Whats the most inspiring run you've ever seen? Elite or not.

Derek Redmond, 92 olympics 400m

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE&feature=related

Umbrellaman wrote:

the kid was literally killing himself to win,

Did he die? No? Then he wasn't literally killing himself.

Heather Dorniden from the University of Minnesota races the 600m at the Big 10 Indoor Track Championships.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM5A1K6TxxM&feature=channel_video_title

Ghost in the Round Barn wrote:

Heather Dorniden from the University of Minnesota races the 600m at the Big 10 Indoor Track Championships.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM5A1K6TxxM&feature=channel_video_title

Second this. Her win also got them the team Championship at their home track.

The Dorniden indoor 600 race is really really good - but this is my personal favorite:

2003 Worlds Steeplechase final, Paris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtPFTUNn_Vc

North Carolina Indoor State Championships mile, 2003. One guy (Matt Debole) had dominated NC distance running the year before. He had won states in XC in the fall and been second at Footlocker South, and I think sixth at Nationals. Another guy (Bobby Mack) had started to become good the year before, culminating in winning the 3200 outdoors and making Footlocker Nationals in the fall. Mack took the lead from the gun and went balls to the wall the entire way, winning in ~4:10 by a few steps.

The track was packed to capacity and everyone was going nuts - we all thought Debole was going to win and wondering when he would overtake Mack - the longer Mack held on the more exciting it got, until the last lap when it was almost unbearable. It was absolutely fantastic.

Ian Hahn winning an indoor 800m at Penn State in front of the home crowd in ~2000.

I can't explain it. It was just exhilarating to watch. I wanted to do the same thing after that.

it's no secret, but Chicago 2010 with the Kenyan and the Ethiopian pounding it out...Those guys just welcomed the pain. it put Wanjiru on the ground after the line - I can't remember ever seeing a stoic kenyan on the ground after a race.

There is something special about Ritz' face when he won Foot Locker - just the pure simple joy of killing it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eXqAWjJ_dE

at 0:54.

I haven't seen many lower key inspiring races - they are rare.

Donovan Bailey 1996 Olympics Atlanta. Maybe my opinion is biased because I'm Canadian, however up until that time Canadian track especially sprinting was in the shadow of Ben Johnson(caught doping).

One of the reasons it was inspiring is becasue Bailey started the race dead last, and ended up winning Gold, setting an olympic record and also a world record. On top of that, here in Canada, we don't have many track and field stars like in the U.S.

nickknack wrote:

Derek Redmond, 92 olympics 400m

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE&feature=related

I remember that like it was yesterday! Probably the single best moment of the 92 Olys.

The Dorniden race is absolutely epic!

And I was living in Winston-Salem in 2003 when that race ran in NC! I remember hearing about it. Wish I could have seen it.

Komens WR 3k was pretty incredible. Everyone knew he was great but assumed he was done for when he went out in 3:58ish or whatever it was. The rabbit dropped off and he just kept plugging away. Amazing.

Solinsky's 10k always gives me chills as well.

Most inspiring run(s) I have seen in person would probably be the state XC meet my junior year when our #4 passed 10-15 people and our #5 passed another 5-10 in the last 200 meters to help us win the state title by 1 point.

nickknack wrote:

Derek Redmond, 92 olympics 400m

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE&feature=related

+1

Ryan Foster of Penn State tripping Abdi Hassen at the 2011 Nationals, then falling down himself, and crying like a little bitch for what he caused.

ELG '04 1500 gold.

Webb 3:30 to beat Balla.

Can't believe no one has mentioned this: Bob Kennedy '96 Olympics where he took the lead with 2 laps to go.

Haha, YO (super cereal) wrote:

Can't believe no one has mentioned this: Bob Kennedy '96 Olympics where he took the lead with 2 laps to go.

yeah, and when Steve Scott took the lead in the Oly 1500 in 1984 - that was a proud moment for us non-kickers. it all fell to crap though...not sure if it was inspiring in the end or an example of bravery or impatience..

Back in 2008 our #4 guy had run 17:00-17:05 something like 5 meets in a row. So the day of the state meet, I told him essentially that today was his day, that he was finally going to get 16's. The gun goes off and he hits the first mile in 4:58 and I'm thinking "Oh man, he's done" but he hangs on to run 15:56 and set a school record. One of the most unbelievable moments of my coaching career.

That biggest loser marathon. Really brought a tear to my eye. psssshhhhhhh Please.

2007 PA 3200...Weller vs. Springer

Got to watch this one in person my senior year of HS. Epic race. 9:02-9:03 in 90 degree heat. Weller's slingshot out of the final turn was textbook. This race inspired me to train hard and keep running in college. Unforgettable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq5ykikUGHM