It's amazing to think he's still so good 20 years later. I'm sure at the time people were thinking, "No way someone that young can be that good" and were questioning his age.
WA has written an article about the race:
Here is race video:
Jonathan Gault wrote a feature on the race in 2017:
It's amazing to think he's still so good 20 years later. I'm sure at the time people were thinking, "No way someone that young can be that good" and were questioning his age.
WA has written an article about the race:
Here is race video:
22 years ago we had an amazing meet ourselves.
Can someone find the LetsRun thread about the race if there was one. What were people saying about it? I bet people were accusing the balding Kipchoge of being an age cheat.
rojo wrote:
Can someone find the LetsRun thread about the race if there was one. What were people saying about it? I bet people were accusing the balding Kipchoge of being an age cheat.
Let me find the exact quote, but your immediate reaction to this 20 yr ago was “bad news for Grant Fisher”
He was 25 then. Probably 45 now.
Mocazilla wrote:
He was 25 then. Probably 45 now.
yeah for someone that fit he is the oldest looking 38 year-old I have ever seen--given his more likely date of birth 1978-1980 range makes his marathons even more impressive!
That picture of the three greats leaning across the finish line is, imho, the most iconic in track distance running. The video, despite the quality, is still spine-tingling. And Eliud, with his missing tooth getting congratulated by El Guerrouj at the end looks very much the teenager he was.
Mocazilla wrote:
He was 25 then. Probably 45 now.
100%. Not sure why people find it incredible that a 45 year old who has been taking EPO for more than two decades could dominate the marathon. The fact is he did athletically peak in this race 20 years ago.
*20 years ago today
NOT “20 years ago from today”
WTF
Yonnny wrote:
I was hoping someone would go "bekele and el guerrouj go home DEVASTATED" but alas no such luck
The longevity is frightening in itself. Eliud won that race when Haile G and Tergat were still competing. Allen Johnson and Felix Sanchez were kings of the hurdles (former great Stephane Diagana was still competing). David Rudisha and Asbel Kiprop had never competed domestically, let alone run on a track. Usain Bolt had not been discovered. Maria Mutola and Wilson Kipketer were still the people to beat in the 800m. Paula Radcliffe and Catherine Ndereba were the big names in the women's marathon. Yelena Isinbayeva ruled the women's pole vault. Tom Pappas 🇺🇸 and Carolina Kluft 🇸🇪 were the best all-around athletes.
How about TDK still sponsoring bibs 20 years later!
Without wikipedia, does anybody have any idea what they do? I assume they don't sell a lot of cassette tapes these days
And Nike released new Kipchoge vaporflys honoring this race with his time on the sole.
My initial thought, and rightly so was it was a marathon related shoe, either his WR or his sub 2, both since that shoe isn't legal for track, and it has his famous "no human is limited" quote on the midsole foam. However it's sole tells the story of this race.
If you think that Kipchoge is under 18 you are an idiot. The fact of the matter is that he more than likely in his mid 20's. None of the african juniors even look like juniors anymore. So get real. Still a great race for him but don't make it something its not. It was simply a great race that was won by a great runner but not an 18 year old.
And you all thought the Kenyans were washed up!!
Kipchoge beat out the best two or three runners at 5k, in a great time!
This board hasn't changed much in 20 years LOL 😂
+
"Kiochoge can't go with him!" says Steve Cram. Then he runs a faster last 100 than El G for the win.
It’s also amazing that his gold medal that year was the only one he ever won in track.
Bekele would of won if he hadn't just run and won the 10,000m
I absolutely remember people saying he was an age cheat, and they still are..lol
Rojo English bad wrote:
*20 years ago today
NOT “20 years ago from today”
WTF
Yeah, the Ive League education is not as good anymore as it used to be like 50 years ago from today.