LRC Note: We learned of this move a long time ago and spoke to Knight and Chris Fox about it before it was announced. We agreed not to publish until Knight made it public today.
I’m ecstatic. I think now is a good time to reflect on how bizarre Justyn Knights career has been. This move makes it look like he is 100% dedicated, which I didn’t doubt per se, but like, when’s the last time he’s raced? His fit will certainly be interesting as he was a seriously low mileage guy in the past. But I can’t be anything but happy at the chance that he could get close to his potential
As a fan of the sport and Justyn Knight, this news is bittersweet.
Part of me is happy to see him resurfacing after 2 years off the radar and making his presence known in the professional scene. He's one of the most talented distance athletes in the world based on the stories of his incredibly low mileage days through HS and college, yet being able to run ridiculous times and win races. Consistently making World and Olympic finals established himself as a world class athlete with medal potential from a relatively young age (21yrs old in London 2017 final) and running 12:51 in 2021 (5th fastest time that year) and coming 7th in the Olympics. It was quite disappointing to see him disappear the whole 2022 and most of 2023 without a clear update (at least on my radar through mainstream running media). So to see him making a serious return to running with a powerful sponsor backing is great for the sport.
On the other hand, seeing him go to Bowerman is a big red flag based on how the group has been performing since Jerry's move to Eugene. I know they still have world class athletes running world class times but based on the previous few years, it seems like they're not doing so great, nor are their athletes too happy with the team environment/situation. From my understanding, Bowerman is a 5k team with very high mileage, rigid workout plans where you hop on a train and hold on until you can't. Doesn't seem like the optimal environment for a guy coming back from injury with a lower mileage speed background (development days and coach Fox's training philosophy). Justyn is also a pure racer (top 10 in London, Doha and Tokyo 5000m finals) all before turning 26. For a guy that races relatively frequently and has obviously developed some tactical racing skills, it doesn't quite line up with how infrequent BTC race and I hope they let him get out there and test himself rather than one or two races the whole season.
Now I'd happily be proven wrong with this potentially unlocking a whole new level of fitness for him, finally have training partners, especially world class ones (Fisher, Ahmed). All I hope is he doesn't end up injured again and burnt out on the Bowerman train then subsequently ignored and leaving the group like many others have.
We learned of this move a long time ago and spoke to Knight and Chris Fox about it before it was announced. We agreed not to publish until Knight made it public today.
Chris Fox thinks Knight still has A LOT left in the tank.
“With a little bit of luck, I think he’ll come back and be as good as ever. He’s a very talented young man and he doesn’t have a ton of miles on him...Jerry’s a smart enough guy that he’ll ease Justyn into whatever they decide to do. Jerry’s pretty darn good so I would trust him as much as I would trust anybody...
"I think the 12:51 was just scratching the surface. If you watch these races, even the Olympics, he was right there until very late. And I think that’s a matter of Justyn being stronger and age, two more years older. He has just not done the outsize training yet and if he can get to the point where he can do that, I think there’s another level there.”
While ON might be more effective for him, more flexible, more careful, high altitude, a lot of health and success currently, this is time for him to make this move because he needs a different situation with top training partners to reach his very considerable potential before he starts to experience age-related declines. Who else out there has reached that level with so little mileage? 12:51 is no joke. There is no limit to his potential except his ability to withstand the necessary training.
With Knight coming on and Ky Robinson also likely to join the group after XC this fall or track next spring, it seems the Bowerman distance squad will be alive and well at least for a few more years. On the mens side that is...
While ON might be more effective for him, more flexible, more careful, high altitude, a lot of health and success currently, this is time for him to make this move because he needs a different situation with top training partners to reach his very considerable potential before he starts to experience age-related declines. Who else out there has reached that level with so little mileage? 12:51 is no joke. There is no limit to his potential except his ability to withstand the necessary training.
Really surprising announcement but hoping the best for Justyn. What's also interesting is that Justyn has never run a mile that wasn't sub 4, so will he able to maintain that on the comeback trail?
Would have loved to see him with OAC. Think it would have been a better fit based on his mileage background and that OAC has milers; Knight has good 1500m chops.