His running seems to be going OK, but he needs a makeover. I would like him to swap out the Oakleys for a novelty pair of sunglasses, like hearts or something.
Keep up: Britain constitutes England, Scotland and Wales. The man in shot is a 77 year old, gay, stage-performing English man. Help me with the comparison with a 27 year old, heterosexual Scot who runs track. Oh, wait: you were being ironic/moronic.
Ngeny still has the outdoor WR for 1000 m and thus was faster than El G, Jakob, and Kerr. Maybe similar raw speed to Wightman. I would not be surprised if he would be the WR in the mile or 1500 m but apparently his career was cut short by an auto accident which fortunately spared his life unlike Kiptum. He won gold in Sydney beating El G and Lagat who has a 3:26 PR so no his 3:43 was not a fluke performance. It is sad when very talented athletes like him and Kiptum never have the opportunity to reach their ultimate potential.
pretty crazy that the 3 fastest 1500/mile runners all existed together within a few year period.
Does anyone know Neil Gourley’s last lap? He came from pretty far back to finish fourth.
I had 54.07 for Gurley for last 400m. Hand timed off TV; (after Wightman these are estimated a bit, with the gap between their final times and the gap between Kerr and the person at 1200m, because the camera didn't show everybody through the bell or at the finish line ). I had Kerr 53.23, Ingebrigtsen 53.28, Nuguse 53.65, Wightman 54.87 Beamish about 54.9, Cheruiyot 55.3, Ollie Hoare about 55.4, Hocker about 55.7, Myers about 56.45, Garcia Romo about 56.8.
The differentiator between these guys is how they can finish off a given pace. In spite of his reputation as a great kicker, Kerr has OFTEN been passed in the last lap. He's had 3 great 1500 kicks off fast paces: Tokyo 2021 final (54.15, fastest last 400 of all, gaining .27 on Ingebrigtsen, although Josh was behind Jakob 1.0 at the bell; as a measurement of the gap between them, you might roughly cancel out that Jakob eased up before the finish, while all-out Josh got his split despite running a little extra distance part of the last lap trying to pass), Budapest final 2023 (53.35, fastest last 400, gaining about .40 on Ingebrigtsen, who I do believe was under the weather), and Pre a few days ago, where Kerr got the jump on the backstretch and then gained about a foot from 600 to 400, and another foot from 400 to the finish.
While Jakob was coming off injury and had done limited race specific buildup, I wonder if his result (and Gurley's!) show us again that high level cross training can compensate for missed running a lot more than we expect... That would mean his result isn't quite as astonishing, and he has less upside than he hopes...
Kerr hadn't come close to his Tokyo level for two years until Budapest. This might be explained by him being a master peaker, who trains through mid season races a bit more than anybody else, and/or tapers better, but the sequence from Budapest through his indoor performances and effort at Pre, with nice margin over Nuguse, suggest he is at, or a little beyond, that Tokyo level consistently now.
At best, this best version of Kerr has shown a few tenths of a second kick advantage over Jakob off the paces seen in recent championship races. That advantage can be argued away because Jakob has not been his best version in the last two races.
The margin between them is narrow, and while I think Ingebrigtsen has more potential for improvement than Kerr between now and the Olympics, even with an excellent two months I don't see it flipping to more than a narrow margin for Jakob. With the baby coming and a commitment to racing more often, there look like more chances for Ingebrigtsen to hit some bumps.
I am hoping everybody is healthy and ready in Paris and we see the best from all the contenders.
Great point on the cross training. It’s getting harder to ignore as a legitimate training option, especially for those who can’t withstand high mileage.
