Lagat to concentrate on 5k at WC??

I think come August and Lagat probably produces yet another SUB 3.30 effort, people wont be thinking he should move up to the 5km. I predict he will finish ahead of Webb at the World Champs and finish in the top 3

I don't think so. If Lagat wants to medal at Worlds, he needs to run the 5k. He still has world class potential at that level, ie the ability to win at championship meets. He's still got sub-13 in him, can run low 3:

Webb, however, will, simply because he has found something this year. I haven't seen his Paris race, but he seems to be channeling Eamon Coghlan over the last 50-75m of his big races. The shift in gears at the Reebok meet and Nats was unreal. All the weapons that one needs to win at the top level are there-the ability to hammer solo, fast miles (Drake), the gear shifting over the last 100m (see above) and the belief that you can't be beaten. I am not saying he is going to win, but I think he is going to be in the hunt all the way. Eliminate the Millrose mile and what bad races over his distances (800m/1500m/mile) has Alan had this season?

It looks good for him, but O think we're all a little apprehensive, waiting for him to fold.

I'm staying optimistic and hoping he has a great race. Lagat could move up and we'd have two medals!

I'm not sure I agree. Lagat has run 3:50 this year, and winning USA's in the 5k doesn't mean a whole lot. He was tired a bit for the 1500m final, and perhaps he was a bit jet-lagged or otherwise fatigued in Europe. We have to assume he'll be a bit sharper next month.

There is also no heavy favorite in the 1500m; Webb, Komen, Baala are all good, but you don't have any "sure things" like you do if Bekele runs the 5k. Or even Mottram, I'd say he's almost a lock for a medal.

I know Lagat ran a great 5k to win in 12:59 over a stellar field a couple summers ago, but I think we need more evidence of his current shape before saying he'll do better at the 5k.

It was hard not to have the thought when he was so easily gapped by Baala and Webb on Friday. With more sharpening, I wouldn't count him out of gold in either event, but it does seem like a matter of time until he moves to 5000 as his main event. And if he wants to run it at the Olympics, it makes sense to go through one WC at the distance, first.

Winning the US 5k does mean something now that Teg is around. Say what you will about Teg being "new" to the top of US running and not having a real fast PR but he is a great racer and beating him is no easy task. As far as LAgats 1500 chances, I think he will probly pop another 3:29 this year, he seems to always be good for a 329, but if he wants to win the gold, he needs to go to the 5,000. If he runs the 5,000 he will win it. If he runs the 1500 he could get top 3, but he has a great chance to win the 5,000. He has beaten Bekele in the 5, closed a 12:59 in 51 seconds, so he can kick even off a fast pace.

there is no way that lagat will do well, trying to run heats of both 1500 and then the 5k, he will be fed to the sharks...he needs to concentrate on the 5k with his age starting to play into the equation

Ah yes,

Another dose of the Lets Run Flavor of the month going around hey?

Joe

5,000m in osaka will be a very easy Gold for Lagat!! but hes still can win the 1,500m, he loves this event and he knows how to run it. is only that right now hes is not on top of his shape, hes is only around 32yrs old and he can go under 3:26:00. best of luck for him.

kartelite wrote:

There is also no heavy favorite in the 1500m; Webb, Komen, Baala are all good, but you don't have any "sure things" like you do if Bekele runs the 5k.

Why on earth would Bekele be considered a "sure thing" in the 5000m? Yes, he is the world record holder, but he has never won a major championship at that distance. Moreover, he lost some races at 5000m last year, and has clearly been out of sorts much of this year.

Bekele is Bekele. You shouldn't bet against someone who's run 12:37.

Lagat is great, but I think he would probably be beaten in Osaka. His slowing down on the speed end, its obvious, all of his 15's have been slower than his usual self. He's been lucky to close under 42 300 in quite a few races, (USATF, Paris) Reebok was his fatest off a very slow pace at 41.8 I believe.

Meanwhile, Bekele is speeding up on the speed end, having run 3:50 or its equivalent on numerous occasions and displaying a 53 final 400 in a 3k already. Bekele could at least hold him off with a 52-54 last lap on a 13:0x pace. The big ? is could Bekele hold off Mottram who could also run a 52-54 final 400 off the same pace, and a good number of Kenyans who consistently dominate 5k's with finishes in the same range.

Bekele has no fear of Lagat, but he seems to fear Mottram as does Tariku. Lagat has a better shot in the 5 clearly, but its still not that great when you look around him. He should run both to see if he can try the same thing in Beijing. If not, he should just run the 5k, and maybe a few 15's or miles to keep his fast gear up (which is still blazing fast btw).