Kenya Dominates DL Final wining W1500 + M/W 800 & 5000

Hardly surprising they are fresher than the Europeans and especially the Brits. Brits also reacting to the news of the Queen.

800m M: 1 + 4

1500m M: 2 + 4

5000m M: 1 + 6

3000mSt M: 3 + 5

800m W: 1

1500m W: 1

5000m W: 1 + 2

3000mSt W: 2 + 3

Since years Coevett predicts, Kenyans are done. Well, the facts contradicting him. As always.

WHAT? Is this some kind of a joke?

The astonishing reality: no.

Also that Freddy Ovett might run sub 2 in the Marathon if he starts running seriously is not meant to be a joke.

Bro HAD to sneak that in

While I know you would get a little defensive about the Brits, but this race was more about some Kenyan athletes coming up in clutch or tactically really smart (Korir, Kipkorir Kimeli, Chebet, Kipkemboi) and really just dominating Ethiopia (chief rival) within the meet.

In 800, Korir as seems to be his custom, does exactly what he needs to do to win with by far the most impressive 800m of the season (38.4 final 300). After last week, you'd be tempted pick Wightman to have taken this. The top 2 ran waaaay better than in Brussels.

In the 1500, Tim is the only athlete who can go with Jakob and is rewarded for that. Kipsang despite running a ton of of extra distance (14m) has enough fitness for 4th. Behind Jakob, you might have picked a tossup between Hoare, Tim, Kipsang, McSweyn but he was clearly second best on the day.

5000, Kipkorir Kimeli pulls one out despite laying back and not being in his top shape. Based on the most recent 2 races, he would've been picked behind Krop, Fisher, maybe Aregawi. Tough results for the Ethiopians.

Women's 800m, Moraa just ran a smart frontrunning race. I think Keely just had a tough day not running smart (10 extra meters). Sure she might be tired, but how she ran it didn't help.

Women's 1500m, Kipyegon is just better. In Muir's case definitely valid to think she'd perform better without so much racing.

Women's 5000m is one where Kenya just turned the tables on the Ethiopians (who were rested), Monson and Hassan. Just looked like smart racing and well-timed kicks.
Women's Steeple, two teenagers who look like they could be future stars. Tough landscape though with most of the event's stars out of the race.

How did they do in the field events? Sprints?

And there goes Burgin's WL. Down to 3rd on the list. I guess he heard the news of the queen back in June.

They need the great Kenyan hope. Not anyone there yet.

What did they win this year? Think just the 800, and that was pure luck as Burgin could not run. Crushed in 200, 400, 400H, 1500, 3000SC, 5000, and 10000. Almost done. Don't think they'll win anything in Budapest.

Yup, you are correct. Timing is everything though - especially in a WC or Olympic years.

Definitely a late season surge by Kenya. Earlier this season Kenyan runners didn’t have it.

Imagine living this life of ALWAYS needing new excuses, year after year, loss after loss.

Burgin would likely have crushed 1:42 last night if not for his bad luck.

This is what we call crazy talk. Are you OK? Are you maybe having a psychotic break due to the Queen dying? Please get help my man.

Now that the season has ended, interesting to compare this year's fastest top 10 times list with that of 2002. And that's not a cherry picked year, it's exactly 20 years ago, and at the height of the full throttle doping era.

5000M men : In 2002 there were zero North European descent runners in the top 10, and 6 Kenyans.

In 2022 there were 2 North Europeans and 3 Kenyans.

1500M men : In 2002 there was 1 North Europeans and 4 Kenyans.

In 2022 there were 6 North Europeans and 2 Kenyans.

800m men : In 2002 there was 1 North Europeans and 5 Kenyans.

In 2022 there were 3 North Europeans and 3 Kenyans.

Adding the numbers together :

2002 : 15 Kenyans and 2 North Europeans.

2022 : 8 Kenyans and 11 North Europeans.

The Diamond League Final might have a bit of prestige and some prize money, but let's be clear that it's not a good reflection of who were the best of the year, given it's right at the end of the season (and in this case, a particularly long season), and even some of the 'form' athletes didn't make it because they didn't have enough points.

How about half marathon and marathon?

They have very good scores.

When's Potato harvest season in Kenya?

Kenyans tend to improve when they disappear for a few weeks and tend to the potatoes.

More so than the Kenyans declining (I think the top Kenyan 5k contingent is stronger now than in 2002, and of course many more are pursuing money on the roads these days), the rest of the world has improved. That is a positive thing, and the way you frame your stats fails to acknowledge that.

Below are the top-10 performances by non-Africans at 1500 from both 2002 and this year, with 2022 performances in bold text.

3:29.02
3:29.23
3:29.90
3:30.07
3:30.12
3:30.18
3:30.20
3:30.60
3:31.08
3:31.34
3:31.45
3:31.93
3:32.03
3:32.37
3:32.43
3:32.43
3:32.93
3:33.72
3:33.93
3:34.02 (would rank 18th among non-Africans this year)

So I say good job, rest of the world. Doesn’t mean Kenya doesn’t remain the preeminent world power at distances 800-marathon (and yeah, I agree Great Britain probably nips them in the men’s 1500 this year).

Yeah I would have beat the Kenyans handily but am not fresh.