oldoldrunner wrote:
The pace is going to be so fast because of the 4 front runners I’ve mentioned in other threads know that it is suicide to let the pace be slow and then try to push for four laps to go.
How often was this argument given when Farah was raking in championship medals? Everyone on these boards knew a hot pace was the way to win. I think we know from Farah's medal count how often the pace was pushed early. Championship races are sit and kick affairs.
THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:
Runnerofruns wrote:
Apart from the finishing time and close (both exceptional), the way he ran that race was absolutely top class. When he casually ratcheted pace from 65 —> 62 less than halfway through, he had the look of confidence and incredible fluidity that only the greatest champions have had at their peak (Geb, Bekele). Despite HIM being the one surging, he still had that sensational last 600.
This performance was very much in line with the gold medal performances of Bekele, Farah, and Cheptegei from recent championships. Have to think he’s in 26:30 fitness or better, and unless Chep is again in WR shape (he may be), I don’t see who beats Barega besides his own countryman Kejelcha, and he certainly was a touch less impressive yesterday (not just the last lap, but overall race fitness and savvy).
I think he certainly puts himself in the discussion with a 52.7 last lap as part of a fartlek-style 26:49 race. Jacob Kiplimo will be a formidable competitor as well. That last lap is historically elite, and in fact faster than what we've seen from Cheptegei and Farah in races 27:10 and under. I wouldn't call him prohibitive favorite but I do think he, Kiplimo and Cheptegei are now pretty even as far as gold medal chances which is not what I thought before the race.
Did he actually close that fast? I haven't seen anything concrete other than guesses since no splits were shown on the broadcast. When i paused (not the best method of course) with one lap to go I saw ~low 56 which is more like 53.5 which is still fast of course.
If anyone has actual splits that would be great too.
team Unruly Bush wrote:
oldoldrunner wrote:
The pace is going to be so fast because of the 4 front runners I’ve mentioned in other threads know that it is suicide to let the pace be slow and then try to push for four laps to go.
How often was this argument given when Farah was raking in championship medals? Everyone on these boards knew a hot pace was the way to win. I think we know from Farah's medal count how often the pace was pushed early. Championship races are sit and kick affairs.
That was 4 years a go. This new crop of runners seems to understand that they will not medal if they let the pace lag.
The last two World Championship have not been sit and kick affairs, unless you consider second 5k in 13:15 to be sitting waiting for a kick. Even the great Mo couldn’t run a 52 last lap when the second half was in 13:15, he ran 56.5 to win in 2017.
The weather for Cheptegei’s 5000 meter world record was 79 degrees.
Also, 80 degrees with 80% humidity is average weather for Uganda so weather won’t slow these guys down too much.
Le bump
Heat and humidity notwithstanding, it wasn't exactly a fast race from start to finish.
No, but it was run in oppressive conditions. 2:25 last K so obviously this was a tactical race to some degree.
I picked Cheptegei, Barega and Kiplimo in that order pre-race, but Barega navigated the last 800 the best and was rewarded.
And?
Barega was winning this race regardless of tactics. That was my point in making this thread.
In the year 2021, Selemon Barega is the best distance runner on planet earth. That will also likely be the case in 2022 and 2023 (no promises beyond that).
Congrats to him, an easy to root for guy who does things the right way!
Anyone know what shoe he was wearing when he won?
Runnerofruns wrote:
And?
Barega was winning this race regardless of tactics. That was my point in making this thread.
In the year 2021, Selemon Barega is the best distance runner on planet earth. That will also likely be the case in 2022 and 2023 (no promises beyond that).
Congrats to him, an easy to root for guy who does things the right way!
Well I'd still pick the Ugandans to beat him in Cross Country. So cue the debates!
Dragonflys 4% wrote:
1. Cheptegei
2. Kiplimo
3. Kipruto
4. Barega
The race is going to be a time trial world record attempt type race but the conditions in Tokyo will slow it down a bit. No one will have a kick at the end. Last lap for the winner will be over 60 with a winning time of 26:18.
This was my post and I would like to first say that my post was stupid in retrospect. I had no idea how much the conditions would change the race.
Runnerofruns wrote:
Apart from the finishing time and close (both exceptional), the way he ran that race was absolutely top class. When he casually ratcheted pace from 65 —> 62 less than halfway through, he had the look of confidence and incredible fluidity that only the greatest champions have had at their peak (Geb, Bekele). Despite HIM being the one surging, he still had that sensational last 600.
This performance was very much in line with the gold medal performances of Bekele, Farah, and Cheptegei from recent championships. Have to think he’s in 26:30 fitness or better, and unless Chep is again in WR shape (he may be), I don’t see who beats Barega besides his own countryman Kejelcha, and he certainly was a touch less impressive yesterday (not just the last lap, but overall race fitness and savvy).
Wow!
Nice!