Will Rupp ever surpass KK as the greatest American marathoner?

I wouldn't put KK at the top. I think that spot belongs to Frank Shorter. I don't even think KK's second.

I don't think sub 2:05 is necessary and I think he needs another medal (gold would be great, but let's not get greedy. I'd take a WC medal as well), but I agree with you that he's got a chance to do this.

Khalid fan wrote:

In terms of both times run and top-level competitiveness, there can be little doubt that Khalid Khannouchi remains the GOAT of American marathoning.

What would Rupp have to do in order to take the title? I'd say run sub-2:05 (legitimately, not like Hall) and win at least 3 major races. I think he is capable of these things and has a decent chance to do it but probably won't.

The title of GOAT of American marathoning or any distance should be reserved for either American born athletes or if naturalized American only their performances while donning USA colors should count. KK ran well and dominated and made lots of bucks for himself but did he ever win a medal for the USA? No. Meb with his Olympic silver and consistent performance while in USA colors places way higher than KK in the GOAT list.

You beat me to it. KK was a great Moroccan marathoner.

Barabbas wrote:

You beat me to it. KK was a great Moroccan marathoner.

Nah. He did all of his running while living and training in the US. He had boatloads of the "blue collar" element that letsrunners swoon over and embodies the classic American dream. He's more than American enough. Besides which, I'm not sure why he should owe it to anyone to race at the Olympics. The lack of medals might be bothersome in any other event, but in the marathon, I don't think it matters.

Anyway, will Rupp surpass him or whomever else you prefer as the greatest American marathoner?

Frank Shorter is the greatest American marathoner.

Perhaps the question should be rephrased as “Will Rupp ever surpass KK as the greatest male American marathoner?”

Because of the long-term approach of his athletics career Galen Rupp was not forced to have a new dynamic every four years as he transitioned from middle school, high school, college, and finally post-collegiate running. The continuity he has enjoyed with one philosophy and directed by one coach will enable him, in my opinion, to be the most decorated American distance runner of all time once he retires.

Joan Benoit-Samuleson should always be atop the greatest American marathoner list. Training at sea-level she pounded out success her way- and continues to do so as a masters runner. While the Olympic marathon win was incredible it could not have been possible without the gutsy Trials victory just 17 days post-surgery. Added to those two feats are four Boston and two New York wins to yield an incredible marathon career. Although never hitting her goal of a sub-2:20 clocking her PR from 1985 still ranks as the third fastest by an American woman.

Joanie never won NYC. She won Boston twice (not four times) in '79 and '83 (setting a then WR of 2:22:43).

Gunny wrote:

Frank Shorter is the greatest American marathoner.

I was born in Germany

I'm curious. Where does Alberto Salazar stand on the list of all time greatest American marathoner?

Khalid fan wrote:

In terms of both times run and top-level competitiveness, there can be little doubt that Khalid Khannouchi remains the GOAT of American marathoning.

What would Rupp have to do in order to take the title? I'd say run sub-2:05 (legitimately, not like Hall) and win at least 3 major races. I think he is capable of these things and has a decent chance to do it but probably won't.

Based on this thread I think there is a lot of doubt.

I am torn between Shorter and Meb being at the top of the list. Rupp is off to a good start. And American marathoning is far superior today than when Meb made his first Olympic team. Lots more depth.

who is kk?

luv2run wrote:

I am torn between Shorter and Meb being at the top of the list. Rupp is off to a good start. And American marathoning is far superior today than when Meb made his first Olympic team. Lots more depth.

How many sub 2:10 guys were there then vs how many now? Is there really more depth?

I think Rupp would have to go sub-2:10 as many times as Khalid in order to be considered as good.

KK is the first runner to go sub 2:06, and he is the first runner to do it twice in one year!

He won chicago three times, and he also won London

He broke the world record twice!

There is no other american runner in the history of running that is touching him, and Rupp does not have world record breaking ability, and he does not have the speed to win chicago or london.

Also, He is still holds the american marathon record in my book, because hall's run was assisted.

luv2run wrote:

Khalid fan wrote:

In terms of both times run and top-level competitiveness, there can be little doubt that Khalid Khannouchi remains the GOAT of American marathoning.

What would Rupp have to do in order to take the title? I'd say run sub-2:05 (legitimately, not like Hall) and win at least 3 major races. I think he is capable of these things and has a decent chance to do it but probably won't.

Based on this thread I think there is a lot of doubt.

I am torn between Shorter and Meb being at the top of the list. Rupp is off to a good start. And American marathoning is far superior today than when Meb made his first Olympic team. Lots more depth.

total bull, more depth and runners are better?

Only ten american runners have gone under 2:10, and rupp is not one of them!...and only two americans have run 2:05 or lower - KK and Hall....

Not one single american ran under 2:10 in 2016!...not one. To me, americans are actually regressing. And Rupp does not have 2:05 ability, considering he has yet to go sub 2:10

I have more faith in Molly Huddle taking american marathon running to the level than I do Galen.

I guess by your reasoning that leaves out Alan Webb since he was miserable at championship racing.

scorpion_runner wrote:

luv2run wrote:

Based on this thread I think there is a lot of doubt.

I am torn between Shorter and Meb being at the top of the list. Rupp is off to a good start. And American marathoning is far superior today than when Meb made his first Olympic team. Lots more depth.

total bull, more depth and runners are better?

Only ten american runners have gone under 2:10, and rupp is not one of them!...and only two americans have run 2:05 or lower - KK and Hall....

Not one single american ran under 2:10 in 2016!...not one. To me, americans are actually regressing. And Rupp does not have 2:05 ability, considering he has yet to go sub 2:10

I have more faith in Molly Huddle taking american marathon running to the level than I do Galen.

To be the greatest American ever, you need to be dominant over other Americans at your peak. My problem with Meb being considered the greatest is that Hall was better than Meb when they both were at their peaks.

Edelen, Shorter, Rodgers, Salazar, KK*, Hall and Rupp all were dominant at their peaks.

Also, Rupp ran 5 seconds over 2:10 in a tactical race where he won Olympic Bronze.

Frank's double Olympic gold far outweighs world bests.

Maybe I just enjoy the old school but I feel either Shorter or Rodgers should be the top spot