Eugene M5000 was better than Budapest

I think the fast 5000s this summer also just ratcheted up expectations to feverish levels.

Weeks ago, the Jakob fanboys and Jakob haters could all agree that a bunch of 12:40-12:42 guys could potentially make this a really exciting one. So, what happened? Injured Ugandans, hot weather, exhaustion from previous events, etc. all probably contributed to a pace that was slow enough that it simply couldn’t take the sting out of Jakob’s kick even if he was sick (and I don’t actually doubt his claims about illness; I wonder if he avoided Lewis Johnson’s question about what virus he has not because he’s faking, but because maybe he’s got COVID, but that’s pure speculation on my part).

I also think fans might be underwhelmed by this one because of the fact that so many folks on here don’t like Katir. And then the Ethiopians also just seemed to be shadows of the athletes we saw burning up the track 6 weeks ago. It’s easy to see how this one could feel like a bit of a letdown.

Nevertheless, that final lap was a thing of beauty.

they asked about the virus later on in interview. i said he hadn't been tested.

I found the final lap pathetic. For several days, we have read post after post by J Ingebrigtsen fanboys stating Josh Kerr can't touch J Ingebrigtsen in a D L 1500m. Now, for whatever reason the sub-12:50 5000m men with 3:35 + 1500m personal bests refused run the kick out of... . Simply pathetic 5000 race by the Field.

Lol. Are you still reeling because you felt your boys, which you assumed were the shyt, got smoked by talent a whole notch above?

Gotcha. Thanks for that info.

I thought the race was far more exciting this time around. Obviously it was great last year too, but when Jakob moved with 200 to go it was all over and made the finish almost boring because he won so easily.

I thought it was better this year, too. Last year was a blowout, this year extremely close up front. Only thing that really could’ve improved is if Luis and Krop could’ve positioned better as they should’ve been clear of the pack and duking it out. But they both got stuck too far back. Big names ran better today even with Ethiopians coming up short due to questionable tactics.

Jakob didn't pass Katir today in 2023 in Budapest until the final 20-10 meters or so. I think that helped to make today's final straight EPIC.

This years race was more exciting with the sprint finish. Last year had more of a wow factor because despite what people claim via hindsight, Jakob was not the favorite going into that race and then dominated.

Cheptegei was there in the Eugene 5,000 and he got blown away and Jakob is 2 and 0 against him/ Jakob is 1 and 1 against Kiplimo, but when he last raced Kiplimo he wasn't a 3:27 5k person. If both of them would have been there today it would have been the same result. They can close in 53, absolutely not in 52.

who said? it was a 13.11 race

Cheptegei injured himself in the heats. We have seen him close at a level to match the two from yesterday. But yes you'd favor Jakob at 100%. Remember that Cheptegei is a master at positioning though, so if he was in Katir's shoes yesterday I'd actually favor him to hold onto the win. His kick is better than Katir's when he is fully fit.

Cheptegei could’ve won but not in yesterday’s race. He’d need something like Paris 2003 or Tokyo 2021 to win.

Kick is better says who? When has Cheptegei closed a 5,000 with a 3:54 last 1,600, 1:49 last 800, and 52.5 last 400? Call me skeptical that anyone on the planet is beating 3:27/3:28 guys in a last 600 burn-up in a slow race.

If he takes the reigns earlier and hammers from a long way out, maybe we have a discussion.