Khannouchi announced his retirement to us. Take a minute to remind yourself of how incredible his career was:
http://www.letsrun.com/2012/khannouchi-retires-0326.php
I was going to ask you where you think he ranks all time. He's top 5 on my list for sure but I don't want to rank them without a little more thought.
Khalid was truly a great marathoner and his win in London 10 years ago was legendary.
Very good career. But "incredible"? he didn't medal.
Moreover. He isn't an Olympian.
I have to say his victory over Tanui in Chicago was probably the most exciting and best executed marathon victories of all time. I still watch a tape of it from time to time. Better than London in my opinion.
I first met him years ago when I was doing some work with Elite Racing at the Virginia Beach Half, super guy. He really worked to get his US citizenship, and it meant a lot to him. Definitely a work ethic all those on Letsrun should admire.
Sad to see the end of an era, and I most certainly wish him well.
A great career for sure. What were the foot injuries that derailed him?
So why did he continuously choose Chicago over Oly and WC trials?
Cheif wrote:
So why did he continuously choose Chicago over Oly and WC trials?
$$$$$
Well done, K.
Barakus'Obama wrote:
Very good career. But "incredible"? he didn't medal.
Moreover. He isn't an Olympian.
He is one of only a handful of marathoners (or really athletes in any T&F discipline) to break his own world record. Moreover he did it in an epic race, where he beat Geb and Tergat. The man is a legend.
Khalid is #2 all-time. Thanks for the memories.
The 'haters' turn my stomach. He was a MONSTER and had one heckuva long career at the top. He never ducked and always ran all-out. I've been running about 30 years and he is the most dominant marathoner for that time period. I hope retirement makes him happy.
I'd put him in the top 5 all time....and I'm not so concerned about WC or OLY Marathons. In fact, many fields at London, Chicago, etc are actually a good bit deeper than the WC or OLY Marathons anyways. His win against Geb and Tergat is my have marathon of all time. Its crazy how much faster the marathon has been getting, but still his multiple WRs and big wins over deep fields is very impressive. And he is also one of the nicest guys you'll meet. His story working as a dishwasher and quest for American citizenship is very inspirational, and he did it for all the right reason. Congrats on a GREAT career KK!!!
wejo wrote:
I was going to ask you where you think he ranks all time. He's top 5 on my list for sure but I don't want to rank them without a little more thought.
He's top 5 on the list of Americans all time. There is no way he'd be considered top 5 all time in the world. I am not sure exactly which you meant.
He had many chances to run for the USA, yet chose the $. I was disappointed every single time.
For several years, he was no doubt the best. At one point I thought he could have been considered the best of all time.
Keith Stone wrote:
I have to say his victory over Tanui in Chicago was probably the most exciting and best executed marathon victories of all time. I still watch a tape of it from time to time. Better than London in my opinion.
...
I agree, that one and London (geb and Tergat) are right up there among the top marathon battles of all times. Just to think he won both of them. Incredible!!
Cheif wrote:
He had many chances to run for the USA, yet chose the $. I was disappointed every single time.
For several years, he was no doubt the best. At one point I thought he could have been considered the best of all time.
As I remember it he didn't become a citizen until he was on the downside of his career.
Between this column and all of his feuding with Ryan Hall, Phil Hersh comes across as a bitter guy (and a bit of an a-hole).
More than "a bit of"
I saw the story he wrote last week about Delilah DiCrescenzo and I wondered if he didn't mention how much he insulted her when she finished so far back in the 2008 Olympic Trials steeple final. He didn't mention it.
Anyone have any training details about KK? I remember reading years ago that he would close long runs with two miles under 9 minutes.
Also, F U C K Phil Hersch.
Between his fascination with figure skating and writing tone, the best descriptor of Phil Hersh is "bitchy queen".