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2012 USA Olympic Team Trials Marathon - The Men's Race
by Sharon Ekstrom
photo: Scott Winnier/MarathonGuide.com
The Start of the 2012 Olympic Trials
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The story for the 2012 USA Men's Olympic Marathon Trials seemed pretty straight forward...Ryan Hall, champion of the 2008 US Olympic Men's Marathon Team Trials and the fastest American marathoner currently running (2:04:58, 2011 Boston Marathon), would take off from the gun and the field of 111 starters in the men's race would try to hang with him to nab one of the other two spots for the Olympic team.
Beyond Hall, some new runners would be in the mix for a top spot: men such as half marathon specialist Mo Trafeh who had yet to complete his first marathon, two upstarts from the McMillan Elite Training Group, now known as Team USA Arizona, Bret Gotcher and Nick Arciniaga...even 10000m specialist Galen Rupp was considered talented enough to grab a spot despite never running a marathon ever. (Rupp who trained with Ritzenhein withdrew from the field prior to race day.)
Even veterans of the marathon who were previous Olympians could not be ruled out for a top three finish, regardless of the fact that they were all coming back from a series of setbacks due to injury: Meb Keflezighi, Dathan Ritzenhein and Abdi Abdirahman. These men had proven their abilities in the distance in the past and had the mental toughness that a true career marathoner faces - the ability to rebound when the odds are against you. Significantly, all three laid low during the pre-race press conferences. Abdirahman was not on the press conference roster and Keflezighi and Ritzenhein flew in late Thursday and Friday - missing any chance of being at a press conference.
Pre-race Sentiments - Faster than Ever
On the world stage the top elite marathoners have "upped the ante" making 2:04-2:05 finishes nearly a standard to enter top elite rosters and it was time for the Americans to come into their own. While Hall's run at the 2011 Boston Marathon solidified his place against his African competition; his 2:08:04 at the 2011 Chicago Marathon seemed rather lackluster.
2011 and 2012 saw a new generation of marathoners stepping up to the plate. Some like Bret Gotcher hinted pre-Trials that 2:06 could be what was needed to make the team. This would have been a massive personal best for Gotcher; but realistically the Olympic berth was the main goal. Gotcher's training partner, Nick Arciniaga was less aggressive in his predictions and thought a 2:09-2:10 would be enough to make the team. But pre-race Arciniaga had a some doubts about his performance - coming off a hip injury, he felt that Gotcher whom he'd measured his own fitness against was still a bit stronger.
photo: Scott Winnier/MarathonGuide.com
Ryan Hall sets the pace
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Others had no time predictions, but were confident that they would fare well on race day despite not having competed in the distance in some time. Pre-race Abdi Abdirahman was confident that he could qualify for both the marathon and the 10000m trials. MarathonGuide.com believed that he certainly looked fit to do so. He also commented that he was surprised that the course was hillier than he had expected; but we were certain that this wouldn't stop "the Black Cactus".
How the Story Unfolded
The men went out in a fast first 10K (4:50, 4:51, 4:51, 4:48, 4:48, 4:43) and were on target for a 2:06:08 marathon finish which was much faster than everyone's - every runner's - personal best except for Hall. When asked post-race why he went out so quickly, Hall answered, "I thought everyone expected me to go out hard. I was just being me."
By mile 9 there was a core group of five in the lead pack - Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, Meb Keflezighi, Abdi Abdirahman, and Mo Trafeh. The men went through the half marathon mark in 63:25 which was still at a pace that could break any of these men at any time.
Through 20K the leaders were averaging 4:49 per mile, but as they passed the halfway mark they were slowing to 4:56 pace... As the runners started their final loop of the four loop course - passing the spectator stands, Abdirahman seemed to be already celebrating as he took to the front of the group clowning to the crowds and getting them to cheer. Ritzenhein started to tire and soon after was completely off the pack. By 22 miles in what was the slowest mile of the race - 5:07 - Abdirahman began to further drop off the pace. Abdirahman looked nervous that Ritzenhein could catch him if he wasn't careful; but he was too far off to respond....the men's marathon team to the 2012 London Olympics was already determined....these three men had been the favorites going into the 2008 Olympic Trials, but race day in New York didn't favor all of them. In 2008, Abdirahman dropped out of that race and Keflezighi failed to make the team.
For many, predominantly Keflezighi and Abdirahman, these Trials in Houston were about redemption after their poor 2008 performances. Even Ritzenhein who doubted he could return to form after foot surgery and multiple complications thereafter put in a solid effort. In our opinion there were no losers.
photo: Scott Winnier/MarathonGuide.com
Meb Keflezighi Victorious
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The Return of Keflezighi
If every race has a story - the Trials story begins with Ryan Hall, but the day truly belongs to Meb Keflezighi. At mile 23, Keflezighi took to the front and remained there until the end. Hall could not respond to Keflezighi's move and when Keflezighi was in the clear, rather than race to the finish to take a personal best, he slowed to cheer on a pack of female Trialists that he had lapped. Keflezighi pumped his fist at the crowd, broke into a smile and even grabbed an American flag from a bystander which he waved until he crossed the finish in 2:09:08, a new personal best. Hall was second in a 2:09:30, Abdirahman was third in 2:09:47 and Ritzenhein was fourth in an emotional 2:09:55 - there is nothing tougher than just missing the Olympic team.
That Keflezighi could have a personal best was incredible, especially as he had run his previous best just two months before. We can't really say Keflezighi's making the Olympic team was a complete surprise since we've always believed in Keflezighi's talent and mental toughness; but his victory cements the theory that "Good guys do finish first." And Keflezighi's longevity is something else that should inspire us - that Keflezighi could earn a Silver medal in 2004 and emerge as the best American marathoner of 2012 is wonderful.
photo: Scott Winnier/MarathonGuide.com
The 2012 Olympic Team Selected
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Top Finishers & Prize Money:
1. Meb Keflezighi - 2:09:08 - $74,000
2. Ryan Hall - 2:09:30 - $63,000
3. Abdi Abdirahman - 2:09:47 - $52,000
4. Dathan Ritzenhein - 2:09:55 - $21,000
5. Brett Gotcher - 2:11:06 - $15,500
6. Andrew Carlson - 2:11:24 - $10,000
7. Fernando Cabada - 2:11:53 - $8,000
8. Nick Arciniaga - 2:11:56 - $7,000
9. James Carney - 2:12:23 - $6,000
10. Jimmy Grabow - 2:12:29 - $4,000
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