John Walker GOAT

+1

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=8959683

His injuries in 1976/1977 were an utter tragedy, never fulfilled his potential.

Lydiard Cerutty wrote:

+1

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=8959683

+2

Subway Surfers wrote:

His injuries in 1976/1977 were an utter tragedy, never fulfilled his potential.

Ovett ended him.

Walker was unreal, love his consistency -- 135 sub-4:00's might be one of the most impressive marks ever.

..his 12 x sub 4:00 in 65 days to reach 100x ..is the most delicious part of his athletic history. ..between 12/15/84 to 2/17/85...Walker pounded out 12 sub 4:00.0

John Walker, the greatest of all time at the mile run.

I love Walker. He's not close to the greatest of all time, however.

He is the coolest miler of all time, though.

Kiwi Power wrote:

John Walker, the greatest of all time at the mile run.

El G ran 3:43, 3 3:44’s, 2 3:45’s, a 3:46.2, etc. 7 of the top 10 all-time performances.

El Geez wrote:

Kiwi Power wrote:

John Walker, the greatest of all time at the mile run.

El G ran 3:43, 3 3:44’s, 2 3:45’s, a 3:46.2, etc. 7 of the top 10 all-time performances.

Well that's what happens when you're all jacked up on rocket fuel. . .

Subway Surfers wrote:

His injuries in 1976/1977 were an utter tragedy, never fulfilled his potential.

+1

In full flight at his peak he really was a powerhouse, so unlike the Kenyan waifs that dominated since the EPO era.

As you say, he was already suffering injury problems in his Olympic triumph year of 76. He would have been a real competitor to Ovett and Coe during their WR years instead of a spectator. Maybe he would have pushed them on to even faster times or even traded the WRs with them?

77 must have been a killer for him, especially the World Cup final in Dusseldorf at the end of the season. Realizing he was never going to shake off his injury problems and fulfill his potential at the exact moment (literally) when he saw the future fly away from him around the bend. But amazing toughness that he still managed to compete at the top for a further 13 years, and might even have medalled in the Commonwealth Games in 1990 if he hadn't fallen in the final.

Goucher Needles wrote:

I love Walker. He's not close to the greatest of all time, however.

He is the coolest miler of all time, though.

He ran 135 sub 4 minute miles. Only Steve Scott at 136 has ran more. He was also the first to go under 3:50.

He ranks 69th all time in the mile and has zero of the top 500 all time 1500 times. He was a great racer with amazing hair. A great, for sure, but he’s not in the discussion for top 10 all time.

Agree. Not close to the GOAT, but, as great as he was, we didn't quite get to see what he could have been due to injuries (the same could be said of Ovett). What I liked most of all, though, was that he'd race anyone, anywhere, anytime. He & Steve Scott had that in common.

How is Walker doing nowadays? Anyone know?

He would make a Mt. Rushmore of middle distance runners, imo.

Goucher Needles wrote:

I love Walker. He's not close to the greatest of all time, however.

He is the coolest miler of all time, though.

While he isn't that far from the top of the list, you are correct he certainly is the coolest miler of all time.

Yes the races most likely would have been even faster, probably about 1 sec in the 1978-1982. Interestingly, you'll like this Coe stayed with him, Dixon and Quax before his 1:42.3 WR in 1979, I think he thanked them for installing the belief he could do it.

As far as the "cool" factor, you can't separate John from his mate Rod; the two combined were a force of nature slaying races and slaying poon and living the Life of Athletic Gods in the 70s. "Once A Runner" only hints at the greatness of their legacy not just as athletes, but as True Men of the ages.