Watch one of the most competitive 5k races ever run in 1972 where Steve Prefontaine took the lead during the last mile starting a battle with the reigning OG...
Kommentatorer Bosse Hansson och Christer UlfbågeResultat Final 5000m 1. Said Aouita Marocko 13.05,592. Markus Ryffel Schweiz 13.07,543. Antonio Leitao Portug...
Ask yourself this question: Was Usain Bolt faster than Jesse Owens?
1. Owens had to use a garden trowel to dig his starting blocks in the dirt. His primitive uniform included 5 pound shoes. No one knew anything about training, nutrition, strategy, tracks, or anything remotely related to Track & Field. Also world records are made to be broken. They are posted in many places all the time for men's minds to ponder. Not many people talk about that but if you run the same course over and over again you are bound to get faster! Do we not learn from the pioneers who raced before us?
I never get thrilled when a world record is broken, all it means is I've have just became slower in my youth!
1. His Boston 2018 victory run in true American weather against a battalion of dopers was the most epic distance running performance of the 21st century. Even the TV commentators were seeing him as some sort of clown who would wind up with a "piano on his back" in the the second half of the race but instead it was his competitors who fell by the wayside one by one ....
2. His 1/2 marathon in a suit world record is probably the only clean record in the books today.
3. The sheer volume of his high level race performances is well beyond what anyone else in the sport has achieved. Each time he is running a marathon, it is effectively a warm up for his next marathon or race a few days later and also a cool down from his last race a few days earlier ...
I think of Roger bannister just due to the fact he broke the 4 minute barrier when it was thought impossible. It opened the door in the running world, and raised the level of not only performances, but of the mindset among endurance athletes.
Although I understand the argument of the mile not being “distance”, since distance and middle distance are two entirely different categories.
It’s easy to say Eliud Kipchoge because we are living in his era.
Heck, how about the messenger guy who invented the marathon event back in the Roman days!?!? He’s the GOAT!!
Absolutely nobody thought it was impossible to break 4 minutes. Gunder Hägg ran 4,01 in 1945 and the reason that WR stood for so long was that WW2 destroyed one generation of milers.
If not for WWII Wooderson, Hagg or Anderssen would all have had a shot at breaking 4:01. Hagg and Anderssen were still in their prime when they were banned for being professionals...
I've been pondering the age-old question in distance running: Who deserves the title of the greatest distance runner of all time? With so many incredible athletes to choose from across different eras and disciplines, it's a topic that can ignite some passionate debates. Whether it's the legendary dominance of athletes like Haile Gebrselassie, the enduring legacy of Emil Zátopek, or the modern-day marvels like Eliud Kipchoge, there's no shortage of candidates. But who, in your opinion, truly stands out as the greatest and why? Is it their world records, their Olympic performances, their impact on the sport, or a combination of factors that sets them apart? I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights on this topic. Let's dive into this debate and celebrate the incredible achievements of distance runners from around the world. Share your pick for the greatest distance runner and the reasons behind your choice. It's bound to be an exciting discussion!
You’re going to need to specify specific or ranges of distance. Kipchoge for marathon, Bekele for 10000m to cross country. Half marathon? Tadase? 15km?
I've been pondering the age-old question in distance running: Who deserves the title of the greatest distance runner of all time? With so many incredible athletes to choose from across different eras and disciplines, it's a topic that can ignite some passionate debates. Whether it's the legendary dominance of athletes like Haile Gebrselassie, the enduring legacy of Emil Zátopek, or the modern-day marvels like Eliud Kipchoge, there's no shortage of candidates. But who, in your opinion, truly stands out as the greatest and why? Is it their world records, their Olympic performances, their impact on the sport, or a combination of factors that sets them apart? I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights on this topic. Let's dive into this debate and celebrate the incredible achievements of distance runners from around the world. Share your pick for the greatest distance runner and the reasons behind your choice. It's bound to be an exciting discussion!
You’re going to need to specify specific or ranges of distance. Kipchoge for marathon, Bekele for 10000m to cross country. Half marathon? Tadase? 15km?
