Those splits must be wrong. I've been told over and over again on this site by "experts" that the only way to run your fastest and best 800m is to have a rather big positive split. Like 2 seconds. Some since Hoppel ran his best race of his life, i highly question those splits. But if it is true, then that means Hoppel could have run 140 today with the correct scientific pacing. 🙄
A man with a sense of humour.
Depends on the type of runner that you are - a true 400/800 guy (like Rudisha) is better off with that positive split. Hoppel is NOT a 400/800 runner, nor was Symmonds, and certainly not Kessler (obviously). Arop is more on the 400/800 side although has good endurance (but not great - or he would be running 1500's), as seen by his 1k (2.14) races. Korir (whose career seems to be in decline) had the speed to run 1.40 (44.2 400m), but never or at least rarely ran for time - but won an OG title.
Hoppel ran 1:46.4 pace in the 400m between 200-600m to finish in 1:42.77.
Kessler (1:43.64) ran 1:45.5 in that same stretch.
Miller (1:43.97), like Hoppel, also ran 1:46.4 pace from 200-600m.
A faster start from Kessler and a similar attack mid-race can see him even lower 1:43.
I think the opposite, Kessler is coming to this with the strength of the 1500m, he would risk blowing up with too aggressive of a start and needs a more consistent pace. They went out in 23 seconds at 200 meters, that's cooking and is why Hobbs was further back at the start.
and hobbs with another pr (with the worst start in 800m history).
the 800m went from being the weakest event of all distance the last many years to maybe being the most interesting! love it!!
It was not a bad start. 12.97 first 100 and 24.92 first 200, as per the results. His fastest 200 and third fastest 100 of the entire race. He just ran more evenly than most of the others.
But yeah the USA 800m is deep now! It’s super interesting I agree.
For sure he’s talking about Aarop. Aarop and Wanyonyi are the big 2.
Correct, Arop is number two. He is less good than Wanyonyi at pacing himself. He often goes out too hard in various parts of the race. Most commonly in the 200-600m range where he has run some insane segments. His last 200 often kills his overall time as a result. He's "only" run 1:42-high, but he has flashed better ability than that. We'll see if he can run a more sensible race with splits like 24-mid-49high-1:15 high and benefit from some drafting to a lifetime best perfomance. Running two 1:43s at Canadian Champs where I feel like he was testing his ability to do so without any help or competition indicates to me it was "practice" for when he does get drafting and competition.
Bryce is clearly the 2nd BEST 800m runner in the world at the moment behind the Kenyan. At the Olympics we will see if he rises to #1 or drops to the third best.
and hobbs with another pr (with the worst start in 800m history).
the 800m went from being the weakest event of all distance the last many years to maybe being the most interesting! love it!!
It was not a bad start. 12.97 first 100 and 24.92 first 200, as per the results. His fastest 200 and third fastest 100 of the entire race. He just ran more evenly than most of the others.
But yeah the USA 800m is deep now! It’s super interesting I agree.
I think EvilRunner was probably referring to Hobb's step backwards right as the gun went off. Looks like he momentarily lost his balance and fell backwards a bit.
Bryce is clearly the 2nd BEST 800m runner in the world at the moment behind the Kenyan. At the Olympics we will see if he rises to #1 or drops to the third best.
Give it a couple weeks. I suspect Marco has something cooking.
I'm not saying Aprop won't be a factor or the Kenyan won't have a stellar performance. With Hobbs and Bryce training together, I think they have rose to another. I wouldn't be surprised if Bryce runs himself in a position for a close battle for Olympic Gold/silver and Hobbs shocks people in the 1500m and runs sub 3:30.
Many posters forget that Hobbs ran 7:39.00 in the 3000m last year indoors and now improved his 800m to 1:43.64. Yeah let's see if Bryce and Hobbs can get it right at the Olympics. A little luck, GREAT FITNESS, and stellar TACTICS will decide who medals at these Olympics.
I was wondering when we would ever see an American man run 1:42 , with Donovan Brazier been long termed injured. Thank You Bryce HOPPEL, sincerely your 2024 season is memorable already. Strong 800m men team first time you could say that about all 3 make runners in years,. USA should be proud.
All our 800 guys seemed to be peaking for this race for a 1.5 years. Did NOT think Hobbs had sub 1:44 in him.
I was wondering when we would ever see an American man run 1:42 , with Donovan Brazier been long termed injured. Thank You Bryce HOPPEL, sincerely your 2024 season is memorable already. Strong 800m men team first time you could say that about all 3 make runners in years,. USA should be proud.
All our 800 guys seemed to be peaking for this race for a 1.5 years. Did NOT think Hobbs had sub 1:44 in him.
...
No elite world class athlete peaks for their trials during an Olympic year, they may have tapered but not peaked. Come on now, 🤔 think.
I'm not saying Aprop won't be a factor or the Kenyan won't have a stellar performance. With Hobbs and Bryce training together, I think they have rose to another. I wouldn't be surprised if Bryce runs himself in a position for a close battle for Olympic Gold/silver and Hobbs shocks people in the 1500m and runs sub 3:30.