Webb's Mile vs. Hall's Half-Marathon

[irishcc]

I think Ryan Hall's record is slightly more impressive because of the distance covered and the fact it was his first half marathon.

[dozer459]

Both are really impressive, but Webb has had a lot of pressure on him to get this record since he went sub-4 in high school and I think that makes his more impressive.

[tc]

Webb really had not been producing like everybody had hoped. He has really stepped up this year and has been running like he should be. I'm going with Ryan Hall though. The time is very impressive.

[illini1]

I agree with Trace. Ryan Hall's run is the more impressive race because of the distance. We can only hope that this is the start of big things for Alan Webb and not that he's peaked too early for Beijing. Webb has Steve Scott's American record...now all he has to do is develop the consistency that Scott did (more sub-4 minute miles than anyone in history).

[dbandre]

They are both great, but the 1/2 is something the 30 somethings chase after not 24-25 year olds, and mile american holds more prestige so I think the mile record is more impressive. Hall's amazing but he's still a little young to be considered a top level marathoner if that's his goal.

[newpackman]

Not to start a fight, but I don't think 30 year olds go out and get world records in to many events. Isn't the world record holder in the marathon something like twenty two. Just saying the marathon and half marathon are now a young mans game to.

[fal]

Actually, most runners don't peak until at least 28. The world record holder in the marathon, Haile Gebrselassie, ran that this year at the age of 34.

[benmanion]

Both are equally impressive, but the problem in comparing them is that these two races are like apples and oranges. They require different qualities in order to achieve them. In fact, you could say that both races require different types of runners to accomplish them. The difference between the mile and the half-marathon, in terms of runners, is like the difference between a 100 meter guy and a miler. Both need speed, but the miler needs a "little" more endurance to do what he does. The half-marathoner needs some speed, but needs more endurance than a miler, etc. All are runners, but different types of runners.

At the end of the day you have to give PROPS to both men for unbelievable performances. Finally we are getting some Americans who are stepping up to the challenge that our African counterparts thrown down!

[newpackman]

I agree. It's really hard to compair these events. As for Geb, I think the guy who held it before him was only twenty-two or something. He and Geb have been battleing over it for a while now. Well, that's all I've got on that.