I never understand why people still thought sub 4 was impossible in the 50's when there were runners like Gunder Hägg which nearly did it a decade before. For me Gunder is the GOAT miller. If he had pacers all the way, he would of run sub 4. Bannister's run is the equivalent of Cheptegai's 5,000m or 10,000m with pacers and wavelights. The WR was progressing quickly at that period, so hard to imagine no sub 4 ever.
their domination across multiple distances and surfaces in the modern era is unparalleled
3.) Said Aouita and Eliud Kipchoge
First man to run sub 7:30, first to run sub 13 minutes, debut at 10000m less than 10 seconds of WR, next year medaled in Olympic 800m. ONLY ATHLETE to medal in both 800m and 5000m in any Olympics in their career in the modern era
E. Kipchoge's record speaks for itself
WOMEN'S
1 ) Tirunesh Dibaba multiple World X Golds in short and long course, double Olympic and World Olympic Gold, sub 2:20 marathon without super shoes, 3 time Olympic 10000m medalists
2. Faith Kipyegon her record speaks for itself
3.) Ingrid Kristenson she was the first modern runner to show versatility. Holding WR in the 5000, 10000m, and marathon at the same time. World X Country Champion and track World Champion
A lot of interesting elements in your post. And as a Norwegian I like that you include Ingrid Kristiansen (her maiden name was Kristensen, but she married a guy named Kristiansen). -She bettered Joan Benoit’s 2 year old WR by 1min 37 sec in 1985. But she was really angry at her self afterwards (despite holding the marathon WR then for 13 years -before it was bettered in 1998 by 19 sec) -could have run significantly faster if she hadn’t been scared and confused by how fast it went in that solo race…
A lot of interesting elements in your post. And as a Norwegian I like that you include Ingrid Kristiansen (her maiden name was Kristensen, but she married a guy named Kristiansen). -She bettered Joan Benoit’s 2 year old WR by 1min 37 sec in 1985. But she was really angry at her self afterwards (despite holding the marathon WR then for 13 years -before it was bettered in 1998 by 19 sec) -could have run significantly faster if she hadn’t been scared and confused by how fast it went in that solo race…
I have to write a teaser / provocation to guys like ObjectiveObserver who holds Jakob as a future Goat:
If Jakob doesn’t come back (and progressing) he, IMO, will be inferior to:
1. Ingrid Kristiansen -WR’s in the main events 5000/10000m +marathon. Track W Champion, xc W Champ.
2. Grete Waitz - WR marathon, W champ marathon, 5x W champ xc, 9 New York marathon wins.
3. Karsten Warholm -WR’s 400mh, Olympic champ, 3 x W champ.
Future: May be surpassed by Nordås -both when it comes to medals and times in 1500, 5000, 10000m and half marathon. May be surpassed by Ingvaldsen -times quality and medals in the 400m.
Sum: The big mouth Jakob Ingebrigtsen (no harm in that; Ingrid Kristiansen is a big mouth too, which I kind of like) will not be the athletics or distance Goat. And he will maybe only be the number 6 Goat in Norway -in running… (I have placed him -slightly- ahead of 800m Olympic champ Vebjørn Rodal, despite that the latter also broke the Olympic record, and regulary had to face the stellar Wilson Kipketer)…
So Jakob has a lot of unploughed ground to cover to even be a National Goat contender…
Anyone who nominates Nurmi as greatest of all time should reconsider. His dominance is notable and he may have inspired many, but the times aren't incredibly impressive. 4:10 mile, 14:35 5k, and so on. I'd rank Ryun, Coe, and dozens more ahead of Nurmi, and we know they aren't the greatest ever. Geb or Bekele FTW.
Paavo Johannes Nurmi (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈpɑːʋo ˈnurmi] ; 13 June 1897 – 2 October 1973) was a Finnish middle-distance and long-distance runner. He was called the "Flying Finn" or the "Phantom Finn", as he dominated dist...
Helen Obiri is the greatest of all time for women. She not only has two WC track golds, but a WXC gold and now 3 major marathon wins. Letesenbet Gidey (for her 10k WR and 1/2 marathon WR) and Peres Jepchirchir (olympic gold, marathon wr, 3 major marathon wins) can also make a case for #1. For men, Bekele is definitely the best all time, followed by El G, Kipchoge and Daniel Komen.
