Galen Rupp 10K Champion 2009 NCAA Track and Field Championships : Speakers & Interviews

I'm Galen Rupp, i'm really good at the 10k, but i sound like a gay person.

19 eh

Sounds like you have major health issues Stevie, a break from ruuning might be a wise thing. How old are you?

I am not really that aggressive, but I would have a right to be a frustrated runner. The past 2 years for outdoor I have had an adrenal problem the first year, than the this year I had bronchitis, than plantar faciitis, than a dislocated ankle. 27:30 is slightly out of my reach I will say. But lets not make this personal eh.

You are very aggresive arnt you Stevie, why dont you try putting some of that into your training it could pay off. Or may be are you a frustrated runner, you arnt that good you no all the stats & idolise people like Rupp. Im right on that one Stevie arnt i, admit it come on. Or that photo isnt you, you could be 35 fat balding & have a thing about Rupp. Frankly it doesnt matter to me i think your funny.

Does it look like I run? Yes pressure can cause people to not reach there full potential but most of the people I know in the US are not exactly fans of him. So lets just give it time and see what happens, but name one person that has been this good and never developed into an even better runner. If Rupp was doing 120mpw again I would agree with you, but when his coach says that he has only been doing an average 90-95 there is plenty of room to up it and reach a higher potential. Also if you look at it Rupp hasn't won big meets in the past 3 years. He will be fine just give him time, and we will see what happens eh.

Theres been many before like Rupp that just dont develop, the more people start going on about how good they are the more pressure it puts on them. Do you run Stevie?

Rupp's run 13:18-13:16 indoor, I don't care who you are that's a fast indoor time. Give him 2-3 years, he will be around there. What about Chris Derrick and 18-19 running a 13:28, doesn't compare to some of the Kenyans who run 13:13 at that age. But bet if he develops well 13:08 is not out of the question. I can see him and Fernandez battling to run sub 13, maybe Bob Kennedys record will go down.

Farah as run 13:08, cant see Rupp ever running that. As for Emanuel he as not been in the sport that long so he aint no where near is peak trust me. Fernandez iv got to say i do rate, but Rupp no.

Well if you are referring to Lee Emanuel than yes the US do have the people to match him, Fernandez, Ulrey, Centrowitz, Rupp, Heaths. I don't know what kind of times that Farah runs but if he is a 5k runner than I will stick with both Fernandez, and Derrick. Derrick runs a 13:28 as a freshman, Hassan Mead out of Minnesota runs a 13:24-25 I believe as a sopre. 13:04 is still a very quality time though, it still may place but with Bekele running 13:00 this early in the season does anyone really have a chance if Bekele performs to his ability. I would say that Both Tegenkamp and Solinsky out of the US are still high quality runners. Both are still decently young, I think 25-26ish. But give it 4-5 years like I said, give Chris Derrick, German Fernandez, Luke Puskedra, Kyle Heath, and Galen Rupp time to mature even more and the US will be back in the mix. Probably not on top but when our lifestyle is so different from the east African countries I don't see anyone really challenging them. I want to proven wrong there though. Other countries to watch out for Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

He knows you're British because you spelled savior "saviour." Or at least that's how I could tell.

Well for starters Stevie how do you no im British? The US female distance running is in a more than healthy state. But like you 13:04 on the mens side isnt going to win you anything is it. But yes British distance running doesnt look that good, though they do have good young ones coming through Lancashire, Emanuel, Farah. Can the US match those?

Sorry, I don't have money to make a bet. The economy in the tank and all. But if you want to switch views for a quick second, who has Britain or the UK produced lately? Also on the womens side of things America has a "savior" there. 13:04 is a very quality time. It wont win internationally but it may place depending on the way the race is run.

Would you like to bet on Rupp going under 27 in 2 years? Lagat yes you are right is Kenyan so he doesnt count. 13:04 on the world stage is nothing, so im right the us distance scene is not good. Oh & Rupp is not the saviour trust me. Mind you the us could get another Kenyan, what do you think Stevie?

Matt Tegenkamp got 4th in Osaka 2 years ago in the 5k, 13:04 pr. And Lagat (though not American born) 1st in the 1500 and 5k at Osaka. Rupp will be under 27 in 2 years I an predicting. But yeah I agree American distance running has been down for the most part for awhile. But I think that with the quality of this years freshman class you will be hearing more and more about American distance running in the next 4-7 years.

I never mentioned peaking at all Stephen & i never mentioned marathon runners either. But us distance running as been in a sorry state for some years Bob Kennedy aside who as the us provided on the world scene? Ryan Hall is in my opionion to young for the marathon, he should have fulfilled his potential at 10k before moving up.
Fernandez does look good i must admit, but Rupp im not convinced.

