He's never facing Jakob again, I called it here when he beat Jakob.
You could tell how angry Jakob was right after the race. I think Wightman will race him again at the next World Championships. It's strategic in a sport where athletes don't make a ton of money. Capitalize on the World Title. Don't have it appear tainted with a late season loss so you keep driving up appearance fees & sponsor interest. To his credit, he's been running some great 800s. He's absolutely ducking Jakob who we all can probably agree is a half step above even though he lost the most important race of the year. But I don't fault him for protecting his title & getting paid.
No I think Jake Wightman is a few steps above/beyond like we saw when they raced.
Also: Jakob beat Jake Heyward with more than 5 seconds in the 1500 m DL final last week so Jakob would most likely have gone at least 4 seconds faster than Heyward (and WIGTHMAN) in the Fifth Avenue Mile.
Can't believe the pitiful prize money offered by the most prestigeous mile road race. Jake only gets $5K??? Hardly paid his transantlantic flight. And Sam Parson looked like he'd won Olympic Gold the way he was celebrating getting the stupid mid-race $1K bonus.
Well I'll reveal myself here. I asked Jake about Jakob a fair bit after 5th Avenue Mile last year. For one thing, he definitely expects to race Jakob ahead of Worlds next year though he will continue to run the 800 as well. See the Jakob stuff 2 mins in here, and then it's funny how much he hates Cross Country and 3ks:
Jake got the win at the 2022 New Balance 5th Avenue Mile to cap a tremendous 2022 season. More 5th Avenue Coverage Here https://www.letsrun.com/events/2022/0...
Can't believe the pitiful prize money offered by the most prestigeous mile road race. Jake only gets $5K??? Hardly paid his transantlantic flight. And Sam Parson looked like he'd won Olympic Gold the way he was celebrating getting the stupid mid-race $1K bonus.
On this one you're definitely a far bit off. The pros really like this race. Low-pressure, get to enjoy the city, put up in a nice hotel, and get treated well as they celebrate the end of the year with their teammates and competitors. There's a reason the fields were so big.
Well I'll reveal myself here. I asked Jake about Jakob a fair bit after 5th Avenue Mile last year. For one thing, he definitely expects to race Jakob ahead of Worlds next year though he will continue to run the 800 as well. See the Jakob stuff 2 mins in here, and then it's funny how much he hates Cross Country and 3ks:
If they don't want to change the timetable for the 800/1500 double, they should grant a bye in the heats for those running the 1500m (or those who have made the final). It would not just enable the 800/1500 double, it would actually encourage 1500 guys to double up. Track benefits from having true middle-distance stars who can compete in both events.
Well I'll reveal myself here. I asked Jake about Jakob a fair bit after 5th Avenue Mile last year. For one thing, he definitely expects to race Jakob ahead of Worlds next year though he will continue to run the 800 as well. See the Jakob stuff 2 mins in here, and then it's funny how much he hates Cross Country and 3ks:
If they don't want to change the timetable for the 800/1500 double, they should grant a bye in the heats for those running the 1500m (or those who have made the final). It would not just enable the 800/1500 double, it would actually encourage 1500 guys to double up. Track benefits from having true middle-distance stars who can compete in both events.
I think that would come across as unfair, but as Jake said they catered the schedule for the 1500/5000 double but why not have the 800 run later in the meet like the 5000.