Could Rupp Beat Walmsley at Western States 100 Mile

Fanboy Dot Com wrote:

Walmsley owns the CR at the oldest 100 miler in the world. Do you think Rupp could stand a chance?

Walmsley has the 50 Mile WR, would he have caught Rupp if they had 24 more miles on Saturday?

For non-ultras fans, it's irrelevant.

Probably yes

He certainly has the physical potential to do it. But the mental toughness, durability and skill set (trail technique, fueling, hydration, patients ect..), well that remains to be seen. If he were willing to put in the time and build the experience, and on top of that have a good day, I certainly wouldn't count him out. But that's a lot of "ifs."

Walmsley is just lucky that Rupp won't show up at Comrades this year.

But he might in the next couple of years. To try what his buddy Alberto did in 1994.

https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a20814114/may-30-the-most-amazing-day-may-31-1994-when-alberto-salazar-won-comrades/

No way. Jim is the best athlete of his generation, Rupp is a one event wonder. I'm outraged you even put the Nike athlete in the same conversation as the great Jim Walmsley.

Let's Talk wrote:

He certainly has the physical potential to do it. But the mental toughness, durability and skill set (trail technique, fueling, hydration, patients ect..), well that remains to be seen. If he were willing to put in the time and build the experience, and on top of that have a good day, I certainly wouldn't count him out. But that's a lot of "ifs."

He's certainly mentally tough, but I doubt he could run on an uneven trail and would be very likely to bonk.

The idea of the GOAT American distance runner competing in the WS 100, is bizarre.

What are you guys smoking these days in Flagstaff?

Kind of an irrelevant question, he has not trained for that kind of crazy running.

Coconino Cowboy wrote:

No way. Jim is the best athlete of his generation, Rupp is a one event wonder. I'm outraged you even put the Nike athlete in the same conversation as the great Jim Walmsley.

Another genius heard from. A one event wonder who has medalled in the Oly 10,000 on the track and in the Mary...

informational wrote:

Coconino Cowboy wrote:

No way. Jim is the best athlete of his generation, Rupp is a one event wonder. I'm outraged you even put the Nike athlete in the same conversation as the great Jim Walmsley.

Another genius heard from. A one event wonder who has medalled in the Oly 10,000 on the track and in the Mary...

He even ran a 3:50 mile.

Rupp maybe, but 20 people beat Walmsley. I'd bet at least 2 or 3 of them, if not 5+ could target trail 100s and take out Walmsley with ease.

And someone said the Rupp vs Webb vs el g post was stupid

As he is vastly more talented, Rupp could probably spank Walmsley hard at Western States if he trained for it.

Jim owes his victories and PRs to his fitness, not his mental toughness. Rupp must have way better general fitness, he'd just need to dial in the specifics.

Jim is a big fish in a small pond.

dui wrote:

Rupp maybe, but 20 people beat Walmsley. I'd bet at least 2 or 3 of them, if not 5+ could target trail 100s and take out Walmsley with ease.

I don't think so. Being able to absorb the pounding and to not bonk over 14 hours are genetic gifts. Some of the elites would roll their ankle and DNF.

Jim Walmsley famously took a wrong turn at mile 97 of Western States and still finished the race. Rupp drops out of road marathons he's not doing well in. Pretty sure Jim's got Rupp spanked in the mental toughness department.

If Rupp trained for over distance, yes. Even if he trained as he does now, most likely. There is at least an order of magnitude difference in talent between these two; Walmsley is a big fish in a small pond. It is baffling to me that more 2:10-2:12 guys don’t go to ultras. The pay is much better (at their level) and if they can grow a beard and cultivate a social media presence: cha-ching!

Coconino Cowboy wrote:

No way. Jim is the best athlete of his generation, Rupp is a one event wonder. I'm outraged you even put the Nike athlete in the same conversation as the great Jim Walmsley.

He has olympic medals in 10k and marathon, right?

What am I missing?

concerned citizen abroad wrote:

If Rupp trained for over distance, yes. Even if he trained as he does now, most likely. There is at least an order of magnitude difference in talent between these two; Walmsley is a big fish in a small pond. It is baffling to me that more 2:10-2:12 guys don’t go to ultras. The pay is much better (at their level) and if they can grow a beard and cultivate a social media presence: cha-ching!

Is there much money in ultras?

SDSU Aztec wrote:

concerned citizen abroad wrote:

If Rupp trained for over distance, yes. Even if he trained as he does now, most likely. There is at least an order of magnitude difference in talent between these two; Walmsley is a big fish in a small pond. It is baffling to me that more 2:10-2:12 guys don’t go to ultras. The pay is much better (at their level) and if they can grow a beard and cultivate a social media presence: cha-ching!

Is there much money in ultras?

Comparatively, yes, but it depends to a degree on how effectively they can attract sponsors. Look at Sage Canaday, Not even remotely competitive with professional athletes at <= marathon, but apparently able to make a decent living in the ultra scene through a mixture of social media savvy, personality and being a relatively big fish in the very small pond of ultra running. Now imagine if a guy like Parker Stinson went full retard on ultras. Dude would win every race, attract mucho sponsors and make a killing if he played it the right way. Better than toiling in obscurity while getting trounced on the international stage against random East Africans.