Is Galen Rupp a 2:05 Guy? Wejo, Rojo and You Debate

No. People will disagree with me but here is the truth: Galen is now past his prime. Galen is 31 years old. Name the fastest marathon an American has run at age 31 or older. Galen will NEVER run faster than 2:07. Galen is actually now an old 31. Galen is now a 13:15, 27:20, 2:07 guy. TRUTH....

I'm in disagreement. Better? Yes. Way better? No.

It is correct to call Rupp a 2:10 guy because has run 2:10--chopping off 58 seconds does not should not make him a 2:09 guy. Rupp can be a called a sub 2:10 guy. Rupp is not a 2:05 guy because he not run that. You can say, Rupp could/might be a 2:05 guy, but assuming a 4-1/2 minute improvement is assuming a lot.

Given his track times and tenacity he can definitely go sub-2:06. And people who perform well in the heat have the gameness to run to their potential in the marathon. This weekend will be his first legit shot at such a time.

Rupp is better than his PR, but I don't think he will ever run 2:05. MAYBE 2:06 if he gets in the right race. For example, it would have been interesting to see how he would have done in Berlin running with the 2nd group (Geremew, Kandie).

Considering the man has been one of the premiere distance runners in the world for his entire professional career, that he's run 12:58/26:44, and that he has two olympic medals, its hard for me to come to the conclusion that he's incapable of running the sorts of times the top marathoners run.

Yes. 2:05 and probably better, with a couple Major wins, and another Olympic medal by the end of his career. Maybe even the 2021 World Championship Gold on his home streets.

Devil Dog wrote:

Considering the man has been one of the premiere distance runners in the world for his entire professional career, that he's run 12:58/26:44, and that he has two olympic medals, its hard for me to come to the conclusion that he's incapable of running the sorts of times the top marathoners run.

Yes. 2:05 and probably better, with a couple Major wins, and another Olympic medal by the end of his career. Maybe even the 2021 World Championship Gold on his home streets.

However, you are one of the worst posters on this site. You called somebody stupid when they correctly told you Lagat could no longer break 1:02 when you thought he could break 1:01. You do not understand the sport. MANY of you don't. Galen Rupp is NOT a 12:58, 26:44 runner. Galen ran sub13 ONCE and this was over 5 years ago. Galen WAS a 26:44 runner. He is not close to that now.

OK Devil Dog I may owe you an apology as it was French Dawg who uttered the nonsense about Lagat. It is difficult for me to recognize which of you dogs is barking. However, the point stands that you are uttering the same sort of nonsense.

Here comes my girl wrote:

Name the fastest marathon an American has run at age 31 or older. Galen will NEVER run faster than 2:07. Galen is actually now an old 31. Galen is now a 13:15, 27:20, 2:07 guy. TRUTH....

Meb won NY at 34. He won Boston at nearly 39.

Meb ran his 2:08:37 pb about 2 weeks before his 39th birthday.

rojo wrote:

Here comes my girl wrote:

Name the fastest marathon an American has run at age 31 or older. Galen will NEVER run faster than 2:07. Galen is actually now an old 31. Galen is now a 13:15, 27:20, 2:07 guy. TRUTH....

Meb won NY at 34. He won Boston at nearly 39.

Meb ran his 2:08:37 pb about 2 weeks before his 39th birthday.

Meb is/was amazing, as Lagat has been. Galen does not appear to be cut from the same cloth but he may still have a 2:07 in him in the right conditions.

I think so, if he's healthy and with a good buildup. I mean, his only 3 marathons are OT, OGs, and a banged up Boston. I don't think Boston was that great for him, but it sounds like he was barely able to get to the start.

All the top marathoners right now are like 33+... Kipsang, Kipchoge, Bekele. And neither of those 3 probably could break 27 anymore.

I personally don't think speed or age are his limiting factors for the next 3 years, but instead are health and actually chasing times at Berlin or London. Chicago is not rabbited anymore. With that being said, healthy Galen will run something pretty quick.. I have him at 2:04:30-2:05:30 on good conditions and a great course/great day.

At this point, Rupp could probably run 2:06-2:07 in the right race. I doubt that Chicago will be under 2:08, probably not even under 2:09.

Qwertu wrote:

At this point, Rupp could probably run 2:06-2:07 in the right race. I doubt that Chicago will be under 2:08, probably not even under 2:09.

Yes Berlin or London. Both of which he is avoiding.

If Chicago goes well, and by that I mean a win, I can see Rupp running London next year.

rupp will dnf chicago. mark my words.

Those who mentions age as critical factor against him are pretty much clueless, as well as the fact the he "only" ran 2'09.... Having said that, right now i dont think he is the best non-african over the long distance as the Robertsons will be when they make their debut...

Why didn't J Gault get to participate in the debate? He's the only letsrun employee that knows anything.

Is Rupp a 2:05 guy?

No. He is much more important than a number, as are we all.

Yes we are all more important than a number, agreed.

All the other comments (negative ones). I dont understand all the negative reasoning with Galen. Am not particularly a fan of him, but he's a quality athlete. 2nd in Boston this year to the guy who went on to win the World champs marathon. 3rd in the Olympic marathon, hardly poor results in my opinion. So a 2:05 seems quite realistic and reasonable. Also people banging on about his track times has no relavance now, as the simple fact is that Galen has moved away from track and is a road runner. ALSO 31 isnt old for a qaulity marathon runner, just use Kipsang, Kipchoge, Bekele as examples of this. Also just be pleased that you have a great runner, Galen is the only American with a realistic chance of winning Chicago, so just give the guy sone credit!