Ryan Hill Qualifies For 2013 IAAF World Track and Field Championships – Runs 13:14.22 in Belgium

Three Americans PR Ahead of Hill, Plus Two Kiwis and a Japanese and German Runner Get Needed Qualifiers As Well

by LetsRun.com
July 13, 2013

American Ryan Hill got exactly what he wanted tonight at the 2013 KBC-KNacht track and field meet in Heusden, Belgium.

The 23-year old, who was third at USAs in the 5000, picked up the IAAF ‘B’ standard of 13:20.00 to punch his ticket for the 2013 IAAF World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Moscow. Hill actually did more than that as he also got the IAAF ‘A’ standard of 13:15.00.

Running in his NC State singlet, Hill closed well to finish tenth in 13:14.22, a big improvement over his previous best of 13:26.34. We believe Hill’s last 800 was roughly in the 1:59-2:00 range. His last 1k was roughly 2:31.

The race was dominated by KenyaBahrain’s Albert Rop who was totally alone for the final four laps but still managed to break 13:00 for the first time as he won in 12:59.43. Australia’s Ben St. Lawrence was second in 13:10.83.

Hill was only the fourth Americanin the race. The three Americans ahead of him all ran personal bests to finish third, fourth and fifth.

Finishing in a well deserved third was American Ben True in 13:11.59. With Rop and the main rabbits way out front from the very beginning of this race, it was True who rabbited the main pack for most of the race, keeping them on roughly 13:20 pace for most of the race before things picked up at the end.

True improved his personal best from 13:13.44 to 13:11.59. Hassan Mead was fourth in 13:11.80 (previous pb of 13:15.50) with Andrew Bumbalough fifth in 13:12.01 (previous pb of 13:16.26).

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Hill wasn’t the only person to book his ticket to Moscow in this race. The Robertson twins of New Zealand, who long ago gave up the comforts of life in New Zealand to train in Africa, both got Moscow qualifiers as they sandwiched Ryan Hill in the results. Zane Robertson got the ‘A’ at 13:13.83 just ahead of Hill, and Jake got the ‘B’ at 13:15.54 just behind Hill.

Japan’s Yuki Sato had a huge PB to qualify as well. He came in at just 13:23.57 but ran 13:13.60. Germany’s Arne Gabius also PRd to qualify at 13:12.50.

A quick take, then photos and then results appear below.

More: MB Discussion: Ryan Hill Does It!!! 13:15!
*Where is Ryan Hill going to chase the standard?
*RYAN HILL WILL NEVER BREAK 13:20

Quik Take: Most of the American attention will go to Ryan Hill after this race but Ben True deserves big props for this one as he kept the pace honest for the chase pack and ran well. He’s now just outside the top 10 all-time in the US now. Counting indoor times, we believe Adam Goucher is 10th at 13:10.00, Alan Webb is 11th at 13:10.86 and True 12th at 13:11.59.  Email us if we are wrong.

The start

Rop and a few Africans were way ahead from the start

Ben True leading the main chase pack with 4 laps to go

Ryan HIll with 1k to go

Bumbalough, St. Lawrence and True with just over 600 to go

Albert Rop dominated this one

More: MB Discussion: More: MB Discussion: Ryan Hill Does It!!! 13:15!
*Where is Ryan Hill going to chase the standard?
*RYAN HILL WILL NEVER BREAK 13:20