Somali tops the best selection of Marathon runners in Beijin

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6 FOR BEIJING

SECTION: Section D; Column 0; Sports Desk; Pg. 3

LENGTH: 463 words


Tomorrow morning, 134 American distance runners will compete in the United States Olympic marathon trials in New York. The top three finishers earn spots on the American team for the Beijing Games next summer. The predicted order of finish for the top six, according to Frank Litsky of The New York Times:

Abdi Abdirahman, 30

Lives in Tucson.

Fastest marathon: 2:08:56

Born in Somalia. United States citizen since 2000. The best bet to make the team because he is hungry and fast (national 10-kilometer champion on the track and road). The talent is there, and he runs smart. The Central Park hills and chilly weather will not help him, but he has too much going for him and will make his third straight Olympics.

Meb Keflezighi, 32

Lives in San Diego.

Fastest marathon: 2:09:53

Born in Eritrea. United States citizen since 1998. Silver medalist in the 2004 Athens Olympics. A scientist as a runner, with a fine sense of when to make a move. Greatest strength is a belief in himself. With his compact build and efficient stride, he is built for this rolling course. Bottom line: if he is healthy, he makes the Olympic team.

Ryan Hall, 25

Lives in Big Bear Lake, Calif.

Fastest marathon: 2:08:24

The young hope will be in his second marathon. His season includes that 2:08:24 marathon in London (fastest debut by an American) and 59:43 for the half-marathon (American record). A rhythm runner who may not like the ups and downs of Central Park. Incredible talent, but does he have the savvy for a tactical race?

Alan Culpepper, 35

Lives in Lafayette, Colo.

Fastest marathon: 2:09:41

Won 2004 Olympic trials in Birmingham, Ala., and finished 12th in the Athens Olympics. A cool runner who knows how and when to make a move. His race preparations are faultless, but he is near the end of his career and lacks the speed of others. If the race is tactical and slow, which is a strong possibility, he will be dangerous.

Dathan Ritzenhein, 24

Lives in Eugene, Ore.

Fastest marathon: 2:14:01

A real threat in this, only his second marathon. Unafraid to take off, which would shake up the field in a race in which everyone eyeballs everyone else. Set Central Park 10-kilometer record, 28:08, in May. Has not won often, but is always among the leaders. Racing lightly, so he should be fresh. Excellent racer, even in adverse conditions.

Khalid Khannouchi, 35

Lives in Ossining, N.Y.

Fastest marathon: 2:05:38 in 2002, a world record at the time

Born in Morocco. United States citizen since 2000. He is the mystery guest, three-quarters of a mile faster than everyone else in the field. But his best times are in the past and foot problems are ever present. Still, he is the only one in the field who could make the Olympic team at less than 100 percent.



URL: http://www.nytimes.com

[The-Screw]

whats up with their last names?

[Aliyah99]

Its all about Mo Farah

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[Wareer]

Big up to Mohamed