A comparison of the Japanese and American men's teams for this year's World Championships marathon. The first column shows the athlete's best time within the qualification window of Sept. 3, 2007 - Aug. 3, 2009. The second column shows his worst time within the same period, and the third column shows his lifetime best. The Japanese team listing includes alternate Kensuke Takahashi.
(c) 2009 Brett Larner
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Comments
On the US side you're missing Hall, Meb, Ritz, Abdi, Sell. All of whom would I think at the least, give the last placed guy a good run for his money and in some cases be well clear.
Unfortunately I'm a Brit and with the possible exception of Dan Robinson and maybe Andi Jones I doubt we'd have many beating the last American finisher...
I hear what you're saying about priorities, although at least two of the bigger-name Americans you mention would be hard-pressed to crack the Japanese squad. For what it's worth, there are two other guys who ran 2:08 and four other guys who ran 2:09 within the Berlin qualification window but didn't make the Japanese team.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that Canada is actually sending some marathoners this time. From the looks of it they might be able to give the U.S. a go in the Marathon World Cup team competition.