I'll go... Noah Ngeny !!
I'll go... Noah Ngeny !!
Nice two years for an Olympic Champion that is pretty well known.
How about Labin Rotich for underrated world class runner?
Ever hear much talk about him?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laban_Rotich
http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/kenya/laban-rotich-20604
1:43.65
3:29.91
3:47.65
Over 10 years of world class running.
Ran 3:53.18 indoor mile at age 36- 3:52.55 outdoors the same year and ran 3:32 1500 at age 35.
Made a number of Kenyan world teams (3 WC teams and an Olympic team). The Kenyan 1500m team is not so easy to make.
Honestly, Nick Symmonds.
As much as he is a d-bag. The world scene is absorbed by Rudisha, Kaki, and Aman. A guy like symmonds who ran 1:42 (!!!!!!!) and came in 5th at the olympics still isn't a big world name.
If you're really going to say Symmonds then clearly Solomon needs a mention. Faster and even less known.
Zernsey Tadesse is one of the greatest of all time. His problem is that he excels in the wrong event and had to race some guy named Bekele during his prime at Bekele's distance.
Isiah Koech is also overlooked. He ran 12:48 last year at the age of 18. He is quickly rising the ranks and is a serious medal threat for years to come.
John Kipkoech ran a 12:49 last year and did not make the Kenyan Olympic team.