Jakob Ingebrigtsen interview: ‘I don’t know why Kerr is so interested in me’

Ji-Min Lee · 2025-03-04T03:18:34-05:00

Hi everyone, we - at The Telegraph - have just published an exclusive interview with Jakob Ingebrigtsen in which he discusses his 'duty' to see how fast humans can run, doping in track and field and his relationship with Josh Kerr. Think it might be of interest to runners here...[b][i]Telegraph Sport's Jeremy Wilson sat down with Jakob Ingebrigtsen for an exclusive interview:[/i][/b] “I have a responsibility to see what the human race possibly can do,” says Jakob Ingebrigtsen who, between mouthfuls of cake and a huge sandwich, has been trying to convey the drive behind a story of family obsession that is perhaps the most compelling in world sport. The question had been simple – “why do you love running?” – and, as his usually quick-thinking and incisive mind went searching for the answer, an acute sense of destiny seemed to sweep over. By his own reckoning, Ingebrigtsen has been training professionally since the age of “four or five”. At 12, he was already lifting weights, running twice a day and covering upwards of 100 kilometres a week. By 16, he had become the youngest person to run a four-minute mile. Now 24, he is the holder of five world records, two Olympic gold medals, two world titles and 21 European Championship golds. Plenty of good judges believe that he will become the greatest endurance runner in human history. And yet this still feels less about the pursuit of medals, records or money and more about being the youngest by almost eight years of three exceptional running brothers. The significance here is that a unique system overseen by their father Gjert had been honed following its ultimate experiment by the time Jakob was born in the year 2000. “Growing up, getting better and better – it’s not a privilege but it’s a duty I have with our history, my training base, and all the time that me, my family and my team have put in, to see where the limit actually is,” explains Ingebrigtsen. “So it doesn’t automatically stop when I break the records if I don’t feel like I have reached the potential. It doesn’t really have anything to do with anybody else. We have built our philosophy and training from the ground up. “I will never feel motivated or unmotivated… because it is irrelevant. I’ve always felt a responsibility to do it 100 per cent. I feel a duty to see how fast I can run to show everybody what is possible in our time. That is the goal.” [b] Read the full interview: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2025/03/04/jakob-ingebrigtsen-my-duty-to-see-how-fast-humans-can-go/[/b]

Pro News/Info/Results Distance

Reply New New Thread

Moderation Moderation Information Moderation Information & Rules

Page 4 of 8

1 3 4 5 8

Next Last

1 year ago 03/05/2025 2:37am EST

re: THOUGHTSLEADER

THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:
“It [front-running] is definitely one of the most difficult ways. That’s why nobody does it. I think that is one of the reasons why it will be so giving when it one day works, because nobody has ever done it before. I think I’m able to do it.”
-You can’t blame this on his English! Someone did it in 2019 to him and the field and it worked. That’s not long ago lol. I am not being overly critical, I am being real. It’s just revisionist history. In 2019, Tim doing what he did in Doha winning gun-to-tape was a big deal. So was his circuit dominance.

You definitely can blame it on his english, as well as the person who wrote the article. He is implying that it is extremely rare to win like this on the biggest stage. He has given responses similar to this in past interviews as well, it is just that on this one, he was little too blunt. That’s just how it is though, to rile up posters on this site.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 2:46am EST

re: Armstronglivs

Armstronglivs wrote:
grade A moran wrote:
Holy f#$k dude just leave letsrun and never return, no one f#$king likes you here, infact we all hate you
Nice to meet you, too. But if you don't want me here why do posters keep asking about what I think?

People don't ask you what you think. We know what you think. You make sure to remind us 30 times a day.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 3:17am EST

re: THOUGHTSLEADER

THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:
“It [front-running] is definitely one of the most difficult ways. That’s why nobody does it. I think that is one of the reasons why it will be so giving when it one day works, because nobody has ever done it before. I think I’m able to do it.”
-You can’t blame this on his English! Someone did it in 2019 to him and the field and it worked. That’s not long ago lol. I am not being overly critical, I am being real. It’s just revisionist history. In 2019, Tim doing what he did in Doha winning gun-to-tape was a big deal. So was his circuit dominance.

