astounded wrote:
Since the title of the thread was greatest runner ever. That means we compare all runners of all ages, races, sexes, time periods, etc.
Just for the record, hrunner, I am not astounded, and he is not me. But we obviously think alike. :-D
I can't say he's the GREATEST, but I think Alberto Juantorena should get more credit for his 400/800 Olympic double. You'll NEVER see that again.
For everyone who didn't vote for Emil Zatopek, load the following on your MP3 player, go for a run while listening to it, and then come back and correct your vote:
http://www.steverunner.com/PodCasts/Fdip29.mp3
(Warning, 40 MB file, dial-up users beware)
The one and only Jim Peters.
Amen to Paavo Nurmi!!
I think too many discredit what runners from earlier times did siting lower competition or slower times - look at what some of these guys did against what was there how they changed the sport. the different obstacles that they had to overcome. Nutrition, equipment, support and so many other factors - some just poor advice...
Guys like Nurmi and Zatopek transcended the sport did things that were amazing and deserve at least as much consideration as the new breed of runner. take the time to look up what some of these guys did - I know I was amazed while trying to put the bracket together. Things like in the 1936 Olympics Volmari Iso-Hollo won his secong straight Steeplechase Gold medal but had to overcome the fact that the official was watching another event and the whole field had to run an extra lap. Just some interesting info that I cam across while trying to set this up. Nurmi in a tour of the US running races of all different lengths in 1926 I beleive went something like 54-55 with wins he only lost an 800 to a guy who was supposedly one of the faster guys in the world and thats a guy who has 2 10K Olympic Golds...
I can see the folks saying that it was the competition but I think that belittles the accomplishment - I believe it was the individual that was special.. call me what you will for it.
Anyway time to step down off of the soap box...
I absolutely, positively guarantee that right now, at this moment, and most likely never, that no runner you have named could be Pemba Dorjie.
Pemba Dorjie is the ultimate runner; the best runner on earth, and far above it.
Kipketer never gets any love on these threads, but he was amazing
Man has a rediculous WR and he has somehting like 60% of all times under 1:43.00
The man would blow people out in 800 races by 20-30 meters