GALEN RUPP and JORDAN HASAY: not a,fan but Why I want them to win Boston.

I really appreciate people like the OP who are willing to try make a reasonable discussion out of a contentious topic - and I would say the same thing about several other posters on here.

While I don't a particular angle on any one of the US competitors mentioned (apart from wanting them to perform to their best on the day and get into a great race), I can't help but agree with all those who at find it difficult to support Rupp and Hasay, and at keep asking questions about what it is they and their coach really represent. If these athletes have chosen to a) associate themselves with a coach (and company) that skirts the law, not mention principle, ethics and morals and b) go along with anything unfair etc. to make themselves among the best, I wonder how they can justify it to themselves.

I get that this is "just" sport, and the things that get everyone so up in arms over these athletes and their coach is nothing different from what goes on in business and politics - TBH I don't see sport as being much different from these, in terms of trying to get ahead. And I admire what they have dedicated themselves to and achieved in their sport, I want to believe that this was done on an equal playing field. And I want to see all the athletes put on something special.

BUT, I will say this - the way that so many on this board have made this issue of supporting American runners into something so much smaller, something that reflects their own ignorance and prejudices, and the fact that they feel proud to advertise this, this will always lead me to root for the African (and African-born American) runners ahead of all of these athletes. Can't help it, it's a visceral reaction to the vitriol on here. And when the African runners win, it is a small victory against people like this.

Please Sir, let's not make this into a black vs. white situation. It's Americans vs foreigners as it always has been; however, now we have several Americans worthy of competing for the win against the foreigners.

Donyiyo wrote:

Mark my words as if I was a prophet , Jordan will win Olympic gold 2020, that good she is.

no, only if you post your real name, others wise your words aren't marked at all. you'll just change your handle when proven wrong.

I too think if she stays healthy she will prove herself a medal contender in 2020,. Jordan is one of them that may never be able to sprint but she will show she can reel off consistent miles to post 2:20 marathons regularly and eventually 2:18.

She can just go and GO at one pace without picking it up when shes fit and injury free.

Fab Four wrote:

Shalane will be the last of the Fab Four. No races since indoors. Her age will show and she won't come close to contending for the 1st Americana title.

Well, 36 (37 this year) is not that old. After all, the almighty Mary Keitany is also at the tender age of 36, and just ran a sub-65 half a few months ago.

I admire Shalane the most but she is the one I want to win the least, it would have the least impact on current U.S. athletes for someone to win who is about to retire within ONE year. Currently competing against an athlete who win a major would have the most benefical impact on American marathoning.

VIPAM wrote:

I admire Shalane the most but she is the one I want to win the least, it would have the least impact on current U.S. athletes for someone to win who is about to retire within ONE year. Currently competing against an athlete who win a major would have the most benefical impact on American marathoning.

I'm a little confused by this. For how long do you think is sufficient time for Americans to compete with an American winner of a major? Shalane won NYC in 2017, and thus in 2018 every American woman is competing with just the type of winner you want. If she wins Boston this year, they'll still compete against her in the fall, perhaps longer if she continues on for 2019 & 2020. Is 1 to 3 years of competing with a winner of a major not good enough?

Cool story bro!

Fab Four wrote:

Shalane will be the last of the Fab Four. No races since indoors. Her age will show and she won't come close to contending for the 1st Americana title.

Wow- you make no sense.

She’s about 5 months older than when she won the NYC marathon which hasn’t been done in 40 years.

It’s a race so anything is possible but to say she’ll be the last of the four and not contending makes absolutely no sense.

If she doesn’t do well in won’t be because she’s 5 months older now.

She’s peaked wrote:

Fab Four wrote:

Shalane will be the last of the Fab Four. No races since indoors. Her age will show and she won't come close to contending for the 1st Americana title.

Wow- you make no sense.

She’s about 5 months older than when she won the NYC marathon which hasn’t been done in 40 years.

It’s a race so anything is possible but to say she’ll be the last of the four and not contending makes absolutely no sense.

If she doesn’t do well in won’t be because she’s 5 months older now.

And who is the fastest of the four? And who is the youngest of the four?

How can you not choose Hasay!

She's Very Old wrote:

She’s peaked wrote:

Wow- you make no sense.

She’s about 5 months older than when she won the NYC marathon which hasn’t been done in 40 years.

It’s a race so anything is possible but to say she’ll be the last of the four and not contending makes absolutely no sense.

If she doesn’t do well in won’t be because she’s 5 months older now.

And who is the fastest of the four? And who is the youngest of the four?

How can you not choose Hasay!

Would you pick all the guys younger than Rupp, with faster PRs than Rupp, to finish ahead of him?

botlo wrote:

She's Very Old wrote:

And who is the fastest of the four? And who is the youngest of the four?

How can you not choose Hasay!

Would you pick all the guys younger than Rupp, with faster PRs than Rupp, to finish ahead of him?

Yes I would.

Shalane contemplated retiring after NYC and if she won Boston would almost cement her retirement. She earned that right but according to her no way she's around to 2019 or 2020. I'm just saying I would like someone who will be competing another 4-5 years to win, nothing against the legend Shalane