If Gebrselassie had to run a 10k at 51 today what would be run

Interesting thought, as there's not much out there on how he trains now. I haven't seen race results from him in years, however I think I remember seeing an article after he retired that he still went on daily 10k runs and stated, "something about running is just addicting." I think the article mentioned that he was still completing them in 40 minutes. He's probably aged a bit more since then, but he loves running so he probably still does it to some extent. I could see him going for it and dipping under 40, provided his training is much more casual now. If he was still serious, could probably get reasonably deep in the 30s

To start with, Haile is not 51. In all likelihood he is 56-58. It is a standard joke in Ethiopia that he claims to have been born in 1973. Other runners from his village are “older” than Haile but recall being the same age as Haile growing up. Most of the famous Ethiopian runners who are from small rural villages are significantly older than their “official” age. I have also been told that Letesenbet Gidey is actually in her thirties and not 26 as claimed…

He still looks like he has the same bodyweight post-retirement. He still goes for his 10K jog every day. At my local parkrun, you usually get at least one VM55 going sub 20. You're smoking if you think one of the greatest distance runners of all time, still doing perhaps 50 MPW in full health and his racing bodyweight, would not easily break 40 minutes.

Geb spanned the epo era, he was never outside of this era and he was the most successful distance runner during it!

32.05

Geb will still kick me in last lap of the 10k

51 or not, thats assault.

This month he said in a youtube interview he could run a 10k in 35/36 minutes and a half marathon in 1:15/1:20.

I think he would shock us. 30-35. He's running 70km/week!

I think 32:00/1:10:00-1:12:00, for 10km and half. The key is he's still small and lightweight. Bekele and Geb both have athletic physiques, they can probably do 10 pull-ups or more, with good form. Athletic people age better. Guys like Shorter and Rodgers slowed down much more because less athleticism and strength.

Well he was about 5 minutes quicker than me at our respective peaks, and I ran 37:0x at 53, so he'd probably be good for 32 min or so.

I met him in person five years ago. He did not look like he had put on a pound. And I think he still sometimes runs twice a day. I'm sure he could run under 31 falling out of bed. I'm sure if he focused for a month, he would be under 30.

the 10k has always been popular because you can start running under your age pretty early, around 30 or 35 if you're good.

Try that with 400m. 51 is the youngest age where that's been done yet.

Before announcing his retirement, he ran 30:00 in December 2014 and 30:05 in May 2015. 9 years later, at at least 51, I’m sure he could not break 30. In the video posted he said he could run 35-36 minutes. Even if you think he’s being modest, he’s never gonna run a minute per mile faster than that.

He also said in the video that he’s gained 6 kilos since his racing days. Not bad but obviously not helpful either. And he mentions a bit of an Achilles issue that probably prevents him from running too much or too fast.

I’d be more interested in what Rudisha could do for 800m today

Ironic that he doesn't look older then his age anymore. He looks good for 51. I guess we can't say he is older then his stated age anymore. In his racing years he looked much older then his age. I would say he could run 32 minutes. He could run under 2:20 for a thon if he came out of retirement and went for the over 50's WR. Maybe Bekele will inspire him. Bekele's 10,000m WR in 2005 literally inspired Geb to run a 10 mile WR

If he ran a 10K today it would be Monday.

no way he gained 6 kilos

dude would look FAT he's as tall as a hobbit

I'm not sure what's his current life looks like.

From recent pictures and videos I've seen of him he looks really good. Still skinny, and he still looks quite athletic.

If he still runs a little bit, even just for fun, say 20-30mpw.

I'm sure he can break 35min.