Could Bekele 2008 have beaten Farah 2016?

I will go on record saying NO ONE beats Bekele at his best, not at 10,000m anyway. He looked tired when he lost to El G at 5000m in 2004. By 2008 he was already past his prime, so it is a little hard to say. I think 2016 Farah is not as good as 2012 Farah, so it might be an even match. I would give the edge to Bekele though, especially if he and Sihine worked together. Farah specializes in jogging 23-24 laps and then winning in a 400m-600m sprint finish. Bekele was good at that too, but he could hammer from a LONG way out too (12:58 last 5000m against Geb in 2003). I don't see Farah really standing a chance against that kind of running and could see failing to medal at all in such a race.

Looking forward to the 5000m regardless.

absolutely bekele wins:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3csSVopAb0

never been able to find the full race video, but there is no way farah can go 4:56.97 for 2k from the front closing in 53. this race, together with all his titles and records (which farah has not and will not approach) are why bekele is the greatest...and i think you can argue that geb is #2

Full race video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=LL_lp8AxAGb2_cXWRvGuBIsA&v=CtBPtksTW4Q

I think 2008 Bekele beats Farah

Bekele wins.

Interesting discussion. I've thought about it from time to time in the past. One thing must be said, bekele did so much xc and dusted folks a lot like kipchoge who had a sour race one time (LRC thanks for the vid!). He has a certain style of running and hammering, part and parcel with his long distance specialty. I watched those two Beijing races, particularly the 5k, often. Notably too he turned back lagat, almost like el g did, in 2009 (versus 2004). Actually 2012 5k final with a blistering last 2k , of fast 1ks (2:32, 2:28 or something like that) was similar broadly speaking to the long kick of 2008. There were a bunch of 12:46-12:50 runners in that final too, in 2012 which leads me to believe that this is a competitive style of grind that emerges naturally with a strong 5k final field in modern times, led by an ultrafit title contender. From other accomplishments some of us have witnessed Kenny b amass over his career, and his economical seemingly long distance sublime style and demeanor, he seems like the Mike Jordan or Joe Louis of the modern distance running. But Farah certainly would be one of the most competitive challengers, with his amazing mile speed, his ability to shift gears with such variety at the end of a race and his ability to hang on for a fast race with a fast close. The man, all natural or not, certainly has had finishes where he looks graceful in a way unmatched by any other active contemporary runner.

Perhaps things would be different if a little less money were on road marathon ing and more towards road distance similar to xc and towards track.

Remember that summer when bekele ran tons of races at fast speeds, worrying some of us that he would get worn down for major title hopes and career, for the golden league jackpot? Before it became diamond. and to share it with Pamela jelimo. The man did a heckuva lot of work for 333,333 dollars. Wish there was more money and diverse events in the world and regionally, from 5k to 12k.

Look what Bekele did to Lagat in 08, when Lagat was much younger, stronger and faster than he was in 2011 when Mo pipped him .. had Lagat not got bumped on the last bend by Longosiwa (IIRC), Lagat would likely have beaten him ... Lagat wasn't even close to Bekele in the 08 final.

Thanks for posting the 2008 5000 video, which is Exhibit A on Kenenisa's greatness over Farah. I'll even compare to Farah in 2012 when he was probably at his best, here's that 5000:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C93qwVmBseE

While Farah's race was certainly good, maybe the toughest he's run, it's nowhere near as dominant and impressive as Kenenisa in Beijing, where he ruled that 5000m with an iron fist.

2012, Farah first really took the lead with 700m to go and never established major separation, with runners right on him until the final turn. Kenenisa led almost the entire race, starting from 1 minute in and only tucking behind his teammates briefly a bit before 3000, and from 3000 on it was a straight up demonstration of what it means to be the GOAT.

In a race that started more than 40 seconds faster, Bekele ran the last 2k 2 seconds faster, pushing the pace all by himself with a pair of Kenyans just waiting on his heels, letting him do all of the work and waiting to attack at any sign of weakness. But there would be no such thing. Kenenisa hammered and hammered with the Kenyans hanging until the bell, at which point he promptly changed into yet another gear and blew them right out of the stadium. Despite having a 20m gap with 200 to go, wagging his finger already at 150, and a 30m gap by time he hit the home stretch, and pulling up at the end, he still finished with a 53.87. Within a second of the all out, fight for his life last lap Farah had to put in for gold in London, being pushed the entire way, and in a considerably slower race.

