Residence: Portland, OR Hometown: Rockford, MI Age on race day: 29
Best Qualifying Performance: 2:10:00, London, 2009
PRs: Half-Marathon, 1:00:00 (2009); Marathon, 2:10:00 (2009)
Olympic Trials Marathon History: 2
nd – 2:11:07 (2008)
Career Highlights:
2004 Olympian at 10,000m 9
th – 2008 Olympic Games Marathon, 2:11:59 (top American) 3-time USA Cross Country Champion, 12K (2005, 2008, 2010) 3
rd – 2009 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, 1:00:00 (PR), bronze medal 6
th – 2009 IAAF World Championships 10,000m
Additional Highlights:
2011
3
rd – NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K 5
th – Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 5K
2010
12K USA Cross Country Champion 4
th – Great North Run Half Marathon (1:02:35) 8
th – ING New York City Marathon (2:12:33)
2009
2
nd – USA Half Marathon Championships (1:01:35) 11
th – Flora London Marathon (2:10:00 PR) 6
th – IAAF World Championships, 10,000m 3
rd – Weltklasse Zurich 5000m (12:56.27, former U.S. record) 3
rd – IAAF World Half Marathon Championships (1:00:00), bronze medal
Of Note:
The NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K was the first race for “Ritz” in 364 days as he battled an Achilles injury and post-surgical infection … His 12:56.27 at the Weltklasse 5000m in 2009 was a U.S. Record at the time … A foot injury in 2004 made him a DNF in the Olympics … Four-time USA champion and two-time Olympian is coached by Alberto Salazar … A two-time Foot Locker National Cross Country Champion in high school … He and his wife, Kalin, have two children: a 4-year-old daughter, Addison; and a 2-year-old son, Jude. Blog:
https://dathanritzenhein.competitor.com. Twitter:
@djritzenhein
