And Five for the Future!

Took place in the past 10 years or so (before that I wasn’t paying attention)

Expectations leading up to it

Quality of performance

Surprise factor

*I’m completely aware that this is a subjective list that blatantly leaves out many great old debuts. Please feel free to add them to this list in the comments!

Much anticipated

#6 US all-time

Course record victory

Ideal course, weather

My take: Honestly, didn’t it seem like a safe performance? I don’t think she really went for it in Houston.

Image: Photorun.net

#10

#12 US all-time

11th place World Half Marathon Champs

Weather, course less than ideal

My take: Not as impressive as Flanagan’s debut on paper, but I was more surprised by Begley

#9

Pretty big surprise

US Junior Record

#2 freshman all-time

My take: She may be the future of US distance running if she gets & stays healthy

#8

#4 US debut time ever

#27 US all-time performer

6 seconds off of Frank Shorter’s PR

Wait…Brett Gotcher?

My take: Huge potential for “If Brett Gotcher can do it, I can too” impact on US distance running

Image: Photorun.net

#7

College sophomore

Fastest 10k debut by American (at the time)

US collegiate 10k record (at the time)

Next day he won the Big 12 5k!

My take: This race was the one that convinced me Ritz would own US 10k record (still waiting…)

#6

Highly anticipated

#1 US debut all-time

#6 US performance all-time

My take: With every passing year, this performance looks better and better

#5

Much hyped

3rd US all-time

3rd in race (behind Radcliffe, Petrova)

My take: Underrated debut because of course difficulty and competition (article here)

#4

Out-kicked Ritz

Displayed never before seen range for US miler

Solidified his status as most talented American runner

My take: Completely blew my mind. Still seems unreal.

#3

Technically not a debut? (close enough for me!)

Indoor junior world record

1st ever indoor race

Exceeded very high expectations

My take: This race completely reset my expectations for German

Image: Runner’s World

#2

Came out of nowhere

First white athlete sub-60

Still 73rd all time (25th at the time)

It was a solo effort!

My take: This was the ultimate combo debut: historic performance that completely caught me by surprise!

#1

Jordan Hasay – 5,000m: Hasay has the speed and strength to get the US Junior Record

Matt Tegenkamp – 10,000m: I know, I know, Tegdoesn’t run the 10k

Galen Rupp – half marathon: It may be awhile, but he seems like the guy to drop a bomb when he debuts

Anthony Famiglietti – half/marathon: He’s sure to run reckless, which will make predicting it fun

Shalane Flanagan – Marathon: Will she be able to move up the way Kastor and Goucher have?