Kipketer_Pumpkin_Eater wrote:
Matter of Perspective wrote:Has anyone else ever run sub 3:30 for 1500m and sub 2:10 for marathon?
Geb's obviously way better averaged out, with 3:31 and 2:03:59, but with everyone hating on Mo last spring, I thought we might look at it a different way.
I can't think of a single elite marathoner over time with sub 3:30 1500m credentials. But then again, I didn't do my research.
Geb has 3:31/2:03:59
Bekele has 3:32/2:05:04
Way back in the day everyone talked about which marathoners had gone sub 4 mile and sub 2:10. Maybe we ought to give Mo more credit. He's run the equivalent of a 3:46 mile AND a 2:08:21. Was it fair to expect him to do any better over such a different distance? He's already got incredible range.
Sigh. The general thrust of what I've been saying starkly (and what many are astonished at, in regards to Mo) on many threads since the London Marathon finish. People like to go a tad bit overboard in not giving Mo credit and making qualifications. 3:28-mid and 2:07-high (in not the best conditions in London) in his DEBUT... very close to each other... and following an absolutely STUNNING pinnacle stretch of 5k/10k track career...
Sure, Geb, Bekele (as it now stands at the beginning of his marathon career) and even Tergat are very significantly faster than Mo at the marathon. But, take the specific details just mentioned--he's clearly beyond anyone in history. Which raises wonder about the training methods and lifestyle employed. Plus, he's not done yet at the marathon.
Geb, Bekele and Tergat compare because you've taken the greatest of all time in the regards of distance range. These guys were fast and the most incredible distance track athletes (and cross country athletes for Bekele and Tergat). And when all is said and done, they did what few or no others have done, which is to proceed from long, world-beating, GOAT candidate distinguished careers at distance on the track to reaching exalted heights or near them at the Marathon... at least, at the time, in regards to time performances (but not necessarily racing/championship record) (and the verdict is not yet out on Bekele).
Many athletes have been great in one area or another but not both--having had great success moving up to the marathon but not all-time top distance track careers. Other fast distance track athletes, with all-time top times and/or championship racing achievements, faltered in a serious move up in distance or pretty much couldn't even sniff the idea of it.
Now, that's only speaking from general and incomplete historical knowledge, lacking insight into specific circumstances (challenges, racing conditions, timelines, etc.)--and the veteran/elders on this board can opine.
But to answer your question--I say yes!! It's mindboggling! And 2:07-high in less than ideal racing conditions in a debut, is different enough from merely sub 2:10 to be remarked upon
He ran 2.08, not 2.07. Conditions were perfect in London. Paula Radcliffe said the World Record could have went that day because Kipsang was in great shape and the conditions were absolutely ideal for marathon running.