Official 2015 Men's 1500 Discussion Thread - Can Asbel Kiprop Become Just The 3rd Man to Win a 3rd Global 1500 Title?

I want to see Makhloufi go gangbusters so we finally know what he can run flat out. At this point I just assume everyone is dirty so all I really want is for someone to put on a show and not for them to plod around for 1100m then race the last lap to finish in 3:36:xx

Kiprop looks unbeatable as of recent. Makh better be taking the good stuff if he's going to beat him.

If he time trials the whole thing he might overcook it- but he won't try that. (Souleiman, Willis, Kiplagat ready to sweep past should he blown up after a mad 1:49 first two laps - you never know with Kiprop.) If he leaves it to the last 120 like in Moscow he may be surprised by various factors but would still be most likely winner of course. Kiplagat, Centrowitz and Makhloufi might fancy their chances.

If he drives for home from 500 out then he'll probably win by 10 metres while waving to the crowd and scaring 3:30.

"The 2012 Olympic champ’s 3:28.75 won him the human portion of the Monaco race (i.e. the non-Kiprop division) and though he missed Worlds in 2013, he’s run well the past two years, even if he hasn’t been able to quite recapture his 2012 form. Still, he’s in better form that he was heading into his Olympic title (he was 4th in Monaco in 3:30.80 in his final pre-Olympic race)."

This doesn't make sense.

Robert Biwott is mentioned in the article, but all the start lists I can find list Timothy Cheruiyot (5th place at the Kenyan trials) as the 4th Kenyan in the 1500, not Biwott.

Somewhat curious, since Biwott has a much better PR (3:30.10 versus 3:34.86, plus a very fast 800 as well) and of course beat Cheruiyot at the trials.

Not to mention Kwemoi (6th at trials) who has gone 3:30.4 this year, plus 3:28 last year.

Cheruiyot's current claim to notoriety is his 1600m leg at the World Relays this year, when he went out in 51.96.

The Ghost of Caesar wrote:

"The 2012 Olympic champ’s 3:28.75 won him the human portion of the Monaco race (i.e. the non-Kiprop division) and though he missed Worlds in 2013, he’s run well the past two years, even if he hasn’t been able to quite recapture his 2012 form. Still, he’s in better form that he was heading into his Olympic title (he was 4th in Monaco in 3:30.80 in his final pre-Olympic race)."

This doesn't make sense.

Sorry. Meant to say the form he showed during the 2012 Olympics. Will update to clarify.

LetsRun.com wrote:

Our race preview is now up:

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2015/08/2015-worlds-mens-1500-preview-can-favored-asbel-kiprop-win-his-4th-global-gold-against-this-historically-loaded-field/

Talk about drama. 5 men could win gold - Kiprop, Centrowitz, Souleiman, Kiplagat and Makhloufi. At least 2 of them will go home without a medal.

These are your wildcards:

"Jakub Holuša, Czech Republic. The World Indoor silver medalist in 2012 at 800 meters and this year’s European Indoor champ, Holuša has steadily brought his PR down from 3:38.10 in 2011 down to 3:34.26 this year, which he ran in his final race before Worlds in Stockholm.

Charlie Grice, Great Britain. The British national champ, Grice has talent (he ran 3:54 in the mile at age 19 and is still just 21) and has acquitted himself well recently at Heusden (second in a PR of 3:35.29) the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games (fourth)."

How can you not mention Ingebrigtsen, at least when you mention...Grice? Ingebrigtsen almost always is in peak shape in championship, has gold and silver from European Champs in 1500, a good tactician with a good kick in a slow race despite his 800 in only 1.48 and came 5th in Olympics 2012. A kind of light version of Centro.

You mean he's trying to win his 4th global title, not 3rd.

I have followed the 1500 for a long time.

And I don't know how to predict it.

Kiprop is easily favored to win again.

Centro always races well and he is in better shape than ever.

Willis medaled years ago but set his PR this year.

Makh PRed.

Kiplagat is good enough to win.

Souleiman is good enough to win.

Or you may have a repeat of 2012 ... Someone makes a hard move (Kiprop

this time) and everyone burns themselves out trying to keep up.

Manzano picks up the pieces again.

We may see a crazy last lap.

Even if the pace is fast, a number of them can keep up and we'll still see jostling.

Ingebrigtsen will WIN and rekindle Nordic dominance of the 1500.

Or else maybe Kiprop will win. One or the other is likely to happen. That's my BOLD prediction.

Leader

200m Kiprop 27.7

300m Iguider 42.7

400m Iguider 57.5

700m Ingebrigtsen 1:41.7

800m Souleiman 1:55.6

1100m Souleiman/Mahkloufi 2:38.6

1200m Mahkloufi 2:52.3

1500m Kiprop 3:32.1

1. Kiprop 3:32.13

2. Mahkloufi 3:32.44

3. Kiplagat 3:32.56

4. Souleiman 3:32.70

5. Centrowitz 3:33.13

6. Mwanangoi 3:33.22

7. Iguider 3:33.26

8. Willis 3:33.53

9. Wote 3:33.75

10. Ingebrigtsen 3:33.98

11. Ozbilen 3:34.48

12. Manzano 3:36.40

Kiprop 100m in looks like he might TT the thing, but decelerates down the front stretch as the field bunches up. Iguider, with 1:47/13:09 PBs, doesn't want a jog-fest so reluctantly assumes the lead but lacks the cajones to keep it fast. Ingebrigtsen hits the front briefly, just long enough to look douchey in sunglasses and speed suit. Souleiman, already with a medal from the 800, hits the front with 750 to go and strides out, with Mahkloufi on his neck and all 3 Kenyans positioned ahead of Willis and Centro. Mahkloufi moves hard with 400 to go, hoping to replicate London 2012. Down the backstretch Mahkloufi, Souleiman, Kiprop, Kiplagat and the upstart Mwanangoi gap the field by 3-4m. Kiprop moves wide to the front with 110 to go and pulls away convincingly. Centro, Iguider & Willis enter the straight together looking poised; Centro runs down a flagging Mwanangoi but can't make up ground on the medals while Willis gets nowhere.

1. Kiplagat

2. Kiprop

3. Makhloufi

4. Souleiman

I didn't include him for that very reason. A medal from him would be surprising but not totally out of line considering he's already shown he's capable of running well on the biggest stage. I was looking for someone who would be a major surprise, a la Centro in 2011 or Cronje in 2013.

Very nice and descriptive prediction.

Much better than predicting so-and-so won't win.

Centro is THE MAN

Why isn't this obvious to you people by now?

we gotta keep this thread somewhat alive now to check back on this guys prediction.

i like it, seems seasonable.

People prepared to put their money where their mouth is have Kiprop as the very strong favourite.

See e.g.

http://www.oddschecker.com/athletics/mens-world-championships/mens-1500m/winner

Take a look at the Men's steeple. I think there is a decent shot at some $$$ if you can bet against Jager.

Any predictions for Ramzi? Is he actually running?