Wanamaker Mile Predictions

I do run run run wrote:

how is Cheserek over his head? He may not have raced most of these guys yet, but also hasnt been placed in a top tier pro race since he started college. And he has gone toe to toe with Lalang multiple times, losing to him by mere inches both running 3:36, and 13:18 together when they have raced each other. Plus he has the level of kick to match up with anyone. I think Lalang will likely set the pace with Centro and Willis sticking on him, Ches will be right there.

What is the indoor NCAA mile record? 3:52?

No doubt Ches has game, but there is a big difference between kicking against NCAA 4 minute milers vs world class athletes. I don't think Ches will lay an egg, but I can't see him beating any of the top guys. Ches could run a respectable 3:56 bring up the rear.

It doesn't seem that anyone saw how easily Willis glided to the mile win in Boston this weekend. My picks are;

Willis

Centro

Lalang (who will push a hard pace)

Cheserek

Casey

Lagat

Leer

O'Hare

Bad Wigins wrote:

Lagat

Willis

Centrowitz

Leer

Lalang

Cheserek

O'Hare

1 through 7, Lagat in 3:51.44

1- Willis in 3:50.9

2- Centro in 3:51.1

3- Lalang in 3:51.5

4- Leer in 3:52.3

5- Lagat in 3:54.7

6- Cheserek in 3:55.3

idk about O'Hare

I hope Lagat wins but it won't happen. Willis and Centro are great shape and the class of the field and Lalang is sneaking in. Leer is a better miler than Lagat right now. And Cheesy doesn't have the speed as a cross country type so Lagat will beat him

#1

Lawi Takes it

3:52 solo

ya that says something rt there!!!

love that guy

#2

wish Kip would get #9 so badly

best tactical racer in the world !

#3

WILLIS / CENTRO in an unbreakable photo finish tie !!!

best WMM EVER !!!!

I will not start, I will not finish but I will claim victory.

If Centro wins he'll be the "shi#"!

It bugs me that no one is talking about kyle merber. Sure he's not going to win but he will go 3:54/53

And Will Leer also will go 3:51/52 and be in contention.

I think too many people do not get that years ago guys like Eammon and Marcus ran 3:49 and 3:50 on tracks that were no where near as fast as they are now.

Trialswatcher wrote:

I think too many people do not get that years ago guys like Eammon and Marcus ran 3:49 and 3:50 on tracks that were no where near as fast as they are now.

Nice prediction man

assuming the seven listed are the field,

Willis

Centrowitz

O'Hare

Lagat

Cheserek

Leer

Lalang

I picked him, you and a couple of other posters offered 3:53/54 times but back in the finishers order.

I think the winning time will be 3:52>55 like most other guys in the race a PR would be a goal especially when there is so much talent.

Flynn did good here- a great field

Last I heard Merber is fit, coming off a nice block of altitude training and will target getting a PR while being mindful that 3:54 pace might have a shot at the lead 250m out.

Lagat will go for the lead from around 450 ( 475?) out and how the pack strings because of it plays as importantly as the overall pace to that point.

If Merber also thinks 3:54 is a nice PR target- doubt he'd target 3:55 or longer- where he is placed 500-450 might drop him in position to run for the front 5 spots-- indoor turns passing blah blah. He's got home track comfort a lot of miles on this track -local HS-college training venue.

Sure a bunch of things have to play into his hands

Most everyone in this has some chance to be in the hunt for a first four finish.

did you just say Cheserek doesnt have the speed being a XC type? What does that mean? He ran 53 last 400 and 24.8 200 of his NCAA 10k win, and then finished in 56 for his 13:18 5K barely losing to Lalang by 0.3

He also ran a 3:36 1500 again losing to Lalang by 0.3, and he already looks stronger this year so far. He'll keep up. The question will be with Lalang in the race, it will be fast, and can Cheserek break the ncaa indoor record?

Willis

Lagat

Centro

Willis looked quick in Boston. Lagat, at 40, is on the verge of breaking into mainstream media, like Tom Watson at the British Open. Track on ESPN?

Maybe Emma next.

I've got the three underdog picks to click here...

1) 1000m - Robby Andrews

2) 5000m - Sam Chelanga

3) 1500m - Lawi Lalang

Haha, meant the mile! Forgot. Maybe Lalang will have it at 1500m and lose it. :P

1 Centro

2 Willis

3 Lalang

4 Lagat

5 Leer

Others

Our Wanamaker Mile Preview article is up on the homepage:

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2015/02/2015-wanamaker-mile-preview-matthew-centrowitz-nick-willis-lead-loaded-field/

Matthew Centrowitz and Nick Willis Lead a LOADED Field: Four Olympic/WC medalists (Willis, Centro, Bernard Lagat and Leo Manzano), the last two NCAA record holders (Lawi Lalang and Chris O'Hare) and defending champ Will Leer comprise a terrific field. Oh, and a guy named Edward Cheserek is also entered.

Am I the only person in the whole world besides Ray Flynn who knows that the Woz & Gregs are the pacemakers? geez guys, you really think those two would be given a lane at the friggin millrose games? c'mon now.and yes, the guy saying ches is in over his head has not been paying attention to distance running the past couple of years, apparently. Ches will do just fine. just fine might be 6th place and 3:54, but that would still be just fine for Ches.

Slow Bro wrote:

TrackCoach wrote:

This is definitely a 3 person race, between Willis, Centrowitz and Lalang. It has been a long time since 3 athletes in 3:51 'shape' are in the same race. Leo is the only other athlete who would have a shot, but his recent results suggest 3:55 is about the best we can expect. This race could be really fast, I am talking 3:50x and athletes like Wieczorek, Gregorek and Cheserek are in way over their heads.

I dunno about Wieczorek and Gregorek, but Ches was very close to Lalang's level in the NCAA. I think he will hold his own.