Josh Kerr’s performance was nothing short of remarkable! Let’s break down those splits and appreciate the sheer speed and strategy: 1200m Split (2:50.7): Kerr blazed through the first 1200 meters in 2 minutes and 50.7 seconds. That’s like sprinting while juggling flaming torches. 🏃♂️🔥 His pacing was precise—fast enough to stay in contention but not reckless. It’s the sweet spot where strategy meets raw power. Last 409 Meters (54.6 seconds): Now, picture this: Kerr hits the bell lap, and suddenly, he’s a human rocket. His legs are turbines, and the finish line is his launchpad. That 54.6-second final stretch is where legends are born. It’s like he borrowed Usain Bolt’s turbo boost. Closing Speed: Kerr’s closing speed is the stuff of running lore. When others are gasping for air, he’s summoning his inner cheetah. That ~53.3-second last lap? It’s like he’s saying, “Hey, gravity, hold my electrolyte drink—I’ve got a race to win.” The Unbeatable Finish: You’re right—closing at that pace in a fast race is like throwing down a gauntlet. Challengers take one look and think, “Well, maybe next time.” If Kerr keeps this up, he’ll have opponents checking their shoe laces mid-race, hoping for a time warp. Quicker 1200m Potential: Ah, the eternal “what if.” Imagine if Kerr’s 1200m split were even faster. He’d be like a caffeinated hummingbird on Red Bull. So, yes, with a quicker start, Kerr could unleash even more lightning bolts. Paris 2024, watch out! In the grand tapestry of track and field, Josh Kerr just painted a masterpiece. 🎨🏅👟 Keep those spikes sharp, Josh—you’re rewriting the record books! 🌟👏
Josh Kerr’s performance was nothing short of remarkable! Let’s break down those splits and appreciate the sheer speed and strategy: 1200m Split (2:50.7): Kerr blazed through the first 1200 meters in 2 minutes and 50.7 seconds. That’s like sprinting while juggling flaming torches. 🏃♂️🔥 His pacing was precise—fast enough to stay in contention but not reckless. It’s the sweet spot where strategy meets raw power. Last 409 Meters (54.6 seconds): Now, picture this: Kerr hits the bell lap, and suddenly, he’s a human rocket. His legs are turbines, and the finish line is his launchpad. That 54.6-second final stretch is where legends are born. It’s like he borrowed Usain Bolt’s turbo boost. Closing Speed: Kerr’s closing speed is the stuff of running lore. When others are gasping for air, he’s summoning his inner cheetah. That ~53.3-second last lap? It’s like he’s saying, “Hey, gravity, hold my electrolyte drink—I’ve got a race to win.” The Unbeatable Finish: You’re right—closing at that pace in a fast race is like throwing down a gauntlet. Challengers take one look and think, “Well, maybe next time.” If Kerr keeps this up, he’ll have opponents checking their shoe laces mid-race, hoping for a time warp. Quicker 1200m Potential: Ah, the eternal “what if.” Imagine if Kerr’s 1200m split were even faster. He’d be like a caffeinated hummingbird on Red Bull. So, yes, with a quicker start, Kerr could unleash even more lightning bolts. Paris 2024, watch out! In the grand tapestry of track and field, Josh Kerr just painted a masterpiece. 🎨🏅👟 Keep those spikes sharp, Josh—you’re rewriting the record books! 🌟👏
It seems Josh has willed himself onto the path of greatness, but doesn't yet believe, with Jakob-level of entitlement, that he is quite there yet. Josh started running wide at the last turn of the first 800, continued to run wide in the next turn while passing Hocker, then passed Whitman, Nuguse and Kipsang, and took the lead with 600 to go. So what could he do when he tucks into some good pacing all the way through 1200, and then has competition to push him? Also, Jakob didn't have a kick in the last 100, so Kerr didn't need to throw down the extra gear. I think Kerr can go 1.5-2 seconds faster in his current shape.
Josh Kerr’s performance was nothing short of remarkable! Let’s break down those splits and appreciate the sheer speed and strategy: 1200m Split (2:50.7): Kerr blazed through the first 1200 meters in 2 minutes and 50.7 seconds. That’s like sprinting while juggling flaming torches. 🏃♂️🔥 His pacing was precise—fast enough to stay in contention but not reckless. It’s the sweet spot where strategy meets raw power. Last 409 Meters (54.6 seconds): Now, picture this: Kerr hits the bell lap, and suddenly, he’s a human rocket. His legs are turbines, and the finish line is his launchpad. That 54.6-second final stretch is where legends are born. It’s like he borrowed Usain Bolt’s turbo boost. Closing Speed: Kerr’s closing speed is the stuff of running lore. When others are gasping for air, he’s summoning his inner cheetah. That ~53.3-second last lap? It’s like he’s saying, “Hey, gravity, hold my electrolyte drink—I’ve got a race to win.” The Unbeatable Finish: You’re right—closing at that pace in a fast race is like throwing down a gauntlet. Challengers take one look and think, “Well, maybe next time.” If Kerr keeps this up, he’ll have opponents checking their shoe laces mid-race, hoping for a time warp. Quicker 1200m Potential: Ah, the eternal “what if.” Imagine if Kerr’s 1200m split were even faster. He’d be like a caffeinated hummingbird on Red Bull. So, yes, with a quicker start, Kerr could unleash even more lightning bolts. Paris 2024, watch out! In the grand tapestry of track and field, Josh Kerr just painted a masterpiece. 🎨🏅👟 Keep those spikes sharp, Josh—you’re rewriting the record books! 🌟👏
It seems Josh has willed himself onto the path of greatness, but doesn't yet believe, with Jakob-level of entitlement, that he is quite there yet. Josh started running wide at the last turn of the first 800, continued to run wide in the next turn while passing Hocker, then passed Whitman, Nuguse and Kipsang, and took the lead with 600 to go. So what could he do when he tucks into some good pacing all the way through 1200, and then has competition to push him? Also, Jakob didn't have a kick in the last 100, so Kerr didn't need to throw down the extra gear. I think Kerr can go 1.5-2 seconds faster in his current shape.
Oh and Jakob can't complain at all since Josh stepped in and paced him from 600 to go all the way through the finish. If not for Josh carrying him on his back, Jakob would not have sniffed a 3:45 that day and you all know it.
