Solinsky runs 12:56!!! but...

Clone of guy you responded to wrote:

That was a joke before anyone gets their panties in a twist.

Great run by Lagat and Solinsky! I know it's only one race and Lagat was representing Kenya for a number of years, but it's so refreshing to look at the 5k results and to see it split between 3 different countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, which are both usually up there, and the United States!

This wasn't a dinky B race either! Solinsky down to 12:56! Not that I thought his 10k was a fluke, but nice to see him put down an awesome 5k time too!

Figured Lagat would have a 12:54 in him. I think he could go to 12:51's, but I didn't see the race.

Some people apparently did think his 10k was a fluke... adrenaline and all that ridiculous nonsense.

The Difference wrote:

What everyone is missing is that Lagat and Solinsky are training for 5k specifically and solinsky didnt beat Ritz's time and Lagat did by about 2 seconds. If Ritz's trains for the 5k... then what?

Ritz is not known for having a great kick. Can he run a 57 sec last lap like Solinsky? Furthermore, I just think a 1500m guy like Lagat will more likely than not have the upper hand over both Solinksy and Ritz in a 5k.

The Difference wrote:

What everyone is missing is that Lagat and Solinsky are training for 5k specifically and solinsky didnt beat Ritz's time and Lagat did by about 2 seconds. If Ritz's trains for the 5k... then what?

Then he is hurt 99% of the time instead of 90% of the time!

predictions for Prefontaine Classic later on?

yeah the old race debate with lagat get old. it's a red herring.

it's not about race, if a black guy raised in the US with american parents (think Steve Holman back in tha day) were to run I dont thing there'd be one tiny bit of controversy.

Lagat ran for Kenya and switched teams so there will always be that smell of mercenary about him. like the guys that run for qutar, kuwait, etc..

Jaysus everyone sez he's on the Balco clear protocol.

I suppose everyone who comes to America for opportunity or freedom can be categorized as in some way being opportunistic, if not mercenary. I think you can make a strong argument that for those who have to make the effort it means more than for those who just happened to be born here. Most Kenyans don't smake the effort. It is more of a question of the opportunities offered to distance runners. America has had a number of great distance runners, Gerry Lindren, Jim Ryun, Bob Kennedy, Steve Prefontaine among them. If you examine those four I think you will find that Gerry Lindgren was given very little support by the running community and it's official organizations, Jim Ryun was, and remains a stellar example of what can be achieved with hard work, dedication and committment. He also exemplifies the best that an athlete can offer outside of a sports career, and he never showed any animosity towards his African opponents. Bob Kennedy encouraged us not to limit ourselves. But it's Steve Prefontaine that most European Americans idolize even though he was often an egocentric jerk and hardly an example to be imitated. Today, in the sport of Track and Field (as opposed to other sports) A white athlete has a much better chance of obtaining sponsorship than a comprable black athlete. Ask Khadevis Robinson or Duane Solomon or Lopez Lamong, as oposed to a Nick Symmonds, or Adam Goucher. Don't think this is lost on young athletes who have to make choices about a running career. Have you noticed how many of the shorter distance atheletes are sponsored by Adidas, Reebok and Puma? There is no Nike development process for sprint and field athletes.

What you are missing is that Ritz was at his peak shape as WC were what a week earlier. This for Solinsky was already mentioned as a rust buster for the Pre meet and more meets in Europe. I will assume its something similar for Lagat. I would expect both of these two to be able to go faster this summer if they get in the right race with good weather

How many countries have 4-6 runners capable of running under 13:00? How many countries have multiple runners capable of running under 27:00? How many countries have runners capable of running 3:46? The next Olympics will be a USA distance running festival. Get prepared.

DaveW wrote:

How many countries have 4-6 runners capable of running under 13:00? How many countries have multiple runners capable of running under 27:00? How many countries have runners capable of running 3:46? The next Olympics will be a USA distance running festival. Get prepared.

It's one thing to blather on about potential, another to have documented results. The USA has made fantastic progress in the past few years, but Kenya and Ethiopia have no-name runners with no shot at the Olympics running 12:55 and 26:55. The USA will always remain (at best) a solid third in the distances behind these two countries.

oregonproject wrote:

Lagat runs 12:53! New American Record!

But neither of them won the race! Let's not forget the winner...

Okay, in an off olympic year, the US runs so well in their competitions. However, in an olympic year, the US can't show up.

I bet our trials time is won in like 13:17 because no one has the balls to dope or use drugs during an olympic year.

People are drugged to the gills right now. End of thread.

People with gills should not be able to compete in aerobic events, whether they are on drugs or not!

Tegendope wrote:

People are drugged to the gills right now. End of thread.

[quote]Tri3 wrote:

Why not go there? Its the truth. He wasn't born here, his parents were not born here either. Its the same deal with Kipketer. [quote]

If we limit the list to exclude immigrants and their decendants, does that make Billiy Mills the AR holder?

What would Pre's 59-year old corpse run the 5K in the Oslo conditions?

Tegendope wrote:

I bet our trials time is won in like 13:17 because no one has the balls to dope or use drugs during an olympic year.

That would be an Olympic Trials record you f***ing moron. If you don't know the history of the sport please don't make idiotic comments because you obviously know nothing.

Typical Soc Major bullshit. Or just more crap from the Hillel House guys putting in their mandated trolling time in attempts to instill guilt and maybe a lack of confidence in the hated white goyim.

The real question is who was the fastest full blooded American Indian ever to run a 5k on a certified course. Then we will know the actual "American" record by someone who isn't parading around in a US shirt.

Look, it's one thing for a kid to immigrate as a youth, quite another to compete in an olympics for another country before coming to america. Nobody minds Meb Keflezighi or Lopoz Lomong etc. claiming to be american, because quite frankly they are. I personally don't have a problem with calling Mr. Lagat an american, but I certainly understand why others would.