Sesamoiditis wrote:
Galen has never gone out with the chase pack like Connor did today. Galen has always tried to win. Galen’s worst finish in a WMM is 5th. Connor needs to make a big leap forward to get to Galen’s level.
Galen also, with Oly/WC exceptions, doesn't enter races where he can't finish top-5. It is true that if today ends up being his whole marathon career, this guy is way behind him. But compared against each other at the same age, or the same # of marathons into their careers, Mantz is way ahead by either metric.
One of Galen's podium finishes - actually 2 including the Trials - were allegedly the result of breaking IAAF/WA shoe rules. I write 'allegedly' not because any question exists as to whether or not he broke the relevant rule. That is fact. The question is whether or not the shoes helped. The manufacturer and his employer certainly claims they do.
High finishes in soft and shallow fields is a Rupp trademark. One Chicago was set up for him to win. I don't even remember how many minutes slower he was than Connor today. On a day when breaking 2:12 gets you the win, Mantz would have won. Other Chicagos were not set up for him to win - and he didn't.
One Boston had a weak field, and he was not under 2:10 (on a downhill course) but lucked into a podium finish. In another, he knew he wouldn't podium and walked off halfway through.
No London, Berlin, Dubai, Valencia, Fukuoka, etc. has been shallow, weak, and specially arrainged for him - and he hasn't run them. It is true that Rupp's career is light on 10th and 20th place finishes. The fact that he has so few is exactly the point anyone (including me) accusing him of dodging is making.
So, if the new guy retires with this morning's result as his career highlight, sure, Rupp is way better.