Runnerville

I ran into Meb Keflezighi’s agent/brother Hawi at the Running USA conference earlier this month in San Diego.  Question was which race Meb might use to tune up for  the Boston Marathon on Patriot’s Day April 19th.  Now we know.  He’s heading back to the scene of his greatest triumph, New York, New York to take on the Great One, Haile Gebrselassie, in the New York 1/2 Marathon on March 21st.

 Interesting  choice, and according to Hawi, not a foregone one.  The other viable options included the Gate River 15K in Jacksonville, Florida on March 13th, which doubles as the annual USATF National Road 15K Championship, and the new Rock `n` Roll Dallas 1/2 Marathon the following day in Texas.

Forgetting for a moment the monetary inducements any of the three might generate for Meb, these spring (like the fall) marathon tune up races are more about getting one’s head and body right for the big race down the line, rather than maxing out on that particular day.  So, what may have lured Meb to New York wasn’t just his comfort levels and reception in New York by the N.Y. Road Runners, but the lack of pressure to win the race, what with Haile in the field and all. 

If Meb had gone back to Jacksonville, where he won six times in seven years from 2001 to 2007, the pressure to win would have been great.  Then what if he didn’t? And with the level of competition churning around America these days, though a victory would seem more likely than not, certainly there would be decent money betting the other way. 

As for Rock `n` Roll in Dallas, well, the Competitor Group’s recent modus operandi has been to invite one big name for their event marquee, then let him/her carry the PR weight alone.  Good money in that, but perhaps not the type of atmosphere or competition to best tune up for a marathon major.  

So it is off to New York where Meb can run free and easy, not be expected to win, yet perhaps take a solid shot at a new PR, and who knows, all things fall perfectly…

Most of the time races need racers.  Other times racers need races.  This is one of those times when New York is the perfect stepping stone to Boston for Meb.  Now, where is Ryan Hall prepping for Patriot’s Day?

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