Most overrated runner ever?

I said Alan Webb. And will die on that hill. 

But I will add.... Edward Cheserek. For someone that is called "King Ches" 

Yes he has a million NCAA titles. But the NCAA was shockingly weak during that time. His senior year he finally got tested his senior year he lost NCAA XC, lost the indoor mile, and dissapeared outdoors. His winning times were pedestrian, alot of 4:00, 13:40, 28:45. 

As a pro he has completely dissapear when it has matters. Yes he has run 3:49/13:08 but that was indoor in february and has never been able to put together an outdoor season.

At this point I have written him off. He is 28 and can't seem to put anything together. Not to mention the weird citizenship issue. Anyways, a far cry from the "King" 

Maybe the 04 Olympic Marathon wasn't the greatest field, but Meb did beat the marathon WR holder in that race. He wasn't super fast, but he ran tactically smart and placed higher than he should have i a lot of races. Lets not forget he won NY 09 , and the OT 12 besides his overhyped Boston win (I will give you that one).

Ed Ches has the second fastest indoor mile ever. While he’s been hurt a lot, I would say he’s received adequate amounts of hype. GTFO with attacking American Kenyans.

Ryun set world records when he was 19. Also last American to hold the WR in the mile I believe. Not overrated.

Jason Rexing. Should have run faster in those trainers.

Alex Viada. A 4:10 mile per a GPS watch weighing 240lbs. Probably could not have broken 4:15 on a track.

Brandon Moen. Lots of hype on his treadmill marathon attempt. Also outkicked his coverage with Pirate/Cat/Gun girl.

Craig Masback. When the announcers aren’t talking about his hair, they’re hyping him up to be the next Jim Ryun. 

Centro and his flukey wins, obtained in the worst ever era of 1500m.

On the men's side:

Parker Stinson

Julian Wanders

Sam Parsons 

Drew Hunter

Rory Linkletter 

Everett Smulders

Jimmy Gressier 

Lopez Lomong

Ryan Hill

Alan Webb

On the women's side:

Allie Kieffer 

Alexi Pappas

Des Linden (Only won Boston because everyone else dropped out) 

Colleen Quigley 

Shelby Houlihan

Jordan Hasay

Lawi Lalang has also evaporated from the scene after becoming a pro. He came to college “with no competitive running experience whatsoever“ according to his AZ bio yet he wins Roy Griak XC in a course record by 22secs in his first XC race. He had NCAA 8 titles most notably the 5K over Ches in 2014. Yet aside from a 10k Pan Am bronze in 2019 he’s been oddly nonexistent on the pro scene. Nobody seems to know where he even lives or who he’s training with. He slumped to a 4:13 mile in 2020.

Something doesn’t add up.

definitely-Bannister had do minimalist program given that he was in medical school. People forget that he won major titles along with the 4-minute mile barrier--1954 Empire (now Commonwealth) Games when he beat John Landy in the Miracle Mile-check it out!

So what you described is someone who knows how to peak or be coached. Clearly, his propensity for running well in major championships is accidental.

Sam Parsons, Andrew Bumbalough, Chris Derrick, Eric Jenkins, Kyle Merber

And a bunch more American "Pros" from the mid 2000s/2010s

It's definitely Prefontaine

Scott "Slicko" Anderson. Checkmate.

Kathrine Switzer

Centro and his fake a$$ medals.

Pure luck in the weakest 1500m era ever.

Pre

Rupp

Centrowitz