Could local track fans see Alan Webb run in Seattle in 2010?

According to this report from the Washington Times, American mile record holder Alan Webb (hip #3/photo by Paul Merca) will relocate from Virginia to Portland, Oregon to train under Nike Oregon Project coaches Alberto Salazar and Jerry Schumacher.

Webb, who set the American record of 3:46.91 in Belgium two years ago, has struggled since breaking the record. Last year, Webb, who was one of the heavy favorites to make the US Olympic team in the 1500 meters, only finished fifth at the Olympic Trials.

This year, Webb has dealt with Achilles tendon, and hamstring issues, the latter forcing his withdrawal from the finals of the 1500 meters at the national championships in Eugene in late June.

Webb will join an enclave of outstanding runners that include the likes of Adam & Kara Goucher, Galen Rupp, Amy Yoder Begley, and new members Matt Tegenkamp, Shalane Flanagan, and Dathan Ritzenhein, making the group one of the most formidable professional training groups in the country.

Since the Nike Oregon Project was started by Salazar shortly after the 2000 Sydney Olympics, NOP athletes have regularly made the drive up from Portland to Seattle to compete in various indoor track meets hosted by the University of Washington at the Dempsey Indoor.

Bottom line--good chance folks will have an opportunity to watch Webb race in Seattle in the 2010 indoor season!

UPDATE--Here's a link to a USA Today article written by Dick Patrick on Webb's decision to move to Portland.