When will Kennedy's 12:58 & 7:30 get the respect they deserve??

The real guys who MAY have shots at American records in the next year or two:

Solinsky (3K-5K)

Webb (3K-5K)

Lincoln (3K-5K)

Teg (3K-5K)

Rupp (5K-10K)

Lagat (3K-5K)

Abdi (10K)

These are the guys who have the potential. Doesn't mean any of them will do it. Solinksy is proably several years from getting near it, but he did have nice 3K this summer. Olympic year coming up, so may not be too many attempts next summer.

Meb and Hall are not training for fast running, they are training for the marathon. Fam. is just not good enough. Ritz, at this point doesn't seem to be heading in the direction but if things turn around maybe the 10K.

Wow, posted just after you with damn near same name and almost completely agree with your post. Hall I think ran 13:15, but I don't think he will ever blitz a 5K again because of where his goals are and how he's training. Although marathon records may be his claim.

I'm not talking about the 10K, nor that in years of dominance, that BK finally lost a USATF. I'm talking about 7:30 and 12:58.

Top 15:

Bob Kennedy 12:58.21

Bernard Lagat 12:59.22

Sydney Maree 13:01.15

Matt Tegenkamp 13:04.90

Adam Goucher 13:10.00

Alan Webb 13:10.86

Meb Keflezighi 13:11.77

Tim Broe 13:11.77

Alberto Salazar 13:11.93

Famiglietti 13:11.93

Chris Solinsky 13:12.24

Matt Centrowitz 13:12.91

Abdi Abdirahman 13:13.32

Bruce Bickford 13:13.49

Bill McChesney 13:14.80

speaking the truth wrote:

Overall I'd say BK's records DO get respect, but we've had a lot of rising talent recently and it's only natural to expect his records to go down in the next 5 years with the performances we've seen out of America's runners.

I understand Lagat, Webb and Teg... and ONLY them over the last 10 years. But otherwise, tell me the exact performances that told us someone was breaking BK's 7:30/12:58.

Kele wrote:

Top 15:

Bob Kennedy 12:58.21

Bernard Lagat 12:59.22

Sydney Maree 13:01.15

Matt Tegenkamp 13:04.90

Adam Goucher 13:10.00

Alan Webb 13:10.86

Meb Keflezighi 13:11.77

Tim Broe 13:11.77

Alberto Salazar 13:11.93

Famiglietti 13:11.93

Chris Solinsky 13:12.24

Matt Centrowitz 13:12.91

Abdi Abdirahman 13:13.32

Bruce Bickford 13:13.49

Bill McChesney 13:14.80

Thanks, the one I was actually looking for was a list of top times, not individuals. I was curious to know if how often some of these guys have run say under 13:05 or 13:15.

Kennedy's 5k 5,000 is actually pretty weak internationally. Maybe no American is near it, but that's a comment on the runners today, not the strength of his time.

BK's records are also the longest-standing US track records for a standard distance, other than Michael Johnson's insane 200m (oh, and the 400m hurdles). I don't think it's disrespectful to say they're likely to go soon. The fact that they're records, and have stood for 10 years, speaks for itself about the quality of the records.

Sorry, I forgot Johnny Gray's 1985 800m record in there. And I don't think that one's going to go soon...

exactly...... wrote:

speaking the truth wrote:

Overall I'd say BK's records DO get respect, but we've had a lot of rising talent recently and it's only natural to expect his records to go down in the next 5 years with the performances we've seen out of America's runners.

I understand Lagat, Webb and Teg... and ONLY them over the last 10 years. But otherwise, tell me the exact performances that told us someone was breaking BK's 7:30/12:58.

I would add Solinsky, given his consistency, collegiate record, and big PR's this summer of 13:12 and 7:36 just out of college. Not to mention that his training partner is still faster than him so they should be helping eachother progress.

you two have been the most reasonable on this thread; it is good that people are excited about the possibility of getting Bob K's records. As far as respect, I and many thousands of others have the highest regard for Bob K!!! The person who said that the current crop of distance runners do not respect Bob is way "off-base". I promise you that the current American distance runners have the highest regard for Bob Kennedy!!!! Until they get down in Teg-Lagat territory, it is really premature to mention them in the same breath as "Bob Kennedy". Fam, Solinsky, Ritz, Hall, Dobson, Goucher are all on the verge of sub 13:10, so they are close. Go U.S.A. distance running!!!!!!!!! Why are so many people critical when we are in perhaps the best time in U.S. history for men (and women) distance running in our country???????

Alberto Salazar 13:11.93

Matt Centrowitz 13:12.91

I never realized those two had such fast PR's. In the context of pre-Geb/KB and insane east African times and records, those two performances are absolutely astonishing.

JRE wrote:

Sorry, I forgot Johnny Gray's 1985 800m record in there. And I don't think that one's going to go soon...

I wouldn't be so sure about that, given the progress Webb made in the last year. If he continues to concentrate more on the speed side and does more 800's, that one could be interesting. I rather doubt Alan has reached his potential in the event.

whose bruce bickford?

phillie phan wrote:

Alberto Salazar 13:11.93

Matt Centrowitz 13:12.91

I never realized those two had such fast PR's. In the context of pre-Geb/KB and insane east African times and records, those two performances are absolutely astonishing.

They both had the American Record. Matt had it for a short time, then Alberto broke it a month later.

Sir Lance-alot wrote:

a few years back Flagpole predicted Ritz would run 12:50 THIS YEAR...

Sir Lance,

The key part of that is "a few years back". Also, I had conditions on that -- stay injury free and don't move up to the marathon. He's had injuries and moved up to the marathon.

But, to the core of this general discussion, it isn't disrespecting Bob Kennedy if some of us have the forthright to predict that his 5,000 AR won't last through the careers of the current crop of American runners.

For the record, I was accused of disrespecting Steve Scott when I said (when Webb was still in high school) that Alan Webb would break Steve Scott's AR in the mile. No disrespect. Someone came along who is just better.

In Kennedy's case, there are a few with the capability of breaking his AR. They might need the stars to line up, but at least one of them will do it. Not sure how that is disrespect. 10 years ago, no one would be able to get close to 13:00. Now there are several guys who could -- Teg, Webb, RITZ, yes RITZ; I believe he still has it in him to get that AR; just depends on his health and focus -- as I said before.

Speakin Truth wrote:

The real guys who MAY have shots at American records in the next year or two:

Solinsky (3K-5K)

Webb (3K-5K)

Lincoln (3K-5K)

Teg (3K-5K)

Rupp (5K-10K)

Lagat (3K-5K)

Abdi (10K)

I'd really like to have some of what you're smoking.

MY Bruce Bickford!