Magnificent mile at Pre

good lord wrote:

malmo wrote:

Sure he has.

Enlighten us.

Still waiting, wise one.

good lord wrote:

Not for an American 800 olympian going against the best 1500/milers in the world. There is no argument you can make for Wheating on an international 1500 level that would ever warrant him being added to this field. In a year or two when he has been pro and busts some fast times as I am sure he will, yeah he'll be in this field. This year, no way, he doesn't deserve it YET.

There is a history of special people that are put in the fast mile at Pre. Remember Alan Webb? Think he was up to international standards when he was put in?

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On May 27, 2001 at the Prefontaine Classic, Webb ran a mile in 3:53.43 to shatter Ryun's 36-year-old national high school record of 3:55.3.

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Wheating is an 800 meter Olympian, the NCAA champion at 800 and 1500 meters, and the most popular track mega-athlete in Eugene.

I can hear the turnstyles ringing now. :-)

Are you and the other haters the same people that bitch about the lack of popularity in track & field?

Of course Wheating should be in this field. Not only has he earned it with this years' performances it would be...wait for it...GOOD FOR THE SPORT you morons.

If I were in charge, you bet I'd put him in. Would he be a favorite? Duh, No. That's not why he gets to toe the line. He gets to toe the line because he has more fans in the state of Oregon than any of the other guys entered in that race. He probably has more fans in the whole country than any of the other guys. That is why he should be toeing the line. He is no chump either.

Wheating should be in the 1000m. What's the American record?

ronner wrote:

If I were in charge, you bet I'd put him in. Would he be a favorite? Duh, No. That's not why he gets to toe the line. He gets to toe the line because he has more fans in the state of Oregon than any of the other guys entered in that race. He probably has more fans in the whole country than any of the other guys. That is why he should be toeing the line. He is no chump either.

This is the point.

That and 3:34-3:35 is no stretch at all for him (or it's mile equivalent) and if you really think every guy is going to come across the line within a second of eachother all with their fastest times of the season and wheating 3-5 seconds back, you must have never seen a mile race a PRE before.

Wheating should definitely be in this race not only because he has a chance to be in the middle of it or better, because the fans will WANT to see him in it and it gives the commentators something to push. Just imagine if he has a great one.

1000m record wrote:

Wheating should be in the 1000m. What's the American record?

2:13.9 Rick Wolhuter 1974

No one can touch that - worth 1:43.0

More - http://www.runningnetwork.com/RNW

How is having a local favorite finishing last good for the sport. Reminds me of that Pacific Islander girl in the 800 at the WCs or Olympics (can't remember which) who got in on a bid of some kind. The field finished as expected, under 2, and she cruised on in at 2:30. Yeah, that was good for the sport.

Asbel Kiprop just won the Kenyan championships today (tues) now has has to get to Eugene by sat and race, no easy task.

That's like a 3:49 versus a 3:47 well rested?

skfnnsk wrote:

Asbel Kiprop just won the Kenyan championships today (tues) now has has to get to Eugene by sat and race, no easy task.

Wheating's odds of being in the race depend on several things:

1. How did he do in his time-trial this week?

2. Has he signed with Nike yet?

If he had a decent time trial, meaning he has some pop in his legs after NCAA's, and if he has signed with Nike, he will be in the premier race.

Let's get realistic, Wheating is the most dynamic young American mid-distance runner, he is a Eugene favorite, and Nike will want to premier their hottest new franchise athlete. Finally, Tom Jordan and Nike are not stupid...they understand the value of "suspense". Based on this thread, it's working...ka ching go the turnstills.

Gregson is a better candidate for the Bowerman mile than Wheating. Hasn't even broken a sweat yet running 3:35s in Aussie.

Good call! Yeah, i'd love to see Gregson run in the states. Give it to a guy who has already proven that he can run 3:35, not just speculation like with Wheating. Don't grandfather these guys into the race when let's be honest, Wheating is a bit out of their league at this point in his career. Maybe not in the future, but for now he is.

Also, to the earlier poster who mentioned Webb, and letting him in as a high school kid, there is a big difference between a high school star going under 4 minutes in the US than a senior in college. Also, Wheating still couldn't even now run 3:53, so comparing Wheating to someone who was faster in high school than he is as a senior in college isn't helping your case.

These guys are gonna go through half way in ~ 1:52. Most NCAA guys would blow up after that point...with the exception of German Fernandez. I don't think Wheating has a prayer if he is running this.

can lagat get the AR? seems like he lacks speed right now. he may lose his 5000m AR the same day.

Pre is a Diamond League Meet this year. When Webb ran in 2001 it was just a big American meet. Wheating not being in the mile this year and Webb being in the mile then makes perfect sense.

And as to the Olympian comments - Wheating didn't make the final. These other guys have raced in Olympic and/or WC finals. He's good, but not good enough to be in this field.

Who will speak highly of the winner if it's tactical and goes out in 2:15???

redbirdy wrote:

Who will speak highly of the winner if it's tactical and goes out in 2:15???

Not many.

1) It is not a championship race and there are likely some time incentives.

2) The rabbits will have failed at their job or be miles ahead and just continue on to win.