I'd probably take the 5k American Record.
I'd probably take the 5k American Record.
American Record for two reasons:
1. I like chasing times and standards more than racing for the sake of racing, although both are fun
2. Breaking a national record is just way too cool, someone gets to win the Boston Marathon every year, but a national record typically lasts much longer than that
AR. I'm a 15/5 guy.
xenonscreams wrote:
American Record for two reasons:
1. I like chasing times and standards more than racing for the sake of racing, although both are fun
2. Breaking a national record is just way too cool, someone gets to win the Boston Marathon every year, but a national record typically lasts much longer than that
Uhhhh if you're comparing it (winning Boston) to running an American record, then no, an American does not win the Boston Marathon every year.
"Oh look, Galen just ran 12:52 and finished 3rd in X Diamond League race. How exciting"
Beating Lagat's AR is easily the bigger accomplishment, so I'll go with 5k AR.
This is going to become a Rupp thread. My opinion is Rupp should chase the 5K AR and not run Boston over the next few years.
Good qu, Mestion, both have a lot of prestige attached to them. Obviously a Boston win would be more impressive to the average American, I've seen at least two commercials recently with Meb featured in them. Can't really say that about Lagat. I think even to the more "expert" fans of distance racing, a Boston win is more impressive compared to beating 12:52. I think this also depends on how fast you set the 5k AR, do I beat it by a hair or do I cut off 10 seconds to run 12:42? Running 12:42 would be more impressive than a Boston win.
I'm really torn but I'd rather have the 5k record. First because I'd just enjoy it more I think. Second because the time can't be debated but I'm sure there'd be naysayers telling me on here that I beat a weak field. Imagine if Rupp won the Boston Marathon, we'd hear that even though he beat Wesley Korir, Patrick Makau, Kipsang, Meb and the ghost of Sammy Wanjiuru, it doesn't count because they all had bad days.
Also here's a commercial for Lagat, I was wrong
Boston. More glorified, more media coverage and name recognition. Your average hobby jogger knows who Meb is, but couldn't tell you what the American record is or who holds it.
5k easy.
Marathons in general do not interest me.
This is a tough question for me. I would rather win Boston, but since I am American by birth, I would also love to have the 5000 AR back in our hands instead of a transplanted Kenyan having it.
I wanna be famous wrote:
Boston. More glorified, more media coverage and name recognition. Your average hobby jogger knows who Meb is, but couldn't tell you what the American record is or who holds it.
I agree totally with this.
Also, Boston is a competition against competition from across the world. Any American record by definition is an achievement against a much, much narrower pool of competitors.
Boston by far. Why? $$$, so much more money in the marathon. The win alone is worth about $200,000. Then you rack up massive endorsement deals and your appearance fees for future marathons sky rocket.
Sure, the AR in the 5000 will earn you some dough, but nothing close to what a Boston winner will get.
Boston for sure, not even close.
You win Boston, you're set for life in appearance fee's alone. Meb is still celebrating his victory after getting congratulated by the President. In the meantime, Ritz in 2009 got a pat on the back and a black page on LetsRun.
Boston, again. Definitely. Make money and have people buy you beers the rest of your life. I don't think the 5k or any other record holders would be nearly as famous or have the same opportunities.
There's lots of track events - it would be an equally big accomplishment to set any of them - but there is only one winner at Boston every year, and it's the most famous marathon. You could make an easy living in running very easily, even after retirement.
I'd much rather have a gold (or probably other) medal than win Boston as well - even though that might not win you as much money.
I'd also rather win the Masters than get a gold medal, but that's another discussion. Okay fine - the club membership alone is worth at least as much as a gold medal would be, and you get sponsored by rich companies, it sets you up even better for your career so you can be either a golf pro or a player with the Q card, etc.
Boston, for the same reasons as folks above. It's better known, which results in more acclaim and money.
That in turn will allow me to have a lifestyle that I want as opposed to one I have to have. Well, it'll at least help me get there.
I'd like to win Boston by attacking over the Newton hills and crushing the last several miles. Thanks!
Boston because even though you're an AR holder for a day, it's going to get broken eventually. "Boston champ" is forever.
This is unless you set a record that is so superhuman, generations will be chasing your ghost.
But still, Boston.
is this the original oscar? or a stand in?
Anyway a Boston win, no matter what the time, is probably more prestigious in the US.
oscar the grouch wrote:
I'd probably take the 5k American Record.
I prefer the AR. Now, I would prefer the OR over the AR...I think.
Would you be a hero all over America or a hero on letsrun?
True lrc posters would of course go for the AR.
Letsrun is so hardcore. Sure, the American record for 5k might mean you are a better (faster) overall runner.
Win Boston and you are a legend - in the eyes of the media, the average American, and even mildly respected by letsrunners.
Win the Boston Marathon or set the American record for 5k by finishing 3rd in some random Diamond league race?
Front page of sports vs no mention except letsrun?
I'd pick Boston. Sorry, I'm a sellout.
Records are there to be broken. A Champion is a Champion forever. I had a friend who was an Olympian and his quote was, "Once an Olympian always an Olympian" which is much the same.