News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Ryan Hall Takes Fourth in New York Marathon

Ryan Hall Takes Fourth in New York Marathon

Second Place in USA Race

By Michael P. Neufeld
Monday, November 2, 2009

New York, NY - Ryan Hall finished fourth in the ING New York Marathon behind his training partner Meb Keflezighi who finished first.

Ryan and Sara Hall (Photo by Kyle Vermeulen/World Vision.)

Keflezighi, 34, is a U.S. born citizen born in the African nation of Eritrea, became the first American to win New York's great race since 1982 (Alberto Salazar).

Meb Keflezighi won the ING New York Marathon but his training partner, Ryan Hall, was close behind in fourth place. (Photo by ING New York Marathon.)

"A lot of people were writing him off," Hall stated about Keflezighi, "saying he was too old. But if there was one other guy who I wanted to see win this race it was Meb. He's like an older brother to me."

Hall may have finished fourth in the overall race but placed second in the USA race.

Because the ING New York City Marathon and USA Men's Marathon Championships were held concurrently for the first time since 2001, Keflezighi actually won the first two marathon titles of his career in a single event.

Keflezighi's time was 2:09:15. Hall finished in 2:10:36.

The women's title went to Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia with a time of 2:28:52.

This article was first published on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 7:33 am. This article has been viewed 2475 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.