Yo man, he is generalising, he isn't going to reference every instance of front running in the history of track and field. He is right, generally speaking, nobody front runs. Especially currently, and the last couple of years.

When was the last time Tim or Stewy front ran? ...exactly, so why would he reference them?

1 year ago 03/05/2025 3:50am EST

re: xyzert

xyzert wrote:
THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:
Even if you want to give him all the benefit of the doubt on that front…what about the comments about leading?
Again I like Jakob and he’s a great interview, but in his greatest triumph he let Tim take over the lead uncontested on the second lap. And then he said nobody has done the lead from the front thing when it was Tims very successful tactic from 2017-2021. Yes he’s taken it to a new level with wavelights and superspikes since.
But it’s a bizarre thing to be pretending like it’s new when he literally took it from the last guy who by the way went silver-gold-silver with it while Jakob is at silver-silver-4th with it.
If someone can explain the possible distinction here without going ad hominem I’d be surprised. Tim Cheruiyot has always been gracious and complimentary of Jakob it’s bizarre that Jakob seems to be pretending like he is the first doing this playbook.
Is the idea that enough (new) track fans don’t remember the 2017-2021 era or what?
You’re being overly critical for no reason. I did not get the impression that Jakob was suggesting that nobody has never won gun to tape. He is saying that it is the ultimate form of winning because it leaves no doubt as to who was the best. He is implying that it is a very rare achievement, at least in my point of view.
You also have to understand that Jakob in Tokyo was still only 20 years old. Do you seriously think that he was thinking in 2021 “I need to front-run my way to victory as it is the ultimate form of winning.” No. He led the first lap in 56 and made it a fast race because it maximized his chance of a medal in what was his first senior global championship. He then followed Timothy Cheruiyot for the next half of the race who led it in 55 mid second laps which is very fast already. It would be foolish to take the lead from him like that. Since then, he has tried to win in the next best way, which is gun to tape. I don’t see the problem with that.
Saying that he has “only” gone Silver-Silver-4th is just recency bias/cherry picking. The field has leveled up immensely since 2017-2021. I can understand why Jakob would want to win from gun to tape in the current era, because the field is the deepest it has ever been. Where is he being ungracious to Tim? You seem to just put a knock on Jakob on every post because you misinterpret what he is saying. You do know his english isn’t perfect and Norweigans can sound unintentionally blunt right?

English isn't the issue with Ingebrigtsen; it's always his ego. Always talking himself up.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 3:52am EST

re: THOUGHTSLEADER

THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:
“It [front-running] is definitely one of the most difficult ways. That’s why nobody does it. I think that is one of the reasons why it will be so giving when it one day works, because nobody has ever done it before. I think I’m able to do it.”
-You can’t blame this on his English! Someone did it in 2019 to him and the field and it worked. That’s not long ago lol. I am not being overly critical, I am being real. It’s just revisionist history. In 2019, Tim doing what he did in Doha winning gun-to-tape was a big deal. So was his circuit dominance.

He also shows no knowledge of the history of his sport. Filbert Bayi did it in '74 in spectacular fashion to break Ryun's wr.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 3:53am EST

re: xyzert

xyzert wrote:
THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:
“It [front-running] is definitely one of the most difficult ways. That’s why nobody does it. I think that is one of the reasons why it will be so giving when it one day works, because nobody has ever done it before. I think I’m able to do it.”
-You can’t blame this on his English! Someone did it in 2019 to him and the field and it worked. That’s not long ago lol. I am not being overly critical, I am being real. It’s just revisionist history. In 2019, Tim doing what he did in Doha winning gun-to-tape was a big deal. So was his circuit dominance.
You definitely can blame it on his english, as well as the person who wrote the article. He is implying that it is extremely rare to win like this on the biggest stage. He has given responses similar to this in past interviews as well, it is just that on this one, he was little too blunt. That’s just how it is though, to rile up posters on this site.

