It's been pretty breezy the last few days in the UK. And the track is a little sub-par. When they re-fitted the stadium, they went for the cheaper option. It's not of the same quality as the tracks in Tokyo and Eugene
Our Medal Memories series returns with an exclusive interview with legendary Tanzanian runner, Filbert Bayi. Looking back at the Christchurch 1974 Commonweal...
It's been pretty breezy the last few days in the UK. And the track is a little sub-par. When they re-fitted the stadium, they went for the cheaper option. It's not of the same quality as the tracks in Tokyo and Eugene
Two PBs from gold and silver in the Steeple tonight, hopefully similar conditions/the mediocre surface is less impactful on distance races.
The world 1500m champion Jake Wightman has revealed he was dreading racing the distance again at the Commonwealth Games until a word of advice from Sebastian Coe
“He was one of the validations I needed to be doing the 1500m at Commies,” Wightman said. “Initially I thought I would do the 800m. I didn’t think I could come back out and do another 1500m at champs. Not even dealing with the pressure but mentally getting up for it, the warm-up, the rounds. I dreaded having to do it again.
“He was one of the validations I needed to be doing the 1500m at Commies,” Wightman said. “Initially I thought I would do the 800m. I didn’t think I could come back out and do another 1500m at champs. Not even dealing with the pressure but mentally getting up for it, the warm-up, the rounds. I dreaded having to do it again.
What I was saying Mister Rojo a week ago, and you said I was wrong.
Jake Wightman 4/6 Abel Kipsang 7/2 Timothy Cheruiyot 7/2 Josh Kerr 7/2 Oliver Hoare 18/1 Neil Gourley 25/1 Jake Heyward 55/1 Samuel Tanner 55/1 William Paulson 60/1 Matthew Stonier 60/1 Elliot Giles 100/1 Mafori Ryan Mphahlele 100/1
Wightman jsut won a pretty fast Worlds and he's got the best 800 speed of anyone in the field (well Tim c has a better pb but he never likes to rely on his kick). He 100% should be the favorite but I can see a lot of people tempted to bet other people.
Kerr at 7/2? He's like 4-5 all time against Wightman. So almost 50-50. Hoare at 18/1? The dude ran 3:47 in the mile this year right? yes, he never wins on the circuit outdoors but man. Of course, I wouldn't touch the Kenyans so maybe they'll win.
McColgan closed at -200, which was a ridiculous price. Either of the top 2 Kenyans could have been gotten at +500.
Wightman is currently the favorite everywhere at -120, perhaps a more absurd number than McColgan at -200. The other contenders are in the +400 range, except for Hoare, who opened at +2000 and has been bet down to +1200 in some places. He’s still available at +2200 on Bovada for any of you that want some free EV.
I would choose either Hoare or Wightman. Ollie has to be torn up over his failure to medal at worlds, so I see his race going one of two ways.
1- He is seeking revenge and runs a time close to the world best
2- He gets in his own head because he has not felt great at the last two 1500 races
On the other hand, I see Wightman going into this race more confident and he has a chance of winning if it turns out to be an honestly paced race.
IMO, the Kenyans will not be likely to win. They always seem to lead from the front, and that has not been working out like it did during the 2021 season.
Bottom line- Wightman has got to be the favorite, but I would not be surprised to see Hoare on top of the podium.
Hoare couldn't make it to w.c. final. He is not winning c.g. 1500m
If a fast race then between Wightman, Kerr, Hoare and Tim for the medals.
If slow then Wightman, Kerr, Gourley.
Stonier a dark horse for Bronze in a slow one.
We're just done with Kipsang I guess lol? Granted, he ran a dumb final in Eugene. Still, on talent I think he's right in the mix with Wightman, Kerr and Tim with a slight edge over Olli.
My prediction is it's a 3:32 winning time: 1) Wightman 2) Tim 3) Kerr 4) Kipsang 5) Hoare 6) Heyward
I like yr order, but with a tactical error from Wightman & Kerr worrying more about Jake than the Kenyans, we'll have
