Has anyone else heard the word going around that the Stanford course this year actually was shorter than an 8k? It seems obvious with how fast people ran at the meet especially in comparison to their previous races. Does anyone else find it ironic that a school that prides itself in being home to superior academic standing can't properly measure an 8000 meter course?
Well look at the results. Ratcliffe now looks like one of the best freshmen of all time.
This is peak recruiting time for a team like Stanford. Thus they can point to this and say "Look how great of coaches we are".
They can lock up some great recruits before they flame out at nationals.
Who cares if it is 7789 meters or 8001 meters? I personally don't. They'll race at NCs if healthy, and the best man & woman that day will win.
Per another thread message, Stanford Invite courses have been the current 5k/6k/8k versions since 2010.
College/University/Open races were really fast this year due to the quality of the top runners but especially the weather. Finally, friendly temps in the 60s instead of the usual 80s.
If you really want smokin-fast, look north to the Washington Invite at Jefferson Park also held this past Saturday. Hordes of runners under 24 along with sub-20 womens' times. That meet is in its 3rd year and has always been much faster than Stanford Invite. Again, not short, just a pancake-flat course on firm surfaces w/perfect weather & great runners.
keepingup wrote:
Who cares if it is 7789 meters or 8001 meters? I personally don't. They'll race at NCs if healthy, and the best man & woman that day will win.
+1
Credentials please? How do you know this??
It's cross country, who gives a flying f*ck about times or distances?