Hobbs legit just jogged it in

If Nuguse makes it as hard as he can i think only Hocker has a chance. And i doubt it will be slow since then Nuguse intvites inferior runners to beat him in a sprint. Hocker is the safest since he has the ability to win a jog fest and is probably ready for atleast a 3.30 race now if not 3.29

I highly doubt that Nuguse is running 3:30 fractions in this. I do think it might be faster than any semi. Since all three of most likely favorites ran 3:34 about as easily as I have seen in a while. I figure This could go 3:33 maybe better? I mean, Nuguse tied 1500M Trials record and Kessler was only .07 off, as both looked well under control coming in.

username

Huh? Not sure I get that?

3:32.5-3:33.5. Probably a half-second faster the first and last lap give or take. Have to imagine guys will be pressing Nuguse a little more aggressively, so he will push a bit more early and late. The top 3 guys seem to be in a great spot in this case.

Paker Valby could legit whoop all of these pastry boys. I don't know why this even a thread.

100%

Nuguse is a level above all the others. Go out there and run a time trial to guarantee 1st or 2nd place. Hocker will be better than Kessler at sticking to his shoulder, so he'll be there for the final 100. If it's a fast one then it's between Kessler and Teare for 3rd, but I think Kessler bosses Teare.

Found the gushing Hobbs fan boy.

There may have been a huge lesson from that last race for to ponder. Hobbs and Engels had some minor scuffle, and then apparently (from broken video footage) Hobbs got a huge push from Engels. Then what happened? Soon thereafter, Hobbs goes to the front to shadow Nuguse.

That strategy worked in his favor. But my point is, maybe there was something else unleashed in Hobbs from that big push from Engels. So maybe he could reflect on that, and maybe try to bottle it, draw upon it.

For Nuguse, he seems to go through a pre-race deep breathing exercise, to prep his system for giving a controlled, seemingly relaxed, but max effort. There might be a lesson there for others, too.

The apparent "big three" look a class apart right now.

I challenge everyone to forget about the watch and just race. The times will be excellent but they dont matter. Paris final is the goal.

My point is, Ive seen Nuguse bear down several times and show he's got the ability to medal and possibly win but just hasnt found that switch to go for the jugular. He's close. Needs to go for it from further out. 500 and drain the field, finish in 3:27, maybe better.

Hocker is looking great and ready for rounds. Very experienced internationally and looks very confident. On the edge of a breakthrough for a medal contender. However, at DL final, the poor guy ran 3:48 and was a nobody 6th. I think hes better now and possibly in 3:45 shape. To me, right now, his strength is racing and being in position. If its tactical, he could win. Times dont matter for him but being in shape to contend is the key. In a tactical race, in position, he has a chance.

Hobbs....fast but until I see him take a bump in a real field of top milers and not step off the track, Id be happy for him to make a Paris final. Im sure a guy like Waskom would love a slow tactical race and a clear line in lane 5 to sneak past.

This week is just a warm-up. The Paris final is going to be a tremendous showdown of multiple possibilities at a high level of performance. Nice to see so many personalities and countries represented that have a real chance including a couple from America.

I would be surprised if he beats Hocker or Nuguse.

There are too many excellent kickers. I simply cannot see how Jakob doesn't make it an honest pace (as usual). 3:28 pace would be too hard for Hocker and Kessler to unleash in the last 200, but not for the goose to squeeze a bit more out of himself.

Nuguse and Hocker are locks no matter the pace. Hobbs is very obviously in the top 3 in the field in terms of ABILITY in my opinion, but the problem is, he is NOT in the top 3 or even the top 5-10 in terms of *TACTICS*. Cooper Teare, Joe Waskom, hell, even Craig Engels are better Tacticians than Hobbs. That said, Hobbs is still developing and could have a mental breakthrough "rise to the occasion" moment - or he could choke - or he could get out-smarted. We just don't know. I think the big question of tomorrow's race is: can Hobbs rise to the occasion and run what he is CAPABLE of, and not get in his own way? If the answer is yes - then he can and will snag that third spot.

I also thought Hobbs could've blasted by Nuguse but he's saving that move for the final. Although I think Hocker will move past both. Nuguse will win if it's a 3:32.0 race or he moves from 600-800 out with a hard move.

Hocker likely wins if it's >3:34. Nuguse only path to guaranteed win is to make it a brutal war of attrition (which I hope he does, because that's good for Hobbs!)

Not true

Nuguse can qualify a bunch of ways. His best route is, taking the lead before the last 500M , . The guys who does benefit most by Nuguse going from 1000 in is Kessler if he just follows Nuguse out with no traffic issues. Hocker can get in either way , he is very very fit, you can see it. Kessler as many do not know is very flat speed fast showed in both heats, all out he beats Nuguse both times altho he is(Nuguse) off the gas to be fair. But, he is not a shifter anyone who has watched races for years can see that. If this is a 3:33.00 race or faster , three guys are favored. 3:35.x brings a lot of guys in leaning..By the way the MPH crap? I just want the accurate splits.