Ryan Hall aiming to improve in London [Marathon] against a strong African field

International Herald Tribune ^ | 4/10/2008 | AP

[manapua]

LONDON: Ryan Hall came of age at last year's London Marathon, and he's back to prove he has what it takes to break up the race's African domination.

Hall ran the fastest time for an American making his first appearance in a 26.2-mile race last year when he finished seventh in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 24 seconds, dropping back only in a sprint finish.

"It's one thing to believe you can run fast, but it's another thing to actually go out there and do it," the 25-year-old Hall said Wednesday. "Last year I proved I can do it through 23 miles. This year, my expectations have grown from that."

Hall used last year's race as a confidence booster ahead of last November's U.S. Olympic men's marathon trials, which he won in 2:09:02. . .

[manapua]

There was a handful of posters here who were interested in Hall's breakthrough performance at London last year. I figured I'd post this follow up as we build up to the Olympics.

It seems hard not to get caught up into the politics wrapping themselves around the Summer games. Sometimes we - myself included - lose sight of the athletes themselves.

Here's a video of Hall that some might enjoy and that gives some idea of the workouts he does as well as his outlook on life. He's a gracious and down to earth guy that I've enjoyed rooting for. I suspect that many here will, too.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=2313476df0d09910702f&page=1&viewtype=&category=

[Cvengr]

Also running in this year's marathon is a 101 year old Pierre "Buster" Martin.

"However, mystery still surrounds the background of the French-born Mr Martin, real name Jean Pierre Martin, whose birth certificate is said to be with a daughter in Canada. He is a committed drinker and smoker but has been in training since Christmas and has completed one half marathon and hopes to finish in about five hours." Elsewhere, in Wisconsin, geneticists have cloned another Rhesus Monkey with abandoned mother hugging cloned child...

[manapua]

I'm not sure what to make of your response.

Surely, you're not trying to dismiss the significance of an American return to the top levels of an international sport? If you are, I'd like to hear why.

[Cvengr]

A poor attempt at humor. The 101 yr old runner also was in the news, although the photos of him didn’t seem to give him justice, as much as they made him resemble a Rhesus monkey with his lambchop sideburns.