Probably Jordan Hasay. She still races but doesn't really compete.
Probably Jordan Hasay. She still races but doesn't really compete.
James Ronald Ryun, John Walker, Peter Snell (although I never saw him live.)
Can't believe it took til page four to get the first mention of Jim Ryun. Well, maybe I can. Too many kids on here most of the time.
Ryun was nothing short of incredible to watch. Saw him race both in college and in the run up to Munich. Damn near breathtaking to watch him live as he steadily wound it up faster and faster through the whole second half of a serious mile.
Might as well add Todd Williams, who was a rare beast, and early Adam Goucher, who while in college was beating Meb, Lagat, Abdi and the sky seemed like the limit. Grete Waitz too.
Lolo Jones
SFH
Claudette Groenendaal
Heike Henkel
Hmm, there's a theme here but I can't put my hands on it.
Lenny Leonard wrote:
ok7272 wrote:I competed in the same region of Virginia as Webb and ran with a couple guys in college from South Lakes. He's about my age so I've sort of gone through the milestones of adulthood around the same rate so his accomplishments were extra special to me.
I also once got a ride from him to class at George Mason University and talked to him on the metro and was freaking out at how cool an experience the whole thing was. He's a bit hyperactive, lots of energy, but a very good and classy guy.
Did you run with Todd and Jake?
haha I laughed when I realized how ok7272 is. And then I saw this post...who is Lenny Leonard?
I definitely vote Webb, though I am a bit biased. It's crazy to think he only had 3 healthy/good years after high school. Injuries really took him out. Definitely the most electricfying American runner in a long long time.
ZZTop wrote:
James Ronald Ryun, John Walker, Peter Snell (although I never saw him live.)
John f-ing Walker! Nobody's mentioned the Chairman of the Boards! (Eamonn Coghlan); the milers from that era including Dr. Wessinghage, Ovett, Scott. Those were the days.
isisftl wrote:
Jordan Hasay.
Zing!
+1
Well played
Eobard Thawne wrote:
Daniel Komen. I would love it if I could go back in time and convince him to come to 2016 so he could dominate all the weak pro runners of today.
+1
poootty pie wrote:
[quote]D-Nice wrote:
Amy Acuff...still have her playboy spread.
Thanks for the pro tip! Don't know how I missed that! Google did NOT disappoint!
Brian Oldfield. Made everyone want to watch the shot. Smoked cigs between throws, wore outfits that would put Maggie Vessey to shame, and had something which most of today's athletes seem to lack: a sense of humor. When asked how, as a 38 year old in 1984, he was able to set a new American record of 72'9" he replied: "I had a 'throw-gasm.'"
Also miss watching Breau Greer throwing bombs. Seeing a javelin fly just shy of the length of a football field is a sight to behold. No great replacement arms on the horizon; all pitching AA baseball, I guess.
Mary Slaney and then Ryan Hall.
Gaston Roelants of Belgium (XC, Steeplechase, Hour Run, etc.) - World Champion and WR holder.
Dragon Runner wrote:
Webb.
In his prime, every time he raced I always had the feeling that something big might happen. Sometimes big things did happen and other times there was a letdown, but it was always fun to get excited about the possibility of what might happen.
Yep.
I miss watching Seb and later El G breaking 1500 records. It was so exciting before it became tainted by the issue that I won't taint this thread with.
Matt Centrowitz, the elder, was a tough balls-to-the-wall racer his whole career. I chased his back a few times in HS and college as he disappeared around the track or on the trail in Vanny. He even had the AR at 5000 for about a week before Al Sal took it. His 4:02.7 (if memory serves) is still the NY State HS record.
ElGuerrouj.
I saw him race 4 times in person, including his last ever loss, Zurich 2004.
I will never forget watching him and Lagat run 3:26 in Brussels in 2001, front row, home stretch. That was the most exciting sporting event that I went to live until Nevada vs Boise State in 2010.
I love Bmart feet wrote:
poootty pie wrote:[quote]D-Nice wrote:
Amy Acuff...still have her playboy spread.
Thanks for the pro tip! Don't know how I missed that! Google did NOT disappoint!
SHE COMPETED THIS YEAR.
Aouita - versatility was unmatched. Looked like he was giving 110% in every race.
SFH - huge back kick. Small body and lots of power. Didn't hurt she was hot. Pro career totally screwed over by Regina Jacobs. (probably didn't help the underlying mental issues)
Johnny Gray - The Gray Zone. Set up the great 1996 Olympic final. He may have blown up in the straight away tons of times, but you always knew it was going to be a fast race. Longevity was incredible. He should get way more props from American runners.
Pat Porter - go to the front over hill and dale, hammer. Try to find me. Good luck. Looked like a deer running on grass. If only he had a little more speed.
Doug Padilla - smooth as silk.
Mike Powell - what has happened to the long jump. 1991 Tokyo v Lewis should play before big meets.
Jearl Miles Clark - was always so composed.
Emil Zatopek
Martin McGrady and Lee Evans together and running 600 yards indoors at the Garden. Saw them a number of times and if races today were that ultra-competitive, track would be much more popular than it is. It was like watching two wolverines with rabies going at each other.
Raul Gonzales (racewalker) - How it should be done and a real gentleman as well. A total class act.
Brian Oldfield - Colorful as Hell. A friend of mine had him as a roommate at one of the old Olympic Festivals. He said it was the most frightening thing that ever happened to him.