So Rupp is done for right?

Yes, he is at the tail end of a great career, nothing to be ashamed of. Why not take a crack at the American record? He has nothing left to prove. Everything from here on out is just icing on the cake.

I certainly agree, but do you think he has a shot? I'd give him an outside chance probably below 20%.

Also do you guys think his decline has to do with Mike Smith's training not working well with him? I personally highly doubt this as Mike Smith is an amazing coach but it's something to consider possibly.

I'd be more inclined to believe he's "clean" if his career tailed off in his mid to late 30s. Guys shouldn't be setting PRs past age 35 unless there's a reason such as super shoes or something.

Rupp is going to pop a 2:05 any day now.

I agree for sure.

Looks like this thread is dead now which kind of disappoints me cause I thought it was a solid one for my first real post.

For 800m that would get him to the finish line 5 seconds behind newly cleansed Asbel Kiprop.

Probably around 5%. Most of these "going for the record" things don't pan out. I don't even like the idea of publicizing them.

*9 seconds behind

Too bad Rupp never went for a fast, flat time trial marathon in his prime. We'll never know what he could do.

At least there's Mantz starting to take over the half marathon reins. Maybe the full soon as well. We have a ton of talent in the 5000 & 10000 so definitely a lot to follow and root for there.

I certainly agree with you. Lots of guys running quick 5000/10000 races lately at least one of them should be able to carry it up to 26.2.

You must not be following the sport very closely if this is your take on the situation. NYC Half went exactly according to plan. Trust the Salazar process. Just wait.

I don't know that running 60:55 at basically 25 is really taking over the half marathon reins.

So, that 2:00 Kiprop thread, I didn't bother with, was fake news.

Do you discount Chicago from the fast, flat time trial marathon list? 2018 had pacers, Rupp was 5th, age 30, 2-years removed from an Olympic podium, and a few months after his PB in Prague. That might be the best he could do. Someone might be able to remember the weather conditions.

"Fake" depends on who you ask but it certainly wasn't very precise with "almost 2 flat" as a description of 1:56.

Therefore my statement that Rupp was 5 seconds behind is a good enough description. If 2:00 = 1:56 then 5 = 9 since both are within 4 of each other. And I wasted no time on that thread other than noting the title of it. You are the other seem to be the OP of that errant thread.

He never really popped his fastest 5k. The guy had 3:50 mile speed and 26:44 strength. He should have been low 12:50s or even high 12:40s, but never got in the right race under the right conditions. But what a solid career. Much to be very proud of. You only know when your peak was when your career is done. For Rupp it was the first half of 2014 when he set three American records.