Chicago Marathon 2011: Ryan Hall Will Become First American to Win Since 2002

No American has won a major marathon since 2009, but Ryan Hall is primed to end that drought.

Meb Keflezighi was the last American to win a major marathon when he won the New York City Marathon in 2009, while Khalid Khannouchi was the last American male to win the Chicago Marathon back in 2002.

Since Khannouchi's victory, no runner from a country outside of Kenya has won the event.

This could be the year things change, as Hall has a legitimate chance to win the event.

Hall placed fourth in the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:04:58, the fastest 26-mile run ever recorded by an American.

In a conversation with the San Francisco Gate, Hall spoke about running a marathon:

"

"The marathon is like boxing, anything is possible on any given day. Sometimes a guy who hasn't built a resume yet hits that magical day where everything clicks.

"I'm realizing more and more how important it is for me to maintain contact. That's something I did well at Boston this year, where guys would get away from me.

"That's how I stay in the front, but how do I win the race? That's a whole different question. That's what I'm starting to address now."

"

Hall also spoke with flotrack.org about his chances of winning the event, and how things are coming together for him now.

Hall doesn't just have his sights set on coming in fourth, or running the fastest marathon ever by an American, Hall wants to win.

He certainly has the talent to do it, and his drive and motivation may be enough to carry him to the title.