The GREATEST X-Country Championships race EVER: Sam Chelanga 2009

"When Sam turns pro, he will have PR's significant to that of when Rupp turned pro."

What does that mean? Significantly better? Significantly worse? Did you really mean "PR's identical to those of Rupp when he turned pro"?

Comparing times from different races in cross-country is meaningless, even if the times are run on the same course. What is of more relevance is that the last time the 2 ran a cc race, Rupp won. The last time they ran a track race, Rupp won. And the time before that too. Not sure why a fast time is supposed to erase the memory of at least 3 straight head to head defeats. So why shouldn't people think Rupp would have beat him again?

VIPAM wrote:

Went thru the first 400m in 63 seconds and 5000m in an AMAZING 14:09 and breaks the favorite Chris Derrick. Sam looked back at 7 kilometer and saw his victory sealed and eased up slightly to savor his victory. He destroyed Galen Rupp last years course record by an amazing 22 seconds.

NEWS: Sam Chelanga wants to become an American Citizen!!!!

If you think that Chelanga's 14:09 was AMAZING, then change your diapers, Rono was under 13:50 at the 1976 Nationals!

Two future World Record Holders in the 10k plus a future 2 time World Cross Country Cahmp

From the December 10, 1976 edition of "The Harrier."

"There were men and boys in the NCAA championship race. The men ran fast -- oh, so fast -- and the boys couldn't, and therein lies the tale of 'Catch Me If You Can' on the plains of North Texas State.

By virtue of age or experience, some collegians could handle it and others could not. What Henry Rono and his fellow Kenyans did was awesome. Those present probably are still shaking their heads. After all, it takes a lot to run away from Craig Virgin in a 10,000-meter cross-country race.... Read More

Rono was a mystery coming into the meet and, to a large extent, he still is. He came to Washington State Oct. 3, won to high-powered meets by wide margins and ran in Denton with irreverent recklessness, unconcerned about the opposition. ...."

The splits for the leaders given in the article are:

1 -- 4:17

2 -- 8:47, with Rono, Kimombwa, Kimeto, and Virgin in lead pack

3 -- 13:20, with Rono the clear leader w/Virgin 40y back

4 -- 18:00, Rono leads w/15y on Kimombwa and Virgin 100y back

5 -- 22:37, Rono

10,000m (finish) -- 28:06.6 Rono wins by 60y over Kimombwa (28:16) and Virgin (28:26) 140y back.

VIPAM wrote:

Sam Chelanga is only 24 years old and is not the first nor will he be the last 24 year junior athlete. Don't demean his dominance because he destroyed the field and showed his run to be one of the best ever in NCAA X-Country Championships history!

a two year physical maturity gap past true collegiate senior age is a significant advantage. Doesn't mean he sucks, he's a jerk, etc...but he does have an advantage over the 18-22 year olds who are the real collegiate athletes.

that guy wrote:

VIPAM wrote:

Sam Chelanga is only 24 years old and is not the first nor will he be the last 24 year junior athlete. Don't demean his dominance because he destroyed the field and showed his run to be one of the best ever in NCAA X-Country Championships history!

a two year physical maturity gap past true collegiate senior age is a significant advantage. Doesn't mean he sucks, he's a jerk, etc...but he does have an advantage over the 18-22 year olds who are the real collegiate athletes.

Well stated. My comment wasn't age related. In fact, far from demeaning it was a complement. It would have applied if Chelanga was 17. As the post on Rono re Virgin stated, there was a man out there competing against boys. Chelanga, regardless of age, was that man.

Chelanga has nothing left to prove in college XC. The only ways he can lose next year is if he is (very) sick or injured. What's the point in running another time trial?

Brother, take it to the next level.

...in response to the title...unless you had a personal interest in it, this was a yawner. Pick the World XC from almost any year for a more exciting race. Chelanga's was a good run but forgettable in the big scheme.

Forgettable why because he have the wrong skin color. I don't remember anyone saying Galen Rupp victory last year was forgettable. I'm 100% certain that if Chris Derrick, Ryan Vail, or by some miracle German Fernandez had won that it would be a sin to say those victories would be forgettable. It wouldn't have bothered me if Chris Derrick had won or someone else that was more letsrun popular/friendly but they didn't. I'm sure Chris Derrick will bounce back and 3rd will NOT be his highest finish at the NCAA X-Country before his collegiate career is over.

