Best American 5000 meter runners in history

Galen Rupp should be somewhere in the top 10.

Ben True also

I'm not much good at making these sorts of lists. This looks pretty good but I'd find a spot in there for Ralph Hill. I know it was a different era but Olympic silver which could well have been gold if the judges ruled that Leitannen had fouled him should get you onto this kind of list. You probably could add Jack Bacheler too. But I don't know who I'd take off to fit either or both in.

Matt Tegenkamp and Chris Solinsky deserve a mention. Maybe even Ritz.

Goucher?

cerutty wrote:

How would you rate the best 5000 meters runners from the USA. My list- 1. Bob Schul 2. Bob Kennedy 3.Bernard Lagat 4.Sydny Maree 5. Pre 6. Bill Dillenger 7. Marty Liquori 8.Dick Burkle 9.Doug Padilla 10.Tie-Greg Fredericks,Craig Virgin,Matt Centrowitz sr.. What do you think?

That's a pretty good list, it's hard to compare eras. Maybe put Liquori ahead of Pre and Dellinger. He was ranked #1 in the world in 1977 (3rd in 1975 and 2nd in 1978), and won the "World Cup" race in 1977 which was the precursor to World Championships. Pre never ranked higher than 4th. (source T&F News)

cerutty wrote:

How would you rate the best 5000 meters runners from the USA. My list- 1. Bob Schul 2. Bob Kennedy 3.Bernard Lagat 4.Sydny Maree 5. Pre 6. Bill Dillenger 7. Marty Liquori 8.Dick Burkle 9.Doug Padilla 10.Tie-Greg Fredericks,Craig Virgin,Matt Centrowitz sr.. What do you think?

Overrating kennedy. He basically performed the same as Rupp in 5000m finals. I would but Schul and Lagat in a class by themselves but everyone else (and a few others) can pretty much be lumped together with some combo of bronze medals, american titles, and fast times. None really stand out.

dasasdfa wrote:

cerutty wrote:

How would you rate the best 5000 meters runners from the USA. My list- 1. Bob Schul 2. Bob Kennedy 3.Bernard Lagat 4.Sydny Maree 5. Pre 6. Bill Dillenger 7. Marty Liquori 8.Dick Burkle 9.Doug Padilla 10.Tie-Greg Fredericks,Craig Virgin,Matt Centrowitz sr.. What do you think?

Overrating kennedy. He basically performed the same as Rupp in 5000m finals. I would but Schul and Lagat in a class by themselves but everyone else (and a few others) can pretty much be lumped together with some combo of bronze medals, american titles, and fast times. None really stand out.

What do you think about BK's era vs. Rupp's? There was no testing for EPO until about 2000, when Kennedy was pretty much past his peak.

Ummm . . . ever heard of Jordan Hasay?

Jim Beatty and Lindgren should get some level of conversation. Rudy Chapa if we take the list to 15.

"None really stand out."

REALLY? You better do your homework.

I'd already put Paul Chelimo over at least half these guys.

Ben True, WTF are you thinking?

cerutty wrote:

How would you rate the best 5000 meters runners from the USA. My list- 1. Bob Schul 2. Bob Kennedy 3.Bernard Lagat 4.Sydny Maree 5. Pre 6. Bill Dillenger 7. Marty Liquori 8.Dick Burkle 9.Doug Padilla 10.Tie-Greg Fredericks,Craig Virgin,Matt Centrowitz sr.. What do you think?

Al Salazar didn't run the 5000 much, but in the era of your 7-10 runners he held the American record.

Bob Kennedy was the first Non-African born runner to break 13. That should automatically be top 5 probably top 3.

Nike Marketing Team wrote:

Bob Kennedy was the first Non-African born runner to break 13. That should automatically be top 5 probably top 3.

Dieter Bauman was the first.

Bob Kennedy was the first.

http://runfaster.libsyn.com/bob-kennedy

Dieter has the fastest non-African time. Kennedy was the first.

guys who broke 13 have to be ahead of most of your list

Mary Decker...Held the WORLD RECORD at 5,000 meters, as well as 10,000 meters

I don't think anyone else can say that.