by Casey McGuire

Mobile Alabama- Thirteen straight wins for the Kenyans in the Azalea Trail Run. As the U.S. has been a distant second, most years, it appears this year will be no different. They have the will, but don’t have the willing contestants this year.

Last year, and the year before, it was Kenyan Samuel Ndereba who broke the tape. He is also favored this yeas, and is quite prepared the Saturday morning’s event.

Best U.S. hopeful for the men in the trail race is Brent Schneider, who ran cross country at the University of Florida and graduated in ’05. For the ladies, it’s Casey Owens, who’s first name should get her far, and is a 26 year old All American from Des Moines. She took 6^th last year in this 10K.

Kemper Sarrett, the elite and invited runners coordinator, claims there is plenty to consider in regards to lack of top U.S. athletes willing to show for this race. Don’t get me wrong, but 13 years of following footsteps could be one of the reasons.

Sarrett says, “There are at least a half-dozen agents representing Kenyan athletes, so it’s not hard contacting them in order to get them to the race.”

Yeah, I’m opinionated, but don’t we all get better by facing the best? It could be, and most likely is, that the U.S. is unlikely to win this race because many just aren’t participating. I certainly don’t think we get any better by just not showing up.

In ATR in 2001, Joseph Kimani of Kenya came within two seconds of setting a new world record in the men’s division at 27:41. Abraham Chebbii and Thomas Nyariki ran the 3^rd and 4^th fastest times ever in a 10K, at 27:26 and 27:30. Both men, well, I’ll let you guess where there from. This can be discouraging, and apparently to the point where entrants just don’t enter anymore.

Just a few years ago, U.S. athletes were inquiring about the race themselves. There wasn’t even much reason so send invitations. Now, it seems, begging doesn’t even work.

Sarrett has tried to get several U.S. athletes to compete in the ATR this year, including distance god, Galen Rupp, from the University of Oregon. Sarrett states that he was unable to reach the proper contacts to make the arrangements. Now, I’m not a pessimist, but if I can warm my keys to type this article, I’m pretty certain Rupp knows his presence was desired.

USA Track and Field weren’t very helpful, as they did not get a list of elite road runners out to Sarrett until March 19^th. I honestly have no real opinion on that except one would think they might be a little more organized being an organization and such.

Sarrett plans to change the way things work for the ATR next year, but it appears this year, the crown might easily go to the Kenyans again. Confidence takes us far, but pride can sometimes keep us away.

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