Women's 5000 most fascinating -- because of the races-within-the-race behind the WR chase.
Nadia Battocletti/Italy proved in Paris last summer a non-African-born woman could compete -- and win -- global medals in the longest track races.
A US woman has never been competitive for a global medal in the 5000, highest placing ever being 5th.
Thus, can Battocletti participate in the record hunt, how far back does she eventually finish (pre-race speculation of 14:30), and how close can the Schweizer/Andrews/Houlihan trio stay to the Italian?
Telling race from an American perspective: these are the best US women track distance runners at the moment; will at least one have a good race and offer a glimmer of hope for Tokyo later this year?
Yay let's watch Barry Bonds hit 70 home runs in a season despite being intentionally walked 100s of times as well. Lance Armstrong at 40 contend for the tour title after missing some years. LeBron James defy age at 40+ to be a top nba star who doesn't ever decline. And of yeah a real woman run 5k under 14 minutes to top it all off. She's gotta be clean and making a mockery all the other dopers' times in history, yeah that makes sense!
Women's 5000 most fascinating -- because of the races-within-the-race behind the WR chase.
Nadia Battocletti/Italy proved in Paris last summer a non-African-born woman could compete -- and win -- global medals in the longest track races.
A US woman has never been competitive for a global medal in the 5000, highest placing ever being 5th.
Thus, can Battocletti participate in the record hunt, how far back does she eventually finish (pre-race speculation of 14:30), and how close can the Schweizer/Andrews/Houlihan trio stay to the Italian?
Telling race from an American perspective: these are the best US women track distance runners at the moment; will at least one have a good race and offer a glimmer of hope for Tokyo later this year?
If Chebet does indeed go for the WR I'll be interested to see how long Tsegay could hang with her. Wouldn't rule out both of them running sub 14, but with Chebet out kicking her for the record.
Got a feeling about Sarah Healy this season. Not like I think she’s gonna run 3:50 and win silver, but I can easily see her leveling up to 3:55/finalist caliber.
Her progression over the last few years:
2021 - 4:07.12
2022 - 4:02.86
2023 - 3:59.68
2024 - 3:57.46
So far this year she’s run a bunch of 3ks, including winning indoor Euros and an 8:27.02 PB for 3rd in Rabat. I predict she’ll place top 3 in the 1500 tomorrow.
After it's over, we'll break it down for you live at 5 .
Rome DL INSTANT REACTIONS - Beatrice Chebet goes for the World Record? - YouTube
Lights currently planned for "only" 14:12.59. I hope that changes. M1500m for 3:30.74 (italian record, would be an outdoor WL), W1500m for 3:53.92 (WL)
Both Tim and Reynold are on the far outside. It'd be better for most of the field if one of them gets right on Zan Rudolph's hip and lets him tow them around in 56s to set up a world-leading 3:29-3:30. If not, and someone like Habz, Hoare, Komen et al. gets the pole it could be a repeat of Rabat and 3:31-2 in a bit of a kick-fest with a lot of guys bumping and barging.
This post was edited 15 seconds after it was posted.
Looking forward to seeing Karissa kick everyone’s butt
There are several runners in tomorrow's race whose butts she won't kick -- but if your point is Karissa always brings it when she races, your point is well taken.
Don't recall Karissa ever having a bad race, college or pro.
Jerry would not unleash her to race the world's best unless both know her fitness is at a high level, so expecting Karissa to pick up where she left off following Paris. She has her Tokyo Q, so competing will be her top priority.
Note: Karissa's pr is 14:26 from BTC's 2020 intrasquad meets. She finished off last summer running 14:36 @ Van Damme for her 2nd best 5000 ever.
Regarding Josette: probably is the most race fit; Ritz thinks she can break into the 14:20s in a perfect race; like Karissa, Josette has her Tokyo Q.
Regarding Shelby: admitted post-race @ Track Fest she is not fully "dialed in" to racing outdoors and won't be until after her first stint at altitude this year following Rome; does not have her Tokyo Q; so likely will be more focused on running 14:49.99 or better to get that box checked.
There are several runners in tomorrow's race whose butts she won't kick -- but if your point is Karissa always brings it when she races, your point is well taken.
Don't recall Karissa ever having a bad race, college or pro.
Jerry would not unleash her to race the world's best unless both know her fitness is at a high level, so expecting Karissa to pick up where she left off following Paris. She has her Tokyo Q, so competing will be her top priority.
Note: Karissa's pr is 14:26 from BTC's 2020 intrasquad meets. She finished off last summer running 14:36 @ Van Damme for her 2nd best 5000 ever.
Regarding Josette: probably is the most race fit; Ritz thinks she can break into the 14:20s in a perfect race; like Karissa, Josette has her Tokyo Q.
Regarding Shelby: admitted post-race @ Track Fest she is not fully "dialed in" to racing outdoors and won't be until after her first stint at altitude this year following Rome; does not have her Tokyo Q; so likely will be more focused on running 14:49.99 or better to get that box checked.
Ritz is delusional or Josette is doping. 14:20 is ridiculous 😂.