Why is Kipchoge the GOAT?

What, because of those 8 seconds he isn’t the GOAT?

It’s not Farah that wins again and again with slow times sitting and kicking. Kipchoge run very fast marathons all the time. That berlin win in the rain might have been relatively faster than Kimetto’s WR

I don't like to deal with "relatively" faster. Until he runs the time, Kimetto is a faster marathoner than Kipchoge. All I'm saying is that you need a world record in your respective event to be considered the GOAT. That being said, a world record alone is not enough to be the GOAT either. Kipchoge has the consistency piece, but he doesn't have the world record piece.

Here's my take:

First, I completely agree about sub2. Now, on to the substance:

GOAT means the 'greatest' - it's a comparative measure. Even when the competition/talent pool is weak, there is still a 'greatest.' For example, I'm sure there's a 'greatest' curler, or dart thrower, or zamboni driver, and the list goes on.

So, who is the greatest marathoner? You admitted in your second post that a world record is not enough to be the greatest. Kimetto is great and has the greatest marathon time, but he's not the greatest marathoner. So, who is? Kipchoge has done many great things at the marathon distance, as in many wins at major marathons such as London, Berlin, and Chicago. He has olympic gold. He has won those races with style and dominance. He has a very fast PB. (He's one of two people to have beaten Rupp, which I add for the Rupp haters).

If Kipchoge is not the greatest, you're probably going to have to go with somebody who is now retired, who also doesn't hold the world record. My point is that there are several candidates for GOAT marathoner. Kimetto is great but probably not the greatest. Kipchoge is definitely a legitimate candidate, as are several from years gone by. Bill Rodgers has so many wins. Abebe Bikila won with panache at two olympics. Don't forget the likes of Grete Waitz and Ingrid Kristiansen either!

It would be more interesting if you tell us who the greatest is and then we can flame on!

you should of mentioned said aouita

sorry i just realised you meant marathoner firstly obvious point but kipchige has not retired he could break the world record and another gold Olympic medal. however if you assume the 2 points of criteria for goat are times and gold medals and assuming that all times are relative to the era you would have to say bikila 2x olympic gold and 2x broke the wr.

ps the womens is much more interesting question. id argue paula

2:00:25... has only lost once in is career, I think. He has mastered the marathon distance.

How anyone is even arguing that Kipchoge isn’t the GOAT is beyond me.

His consistency is impeccable. His win streak, his numerous very fast times, etc all in an event that has the most variables that could go wrong. Loop at Kipsang, also one of the best. He’s had to drop out of two of his last 3 or 4 marathons. Kipchoge? Never.

Also, the sub2 thing might be a marketing thing and obviously doesn’t ‘count’, but it was an incredible feat and shouldn’t be ignored completely.

weird wrote:

sorry i just realised you meant marathoner firstly obvious point but kipchige has not retired he could break the world record and another gold Olympic medal. however if you assume the 2 points of criteria for goat are times and gold medals and assuming that all times are relative to the era you would have to say bikila 2x olympic gold and 2x broke the wr.

ps the womens is much more interesting question. id argue paula

Relative to era should never be considered. The greatest of all time should be able to have their accomplishments stand alone regardless of era. If the "era" handicap is needed, the individual in question is already out of contention.

He is not the GOAT for me. He has no WR. That is imperative to be considered the GOAT

Kipsang is the only man to run sub 2:04 4 times, and he broke the WR. I know he has DNF'd 2 of his last 3 races, but that was due to stomach issues.

I'm not saying Kipsang is the GOAT, but rather his accomplishments puts him even with Kipchoge.

Seyta wrote:

weird wrote:

sorry i just realised you meant marathoner firstly obvious point but kipchige has not retired he could break the world record and another gold Olympic medal. however if you assume the 2 points of criteria for goat are times and gold medals and assuming that all times are relative to the era you would have to say bikila 2x olympic gold and 2x broke the wr.

ps the womens is much more interesting question. id argue paula

Relative to era should never be considered. The greatest of all time should be able to have their accomplishments stand alone regardless of era. If the "era" handicap is needed, the individual in question is already out of contention.

bilika two golds at olympics stand alone

SLIJ wrote:

2:00:25... has only lost once in is career, I think. He has mastered the marathon distance.

^ This!

Scorpion_runner wrote:

He is not the GOAT for me. He has no WR. That is imperative to be considered the GOAT

Kipsang is the only man to run sub 2:04 4 times, and he broke the WR. I know he has DNF'd 2 of his last 3 races, but that was due to stomach issues.

I'm not saying Kipsang is the GOAT, but rather his accomplishments puts him even with Kipchoge.

kipchoge vs kipsang at marathons 3-1

kipchoge vs kimmeto 2-0

and kipchoge is the only person to go under 2 :04- 12 5 times.

I can answer the OP question with just one word:

HAILE.

objectivity wrote:

Seyta wrote:

Relative to era should never be considered. The greatest of all time should be able to have their accomplishments stand alone regardless of era. If the "era" handicap is needed, the individual in question is already out of contention.

bilika two golds at olympics stand alone

Times were too poor to keep him in the discussion. Even accounting for the lack of shoes.

Corvid wrote:

I don't like to deal with "relatively" faster. Until he runs the time, Kimetto is a faster marathoner than Kipchoge. All I'm saying is that you need a world record in your respective event to be considered the GOAT. That being said, a world record alone is not enough to be the GOAT either. Kipchoge has the consistency piece, but he doesn't have the world record piece.

If you don't care about relatively faster then Kipchoge is definitely your man. Kipchoge ran a marathon ninety seconds faster than any other human ever on a flat, wind neutral course. End of story.

OWG wrote:

Corvid wrote:

I don't like to deal with "relatively" faster. Until he runs the time, Kimetto is a faster marathoner than Kipchoge. All I'm saying is that you need a world record in your respective event to be considered the GOAT. That being said, a world record alone is not enough to be the GOAT either. Kipchoge has the consistency piece, but he doesn't have the world record piece.

If you don't care about relatively faster then Kipchoge is definitely your man. Kipchoge ran a marathon ninety seconds faster than any other human ever on a flat, wind neutral course. End of story.

we counting science projects and marketing runs now?

okay.

Seyta wrote:

objectivity wrote:

bilika two golds at olympics stand alone

Times were too poor to keep him in the discussion. Even accounting for the lack of shoes.

but i hear only 2 people have beaten rupp in the marathon yet his time is closer to bilika than kipchoge ps paula beats everyone by 1 and a half minutes she is goat

objectivity wrote:

Seyta wrote:

bilika two golds at olympics stand alone

Times were too poor to keep him in the discussion. Even accounting for the lack of shoes.

It's like when Jack Nicklaus dominated golf. There wasn't as much competition back then. Therefor Kipchoge is much more impressive.

Marathon record used to be called marathon world best because I'd different courses and positions.

He's better than the current we holder by a long way.

All time us debatable but he's up there