That's fair, the search I did said his weight was 53kg but isn't verified. The reality seems to be that most weights are speculative and open to "he looks big" impressions. When I did a deep research on chatgpt on verified runners that have run sub 2.10, it couldn't come up with anyone and was clear that most elite runners are in the 50kg-60kg range so I think his point that's he's big is well founded and "finding" the odd runner that looks big confirms how rare this is. Trevor hofbauer looks like the only guy who's clearly heavy at 77kg but he is 6'2"
I think the point is that if people are able to name a load of visibly tall or 'big' runners with current exceptional long distance performances from 3000m up (Jakob, Kerr, Foppen, Blanks, marathoners like Kipchumba, Klecker or even Ironmen/triathletes like Blummenfelt, Hauser etc), then it's not really fair to say that only tiny Kenyans and Japanese runners are built for long distance performance.
The weird ad hominem attacks I've had since posting this self-evident fact make me slightly suspicious I hit a little too close to home.
My point was simply that most weights are speculative, or are cited for runners that run shorter distances (kerr) and have struggled to transition to marathon (ingebrigtsen) or are way slower (blummenfelt) or never done a marathon (Hauser). To point out 1 or 2 marathon runners that *might* be 65+kg proves how very rare this is. So RTJ is making a valid point, no????
The funny thing is he seems to completely overlook natural ethnic adaptations when it comes to east Africans running fast times and is quick to explain that they must literally all be doping
he says if they weren't doping they would still be at the top, which i presume we all accept. the point is the times are all bogus. what the 'real' records should be i don't think anyone really knows at this point, as it's been out of control for so long.
This post was edited 4 minutes after it was posted.
I think the point is that if people are able to name a load of visibly tall or 'big' runners with current exceptional long distance performances from 3000m up (Jakob, Kerr, Foppen, Blanks, marathoners like Kipchumba, Klecker or even Ironmen/triathletes like Blummenfelt, Hauser etc), then it's not really fair to say that only tiny Kenyans and Japanese runners are built for long distance performance.
The weird ad hominem attacks I've had since posting this self-evident fact make me slightly suspicious I hit a little too close to home.
My point was simply that most weights are speculative, or are cited for runners that run shorter distances (kerr) and have struggled to transition to marathon (ingebrigtsen) or are way slower (blummenfelt) or never done a marathon (Hauser). To point out 1 or 2 marathon runners that *might* be 65+kg proves how very rare this is. So RTJ is making a valid point, no????
Jakob hasn't transitioned to marathon at all, let alone struggled with it. Ok then, if we're sticking to just the top 10 of London Marathon, I can see that at least four of them are either taller than Jake or are within 1-2 inches. So he's not exactly a giant in that group of the elite of the elite. The way he is talking he's like Robert Wadlow amongst a field of Danny Devitos, but even in the top 10 of the biggest marathon in the world, he wouldn't even be the tallest finisher.
If you look at Jake's countryman Mahamed Mahamed who finished 10th, he's actually 3 inches taller than Jake. Another current Brit marathoner Jack Rowe (2:07) is also 3 inches taller than Jake. Other Brit marathoners Sesseman, Cairess, Yee are within 1-2 inches of his height. I can't see any discernible difference in their 'builds' from Jake either; can you?
My point was simply that most weights are speculative, or are cited for runners that run shorter distances (kerr) and have struggled to transition to marathon (ingebrigtsen) or are way slower (blummenfelt) or never done a marathon (Hauser). To point out 1 or 2 marathon runners that *might* be 65+kg proves how very rare this is. So RTJ is making a valid point, no????
Jakob hasn't transitioned to marathon at all, let alone struggled with it. Ok then, if we're sticking to just the top 10 of London Marathon, I can see that at least four of them are either taller than Jake or are within 1-2 inches. So he's not exactly a giant in that group of the elite of the elite. The way he is talking he's like Robert Wadlow amongst a field of Danny Devitos, but even in the top 10 of the biggest marathon in the world, he wouldn't even be the tallest finisher.
