New York Half Marathon 2011

The New York Half Marathon was held the Sunday just (yes, they hold other running events there apart from the marathon!) and competing for the first time over the distance were Great British hope Mo Farah and his new training partner Galen Rupp.

Mo had switched coaches from Alan Storey (of Britain) and transported himself, and his family, across the pond to join Alberto Salazar's rather elite group of athletes which included - in addition to Rupp - Alan Webb; Dathan Ritzenhein and Kara Goucher.  Alberto Salazar works for the Nike's Oregon Project and speculation was rife as to whether Mo, an Adidas sponsored athlete, would make the switch (back) to Nike.  This race was the first in which we saw Mo adorned with the Nike Oregon Project kit.

But the real story, was not Mo's defection, but as to what Galen Rupp was wearing on his face during most of the race.  Though shorn of it through the later stages of the race, once he had left Central Park (which in itself probably gives a good indication as to what it's purpose was), for the first eight miles he sported a rather fetching face mask.  Rather akin to something a ninja would wear, or a character off Mortal Kombat.  The whole black outfit, with black arm warmers, gloves and hat, certainly helped support the image.

Personally, whilst I do like the ninja look (as my video collection will attest to) I think he should have gone one step further and run dressed as a member of Altern 8.

(He is even rocking the Mo Farah race win celebration pose.)

But will the look catch on?  Will we all, up and down the land, take to wearing the Rupp Mask, in a desperate bid to improve performance, much like compression socks or BreatheEasy strips?  The jury is still out but watch this space...you never know, you may yet see a bunch of ninjas running along in a park near you!