Nick Willis flies last lap in 51.9 to win NZ National Champs 1500m

It was clearly a good run - but that's all it was. Pace of last lap not exceptional for a world class athlete running that sort of pace for1100m before starting to kick.

Don't want to raise old controversies but Ryun finished faster than this in 1967 destroying Norpoth and Tummler (world class in their own right) in a race won in 3:37ish (?). On cinders too (to raise another hoary old chestnut!)

mark b wrote:

It was clearly a good run - but that's all it was. Pace of last lap not exceptional for a world class athlete running that sort of pace for1100m before starting to kick.

Don't want to raise old controversies but Ryun finished faster than this in 1967 destroying Norpoth and Tummler (world class in their own right) in a race won in 3:37ish (?). On cinders too (to raise another hoary old chestnut!)

Something tells me that guys like Tummler and Nor[poth lend a bit more oomph to your kick than those chumps Willis was toying with.

Chumps? In the land of Snell, Walker, Dixon, Quax etc?

But, yes, i agree that the field did not appear overly blessed with talent!! (Or ambition- did any of them really think they were going to out kick Willis?)

mark b wrote:

(Or ambition- did any of them really think they were going to out kick Willis?)

I'd say their chances of outkicking Willis were higher than their chances of running away from a 3:29 guy. You see far more upsets in slow races with fast finishes than you do in "honest" races.

willis is a great runner and very likeable. i don´t understand the progress of this thread. willis did the proper things to win this tactical race, no more, no less. it was a good training and the season has only just begun.

hold the phone wrote:

mark b wrote:

(Or ambition- did any of them really think they were going to out kick Willis?)

I'd say their chances of outkicking Willis were higher than their chances of running away from a 3:29 guy. You see far more upsets in slow races with fast finishes than you do in "honest" races.

Why not use Wilis as a rabbit? Press him and see if you can run a PR?

I think in situations like this the field just freezes because they get a chance to run with an Olympic medalist for much of a race and feel like they really belong.

charly horse wrote: willis is a great runner and very likeable. i don´t understand the progress of this thread. willis did the proper things to win this tactical race, no more, no less. it was a good training and the season has only just begun.

Spot on. Hardly newsworthy event. Though I enjoy seeing his effortless stride. So that's how ya do it!

jjjjjj wrote:

pretty astonishing how he does not look like he is sprinting as he runs, I think, 35.8 in that workout. Just very quick strides, no high knees, no leg extension, doesn't appear to be working that hard. He is super efficient.

This has always been Nick's M.O. I remember him running a 3:58 on the end of UM's DMR at PSU one year and everybody talked about how he jogged it.

Actually some of those guys in that field have pretty good PR's. A few sub 4 milers and sub 3:40 guys.

Kentucky Runner wrote:

Keffri Neal (Kentucky) won the indoor SEC 1500m last year with a 52.7 last lap for a 3:46 1500m.

I didn't know they ran the 1500m at the SEC indoor championships...

And this shouldn't be a surprise at all, Nick Willis closed in a 53 for his 3:29, surely he can close in 51.9 for 3:50