Dathan Ritzenhein Encouraged by Flint Race Finish; Now Sets Sights on Half Marathon in Philadelphia

Published by MLive on August 24, 2014

Dathan Ritzenhein was encouraged enough by his time in 10-mile race at the 38th annual HeathPlus Crim Festival of Races to set his sights on the next step – the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon.

The three-time Olympian finished ninth in 49 minutes, 12 seconds on Saturday, which was well behind winner Julius Kogo’s 46:35, but an encouraging time, he said, for his first competitive race of the season.

“I really haven’t done much (as far as training) so I was hoping for about 50 minutes, or a five-minute mile pace,” said Ritzenhein, who has been sidelined since November following a sports hernia. “I could tell I was a little more tired at the end, didn’t have as much energy from being sick, but I’m still really happy with it.”

Ritzenhein saw the Crim as the first in a series of runs designed to have him back in marathons by the fall. Next up will be the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon on Sept. 21.

“I have one month now, which I think is good for me,” he said. “I can get one month of good, hard training and gain a lot of fitness. Philly is a good, fast course as long as it’s not hot. I know I won’t be in the same shape there as a couple years ago, but I’m looking forward to it.”