Which is the better performance? Which would get me more respect, comped race entries, and free race trips?
Which is the better performance? Which would get me more respect, comped race entries, and free race trips?
Sub 8 no contest, if you can run sub 8 there is almost no way you can't break 14.
I don't know, but if you could do both, it would be way more impressive.
Trust me, as a miler/ex-miler I'll find a way. I am much closer to sub 8:00 than 14:00, but who knows.
an 8:00 3,000 is equivalent to a 13:50 for 5,000.
So a sub 8:00 3k is more impressive.
A quick look at trackshark's indoor marks showed that 30 guys broke 8:00 in the 3000 indoors this year while 24 broke 14:00 in the 5000. The fastest 3000 was about 7:52 while the fastest 5000 was 13:30. I realize these are indoor performances but they are probably the best way to make a comparison since the 3000 isn't run too often outdoors. I'd give a very slight edge to sub 8 because while a few more might break 8, it is very unusual to go much more than 3 to 6 seconds faster while you see several folks go 15 seconds or more under 14. You might also consider what kind of runner you consider yourself. If you fancy yourself more of middle distance type then the 3 might mean more and if more of a distance type the 5 might mean more. While I think sub 8 is probably slightly better, I'd personally rather have the sub 14:00 5000 time under my belt.