more on Alan Webb - including video (2007)
On this, Inauguration Day, I cannot tell a lie.....I wasn't even there (but the Yale meet was a good one too). The observations below are my editions of reports filed by Brian Carney, Fordham Prep Pole Vault Coach, and Bob Glover, acclaimed author and Director of Running Classes at the NYRRC. -GF He seemed to lay low until race time and appeared during the girls invitational mile, warming up with the elite milers -- he really just blended in with them, going through a very similar warm-up routine as they. He fit in with them as any other elite miler. Then the announcement, "wearing number 15, a senior at South Lakes HS, from Reston, Virginia... Alan Webb". Alan Webb--3:59.9 split at Penn Relays, 4:03.33 at Herbster Classic--was here at the Armory with one purpose in mind. The Armory went wild. All week, cryptic emails and rumors had been spreading throughout the Track community about a VERY SPECIAL event to take place at the Armory today, and the wise ones heeded the advice and braved the imminent storm. At the start, Webb went right with the lead group. Running single-file in 3rd place for the first 2 laps (:59.9), Webb showed the patience of a veteran as the field calmly followed pacesetter Lorris Adams to a 1:59 half mile. When Kenyan Leonard Mucheru bolted from the group at the half, Webb alone went with him. Falling off Mucheru's pace on the 6th lap, the rest of the top-notch field began to reel him in. 2:59 at the three-quarter mark, and the wolf was seemingly at the door. But the familiar Armory "rafter-banging", as well as some genuine screaming from the knowledgeable track-nut Armory crowd found an Alan Webb bravely fighting off the likes of Matt Holthaus, New York-bred John Honerkamp, Scott Anderson and Army standout Clay Schwabe. All eyes were on Webb as he and the others sprinted to the finish. Taking 3rd behind Mucheru and Holthaus, it wasn't immediately clear if he had broken 4, but everyone knew it was close. The electronic clock had stopped at 3:57.90--Mucheru's winning time. Then the times flashed up and 3:59.86 put Alan into the history books. He took a victory lap, pumping his fists in the air a few times, genuinely gracious and grateful for the crowd support. He was surrounded by photographers, posed with the entire men's field, and politely cut short the interviews to cheer his teammate in the boys invitational mile. Another winner in our sport to be proud of, another proud moment at the Armory. An unforgettable season continues at the Armory and throughout the sport. What next? (Splits: 59.9 - 1:59.5 - 2:59.9 - 3:59.86) -George Febles, armorytrack.com |
Alan
Webb Makes History