How fast would have Jim Ryun run with supershoes and modern training?

3:40

Yeah, at least 3:42. It’s worth noting that Ryun had an advantage in speed over the present day guys but didn’t really run all that fast in training compared to today’s guys. None of them are capable of finishing a 3:38 race - on cinders - in 36.4.

We will never know. But Jacob and whom ever else can show what they can run w/o the shoes at anytime.

On cinders. Why not?

Lol! Did you know Ryun raced on both cinder and synthetic and ran his fastest time on cinder.

Jim would have been a 3:45 runner today. People have no idea what they are talking about when they say 3:42. They can say anything.

Yep, synthetic tracks have evolved since his day, but cinder will always be cinder. It would be interesting to see what todays top talent could do on cinders.

I think a "Retro Meet" might have some appeal:

Run on cinders. Run in yards. Hand timed. Naturally, no spring shoes.

I'd watch that.

Ryun is probably one of the most talented runners ever born. If he had a Jakob-like upbringing with access to the knowledge and technology of today, I can see him running 3:42.

True, but cinder tracks vary massively depending on how tightly packed and well maintained they are. If a modern runner dropped a 3:45 on cinders the old heads like Armstronglivs would claim super-cinders.

No modern PEDs, amphetamines ONLY.

Agreed!

He was past his best days in ‘71 onward for a variety of reasons. You could say the same o Ron Clarke and it would just as clueless.

Maybe you and rojo would run faster than a 10 minute mile if you put down the beer and nachos.

My opinion? 3:25.0 easily in the 1500. Talent of the century.

Why not? Because they don't want to reveal that they are actually slower than the old legends of the sport.

It's common letsrun knowledge that Ryun would have run 1:39/3:24/3:41 with modern synthetic track and rabbits to the bell.