What is the greatest ever GOAT Hobbyjogger performance?

Watch this space: ban coming...

Reader of the run wrote:

There were a lot more examples of runners who randomly took up running and were successful pre 1960s. Back then there were very few serious runners, so the competition was not too strong or deep. A talented amateur with minimal training could actually do quite well.

Today at the high school level, there are kids who played soccer or another sport who go out for track and unexpectedly do really well especially in the 800m.

What are the sports in 2019 where that is the case?

Canadian marathoner Peter Maher, but he was a good high school runner. I think the story was he got injured, got heavy, and picked up running some years later and went to the Olympics a couple times. Ran 2:12 or 2:13.

And probably Patti Dillon. She didn't come from a big running background (hardly any women in that era) and ran 2:27.

hey jarred

Yuki Kawauchi - Boston Marathon 2018

Sarah Seller’s second place at Boston 2018?

Banana Beard wrote:

The "Do you have to be in the Elite category to qualify for the Olympic marathon" got me thinking - surely someone, somewhere at some point hasn't been in any school / college system but has taken up running and exploded onto the scene?

Ok once they did they could scarcely be called a hobbyjogger but for that one race, whatever it was, they did stand on the start line as one.

This type of person must exist. Therefore who holds the greatest hobbyjogger performance of all time?

Who is Rosie Ruiz?

Frankie Mez had a few killer performances late in life

Yiannis Kouros. Amateur marathoner sweeping up stadiums until Greece decided to hold a race from Athens to Sparta. An eerily tireless runner.

Your question is flawed; how can someone have a great performance, and yet still be a hobbyjogger?

Juice Springsteen wrote:

Your question is flawed; how can someone have a great performance, and yet still be a hobbyjogger?

More like started out as a hobby jogger and then went on to do great things.

I think a lot of the first generation of women's marathoners might fit this, although many came from a track/mid-distance background. Some olde tymers might remember Maureen Custy. I believe she started out just jogging and jumped into the Denver Marathon and won it (about 3 hr) with not much background, went on to win CIM once or twice in its early years, PR low 2:30s, and place top 10 at OTs.

Juice Springsteen wrote:

Your question is flawed; how can someone have a great performance, and yet still be a hobbyjogger?

They can't be but I did pretty say that in the OP:-

Someone, somewhere at some point hasn't been in any school / college system but has taken up running and exploded onto the scene?

Ok once they did they could scarcely be called a hobbyjogger but for that one race, whatever it was, they did stand on the start line as one.

My vote still goes for Priscilla Welch by the way. 35 years old, a smoker, followed by an incredible progression over 3/4 years, winning marathons, qualifying and running in the Olympics aged 39. Encroyable!

* pretty much say that...

Space watcher wrote:

Watch this space: ban coming...

Oh really? Tell us more. SHE is probably faster YOU (a man).

Anton Krupicka came out of absolutely nowhere as a D3 16:30 guy to win the 2006 Leadville 100.

https://www.irunfar.com/2018/06/anton-krupicka-and-the-2006-leadville-trail-100.html

Elite hobbyjogger wrote: Not quite the olympics but Steve Way was an overweight guy took up running in his early 30's and within a few years competed in the commonwealth games. Think his qualifying time was 2:15

I'm not sure what is more impressive, that he worked his way down to 2:15 for the marathon, or sub 6:20 for 100 km.

SteelTownRunner wrote:

Elite hobbyjogger wrote: Not quite the olympics but Steve Way was an overweight guy took up running in his early 30's and within a few years competed in the commonwealth games. Think his qualifying time was 2:15

I'm not sure what is more impressive, that he worked his way down to 2:15 for the marathon, or sub 6:20 for 100 km.

I certainly don’t want to take away from his 6:19:20 100km best, because that’s an incredible run. I’d still argue that his 2:15 marathon time is superior.

Rosy Ruiz, couldn't even jog 10 miles and ended up winning the Boston Marathon

Greatest GOAT is redundant

I have caught a lot of hobbyjoggers, check out my website