Matt Llano leaves NAZ Elite - is still sponsored by Hoka

Also got 6th at the most recent Olympic Trials marathon....

Lip Kitten wrote:

Easyday89 wrote:

Easy on how u back up ben, he has beem given alot of talent and hasnt produced much. Come on we all know it, kellyn ran great at grandmas but come one nothing to call home about on a net downhill course.

I wish matt much success with his new love and all.

Ben has produced a lot with the talent he has. On the men's side alone in 2017 he coached four of the top 10 US marathon performers and 2 of the top 10,000 performers.

Also, as discussed in another thread, Grandma's is barely net downhill. If anything, the slight tailwind helped Kellyn out a little bit.

I guess it depends on how you look at. You could also say he has held a lot of talent back.

These athletes as a whole should be running better.

He gets a flyer once in awhile.

Not so sure he knows how to get athletes to the next international level.

Pretty silly wrote:

hmm, ? wrote:

Why all the noise over a 2:12 marathoner that will not get faster at this point ?

Because some bleeding heart is convinced that it's because he likes boys instead of girls; and not because of his running results. Don't produce? You go home.

Threads are started often when athletes fall off rosters:

But don't let that get in the way of your narrative.

I love how you guys all think you know how these departures take place. For example, Ben and Matt sit down and decide how they are going to feed it to the press. They then present the story to the people.

If Ben wants Matt gone but Matt wants to continue his sponsorship with Hoka then he will play by the rules and not throw anyone under the bus. I'm sure the same thing happened with Desi.

The only time you ever hear about bad blood from anyone involved is when the sponsor drops them.

Hardley yet wrote:

Lip Kitten wrote:

Ben has produced a lot with the talent he has. On the men's side alone in 2017 he coached four of the top 10 US marathon performers and 2 of the top 10,000 performers.

Also, as discussed in another thread, Grandma's is barely net downhill. If anything, the slight tailwind helped Kellyn out a little bit.

I guess it depends on how you look at. You could also say he has held a lot of talent back.

These athletes as a whole should be running better.

He gets a flyer once in awhile.

Not so sure he knows how to get athletes to the next international level.

What coach not associated with Nike (and access to TOP American talent) has been able to get athletes to the next international level? The Hansons got Desi and Brian Sell to the Olympics, but now rely on known quantities like Ritz, Biwott, Bobby Curtis. Ritz and Biwott don't train with the group.

Ackley wrote:

Hardley yet wrote:

I guess it depends on how you look at. You could also say he has held a lot of talent back.

These athletes as a whole should be running better.

He gets a flyer once in awhile.

Not so sure he knows how to get athletes to the next international level.

What coach not associated with Nike (and access to TOP American talent) has been able to get athletes to the next international level? The Hansons got Desi and Brian Sell to the Olympics, but now rely on known quantities like Ritz, Biwott, Bobby Curtis. Ritz and Biwott don't train with the group.

yes, they do train with the group, just not all the time.

curtis is gone, do try to stay up on things.

Ackley wrote:

Hardley yet wrote:

I guess it depends on how you look at. You could also say he has held a lot of talent back.

These athletes as a whole should be running better.

He gets a flyer once in awhile.

Not so sure he knows how to get athletes to the next international level.

What coach not associated with Nike (and access to TOP American talent) has been able to get athletes to the next international level? The Hansons got Desi and Brian Sell to the Olympics, but now rely on known quantities like Ritz, Biwott, Bobby Curtis. Ritz and Biwott don't train with the group.

Mark Wetmore.

Easyday89 wrote:

There is no way in hell any of them will make an olympic team. Sorry to bust your bubble.

LOL

Matt Llano signs with Under Armour to tell his story and run fast times.

Matt will stay in Flagstaff after signing with Dark Sky Distance Project thanks to his agent Stephen Haas.