If he skips a world championship to run a half marathon all is forgiven? Not for me.
A 10k Olympic medallist should run World xc. It's incredibly lame that he and Rupp never had the guts to do it.
As I tell my son. Life's not perfect. The date of the meet is a little early. But as you are getting in shape for it, you also are builldinng towardsa half marathon after it. How in the world is training for world xc not good for training for 13.1? It's ideal.
Is there any way that Grant is actually being humble in believing he would have a difficult time getting on the podium at World XC? I know that isn’t the reason he has given, but to me I have a little bit more respect for someone who is willing to pass on something they don’t think they can succeed at. I can’t blame him if he doesn’t want to go because he doesn’t want to get destroyed by Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya.
Grants PRs and success in events ranging from the 3k to 10k makes him America’s best distance runner and among top 5 in the world; the possibility of him getting “destroyed by Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya” is highly unlikely. Also the USA is competing as a team most Americans are not focused on individual success.
I Ike Scaneli but he is always posting the most non-profound (is that a word?) things on twitter. It’s always like “Work hard today. You will thank yourself later in the season.) #thanksmike
Is there any way that Grant is actually being humble in believing he would have a difficult time getting on the podium at World XC? I know that isn’t the reason he has given, but to me I have a little bit more respect for someone who is willing to pass on something they don’t think they can succeed at. I can’t blame him if he doesn’t want to go because he doesn’t want to get destroyed by Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya.
Grants PRs and success in events ranging from the 3k to 10k makes him America’s best distance runner and among top 5 in the world; the possibility of him getting “destroyed by Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya” is highly unlikely. Also the USA is competing as a team most Americans are not focused on individual success.
I believe Young has closed the gap. They’re about even in the 5000m and for a strength runner like him, 12:45 is equivalent to 26:30. Fisher seems to have plateaued, while Young is only 23. I could see Young nudging ahead next track season.
Needed to incentivize this. Clearly, Grant follows the money based on his foray into the mess that was GST. No judgement, just precedent. Big check for running the race. Big bonus for individual result. Big bonus for team result. Incentivize the individual into bringing in other top tier teammates. USATF is good for the money. Probably. No forward thinking here though.
I thought the same thing. All good to get in career best shape in February to run indoors this year and then chase big money running meaningless GST races (that ironically he's not going to get all of), but can't run world cross when it's in his home country?
Just don't get it. And if it turns out he runs a half marathon around that time for some nominal appearance fee and about 15k in possible prize money then I think that's extremely disappointing.
Its crazy how some athletes consistently seem to give a rats a$$ about growing the sport. A world championship on home turf but nah.
Is there any way that Grant is actually being humble in believing he would have a difficult time getting on the podium at World XC? I know that isn’t the reason he has given, but to me I have a little bit more respect for someone who is willing to pass on something they don’t think they can succeed at. I can’t blame him if he doesn’t want to go because he doesn’t want to get destroyed by Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya.
Grants PRs and success in events ranging from the 3k to 10k makes him America’s best distance runner and among top 5 in the world; the possibility of him getting “destroyed by Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya” is highly unlikely. Also the USA is competing as a team most Americans are not focused on individual success.
Cole Hocker is better than Grant Fisher. Cole is America’s best current distance runner and arguably the best American distance runner ever. I put Grant at #2 of the current guys behind Hocker. If Grant is top 5 in the world, then Cole is at least one place ahead of him. One can make the case that Cole is the best distance runner on the planet right now. Who is indisputably ahead of him? I would argue nobody. Cole has a better resume than practically everyone right now, except arguably Jakob, but he beat Jakob on the biggest stage.
I Ike Scaneli but he is always posting the most non-profound (is that a word?) things on twitter. It’s always like “Work hard today. You will thank yourself later in the season.) #thanksmike
Yeah, but you know what, the coach athlete chemistry seems to just work. Grant is indisputably better under him than under Schumacher.
Hocker I'm fine with if he is planning on going all in on world indoors. I don't see him as being great at 10k XC and I can see why the relay wouldn't be appealing.
Fisher is definitely a bummer though. Would have loved to see him compete, but I can see why they don't want to press early season after the appearant ramifications that grand slam had on the end of his outdoor season
Very hard to hold a peak for half a year or more like doped up Africans.
After perusing the thread… yeah, this is a solid point. Pointing for track season makes more sense, since it appears — so far — that XC is as lax as the roads when it comes to full, even, honest testing.
This is very disappointing news. I was a fan of Grant, but not anymore. NOTHING in 2025 is more important than world cross (since there’s no outdoor worlds).
For once I agree with Rojo ;). Why not run? 2026 is an off year, all about chasing times. Why not try and win a medal on home soil. Please don't tell me it's about money, Fisher is loaded as is Hocker. Do it for the love of the sport, come on now!
Is there any way that Grant is actually being humble in believing he would have a difficult time getting on the podium at World XC? I know that isn’t the reason he has given, but to me I have a little bit more respect for someone who is willing to pass on something they don’t think they can succeed at. I can’t blame him if he doesn’t want to go because he doesn’t want to get destroyed by Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya.
Grants PRs and success in events ranging from the 3k to 10k makes him America’s best distance runner and among top 5 in the world; the possibility of him getting “destroyed by Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya” is highly unlikely. Also the USA is competing as a team most Americans are not focused on individual success.
....
Cross Country is a different beast compared to track. There are several foreigners with slow track personal pbs but are excellent cross country runners.
One of the best examples was John Ngugi who won 5 individual GOLD 🥇 but 5000m PB was never one of the fastest in the event and had no kick. Watch the 1988 Olympic 5000m he DESTROYED the field before the 1500m mark. 😲
For once I agree with Rojo ;). Why not run? 2026 is an off year, all about chasing times. Why not try and win a medal on home soil. Please don't tell me it's about money, Fisher is loaded as is Hocker. Do it for the love of the sport, come on now!
Not sure how many of you were at Aarhus or Bathurst but these were great events. When WXC came to Bathurst almost every top Aussie wanted to be on that team. Whether in the individual race or the relay. The atmosphere for Aussies at this event was amazing and something I won't forget as a coach who had a female in the race.
It would be great to see Hocker run the relay and Fisher run the individual if not no other reason to be role models for the next generation of American Distance runners.
Our trials are in late November and making a team and representing your country is still a big honour.
I Ike Scaneli but he is always posting the most non-profound (is that a word?) things on twitter. It’s always like “Work hard today. You will thank yourself later in the season.) #thanksmike
Yeah, but you know what, the coach athlete chemistry seems to just work. Grant is indisputably better under him than under Schumacher.
What’s this “under” business? The coach works WITH the athlete and in this context FOR the athlete. What Schumacher helped Fisher do set Fisher up to do what he had with Scanell.
Picked up an injury towards the end of the '25 season and is just getting back into it. Doesn't want to jump back in too soon for the XC trials. Already tried to come back but injury returned.