Coolest elite runner you've met in person?

Lomong!

blaney

Johnny Gray is always nice and easy to approach.

Joachim (sp?) Cruz was at an event near me and very sociable.

Deena is first class.

I would say lagat,

We talked to him up at the marathon trials in central part after the race, he along with us were trying to get in the post race press conference but they didint let him in haha. He was with his father in law and we started chattin with him. He told us his goals like how he is definately going to race the wannamaker to try to get the coughlin's record. He also at the time said he is desfinately going to run the 1500m at the olympics but didnt know if he would try the 5k. We got a picture taken with him and he signed it at the press conference after his wannamaker mile win. very classy guy. to end his conversation he said, ok well i think i will go back to hotel now and relax.

The gouchers are also really cool, they told me to go on a road trip with the track and xc guys after senior year like he did

Lagat is the coolest

Eamonn took time out to buy all my buddies and I a pint after his 5k race 6 years ago...just a awesome guy. down to earth and definately the coolest pro runner i have ever met... the man can drink.

Dean Karnazes

Bill Rogers - very humble and totally willing to chat even with a mid-pack guy like me

Chris Solinsky. He's one of us.

Dan Wilson. He gets me warm and tingly inside:)

Brendan O'Keefe of Zap Fitness.

hands down. pretty much the coolest person I've ever met, and him being an elite runner that just makes him cooler.

I'd have to say Dan Wilson as well. I hung out with him one year at the BBQ after Trav's trail run. He is absolutely hilarious!

Best/Most Engaging: Steve Slattery, Lauren Fleshman, Nate Brannen, Gabe Jennings, Bill Rodgers, Eamonn.

Worst/Least Engaging: Louis Luchini (snobby attitude), Michael Stember (self centered).

Cool,

Lagat, Joaquin Cruz, Sean and John Jefferson, Dellinger, Mottram, Broe,

Not so cool,

Salazar, Slaney, Rupp

southerner wrote:

Cool,

Lagat, Joaquin Cruz, Sean and John Jefferson, Dellinger, Mottram, Broe,

Not so cool,

Salazar, Slaney, Rupp

You mean Galen Rupp? I have met Galen 3 times, and he is one of the most relaxed, easy-going and humble guys you could ever meet. No hint of arrogance whatsoever. I hope that all is going well for him in his training now.

Jason

Same with Slaney and Salazar. I've met them both several times and they are great. No snobbishness that I could detect. But then I didn't have a chip on my shoulder either. Slaney always went out of her way to be friendly with my wife at Meets in the eighties and nineties. Nice people all.

Very Cool and down to earth-

Paula Radcliffe (fluked out and spent a full hour chatting with her--amazing person)

Lauren Fleshman

Kathy Butler

Kevin Sullivan (agree on the wife issue though)

Steve Holman

Dianne Cummins

Malindi Elmore

Jeff Atkinson

Graham Hood

Pete Fonseca (1996 Olympic marathoner)

Andrew Carlson is one of the funniest guys i have ever met. Bill Rodgers and Jim Ryun are also two pretty cool guys as well.

Id say Fonzie Calhoun