RUDISHA VS BOLT IN 400 METERS !!!

11/10 - honestly, well done!

Optimus wrote:

Ok, but what does Ato Boldon know about sprinting?

if this does actually happen, with both of them actually giving 100% effort (this is for Bolt more than Rudy) , it will probably be closer than you all think.

Bolts open 400 PR is 45.28 , given it was back in 2007 but his training was also more 2/400 focused around that time

Rudishas open 400 PR is 45.5 , also awhile back and probably an extension of his training regimen more than anything.

as for Bolts mythical "43.6 split", keep in mind this is a split in a relay, and although he did indeed run sub 45 (~44.5 ish) there is no way Bolt is in the same 400 shape as he was in 2010, check out his first race this year. Rudisha can run sub 45 at his best, never mind the fact that hes skinny, the man is an animal.

there needs to be a sizable cash incentive to win and give effort, and we could see a truly great showdown

This will be very close, but rudisha will be able to find another gear in the final 10-50m to win.

If two runners are predicted to have a similar finishing times in the 400, always pick the athlete with greater endurance.

track and field could benefit from some gimic races.

bolt vs rudisha would be a great start.

or bolt and blake vs james and merrit over 300m.

or rudisha vs top 1500 guy in the 1k.

or moe vs top 1500 guys over 3k.

and while we're at it, how about toss in a 4 x mile relay with all sub 3"55 milers?

if bolt.vs.rudisha happens that will mean that s coach think bolt's got sub 45 in him and rudisha can't do that.

but if they lined up today, i'd take rudi in 45.4 about 2 meters clear.

longjack wrote:

track and field could benefit from some gimic races.

bolt vs rudisha would be a great start.

or bolt and blake vs james and merrit over 300m.

or rudisha vs top 1500 guy in the 1k.

or moe vs top 1500 guys over 3k.

and while we're at it, how about toss in a 4 x mile relay with all sub 3"55 milers?

if bolt.vs.rudisha happens that will mean that s coach think bolt's got sub 45 in him and rudisha can't do that.

but if they lined up today, i'd take rudi in 45.4 about 2 meters clear.

How about this: we set up one race, late winter, at around 12k. We run it over hills, grass, mud, water - maybe even some jumps. We invite teams - Kenya, Ethiopia, Portugal...we line 'em up and fire a gun. One race, first to the finish wins, with a team component. The simplicity is the beauty - no heats, no 5000/10000 meters - just one race.

I think this would work.

I think both would run slower than people think over 400m, 45+

Sprinter should have the edge but could be close and will depend on what shape they are both in... if it ever happens

Rudisha's only chance would be to race him at an early phase of Bolt's training like now when he is running 46 to get back into things.

If Bolt is in 19.5 form he's just going to run away from Rudisha.

Bolt has run enough 400s that he has a sense for it.

And when he is sharp he will just float the first 200 in under 21 s and still have enough to maintain something to the line.

I think it would be closer than some of you think. See this run by Rudisha http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoGAd-Bhf8M (probably done for speed purposes). He doesn't even start well but still runs a reasonable time. I think we have to keep in mind that Bolts 400m times come from actually training for that event and running officially in that capacity. However, Rudisha's few 400M races come from speed work attempts and probably never put enough effort. Remember Bolt used to run this distance before moving down, meaning that he can only do better than his PRs if he has improved AT THIS DISTANCE since then. However, the training required to be good at 100M (and probably 200M) is anti-longer distance and starts to nibble at your 400M and beyond. Likewise, 800M training nibbles at 200M and below, and slightly at 400M. This is why you are more likely to double at 100-200, or 200-400 etc. Alison Felix is probably the one that defies odds by being able to run a world-level 100M and even a better 400M.

In response to the supposed 43.6, I wouldn't be surprised if Rudisha could run a really fast relay split too, seeing as his acceleration is not nearly as good as Bolt's, and he would benefit from the running start disproportionately well.

