Athlete Quotes - Day 1 (Friday 8/3)

Men's marathon

Khalid Khannouchi

"It was the blisters and also the heat. It was so hot today that after 20 kilometers I couldn't breathe properly and I was uncomfortable running with the group and there was a lot of pushing. That's not what I was expected. I came here hoping I could do better. I knew I was in shape to run 2:07 or better. It just wasn't my day today and I think the slow pace was a big factor."

"My legs just got too heavy because of the slow pace, and because of that I got the blisters on my toes. I was patient and tried to hold on, but it became time where I knew I wasn't going to make it. I started to feel the blisters just after the 10k. The pace was just too slow and I was not used to it. There was also a lot of pushing and to win races like that you have to be a tough man and I just wasn't today, I tried to do the best I can and it just wasn't enough."

Q: Did you consider picking the pace up yourself?

A: "It's something that I did once but I didn't want to take chances, so I stayed with the group. I hope I can be in more major championships and do better."

Eddy Hellebuyck

"In this weather you have to run smart, and even I took it out a little too hard, and actually I ran faster in Hawaii than I did here, for what ever reason. It could've been the altitude, but everyone had trouble. I knew I wasn't in great shape, in fact I was under-trained, which I believe is better than being over-trained, which a lot of our guys do. I was trying to help out David (Morris) hoping he would be able to get over this hot weather day. I think I was pretty close to my game plan, and I hit halfway in just over 1:10."

Josh Cox

"It was a tough one out there today. I never got comfortable. We tried to run a smart race and it's pretty disappointing to put so much into an event like this with the training and everything and not have it come out for you. I'll take the good with bad and I'm young and I'll chalk this up to a learning experience for me. It was good to be able to come here and represent the U.S. It's a real honor. Like somebody else said, I didn't come here to start a marathon, I came here to finish one. Every part of me wanted to stop, but you're here to represent your country and compete for a good team score. The heat really took its toll."