Khannouchi vs. Abera best marathoner debate

Khannouchi will crush Abera on a fast course with rabbits, Khalid is just too fast on the flat courses. Abera has a better chance with a tactical race, but I think if Khalid pulls a Shorter in the Olympics and breaks away from the lead pack early he would be very difficult to catch.

Khalid is the fastest marathoner, being considered the "best" is too subjective. With that said, I don't think you can call Abera the best ever unless he can break 2:06 in a race (while beating Khalid). I wouldn't call Khalid the best ever unless he nails a Gold, while beating Abera. I think the latter is more likely.

In none of those scenarios would Abera be better than KK. Subjectivity aside, I'll go ahead and say that KK is the best ever.

Tough, tough call.

I would agree, and not sure how anyone could argue the KK is by far the FASTEST marathoner ever. I think the argument could be made that this also makes him the BEST ever as well. As others have mentioned he has run races that have fields that are much deeper than say the WCs or the Oly's. Look at London last year, Chicago last year, or London this year...all those fields are MUCH better (and deeper) than the WCs and Olympics. Sure, it doesn't get him a gold medal, but you also have to realize as an athlete KK also needs to make $$$. Chicago and London all have very deep pockets--not only in prize money, but with appearance fees as well. Really can't blame him. Sure, it would be GREAT for KK to win a gold at the Olympics...but winning golds at the Olympics is more about timing than anything else. Can KK stay on top of his game till the Olympics? He has been running VERY well for 5 years now...hard to say. Abera has a great record too. But for me, it comes down to time and head to head competition. KK has the vote in both departments in my book. But just my .02 cents...lets see what happens in the next two years!

There is no doubt that KK is the fastest Marathoner Ever. That being said I don't think you can call him the best marathon because he has yet to win (or run/finish) for that matter a marathon w/o the aid of a rabbit and a fast pace. He needs to prove he can on a course like NY or Boston or in a major championship. The olympics is racing in its purest form w/o the aid of rabbits or pacesetters, mano y mano, head to head for the biggest prize of them all.

I agree with most of the response, in that Khalid is definetly the world fastest "consistently" runner. The debate about Khalid or Abere being the best will be settled in 2003 and 2004. If both are healthy Khalid will run 2:05 or faster and beat Abere in his personal best. In the Worlds or Olympic all Khalid needs to do is win one or medal 2nd or 3rd in both and the title world best marathoner ever will be his! The problem is that Khalid has never really focused on Olympic/World medals until last year, so Abere may have those titles by default! Abere is a great competitive runner but we'll see how he stacks up against Khalid and Paul Tergat.

Vipam

I think you guys are all failing to factor in tactics here. London, Chicago are all dragstrip races where you can run a nice even pace. Championship courses are not, they are not fast, they are hot and hilly, and many of those fellows like El Mouziaz who have run so fast on the flat courses have been crushed in championship races. Khalid ahs shown that he can run real fast but not just win when winning is all that matters, can he win off a slow pace? On a hilly course? In the heat? Abera can. Khalid has tried and failed. Dave Bedford set records too, was he the greatest? No. If you believe Chicago and London are so much deeper than the world championships you don't read the results and see the guys who get creamed at the world champs. The marathon is not the track, times don't mean as much as winning big races, which yes London and Chicago are but you are crazy if you think they are bigger than the Olympics. By the way Abebe Bikila is the best ever as is shown by his two gold and two world records, Khalid has the records but won't get two golds.