After Surgery, Dathan Ritzenhein Back On Roads

He will run his second race of the year.

American Olympic marathoner Dathan Ritzenhein is no stranger to injury.

Throughout his long career, he’s struggled with various foot and leg problems. As recent as this past year, he was sidelined when a minor foot injury worsened to the point that Ritzenhein needed surgery.

But “Ritz” is back now. He will race for the second time this year at the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot/Elite 5K on Thursday. Approximately 21,000 runners are expected to take part in the seventh edition of the holiday race. Ritz stands a good chance of winning it.

In January, Ritzenhein hopes to make the U.S. Olympic marathon team by placing in the top three at the Trials race in Houston.

After the San Jose race, he will return to Portland, Oregon and rejoin training partners Mo Farah and Galen Rupp. Ritzenhein, who attended the University of Colorado, is currently coached by former New York and Boston Marathon champion Alberto Salazar.

“I love to race,” said Ritzenhein. “That’s what brings me back.”

For More: San Jose Mercury News