by Alfonz Juck
Galen Rupp, photo by PhotoRun.net
HOUSTON (USA): Galen Rupp has pulled out of the Houston Half Marathon on Sunday due to a foot injury, informs organisers. “Unfortunately I will be unable to race on Sunday due to plantar fasciitis in my foot. It is improving, but not enough to run a half marathon on. I hope to get the chance to run the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in the future,” he said. Rupp was rumoured to be planning an attempt on Ryan Hall’s American record of 59:43. Mare Dibaba has pulled out of the women’s half marathon due to a death in the family while Tigist Tufa has also withdrawn due to injury. The half marathon fields are headed by Ethiopians Feyisa Lilesa and Yigrem Demelash in the men’s race and Kenya’s Mary Wacera in the women’s race while Ethiopians Biruktayit Degefa and Birhanu Gedefa will defend their marathon titles.
RunBlogRun opines: Galen Rupp won his second Olympic medal in 2016, with his bronze in the marathon, added to his silver in the 10,000 meters in 2012. The trials of marathon training are well known. We wish Galen a speedy recovery. Houston has a strong field in both the half marathon and the marathon, with 33,000 total runners in the 5k, half marathon and marathon.
