Who could run the most sub-4 miles in a single day? Any runner, any amount of rest.

Right now, I'd say Kiplimo, Barega or Aregawi. Jakob would be up there too, but I think one of the 10k/half guys outlasts him in the end.

Makhloufi

Yup.

Jim Walmsley would destroy all comers in this 24 hour event

Steve Scott

Hardly anyone has mentioned El G so far? This guy has wayyyyyyyy more sub 3:30s than anyone else (~ 30 sub 3:30s) and terrific strength over 3k and 5k. Plus there were even reports of him hammering on long runs and dropping a 2:07 marathoner.

Roger Bannister or John Landy.

This is a super-interesting thought experiment!

I think we’re greatly underestimating the number. It’s double digits, for sure, and probably in the teens. 4:00 is a pace prime El G and Mo and present day Jakob (my obvious top-3 for this) can probably hold for what, about 3600-3800m? I feel like if you asked peak fitness me to do a mile at my 3700m pace every hour, I could do it for 7-8 hours, and after a 7-8 hour break with good recovery procedures could probably pound out at least 2 more (possibly needing 3-4 hours in between these last couple, but I should have the time).

These guys could, I bet, make it for 9-10 on the hour, get 5-6 hours of good recovery in, and then do 3-5 more with longer breaks. I’m putting the over-under at 13.5.

If we're talking about all-time, I think this is the only answer. The question would be then: how many sub-4's could he run in a day? Keep in mind he has to eat meals, digest and sleep at some point to crank out those miles. I would say 9?

Rheinhardt Harrison

I simply cannot believe that on a running forum, only we three of the great el g.

in his prime, i'd have to agree.

Kipchoge has the speed and, based on his marathon career, the greatest endurance of all time

I think you would find that exhausting with all the warming up and cooling down (again we are talking like 2 mile pace. That's pretty quick to do cold). I also have a feeling that your leg would start to tighten up like 12 hours after the first one. I almost think you would be better off doing like a set of 3-5 with 10 min jog, rest 4-8 hours and repeat. But I don't have a great feel for what it is like to run fast 8 hours after a workout like this.

All time I'd guess El G.

Nowadays, most likely Jakob.

Speaking of Farah, I think he and Rupp would stack up pretty well. Has anyone faster than Farah at 10k run a faster 1500 than he has? He's 3:28/26:46 and Rupp was 3:50i/26:44. I just remember that time Rupp ran 8:07 for the indoor 2 mile AR, then did 5xmile like 30 mins later with the last one at 4:00. That makes me think he could do at least 10 in a day if he tried. Also gotta remember that Farah was better than that, so he's probably at least at 12-14.

Kiplimo's a good bet with his 7:26 and great HM times, but I'd take Jakob over him just because Jakob is a 1500/5000 guy. I think the person who could do the most would either be Farah or Jakob, leaning towards Farah just because of his strength.

This thread is 36 posts deep with no mention of Timothy Cheruiyot?

No one has said Lagat—who was faster over 1,500m and has credible 3,000/5,000 results—or Noah Ngeny—who was also faster over 1,500m —either. Neither of them, nor Cheruiyot, are in contention for the top spot—top-10 or top-5? Possibly, but that wasn’t the question.

I would lean toward Kipchoge. Not only does he have the 5K speed to make 4 min pace easy. But his insane marathon endurance would allow him to do quite a few.

I can see an argument that peak Bekele could do the most. The basis for that arguement would have to be that Kipchoge although he has this awesome strength now is lacking the speed to do sub 400's over and over again and when he and Bekele were in prime track shape Bekele was far superior. Actually as I think this through more I'm leaning more towards Kenny B. It definitely is not Cheptegei. Those touting him breaking Kenny B's records need to recognize Kenny B would have smashed 26 in the 10K with the same equipment. Bekele is easily the best track distance runner I have ever watched.

I think the most interesting question here is what is a better indicator for this challenge. 5k, 10, or half marathon ability?

I'd throw mile ability into that question. Would a peak El G or a peak Bekele have the edge? El G clearly wins in all out mile ability and running 3:59 would be easy enough that he could pull off several for sure. Bekele has better endurance 5k and up (forget about the tactical Olympic 5000 with El G, Bekele has the better 5000 strength). It would have been fascinating to watch this competition. I'd guess Bekele's 10000 meter prowess gives him the edge, but who knows?