This thread is to thank the great Haile Gebrselassie for all he has done for the sport. Haile has broken 26 world records and has been a force in the 1500 to the Marathon. The man has remained at the top of our sport since before some of his competitors were old enough to run. Haile is a living legend and will forever be known as the GOAT.
It's ridiculous to think that he ran a 26:22 at this same meet 14 years ago today and can still run a 27:20. Truly amazing.
I wonder what is next for him. He seems to still want to run and the talent is still there. NYC marathon?
yes.
It will was his last 10k on the track. You saw it today.
I'm very impressed with how Geb ran today, less than 4 tenths a lap from winning the trials.
I think he should keep running, and focus on the 5 and 10k for awhile. He's simply lacking the speed that he had previously, from doing all the marathon training.
Come to America!! You could compete for us when you're 43.
People on Twitter are quoting Geb as saying this was his last track race. I haven't seen a link, yet; however.
Haile is far from done. I think he could run a sub 27 later this season if he wants to but it is more likely that he will go back to the marathon.
He's clearly a much better road runner than track runner at this point in his career. If he runs 27:39 on the road with very little competition and only 19 seconds faster on the track running with a pack the entire way, then he should stick to the roads.
39 and he's still running faster than Ritz' best. Rock on, Haile.
Idontevenknow wrote:
He's clearly a much better road runner than track runner at this point in his career. If he runs 27:39 on the road with very little competition and only 19 seconds faster on the track running with a pack the entire way, then he should stick to the roads.
Wasn't the track race rather tactical while the road race was a time trial - maybe he could have run a bit better with equal pacing...?
He said it today post race interview , my last 10k on the track was Beijing , today I tried again. Im a road racer and it didn't work out today.
Track for him means very little now at this stage , London would have been icing on the cake.
He has some very lucrative years left on the roads.
Let's start a Galen Rupp appreciation thread. He will be the American with the best chance for a medal in 2012. We are not sure of the circumstances of HB in the past, but all is not lost since Galen has 10 years left and some of those will be on the roads.
Perhaps Rupp could hold the 2 mile, 5k and 10k American records at the same time. That would be something.
No Haile is on a completely different level than Rupp. The two should hardly even be mentioned in the same breath. Rupp is not even the fastest guy in Portland let alone the GOAT. Haile has set 26 world records and has been the face of distance running for 20 years. Haile has won multiple Gold medals and had a kick like no other. Haile has showed consistency and longevity that has never before been seen in another human being. We love you Haile Gebrselassie.
I respect Rupp, and he is a good runner, in America. This guy was/still is a great runner for all the world. He is truly a legend. Also look at this:
Wrong.
Rupp is the greatest American distance runner from 1500m - 10k and might be the greatest marathoner in 6 years.
HG is not on a different level and there is no clear evidence yet that his legacy is real.
Rupp has carried distance running from HS, to college, to pro to the Olympics.
You need to get off the HG train and start the Rupp Appreciation Thread
DaveW wrote:
Wrong.
Rupp is the greatest American distance runner from 1500m - 10k and might be the greatest marathoner in 6 years.
HG is not on a different level and there is no clear evidence yet that his legacy is real.
Rupp has carried distance running from HS, to college, to pro to the Olympics.
You need to get off the HG train and start the Rupp Appreciation Thread
No, Rupp is not just a good runner in America, he can beat anyone in the world. And we really don't know the truth about HG, and that is the truth. We have learned about the truth.
Good video to remember him by - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gXuOB-PxxE&feature=related