Ryan Hall, top U.S. marathoner, will run Chicago this fall to try new tactics Reveals why he is racing so close to 2012 Olympic trials

1:53 p.m. CDT, July 27, 2011

As he trained next to an Alpine lake in St. Moritz, Switzerland last week, Ryan Hall turned the workout into a simulation of the reason why he will compete in the Oct. 9 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Hall ran 45 minutes as if he were in the lead pack, then spent the next 15 doing a surge every minute, backing off his pace only minimally after the surges. It was an anecdotal answer to my first question after Hall revealed to the Tribune his decision to run Chicago...

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HALL TO RUN CHICAGO MARATHON
By David Monti
(c) 2011 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - used with permission

American half-marathon record-holder Ryan Hall has decided to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9, according to an announcement made by his sponsor, Asics America.  Hall, a 2008 Olympian, has been sponsored by Asics since 2005.

Hall, 28, who ran a sizzling 2:04:58 personal best at last April's Boston Marathon, will take to the flat Chicago course 96 days before running the USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Houston, where he is the favorite to defend his title from the 2008 Trials.

"I'm feeling good and looking forward to running the flat Chicago course," said Hall through a statement.  "It will be interesting to see how the times translate out there."

This will be Hall’s first appearance at the marathon in Chicago.  He was scheduled to run the last year, but pulled out, citing fatigue.  Shortly thereafter, he left coach Terrence Mahon to be self-coached, a risky move which appeared to pay off with his fourth place finish at Boston in the fastest time ever run by an American (although not the American record because the Boston course is ineligible for record-setting).  At Chicago, Hall can try for Khalid Khannouchi's USA record of 2:05:38 set in London in 2002.

Hall has most recently been training in St. Moritz, Switzerland, with wife Sara, a middle distance runner.  The couple flew to Chicago from Zurich today where Hall will be featured on a conference call hosted by marathon organizers.

ENDS