Indianapolis – Two former phenoms faltered and a younger one prospered Thursday night at the U.S. Track & Field Championships, but an elder humbled them all.
In one of the most eagerly awaited American distance races in years, 30-year-old Abdi Abdirahman won the men’s 10,000 meters in 28 minutes, 13.51 seconds in steamy central Indiana. Galen Rupp, who just finished his junior year at the University of Oregon, was second in 28:23.31. It was Rupp’s first national championships race against senior competition.
“In high school, I looked up to these guys,” Rupp said. “To be able to run with them and be competitive with them is a dream.”
Deena Kastor ran away with the women’s 10,000 meters in 31:57. Former University of Colorado runner Kara Goucher finished second (32:33:8) in what she called the greatest achievement of her career, qualifying for the world championships Aug. 25-Sept. 2 in Osaka, Japan.
“Three years ago I was dead last at the Olympic trials,” a tearful Goucher said. “I didn’t beat one person (except) the one girl who dropped out. Now I’m here with just Deena Kastor in front of me. I can’t believe it. I have to pinch myself, I’m so excited.”
Another highlight of the first day was an American record by javelin stalwart Breaux Greer, who threw the spear 299 feet, 6 inches, breaking his own standard.
The evening also included preliminary rounds of the 100, 400, women’s 1,500 meters and women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. CU redshirt sophomore Jenny Barringer had the fastest time in the steeplechase (9:57.77).
For Rupp to finish second and earn a spot in the world championships a year before Beijing was huge.
“You never want to put too much emphasis on one race, but this is a big step,” said Rupp, 21. “It’s a great chance to get ready to run against the guys I’ll be running against next year.”
Four years ago, Dathan Ritzenhein and Ryan Hall were the young phenoms who had fans of distance running buzzing about an American distance renaissance. They’re still very much in the mix, but both were upstaged by Rupp on Thursday night.
Ritzenhein was in the thick of the race with four laps to go, trading leads with Abdirahman and feeling strong, but the former CU runner suddenly unraveled and finished third in 28:31.88. He collapsed at the finish and was taken immediately to the medical tent.
“I don’t know what happened,” Ritzenhein said more than 30 minutes later, eyes still glassy. “I have no explanation. With four laps to go, I felt like I was going to walk away with it, and instantly it was like someone drained the blood out of me or something.”
Hall finished seventh, but he had an excuse, having run the London Marathon two months ago in the best American marathon debut ever.
“I’m in a little bit different spot in my training than these guys; this is my first time back since London,” said Hall, whose focus is the Olympic marathon trials in November. “It’s always good to start off the season, get my butt kicked first time out. It gets me in gear and keeps me humble.”
Abdirahman was only too happy to oblige.
“I’m not ready to hand over yet,” Abdirahman said. “I still have a couple more years in me.”
Another old-timer, Alan Culpepper of Lafayette, was fourth.
“I’m still proud that I can come and be competitive,” said Culpepper, 34. “We’re in an unprecedented time in USA track and field. We’ve got a whole new crop, and we’ve still got Abdi winning.”
