?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebutton
The bro's are experts at getting athletes injured and burnt out.
Look at the record of their athletes.
Lets wish him best of luck!
rojo wrote:
We have an article up about the development on the homepage.
http://www.letsrun.com/news/2017/07/three-time-olympian-dathan-ritzenhein-joined-hansons-brooks-original-distance-project/Anyone think he was sending a subtle shot to Salazar with this quote.
"Having known Keith and Kevin for 20 years, there is nobody I trust and respect more to help guide me to new heights in the marathon while I chase my fourth Olympic team."
Am I reading too much into the word "trust"?
The timing of the announcement isn't a surprise. An astute reader emailed us a few weeks ago reminding us that he thought we'd hear something about Ritz soon as the Boris Berian contract saga revealed that Nike had 180 days to match offers.
Note: The original title of the thread was "According to RW, Ritz to Hansons"
You obviously want it to be, so you choose to read it that way.
It's a moonshot moment for Brooks Hansen , if he can regain his form and he and Des can be up front in major marathons and make the Olympics in 2020, well then they are the premier distance program in the USA. I like that Hansen Brooks works with American born talent and doesn't follow Salazar's path and sign internationals like Farrah or WCAP and signs up "insta-Americans".
this thread is most certainly incomplete without someone writing "Ritz is back baby!"...or maybe now it should be a question mark instead of an exclamation point. at any rate, as someone around the same age as Ritz, he is particularly inspiring now that he's still aiming to crush it in his mid-late 30s
This is a dream for both parties involved. Ritz stays close to home and has the resources to pursue the sport (even if he is past his prime), and Hanson's finally has a marquee male athlete so they can be visible again in a serious regard.
rojo wrote:
Am I reading too much into the word "trust"?
I think it's a shot at Wetmore..
Good luck Ritz!!! I'm gonna buy some brooks shoes and apparel because of this signing!
Great move Brooks!!
Ritz is easily injured and Hansons-Brooks is really good at injuring its top athletes (Desi etc.) so this seems like a match made in DNS/DNF heaven.
Do you think they'll actually coach him?
Maybe Brooks offered him a good deal with the clause he's "on the team" to up their exposure but he'll guide his own training and just wear the kit?