Helen Obiri is the greatest of all time for women. She not only has two WC track golds, but a WXC gold and now 3 major marathon wins. Letesenbet Gidey (for her 10k WR and 1/2 marathon WR) and Peres Jepchirchir (olympic gold, marathon wr, 3 major marathon wins) can also make a case for #1. For men, Bekele is definitely the best all time, followed by El G, Kipchoge and Daniel Komen.
You can't seriously put Komen ahead of Geb. His career was spectacular but very short. Geb completely rewrote the record books in the 1990s and was ridiculously dominant in the 10000 up until 1999. After that he had a successful marathon career.
@Cicero: I’ll reconsider my stance that Nurmi is the GOAT when someone else wins 9 Olympic gold medals, wins 121 races in a row, breaks 22 world records, and goes undefeated in cross country and the 10k. Until then, Nurmi is the GOAT.
@Cicero: I’ll reconsider my stance that Nurmi is the GOAT when someone else wins 9 Olympic gold medals, wins 121 races in a row, breaks 22 world records, and goes undefeated in cross country and the 10k. Until then, Nurmi is the GOAT.
Those are impressive stats my friend. I respectfully take the view that the secret to this unusual success is weak competition or no competition. Racing got much more participation and competitive years later.
I've been pondering the age-old question in distance running: Who deserves the title of the greatest distance runner of all time? With so many incredible athletes to choose from across different eras and disciplines, it's a topic that can ignite some passionate debates. Whether it's the legendary dominance of athletes like Haile Gebrselassie, the enduring legacy of Emil Zátopek, or the modern-day marvels like Eliud Kipchoge, there's no shortage of candidates. But who, in your opinion, truly stands out as the greatest and why? Is it their world records, their Olympic performances, their impact on the sport, or a combination of factors that sets them apart? I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights on this topic. Let's dive into this debate and celebrate the incredible achievements of distance runners from around the world. Share your pick for the greatest distance runner and the reasons behind your choice. It's bound to be an exciting discussion!
It's a fun conversation but I think it's impossible to say.
For one- do we mean mid-distance and distance? Milers to marathoners?
But, it's very tough to compare the long ago runners because of the changing training methods, shoe technology (to me that's huge), track technology (I ran some of my PR's on "cinders" that were basically rocks and dirt), nutrition and recovery knowledge.
Put Paavo Nurmi in today's world, running professionally, with one of the top coaches in super shoes and where would be be?
How fast would Eliud Kipchoge be running in 1972 with that technology and knowledge?
@Cicero: I’ll reconsider my stance that Nurmi is the GOAT when someone else wins 9 Olympic gold medals, wins 121 races in a row, breaks 22 world records, and goes undefeated in cross country and the 10k. Until then, Nurmi is the GOAT.
Not counting times since it's impossible to compare between generations, but Nurmi's competition consisted of rich nations from Europe and America. He can't be GOAT because the whole world wasn't competing; did he ever race against Africans? Runners like Geb and Bekele actually had to compete against runners from all continents with quadruple the world's population, therefore competition was much tougher. Nurmi is forever the sport's best pioneer, but he can't be the GOAT when his competition pool is much smaller and his 10000m is 2 minutes of off wejo's
@Cicero: I’ll reconsider my stance that Nurmi is the GOAT when someone else wins 9 Olympic gold medals, wins 121 races in a row, breaks 22 world records, and goes undefeated in cross country and the 10k. Until then, Nurmi is the GOAT.
Not counting times since it's impossible to compare between generations, but Nurmi's competition consisted of rich nations from Europe and America. He can't be GOAT because the whole world wasn't competing; did he ever race against Africans? Runners like Geb and Bekele actually had to compete against runners from all continents with quadruple the world's population, therefore competition was much tougher. Nurmi is forever the sport's best pioneer, but he can't be the GOAT when his competition pool is much smaller and his 10000m is 2 minutes of off wejo's
This is true and add to this that track was amateur until 1980 or so.
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