Why the hell is nobody talking about Bekele and Kipchoge?

dkny64 wrote:

I'm pretty sure all of these guys see winning London + setting the CR there as a bigger deal than winning worlds [+ it would certainly be possible to try doing both, although AK may try to prevent the top Kenyans from attempting it.]

Kimetto already stated that he would like to compete in the World Championships and asked AK to make a decision about whom to send sooner rather than later so the athletes can plan their upcoming Marathons accordingly.

Anyone know what happened to Ezekiel Kemboi's stated plan to move up to the marathon this year?

Surely a contender for GOAT if he can make the move and win some majors.

newname wrote:

If he could win London and a global Champs race, then I think he is the greatest active marathoner. Wanjiru and Geb are now out of that conversation.

Wanjiru? Why?

Nutella1 wrote:

Running Boston or NYC in 2015 or 2016 seems not to be possible due to the World Championships and the Olympics.

And of course the OG would trump NYC or Boston, no questions asked.

Don't be so sure. Between athletes avoiding the WC (and even OG) to pursue the marathon majors, and Athletics Kenya's proven ability to screw things up, Kimetto could very easily never run a WC or OG race.

rupp-certified saladbar wrote:

Athletics Kenya's proven ability to screw things up, Kimetto could very easily never run a WC or OG race.

Agreed. So far, Kimetto, E. Mutai and G. Mutai seem like a lock but that may change...

that Kipsang fella is pretty good too...

Bekele has bounced back nicely since his injury, and had a brilliant debut, but he's not the same Bekele as pre-injury. That being said, I will never count Bekele out of something that he thinks he can do - he's earned that much from me. So while I do think it is possible he will break the WR, I don't think it is probable, and if I had to place a bet, it would be "non-WR". You can bet I'll be glued to my laptop every second of the race cheering for him, though.

And as an aside, Wanjiru is still the GOAT marathoner. DK is about where G Mutai was after New York. He could get there but needs a couple more wins, notably a "championship" win.

I'm betting Bekele wont break 2:06

Bekele may eventually become the GOAT if he wins the Rio Marathon.

Until then, there are three GOATs:

- Abebe Bikila (Double Olympic Champion Marathon)

- Waldemar Cierpinski (Double Olympic Champion Marathon)

- Emil Zatopek (5000, 10000, Marathon Olympic Champion)

I don't because I looked at the weather forecast. Unless the 10mph wind does not materialize, neither will a super fast time. The good thing is that the wind forecast used to be way worse a few days ago, though.

If you want to talk about GOAT from that many years ago, who had a fraction of today's competition, you may as well throw up Paavo Nurmi on that list. All of these guys were legends in their own era, but no where near present-day GOAT material.

Cierpinski lol.. Dope head

Geb has 1500 world title

5000

10000

Titles

Marathon world record

20years longevity

Goat no question

rennato conniver wrote:

Cierpinski lol.. Dope head

Geb has 1500 world title

5000

10000

Titles

Marathon world record

20years longevity

Goat no question

They have comparable PRs.

Bekele will retire with more track titles.

Bekele won a million XC titles to Geb's 0, which is better than Geb's 1 indoor 1500m title to KB's 0.

You are watching the waning years of the GOAT and should get to Chicago Sunday.

newname wrote:

Kimetto now holds the CR in Tokyo (2:06:50).

No he doesn't. The CR in Tokyo is 2:05:42 held by Dickson Chumba.

I predict Bekele will have hamstring issues around mile 20. Most likely DNF.

Bekele = Barry Bonds

Runner Expert wrote:

Bekele may eventually become the GOAT if he wins the Rio Marathon.

Until then, there are three GOATs:

- Abebe Bikila (Double Olympic Champion Marathon)

- Waldemar Cierpinski (Double Olympic Champion Marathon)

- Emil Zatopek (5000, 10000, Marathon Olympic Champion)

Cierpinski? A known doper?

Seriously?

Wanjiru is clearly the GOAT for the marathon. He RACED, and could accelerate the pace at will anytime in a race. His performance at the Olympics was simply amazing with all the expectations of his country, the hot temperature, the ferocious pace he set, and absolutely no fear of any of his competitors. So many marathons these days are boring with pacers and steady rhythm running set-up by the agents and race organizers. Everyone is forgetting the marathon is supposed to be a race, not a time trial. As amazing as the recent WR performances have been, I would much rather see a real race and Wanjiru was exciting!