I apparently know more than you when it comes to age and physical peaks. Since it is pretty much common knowledge that distance runners peak age is around 28. Some hold peaks better than others ex. Bernard Lagat. Now if Rupp was a mid-distance runner it would be 25-28. Why do you think most marathoners are older, because their peak for the longer the event the older you can be. (keep in mind this is a generalization there is always an exception to the rule). I am not saying either way if you did or didn't, because I honestly have no idea. U.S. distance running aside from Lagat, Tegenkamp, Solinsky, and Abdirahman is still a young up and coming group. With people like Fernandez, Derrick, and yes Rupp leading the way for the years to come. You could even say that Ryan Hall is young for his event.

What would you no about physical peaks Stephen? Well if he is the best the us as to offer then you are in big trouble endurance wise Stevie my boy. By the way Stephen are you saying i didnt do it?

I said the U.S. has to offer. Galen was going to school when he did it. Both hard to do and train at the same time. You were much closer to your physical peak, therefore you were better fit to hit the mark (if indeed you actually did). piemaster shut up and stop talking . People around the world have actually heard of Galen Rupp, no one has ever heard of John Wood.

No justdoit11 i was working when i did it, Galen the best in general i dont think so! There must be 50 kenyans faster than him.

piemaster, 28-23 even if you did actually run a 27:30 you didn't do it in College. Face it Galen is the best young talent the U.S. has to offer probably the best in general at the 10k distance right now.

Your calling me a lier master of pie?
I was 28 when i ran 27:30, 19yrs ago & dont copy my name.
Your not my long lost son are you?

its fine to sit and kick for a championship race, but gaylen does it all the time, thats why american distance running is behind, we dont push it in most of our none championship races.

BS. at what age did you run a 27:30?
I'm pretty sure that was a 5k and you're just confused as to the difference

Socal he as won 4 championship races against nobodys & sean Pre did kill himself, oh & izer learn to spell.
Face up to it Galen aint that good.
Sfduck i ran 27:30 for 10k so why should i be jealous.

Awesome job Galen! You rock!!!!!!!!!

Best races I've seen in a while!

Why in the hell would you ever take the lead to help someone you race to win at championship races, am I not correct he could have ran 30:00 sitting on everyone and passed them in the last 100 its still a national championship get of his case!

WE KNOW!

looks like he doesn't care too much about that taco bell sponsorship once he turns pro...

When Galen was a freshman he placed 2nd in the 10k at nationals to Cheseret because he led the whole way and got kicked past at the end. Same thing happened at pac10s earlier that year. People used to rip on this kid all the time because he could run fast times and break open the field, but he could never get 1st place. It seems to me like he learned from those years of always getting outkicked, and now he is consistently winning races. Yet, people seem to be upset at this.

Whoever is tying to rip on him need to keep it to himself. This kid is amazing and should be supported for American distance running.

Lot's of envious people on here. He didn't race any different than Chalenga or Forrest would have done. In fact, they brought up the pace to work against Rupp. Who's fault is that? You guys have never raced before obviously.

rich boy with an altitude tent. please destroy him hassan mead.

its fine that he sits and wins, great! but I do NOT think they should EVER compare him to PRE. the second coming my ass, PRE would have been out there killing himself for a victory. as he said sitting and kicking is chicken sh!t

The kid has won 4 championship races in the last year. How can anybody disrespect him? It seems to me like his strategies work.

If sitting back behind a leader is bad, I must be confused. I thought this is why meet directors hire rabbits...

Get a grip you lot he is not that good.
I bet the kids at school took the piss out of him with a name like Galen.
What were is parents thinkin of. Mind you it could have been worse or could it?
Thoughts please

Can I just point out that Galen did take the lead at one point in the race. He very unselfishly went out to pace the other guys through the last 600. Not his fault they couldn't keep up :)

how can you disrespect him?! because he wants to score points and help oregon win? ... people are idiots

dudes not a dirty racer but he is a pus when it comes to leading. I dont dislike the guy hes an amazing athlete but i lost a lot of respect for him at xc wen chalnga needed some help with the led and rupp wouldnt take

No respect for him?? yaaa cause im sure YOU ("10k") could beat him

I have no respect for this kid

you do what you have to do to win. Galen knows how to race and he races smart.

