With all these talks about Rupps, OTC fellas and Bekeles closing speed, I was curious about the best finish you ever saw, Amateur or Professional.
I once saw a two mile highschool race, where someone had a 75m lead going into the last lap. The leader didn't die on the last lap, actually sped up, it was just that the person in second went into a full out sprint and caught the leader right at the line to win in 9:16. Craziest finish I've ever seen.
Videos encouraged.
i don't remember the exact year, but the pre classic 5k where abraham chebii ran something like a 51 on the gun lap was pretty amazing to watch
Donald Sage Illinois State meet in the 2 mile his senior campaign.
Sage and Tim Keller were having a great 2 man battle for the win. They were on like 9:00 pace. Keller was no slouch in high school, think he ran like 8:55ish. The actual numbers are not important though.
With 320 to go, Sage left Keller alone like he was standing still. He honestly won by 80m I bet. Keller was not walking it in. If I remember right Sage closed in a mid 50's last lap. Easily the most amazing finish to a race I have ever seen. The crowd had one group gasp and people immediately were on their feet cheering.
If anybody out there can give the exact numbers great. But I would be willing to bet that for those runners who saw that race, they never saw a more inspiring finish than that one. Outstanding.
Robert Cheseret - PAC 10's, 2006 (maybe) - got tripped and fell down in the last part of the 5k - gapped by the field by maybe 80 meters, stood up, acted like he was going to quit the race, then woke up, took over the lead and easily won. Big heart, great competitor.
Bloodsport, with Van Damm. awesome.
who hah wrote:
got tripped and fell down in the last part
Didn't Brannan fall with less than 150 left in a Big 10 1500, get up and win or a close 2nd?
William Mervin Mills.
heather dorniden of Minnesota falls about 1 minute in during a 600m indoor race, yet manages to get back up ad win anyways
Either Wottle in the last straight of the Munich 800, or Baumann in the last straight of the Barcelona 5K. How Baumann blasted through that traffic was incredible; he must have brushed his teeth that morning.
so Sioux me wrote:
William Mervin Mills.
Too lazy to look up but I assume this is "Billy" Mills.
I don't think anything will ever compare to that kick. His last 100 was so blazingly fast.
53.8 in the 10,000
52.8 in the 5,000
All in the last 300 in both races. Probably 37-38s for both races. Fantashtik!
Somebody post Cacho in '92
Morceli was consistantly great at closing but not that day.
I think Morceli could "only" manage 51/52 that day.
Michael Stember back in the day.
My friend Jim, when it's his turn to pick up the check.
yaaaaaaaa wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqnqLrakxY8heather dorniden of Minnesota falls about 1 minute in during a 600m indoor race, yet manages to get back up ad win anyways
That was abso-fvcking-lutely rediculous!!! Awesome.
bootsie wrote:
i don't remember the exact year, but the pre classic 5k where abraham chebii ran something like a 51 on the gun lap was pretty amazing to watch
Seconded. Chebii circa 2003 is always what comes to mind first.
Obea Moore: 4x4 anchor at State
Bekele - beijing 5k last 5 laps
Wish there was video of this. About six years ago at an early season invitational in Arizona, the 3200 featured all the big guns. My guy was in the top three. A guy from Prescott ran down the cream of the crop from about 30m back in the last 100. He closed so fast down the home stretch that he actually passed a long jumper doing a full-speed approach.
Link to a great thread on this.