Ryan Hall, the fastest American marathoner ever, has withdrawn from the ING New York City marathon, it was announced today. Hall continues to suffer from injuries that have nagged him for the past year. He recently dropped out of the London Olympic marathon, due to injuries.
Ryan Hall, photo by PhotoRun.net
Ryan Hall burst onto the scene in 2006, running well in London. His career has its’ high highs and its’ low lows. His 2011 Boston Marathon was his fastest, with a 2:04:58. His racing career has been quixotic at best, and with his last two marathons, London Olympic and ING withdrawal, he will have much pressure on him upon his return.
Ryan Hall has created quite a stir in the running business due to his talent, his popularity and he and his wife, Sara Hall’s support of charities. Hall was the first American under one hour for the half marathon, eclipsing the 1:00.55 of Mark Curp, that had stood since the late 1980’s. In 2008, when Ryan Hall ran a 2:06.17 in the Virgin London marathon, it looked like Hall would join marathon royalty soon after that.
It has not happened that way. Ryan Hall continues to show his talent, but his other activities are what have kept him in the media eye. In Houston in 2011, Ryan wrote that his coach was none other than God. Hall relies on his discernment of the suggestions of a higher being as well as an eclectic group of advisers.
Ryan Hall is a huge talent. That is a fact. His injuries are showing that something is not right. Perhaps, as one coach told me, Ryan might pray as if all depends on God and act as if all depends on earthly actions. A human coach might be what Ryan Hall needs right now.
At the end of the day, an Olympic or World Championship medal is out of the possibilities for most athletes. For Ryan Hall, it is not out of the possibilities. Hall has to focus on his running, cut everything else out, and use the gift that God gave him, and run with control and focus.
To be able to race with the best, Ryan Hall needs to get that 5,000m and 10,000m time down, and rest and train. An earthly coach would provide some daily assistance that most great athletes need.
Ryan Hall is at a cross roads. He has to decide if his talent is best served focusing on the next two to four years or not. It is a decision only he and his wife can make. It will be interesting to see how he uses the amazing talents that he has.
RBR wishes Ryan Hall a speedy recovery.
U.S. Olympian Ryan Hall Withdraws from 2012 ING New York City Marathon
Injuries force him out of November 4 race
New York, September 10, 2012– The 2012 ING New York City Marathon men’s field will
lose previously announced Ryan Hall due to a series of small but stubborn injuries,
including plantar fasciitis and tightness in his legs, which have caused him to
lose too much training time, it was announced today by
New York Road Runners officials.
“I am very disappointed to not be able to run this year’s ING New York City Marathon,”
said Hall, 29, of Redding, CA. “I was hoping that after some time off and treatment
after the Games, the string of nagging injuries I’ve been dealing with this year would
be behind me. After trying to run through, I came to the realization when keeping the
big picture in mind, that I needed to take a longer break to let things heal and not
rush the training. As much as I would love to still race after taking the break, my
integrity will not let me show up to the line if I’m not fit.”
Hall started the Olympic Marathon in London last month, but was forced to stop
due to injury. The men’s field features Hall’s U.S. Olympic Marathon teammates
Meb Keflezighi and Abdi Abdirahman. Other top Americans include Jason Hartmann,
Brett Gotcher, Nick Arciniaga, Scott Bauhs, Andrew Carlson, and Ryan Vail.
About the ING New York City Marathon
NYRR’s premier event, the ING New York City Marathon is the most loved and
most inclusive marathon in the world, attracting elite athletes and recreational
runners alike for the challenge and thrill of a lifetime. The race has grown
tremendously since it began in 1970 with just 127 runners racing four laps of
Central Park. Now, more than 47,000 participants from all over the globe flock
to New York City every November for an adrenaline-filled road tour of all five
boroughs, starting on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
and ending in Central Park. Some run for prize money or bragging rights, others
for charity or their personal best. All are cheered on by more than two million
live spectators and a TV audience of 330 million.
For more information:
NYRR Newsroom: www.nyrrmedia.org
NYRR Media Twitter: @nyrrnews
