Galen Rupp 10k Champ USA Outdoor Championships

Racing at a high level is about winning, not about leading laps. Galen Rupp wins high level races with tough competition just like he needs to do. If he's the first one to cross the line it doesn't matter how he does it. Give the guy a break and just let him do his thing.

tigers love pepper...

Unless your Pre and you take the lead the whole time with almost no race plan (and win) then shut up cause Galen ran a smart race like always and he most importantly won the race this is what young distance runners need to look up to and emulate because he runs almost a flawless race.

To quote the great Herm Edwards, "You play to win the game"

If this race were just about fast times and he was letting the others do all the work, that would be a different story. But this is a championship setting, everyman for himself. If Rupp has any obligation to the spirit of competition it is to use the (legal) strategy that gives him the best chance to win. That is what competition is all about. If he acted like every move he made wasn't important, if he assumed a cavalier attitude towards the whole thing, wouldn't that be the real insult to his competitors?

I dont see why it matters how he wins the races. He is by far the most dominant collegiate athlete this year. The 10k at NCAA's he had two guys(two really good guys) teaming up against him and he still won the night after a 5k prelim. The guy knows how to win and knows what he needs to do each race. Plain and simple. and yes a WOW with him would rock!

i almost feel bad for the kid.he wins a national title by outkicking Ritz(who ran a great ballsy race) and gets all this garbage for it just because he ran smart and executed what seemed to be the exact instructions from Salazar. Maybe he wanted to lead but Salazar told him otherwise. Always listen to the coach. if you have a problem with his racing strategy maybe you should start talking s**t about Salazar...and that would be about as stupid.

yeaaaa, WOW wit galen sounds about right

I've loved watching Rupp race this year but this is the first interview with him I've really enjoyed. Informative. Exciting times.

dude who posted #10, you need to hit puberty. then you can post on this board.

agreed, get a WOW.
this guy is beastly!

I second this.

"he may always win with his GAY startegy but he will NEVER get respect, maybe everyone at oregon loves him but there are a lot more runners who HATE him than who love him" -- "But he's kind of a weasel ""

ARE U SERIOUS? What kind of classless posts are these? ARE you 13 years old? Save the bickering and be proud that we have American distance runners who have bright futures. Seriously RUPP is just finishing school, give him a break!
Seems like the better you are, the more jealousy and criticism you receive. It often inspires those armchair quarterback know it all HATERS who never have a chance at competing on the world stage to spew their negative,100% uneducated dribble. Using words like : gay/hate/weasel: and phrases like "please stop feeding off of other runners" COME ON PEOPLE!
RUPP kicks ass, kicks all of your collective asses.
Sit and kick is not a bad strategy. Dibaba does it all of the time, Lynn Jennings scored a bronze medal this way. There are numerous other examples.
My advice to you: Maybe try to emulate a RUPP workout, or maybe even half of one of his workouts? Run a mile at his 10k pace as you. Then come back and be a critic. Or better yet, post your workout video on here for all of us to see so we can have at you!

I'm sure he'll gain respect when he medals at a major world event

i couldn't agree more with hybrid's first paragraph.

he may always win with his gay startegy but he will never get respect, maybe everyone at oregon loves him but there are a lot more runners who hate him than who love him.

Rupp wins races. Is that the most important thing? yes. Is it the only thing? not necessarily. Rupp would still win the race if he led a few laps just to help out. It's a matter of having 'class.' Rupp is the fastest guy out there, no doubt. But he's kind of a weasel when it comes to racing. I realize this isn't cycling, but him not helping other people in races may come back to bite him.

Is Chalenga an idiot when it comes to race strategy in championship races? Absolutely, no doubt in my mind. But what else could he do? Rupp is just better. But he acts like every move he makes is so darn important. Just run the darn race, share the work, and win...shouldn't be that hard for a dude that talented.

I couldnt agree more with you. Its not about who is leading the race, its about the finish.

it has nothing to do with who leads early. All that matters is who is in the lead at the finish line. This concept that front running is some how more noble draft is the dumbest sh*t I have ever heard. Do what it takes to win. There is NO glory in leading for the whole race and then finishing 4th.

Until Rupp learns how to lead early in a race, he will have no shot of doing anything phenomenal on the world scene. Please stop feeding off other runners Rupp.

PLEASE. get a WOW with this man!

Kid doesn't cut a corner, ever!