There is NO proof that the difference between cinders and synthetic is worth 1 sec per lap. That's an opinion. Many in the sport suggest it to be no more than 0.5, and even then it depends on the quality of tracks and the weather. What about the changes in tracks from late 70's to today?
Some NZ poster commented on the fact that some of the grass tracks there are so flat and well kept that they are just as fast as synthetic ones.
Even synthetic ones in the 70's varied greatly in quality.
The improvements in shoes from late 60's to late 70's wouldn't have been any greater than the corresponding improvements from late 70's to late 90's.
Are you going to take time off Ovett's pbs?
If you can put a blanket 1 sec difference per lap from cinders to synthetic, then we should have seen the 400m WR improve by 1.0 sec, the 200m by 0.5sec and the 100m by 0.25 seconds practically over night in the late 60's, taking any altitude runs into consideration. Did they? NO!
Don't tell me!,..... all the great athletes were from the late 60's and those that followed them were so far inferior that the expected time improvements didn't occur!?
That's convenient isn't it. ;0).
Or perhaps they were so good in the 60's because the American collegiate system was rife with steroid use which was not illegal at the time. No drug tests. By Ovett's era they were illegal and they tested for them after world records and at major champs.
Ryun's 800m WR was on synthetic and it's pretty lame to say that it was worth 2 secs faster due to an earlier heat or he was feeling a bit under the weather. It was what it was, an excellent 1:44.3 hand timed 800m. If he was going to run sub 1:42 (ridiculous) then he had ample opportunities in 67 had he so wished.
If it was a 1500 outside 3:38 I'd go for Ovett. But it very much depends on how the pace started. If first lap was very quick, then again I'd go for Ovett. If the first 3 laps were steady at around 60 secs and Ryun was in front with a lap to go, then I'd say Ryun.
If they ran 10 times, I'd say it would be about 5 apiece.