Centro & Willis Preview WC2025 Distance Events

Both Mac Fleet and Chavez had podiums of Kerr, Laros and Hocker. I think Fleet had Kerr winning, while Chavez had Hocker. They were skeptical of Strand.

I’m surprised at the Kerr exclusions here. I think he medals unless he mistimes his kick badly. I get that that could happen especially if Jakob’s absence/tactic change makes the race less straightforward.

Yes same (surprised). Their thinking is Kerr had his big season and race last year (and in 2023), yet still came 2nd and probably can't keep convincing himself he is the best. Whereas someone like Strand is ignorant of failure and running on confidence (plus his kick).

Hot takes. Love it

Why isn't Willis commentating somewhere or why aren't people at least getting him as a guest on podcasts more regularly? Nobody else in running media is offering this kind of smart observation and analysis. JGault and the Brojos need to have him on a Worlds live show

Not surprised, Kerr hasn’t been as good as he was last year and last year he only got 2nd. He isn’t well known for a blistering kick (which Laros and the 3 Americans have), which will be more important this time around because it’s very unlikely to go as fast.

He’s unlikely to medal.

Agreed, both him and Centro have the best predictions I’ve seen pretty much anywhere.

Willis would be a redundancy on the LR pod. RoJo tirelessly (tediously?) reminding us that Strand's kick is "sick" and "insane" is enough. Centro on the other hand doesn't overlook the occasions Strand's fearless racing this year has been marked by mistiming his kick and falling short of the win. Further, the Olympic champ gives full credit to Jonah Koech's 800m wheels and tactical nous and may yet come round to placing Kerr on the podium after seeing his form in the heats.

I'm not sure he doesn't have a blistering kick. He did close a 3:40 race in 50 and hold off Wightman in British Champ and that was a few years ago. He's probably not as good as he was last year, but he still seems to be at least in his 2023 shape. Given his track records since 2021, gold, probably not, but he's still one of medal favorites.

Didn’t know he did that, still have him as 5th most likely to win (I’m guessing he gets 4th, beating either Strand or Koech depending on who doesn’t show up). I just haven’t seen a crazy last 100 by him that is needed to medal this year.
Though if he really ran a 22.4 in practice that may be worth considering.

rojo sounds like the fun twin

I kinda think he is the safest bet to at least medal. I don’t expect him to win, but I do think he will be there at the end.

Could very much end up eating my words here but I think the Strand hype is way overblown. The guy is good but not good enough to medal against a field like that YET.

1. Hocker

2. Who cares

Just kidding lol

1. Laros

2. Hocker

3. Kerr

Before today I would have put Jakob 2nd but given his reluctance about even running the 1500 it doesn't sound like he's gonna be in the type of shape to medal

He's definitely better than most, however he's blotted his copybook here. Strand won't be in the top 5, let alone win.

He's good enough to medal, but the months and months of racing will catch him out. We've seen it time and time again with these college stars.

The likes of Kerr and Hocker will have been geared towards mid September since the back end of last year, and nothing else will have mattered.