Keino killed Ryun... Damn!
That was the worst tactically run race i've ever seen.
What the hell was Ryun thinking?
Haha seriously, I'd never seen a video of that race, he was lucky to even get 2nd after going out that slowly - he was never in the race to win it
Are you people joking, ignorant or just stupid? Keino ran incredibly fast at 7,200 feet altitude. Ryun managed to kick hard for second, even though he had battled injuries and mono that spring. He ran his usual race. At sea level he might have won -- might have, but Keino was a great champion. If he had gone out hard with the pacemaker (Ben Jipcho), he would have falterd far worse. Ironic that the people wondering why Ryun would settle in for 800m and then drive the last 700m to the finish are the same ones who decry Webb for moving too early in the races, not waiting for the last 700m. You people are either trolling or just too stupid for words.
What the hell are you tough guys talking about? The leaders were 1:55 at 800m at 7200ft altitude.
Sorry my comments came off a little harsh because I have incredible respect for Jim Ryun. But, I just try to envision a modern 1500 championship where say Bernard Lagat is allowed to get out 30-35 meters ahead of say El Guerrouj. Think about it, even if someone has a monster kick nowadays would anyone in a championship race be allowed that much ground??? Now perhaps Keino was just that much better than everyone else, and at altitude that's possible. But from just watching the video it seems that Ryun was a little too conservative if he was going for the win.
Ryun wasn't going to run 3:34 at 7200ft altitude. His world record was 3:33. For Ryun to run 3:36 at Mexico City is mind boggling in itself.
jipcho went out fast intentionally so keino would have a better chance at gold. as i recall, he apologized to ryun a couple of years later...
midwesta wrote:That was the worst tactically run race i've ever seen.
Either you're increditably stupid or maybe just too young to remember this race and the hype that surrounded it.
That was the first time I'd actually seen the race, and I actually thought Ryun was running pretty smart. I figured at the pace of the leaders that Ryun would get much closer to Keino at the end. Keino ran a great race.
Huck Finn wrote:
Keino ran a great race.
That is an understatement--at the time, it was certainly the best 1500m ever run. Even now, has anyone run that fast at that altitude?
Did not realize that was at 7200 ft. Why would jipcho apologize to ryun?
To put in perspective, using the NCAA conversion charts for a mile at 7,200m (roughly 8.5-9sec) that would make Ryun's 3:36 1500(~3:53 mile)= 3:45 mile
Keino was born/trained at altitude thus he was able to better adapt, but still it's an out of this world time at altitude.
And yes I realize the conversion charts would be off a bit for these guys since they are running faster.
I am impressed that Norpoth ('64 silver in 5000) went out with Jipcho's suicidal pace, and still held on for fourth. In sum, Tummler ran the best race he could have, Ryun really lagged too much the first 600, and Keino looked unbeatable, with or without Jipcho (who went from first to last in 400m).
It really is a shame it wasn't run at sea level, for all concerned. It would go from being considered a bit of an anomaly to perhaps the greatest 1500 ever.
What a fascinating race!
C'mon Kip!
If I remember correctly, I believe that Ben Jipcho was told to lead Kip keino out. he was told that he would have many more years in which to achieve his greatness. Only Jipcho and Keino knew that the pace was to be set that fast. Ryun was unaware of what was going on and running his race. If you look at the video, you'll see Ryun flying to catch Keino. Ryun's finishing speed was a thing of legend. He had amazing sprinting capabilities.
This became one of the defining points in running history, it ushered in the beginning of the true emergence of the African distance runner. Those of you that know, can remember Keino in the 5000 race that Bob Schul won in '64.
Awesome race. It is safe to say we will never see another 1500 meter final run with that tactic in the Olympics. Mind boggling times for race at 7200 elevation
1 3.34.9 Kipchoge Keino KEN
2 3.37.8 Jim Ryun USA
3 3.39.0 Bodo Tümmler FRG
4 3.42.5 Harald Norpoth FRG
5 3.43.8 John Whetton GBR
6 3.46.6 Jacques Boxberger FRA
7 3.46.6 Henryk Szordykowski POL
8 3.48.6 Josef Odlozil TCH
Altitude 2250m 7380'