Galen Rupp is the greatest American distance runner of all time

Ummm...ever heard of Jordan Hasay?

Chewbaccca wrote:

Ummm...ever heard of Jordan Hasay?

Who?

He's high up on the list for sure, but Frank Shorter still holds that title.

Devil Dog wrote:

He's high up on the list for sure, but Frank Shorter still holds that title.

Galen would smoke him in a marathon.

In terms of overall talent, yes. If he ran against any of the other American GOATS in 10k or Marathon he would probably win. That said, it's still debatable when it comes to pure legacy.

He's close but not there yet. If he can get a major marathon win (not 2nd, not placing high, a win). Then I will be willing to put him up there.

Meb has the best resume, no way Galen will top that. But Rupp can claim best "American born" distance runner.

Beastie wrote:

He's close but not there yet. If he can get a major marathon win (not 2nd, not placing high, a win). Then I will be willing to put him up there.

Meb has the best resume, no way Galen will top that. But Rupp can claim best "American born" distance runner.

Bill Rogers won more than a few Majors.

He may be the GOAT for America.

Galen has medaled in 2 olympics; 10k sprint and Full 'Thon. He is the GOAT. More medals than any other US distance runner.

He won trials Thon, came back for world indoors the next week. Won the trials 10k and raced for the trials 5k Sprint with a 4:0x last mile. Range, medals, ice water in his veins on big meet days. Never a headcase. Always delivers and is in the hunt.

You won't find a much bigger fan of BR than me, that being said the lack of east african runners and epo cheats in his day has to be taken into account.

Granted the man can only race who was there, and race he did, and man did he win A LOT. Had he been allowed to run in 1980 he would have been able to really make a case for GOAT.

douchelin^3 wrote:

Come at me, bro.

Galen cannot carry Bernard Lagat's jockstrap.

Hooderring wrote:

douchelin^3 wrote:

Come at me, bro.

Galen cannot carry Bernard Lagat's jockstrap.

So far the only solid argument on here.

If your benchmark is the "greatest" had to be recognized by his peers as a serious threat to win his best event(s) [limiting it to 5k through Marathon] on any given day on the world stage for a several year period, I would go with Shorter, Rodgers and Salazar.

Rupp is a complete stud but and has great range, but has too much East African competition under my analysis. Meb is simply not in Rupp's class.

[If we go below 5k -- Jim Ryun is the greatest.]

Hooderring wrote:

douchelin^3 wrote:

Come at me, bro.

Galen cannot carry Bernard Lagat's jockstrap.

Lagat is a US citizen and ran for the USA, but he is not American. He was born in Africa. So I know I gave you the response you wanted but American (from Ameria) has a different meaning that US citizen.

Beastie wrote:

You won't find a much bigger fan of BR than me, that being said the lack of east african runners and epo cheats in his day has to be taken into account.

Granted the man can only race who was there, and race he did, and man did he win A LOT. Had he been allowed to run in 1980 he would have been able to really make a case for GOAT.

Do the East Africans know how much their late-to-the-game arrival in distance running screwed up discussions of historical greatness?

Honestly, it really does make it hard !!

Beastie wrote:

Hooderring wrote:

Galen cannot carry Bernard Lagat's jockstrap.

Lagat is a US citizen and ran for the USA, but he is not American. He was born in Africa. So I know I gave you the response you wanted but American (from Ameria) has a different meaning that US citizen.

Donald, is that you?!

What are you talking about? We're a nation of immigrants. If you are an American citizen, you are most definitely an American. Bernie is the hands down GOAT.

Logic wrote:

Beastie wrote:

Lagat is a US citizen and ran for the USA, but he is not American. He was born in Africa. So I know I gave you the response you wanted but American (from Ameria) has a different meaning that US citizen.

Donald, is that you?!

What are you talking about? We're a nation of immigrants. If you are an American citizen, you are most definitely an American. Bernie is the hands down GOAT.

I want to see his birth certificate

Naturalized Americans are not Americans?

Who on this list is or was American by your definition?

John McCain

Ted Cruz

Madeleine Albright

Tammy Duckworth

Patrick Ewing

Barry Goldwater

Melania Trump

Alexander Hamilton

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Robert Wagner

Felix Frankfurter

Tim Duncan

Sergey Brin

Elon Musk

Mila Kunis

Jim Carey

Keanu Reeves

Natalie Portman

Steve Kerr

Hakeem Olajuwon

Foreigners are gimmicky and thus do not count. Nice try. Let's talk about actual Americans please.

Beastie wrote:

Hooderring wrote:

Galen cannot carry Bernard Lagat's jockstrap.

Lagat is a US citizen and ran for the USA, but he is not American. He was born in Africa. So I know I gave you the response you wanted but American (from Ameria) has a different meaning that US citizen.

So American ≠ Citizen of the United States of America?