He has an ego like Trump. That's what you can blame it on.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 3:54am EST

re: tyty

tyty wrote:
Armstronglivs wrote:
Nice to meet you, too. But if you don't want me here why do posters keep asking about what I think?
People don't ask you what you think. We know what you think. You make sure to remind us 30 times a day.

But you can't stop responding to me. You do see the contradiction in that?

1 year ago 03/05/2025 4:08am EST

re: Armstronglivs

Armstronglivs wrote:
English isn't the issue with Ingebrigtsen; it's always his ego. Always talking himself up.

Sounds just like you then.

This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 4:09am EST

re: Armstronglivs

Armstronglivs wrote:
tyty wrote:
People don't ask you what you think. We know what you think. You make sure to remind us 30 times a day.
But you can't stop responding to me. You do see the contradiction in that?

I can. I wasn't on Letsrun for days last week. And when I came back I found countless threads invaded by your countless posts. No contradiction from me.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 4:58am EST

re: tyty

tyty wrote:
Armstronglivs wrote:
English isn't the issue with Ingebrigtsen; it's always his ego. Always talking himself up.
Sounds just like you then.

Have I said I want every world record, or that I intend to be the greatest runner in history, or that I could beat my rivals "blindfolded" - and so on? I deride a blowhard. That doesn't make me one.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 4:59am EST

re: tyty

tyty wrote:
Armstronglivs wrote:
But you can't stop responding to me. You do see the contradiction in that?
I can. I wasn't on Letsrun for days last week. And when I came back I found countless threads invaded by your countless posts. No contradiction from me.

But still responding to me. Contradiction isn't in your vocabulary.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 8:50am EST

re: Reddy!

Reddy! wrote:
THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:
“It [front-running] is definitely one of the most difficult ways. That’s why nobody does it. I think that is one of the reasons why it will be so giving when it one day works, because nobody has ever done it before. I think I’m able to do it.”
-You can’t blame this on his English! Someone did it in 2019 to him and the field and it worked. That’s not long ago lol. I am not being overly critical, I am being real. It’s just revisionist history. In 2019, Tim doing what he did in Doha winning gun-to-tape was a big deal. So was his circuit dominance.
Yo man, he is generalising, he isn't going to reference every instance of front running in the history of track and field. He is right, generally speaking, nobody front runs. Especially currently, and the last couple of years.
When was the last time Tim or Stewy front ran? ...exactly, so why would he reference them?

Yeah, I’m not sure why Thoughtsleader going so strong on this. When I read the piece, it wasn’t even the main takeaway. Jakob is focused on making himself better and doing the best he can do, not on the other people. This is an amazing trait for self improvement and excellence, but irritates insecure people who only do this for recognition (Kerr). Anyone who wants to achieve personal excellence at something, just for the sake of excellence, can learn from Jakob.

Your point - did Tim ever try to front run a 3:26 race? No he did not. The competition in those years was nothing like today.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 9:03am EST

re: peekay

“I have a responsibility to see what the human race possibly can do,” (Ingebrigtsen)

Hocker, Kerr, Nuguse and Wightman are asking, how is that working out? Their goals appear to be more modest than attempting to define human limits. Beating Ingebrigtsen can be enough.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 9:12am EST

re: Armstronglivs

Armstronglivs wrote:
“I have a responsibility to see what the human race possibly can do,” (Ingebrigtsen)
Hocker, Kerr, Nuguse and Wightman are asking, how is that working out? Their goals appear to be more modest than attempting to define human limits. Beating Ingebrigtsen can be enough.

For Ingebrigtsen to become the greatest distance runner in history is more realistic than for Kerr to become the best Miler of his generation.

Ingebrigtsen has to pass Bekele, Gebrselassie and Kipchoge, no easy feat, that's for sure. But looking at his results he has achieved up to age 23, and with his great success in the 1500m which seperates him from those others, he has a realistic chance. For sure he needs to add 10000m success at the highest level which might be very difficult - we just have to wait what he can do.

