So Aregawi has run 7:21.28, 12:40.45 and 26:31.13. He appears to be one of the best track distance runners in history, but it is difficult to know where to place him. Girma is the Ethiopian record holder at 3:29.51. It sure seems like Aregawi can match that. I don’t see that he has ever contested the 1500m. Maybe he has but I don’t see it. So if Aregawi and Girma are their 2 best at 1500m, it is interesting that neither one of them really runs it as their event, and of course why would they?
So Aregawi has run 7:21.28, 12:40.45 and 26:31.13. He appears to be one of the best track distance runners in history, but it is difficult to know where to place him. Girma is the Ethiopian record holder at 3:29.51. It sure seems like Aregawi can match that. I don’t see that he has ever contested the 1500m. Maybe he has but I don’t see it. So if Aregawi and Girma are their 2 best at 1500m, it is interesting that neither one of them really runs it as their event, and of course why would they?
Why is it difficult to place him? He's an outstanding distance runner on all surfaces. We don't really have reason to believe he'd be as good at 1500 as the other events. Ethiopia has a couple of 3:32-3 type guys (Tefera, Fayisa, E. Girma), and maybe he could beat them but maybe not. Lamecha Girma has shown himself to be a really good 3K runner, steepler, and maybe a little better in the 1500 than the 5000. Based on what we've seen Aregawi's best distance is probably 5,000, where he could tackle the WR potentially. Girma's best distance is the 3,000 (indoor WR) and the Steeple (he has the WR). He seems to be a little more on the speed side of things. Don't be fooled by Aregawi's 3,000 mark now maybe being his strongest, he will run extremely fast in the 5,000 if he's in the right race.
So Aregawi has run 7:21.28, 12:40.45 and 26:31.13. He appears to be one of the best track distance runners in history, but it is difficult to know where to place him. Girma is the Ethiopian record holder at 3:29.51. It sure seems like Aregawi can match that. I don’t see that he has ever contested the 1500m. Maybe he has but I don’t see it. So if Aregawi and Girma are their 2 best at 1500m, it is interesting that neither one of them really runs it as their event, and of course why would they?
Why is it difficult to place him? He's an outstanding distance runner on all surfaces. We don't really have reason to believe he'd be as good at 1500 as the other events. Ethiopia has a couple of 3:32-3 type guys (Tefera, Fayisa, E. Girma), and maybe he could beat them but maybe not. Lamecha Girma has shown himself to be a really good 3K runner, steepler, and maybe a little better in the 1500 than the 5000. Based on what we've seen Aregawi's best distance is probably 5,000, where he could tackle the WR potentially. Girma's best distance is the 3,000 (indoor WR) and the Steeple (he has the WR). He seems to be a little more on the speed side of things. Don't be fooled by Aregawi's 3,000 mark now maybe being his strongest, he will run extremely fast in the 5,000 if he's in the right race.
It is difficult to place him because one wouldn’t say he is top 6 all time even though his personal bests might get him there. And of course his career has a ways to go. So would you say he is top 10 all time? That is what I mean. As far as whether he could beat 3:32-333 guys, I guess you are joking. You cannot run 7:21 off 3:32 ability.