If you look at Jake's countryman Mahamed Mahamed who finished 10th, he's actually 3 inches taller than Jake. Another current Brit marathoner Jack Rowe (2:07) is also 3 inches taller than Jake. Other Brit marathoners Sesseman, Cairess, Yee are within 1-2 inches of his height. I can't see any discernible difference in their 'builds' from Jake either; can you?
My point was simply that most weights are speculative, or are cited for runners that run shorter distances (kerr) and have struggled to transition to marathon (ingebrigtsen) or are way slower (blummenfelt) or never done a marathon (Hauser). To point out 1 or 2 marathon runners that *might* be 65+kg proves how very rare this is. So RTJ is making a valid point, no????
Jakob hasn't transitioned to marathon at all, let alone struggled with it. Ok then, if we're sticking to just the top 10 of London Marathon, I can see that at least four of them are either taller than Jake or are within 1-2 inches. So he's not exactly a giant in that group of the elite of the elite. The way he is talking he's like Robert Wadlow amongst a field of Danny Devitos, but even in the top 10 of the biggest marathon in the world, he wouldn't even be the tallest finisher.
If you look at Jake's countryman Mahamed Mahamed who finished 10th, he's actually 3 inches taller than Jake. Another current Brit marathoner Jack Rowe (2:07) is also 3 inches taller than Jake. Other Brit marathoners Sesseman, Cairess, Yee are within 1-2 inches of his height. I can't see any discernible difference in their 'builds' from Jake either; can you?
how have you got enough time on your hands to search the heights of 10 runners, jesusssssss you need to go find a bird and have a pint. youre boring
I'm pretty confident that the letsrun messageboards are the perfect place to prove people wrong by looking up the heights of random marathoners actually. If you're expecting something less petty and time wasting, you're clearly on the wrong site.
My point was simply that most weights are speculative, or are cited for runners that run shorter distances (kerr) and have struggled to transition to marathon (ingebrigtsen) or are way slower (blummenfelt) or never done a marathon (Hauser). To point out 1 or 2 marathon runners that *might* be 65+kg proves how very rare this is. So RTJ is making a valid point, no????
Jakob hasn't transitioned to marathon at all, let alone struggled with it. Ok then, if we're sticking to just the top 10 of London Marathon, I can see that at least four of them are either taller than Jake or are within 1-2 inches. So he's not exactly a giant in that group of the elite of the elite. The way he is talking he's like Robert Wadlow amongst a field of Danny Devitos, but even in the top 10 of the biggest marathon in the world, he wouldn't even be the tallest finisher.
If you look at Jake's countryman Mahamed Mahamed who finished 10th, he's actually 3 inches taller than Jake. Another current Brit marathoner Jack Rowe (2:07) is also 3 inches taller than Jake. Other Brit marathoners Sesseman, Cairess, Yee are within 1-2 inches of his height. I can't see any discernible difference in their 'builds' from Jake either; can you?
You're right, ingebrigtsen failed at half marathon. Sesemann 60kg, caress 60kg, Yee a tiny 55kg so struggling to follow your logic.
Rowe is taller but don't know his weight.
Agree this is boring. I don't think RTJ makes an unfair point and you do. Difference of opinion and, ultimately, who cares...
1. Everyone on earth knows that half wasn't indicative of Jakob's potential. He went out with no distance specific training, first 10k in 27:54, a couple of days after winning the diamond league final 1500. We all know that Jakob, who is both taller and 'bigger' than Jake, will not use his frame as an excuse in future.
2. Again, please stop posting random weights with zero evidence. If you Google 'Phil Sesseman weight', AI spits out a random weight based on what it thinks the answer might be/the established weights of other runners. When you click on the links that it cites for its 'evidence', you'll clearly see that zero of those links actually contain his weight. Gemini just made it up, ergo, you are just making it up.
