By BILL WARD

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TAMPA - These days, no one could blame you for thinking scandal or disgrace will eventually ensnare professional athletes with even the most solid of moral foundations. These are, after all, cynical times.

But if there was one guy you would believe would never fall from grace or self-destruct, it would have to be 26-year-old Ryan Hall.

Unless you're really into distance running or tuned into last summer's Olympics when something besides beach volleyball or that guy who won eight gold medals was on television, you probably don't know Hall.

Hall, who finished 10th in the Beijing Games marathon and is the American record-holder in the half marathon, could actually make us believe there are still a few athletes worth holding up as role models.

He is competing in Saturday's Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic 15-kilometer road race. Hall will use the 9.3-mile, out-and-back course along Bayshore Boulevard as a tune-up for the Boston Marathon on April 20. And if the weather is right and he's feeling good, Hall might even take a stab at the nearly 14-year-old American record in the event.

"I am going to praise God with every step by doing the very best I can," Hall said when asked if he will try to break Todd Williams' 15k mark of 42 minutes, 22 seconds, set in 1995.

Some people wear their faith as.......