Philemon Hanneck (right) , with his 1994 Commonwealth silver (© Getty Images)
New York, USAYou may think I'm kidding when I report that 32-year-old Philemon Hanneck is one of the leading American runners in this year's New York City Marathon?
You may remember Hanneck from the early 1990s, when he was one of Africa's brighter middle distance hopes. Running for his native Zimbabwe, he was an Olympic 1500-metres semi-finalist in Barcelona with a best of 3:35.76. That year (1992) he also ran a 3:53.13 mile. In 1994, he moved up to 5000 meters, posting an excellent 13:14.50 and finishing second in the Commonwealth Games 5,000, and in 1995 he was a finalist in the World Championships 5000 in Gothenburg.
Somewhere along the way, though, he found it a lot easier to make a living as a professional runner on the American road racing circuit rather than on the track, and he became an American citizen. From 1997 on, his name showed up frequently as a top finisher in what Americans refer to as "5Ks" and "10Ks" on the roads; a runner of his ability would have no trouble earning $40,000-$50,000 per year.
By 2001, at age 30, Hanneck was living in Portland, Oregon, and seriously considering packing it in. Then he had a conversation Alberto Salazar, who had won the New York City Marathon three times (1981-82-83), and set a course record of 2:08:13 in 1981.
"I wanted to retire," says Hanneck, "but he told me he had seen me run and thought I could be a good marathoner. He also told me I'd have to spend a year or two adjusting to training for the marathon."
Recalls Hanneck, "When I was a 1500 metres runner, I never dreamed of running a Marathon. I didn't think I could do it." But Salazar convinced him.
The 'adjusting' was drastic, as Hanneck soon found out. "I used to run 70 miles a week. Now I run as many as 145 miles a week. He's a very, very tough coach, and I like that. He says, 'No pain, no gain,' and I agree. It's good for me to have someone who's a marathoner coach me."
And Hanneck is beginning to believe in himself as a marathoner. A 1:04:15 half marathon earlier this year on the hilly Parkersburg, West Virginia course helped convince him. And just a few weeks ago in the middle of a series of 10 straight 145-mile weeks, Hanneck ran a 22-mile tempo run at a 4:59-per-mile pace, which over a marathon would be under 2:11.
That's exactly what Hanneck and Salazar are aiming for when Hanneck makes his marathon debut this Sunday.
"Philemon is convinced that the Marathon is his best chance to make the U.S. Olympic team," says Salazar. "He's getting better, and I'll be pleased if he runs in the 2:10-2:11 range and qualifies for the Olympic Trials."
