America v Australia in Middle/Long distance running?

quality wise per capita it would be the aussies

Per capita, it has been the aussies since about 1953. Both countries best teams, long course cross , short course cross, 1500, 10,000 track and marathon going against each other would be an interesting battle. I would think the Aussies come out on top if we're counting both men and women. Score 6 events Aust. 4 USA

Historically, Australia has been very strong, especially given it's population. They've produced guys like Clarke, Elliot, Clayton, Landy, De Castella, Doubell, O'Brien, etc.

Yeah- I'd have to give this one to Australia too. But that would be an excellent matchup! I would definitely go to watch that. The Trans-Pacific Cup, featuring the USA, Australia, and Japan going head to head to head in Marathon, 10k, 5k, 1500m, and 800m. I'd pay to see it.

So would a number of people, but you think those three governing bodies could ever possibly get their acts together to put it on?

Japan tried for years at Chiba, but we continually sent crap teams over there. Since that time, they've given up on trying to get it together.

Australia is currently no even a distance power. Their distance program is far worse than you can imagine.

In a distance meet against the US, Australia would get slaughtered. Webb, Krum, Culpepper, Meb, Lincoln, and Broe would beat just about anyone Australia would put up against them. Australia can't even send a full distance squad to the Olympics because their runners can't even get the Olympic B standard.

US distance running is not bad enough to start a comparison with Australia. Lets get things into perspective.

Per Capita Australia vs New Zealand????????

New Zealand

Apart from Mottram and Johnson Australia is S.T. Ruggling at the moment mid distance/distance wise. On the mens side Our depth is especially bad. I will speak about the runners who are currently competing.

No Australian has broken 1:45 for 800 since the early 80's! In 2004 our fastest 800 performance was a 1:47

Our fastest 1500 runner at the moment (except mottram) has run 3:37, while another 3:36 guy has moved to the steeple. another 3:37 from last year is running poorly/not interested this year. mark fountain recently ran a 3:54 indoor mile

In the 3000/5000 we have mottram, then mike power who's run 7:46/13:23 before not sure of his form now. fountain 7:52 indoors. then its mark tucker 7:55/13:33. lee troop ran 7:41/13:14 in 1999, before being a marathon runner, now runs just under 14 mins

At 10000 we suck bad in terms of depth. behind mottram there's marathon runner lee troop at low 28mins. 3 others have run sub 28 in the last few years but dont seem to be anywhere near that sort of form now.

Athletics Australia refuse to develop any juniors, they chose not to take a junior team to world xc despite having 6 guys sub 15 in the 5k. 14:26, 14:30, 14:35, 14:50, 14:51, 14:59.

As far as I know the womens side is much the same..not much depth after benita johnson. There do seem to be a decent group of juniors coming through in the 800 and 1500 though. A bunch of 15-16 year olds running 2:04-2:06, and a different bunch of juniors running around 4:20 in the 1500.

Wow, Lunn and Stember should move down to Australia and become the continents top milers.

Our mid distance is in the worst state ever. Matter of fact, athletics here is in it's worst state ever. Distance is better with Craig Mottram's 12.55 5km, his World cup win a few years ago and his 9th and 13th at world XC last year. Benita Johnson won world xc long course last year, been 3rd at world half marathon and won the Great North Run last year as well as being under 15 min many times for 5km. Lee Troop's run a 2.09 marathon, which is still pretty good. No great depth though.

Comparision...too hard to tell. You're talking 20 million vs 280 million. I know who should be way ahead given the cast of thousands that run XC/track at HS and college. There's something amiss with that system. With those numbers the US should be up with the Africans.

Didn't see someone had used the same screen name....sorry....I'm the second one.

aussie wrote:

There's something amiss with that system.

Of course there is: undertraining and overracing.

interesting replies.

Herb Elliot v Jim Ryun

Craig Mottram v Bob Kennedy

Ron Clarke v Steve Prefontaine

I would give up everything i have to see this

(im Aussie and i was wondering whats the go with Sydnee Maree not getting any credit. 3:29 for 1500m. at the same time as coe and ovett. and all i hear is this stuff about Ryan and Webb and ritz and co. what wbout this guy

Maree was South African.

ok i didnt know that. Is there somewhere where i can read more about him

Well put it this way...Mottram would no doubtably be the best from 1500 to half mara at the moment...BY FAR!. And im pretty sure that if he even did some speed work and run an 800 he would be our current best...seeing as this seasons fastest was a pitiful 1.48 low.

Depth wise we arnt to bad in the 1500, but no one is really taking the next step towards the 3.35s etc..though hopefully Fountain (3.54 indoor mile behind lagat)..can regain some respectablity and go around 3.33 outdoors if he runs in europe.

The rest of the male distance events are terrible to say the least....and im not even going to bother about the women...if it wasnt for benita johnson, female distance running would be extinct!!!!!

Marathon is not bad per capita...

Troop - 2:09

Harrison - 2:10

Sisay - 2:11

Westcott - 2:11

Letherby - 2:12

Magnus M. - 2:14

Nankervis - 2:14

Dent - 2:15

Plus, Mona is probably still good for 2:12!

I think Sarah Jamieson would hold up Aussie distance for women quite alright. 8.50 something for 3k on her own and a 4.04 1500. I'd expect bigger things in Europe this year too.