Sit back, take a sip of your favorite beverage, and accept that he ran a truly impressive and memorable run that happened to destroy all who opposed him at this year NCAA X Championships!

COST: Priceless

Just read the thread title. Read the thread title again. Then go Youtube any one of hundreds of XC races worldwide that were much more exciting. Not saying it was not a great run by SC.

Skin color...say what?

Henry Rono ran 28:19 on a tougher course in 1978. That came a few months before he set 4 world records (without rabbits) in a matter of weeks.

UhhUhhNoWay wrote:

Forgettable why because he have the wrong skin color. I don't remember anyone saying Galen Rupp victory last year was forgettable. I'm 100% certain that if Chris Derrick, Ryan Vail, or by some miracle German Fernandez had won that it would be a sin to say those victories would be forgettable.

Chelenga's victory was expected, Derrick isn't G. Rupp *yet*, although he may become even better. The senior year version of Rupp would still have beaten Chelenga, if not embarrassed him (whipped with ease by someone doubling/tripling).

Get a grip Rupp of last year couldn't have embarassed Chelanga this year so don't go overboard. Sam Chelanga race was one of the greatest in NCAA X-Country- have to give credit to Henry Rono as the greatest sub 28:10 not positive the course was tougher. (Was Henry a 24 yr old Freshman- I'm not sure?)

Could Galen have stayed with Chelanga longer than Chelanga's competitors today? YES, absolutely.

Could G. Rupp have beaten Chelanga today? Perhaps but doubtful.

Could Rupp have embarassed Chelanga today? Absolutely NO WAY!

I think Rupp could have beaten Chelenga today and it would have probably been similar to last years race except the times would have been faster. And whoever said 29:03 was his fastest xc race, he ran a 27:35 at west regionals last year. Although it is fairly certain that the course was short Rupp is still a sub 28 10k runner.

Agreed. And as someone else said, the title of the thread does not fit the race. Kennedy winning as a true frosh '88 in my opinion was a better championship.

Did Sammy destroy the 2009 field? Hell Yes.

Were there other championships that had more and deeper talent. Hell yes.

If there opportunity were there to have a champions championship race would Sammy most likely win and have an easy win (all things being equal with current training methods, technology, etc.)?

Most likely no.

I thought he ran 27:41 and the course was indeed short; however, how much was disputed 80m to 100m. Still close to sub 28 minute cross country that day! It's everyone's opinion since its impossible for Rupp of last year to face Chelanga of this year; however, I think Chelanga today could have beaten any collegiate all the way back but not including the Henry Rono era.

Sam Chelanga eased up on purpose once he look back at 7 km and saw his 38-45 sec lead (once he knew he had it won) and thus margin of victory and domination will not be understand when discussing the race- he could have run easily run 20 seconds faster. He ran two kilometers at 2:48 pace (28 min flat 10k pace) AFTER passing 5km in 14:09. He saw he had it won and took his foot of the pedal.

First it is idiotic to try to compare two years and say who would win. The comment about Rupp being pulled to a 29:03 is also ridiculous. When they passed me at 7k last year, Rupp was running very easily and could hardly keep from passing Chelanga. He knew the smart thing to do was wait until the last 1k and that is what he did. I would also be foolish to say what I think he could have run, but I do know it would have been well under 29:00.

VIPAM wrote:

Went thru the first 400m in 63 seconds and 5000m in an AMAZING 14:09 and breaks the favorite Chris Derrick. Sam looked back at 7 kilometer and saw his victory sealed and eased up slightly to savor his victory. He destroyed Galen Rupp last years course record by an amazing 22 seconds.

NEWS: Sam Chelanga wants to become an American Citizen!!!!

Man, I'm glad a White guy or Latino didn't win. Otherwise we'd have to put up 50 posts of laments and excuses from Vipam.

You got me mixed up with yourself. Honestly I really wanted Chris Derrick to push Sam Chelanga and wouldn't have mind if he won; however, for me to belittle Sam Chelanga's ACTUALLY race in hopes of not offending some posters isn't going to happen. Chris Derrick and German Fernandez are great talents and no doubt will contend for other NCAA titles but on this day the day was Sam Chelanga-

man please just deal with it!

VIPAM wrote:

I think Chelanga today could have beaten any collegiate all the way back but not including the Henry Rono era.

