Wanders vs Knight - who will come out on top?

Your post is interesting. I didn't think about how they are the same age and how their 5k stuff compared.

That being said your brief mention of distances over 5000 is absurd. Do you realize how good his 59:17 half marathon is? McMillan says it's 1248, Kellogg says its 12:50.9 and the IAAF has it equivalent to 12:56.

Wanders is not a 5K guy and he's not a track guy. He owns the European records for 1/2 marathon 59:13 at Ras Al Khaimah and 10K 27:25 at Houilles. He broke Mo Farah's 1/2 marathon Euro record by 21 seconds at age 22. Justyn Knight has speed 3:36.07 PR for 1500, Wanders does not 3:43.39 for 1500. However at 10K Knight's PR is only 29:46 (at Syracuse).

To put it another way, Wanders has already run 30 seconds faster than the American record in the half marathon! That record was run by a guy who would soon run 2:06:17 at London.

runstrongandfree wrote:

Wanders does not 3:43.39 for 1500.

Just ran 3:39 yesterday.

Thanks for updating. :) Doesn't change the comparison that Knight is more of a 5K track runner with speed, and Wanders is more of a 1/2 marathon runner, and when he runs the odd 5K or 1500, he's coming down in distance and working on his speed. But the sweet spot for Wanders is the half and eventually the marathon. Knight may stay on the track for a while before moving to the roads. Just my 2 cents.

rojo wrote:

Do you realize how good his 59:17 half marathon is? McMillan says it's 1248, Kellogg says its 12:50.9 and the IAAF has it equivalent to 12:56.

His 59:17 half is so good that he actually got credit for 59:13!

Kipchoge PBs

3:33

3:50

7:27

12:46

26:49

I think that Wanders plans to get quicker over the shorter distances before going up to the marathon for good (he still has plenty of time), so his 5000m PB is still relevant for him I believe.

Not saying 5K is not relevant for Wanders. OP was comparing Knight and Wanders. Two different runners. And yes I did mention above "when he (Wanders) runs the odd 5K or 1500, he's coming down in distance and working on his speed. But the sweet spot for Wanders is the half and eventually the marathon." So we agree! :)

This is a classic example where training is the difference. Julian has based himself in Iten and has better volume and intensity levels than Knight. He has professionalized his training to a world class level. He also is not afraid of Europe and top international competition. Knight volume level is around 70 to 75 per week and trains with runners that at or below his level. He's got to step it up or the window will close. And as stated Julian is more of a distance runner and his true potential will be in the marathon.

Phil Knight.

BRS wrote:

Phil Knight.

Suspicious drop in Wanders' 5k times around 2017/2018. Shortly after moving to Kenya? Is he on some of that Kenya dope? The other side is if someone's moving to Kenya to train and not from there, they must be going all in... But maybe all in means alllll in and doping, to do whatever they have to to get faster.