With a bit of a cold stare, too. Haha. In fairness, I felt like JG didn't intend to insult, but was asking for clarification on Beamish's comment that his move to the steeple,"was all about the medals . . . This is why I moved up to the steeple."
This is 100% what I was trying to do. He specifically said he moved up to win medals so I wanted to clarify if that meant he thought he couldn't medal in the flat events.
Of course I remembered his world indoor gold (how could anyone forget it?). If he was in the 1500 final in Tokyo, I think he'd have a good shot at a medal in that as well. But he won World Indoors in 2024, after he took up the steeple. So it's fair to wonder if he thought a 1500/5k medal was possible when he switched in April 2023.
I realized when I asked it that the question could be interpreted as being a bit insensitive. Maybe there was a better way to phrase it. I meant no disrespect; I just genuinely wanted to know his full reasoning behind making the switch.
OK, you're off the hook. It still doesn't mean we're not out to get you. ;-)
Crikey, my bad. I mean 10% were I live. I have an excuse and not the burrito one. My first post was done right after a 10 mile run and my body and my brain were at about 22% functioning level.
Finally got a chance to watch this race after work. I've never seen a kick like that in a steeple. Even going in knowing what is going to happen, I was in near disbelief. Wow. This will go down as one of the greatest world championship races in history.
As George emphasized, the steeple is indeed bad-ass. I recall running the USA Jr. XC Trials at Crystal Springs in 1980. 8k with just two barriers to surmount - maybe at 2 and 4 miles (can't specifically remember). I ran really well that day, and although I managed to step it cleanly the first time, I damn near had to crawl over it the second - I was too tired to even step-jump it. I had roommates who were sub-9:00 guys (good back then), so I was able to hear and see lots of what they endured. At team dinners, it was pretty universally agreed that the steeple and 10k were the hardest events (the latter being more weather-dependent).
One question I saw nobody ask yet: given Beamish's incredible kick, why was he hanging so far back off the pack with a lap to go? Surely he should have wanted to be a bit closer. It's like he didn't dare believe until 300 out..
You've never seen Henry Marsh run the steeplechase. Every race was like that. When I get a chance I'll post a photo for an example. Once I jumped him hard with 300m to go. Thought for sure I nailed him. Nope, with 30m to go he caught me.
One question I saw nobody ask yet: given Beamish's incredible kick, why was he hanging so far back off the pack with a lap to go? Surely he should have wanted to be a bit closer. It's like he didn't dare believe until 300 out..
You've never seen Henry Marsh run the steeplechase. Every race was like that. When I get a chance I'll post a photo for an example. Once I jumped him hard with 300m to go. Thought for sure I nailed him. Nope, with 30m to go he caught me.
1976 NCAA steeplechase 1. 8:24.86 James Munyala, UTEP (1977 5th world rank) 2. 8:27.88 Henry Marsh, BYU (1977 8th world rank) 3. 8:29.47 Ron Addison, Tenn (1977 7th world rank) 4. 8:30.33 George Malley, Penn State (1977 6th world rank) 5. 8:33.85 Greg Meyer, Michigan (1983 Boston Marathon champion) 6. 8:34.38 Bill Lundberg, Kansas 7. 8:34.67 Bruce Bickford, Northeastern (1985 10,000m 1st World Rank) 8. 8:41.20 Bob Christiansen, Wichita State 9. 8:41.20 George Mason, Kansas 10. 8:44.73 John Roscoe, Kansas
One lap to go. Look how far back Marsh is. Per usual. (photo: 1 Addison, 2 Munyala, 3 Malley, 4 Meyer, 5 Lundberg, 6 Bickford, 7 Marsh, 8 Christensen, 9 Mason)
Am I the only one who thinks El B thought he had it won and wasn’t in a full sprint the last 50? He only accelerated once he saw Beamish. which is why EB was hitting himself in the noggin afterwards.
