100 Greatest Middle and Long Distance Runners Since WWII - The Big Bad List

Wonderful list! Can’t wait to dig in and start reading this.

This correction is sort of impressive. You’re right, he held the WR at 7:28.96 and later improved his PB to 7:27.18 after Morceli had run 7:25.11.

I see your argument and it’s pretty reasonable. I think Rudisha goes as the greatest 800 runner in history, though, which has to count for something. Where would you place him? He could conceivably go as low as #8.

I think Bekele was probably just as capable at 1500 as Gebrselassie. The indoor 1500 title is cool, but his strongest competition in that event was Laban Rotich, who was legit but not exactly a household name—he finished 6th at the outdoor WCs that year. In any case, that title is chicken feed compared with Bekele’s 5k golds and six World XC wins.

Haile’s position is negatively affected by Bekele’s greatness—it’s kind of like Haile went directly from #1 to #5 the minute Bekele surpassed him. There is only so much “greatness” available in any given field or arena; Kipchoge is the greatest marathoner, Rudisha is the greatest 800 runner, El Guerrouj is the greatest miler, and Bekele is the greatest 5k/10k/XC runner—Gebrsellassie is the 2nd greatest 5k-10k runner who never excelled at XC.

Of course, that’s just the way I decided to play it based on my own personal criteria, and there’s an argument to put him in any of the top 5 spots. I knew it was a bit of a “hot take” to put him down at #5.

Perhaps, because he was never dominant and far from revolutionary. He’s definitely an underrated 800 great—you can tell that much just by looking at his top-3 world rankings:

‘03

1. Bungei

2. Mulaudzi

3. Borzakovskiy

‘05

1. Bungei

2. Mulaudzi

3. Ramzi

‘06

1. Mulaudzi

2. Som

3. Bungei

‘07

1. Rudisha

2. Borzakovskiy

3. Mulaudzi

‘09

1. Rudisha

2. Mulaudzi

3. Kirwa Yego

But it’s not just world rankings reflecting consistency on the circuit—he has a WC gold, an Olympic silver and a World Indoor gold. He broke 1:43 six years apart—I figure the list of men who can say that is pretty short (I might look into it). I wonder how he’d be remembered on this site if he’d been American. Even if you wouldn’t include him on the list, it’s not so cut and dry.

I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you’re referring to. Did I use “DZ” in my post?—if so, please point me in that direction.

Thanks for your input.

John Wesley Harding wrote:

Haile’s position is negatively affected by Bekele’s greatness—it’s kind of like Haile went directly from #1 to #5 the minute Bekele surpassed him. There is only so much “greatness” available in any given field or arena; Kipchoge is the greatest marathoner, Rudisha is the greatest 800 runner, El Guerrouj is the greatest miler, and Bekele is the greatest 5k/10k/XC runner—Gebrsellassie is the 2nd greatest 5k-10k runner who never excelled at XC.

Of course, that’s just the way I decided to play it based on my own personal criteria, and there’s an argument to put him in any of the top 5 spots. I knew it was a bit of a “hot take” to put him down at #5.

I get your point about greatness and that Rudisha, Kipchoge were the greatest in their respective events. But Geb was the greatest ever at many events (rather than just one) during his time. He held the WR at 5k, 10k and the marathon at various points, even though he was eventually surpassed. One can argue Geb could have run faster than his PBs/WRs if he had faster times to chase.

Similarly, Bekele has had great range in addition to XC brilliance. El G ventured out of the mile to collect Olympic 5k gold beating out Bekele in the process. Kipchoge was borderline great at 5k and 10k, but never ascendant. I consider him great only in the marathon. Rudy obviously was a one trick pony, and I agree with the earlier poster who would rank Coe above Rudisha.

On a different track, I don’t remember seeing Wilson Kipketer on the list. He probably doesn’t belong as he was deficient in major championship showings, but he’s probably the third greatest 800m runner of all time.

you forgot wrote:

On a different track, I don’t remember seeing Wilson Kipketer on the list. He probably doesn’t belong as he was deficient in major championship showings, but he’s probably the third greatest 800m runner of all time.

I have him at #12. I think he’s 3rd greatest in the event, behind Rudisha and Snell, with Coe and Cruz rounding out the top-5. Coe obviously has equal claim to greatness at 1500 as well.

Awesome Post... In my case whenever i think of Running greatness i want to take into account of who really revolutionized the sport in terms of training . Also who did it without a Coach . I think these two are very important factors . So I am happy to see Emil Zatopek in your top 10. But where is the legend Paavo Nurmi !? For me he's definitely in the top 3 ! ... Am sure you know about him ..I am confused why you didn't even include him even in the whole list ?

oh am sorry..my bad.... just saw the title more clearly . Since WW 2

Your lists are obviously very well thought-out.

For sure all my remarks apart from the facts are just an opinion. We don't have a clear measure for who is "better" at all.

If I would have done such a list, I wouldn't have included Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, but for sure he also can be included.

I wouldn't have set Rudisha at #3 also he has a almost unquestionable claim for the #1 at 800m (but I think Kipketer at his best maybe even was slightly better). Maybe somewhere between #6 and #10.

It's little bit funny, since when I compare two runners head to head and think A > B and also B > C it doesn't mean automatically A > C.

For example Iprobably would rank Coe > Rudisha and also Rudisha > Aouita. But for Coe/Aouita I'm undecided.