Ngeny still has the outdoor WR for 1000 m and thus was faster than El G, Jakob, and Kerr. Maybe similar raw speed to Wightman. I would not be surprised if he would be the WR in the mile or 1500 m but apparently his career was cut short by an auto accident which fortunately spared his life unlike Kiptum. He won gold in Sydney beating El G and Lagat who has a 3:26 PR so no his 3:43 was not a fluke performance. It is sad when very talented athletes like him and Kiptum never have the opportunity to reach their ultimate potential.
pretty crazy that the 3 fastest 1500/mile runners all existed together within a few year period.
just a little before EPO testing.
That's untrue. Both urine and blood tests for synthetic EPO were used in the 2000 Olympics. In contrast, the best competitive results by British world record holders Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Steve Cram, and David Moorcroft all occurred when blood doping was not prohibited, and all of their best times occurred when there was still no good test for blood doping.
Oh and Jakob can't complain at all since Josh stepped in and paced him from 600 to go all the way through the finish. If not for Josh carrying him on his back, Jakob would not have sniffed a 3:45 that day and you all know it.
Per splits shows kerr at 1200 at 2.50.7. That means he ran his last 409 in 54.6, so ~ 53.3 for his last lap. Closing at this space in a fast race makes it very hard for anyone to beat him. Would also argue this shows with a quicker 1200 - he could go faster. What a run!
So.... even if you give only a super conservative 2 seconds in the mile for super shoe conversion, it means Cram ran a superior race with an equal or faster last lap [ if you give him a half second over 400 m for the inferior shoe] than Kerr and Jakob and he did it nearly 40 years ago!
Cram's last 440yds was 53.2, so his last 400m would have been 52.9/53.0. faster than Kerr's 53.3 last 400m in super shoes. You also have to consider the economy of effort when comparing both races. Ironically, their first 2 laps were almost identical: Cram went 57.2, 57.3 (440yd splits), while Kerr's (440yds) were 57.1, 57.2. Not ideal when looking for a 3:45, but minimal differential, which is more comfortable for the athletes, especially in the closing stages.
It was the 3rd lap where the races differed. In the 85 Oslo Mile, that third lap dropped to 58.6. But in Kerr's race, helped by the wavelight pacing and the (by now significant) greater energy return (1 to 1.5%) of the shoes, his 3rd quarter was 57.3. Athletes now are in a much better position to maintain the pace on that crucial 3rd lap, as the greater energy return is accumulative and the light pacing incentivises the athlete when their focus may be starting to wane.
Kerr ran off very even pacing - 57.1, 57.2, 57.3. Perhaps overall a little slow for absolute peak performance, in terms of time, but ideal in going 'all out' over the last lap.
His last 300m was 39.9, 200m - 26.5, 100m 13.2
Compare to Cram's (57.2, 57.3, 58.6) corresponding closing splits of: 38.7, 25.5 and 12.8
If all variables were equal, Cram's run would be the superior.
In a mile those first 3 laps should be as even as possible to atain greatest potential. The bigger the differential between the first 3 laps, the more energy sapping the run is, and vice versa. El G's WR had a similar differential of less than 1 sec, and that was for all 4 laps.
Coe's pre Cram WR had too big a differential for optimum performance, with 55.3, 58.0 and 58.6. That's a 3.3 secs differential.
So.... even if you give only a super conservative 2 seconds in the mile for super shoe conversion, it means Cram ran a superior race with an equal or faster last lap [ if you give him a half second over 400 m for the inferior shoe] than Kerr and Jakob and he did it nearly 40 years ago!
Cram's last 440yds was 53.2, so his last 400m would have been 52.9/53.0. faster than Kerr's 53.3 last 400m in super shoes. You also have to consider the economy of effort when comparing both races. Ironically, their first 2 laps were almost identical: Cram went 57.2, 57.3 (440yd splits), while Kerr's (440yds) were 57.1, 57.2. Not ideal when looking for a 3:45, but minimal differential, which is more comfortable for the athletes, especially in the closing stages.
It was the 3rd lap where the races differed. In the 85 Oslo Mile, that third lap dropped to 58.6. But in Kerr's race, helped by the wavelight pacing and the (by now significant) greater energy return (1 to 1.5%) of the shoes, his 3rd quarter was 57.3. Athletes now are in a much better position to maintain the pace on that crucial 3rd lap, as the greater energy return is accumulative and the light pacing incentivises the athlete when their focus may be starting to wane.
Kerr ran off very even pacing - 57.1, 57.2, 57.3. Perhaps overall a little slow for absolute peak performance, in terms of time, but ideal in going 'all out' over the last lap.
His last 300m was 39.9, 200m - 26.5, 100m 13.2
Compare to Cram's (57.2, 57.3, 58.6) corresponding closing splits of: 38.7, 25.5 and 12.8
If all variables were equal, Cram's run would be the superior.
In a mile those first 3 laps should be as even as possible to atain greatest potential. The bigger the differential between the first 3 laps, the more energy sapping the run is, and vice versa. El G's WR had a similar differential of less than 1 sec, and that was for all 4 laps.
Coe's pre Cram WR had too big a differential for optimum performance, with 55.3, 58.0 and 58.6. That's a 3.3 secs differential.
Leave it DeanoUK to screw it all up. Kerr ran his last 440 yards in approx. 53.3.
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