I dont get whats controversial about Jakes video and it reminded me about a thing I read in a Tim Noakes old book (lore of running), under the section "Why All Great Marathoners Are Small". I dont agree with all of Tims takes but weight vs performance is well studied.
South African Josiah Thugwane, gold medal winner Atlanta, tips the scales at 43kg (lol) and less than 1.52m tall. and similarly mentions Haile Gebrselassie in the same vein. it goes on to say the average Boston winners height and weights have not changed over the last hundred years (the book is fairly old now), with average height being 171 (+/-5cm), and weight being 61.1 (+/- 5kg).
It importantly goes on to say that basically the lighter you are the better your ability to deal with environmental factors like heat and humidity. then there the actual oxygen cost and fuel availability advantage of being lighter.
so yes 67kg is light for the general public, probably in the pall park for an 2:14 marathoner but last time i checked everyone is running 2:02 to 2:04 now and they generally are not that weight. I guess the interesting one if we believe the weights listed is Kelvin Kiptum at 65kg, 180cm.
You're right, ingebrigtsen failed at half marathon. Sesemann 60kg, caress 60kg, Yee a tiny 55kg so struggling to follow your logic.
Rowe is taller but don't know his weight.
Agree this is boring. I don't think RTJ makes an unfair point and you do. Difference of opinion and, ultimately, who cares...
1. Everyone on earth knows that half wasn't indicative of Jakob's potential. He went out with no distance specific training, first 10k in 27:54, a couple of days after winning the diamond league final 1500. We all know that Jakob, who is both taller and 'bigger' than Jake, will not use his frame as an excuse in future.
2. Again, please stop posting random weights with zero evidence. If you Google 'Phil Sesseman weight', AI spits out a random weight based on what it thinks the answer might be/the established weights of other runners. When you click on the links that it cites for its 'evidence', you'll clearly see that zero of those links actually contain his weight. Gemini just made it up, ergo, you are just making it up.
If I am making things up, ergo so are you. It's all unprovable and unworthy of debate. Putting a few pics up i as proof is just as laughable. Ergo we're both full of sh1t
I dont get whats controversial about Jakes video and it reminded me about a thing I read in a Tim Noakes old book (lore of running), under the section "Why All Great Marathoners Are Small". I dont agree with all of Tims takes but weight vs performance is well studied.
South African Josiah Thugwane, gold medal winner Atlanta, tips the scales at 43kg (lol) and less than 1.52m tall. and similarly mentions Haile Gebrselassie in the same vein. it goes on to say the average Boston winners height and weights have not changed over the last hundred years (the book is fairly old now), with average height being 171 (+/-5cm), and weight being 61.1 (+/- 5kg).
It importantly goes on to say that basically the lighter you are the better your ability to deal with environmental factors like heat and humidity. then there the actual oxygen cost and fuel availability advantage of being lighter.
so yes 67kg is light for the general public, probably in the pall park for an 2:14 marathoner but last time i checked everyone is running 2:02 to 2:04 now and they generally are not that weight. I guess the interesting one if we believe the weights listed is Kelvin Kiptum at 65kg, 180cm.
I agree with this. It's self evident that what RTJ says is true. It's indisputable. He's pointing out that he's big for a runner. I shouldn't rise when a few folks in a backwater of the internet choose to knock him for saying that and pointing to "facts" by naming some subjectively viewed "heavier runners" and then saying any different view has to be wrong. I'm bowing out of this chat. There's too many bitter people on here. No humour, just hatred. I find it weird tbh
Scullion runs at around 70kg , I think at best 68kg . Dunno what RTJ is whinging about.
yeh exactly, loads more talent and still was getting beat by over 2ks in a marathon. I dont think you realise it but your proving the exact point. skully struggled to get down to anything lower, naturally he is bigger. at that level you cant give away 5 to 10kgs and hope to win.
