Friday 17th April 2009 11:36:06 AM 
Ryan Hall is looking to win his first Boston Marathon Ryan Hall is a running sensation. At age 25, he was already the second-fastest American marathoner ever -- a title achieved after only three attempts at the distance. He was named "the future of marathon running" by former Olympic champion Stefano Baldini, prior to the disappointing 10th place in Beijing. Here is his record: Marathon Month, Year Time Place London April 2007 2:08:04 7th US Olympic Trials Nov 2007 2:09:02 1st London April 2008 2:06:17 5th Beijing Games Aug 2008 2:12:33 10th In preparing for the Boston Marathon on April 20,2009, Hall has been trying to replicate the demanding, hilly, Boston course while training in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. He is ready physically, as well as mentally, inspired by the sudden death of his runner partner and friend.* *Insid A Bible that goes everywhere with Ryan Hall is a photo of Hall and a fellow runner standing toe-to-toe at the starting line of the U.S. Olympic marathon trials last November in New York City. It was the last race the two men would run together, and it signifies for Hall the importance of living with purpose. The other man in the photo is Ryan Shay, Hall's running partner and friend. Thirty minutes after the photo was taken, Shay, 28, collapsed on the race route and died of a heart attack. ¡§His memory inspires me,¡¨ Hall says. ¡§I don't know anyone in the world who trained harder that Ryan Shay. [His death] reminds all of us to seize the opportunity every day.¡¨ - July/August 2008 Stanford Magazine
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