The 1980 trials in Buffalo had 56 guys under 2:20.
The 2020 trials in Atlanta had 55 guys under 2:20.
Discuss.
The 1980 trials in Buffalo had 56 guys under 2:20.
The 2020 trials in Atlanta had 55 guys under 2:20.
Discuss.
bekele boi wrote:
The 1980 trials in Buffalo had 56 guys under 2:20.
The 2020 trials in Atlanta had 55 guys under 2:20.
Discuss.
Here's a theory that isn't going to claim that one era was better or tougher:
There were fewer opportunities (if there were any at all) to make money so everyone ran all out in the Trials.
Now, if you're having an off day and/or you realize that you're not going to be top 3 you're more likely to DNF or just run "easy" in.
That was the era when we all "sent it" for lack of a better term. Rodgers was basically 'every man,' and every running man was trying to get there too.
There were few distractions to keep those who could run from trying to run fast, and there were road races every weekend everywhere. We sent it.
Not everyone ran in the 1980 trials. Rodgers didn’t, and locally we quite a few 2:15 -2:20 guys who didn’t bother to go because they didn’t want to miss work for a trials to nowhere race.
Galen\'s Rump wrote:
That was the era when we all "sent it" for lack of a better term. Rodgers was basically 'every man,' and every running man was trying to get there too.
There were few distractions to keep those who could run from trying to run fast, and there were road races every weekend everywhere. We sent it.
Sent what? I don’t get it. I thought the US didn’t field an Olympic team in 1980?
The Buffalo to Canada and back course was more friendly than the rollercoaster hills of Atlanta.
bekele boi wrote:
The 1980 trials in Buffalo had 56 guys under 2:20.
The 2020 trials in Atlanta had 55 guys under 2:20.
Discuss.
40 more runners started in 2020 than did in 1980 (232 to 192)
125 finished in 1980 67 dropped out
175 finished in 2020 57 dropped out
2:21:54 was the 1980 qualifying time
2:19:00 was the 2020 qualifying time
The course and weather was much tougher in Atlanta. Buffalo had humidity but they also had a cooling effect from the water with a very slight head "breeze" the 2nd half of the race.
I was in Atlanta. It was cold, windy and hilly. I personally believe that on a much flatter course with decent to fair weather, more would have finished under 2:20. The wind, hills and temps beat up many good runners that day, females as well (Huddle, Hall, Sisson, Kieffer, etc...)
The motivation to finish if you are going for top 3 or top 10 to get prize money plays a huge role if you are having a bad day (look at the PR's of the 2020 dnf's).
Back in 1980, with no prize money, you ran because you qualified and finishing top 20 was a big deal.
Also, Rodgers and Bjorklund, among others, didn't run the trials in 1980. Bill ran and won Boston on a hot day in 1980. He said why run the trials to nowhere as the boycott was happening.
Dr Tony missed out 2x wrote:
The Buffalo to Canada and back course was more friendly than the rollercoaster hills of Atlanta.
Respectfully, the course was point to point, not Buffalo to Canada and back. It ran all the way along the river that is the US/Canada Border.
bekele boi wrote:
The 1980 trials in Buffalo had 56 guys under 2:20.
The 2020 trials in Atlanta had 55 guys under 2:20.
Discuss.
A difference of 1 finisher.
1980 runners were faster than 1940 runners.
2020 runners were no faster than 1980 runners.
Atlanta course in 2020 was tough - may have balanced out the super shoe advantage.
More people trained harder and more in 1980 than now. Add in the cheater shoes and modern "supplements," those 1980 2:20s would be 2:15s.