Best male runner of all time - discussion

yes, rono is the best IMO.

no-one has mentioned Peter Snell, 3 Olympic golds from 3 attempts. He had a half-decent coach too.

The other guy! wrote:

Cierpinski are missing on your list, all being able to have pulled off some kidn of double.

ummmmmm

If you read my post, you will notice that I consider these 5 for very different reasons.You are right, Prefontaine comes nowhere close to the others in terms of accomplishments, but he did a lot for the sport and together with Frank Shorter was a great responsible for the running-mania that changed the history of running. Not to mention his driven and quotes that, product of marketing or not, makes him one of the most remembered runners ever and an inspiration for many. And don't forget about his position against the amateur status. And I am not american.As for Kip Keino, you are the one that doesn't seem to know running. You should know that Kip Keino won for medals in Olympics in three different distances, two of them gold (1500 / Steeple) not to mention his other victories in major championships. But this is not enough and the reason he is among the first 5 of my list is that he influenced a whole generation of Kenyan runners. If you see Dennis Kimmetto and Wilson Kipsang ruling today, is because 50 years ago Kip Keino showed it was possible. He is one of the reasons of Kenyan dominance in the sport. He started it all. He was a revolutionary. Wanting or not, liking him or not, he's one of the most important runners ever.

aslan wrote:

rfmaioral wrote:

I personally think that Paavo Nurmi, Emil Zatopek, Steve Prefontaine, Kip Keino and Haile Gebrsellassie,

My Dear Sir,

Are you high!?!!?!?

How can you possibly put Steve Prefontaine in the same category as the others--zero world records, zero international medals, zero significant accomplishments outside the U.S. of A at a time that was very prolific in distance running history.

Please watch closely as the "stocky American" gets destroyed by the true class of his generation, and someone someone who genuinely deserves to be on the all-time list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFty7To8oQk

Also Kip Keino? Not really close to a legit contender. Are you just listing runners you've heard of?

Prob not the best, but if you are dropping names like Pre, I might as well throw in Paul Tergat.

=1: Geb, Bekele, Zatopek

4: Nurmi

5: Viren

Not in the conversation: Farah

We're talking about the BEST runner of all time. Not the most popular, most influential or coolest runner. Just the BEST runner. Andt that's Kennster.

Good list except Pre. If you take the total body of work this works well. If you take single performances or a great year / two years then Rudisha is way up there, you might add snell, Komen or Wanjiru

iguchi wrote:

Just runner?

Bolt

Bekele

Hicham

Geb

Rudisha

Michael Johnson

Those guys definitely need to be in the discussion. In fact, I'd even throw Prefontaine in there for his no bullshit style and the fact that he made track much more popular and inspired so many to run is huge.

Seriously, how can you include names like Pre? Not even near Geb and Bekele

Honestly, just do a thread search and bump one.

And please don't start another 'Best high school runner of all time' thread..

Derek Clayton 2:09 in 1967 and 2:08 in 1969

Gebrselassie broke his first world record at age 21, he broke his last world record at age 37, in between he broke 26 more. There is no one anywhere near that kind of gap between first WR and last.

Even if you believe the age theory that he is actually older than he claims, it doesn't change the gap. That would actually make him older for his last, and even more impressive.

Loot wrote:

Gebrselassie broke his first world record at age 21, he broke his last world record at age 37, in between he broke 26 more. There is no one anywhere near that kind of gap between first WR and last.

Even if you believe the age theory that he is actually older than he claims, it doesn't change the gap. That would actually make him older for his last, and even more impressive.

If Wanjiru was still alive I'd bet he could challenge that considering he broke the half marathon record at 18.

I'd have to say Komen is the best because I think he had the most talent, but he had such a short dominance. If time factors into in then I'd say Edwin Moses.

stop this cr@p wrote:

We're talking about the BEST runner of all time. Not the most popular, most influential or coolest runner. Just the BEST runner. Andt that's Kennster.

How many marathons has Kennster won? How many WRs in the marathon and half has he set?

When Kenny B either sets a WR or wins Olympic (or even WC) gold at the marathon he will officially be the greatest ever. Until then...

You are all wrong - Walter George is by far the best

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_George_

(athlete)

There are an infinite number of "best runners of all time" based on your definition of "best". Some define "best" by medals, others by WRs, others by who they think would win if they raced.

Without context, this discussion is basically meaningless.

Glad to contribute!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Pre ...

aslan wrote:

rfmaioral wrote:

I personally think that Paavo Nurmi, Emil Zatopek, Steve Prefontaine, Kip Keino and Haile Gebrsellassie,

My Dear Sir,

Are you high!?!!?!?

How can you possibly put Steve Prefontaine in the same category as the others--zero world records, zero international medals, zero significant accomplishments outside the U.S. of A at a time that was very prolific in distance running history...

This ^

'rfmaioral' had to be joking. But he kept such a straight face it leaves one not quite sure.