After signing with adidas the word on the street is that Sumner is going to be taken care of by Justin Rinaldi.
Definitely makes sense, Rinaldi has arguably the best pure 800m crew in the business, having Joseph Deng, Peter Bol, Brad Mathas, Guy Learmonth active in his stable as well as coaching (coached???) 1.44 performers Jeff Riseley and Alex Rowe.
As we know JR is active on the boards so all good stuff, best of luck to Sumner in the upcoming 800 final.
As a Brit, it is rather surreal to see Guy Learmonth held up as a paragon of elite 800m running.
Who said he was? But he's run 1.44.73 and was ranked as highly as 15th in the world at one point - that's pretty good.
I was referring to the group collectively - sure no 1.42 performers but who else do you know that has multiple (4+) 1.44 runners in an active stable? Because there is certainly nobody in the US or UK that can claim that (Jon Bigg, Dave Ragan each have 2 but no more)
Don't be a miserable Brit, Learmonth is a very good runner.
Sorry, Justin, but I hate this idea. He would be tainted by association with Bol, whose clearing was by no means satisfactory at all, and he would be apparently training halfway around the globe and far from any high quality meets. Moreover, he would be with a group that has not had any 1:42 guys to my knowledge, so would limit his upside. The only affinity there that I can see is that the group does low mileage, as does Sumner.
There’s a better 800 group here in the USA in Baltimore sponsored by underarmor. I wondered if that was ever an option for him .
Is there? It's funny because UA had one guy in that final - CJ Jones and his PR is 1.46.22 so unless Under Armor had a bunch of studs that bombed in the heats, I don't know where they were in the final.
I would also think that a guy who just signed an adidas contract probably wouldn't then be allowed to go train with a competitors sponsored group but I could also be wrong.
Sorry, Justin, but I hate this idea. He would be tainted by association with Bol, whose clearing was by no means satisfactory at all, and he would be apparently training halfway around the globe and far from any high quality meets. Moreover, he would be with a group that has not had any 1:42 guys to my knowledge, so would limit his upside. The only affinity there that I can see is that the group does low mileage, as does Sumner.
As a Brit, it is rather surreal to see Guy Learmonth held up as a paragon of elite 800m running.
Who said he was? But he's run 1.44.73 and was ranked as highly as 15th in the world at one point - that's pretty good.
I was referring to the group collectively - sure no 1.42 performers but who else do you know that has multiple (4+) 1.44 runners in an active stable? Because there is certainly nobody in the US or UK that can claim that (Jon Bigg, Dave Ragan each have 2 but no more)
Don't be a miserable Brit, Learmonth is a very good runner.
That you felt the need to include a pejorative with your reply speaks volumes, unfortunately.
Let’s run to the Power of 10 website for the cold hard facts about 31 year old Learmonth:
Sub 1:45 - once (2018 in a 7th place DL finish, i.e Learmonth was towed to his PB)
Sub 1:46 - six times (three times in 2017, once in 2018/2019/2020)
400 PB - 48.00 (i.e. he lacks the speed reserve for elite 800m running)
British outdoor champs record in major years:
2022, 2023 - bombed out in the first round
2021 - no entry
2019 - 2nd but no WC standard
2017 - 2nd; semis at WC
2016 - DNS final
2015 - 4th
2013 - no entry
2012 - 5th
That’s a grand total of one major outdoor team, for those counting at home.
Learmonth has made a career as an indoor “specialist”, due to the top British 800m runners rarely entering indoor trials and the EIC and WIC standards being lower, thus allowing him to make many teams.
Sub 1:46 - never
Sub 1:47 - eight times (over the period 2019-2023)
British indoor champs record:
2023 - 1st; 6th EIC
2022 - 2nd; heats WIC
2021 - 1st; semis EIC
2020 - 1st
2019 - 2nd; semis EIC
2017 - 1st; heats EIC
2016 - 3rd
2015 - 1st; 6th EIC
2014 - 2nd
2013 - 3rd
2012 - 2nd
2011 - 3rd
2010 - 5th
That’s one WC semi and two EIC finals appearances (both last placed) for the one time world number 15.
As to the alternative interpretation of your very good runner comment, Learmonth’s form is far from aesthetically pleasing, but I’ve no idea if you’ve actually followed his career like this miserable Brit has.
