Is Mo Farah the GREATEST RUNNING TACTICIAN?

No mention of Nick Willis yet? Farah is great but it is easier for him when he is simply faster than everyone else.

I am the greatest running tactician of all time, but nobody would notice because I simply don't have the ability to run as fast as Mo. However, put me against runners with close to equal ability and I will ALWAYS win. Go ask my high school coach.

Centro Man wrote:

It's Centro, man.

Mo is a phenomenal tactician, but his talent level was at least comparable to the guys he beat.

Centro routinely beat runners out of his league with tactics. His gold medal race was a tactical masterpiece.

+1

Also, Jenny Simpson comes to mind. She's always in the right place and has won races she had no biz winning.

Stoppit Smith wrote:

Greatest tactician and overall greatest of all time is Eliud Kipchoge.

Evidence from races against Haile and Bekele and El Guerrouj shows this in the past.

He had one of the best finishing strides ever. I say had because he does not have to outstride anyone now.

He can start quickly or slower and he can choose his menu of tactic as he runs and switch it up as needed.

Eliud Kipchoge is to natural running tactics in a race as Michael Jordan was to natural tactics on the court.

Lagat is good, the late Richard Chelimo was good (RIP Richard...taken far too young), Sammy Wanjiru was a great marathon technician (RIP Sammy as well)

BUT

This greatest technician title has Kipchoge all over it

really? Kipchoge in his track days basically had one outstanding race and after that was a top finisher but can't recall his tactics winning races for him

Tron wrote:

Roosey Project wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAzuAD6FGto

Let us know what ya'll think about all of the topics, especially on if Sir Mo is the greatest tactician. It is questionable to say he is the greatest distance runner but I think when we are talking about tactician/gamer in running there is definitely an argument to be made.

I agree he is up there...It always annoyed me though when watching as it was the same tactic a lot of times and i'm sure the other runners knew what was coming

with that said, Bekele tactics in 2013 great north run one-upped Mo where he 1) stayed back at a faster pace mile and 2) maybe knowing he can't wait till the kick, put in the surge over a mile to go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rDoJdVz00Q

Absolutely love the grinning on Bekeles face as mo is chasing him down, fantastic.

I agree with you if the question is about best track technician.

I would generally give that to El Guerrouj, Bekele or yes....possibly Centro or Ms J. Simpson (Barringer).

But overall technician...still Kipchoge.

Kipchoge isn't a tactician! He just holds WR pace until everyone drops lol.

Hey. Let’s nof forget who won the 2018 Chicago Marathon: Mohamed Farah.

The champion.

Mohamed is the Chicago champ. Weekly reminder right here.

Well let's just wait till we what Bernard Lagat does in the NYC Marathon, then we'll declare who the greatest tactician is.