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KK broke the WW twice! The first to run 2:05, and the first to run it twice. three chicago marathons and one london marathon win. He is the american record holder in the marathon. ..and he broke the world record in london
How is this a close call? His silver in the olympics? lol
Meb is not KK's league
and KK beat the great Haile G while Haile was in his prime ..dude Meb would be a hobby jogger against Haile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTi-_RShpdw
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We are ranking US marathoners here. KK was a US marathoner when he became a US citizen in May of 2000. His first WR was not as an American. His first some 2:06 was not as an American. His second sub 2:06 was.
He ran 3 great races as an American. Then 2 pretty darn good ones.
Yes, he beat Geb. It was Geb's first marathon. It took Geb another 5 years before he ran his fastest times. And still, I think he was a better track runner than marathoner.
It's those first 3 races that count. They are great. Better than anything Meb ran.
But we are ranking Best American marathon runners. To me, this mean who can the best careers. Not who was the better runner, but who achieved more.
I rank Olympic medals above everything. As unfair as that might seem to some, but it's my ranking so I can pick my criteria. Olympics medals are first, significant wins in big marathons next, number of wins next. After than high placing in big events. Last is time.
I care little for time. Each day is different. Each race is different. Each course is different. Now, of course, time matters. On the day of the race you must run faster than everyone else. So running the fastest time of the day is very important. After that...well, to each his own, but to me it carries almost no weight at all.
So 1-2 years 3 great races vs 10-15 of great achievements.
I respect your right to differ and can't fault some of your arguments, but I'l take Geb on the all-time ranking.