It's Half Time

At the intersection between the 10,000m track/road races and the big city marathons, there is the half marathon distance. The event is often intriguing with track runners and marathoners uniting to compete against each other at the distance. As the summer track and road circuits wind down and big marathons approach, the time is ripe for some major half marathon showdowns to take the spotlight. On the slate this weekend are two of the biggest half-marathons on the schedule. The Philly half features the best American Marathoner in Ryan Hall, who will be taking on 2009 World Cross Country Champion and 2010 champion of the road circuit, Geb Gebremariam, as well as stud marathoner Abderrahim Goumri. In the women's race, 2008 Olympics 10,000m Bronze Medalist Shalane Flanagan takes on Ethiopian track superstar Meseret Defar, who is making her debut at the distance. Elsewhere World Half Marathon Bronze Medalist, American Dathan Ritzenheim takes on the living legend, Haile Gebresalassie, in the BUPA Great North Run. Should make for some exciting racing, and look to see if the hour mark is challenged by the two male Americans, and if the more seasoned Flanagan can challenge Meseret Defar. More on these two great competitions after the results and races are through.