The "Toad Fest" is not a race I have heard of before, but Brazier decided to bring it! So impressive. I am excited to see him next week down in Oregon! Portland Track Fest is going to be great.
p.s. I did talk to someone last week who said, "he's killing the workouts!" so apparently this was not a total shocker for people in Brazier's camp.
Thoughtsleader might have already posted the same video:
I don't think he trash-talked him at all. Go to 1:10 in the video. He says he's talking to Hoppel a lot and "just trying to keep up." He made it sound like they are pretty connected and friendly for sure.
He's back! Great start for Brazier. He can for sure cut down close to 2 seconds between now and the trials, especially if this is his opener. Same goes for Engels recently with his 1:45. I really think Brazier, Engels, and Eric Holt out of Empire Elite Track Club have the best odds of making worlds.
Engels has opened up in the 8 or 15 with decent times on multiple occasions in recent years, yet still has struggled to make teams or run faster later in the season when it really matters. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Unfortunately the evidence the last few years has shown that Craig Engels has maxed out with his abilities and is not able to keep up with the best guys. Got to feel for Craig. He runs his heart out and works hard every season but he just does not have what it takes to make another team against the current crop of competition. He might have more luck if he moves up and sees how he fares at longer distances like Drew Hunter debuting in the 10k before Paris last season. Drew didn’t make the team, but still ran well at the trials all things considered.
Reminds me of Hocker’s first race back from injury at the Portland track festival in 2023 when he went from 12th to 2nd last lap. Something about really great athletes coming back from injury and running way better than expected is a different level of excitement.
These US champs will be an absolute showdown. Young stars rising, old stars returning, dominant big names looking to fend off all challengers. Every 20-30 minutes I just keep smiling to myself and saying he's back!!!
Out of this world talent—the dominant 1:42 win in Doha, that ridiculous 3:35 with a 52 close the year after. Man...
This news is so great! I’m very excited for Donovan. This made my week. And it also shows the quirkiness and why we love this sport. In no other sport could a former world champion return to action and essentially nobody know about it before hand.
This news is so great! I’m very excited for Donovan. This made my week. And it also shows the quirkiness and why we love this sport. In no other sport could a former world champion return to action and essentially nobody know about it before hand.
Let’s go Donovan!
Every so often something happens in the sport that puts a smile on the face of the gristled old veterans and the cynics. This is such a moment.
I think he's got 1:42 in him right now if he's got competition
1:42 is a leap, but I could see 1:43.0-1:43.5 or faster in a race with better competition now that the rust is busted, which puts him in a great position for this season. Seeing that Brazier is typically a substantial positive split 800m racer, even splits and a straight face where a grimace should be tells me he likely didn’t run this one even perceptually all out today.
Hoey/Hoppel/Koech/Miller have all run 1:43 already in 2025. Now Brazier's back in the mix. Maybe Sam Whitmarsh or Tinoda Matsatsa makes a jump at NCAAs next week?
Men's 800 getting really interesting in the US this year!
Yalding yaldi wrote: Love to see him thrash Hoppel again
Sorry if I am illiterate tonight. I realize, after rereading the post, "thrash" is not the same thing as "trash-talk" --- duh. That's on me for not knowing how to read.
p.s. Quick follow up question. Do you think Brazier will take more time off at the Portland Track Fest or is another 1:44 the most likely outcome? How insane would a 1:43 be at this point!
This post was edited 11 minutes after it was posted.
I don't think he trash-talked him at all. Go to 1:10 in the video. He says he's talking to Hoppel a lot and "just trying to keep up." He made it sound like they are pretty connected and friendly for sure.
He's back! Great start for Brazier. He can for sure cut down close to 2 seconds between now and the trials, especially if this is his opener. Same goes for Engels recently with his 1:45. I really think Brazier, Engels, and Eric Holt out of Empire Elite Track Club have the best odds of making worlds.
Engels has opened up in the 8 or 15 with decent times on multiple occasions in recent years, yet still has struggled to make teams or run faster later in the season when it really matters. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Unfortunately the evidence the last few years has shown that Craig Engels has maxed out with his abilities and is not able to keep up with the best guys. Got to feel for Craig. He runs his heart out and works hard every season but he just does not have what it takes to make another team against the current crop of competition. He might have more luck if he moves up and sees how he fares at longer distances like Drew Hunter debuting in the 10k before Paris last season. Drew didn’t make the team, but still ran well at the trials all things considered.
Engels ran 49.9 at this meet if it hasn’t been mentioned
Hoey/Hoppel/Koech/Miller have all run 1:43 already in 2025. Now Brazier's back in the mix. Maybe Sam Whitmarsh or Tinoda Matsatsa makes a jump at NCAAs next week?
Men's 800 getting really interesting in the US this year!
Let’s not forget Hobbs Kessler.
2nd in last year’s Olympic Trials. 1:43.64
Well I'm going to forget about him in the 800 this year because he was 5th in the Olympic 1500 and he'd have to have a screw loose to attempt the 800/1500 double at USAs.