After claiming victory and a spot in London from the hollowed grounds of Hayward Field, former Oregon standout Galen Rupp said he couldn’t ask for more.
And an Olympic-Trials record in the 10,000 meters? Sure, he’ll take that, too.
Friday afternoon, Rupp bided his time early before bursting away from the pack and cruising across the finish line in 27:25.33, well ahead of the field. He already owned the American record in the event, but added another chapter to Oregon’s long-distance lore by becoming one of three in-state residents to sweep the podium.
“I always feel really lucky to be able to run here, basically on my home track,” Rupp said. “Especially for such a big event like the Olympic Trials. I don’t think this could have gone much better for me.”
Matt Tegenkamp (second, 27:33.94) and Dathan Ritzenhein (third, 27:36.09) will join Rupp on Team USA. Tegenkamp — who competed in the 5k in Beijing in 2008 — was a likely candidate for the Olympic team, having already achieved the Olympic-A standard in the 10,000 earlier this year. Conversely, Ritzenhein was a relative long shot that used an inspired effort to earn his right to represent the star and stripes. Both runners train in Portland as part of Nike’s expansive track and field program.
As if running 25 laps weren’t trying enough, the field was tasked with circling the oval in rain that was brutal and unrelenting — even by Pacific Northwestern standards.
“When I stepped out and saw it pouring rain, I wasn’t the most excited person in the world,” Ritzenhein said. “But the fortunate thing is we’ve been in Oregon for about three and a half years now, and know that can happen.”
The race got off to a slow start, with current Duck and 10-time All-American Luke Puskedra leading the first five laps. He was eventually overtaken by Rupp, Ritzheim and Joseph Chirlee. That trio led until the last third of the race, when Chirlee began to fade and Tegenkamp surged into the lead group. That pack remained tight until Rupp shifted into another gear with three laps remaining. He quickened his pace, eventually gaining a 20-meter lead on the field.
Rupp topped off the race in comfortable fashion, waving and smiling as he slid by Bowerman’s Curve and took his first step toward Olympic glory. Though Rupp set a meet record on Friday, he was well short of his personal best (26:48.00). He is one of two non-Africans to break the 27-minute mark in the 10,000.
“At 5K, it was every man for himself,” Rupp said. “That was kind of our plan going in, and it worked great. I’m real happy that (Ritzenhein) is able to make it. I’m going to have my teammate and training partner and friend with me in London training for the 10K.”
While the men’s 10,000 offered little excitement down the backstretch, the women’s race was a wire-to-wire thriller that had Hayward’s west grandstand on its feet nearly from the gun. The podium would eventually be claimed by Amy Hastings, Natosha Rogers, and Shalane Flanagan — though only one of those three will compete in the Olympic games.
Luckily for the women, the incessant rain that plagued the men’s race subsided minutes before their race was slated to begin. Wendy Thomas@@Of where?@@ quickly seized the lead before being overtaken by Deborah Maier, a collegiate senior who last competed at the NCAA level for California. Maier would extend her advantage for much of the race, opening up a 15-meter lead on the field five laps in.
Maier maintained her breakneck pace until the midway point, when the peloton slowly but surely began to rein her in. She lost the lead when Hastings — who came into the Trials with the second-fastest qualifying time in the field — burst in front with around two and half miles remaining.
With the race still wide open and six laps to go, Hastings, Flanagan, Alisha Williams, Natosha Rogers and Lisa Uhl — a group that collectively owned four of the five fastest qualifying times coming into race — started to distinguish themselves from the field. Though Flanagan came in owning the American record in the event (30:22.22), her participation was simply for the sake of training, as she announced she will be competing in London exclusively in the marathon, an event she won in dominant fashion during its Trials this past January.
With less 200 meters to go, Flanagan made an aggressive move, pulling ahead of Hastings to ignite the crowd. Her advantage was short-lived, as Hastings accelerated to an all-out sprint in the last 100 meters, taking the lead for good. She crossed the finish line in 31:58.36, followed by Rogers (31:59.21), Flanagan (31:59.69) and Uhl (32:03.46).
Rodgers claimed second place, but she will not be part of team USA due to her slow qualifying time. Instead, Janet Cherobon-Bawcom — who finished in seventh but previously achieved an Olympic-A Standard — will head to London.
Like many of the fans in attendance, Uhl ultimately found the results of the race awkward.
“It was an ugly way to make the Olympic team,” Uhl said. “But I’m excited to go to London.”
Cherobon-Bawcome agreed, but added that she’s happy to get to the Olympic Games in any way possible.
“It’s a terrible way to get on the team,” she said, “but that’s the way I got in, and I’m excited.”