In a New York Minute- The 2008 Men's Olympic Marathon Trials
In a New York Minute- The 2008 Men's Olympic Marathon Trials
New York City, 2008 Men's Olympic Marathon Trials - November 3, 2008
The Eagles song "In a New York Minute" seemed fitting of the highs and lows that made the 2008 Men's Olympic Marathon Trials. With rain, gusty, winds, and cold temperatures, 128 of the Country's best toed the line in Central Park, all with the same hope: making the Olympics. Arguably, this was the most competitive Men's Olympic Marathon Trials in history.
Picture of Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein and Brian Sell after winning their tickets to Beijing
Some of the favorites included Half-Marathon record holder Ryan Hall at a mere 25 years of age, Dathan Ritzenhein a new father and cross country hero, Meb Keflezighi the 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist, Abdi Abdirahman two-time Olympian, and Alan Culpeper past olympic marathoner and multiple national championship holder. As an anxiety filled night broke into early morning excitement, hordes of people gathered to watch the race take place on the 5 plus mile loop that would take the runners up and down the many hills of NYC's Central Park. Early in the race it was still anybody's game. A pack including Keflezighi, Dan Browne, Khalid Kannouchi, Hall, Ritzenhein, Culpeper, Abdirahman formed in the early stages of the race. At the halfway point Hall began a charge that would propel him to overall victory in Olympic Marathon Trials Record time. Ritzenhein established a gap on the rest of the field that he held through his second place finish. The real race was for 3rd place. A dark horse, Dan Browne, and Meb Keflezighi battled for the 3rd position until Browne made a surge that would propel him several seconds ahead. The race was far from over, as Browne fell victim to a cramp in his calf. With only one lap to go, the real hero of the day, Brian Sell, fu-manchu flowing, came out and took a lead that he fought hard to keep all the way to his 3rd place finish. Sell symbolizes the blue-collar runner of America: working part time at Home Depot, training more than 160 miles per week, and fueling on burgers (http://www.flocasts.org/flotrack/coverage.php?c=116&id=5477). The 2008 New York City Men's Olympic Marathon Trials showed that one thing remains true in the Big Apple: "In a New York minute....everything can change."
Picture of Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein and Brian Sell after winning their tickets to BeijingSome of the favorites included Half-Marathon record holder Ryan Hall at a mere 25 years of age, Dathan Ritzenhein a new father and cross country hero, Meb Keflezighi the 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist, Abdi Abdirahman two-time Olympian, and Alan Culpeper past olympic marathoner and multiple national championship holder. As an anxiety filled night broke into early morning excitement, hordes of people gathered to watch the race take place on the 5 plus mile loop that would take the runners up and down the many hills of NYC's Central Park. Early in the race it was still anybody's game. A pack including Keflezighi, Dan Browne, Khalid Kannouchi, Hall, Ritzenhein, Culpeper, Abdirahman formed in the early stages of the race. At the halfway point Hall began a charge that would propel him to overall victory in Olympic Marathon Trials Record time. Ritzenhein established a gap on the rest of the field that he held through his second place finish. The real race was for 3rd place. A dark horse, Dan Browne, and Meb Keflezighi battled for the 3rd position until Browne made a surge that would propel him several seconds ahead. The race was far from over, as Browne fell victim to a cramp in his calf. With only one lap to go, the real hero of the day, Brian Sell, fu-manchu flowing, came out and took a lead that he fought hard to keep all the way to his 3rd place finish. Sell symbolizes the blue-collar runner of America: working part time at Home Depot, training more than 160 miles per week, and fueling on burgers (http://www.flocasts.org/flotrack/coverage.php?c=116&id=5477). The 2008 New York City Men's Olympic Marathon Trials showed that one thing remains true in the Big Apple: "In a New York minute....everything can change."