Has this been discussed?
Solid field with Lagat as a headliner:
Aviva London Grand Prix
3000 METRES (M) - f 1 Event Date: 13/08/2010 Start Time: 18:09 Event No: 6
Name Status
Collis Birmingham (AUS) Confirmed
Adrian Blincoe (NZL) Confirmed
Bobby Curtis (USA) Confirmed
Mo Farah (GBR) Confirmed
Mumin Gala (SOM) Confirmed
Mark Kiptoo (KEN) Confirmed
Micah Kogo (KEN) Confirmed
Bernard Lagat (USA) Confirmed
Titus Mbishei (KEN) Confirmed
Ryan McLeod (GBR) Confirmed
Craig Mottram (AUS) Confirmed
Galen Rupp (USA) Confirmed
Suleiman Simotwo (KEN) Confirmed
Chris Thompson (GBR) Confirmed
Consider that the current American record holder (7:30.86 Kennedy) has outdoor bests of:
1500 Metres 3:38.32 Hengelo 25/06/1991
One Mile 3:56.21 Eugene, OR 04/06/1994
2000 Metres 4:59.9 Monaco 10/08/1996
3000 Metres 7:30.84 Monaco 08/08/1998
Two Miles 8:11.59 Hechtel 19/07/1997
5000 Metres 12:58.21 Zürich 14/08/1996
Lagat has bests currently of:
1500 Metres 3:26.34 Bruxelles 24/08/2001
One Mile 3:47.28 Roma 29/06/2001
2000 Metres 4:55.49 Stockholm 30/07/1999
3000 Metres 7:32.49 Ostrava 27/05/2010
Two Miles 8:12.45 Eugene, OR 08/06/2008
5000 Metres 12:54.12 Oslo (Bislett) 04/06/2010
We know that Lagat has slowed for 1500 but he still has run 3:32 this season, 6 seconds better than Bob ever for 1500 and he has increased his strength to run a 5000 best this season which is 4 seconds faster then Bobs best.
Kennedy ran a handful of 7:30-7:31 times, so when considering his other marks in reference to Lagats it would seem that Lagats 3000 is soft and in need of an improvement. His 3:26 and 12:54 are both marks that indicate according to the scoring tables certainly sub 7:30, but if you slide his 1500 to current 3:32 fitness and keep the 12:54 you roughly come out at 7:30 (+/- about 1 second). That puts him in the range.
Another thing to consider is that Tegs two mile is the equivalent of 7:31.0, just 0.14 of Kennedy's current AR. And Teg has never managed 3:32 or 12:54.
The big question is will the 3000 go fast or be a 7:37ish race with a kick?
Kiptoo is in great shape with and with 7:32/12:53 to his name he's a favorite.
Kogo, Farah, Mottram and Rupp all are potential 7:32-7:36 guys but that may not be enough to make an AR tempo for Lagat. For Rupp this is a great opportunity for a top 3 finish and a major pr.
Thoughts?