basisquestion wrote:
Alan Webb is the goat in my eyes. Medals matter to some people but to me it’s about running fast and no one did it better than him.
I agree that times should count for a lot, but Centro has run under 3:32 way more times than Webb, and has a faster 1500m PR, and has multiple global medals. We normally don't think of Centro as a great time-trialer, but I think there's plenty of evidence that he's better at it than Webb. Not that it matters.
Oh . . . and since other Michigan natives, like Greg Meyer and Ritz have been mentioned, I'll toss one more name in the mix . . . Herb Lindsay. For a couple of years, 1980, 1981 . . . he was, a beast on the roads. Great bit about that era, and Herb in particular, here:
https://tonireavis.com/2015/03/27/midland-run-1980-where-have-all-the-racers-gone/
quite a list there wrote:
Centro
Olympic gold at 1500m!
That single performance can’t be topped by any other US performance.
3:46 was more impressive to me lol
For the Woman you have to add Emma Coburn. World Cup win, Olympic medals. Say what you want about Woman's steeplechase but she has taken it on well.
Jenny Simpson.
Joan Benoit Samualson
Add in Dave Wottle for the men.
Billy Mills.
Bill Rogers. Just like him and how he ran.
Frank Shorter.
I tend to favor those who show up big in the big events.
Billy Mills
Nick Symmonds!
6x national champion outdoors
2x Olympian
Olympic silver medal
My top 22 men
Lagat-american record 1500
Rupp-two olympic medals
Manzano- silver
Webb- Our best miler 3:46
Symmonds-silver and bronze
Jager- bronze and silver
matt tegg-sub 13
Centro- 2 gold, silver and bronze at 1500m our best championship miler haha
Paul Chelimo- Silver, bronze 12:57
Brazier Gold 1:42.3
Murphy-bronze and 1:42.9
Solinsky-26:59
Duane Solomon 1:42 4th 800m
Khalid Khannouchi-2:05
Salazar-good coach lol
Meb-Major marathon win
Abdi-ageless wonder
Lindgren?
Ritz- 12:58?
Ryan hill-2:04
Ryan hall-3k specialist 7:30.9
J Gray
Women
I already think Houlihan is the best american of all time lol Either her or Wilson but my picks
houlihan
wilson
Simpson
Rowbury
Huddle
Shalane
Schweizer
Hasay
Brenda M
Cain
I see many milers mentioned but no Jim Ryun yet. Jim Ryun. How could you miss him? Except maybe his politics.
Jim Ryun
Seriously?
we are pitting an 800 guy against an Ultra? Makes no sense ... Apples and oranges ... Otherwise, you need to call this Greatest Runner OAT - A true distance runner competes at 5K on up to a Marathon ...
Joan Benoit Samuelson
Galen Rupp
Bill Rodgers (sentimental choice)
Paul Chelimo must be on this list. Multiple national titles as well as a rare Olympic medal. Also one of few to have broken 13:00 for 5000m.
5 time Olympic medalist Mel Sheppard
Paul Bunyan wrote:
basisquestion wrote:
Alan Webb is the goat in my eyes. Medals matter to some people but to me it’s about running fast and no one did it better than him.
I agree that times should count for a lot, but Centro has run under 3:32 way more times than Webb, and has a faster 1500m PR, and has multiple global medals. We normally don't think of Centro as a great time-trialer, but I think there's plenty of evidence that he's better at it than Webb. Not that it matters.
The facts are it can be aruged Centro is just as good at running fast as Webb.
Webb ran 3:46.91. Centro's 1500 pb equates to 3:47.28 which is very similar. Webb ran a sub-3:50 mile or it's equivalent in the 1500 5times in his life. Centro has done it 7 times.
Centro is WAY better overall as their pbs are similar but Centro actually figured out how to run well when it mattered.
Ted Corbitt
Bill Rodgers
Spencer Brown (The Athlete Special)
Roland
Agreed. Don't include 800 and 1500 guys as 'distance' runners.
As a runner, A. Salazar
Johnny Kelley - 61 Boston Marathons