Regardless, if Sumner’s career looks like the above 10 years from now, we’ll both be miserable.
Nice one. Thanks for going to all that effort to show you really are a numpty of the highest order. Your obsession with deriding Learmonth is puzzling - you get turned down once upon a time?
If you like I can retract him from the original statement and actually nothing changes - Rinaldi still has arguably the strongest collective stable of 800m runners (minus Guy Learmonth who is utter trash) - a good fit for Sumner no matter what.
Didn't know being barely sub 1:44 with doping suspicions made you famous. He'd be much better off training with US based runners like (Arop, Jewitt, Miller) than foreign athletes that can't break 47.
I just want to say...Rinaldi is amazing. From what I've seen that guys had some real badass workouts in "old age" and that training group he has created? Amazing! And how transparent he is? Very rare and so good for the sport. Most won't know or remember, but he used to post detailed comments about 800m training on the Sweat Elite app when that still existed.
Rinaldi, you should create a pdf/pamphlet with some of your 800m knowledge. I find thats lacking in almost all places, and sure, 800m training could be done in many ways, but yours are surely working great and as youre already so transparant...
Anyway, keep up the good work. You have fans all over.
Sorry, Justin, but I hate this idea. He would be tainted by association with Bol, whose clearing was by no means satisfactory at all, and he would be apparently training halfway around the globe and far from any high quality meets. Moreover, he would be with a group that has not had any 1:42 guys to my knowledge, so would limit his upside. The only affinity there that I can see is that the group does low mileage, as does Sumner.
There are plenty of coaches who have had 1:42 guys or better and some who still do. OTC and Beasts did. Julian does. Ereng does. Colm O'Connell. Tuka's coach, Bosse's coach. Johnny Gray.
There are plenty of coaches who have had 1:42 guys or better and some who still do. OTC and Beasts did. Julian does. Ereng does. Colm O'Connell. Tuka's coach, Bosse's coach. Johnny Gray.
Not saying you're advocating these groups just by informing, but going to coaches/groups like OTC, Beast, Julian seems like way more of a gamble than Rinaldi.
I just want to say...Rinaldi is amazing. From what I've seen that guys had some real badass workouts in "old age" and that training group he has created? Amazing! And how transparent he is? Very rare and so good for the sport. Most won't know or remember, but he used to post detailed comments about 800m training on the Sweat Elite app when that still existed.
Rinaldi, you should create a pdf/pamphlet with some of your 800m knowledge. I find thats lacking in almost all places, and sure, 800m training could be done in many ways, but yours are surely working great and as youre already so transparant...
Anyway, keep up the good work. You have fans all over.
+1, this would be an epic resource for loads of aspiring mid distance runners of all ages. Love your work, and contribution to the sport!
Perhaps one of the best example of JR's coaching ability is Jeff Riseley. When Jeff went to Justin he was over 30 and hadn't run 1.44 for 5 years. Within 12 months Jeff had run 1.44 again, and was unlucky not to make the Olympic Final after getting impeded badly in the semi when looking good.
Perhaps one of the best example of JR's coaching ability is Jeff Riseley. When Jeff went to Justin he was over 30 and hadn't run 1.44 for 5 years. Within 12 months Jeff had run 1.44 again, and was unlucky not to make the Olympic Final after getting impeded badly in the semi when looking good.
Is it 'unlucky' if you always have bad luck in championship races?
Rinaldi is living the dream, I've watched him since he was a young adult, competing, contributing on multiple running forums, and as a coach. His knowledge of 800m is brilliant. Is he a great coach? I'm not convinced, but I'm certain about his passion for the event, and care for his athletes.
Either way, it does seem left field for the young fella to go down this route.
I'm just a massive Will Sumner fan and if you paid attention to his interview, he said he was going to be based back home with his parents (who did a great job coaching him in HS), not moving all the way to Melbourne.
I miss the Cade Flatt threads, we need him back running. Hell, he can join F8TC as well.
PS Jeff was 34 (nearly 35) when he ran 1:44.85 with me (was his fastest time in 9 years). I think that was pretty impressive, but I'm bias.
You all aren’t thinking this through. Will is going to stay in Georgia. Henner will be the new ATC head coach which is adidas sponsored and continue to coach Sumner. For what it’s worth, Rinaldi is one of the best coaches in the world. Facts!
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