I don't think so. Some notable races.

2009 NCAA at Indiana State 10k

1 28:41 Samuel Chelanga Liberty

2 29:06 David McNeill Northern

3 29:14 Chris Derrick Stanford

4 29:24 Barnabas Kirui Mississippi

5 29:33 Jordan Chipangama N Ariz

6 29:37 Dorian Ulrey Arkansas

7 29:38 Brandon Bethke ASU

8 29:39 Andrew Bumbalough Georgetown

9 29:40 Ryan Vail OkSt

10 29:42 Colby Lowe OkSt

11 29:46 Jacob Kirwa NMU

12 29:47 Ryan Sheridan Iona

13 29:48 John Kosgei Ok St

14 29:50 Alfred Kipchumba Portland

15 29:50 Felix Kiboiywo Auburn

16 29:50 Hassan Mead Minnesota

17 29:51 Jon Grey WM

18 29:55 Ben Cheruiyot Auburn

19 30:00 Jeff Schirmer Southern

20 30:01 Evans Kigen Liberty

21 30:01 Luke Puskedra Oregon

22 30:03 Tyson David Alabama

23 30:04 Ryan Hill NCS

24 30:05 Cory Thorne Louisville

25 30:05 Emmanuel Bor Alabama

1981 NCAAs

1. Mathews Motshwarateu, Texas-El Paso, 28:45.6

2. Michael Musyoki. Texas-El Paso, 28:46.4

3. Gabriel Kamau, Texas-El Paso, 29:19.3

4. Mark Scrutton, Colorado, 29.22.1

5. Graeme Fell, San Diego State, 29:30.4

6. Alan Scharsu, Penn State, 29:30.5

7. Suleiman Nyambui, Texas-El Paso, 29:32.6

8. Gidamis Shahanga, Texas-El Paso, 29:33.6

9. David Taylor, Arkansas, 29:35.6

10. Richard Tuwei. Washington State, 29:36.

This UTEP team had these 4 runners

27:36.2 ...... Gabriel Kamau' (UTEP) 82

27:38.1 ... Gidamis Shahanga' (UTEP) 82

27:38.6 ......... Zack Barie' (UTEP) 82

27:51.3 ... Suleiman Nyambui' (UTEP) 81 Oly 5k silver (80)

1976 NCAA XC at North Texas State 10k

1 28:06 Henry Rono WSU

2 28:16 Samson Kimobwa WSU

3 28:26 Craig Virgin IL

4 28:30 Herb Lindsey MSU

5 28:34 John Treacy Prov

6 28:39 Wilson Waigwa UTEP

7 28:43 Naill O'Shaughnessey AR

8 28:46 Sam Maritim UTEP

9 28:49 Rudy Chapa OR

10 28:52 James Munyala UTEP

11 28:54 Jim Peterson Gtwn

12 28:55 Josh Kimeto WSU (KEN)

13 28:57 Thom Hunt AZ

14 28:58 Bruce Bickford NE

15 29:00 Kip Sirma UTEP (KEN)

16 29:01 Terry Williams OR

17 29:03 Art Redhair BYU

18 29:04 Terry Cotton AZ

19 29:06 Greg Meyer MI

20 29:07 George Malley PSU

21 29:09 John Flora NE

22 29:10 Bob Hodge Lowell

23 29:11 Tony Staynings W.Kentucky

24 29:12 Henry Marsh BYU

25 29:14 Billy Donakowski MI

VIPAM wrote:

Easy... Sam Chelanga definitely could have run 28:20 if he needed to this year. From 6km to 7km he posted 2:48 which is 28:00 pace and then he looked over his shoulder on one of the turns and eased up slightly.

I just wished he continued to press his pace instead of easing up so it would have been crystal clear of his great run and the extent of his actual domination.

Great race for Chelanga and congratulations to him! The 7th km was downhill so please don't use that split to argue that he could have gone faster. Yes, I saw that he looked back but I didn't see him ease up until the last few meters of the race.

SammySammy wrote:

.............That young man will take the collegiate 10000m record near 27 flat and probably could place top 5 this year at the World X-Country Championships. He's better now than Galen Rupp was last year.

Now that's funny. Top 5 at World XC this year!?!?!?!?! Because he's better than Rupp was last year.

Get ahold of yourself man!