"By far the best clean sea level 5k runner" my ass

It wasn't Carroll's coach that said it - it was Jerry Kiernan, a former Irish international and 2;09 runner. However, I agree with you - I'm very surprised and a bit disappointed by what he implies.

To be honest I think Carroll has been very dissapointing, particularly in major championships, ok so he has run a good time at 5k, so what, when it has counted he has blown out of his arse. Often he has employed ridiculous tactics, look at last years world champs, he almost always goes out in the heats. There are numerous sea level athletes who are better than hima nd far more competitive.

Mottram, Garcia, Kennedy (when fit), Lebed to name a few, oh hang on, these guys must all be popping. But what is the best way to raise suspicion? I'd say to run well on the circuit and then flop in the major games, and run 30/40 seconds below what you have been running all season, Mr Carroll?

"Tiki Barber is the best running back in the NFL" -- Joey McVeigh, Giants Fan

-- illustrating that, when you're a fan of your home team, there's a possibility for bias....the Irish guys just like Carroll is all.

The thing with Jerry Kiernan is that, while generally consistent and intelligent, he makes a habit of saying stupid things. At stupid times. In stupid ways.

This is one such example. Marco Carroll and his couach would never have said something of the sort. Other 'Jerry moments' include him deciding to air his grievances about the selection of the women's world cross team on the afternoon they won. This sould have been a day of unspoiled celebration, and Kiernan was decidedly untactful in his timing.

Also, Jerry Kiernan (who is a training partner of my coach)believes HIMSELF to be the greatest Irish runner who has ever lived, because he's competed all the way from 800m up to marathon with good times at one point or another. Hope that provides an insight into the man.

BTW, Carroll didn't mess up absolutely everything, you know. A European indoor Gold isn't to be sniffed at. And you've got to love him.

Sean, thanks for that message. Carroll is indeed an awesome runner, I just disputed the claim that Kiernan made.

U.S. runner-

Just because someone is American, doesn't mean they are from sea level. Goucher is from Colorado Springs, just over 6,000 feet. Just thought you would like to know.

Goucher is from Florida. Just thought YOU would like to know.

yeah

THE NIGHT TRAIN IS GONA GETCHA!!!!!

The beatdown train is gonna get you if you don\'t tell me who Lucy is.

What about Dave Moorcroft? World Record of 13:00.41 in 1982!

The following site has Mark Carroll in 235th place on the all-time list with 13:03.93.

At least five non-africans are ahead of him - Moorcroft, Bob Kennedy, Dieter Baumann, Antonio Pinto and Stephane Franke.