I don't like his tactic of NEVER taking the lead at any cost during a race - even to the point of practically walking in both xc nats and last night when Forrest got pissed off and went around just after 7k. However, there is no rule that he has to lead. Rupp's clearly the best out there. He probably could have taken it from the gun if he wanted to or just go after 2k or so, like he did in that indoor 3000. But why? The goal here was to win, plain and simple. Win by 1 sec is just as good as win by 42 sec. It's likely his absolute refusal to lead just completely messes with Chelanga's head, and Rupp knows it and uses it to his advantage. Think about it...the other guy is racking his brain and worrying the whole race how he'll break you, rather than just running, and you're chillin out and just running. Who has the advantage?
But also, as Mark states, he still has a 5k to run, so I'm sure he's conserving energy. Plus, he has bigger plans that the NCAA title, no matter what he says. This is just a step along the way to the more important stuff. Why bust out a huge 10k here and risk hurting or tiring himself too much for USAs and/or the summer.

Dirty racer? Come on, say what you want but the bottom line is Galen is the saviest racer in the country - patient, calm, collected, and a great champion. He does what he has to do to win - that's the only rule in championship racing. Forrest and Chelanga did what they thought they had to do to win and it didn't work, simple as that.

Come on, dirty racer? He has to run 20k in less then 48hrs and score 20 points. He needs to conserve energy.

haha "un-written rule" what is that?

yeah most guys get going late night but galen is too busy cranking it in his altitude tent with his other oregon bf's.

Rupp is a dirty racer. Just like in indoor 5k CR, he wouldn't share the lead and sat on everyone else. All distance runners know there is an un-written rule to share the lead in long races. Rupp doesn't do that and I don't respect him.

is there a video of the race?

I love the doubters! 14:00 first 5K 23 laps at that pace and then a 2 flat 800 to finish it up. There was the guy who broke his 10K record right next to him. What happened? 5K tonight and we all know what will happen. That's all that counts.

I like how the guy said "1 more question!" and then Mark ask a second one, and the guy only laughed once the whole time when he said the thing about taco bell and ihop, the rest of the time he hated his job.

4 NCAA titles now, 1 XC, 2 indoor track, 1 outdoor track, and a good chance for another. Only guys with more than 4 NCAA titles in the last 15 years are Alistair Craig (7), David Kimani (6), and Chris Solinksy (5). Yes, Rupp is 'that good.'

What a sexy beast!

You lot just dont get it do you.
He is not that GOOD!
Get real will you.

I love how flotrack got the last question.. haha, you know galen only really wanted to talk to mark

A lot of the athletes have had "handlers" here at the meet. They're NCAA people who accompany the very in-demand athletes in the press area. Allows the athletes to be gracious and give the "oh, I have to go" without just leaving a reporter hanging - even though many of them would probably like to just leave stupid reporters hanging.

Ha - I think they all have escorts (or maybe just the winners?) cause you can see them in some of the other interviews like Jenny B's.

Way to go Galen! Boy, seems like he's matured about 10 years in the last 2 - much more articulate and thoughtful.

thats how most ever pro runner runs u cant lead the entire race and win inless ur racing little kids so give him a break hes faster then u'll ever be come on now

is that his body guard or something?

y were we going into the race? oh i'll just let those two burn themselves out then i'll steal it from them in the last bit. galen is strong and has experience in doubling but going into the race with that type of attitude can always come back to haunt you. just saying.

How old is he & does he shave yet?
But the big question is what sort of parent calls there child Galen i ask you.

Hey look! Jordan Kyle

my man

he ran that 1:58 walking the last homestretch. he had a 1:52 in him if he went from 2laps out a dug to the line.

he's fast but he's a goober

I was a hater before but after this legit and epic race you just can't deny it anymore. Way to go Rupp. But in track what do you have to get to be all american?

What a stud

Hell yeah! Galen is unstoppable...Congrats Galen. WE LOVE YOU!

1:58 final 800. Damn, thats my PR.

Galen's a freak of nature how do u run a 2:31 1000m after running hard for 9000m before that....very impressive

great guy

he has a handler. that's awesome

It was a great race to watch. Chelanga and Shawn both put in so many surges and Galen just kinda stayed the course for the win. Great race, to all those top three.

awesome.

Kid's a freak, it will be interesting to see him really pushed to the limit on saturday. I'm surprised no one asked what the heck all that commotion was with about 900m to go where Chalenga pretty much stopped, talk about bizarre.

I am so happy to see Galen succeed! Another NCAA Championship....congraduation!

"you know they don't come easy" .....from a song

yeah, he is about the best we have seen in a long time.

Rupp acts like he can go out and win the 5k right now haha. He is so amazing.