10/25/2010 11:48 PM

By Jeremy Mosher

Photo by Victah Sailer

Tim Nelson is the tenth-fastest American of all time in the 10,000-meter run, yet he enters the ING New York City Marathon on November 7 almost totally under the radar. His half-marathon debut of 1:02:11 in January’s USA Half Marathon in Houston further suggests great potential at 26.2 although the distance is uncharted territory for Nelson, as well as decorated teammates Shalane Flanagan (2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist and American Record at 10,000) and Simon Bairu (two-time NCAA Cross Country champion and Canadian Record in the 10,000) and their coach, Jerry Schumacher.

That a professional training group would make a wholesale marathon debut is a novelty documented by the new web series “Rookies vs the World,” which follows the group members to locations such as Portland, Oregon; Mammoth Lakes, California; Philadelphia; the infield of the Seattle Mariners’ home Safeco Field; and, of course, New York City, as they prepare for the race.  Nelson, a five-time All-American at the University of Wisconsin  and a 2009 World Championships 10,000-meter competitor now based in Portland, raced most recently at the Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon on September 19, where he placed 11th in 1:03:03. Check out his KIMbia links Here and Here.

How long has the marathon been on the radar for you and your coach, Jerry Schumacher?
Tim Nelson:  I like to tell people — and it's true — that Jerry told me my freshman year of college that he was training me for the marathon. It was always big picture for Jerry.  That's why he...