I don't say Gebrselassie should be ahead of Bekele. Bekele is the #1, almost unambiguous. But I still would rank Gebrselassie ahead of Kipchoge, but this might be also because of my personal preference of track ahead of road. For me, Gebrselassie is #3, at worst.

John Wesley Harding wrote:

I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you’re referring to. Did I use “DZ” in my post?—if so, please point me in that direction.

It is your shortcut for Algeria, which I never saw before, but I got it now.

John Wesley Harding wrote:

wtfunny wrote:

Daniel Komen at #27 is more than a bit crazy.

He’s the highest ranked runner with no Olympic medals.

He was unbelievably fast for a couple years, no doubt about that.

Obviously we all assign different weights to different metrics. IMO, I think you're way undervaluing the historical strength of his world records. His 3000m wr is the oldest record in men's track, no? And nobody is even close.

And while we can always say well, the 2mile, for example, isn't a race that is run very often, I don't think that's an important argument in distance running, like it might be with sprints. A spring every runner hits it all out and if things go as planned, a record or pb is a possibility. That's simply not how WRs are set in distance running. If an athlete thinks he/she has a shot at a WR they set it up and take their chance.

Look thru a list of top all time 3000m times. And Komen essentially ran those within 2-3 years. So clearly the distance at least used to be run plenty frequently.

Add in his 5000m times, where he's literally right behind Geb and Bekele , his times over 1500/mile, and imo he's certainly one of the greatest middle and distance runners ever. Top ten imo.

John Wesley Harding wrote:

First, one honorable mention (there could be so many, but here’s one):

Nick Willis ?? + Owns Olympic silver (‘08) and bronze (‘16) for 1500 meters, and is the Oceanic record holder at that distance (3:29.66). He’s had a lengthy elite career, running 3:32 in ‘04 and his 3:29 PB in ‘15. Five time winner of the 5th Avenue Mile. - Apart from his more memorable Olympic successes, he’s had several championships at which he went out in the semis or finished near-last in the final. He’s never been much of a force on the circuit, and has only been ranked top-10 in the world 3 times (‘08, ‘15-‘16).

Discus

I don't know if it is fair to hold going out in the semis (what is it, 3 times out of 10?) against Willis, considering how many times he has made the finals. As far as lower placings in the finals... maybe. But give him credit for being the only runner ever to medal in the 1500 at non-consecutive Olympics, along for finishing behind two confirmed dopers in 2008, and he looks like a top 100 runner for sure. That isn't even counting the Commonwealth Games, where he has a gold along with some minor medals.

Top 5 should be

1a. Bekele

1b. Rudisha

3. El G

4. Haile

5. Mo Farah

IMO. Kipchoge 6th. He's great but has not matched the accomplishments of the other 5.

Interesting list. Thanks for putting it together! Is there any case that can be made for Rupp?

Only one of 6 athletes to win an Olympic medal on both the track and in the marathon in your time frame. The others are: Zatopek, Mimoun, Momo Wolde, Lopes, and Kipchoge. (Only Zatopek and Wolde did it in the same year).

6x top ten in the 10k (#1 in 2014, #2 in 2012, top 5 in 2012-2016)

4x top ten in the 5k

2x top ten in the marathon

wtfunny wrote:His 3000m wr is the oldest record in men's track, no?

Kevin Young’s 400h from ‘92.

John Wesley Harding wrote:

wtfunny wrote:His 3000m wr is the oldest record in men's track, no?

Kevin Young’s 400h from ‘92.

Oldest record in men's track is the women's 800.

mister bitty wrote:

Interesting list. Thanks for putting it together! Is there any case that can be made for Rupp?

Only one of 6 athletes to win an Olympic medal on both the track and in the marathon in your time frame. The others are: Zatopek, Mimoun, Momo Wolde, Lopes, and Kipchoge. (Only Zatopek and Wolde did it in the same year).

6x top ten in the 10k (#1 in 2014, #2 in 2012, top 5 in 2012-2016)

4x top ten in the 5k

2x top ten in the marathon

Absolutely, there’s a case. I thought of him quite a bit while making the list. As an American who was raised on this website, Rupp seems like an important figure, but I have to wonder what I would think of him (or not) if he were an East African with the same resume. Better than Tariku Bekele, Stephen Kiprotich, Paul Tanui or Edwin Soi? Maybe, but it’s not obvious—he’s probably in that same tier.

Other Contenders for Top 100

1. Wilson Boit Kipketer: Former WR holder Steeplechase, Olympic Gold and Silver, World Championship Silver

2. Stephen Kiprotich: Olympic Gold in marathon, World Championship Gold in marathon

3. Jaouad Gharib: 2 World Championship Golds in marathon and Olympic Silver plus 2nd Place World Championships Half Marathon

4. Abel Kirui: 2 World Championship Golds in marathon and Olympic Silver

Another possibility is Moses Tanui: World Championship Gold and Silver at 10000m, 1st and 2nd at World Half Marathon Championships, 2 time Boston Marathon Champion, 2nd and 3rd places at Chicago Marathon

Moses Tanui was also a former WR holder in the half marathon as he was the first to break one hour with a 59:47.

Enjoyed reading, thank you OP. For me, Samuel Wanjiru should be in there. Achievements are deserving with Olympic marathon gold, HM world record, 10,000 WJR. But also he left a legacy as first Kenyan Olympic marathon champion and a stunningly brave and tough competitor.

I love Steve Jones but Wanjiru was far greater.