What Was the Race of the Year in 2009

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14 years ago 12/23/2009 11:13am EST

Thinking about Barringer's 3:59.98 got me thinking what was the race of the year in 2009?

On the American side of things, Barringer's 3:59 and Ritz's 12:56.27 shocked me like no other races. Yet they didn't even win their race.

Meb's NYC win was pretty surprising and a great accomplishment but with the marathon it plays out over time so I wasn't quite as shocked as it unfolded. Plus, he did win an Olympic silver in the past.

When I read about Barringer's run I thought someone was playing a prank on the message board. With Ritz's run, I only saw the last mile, but my brother yelled, "Ritz is going to break 13:00." I then still thought, "no way in hell" as I saw he had to motor the last 3 laps, but he just kept getting closer to Bekele.

So what were the races of the year for you in 2009? Clearly I've focused on the American side of things but it's what you'll remember most from the year.

I'd already come to expect Bolt could do anything.

The men's 5k final at Worlds was pretty amazing. Lagat had Bekele beat and somehow Bekele came back to win.

Ritz's 12:56 might be it for me.

14 years ago 12/23/2009 11:25am EST

re: wejo

umm...ever heard of Rotterdam??

14 years ago 12/23/2009 11:29am EST

re: wejo

I agree with you. I watched Ritz's race live on the internet and kept adjusting my expectations throughout tthe race. I went from thinking "he should run a decent race" to "wow he might finish near 13 minutes" to "HOLY S#% he is going to break the AR!!!"

It was awesome. I will never forget that race.

14 years ago 12/23/2009 11:37am EST

re: wejo

the womens 800m final at the world championships was my favorite race.

14 years ago 12/23/2009 11:53am EST

re: manly girl

Don't reckon it was much enjoyed by others, but I loved the women's 10,000m in Berlin!

For one thing, for the first time in a while there was no Jo Pavey or Paula Radcliffe to stress me out. Another thing, I just can't get enough of the beautiful Linet Masai. And the final lap was phenomenal - the Kenyans kicking with the Ethiopians is so rarely seen. I wonder if that race marked the end of an era? Or will next year see Tirunesh getting some serious times again?

14 years ago 12/23/2009 11:56am EST

re: wejo

14 years ago 12/23/2009 12:01pm EST

re: wejo

She is prime example #1 of how the obsessions with times is bad for the sport.

14 years ago 12/23/2009 12:03pm EST

re: some coked up Brit

some coked up Brit wrote:
Don't reckon it was much enjoyed by others, but I loved the women's 10,000m in Berlin!

I loved that race too, as well as the women's 5000 in Berlin.

I'll also add the women's high jump at the Berlin GP with Friedrich beating Vlasic with some crazy strategic passes at "lower" heights.

14 years ago 12/23/2009 12:05pm EST

re: bestrace

bestrace wrote:
White people.

Wrong. Yellow people best race now. White people be conquered soon.

14 years ago 12/23/2009 12:06pm EST

re: wejo

Maggies 1:57 800m in Monaco

14 years ago 12/23/2009 12:13pm EST

re: mcgato

I loved that Vlasic/Friedrich season. Two tall hot european socialised rock chicks wearing next to nothing getting stressed out and doing impossible things with their bodies!

Good times.

14 years ago 12/23/2009 12:25pm EST

re: wejo

skinny girls kick to win footlocker was up there

14 years ago 12/23/2009 12:27pm EST

re: some coked up Brit

Rotterdam was the race that changed marathoning forever

14 years ago 12/23/2009 12:38pm EST

re: wejo

I vote for the Preparation-H 500 won by Jimmy Johnson.

14 years ago 12/23/2009 1:26pm EST

re: v dawg

v dawg wrote:
umm...ever heard of Rotterdam??

Rotterdam was the first thing that came to my mind when I read the title of this thread. Incredible race.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRw0SYHQx24

London was pretty good, too.

14 years ago 12/23/2009 1:54pm EST

re: wejo

Kentucky Derby of course!

14 years ago 12/23/2009 2:01pm EST

re: wejo

How about the guy that ran the 9.58 or 19.19?

14 years ago 12/23/2009 2:15pm EST

re: Insane Pain

barringer was a true shocker.

there was an indoor DMR that i remember was crazy, like 10 teams qualified toward the end of the season. was it at notre dame?

14 years ago 12/23/2009 2:32pm EST

re: wejo

WC 5000 Men

Lagat and Bekele kicking down the last 150 really got me hyped to see..of course lagat faded but it still was something i was on the edge of my seat

14 years ago 12/23/2009 2:33pm EST

re: lesbo action

The race of the year I think easily could have been the WC 10K if both Kitwara and Sileshi Shaheen were in it. That field would've been so stacked beyond what it was.

Since they were not, however, I cannot pick a race of the year. I don't think anyone can imagine what that 10K would've been like with both Kitwara and Shaheen in the mix for that race. On paper/what it was suppposed to be with no one kicked out/injured it would've been the best.

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