t7uiukioolo wrote:
How is it possible that the average weight of the 3 fastest long distance runners in history (outside Africa) is 155 lbs, while 99% of college, elite, and just fast runners in general is closer to 140 lbs?
I am talking about Solinsky (12:55), Mottram (12:55) and Tegenkamp (12:58). I know Teg is more like 6th fastest over 5000m, but you get my point.
In addition to Ritz, you left out Dieter Baumann (12:54, 137 lbs) and Bob Kennedy (12:58, 146 lbs) who are non-Africans ahead of Teg on the list. So you actually left out three of the top five non-Africans at 5k.
Also, if you look at all 6 of the names, the only one who competed throughout his career at distances longer than 5k is the little guy, Ritz. Your title should say 5k runners not "long distance" runners.
As a (very) broad statement, bigger guys can have a power advantage over little guys at the mile and below; little guys can have an efficiency advantage over big guys at distances longer than 5K.
3k-5k is more of a mix.