Title say it all. Combine wins, records, national/world titles, college & pro, road, track, cross country, marathon (the only real blank spot for Jennings)....how would you rank them?
Title say it all. Combine wins, records, national/world titles, college & pro, road, track, cross country, marathon (the only real blank spot for Jennings)....how would you rank them?
1. Jordan
2. MF
3. Hasay
Comparing eras again..... wrote:
Title say it all. Combine wins, records, national/world titles, college & pro, road, track, cross country, marathon (the only real blank spot for Jennings)....how would you rank them?
Without doing research, my gut tells me Lynn Jennings. I thought about this after reading the marathon runners of the year article on the homepage when they mentioned that Shalane may have put her name in the hat for the best US distance runner of all time. I imagine you've also got to include Joanie in the discussion. I know Shalane has medals from World Cross and Olympics/World Champs in track. Fun debate. I'm too lazy to do a medal count and major wins for marathons, but maybe someone with time could do this. All have had fantastic careers.
Of the ones mentioned, I'd say Deena. She did win two marathon majors, Chicago and London, which people tend to forget. Plus a couple of World Cross country medals and the Olympic bronze and a whole slew of American records, the latter being what in mind gives her the edge over Jennings.
I agree that based on Marathon/XC you'd have to give it to Deena, but then when you start taking into account track career (medals, PRs, national championships) Flanagan wins big there. Net of all this I'd go with Flanagan, but that could be recency bias talking.
Lynn J was world xc champ 3 times - terrific!
What about Doris Brown, who was world xc champ 5 times !!?
Okay, you might be right. It's really close.
Jennings made her mark and retired just before a throng of Africans came along.
Also if NCAA accomplishments are being factored in, Shalane has two XC wins and a 4th as a true frosh to her name, plus as a sophomore she probably had the best season of anyone in the NCAAtho she blew up a bit at nationals
Mary Decker won two World Championships. She also had the World Record in the Mile and 10,000.
Don't Forget DB wrote:
Lynn J was world xc champ 3 times - terrific!
What about Doris Brown, who was world xc champ 5 times !!?
Woman's XC wasn't very deep back then. Now if you want to argue if Lynn facing Eastern European/chinese dopers is tougher than facing Africians, you have a fun argument:)
They are all very close.I would favor lynn since wining XC is bigger than winning something like NY but you could go the other way. Shalane has 1-2 years left to add a bit to her resume (say boston win or london top 3, sub 2:20). As other people point out, Samuelson probably should get the nod as the best marathoner but she never had the track times (to be fair they didn't run the 10k much back then).
Mary Decker would be the leader but she was more of a middle distance gal and the doping issues make it complicated:)
Had? Shalane's career isn't over. WHEN she wins Boston, she will be undoubtedly the GOAT.
Not Wendy Sly wrote:
Mary Decker won two World Championships. She also had the World Record in the Mile and 10,000.
She was also a doper
As someone who saw all of them race many times and knew them well enough to have some insight into their training (Shalene the least) I'd call it a toss up. Lynn concentrated on her education rather than worry about chasing times and titles in college. Her Olympic medal and xc titles are worthy of a number one. Joanie belongs in the discussion as well.
Mary won the 1978 AIAW XC race while running for Colorado.
Dirty!!
I'd say Jennings if you are only counting XC.
Shalane if you are only counting track.
Deena if you are only counting roads.
I recently learned that Lynn Jennings is now living in Maine with a famous biologist (and ultra runner) Bernd Heinrich.
This isn't a bad resume. Much more could be added.
6-Times US 1500 m Champion (1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979 & 1980)
Recipient of one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created especially for athletes who were prevented from competing in the 1980 Summer Games.[7]
2-Time US 3000 m Champion (1979, 1982)
US 10,000 m Champion (1985) - also won the 1985 US 10 km road title (tied with Betty Springs)
4 Times US Indoor 1 mile Champion (1975, 1977, 1978, 1979)
2 Time US Indoor 2 mile Champion (1977, 1981)
Qualified for 5 US Olympic teams (1972, 1976, 1980, 1988, 1992) prevented from competing in 1980, due to the Olympic boycott by the U.S
Rodger Kram wrote:
I'd say Jennings if you are only counting XC.
Shalane if you are only counting track.
Deena if you are only counting roads.
I recently learned that Lynn Jennings is now living in Maine with a famous biologist (and ultra runner) Bernd Heinrich. t
I met Jennings recently at a sporting event - she was in good shape, very friendly, seemed at peace. I suppose you have to be 50 years old to have seen her run so she seemed happy to have a 'fan' know who she was.
Rodger Kram wrote:
I'd say Jennings if you are only counting XC.
Shalane if you are only counting track.
Deena if you are only counting roads.
I recently learned that Lynn Jennings is now living in Maine with a famous biologist (and ultra runner) Bernd Heinrich.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2267886/last-naturalist
No kidding! I love Heinrich. Thanks for that tidbit!
Jennings, AINEC.