Throwdowns > Closed

ColoNative said 12/21, 06:27 AM
I read an interesting article that lists the, "USA's 10 Best Moments for U.S. Distance Running in 2010". http://tinyurl.com/2fpp4kc

It is a great article but I disagree with the ranking of the top 10.

The author has Hall, Keflezighi, Lehmkuhle finishing 4th, 5th, 9th at the Boston Marathon at # 8!
I think that this was the #1 moment for USA distance running in 2010.

Hall???s time was the fastest ever by an American and even more significant ??? it was the first time since 1983 that two (or more) Americans have finished in the top ten.

Of note, 1983 was the last time that an American won the Boston Marathon.

This storied, world class event has been dominated by foreigners, mainly runners from Africa.
Three Americans finishing in the top ten is amazing and may be sign that there are some young American runners that are able to compete on the international long distance running circuit

Thus, the Boston marathon of 2010 was the greatest moment in 2010 for USA long distance running.

ColoNative said 12/22, 05:26 AM
Three Americans finishing in the top ten at the Boston Marathon is more significant than Lagat's 5000 m record in Oslo.


Although Americans are far behind the Africans in distance running, having three finish in the top ten at Boston is a signal that there is an up an coming generation of American distance running. Successful distance running is all about a running culture that values distance running and training for distance events - as is evident by the success of African distance runners.

The Boston Marathon is a MUCH larger stage than whatever event Lagat broke the 5000 m record at. The success that three runners achieved in the Boston Marathon has the potential to energize young distance runners at amateur levels - much more potential than Lagat's record.

As you put it, "ITS IN OUR OWN BACKYARD" - thus more American distance runners were/are knowledgeable about the success of the three Americans in the Boston marathon. Because it was in our own backyard, the Boston marathon was MORE significant than Lagat's record in Oslo.

Overall significance - Advantage Boston Marathon.

ColoNative said 12/24, 12:10 AM
Forfeited Turn