What runner do you most respect?

Kyle Merber and Nick Willis.

More than a solid runner he's a rad person. He puts himself in there wether it goes well or not. When I met him over the summer at the mile Nick Willis put on Merb seemed in awe that he had finally picked up a sponsorship (signed with Hoka just days before). He was an awesome dude to meet who I've followed closely since first watching the Real Maine years ago. Also any of the dudes in NYNJTC are hard working humble dudes, a second tier club where the athletes actually work their asses off without the notoriety clubs like NOP or OTC get.

On the Willis train he is such a humble dude who lives in Ann Arbor with his family (being a dad is extremely important to him) and just gets work in. I've run into him on runs multiple times, during which he's been nice enough to change his route to talk to us, when he's logging nice easy miles in long shorts. On the other hand we've seen him throw down on Ferry field. The man knows when to go hard and when to take it easy.

Justin Gatlin.... I admire his persistence and resilient career... Despite the obstacles put in his path.

Far and above Nick Willis - a family man that has been going strong for many years and is always very classy.

Other runners I have a lot of respect for are Molly Huddle, Ben True, Haile Gebreselassie.

factchecker wrote:

Fixed

agc5k wrote:

Frank had an incredibly difficult childhood. But he busted his butt academically and athletically and is the only American to ever medal twice in the Olympic marathon and the only American in 64 years to win an Olympic gold in the marathon.

What I meant, was that he won gold in 72, the last American before him to win gold was in 1908. So in a span of over 100 years (after 1908) Frank is the only American to win gold in the marathon

1. Nick Willis

2. Molly Huddle

3/4 The Robertsons, they had the balls to move to Kenya.

The Commander.

Lopez Lomong - I can't believe nobody else has mentioned him. Incredible story and incredible talent.

Others:

Meb - How can you not love and respect him after Boston?

Bernard Lagat - classy family man

Willis - classy family man

Manzano - soft spoken and kind

Zatopek did something nobody has the balls to do anymore. Or maybe he was crazy. But you have to respect '52.

onebelow wrote:

Zatopek did something nobody has the balls to do anymore. Or maybe he was crazy. But you have to respect '52.

Yeah, all-time have to go with Zatopek. Crazy work ethic, incredible medal count, and by all accounts wonderful personality.

On the all-time women's side have to go with Joanie.

More currently, I'd echo Ritz -- lots of guts, and keeps coming back despite all those injuries.

Todd Williams

Brian diemer

Brian Sell

Nick Willis

Dathan Ritenhein

Desiree Davila

Grant Fischer

Greg Meyer

Lisa Larsen last American female to win Boston

Kevin Sullivan

There is a certain way that people with Michigan ties handle themselves that I respect.

Loot wrote:

Tirunesh Dibaba. She's everything an athlete should be.

Another vote for the baby-faced assassin.

A close second vote for Tegla Loroupe, not only for paving the way for all the Kenyan women runners but also for her work outside of running.

And Bill Rogers was working a full time job and running twice a day. He stopped about 3 times in his break through marathon to tie is shoe and drink water.

Thank you to the person who said Lopez Lomong. Dude was kidnapped from his home at six, escaped the prison camp he was in, lived in a refugee camp for another 10 years, came to the US and ran in the Olympics twice.

And Matt Elliott, really humble guy, I'm rooting for him at US indoor nationals.

+1 for Yuki.

That dude is a wild F-ing animal. Love watching anyone with that much grit.

Finishline owns Boulder Running Company.

Not that it makes Plaatjes any less respectful.

Billy Mills

Buddy Edelen

Dick Beardsley

(Can anyone guess what they have in common?)

last place

2xaRunner wrote:

Billy Mills

Buddy Edelen

Dick Beardsley

(Can anyone guess what they have in common?)

no one mentions Peter Snell or John Walker #NZL ??