The 'Whos more studly' thread : MOTTRAM V HALL

Hall's race was incredible, but it was a coming out party of sorts for him. Mottram's accomplishments are still far ahead of Hall's. I think Mottram would beat Hall 9 out of 10 times at 10K even. Hall, of course, has him beat over the really long stuff, but I think 10K and below belongs to Mottram.

...because comapring two guy of similar decent is interesting in that it isolates race as a factor differeniating those individuals...two tall white guys, from industrialized nations, of similar decent, competing at similar levels and who both have amazing potential at the longer distances, however one athlete has been around at the top level for the while and also has a ton of speed, the other runs 59.43 out of now where...

Papa Smurf wrote:

Why do we compare black runners to black runners, and white runners to white runners?

Why not compare hall to someone with similar times but is of african descent?

Because a lot of the Africans, truth be told, are allowed to get away with drug use. Not all, but a lot of the top tier runners are 'experiments' for their unscrupulous handlers.

I actually agree with 'don't choke' on this. Its not a racial thing in the sense of putting someone down or degradng them due to race. Rather this comparison comes about because these athletes are similar on so many grounds yet have some interesting seperating factors, they also have never raced, which makes speculation inticing. That and this is a running forum, designed for this type of conversation. For those who ask 'why compare athletes and make predictions?', what exactly is it you are looking for at letsrun.

I think Mottram would be hard to beat. But something no one has mentioned is the mental aspect of the game for Ryan Hall at the moment. He must be on the top of the world mentally right now. In all honesty I can't wait to see him take on anyone, african or otherwise. He must be so mentally touggh to beat right now-I think it is that toughness that would put him over Mottram (who too is mentally strong).

King of the Alphas wrote:

Why not compare hall to someone with similar times but is of african descent?

Because a lot of the Africans, truth be told, are allowed to get away with drug use. Not all, but a lot of the top tier runners are 'experiments' for their unscrupulous handlers.[/quote]

I tend to agree after Dr. Rosa's infamous slip up in that interview a few years ago, and Hermen's questionable background and ethics. Someday it will out be shaken out and put before the public. But that day is a way off.

Hall is probably able to compete with the best right now in the 5 and 10, but it looks like they're going to focus on the marathon. Sure would like to see him stick with the track for a few years.