Hall Meets With Local Runners

Posted Feb 27, 2009 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 27, 2009 at 11:59 PM

U.S. Olympic marathon runner Ryan Hall met with a standing-room-only crowd of prep runners Friday at the Tampa Convention Center.

Considering the event was mostly word-of-mouth, the crowd of more than 100 was something of a surprise. But what Hall has accomplished as an American distance runner—like clocking under an hour to break the U.S. record in the half marathon—and his enormous appeal among young distance runner is a big draw.

Runners from across the area, including teams from Wharton, Seminole, Armwood and Plant—were in attendance and the 26-year-old Hall, who is running Saturday’s 15-kilometer Gasparilla Distance Classic, fielded questions for more than a half hour. Afterward, he stayed at the convention center until he had signed autographs for everyone who wanted one. And that included the nearly every kid and coach in the place.

Hall answered questions ranging anywhere from what his prerace routine is (including watching the film “The Passion of the Christ”) to what type of training he is logging in preparation for his Boston Marathon debut next month.