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Brilliant run by Geordie. Gault is a journalist asking questions that athletes and the general public would ask if given the chance. This helps educate, inform and entertain everyone one. Great job.
One question I saw nobody ask yet: given Beamish's incredible kick, why was he hanging so far back off the pack with a lap to go? Surely he should have wanted to be a bit closer. It's like he didn't dare believe until 300 out..
Maybe cause he fell in the heats? And he ended up in the same position he would've been starting to contemplate a kick? I mean, every race I think he can win and then I see the last lap and think, oh, maybe not this time. AND THEN, oh my goodness.
I dunno. I think the steeple is badass. I think George is badass.
I don't think Cooper Teare could do the steeple well enough to be world class. He is not badass. Beamish really has a physicality you can see when he's committed to a finish like it's his last lifeline, which it really is when you considered how often he is injured. When you see daylight, take advantage of it is something you learn when you are not well every day.
And I think he has a really high emotional IQ. The way he congratulated the Japanese steeplechaser Miura for his performance and posed with him for the crowd. I think Miura's an On runner too but I bet Geordie fed off the madness and the cheering of the crowd that was due mostly to Miura when they were both turning the bend, so had him to thank. All this awareness of who's next to you, whose sneaker is in your face probably makes him a great steepler. WORLD CLASS. Congratulations to George!! What a meet!
Lets Run trying to be provocative (?) and just coming off as rude in the interview after the race. "Did you move up to the steeple because you thought you couldn't medal in the 1500 or 5k?".
Sure, indoor champs isn't worth as much as outdoor champs but Geordie literally has a gold medal in the 1500 in 2024!
Did he really ask him that? I don't wanna click on it, but that's like wtf. No wonder no pro-runners like this site. That's not provocative, it's just stupid.
Am I the only one who thinks El B thought he had it won and wasn’t in a full sprint the last 50? He only accelerated once he saw Beamish. which is why EB was hitting himself in the noggin afterwards.
I think so. When he got passed, he obviously went into full sprint mode but that's too late. I have no doubt He wasn't even aware of Beamish, kinda reminiscent of what Wightman did to Jakob in 2022 WC, but that was 200m out instead of 20m as in here, which immediately meant gameover for El B. It ain't over til it's over...
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What were the betting odds on Geordie to win. Anybody know who’s betting world champs on DK or FD? I’m Kicking myself for not placing $ on him. Always been a fan and he’s always lethal with the kick. Ugh lol. Epic win for the dude
Kerr mentioned when he tripped at the end of his 1500 heat that the screen wasn't showing their finish, so he didn't know how close people were behind him. Kind of wonder if the steeple finish wasn't shown on the screen so El B didn't know where the rest of the field was and; therefore, was caught by surprise when Beamish came alongside.
I wasn't disputing your observation about an indoor title being "weak". I was asking if you would therefore apply that description to Ingebrigtsen's indoor title. Fair enough if you think that but it isn't a popular view here that his indoor title is weak. "Weak" is a dismissive term when it might just be said an indoor title doesn't have quite the same cachet as an outdoor title.
In respect of Beamish, he has shown an impressive capacity to win from behind against big name athletes.
You say "weak" is a dismissive term. I say weak is a descriptive term. It's all how you think about things.
I really don't care what is a popular view here. What's popular here is wrong at least 50 percent of the time.
When Ingebrigtsen wins a weak event it's not a reflection on him, it's a reflection on the lack of competition. That's simple. Why make anything of it?
I don't actually disagree with any of that I just wondered if you were prepared to apply the term "weak" to an accomplishment of an athlete idolized on these threads. You are.
What were the betting odds on Geordie to win. Anybody know who’s betting world champs on DK or FD? I’m Kicking myself for not placing $ on him. Always been a fan and he’s always lethal with the kick. Ugh lol. Epic win for the dude
He was fixed odds nz tab @$101 ( pre the heat ) for gold . I chucked a stupid 100 on the nose .
