Our preview of the 3ks is now up.
In the women's race, we assume Houlihan is going to win and wonder who gets 2nd - Coburn, Mackey, Hall or someone else?
For the men's race, we pause and remind ourselves what an amazing two years it has been for Paul Chelimo. Does Ryan Hill - the reigning Worlds silver medallist at 3k - even make the US team against Chelmo and his WCAP buddies?
http://www.letsrun.com/news/2018/02/2018-usa-indoors-3k-preview/
These will be two great races. On the men’s side, WCAP has this locked down. For the women, Houlihan will win easily but the battle for second will be great. Coburn and Hall are both very strong, but Mackey has a better kick. Neither Coburn, nor Hall are known kickers. I’ll pick Hall over Coburn.
I think Ryan Hill can get a spot. I feel like he tends to have a shaky race mid season before peaking really well for championships. If it’s slow I could see him kicking down Shaddy, but I can’t count out Chelimo for the win.
I think the women’s race will end up being slow, in which case I’d say it’s Houlihan-Mackey. Both have the best 1500 PRs of anyone else in the field by 2 seconds I think.
I think the women's race will be out a bit slow but still won in 8:57ish. Shelby has no reason to push the pace as she's doubling back for the 1500 but she might be willing to help out Murielle by keeping it honest after 800m or so.