At 25, Ryan Hall has set records, won the Olympic marathon trial and is being hailed as America's next great long-distance hope

By Don Norcross
STAFF WRITER

February 15, 2008

Upon returning to their upscale La Jolla hotel after a 30-minute jog one afternoon this week, attendees at a distance-running conference immediately flocked to one of the elite runners who joined them – 2008 Olympic Trials champion Ryan Hall.

“Best of luck in Beijing,” said one person.

“You the man,” said another.

A bellboy showed up requesting an autograph on a Gatorade bottle.