cant read good wrote:
didnt read all the thread so maybe it was suggested but why not replace the 800 guys with steeplers: jager, cabral, i dont know, mccadams?
You missed out on some good discussion then! I think the middle distance guys would surge and set a fast initial pace which would effectively crack the longer distance guys unless they have a lot of natural speed like Rupp. Then they can recover while the "cracked" long distance guys are weeded out, then surge again for the finish.
I think steeplers is a good call since they are experienced with races that have surges and period of high energy output followed by lulls.