He’s been racing really well, very impressive. I don’t know what his “niche” will be but it’s tempting to say he should stay on the roads unless he is particularly speedy. Between the old guard (Kipkorir Kimeli, Krop, Kwemoi, Kurgat, C Kemboi) and the up-and-comers (Alamisi, Kipkirui, Kimaiyo, Musau) being even a 12:55/26:50 type without a standout kick isn’t going to move the needle or make teams in all likelihood.
kimeli and krop aren't that old at all.
Old guard meaning they’ve been making teams/competitive for some time - not literally old. Kurgat doesn’t quite fit but he’s on the older side for a first-timer on a national team.
Surprised nobody has mentioned Charles Wheeler's run. Former Wisconsin runner, self coached now back in the UK.
Rory Leonard also seems to be proving Dave Smith wrong and improving a lot now back under a UK system. He mentioned he left OSU because he didn't think he was improving and they lambasted him after he said he wasn't coming back and that he wouldn't go much further.
Surprised the UK 10K road record (27:34)is so slow. Bedford ran a track 27:30 in 1973 for godssakes.
Surprised nobody has mentioned Charles Wheeler's run. Former Wisconsin runner, self coached now back in the UK.
Rory Leonard also seems to be proving Dave Smith wrong and improving a lot now back under a UK system. He mentioned he left OSU because he didn't think he was improving and they lambasted him after he said he wasn't coming back and that he wouldn't go much further.
Surprised the UK 10K road record (27:34)is so slow. Bedford ran a track 27:30 in 1973 for godssakes.
It's pretty embarrassing considering that one of the greatest of all time over 10000m is British. Mo Farah really didn't give a sh1t if there wasn't a medal up for grabs.
But good to see Leonard and Wheeler making some progress. There's a real lack of talent in the mens UK distance scene right now so any signs of life are welcome. We still won't send anyone to Tokyo in the 10000, which should be a cause for self-reflection for UKA, but they'll ignore it and focus on relays to pad the medal count.
Surely Jakob would’ve run under 26:50 to win this. He was far ahead of Almgren at XC (or maybe Almgren isn’t as good at XC). Running 27:20ish in the middle of a half and stopping, after a 1500 season on lower mileage shows he can easily run 26:50
No need to diss Almgreen with a "Jakob would beat him"... Definitely Jakob would be close, but not 100% that he would be faster. Lets just appreciate Almgren!!!
On another note Jakob and Andreas trains together.
This post was edited 52 seconds after it was posted.
Surely Jakob would’ve run under 26:50 to win this. He was far ahead of Almgren at XC (or maybe Almgren isn’t as good at XC). Running 27:20ish in the middle of a half and stopping, after a 1500 season on lower mileage shows he can easily run 26:50
Can add here that Almgren is not a XC specialist and it was his first Euro XC champs...
This post was edited 7 seconds after it was posted.
Surely Jakob would’ve run under 26:50 to win this. He was far ahead of Almgren at XC (or maybe Almgren isn’t as good at XC). Running 27:20ish in the middle of a half and stopping, after a 1500 season on lower mileage shows he can easily run 26:50
Can add here that Almgren is not a XC specialist and it was his first Euro XC champs...
Also, Rory Leonard was only 10 seconds behind Almgren at Euro Cross but 45 seconds behind him here. Almgren looks a lot less comfortable on the cross