Bolt vs Bekele in a 600m

Most people here seem to think Bekele would win. If he would win, this is pretty sad for the world of sprinting. The world's best sprinter (in a race 3-6 times longer than his specialty) can't beat the world's best distance runner (in a race that is 17 times shorter than his specialty).

So the real question is: who is the better runner? Bekele or Bolt?

'Slightly' biased sample you have there - the majority of letsrunners are distance runners so will side with bekele.

I'd also add that bolt would beat bekele at any power based event - throws, jumps, hurdles, so who is the better athlete, bekele or bolt?

I would not call 10,000m Bekele's "specialty." Remember he holds the WRs at 5000m indoors and out also. He's also run 3:32 for 1500m, 3:33 indoors, holds the indoor WR at 2000 at 4:49, has run 7:25 for 3000, 7:30 indoors, and holds the indoor "WR" over 2 miles at 8:04. KB has the wheels for shorter races also. So, to say 10k is his specialty sells the man short.

ponytayne wrote:

I would not call 10,000m Bekele's "specialty."

It's definitely his specialty: he hasn't lost there in 6 years. However, he's great at other events too, you're right.

This was possibbly the dumbest and most frustrating read of my letsrun career.

there is no way on earth bekele would even be close in a 600m. bolt could very possibly be the best 400m runner of all time shortly. even if you compare what they would both run now in top form give bolt 44. 45 was his OPENER.

so its a 44. guy in a race that lasts 1:15 tops vs. a guy who runs for over 2 hours. hahahaha. wow, bolt would run away with it!!

bolt goes out the first 400 in 47-48 which is maxed out for bekele. bolt on the other hand is chilling out, slapping his chest, working the crowd, and thinking about how many skanks he is going to get with on the dance floor tonight. with so much in reserve bolt comes home in 23 low to dust bekele. bekele having never run that fast in any race, much less one in which he has just run an all out 400 prior, "struggles" home in 25. bolt wins easily by a second or more.

According to McMillan Running Calculator inserting Bekele's 2k WR shows that he is capable of 46.8

wellnow wrote:

I've never seen Bekele run faster than 12.5 for any 100m section of any race.

I put him at 51 for 400

I assume that you mean you don't believe me that he ran 12.x for any 100m segment. He did it during the Beijing 10k. Here is every 100m split from every distance race.

Be quiet you jerk... you were asking for it, sorry.

sjc wrote:

bolt goes out the first 400 in 47-48 which is maxed out for bekele. bolt on the other hand is chilling out, slapping his chest, working the crowd, and thinking about how many skanks he is going to get with on the dance floor tonight. with so much in reserve bolt comes home in 23 low to dust bekele. bekele having never run that fast in any race, much less one in which he has just run an all out 400 prior, "struggles" home in 25. bolt wins easily by a second or more.

this would be a hard effort for bolt and coming back in a 23 would be damn tough. but you hit the nail on the head sjc. bolt could go out in 50-51 which would be a piece of cake, and then bring it home in 23. bekele could also go out at this pace but can he come home, no or else he would be an 800 runner, bolt could easily be world class from 100-800.

Name 1 100m world record holder who has set a world class time at 800m

Actually extend that; name 1 sub 10 runner who has run a world class 800m

The best I can think of is Linford Christie who from memory dipped under 2 when he was younger

Bolt is clearly capable of sub 1:50, and I doubt Bekele could go a whole lot quicker than that. Like other people have already said, a 50s 400 would be jogging for Bolt and he could probably hold a reasonable pace for another 200m. 50 would be almost all out for Bekele.

No question Bekele

I dont see Bolt being able to run under 1:15. I'm sure Bekele could.

this question is like if a fast 10K guy who has never ran a marathon and didn't train properly before getting beat by an old fogie at his first marathon. Even lance armstrong had to train a bit properly to do a decent marathon for him. Bolt would OWN bekele over 600m if he knew his life depended on it and given a few months notice.

You have not answer my question.

Take it further name 1 sub 10 guy who has broke 1.55

Maybe, Bolt could do it, but he's a sprinter with a different physiology (and training) to a middle distance or distance runner

Stop It!! Bolt can NOT break 1:50! He's the best sprinter of all time, purely anareobic fast twitch. If Bolt could jog 50. then why not jog slower 55s and run a 3:40 mile? Cuz he cant do either.

but we are talking about a 600, not a mile. I said he could be world class in an 800. Does not mean he will train for it, doesnt mean he would be even even if he did train for it. He could be.

I would imagine you would find very few sprinters who have broken 1:50 and sub 10. Do you think you would find more guys who have run sub 20 and sub 1:50. Probably the same amount. What about sub 46 and sub 1:50? Now that list is probably a bit longer.

i'm surprised nobody has come on talking about bekele's 11 second closing 100m... glad that myth has finally been beaten down.

like others have been saying, the more aerobically fit you are, the better you can approach your max speed in a long effort. bekele is one of the most aerobically fit guys there is... he's gotta be a 23/50flat guy. as a young runner you may not be able to fathom the fact that a 53sec 10k closer maxes out at 50flat, but that is world-class aerobic capacity for you. worlds apart from your own experience, but bekele is an other-worldly runner

bekele ~1:16 or so

bolt blows him away if the race falls in his 'strength' phase when he does some longer reps and 400 races (that is, right now)

Bolt could not break 1:50, Bekele could go faster than 50 and quite a bit faster than 1:50. You are greatly underestimating Bekele