bekele in 2000 while lagat and kenyans in 3000 - inane

2000 meter world record? How stupid. Why not go for the 1900 meter world record if he wants to duck competition so bad?

Because 2000m is actually a contestable and recognized distance, though run infrequently. It's running a 2 mile in the US.

And, for Bekele, it's about both getting another WR (or WB in this case) and taking down another of Haile's records.

Yeah, that's interesting. Why wouldn't they try to ensure a faster 2000m by getting more guys like Lagat and other Kenyans in the 2000? I'm surprised they're even having both events.

Okay, I know the world outdoor 2000m mens record is 4:44.79 by El Guerrouj, but what is the world indoor record for 2000m?? If it's on the par with how fast El Guerrouj's outdoor record is(like if you were to take El Guerrouj's outdoor record, but have him run the same exact race indoors- that level of record), I don't think Bekele has the speed for it. His fastest 1500m is what, 3:33? I think it would make more sense for Bekele to run in the 3000m against the others, but that's only assuming that the 3000m field is a better field for that distance than whoever is in the 2000m field with Bekele. I'm guessing they must have some rabbits in the 2000m, probably the 3000m also.

Does anyone know who is in these races? I couldn't find any startlists anywhere, or a meet website for that matter.

Bottom line: Bekele doesn't get the world indoor 2000m record

Anybody else think that lagat would have a better shot at the record anyway? and since were talking about records...will lagat get the american 3k??

This is probably Bekele's one chance of getting a record under 5000m. Sh!ts and G!ggles.Based on the Wanamaker Mile, I think that Buster would beat Lagat at 2000 right now.

creekrunnerxc wrote:

Anybody else think that lagat would have a better shot at the record anyway? and since were talking about records...will lagat get the american 3k??

bekele FEARS lagat. plain and simple. he has been beat by lagat more than any current pro runner. lagat outkicked him at 5k and smoked his ass in the mile. lagat is also an incredible indoor runner. it doesn't matter if they were racing the 2k or 3k, bekele would lose.

"15:50 Men’s 2000m: Kenenisa Bekele will aim to break the world record of 4:52.86 set by fellow Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie at the NIA in 1998. Bekele, the world 5000m and 10,000m world record-holder, said: "I feel ready to run a fast time in Birmingham - and, of course, I will be pleased if I can set another world record. I'm pleased with my form at the moment - 2007 has started well for me in the cross country, and I want to continue with that success indoors too." Bekele won over two miles at this meeting last year and has enjoyed a number of victories at the Birmingham track – including the world indoor 5000m record in 2004, which was also previously held by Gebrselassie. Bekele’s opposition is primarily of Kenyan origin."

I think that Lagat could get the AR if the pace is such. There's no doubt in mind that he can. I mean, last year Goucher ran 7:41, Lincoln ran 7:42, and this year Tegenkamp ran 7:40, and Lagat can handle all those guys without a doubt. Lagat should get it, and then Tegenkamp should make it a goal of his to get it after him.

"17:00 Men’s 3000m: MO FARAH’S training partner, Chris Thompson, faces an intimidating field in the penultimate event of the day. Kenyan-born American Bernard Lagat, who recently beat Craig Mottram at the Millrose Games, is in a field that also includes Commonwealth 5000m champion Augustine Choge, leading Ethiopian Markos Geneti and 2004 Olympic 1500m medallist and 2001 world 1500m indoor champion Rui Silva."

Lagat 7:36.xx

Choge 7:36.yy

Geneti 7:39

Silva 7:45

Bekele somke almost all athletes last year eventhough he lost once for lagat, cohge, and mottram( you should remeber he won five out of six for golden league, won african champ, won fukoka for 5th consicative year, socre the fastest 5k for 2006)

What can i say he is amousing guy

They (the athletes) chose to not race each other!

There is plenty of time later in the season to race each other. No big deal. Those will be two good races to watch.

How does Bekele go about running 4:52? We know he can close in 51, in a 5k...

So, comes through in 3:55 and closes in 57?

XCTC wrote:

This is probably Bekele's one chance of getting a record under 5000m. Sh!ts and G!ggles

\what about the Indoor 2mile??? he just missed it last year going 405-359...pretty sure he could take dowm Gebs record.

gravits wrote:

They (the athletes) chose to not race each other!

There is plenty of time later in the season to race each other. No big deal. Those will be two good races to watch.

I think that the original poster has a good point. We're getting one time trial for a meaningless world record and one race without the world's top distance runner. Instead, we could have a single great race with the best running against the best.

This kind of shadow-boxing has gone on for too long in this sport. It's deprived us of many memorable battles among top athletes.

In this particular instance, I'm guessing that the blame properly falls on Bekele (who presumably vetoed any serious competition in the 2,000) and the race organizers (who acquiesced in this arrangement). Of course, they are free to do what they choose, but I think that it's ultimately bad for the sport.

p.s. I agree that Bekele would get stomped by Lagat over 2,000, and probably over 3,000 as well.

Tell me how you get those two in the race together. Particularly after Lagat handed it to Bekele in London last year. How much money would Fast Track have to put up to get them together?

Athletes ducking one another is not just terrible for the sport, I firmly believe it is not in the athletes best interest either. Win or lose, a great rivalry would increase the marketability of both athletes.

Smart distance runners are simply not gone to race each other every week, especially in early season. Those duals will happen in late or championship season if they both survive with good health this season. They are looking after #1 financially and mentally.

Avocado's Number wrote:

This kind of shadow-boxing has gone on for too long in this sport. It's deprived us of many memorable battles among top athletes.

Absolutely agreed. It's the same with Shaheen, who (even though he is absolutely dominant in the steeple) has an agent who has actually blocked his closest competition from racing him.

I agree with all of you that say it would be a great race to see these fabulous athletes racing, but again it is unrealistic. The money is definitely a factor and money as we know is the root ..... We have coaches that want athletes to go a certain path (regardless of money); we have agents and promoters who often determine the path of the athlete (right or wrong); and then we have the athlete in the middle (coaches, agents, promoters, and possibly even family concerns) That is the way it is, I have been there and experience that!!!!

stupid letsrunners wrote:

Avocado's Number wrote:

This kind of shadow-boxing has gone on for too long in this sport. It's deprived us of many memorable battles among top athletes.

Absolutely agreed. It's the same with Shaheen, who (even though he is absolutely dominant in the steeple) has an agent who has actually blocked his closest competition from racing him.

stop ducking wrote:

Athletes ducking one another is not just terrible for the sport, I firmly believe it is not in the athletes best interest either. Win or lose, a great rivalry would increase the marketability of both athletes.

Not if it's all losing.