Male and or female. Go!
Male and or female. Go!
Female: Dags- I met her twice and she was incredibly nice. She also seems really humble and positive. She's a great athlete and an Ivy League grad. Definitely some I feel like I can look up to.
Male: Centro- say what you want about the alleged "Centro sauce" but he is a great tactitian. It's always exciting watching a final where an American has a shot to medal. Furthermore, I like his personality if you follow him on twitter or watch his interviews he's pretty funny. He shows more emotion than a lot of other runners. He's not bad looking either...
I have had the good fortune to meet many of the current pro distance runners. It's hear to pick one but I really like Jordan Hasay as one of the most hard working and down to earth personalities in the sport.
Other favorites are Charles Jock and Katie Mackey.
I forgot Kim Conley. I love a great underdog story.
For current athletes, definitely Jenny Simpson. Love her style of running and her insane times (doesn't hurt she's coached by Wetmore, who I have liked since reading Running with the Buffalos). For male runners in the US, I don't love anyone right now, but Ritz is an all-time favorite for me, since he was an idol for me growing up and was my #1 inspiration, largely from his HS and college running.
Bekele is one of my all-time favorites, along with Komen and El Guerrouj. Also loved the stories about Gerry Lindgren.
Kara Goucher simply for the fact that mere mention of her name curdles the blood of the abject haters on letsrun.com.
Kawauchi:
Besides being a complete badass, the fact that he races almost every week means you always have something interesting to look forward to.
Jenny Simpson: Girl knows how to race
Yohan Blake. His beast pose is hilarious. I look forward to him racing just to see it.
Jenny Simpson. I love the way she approaches races, always going for the win no matter what. I also love her personality that comes across in her interviews.
Bernard Lagat for his scintillating times, amazing longevity, low-mileage training, and classy personality. All around boss.
Erica Moore, hands down her interviews are the best, wish she was doing better so we could see and hear more of her.
Awesome personality.
Gebrselassie, incredible times and a great personality... True champion.
Andrew Bumbalough! A power runner with not much kick, but certainly runs smart… met him at Georgetown a few times, Bumbi's the real deal.
For women it's got to be Emma Coburn. She's the only reason I ever started paying attention to the steeplechase. If everyone raced like her, track meets would be nationally televised every weekend
That one that smiles a lot and believes in God; so successful.
Ritz and Manzano are my favorite male runners. Women side I like Conley, she seems like a nice person.
I would have to say Emma Coburn as well for women. Second might be Dag's, actually I change #1; Alexi Pappas! She's one hell of a character.
For guys I would say Bernard lagat or Jordan McNamara.. Maybe pat Casey
James Carney. Colleen De Reuck
Mary Cain, Andrew Wheating. Yup
As running is part of the bigger deal that CrossFit is, I would have to go with:
Rich Froning
He just defended his title, looks stronger than ever and when he runs, he runs shirtless. The ladies are lusting and the men are 'mirin.
Nick Symmonds:
-one of the best American 800m runners ever w/ sub 1:43 PR and silver medal at the WCs
-he's a big promoter of Track & Field
-went 12/12 with the Maxim magazine cover models in 2013