Both great runners, but I'd not draw any conclusions from this particular race. I think that course was better suited for a guy like Parker with a a more compact, faster cadence and lower center of gravity.
Please explain why you think so.
I think a windy, sloppy course favors someone who's got a lower center of gravity and less body surface area, which is more stable structurally. Also, faster turnover at equal velocity means shorter stance phase and less time for feet to slide around. A longer stride and slower cadence at the same velocity requires a more propulsive push-off which will waste more energy on a slippery surface.
This post was edited 6 minutes after it was posted.
What race has Wolfe run that makes you think he’s capable of 12:45? He’s only one year younger than Young yet you’re comparing a guy that hasn’t broken 13:10 to the AR holder?
7:30 closing in 54
He has never run a time trial 5000 in top form. His 13:10 was a semi-tactical US championships.
Personally I think he’s good for about 12:50-12:52 at the moment. 12:45 is probably a next year or 2027 thing.
Nico and Wolfe have the same birthday (July 27) one year apart, which makes comparing their progressions very interesting. Here is how their 5k PBs compare at the same ages:
Year they turned (YTT)19: Nico 13:22 at BU in Dec, Wolfe 13:19 at BU in Dec
YTT 20: Nico 13:11 at Sound in May, Wolfe 13:13 at BU in Dec
YTT 21: Nico 13:22 at BU in Dec, Wolfe 13:10 at USOT in June
YTT 22: Nico 12:57 at BU in Jan, Wolfe 13:13 at ACC in May
YTT 23: 12:45 at Oslo DL in June, Wolfe TBD next year
Wolfe was right where Nico was at from 19-20 and ahead at 21. Notably, the younger Wolfe beat Nico in the 5,000m at the 2024 NCAA championship, held a little over 4 months after Nico ran 12:57.
As you pointed out, Wolfe's 13:10 came at a US championship race; it was the 2024 Olympic Trials. Later that year, Wolfe ran 7:30 at BU. Had he opted to run the 5k with Blanks at that meet instead, it's plausible he could have run 12:59-13:01 that day (Blanks ran 12:59).
As we all know, injuries got in the way of Wolfe's progression this year, but he seems to be back on track. Now that he's a pro and living/training at altitude full-time, there's good reason to think he'll improve. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him run 12:45-12:48 sometime within the next year, especially if he can get in some DL meets. With 2026 not being a traditional championship year, there'll be plenty of opportunities to chase after fast times.
I love the fact that Nico and Wolfe are now training partners. It's going to be exciting to see what both of them can do in the next several years, along with Blanks and all the other young rising stars.
More than anyone else over the last 50 years, Parker Wolfe reminds me of Pre.
I couldn't agree more. He was totally controlling the race, and expended a lot more energy than he needed to by doing so, yet still held strong until the very end. Incredibly impressive.
Nico and Wolfe have the same birthday (July 27) one year apart, which makes comparing their progressions very interesting. Here is how their 5k PBs compare at the same ages:
Year they turned (YTT)19: Nico 13:22 at BU in Dec, Wolfe 13:19 at BU in Dec
YTT 20: Nico 13:11 at Sound in May, Wolfe 13:13 at BU in Dec
YTT 21: Nico 13:22 at BU in Dec, Wolfe 13:10 at USOT in June
YTT 22: Nico 12:57 at BU in Jan, Wolfe 13:13 at ACC in May
YTT 23: 12:45 at Oslo DL in June, Wolfe TBD next year
Wolfe was right where Nico was at from 19-20 and ahead at 21. Notably, the younger Wolfe beat Nico in the 5,000m at the 2024 NCAA championship, held a little over 4 months after Nico ran 12:57.
As you pointed out, Wolfe's 13:10 came at a US championship race; it was the 2024 Olympic Trials. Later that year, Wolfe ran 7:30 at BU. Had he opted to run the 5k with Blanks at that meet instead, it's plausible he could have run 12:59-13:01 that day (Blanks ran 12:59).
As we all know, injuries got in the way of Wolfe's progression this year, but he seems to be back on track. Now that he's a pro and living/training at altitude full-time, there's good reason to think he'll improve. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him run 12:45-12:48 sometime within the next year, especially if he can get in some DL meets. With 2026 not being a traditional championship year, there'll be plenty of opportunities to chase after fast times.
I love the fact that Nico and Wolfe are now training partners. It's going to be exciting to see what both of them can do in the next several years, along with Blanks and all the other young rising stars.