I agree with this. It's self evident that what RTJ says is true. It's indisputable. He's pointing out that he's big for a runner. I shouldn't rise when a few folks in a backwater of the internet choose to knock him for saying that and pointing to "facts" by naming some subjectively viewed "heavier runners" and then saying any different view has to be wrong. I'm bowing out of this chat. There's too many bitter people on here. No humour, just hatred. I find it weird tbh
In his video he said that he was massive even by western runner standards. However, as I've already pointed out, when looking at the top Brit marathoners at the moment they are pretty much all either taller than him or within an inch, so it's just not true. Kejelcha and Sawe are the perfect illustration that size doesn't particularly matter in marathon running, it's all about tradeoffs. Longer stride vs higher efficiency. Massive size difference between the two but both sub-2 hours.
Pity he doesn't follow his own advice. He's more interested in selling his Taobao kit branded 26.2 than he is getting his head down and running
To be fair he’s went to the Olympics and ran a national record that held for 5 odd years. He’s every right to put the feet up now and enjoy himself.
Would we all love it was if he got back to his best?of course, I’d be the first person rooting for him. But given his age and how well his business is doing, focusing on that side of things is completely rational.
if he wants to get back to the current (relative) level he was at he needs to be breaking 2:06 which is a 3 min pb and that just isn’t that realistic at his age, as much as I’d like to see it. His business makes nice looking clothing which I’ve heard anecdotally is reasonably good quality, so good enough for him.
I agree with this. It's self evident that what RTJ says is true. It's indisputable. He's pointing out that he's big for a runner. I shouldn't rise when a few folks in a backwater of the internet choose to knock him for saying that and pointing to "facts" by naming some subjectively viewed "heavier runners" and then saying any different view has to be wrong. I'm bowing out of this chat. There's too many bitter people on here. No humour, just hatred. I find it weird tbh
In his video he said that he was massive even by western runner standards. However, as I've already pointed out, when looking at the top Brit marathoners at the moment they are pretty much all either taller than him or within an inch, so it's just not true. Kejelcha and Sawe are the perfect illustration that size doesn't particularly matter in marathon running, it's all about tradeoffs. Longer stride vs higher efficiency. Massive size difference between the two but both sub-2 hours.
You do realise Jake has run a 2:14 marathon? That’s remarkable - not just because of his size but also because he didn’t run in his late teens and early 20s due to a horrendous injury. Most people would have given up on running for good after that.
Whilst he did do some running as a kid, he has far less of a running background than the vast majority of sub 2:20 marathoners. And yes, he is bigger than most Western marathoners of that standard. That’s not to say there aren’t some similar but the vast majority are smaller.
That’s all he was saying. He hasn’t necessarily got the ideal build for a marathon runner. He’s built slightly better for a boxer/UFC fighter. It’s really not that deep and your irritation/fixation on the issue is rather strange.
There’s loads of more ridiculous YouTubers than RTJ. Why the sudden obsession with him here?
You do realise Jake has run a 2:14 marathon? That’s remarkable - not just because of his size but also because he didn’t run in his late teens and early 20s due to a horrendous injury. Most people would have given up on running for good after that.
Whilst he did do some running as a kid, he has far less of a running background than the vast majority of sub 2:20 marathoners. And yes, he is bigger than most Western marathoners of that standard. That’s not to say there aren’t some similar but the vast majority are smaller.
That’s all he was saying. He hasn’t necessarily got the ideal build for a marathon runner. He’s built slightly better for a boxer/UFC fighter. It’s really not that deep and your irritation/fixation on the issue is rather strange.
There’s loads of more ridiculous YouTubers than RTJ. Why the sudden obsession with him here?
I actually quite like RTJ and enjoy a lot of his content, I was merely pointing out that I think his perception of the uniqueness of his frame is not fully in line with reality and then pointed out countless elite large marathoners - Kipchumba, Klecker, Albertson, Rowe, Mahamed, etc. For some reason, a couple of posters here want to dispute all of those examples and continue to believe that Jake is a unique unicorn, who actually has the proportions of Tom Stoltman.
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