The "Sahlman was dragged by pro's" argument is pretty weak. Sahlman was alone from 200-1400, so there was no drafting effect. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the 3:56 mile was better than the 3:57 mile.
Let's add the fact that even if the stadium didn't block the wind, the other runners he's pacing off of would have. A wet track also makes very little difference, especially at the speeds they are running at. Spikes are meant to grip through it. Sprinters have run 10s on a wet track without slipping. I don't even care who's faster, just use your damn brain dude
a "wet track" is not slow. water does not compress and actually makes the track marginally faster.
cool temps with high humidity are actually very fast, as history has repeatedly shown
wind readings, such as that 18mph you're quoting are done at 10 meters (~33 feet) ABOVE ground level. as others have pointed out, just look at the actual wind readings on the track.
the only thing in my mind that makes Sahlman's run potentially better than Gary's is that the former went through 809 in about 1:55 while the latter was about 1:58.
these two kids are really even.
Let's add the fact that even if the stadium didn't block the wind, the other runners he's pacing off of would have. A wet track also makes very little difference, especially at the speeds they are running at. Spikes are meant to grip through it. Sprinters have run 10s on a wet track without slipping. I don't even care who's faster, just use your damn brain dude
This is a pointless argument. There will likely be 5-10 high schools seniors this year that will end up having much better pro distance careers than Martin and Sahlman. Kids that are more talented but are just undertrained or are late bloomers.
You guys arguing the 3:57 is better than the 3:56 sound like a bunch of clowns. So I suppose we should give the 5k world record to Bekele instead of Cheptegei because Chep had better pacing and wavelights??? The record books do not care about that bs, the faster time is what matters.
Attention moron, this is sports. There is no clear answer and if you tell me times/records are all that matters you damn sure better be saying Ryan Hall is a 2:04 guy. To ignore the nuances of factors influencing performances and rely only on a number is the truest sign of a clown.
Ryan Hall is a 2:04 guy. But it is not an AR due to wind and downhill course. And 3:56 is better than 3:57.
Let's add the fact that even if the stadium didn't block the wind, the other runners he's pacing off of would have. A wet track also makes very little difference, especially at the speeds they are running at. Spikes are meant to grip through it. Sprinters have run 10s on a wet track without slipping. I don't even care who's faster, just use your damn brain dude
This is a pointless argument. There will likely be 5-10 high schools seniors this year that will end up having much better pro distance careers than Martin and Sahlman. Kids that are more talented but are just undertrained or are late bloomers.
That is so hard to predict. Yes, there're guys like Hocker who ran low mileage and then blossomed. But Nico Young I think ran the same mileage as the current NP kids run (60-65) and seems to be coming along OK. So many things can happen, good and bad.
I agree 100%. Anybody who has experience running on a track should know this. Both Gary and Colin ran outstanding races but to run 3:57.98 alone with no competition in a h.s. meet. WOW!! Compared to 3:56.2 where the actual winner went sub 3:50. Gary’s race more impressive! Now Colins first 800m is very impressive but still Gary’s run is incredible.
I hope I am replying to the post that says that we are a joke. First we are not talking about times. We are talking about what race is more impressive. Talking about who ran faster is a whole different topic.