For Kerr to become the greatest Miler of his generation is unrealistic when the other - younger - guys are improving constantly and when he (almost) doesn't race at all.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 10:15am EST

re: Armstronglivs

Armstronglivs wrote:
xyzert wrote:
You definitely can blame it on his english, as well as the person who wrote the article. He is implying that it is extremely rare to win like this on the biggest stage. He has given responses similar to this in past interviews as well, it is just that on this one, he was little too blunt. That’s just how it is though, to rile up posters on this site.
He has an ego like Trump. That's what you can blame it on.

first confirmed case of a person with both TDS and IDS!

1 year ago 03/05/2025 10:38am EST

re: Reddy!

Reddy! wrote:
Yo man, he is generalising, he isn't going to reference every instance of front running in the history of track and field. He is right, generally speaking, nobody front runs. Especially currently, and the last couple of years.
When was the last time Tim or Stewy front ran? ...exactly, so why would he reference them?

Nobody front runs?

I’ll leave it be, but Yared Nuguse frontran USAs and the Olympic Semis last year. Tim frontran the Comm Games 1500, Kipsang in Budapest before Jakob took over. There are multiple athletes willing to have the lead in DLs after the pacers drop.

Generalizing this is strange. After Centro, a natural frontrunner has been prominent in every season and championship. That is 8 straight years. It would be MORE unique to not have a honest, fast championship with nobody keeping it honest at this point.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 10:47am EST

re: Armstronglivs

Tim very rarely tweets…

Remember Doha 2019? I took the risk, bet on myself & front ran to World Championship 1500m 🥇. 2.12 seconds winning margin. Believe me, it is the most difficult way to run a race. https://t.co/UNIalv5CrS
— Timothy Cheruiyot (@tim_cheruiyot) March 5, 2025

View on X

1 year ago 03/05/2025 11:05am EST

re: THOUGHTSLEADER

THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:
Reddy! wrote:
Yo man, he is generalising, he isn't going to reference every instance of front running in the history of track and field. He is right, generally speaking, nobody front runs. Especially currently, and the last couple of years.
When was the last time Tim or Stewy front ran? ...exactly, so why would he reference them?
Nobody front runs?
I’ll leave it be, but Yared Nuguse frontran USAs and the Olympic Semis last year. Tim frontran the Comm Games 1500, Kipsang in Budapest before Jakob took over. There are multiple athletes willing to have the lead in DLs after the pacers drop.
Generalizing this is strange. After Centro, a natural frontrunner has been prominent in every season and championship. That is 8 straight years. It would be MORE unique to not have a honest, fast championship with nobody keeping it honest at this point.

The point is winning in a global championship while front running, which again, is very rare. Jakob’s goal is to win like this because of how rare it is. Not sure what you are arguing here.

1 year ago 03/05/2025 11:07am EST

re: Armstronglivs

Armstronglivs wrote:
“I have a responsibility to see what the human race possibly can do,” (Ingebrigtsen)
Hocker, Kerr, Nuguse and Wightman are asking, how is that working out? Their goals appear to be more modest than attempting to define human limits. Beating Ingebrigtsen can be enough.

How is it working out?

2X Olympic Gold, 2X WC Gold

Outdoor WRs: 2000, 3000, 2 mile

Indoor WRs: 1500, mile

Page 4 of 8

1 3 4 5 8

Next Last

What People Are Talking About On LetsRun

No top threads at the moment. Check back soon.

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen interview: ‘I don’t know why Kerr is so interested in me’

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen interview: ‘I don’t know why Kerr is so interested in me’

Jump To A Page

Follow tyty

Block tyty

Follow Armstronglivs

Block Armstronglivs

Follow Armstronglivs

Block Armstronglivs

Follow Armstronglivs

Block Armstronglivs

Follow Armstronglivs

Block Armstronglivs

Follow tyty

Block tyty

Follow tyty

Block tyty

Follow Armstronglivs

Block Armstronglivs

Follow Armstronglivs

Block Armstronglivs

Follow peekay

Block peekay

Follow Armstronglivs

Block Armstronglivs

Follow letsdrum

Block letsdrum

Follow high school xc coach

Block high school xc coach

Follow THOUGHTSLEADER

Block THOUGHTSLEADER

Follow THOUGHTSLEADER

Block THOUGHTSLEADER

Jump To A Page

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.