Posted: April 22, 2007

Athletics (RRW): Impressive Debut For Hall In London

From David Monti © 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com LONDON (22-Apr) -- Ryan Hall didn't come to London to prove a point, but that's exactly what the 24 year-old from Big Bear Lake, Calif., ended up doing. Joining the lead group in the 15th mile, the North American record holder for the half-marathon, found himself leading the race three miles later, impervious to the nervous glances that his surprised rivals were throwing his way. "I felt good leading," said Hall, his lunch plate piled high with slices of pizza and couscous after the race. "That's why I went to the front. I wanted to taste the lead." And the taste was sweet. Although he would fall back in the final miles to finish seventh, his 2:08:24 debut made him the second-fastest American of all-time behind Khalid Khannouchi, and the fastest ever born in the United States. While stars like Khannouchi and Olympic gold medalist Stefano Baldini were forced to drop out because of the warm conditions, Hall followed coach Terrence Mahon's orders and made sure he got each of his bottles. The heat was only a minor problem for the Californian. "I was drinking water a lot," explaining that he did not simply throw it on his body. "It didn't feel too bad. Honestly, when you have a good day you don't really notice those things much." Hall came to the marathon distance somewhat unexpectedly. In February last year, at the U.S. Cross Country Championships in New York City, he easily won the 12-K event, at the time the longest race of his life. Under coach Mahon he turned more to the roads, winning the U.S. 20-K title last year and taking 11th place at the IAAF World Road Running Championships, the fastest non-African finisher, setting a U.S. 20-K record. Coach Mahon then prepared him for a fast half-marathon, and in Houston last January Hall ran a solo 59:43, sealing the thought that he was destined for the marathon. "One thing I'm surprised by is it took me so long to figure it out," he said of discovering his real talent was as a marathoner. "I was stuck on the mile so long in college. Then I went to the 5-K. I think I'm really made for it." Hall, who plans to contest the U.S. Olympic Trials - Men's Marathon in New York City on Nov. 3, sees the marathon as his best chance for a medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. "With the Olympics coing up so quick, I want to take a swing at a medal," he said, devouring his pizza. Hall, whose gentle personality belies his fierce competitive spirit, was genuinely thankful to race London director Dave Bedford for giving him a chance to try the distance in such a prestigious event. "It just gave me an incredible opportunity to do something special," he said. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest