Geb had Tergat and Komen...who will step up vs. Bekele?

Hicham El Guerrouj will challenge him the 5000 for a few more years but will retire later so he won't be around forever(El G). Geb, Geb2, Sihine, and Kemboi are the major threats in 10k. Besides El G I predict you'll have Shaheen, maybe Kipchoge in the 5k.

Hicham El Guerrouj is the most serious challenger right now

Kipchoge for 5K, El G if he ever races the 5K at a serious effort, maybe Sammy Kipketer-where's he been lately anyway?

It seems like the only way this thing could get REALLY interesting is for El G to move up to the 5K in earnest and bring the full force of his ability to bear in challenging Bekele. THAT would be sweet.

His legacy is assured. After the Olympics this year, he should waste no time in moving up to 5K with the intention of securing the world record. At least, that's what I would find most entertaining.

Tariku

geb also had salah hissou

Shaheen and Kipchoge are the only two I can see ever beating him (5k). 10k I just don't see anyone approaching him.

also maybe Sammy Kipketer.

Unless Bekele messes up, I don't see anyone beating him right now. The two who I see having the best chance are Shaheen and Kipchoge, as both have shown themselves to be tough homestrecth finishers, and capable of winning as underdogs. Bekele is too strong for El G to be able to beat him, El G's finishing drive in the 5k will not be strong enough to run Bekele off. I think the only chance against Bekele is in the final stretch as Chebeii and Kipchoge have shown, and even that is an extremely tall order.

did you forget the last world champs?

.....and Kiptanui Moses.

i'd love to have seen Geb at his best race Bekele...i think my money would be on Geb to win in the sprint. Any thoughts?

dreamer wrote:

i'd love to have seen Geb at his best race Bekele...i think my money would be on Geb to win in the sprint. Any thoughts?

The Geb of roughly 1997 was pretty much untouchable. His great duel with Komen in Zurich that year ended with Geb simply blowing away from Komen in the last 200 to set a new WR of 12:41. It was an awesome thing to see...

1337hax0r wrote:

Tariku

After his 5k at Bislett, I'd say that's a very distinct possibility.

Adam Goucher

Jason Rexing

Ritzenhein will one day.

and Maurice Green. I bet Bekele's spikes don't catch fire.

Webb is now ready.

chebii has a better kick. if he's in contact with 400 to go, he can win. Also, the runner formally known as cherono, who had the fastest 5k last year in 12:48, could compete with bekele. And El G.

Some "20 year old" Kenyan or Ethiopian compatriot will materialize and start running 7:20ish 5ks.

Are there any new North Africans on the Horizon? El G still seems to be the bull of the woods in the Arab world.

The scary thing is that Bekele does not appear to be a flash in the pan who's going to be fried any time soon. He's been making steady progress for a couple of years now. What a monster.