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NEW YORK (12-Mar) -- A foot injury has forced Dathan Ritzenhein out of Saturday's Central Park Challenge, incorporating the U.S. Men's 8-K Championship, the New York Road Runners announced.
Ritzenhein, the 25 year-old who placed second at last year's Olympic Trials marathon in Central Park, is no doubt disappointed that he cannot race Alan Webb, one of the few opportunities he would have to face the U.S. mile record-holder in a road race. The injury, to the third metatarsal on his left foot, warrants extra caution, given that this is an Olympic year.
"I am disappointed that I won't be able to come back to Central Park to compete in the Central Park Challenge,” said Ritzenhein in a prepared statement. "I had a very similar injury at this time last year, and was able to train through it on the Alter-G (anti-gravity) treadmill, but I feel I need to be completely healthy before starting my buildup for the Games."
Speaking for the New York Road Runners, president and CEO Mary Wittenberg said: "We share Dathan's disappointment, but fully support his decision and desire to leave nothing to chance this year. This is the nature of our sport—half the battle is getting to the starting line. Fortunately, our field is deep and, in some ways, the race just got more interesting. Guaranteed, we will see some breakthrough performances."
Webb's top challengers will now be Ed Moran, last year's Pan Am Games 5000m gold medalist; Jorge Torres, the 2005 U.S. 8-K Champion, and James Carney, the 2008 U.S. half-marathon champion. The race winner will receive $10,000.
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