Farah ran smart in 2012, but Kenenisa ran like a lion in 2008. Farah probably would've put up a tougher fight than Kipchoge and Soi (although those guys were no scrubs, and both hold faster 5000m times than Farah), but I bet Bekele would've even gapped him by 10+ meters on that day. Farah has never shown that kind of dominance, probably because of his superior speed making sit and kick such a guaranteed success. But Bekele had learned his lesson about how that works with El G in 04, and if he had met Farah with both in their prime, he absolutely would've used the same strategy as 08 and it would've worked.

Splits:

Bekele 08 (leading the entire way):

3000 08:00.85 63.16 02:38.56

3400 09:01.70 59.96

3800 10:03.60 61.36

4000 10:32.52 02:31.67

4200 11:03.40 60.84

4600 12:03.80 60.94

5000 12:57.82 53.87 02:25.30

3000 08:42.95 62.47 02:46.25

3400 ?? 61 (Javeliner Tero Pitkamaki interrupted both races at the same time, WTF!)

3800 10:47.50 61.21

4000 11:16.47 02:33.52

4200 11:47.60 62.21

4600 12:48.90 61.1

5000 13:41.67 52.94 02:25.20

Jack M. wrote:

By 2008 he was already past his prime, so it is a little hard to say.

Why do you think he was past his prime by 2008???

Fat floats wrote:

....

3400 ?? 61 (Javeliner Tero Pitkamaki interrupted both races at the same time, WTF!) ....

LOL .. some field event performances become etched into youtube history, and have received a crazy number of views as they interrupt some classic race like this one.

Golden/diamon league race with pacemakers no

Championship it would be closer and depend on the pace. I would still back Bekele but it would be a close race unless someone set up a very fast pace

It's pretty obvious that Bekele would win, but it's a little irrelevant, it's like comparing Koch with Felix/Miller, in doping terms Bekele is the full chicken vindaloo and whereas Mo more of a chicken madras or partially doped.

Mope Dealer wrote:

It's pretty obvious that Bekele would win, but it's a little irrelevant, it's like comparing Koch with Felix/Miller, in doping terms Bekele is the full chicken vindaloo and whereas Mo more of a chicken madras or partially doped.

What about the Full Chicken Vindaloo (Bekele) versus the Big Makh (Makhloufi) over 2200m?

Sub-13:00 in the second half of a 10000 is so fast I can hardly comprehend the feat. Not that long ago the second half of that race would have been a WR at 5000.

But El G beat Bekele twice over 5k so I can't see a miler losing over 2200m.

What's this Big Makh nonsense anyhow? The guy is shorter then Tom Cruise with just as wrinkly balls, but at least Cruise is sixty.

Bekele would have put Mo away Saturday night before 200 to go and been waving to the crowd with 100 to go

Not even just the Olympic final. Do you remember what Bekele did on the Diamond League that year...and in 2009. Untouchable, and actually FAST.

Jack M. wrote:

I will go on record saying NO ONE beats Bekele at his best, not at 10,000m anyway. He looked tired when he lost to El G at 5000m in 2004. By 2008 he was already past his prime, so it is a little hard to say. I think 2016 Farah is not as good as 2012 Farah, so it might be an even match. I would give the edge to Bekele though, especially if he and Sihine worked together. Farah specializes in jogging 23-24 laps and then winning in a 400m-600m sprint finish. Bekele was good at that too, but he could hammer from a LONG way out too (12:58 last 5000m against Geb in 2003). I don't see Farah really standing a chance against that kind of running and could see failing to medal at all in such a race.

Looking forward to the 5000m regardless.

The 2004 5k was very slow run, perfect for the 1500m world record holder.

Still in a championship Bekele would struggle to beat Prime Komen in a 5k unless he had a teammate pace it for near world record and even then I wouldn't bet on it.

Any evidence of Bekele ever doping?

This Komen mythology is ridiculous.

Bekele would have beaten Komen at 5000m nine times out of ten in their primes. Prime Bekele probably would've beaten Prime Komen at 3000m 7/10 times, but at least it'd be a better race.