World Class 5k - Who Is? Who Isn't?

i can only hope that you took the time to compile this list because it was for a class or some other worthy cause.

I think your list is almost complete. But Gebre-egziabher Gebermariam ETH time is 9th 12:58.08 (Paris WC)

http://iaaf.org/athletes/athlete=188449/BioPopUp.html

Ross wrote:

I think your list is almost complete. But Gebre-egziabher Gebermariam ETH time is 9th 12:58.08 (Paris WC)

No it's your reading comprehension that's incomplete. "Does not follow instructions."

520 Runner wrote:

i can only hope that you took the time to compile this list because it was for a class or some other worthy cause.

It's his hobby, so by default it is a worthy cause.

You, on the other hand, have no excuse for your gratuitous post.

520 Runner - I was debating whether to compile that list or post a thread about drinking and running, or sex and running, or shitty coaching and running, or fat lazy co-workers and running, or eating disorders and running, or walking and running, but that would have taken too much time and effort. So I did that list instead. Maybe I'll try one of those never before done topics later. What do you think?

Ross - What Evelyn Wood said. Go back and read my original post again.

I'd like to say thank you for an excellent post. Kennedy is up there pretty high eh?

You're welcome.

Yes, BK is definitely up there! It's easy to forget just how good of a 5k runner he was. When you look at that list and see who is around/behind him you can tell that he had an awesome career.

FYI, I just posted a similar list for the 10k. Take a look at it and I think you'll be similarly impressed with Meb Keflezighi and Mark Nenow.

The only standard you need to determine "world class" is the Olympic A standard. If one can run as fast or faster than that standard, then that person is world class.

The Olympic A standard is another way to define "world class", but it does not measure longevity. One only needs to hit the "A" standard once to be considered "world class". I am looking for athletes who consistently perform at the highest level.

how did you happen upon the number 8 for performances?

BA - I started out wanting to see how Keneisa Bekele compared to others who ran before him. I went to the all time 5k list and counted the number of times he ran under 3:15. There were a total of 8 times listed for him. I used that number as the base to compare him to all others.

should have read under 13:15 for Kenenisa Bekele

This is great post, thanks.

Are we to assume there's only 39 guys (in the entire history of humanity) who fit the criteria? There's no Joe Blow out there who ran 8 x 13.14 every time out?

When the IAAF retired imperial records in 1976, the 3-mile WR was inferior to a 13:15 5k. No worries here.

How about hitting a certain time without drugs

This is a great post, although I disagree that the clock is the ultimate measure of success - I'd say winning races is more important than just running fast times, for example Ismael Kirui won two 5000 world titles, yet he's 31st on this list. These other guys may have had longer careers running great times but two WC's golds should count for something (admittedly not on this list). Thanks a lot for putting up this information.