AFTER THIS, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IN A REQUEST FOR MO FARAH VS BOLT OVER 500 METERS!

THEY HAD AN AWESOME DYNAMIC TOGETHER AT THE GAMES!

Octa Gon wrote:

Remember Bolt used to run this distance before moving down, meaning that he can only do better than his PRs if he has improved AT THIS DISTANCE since then.

I disagree.

He was running 400s when his 200 PR was 19.9.

Going for a 400 after dropping your 200 PR down to 19.2 would very much help his 400m ability.

He's always been a 200m runner and doesn't have any posted 400m times during the summer as far as I know.

Flojo splitting 48 in the Olympics where she set records in the 100 and 200 is a good example of how this could work.

Xavier Carter won he NCAA 100 and 400 in the same day.

You are very much limited in your 400m ability by your 200m speed. Rudisha can only go so fast.

When in the season this happens is key. Early season, Rudisha is probably still in stamina phase training whereas Bolt should be fully optimized for 400m. Late in season, (say, week after WC's), Rudisha should be sharpened considerably. No doubt in my mind that Rudisha at his sharpest is sub 45 for the open 400.

toro wrote:

Bolt would easily be the favorite in my mind if both are in top fitness.

Bolt could move to the 400 and be a medal contender.

Rudisha couldn't.

This is all definitely correct. However, Bolt seems to be a fair amount off his top fitness in every race that's not a championship event, whereas Rudisha seems very strong year round, so I think it should be pretty darn close. I would personally lean towards Rudisha winning if it happens soon.

Raptured wrote:

Bolt seems to be a fair amount off his top fitness in every race that's not a championship event,

OK. Subtracting his 4 Gold medal performances at 200m, Bolt has run sub 19.70 a total of 8 times.

You have to be in a fair amount of fitness to roll 19.5s and 19.6.

There have been 13 other sub 19.70 performances in history spread among 7 different men.

Every single year from 2008 - 2012 Bolt has run under 19.70 in a non-championship race.

A fair amount off his top fitness?

Bolt is always in shape during the summer.

I agree with the general feeling that it will be a close race that slightly favors Bolt, but people predicting 44.x for the time are nuts. I doubt either will be in PR shape.

uphill run wrote:

If it's streamed on FloTrack, it'll most definitely be on the pay-for FloTrack Pro side of things. I guess I won't be watching :(

Why not? If you want a sandwhich and it costs money do you not get one? Paying money for services is the backbone of the economy you f*cking communist.

mdks wrote:

Bingo wrote:

1. relay legs are not a great measure of a real 400. Anybody can chop off .5-1 second with a running start.

2. Bolt was lying on his back trying not to die following his early season open 400. He was absolutely spent. Meanwhile, Rudisha would still have enough left to jog a cooldown lap after that effort.

My money is on Rudisha. Although, it's hard to say if they'll both take it seriously since it's supposed to be for charity or some such thing.

1. The winner is the person that crosses the finish line first. Whether or not they can jog a cool down lap afterwards is highly irrelevant.

2. Bolt's 43.6 relay even plus 1 second is still faster than anything Rudisha has run, no?

The 43.6 was mistimed but the number stayed around after it was shown to be false.

toro wrote:

Bolt would easily be the favorite in my mind if both are in top fitness.

Bolt could move to the 400 and be a medal contender.

Rudisha couldn't.

Tyson Gay has run faster than Bolt has at the 400m and you'd never say that Gay could be a medal contender. Bolt is super-human, but he has limits.

DontFeedTheTroll wrote:

toro wrote:

Bolt would easily be the favorite in my mind if both are in top fitness.

Bolt could move to the 400 and be a medal contender.

Rudisha couldn't.

Tyson Gay has run faster than Bolt has at the 400m and you'd never say that Gay could be a medal contender. Bolt is super-human, but he has limits.

After Gay's 44.89 early season I actually thought he could be.