5th Avenue Mile Analysis and Interviews from THOUGHTSLEADER, Hoppel Hoping to get Olympic bronze, Kerr Says Grand Slam Track Will Provide More Motivation
By Noah Jampol (aka THOUGHTSLEADER)
September 8, 2024
NEW YORK — Josh Kerr destroyed the the field and Sydney Maree’s 43-year-old course record (3:47.52) at the 5th Avenue Mile on Sunday by running 3:44.3. In the women’s race, 5th Avenue Mile debutant Karissa Schweizer also destroyed the field and tied the course record. David Monti of Race Results Weekly recaps the races here.
Below are post-race videos and thoughts from famed LRC message board poster THOUGHTSLEADER on the athletes’ post-race comments.
Josh Kerr Clarifies Comments on Boring Races, Jakob’s Biggest Quality, and Discusses Adjustment to Racing More
Josh Kerr was pleased with his ability to blast the field with a course-record 3:44.3 time after a tough outing in Zurich three days earlier. A theme of his comments was how difficult he finds it to put the head down and run lightning quick in the rabbited, drag race Diamond League 1500s. He didn’t back away at all from his description of those races as “boring” when I asked. He says more racing in Grand Slam Track in 2025 will provide more “motivation.”
I also asked him about the minor controversy over him giving Jakob a cheeky compliment while Jakob gave him a more genuine compliment praising his ability to run his best in big moments. Kerr didn’t address the discrepancy of their responses head on, but described the Zurich press conference prompt that asked each man to pay a compliment to their rivals as “such a boring question.” He implored the media to ask better questions to grow the sport instead of softball questions like if he and Jakob enjoy the 1500. Additionally, he didn’t recall his comments about racing one or two too many races in 2024 that he offered in the mixed zone after Zurich. He framed what he said and was feeling in the context of the challenges and grind of the end of the season.
As for the fourth 800-1500 racer in Grand Slam Track, he threw out Hobbs Kessler and fellow Scots Neil Gourley and Jake Wightman as potential candidates. He also revealed he was open to hybrid events like the Warholm-Duplantis 100m match race, saying it is just what the sport needs.
Bryce Hoppel Wants Justice Served with Djamel Sedjati, Excited to Try Bicarb in 2025
Bryce Hoppel struggled today doubling his usual 800m distance and finished way back in 18th place with a 4:00.7. Afterwards, he admitted he’d been chilling since his 4th place finish and 1:41.67 American record in Paris and was very pleased to have run 1:42 after the Games in the Diamond League.
Off the track, a ton of developments are swirling in the men’s 800m. If you thought bicarb was THE factor in the fast times being run in the 800, you might want to rethink that. Hoppel says he hasn’t tried it yet due to fears about upsetting his stomach. That is despite training partner Hobbs Kessler suggesting he give it a shot. He’s excited to give it a try in 2025.
As far as another huge news item, the reported anti-doping raid of Olympic bronze medalist Djamel Sedjati and his coach’s rooms in Paris, Hoppel said he tried to ignore the news while in Paris. He told those around him he’d have to beat whoever was out there, doped or not, in the Olympics. When it comes to Sedjati, he wants to see justice served, and of course he is hopeful that means an elevation to the bronze medal. Lastly I asked Bryce about potentially joining Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, and he was excited about the prospect and would adjust his training if needed.
Karissa Schweizer Ends Season in Style
While her time of 14:47 in the Zurich Diamond League didn’t jump off the page, Schweizer’s strong kick and 4th place finish should’ve given us an idea that she was going to be a factor here today. With a dominant 4:14.8 win, Schweizer served notice that she might be nearing the sub-14:30 fitness of 2020 that preceded a series of injuries. When asked about Bowerman Track Club’s move to Eugene and all of the roster turnover, she said last year was “tough,” but this year the team has got their “feet on the ground.”
Hobbs Kessler Says He Ran Out of Steam and Needs to Get Stronger to Medal in the 1500
Hobbs Kessler was my dark-horse pick to win today, but he faded after trying to cover Josh Kerr’s aggressive move in the race. He divulged that after a taxing Trials and Olympics, he’s been just hanging onto his fitness. Getting to 1350 meters at 3:27 pace in Lausanne was something he was happy to have experienced, and he thinks the road is clear to becoming a medal contender with more strength work. While he’ll keep doing the 800, it seems the focus is the 1500 and building that endurance. As far as Grand Slam Track, he, surprisingly to me, seemed resigned to not getting picked as the fourth 800/1500 racer. He believes they’ll go with someone from the 800m podium. Considering Josh Kerr threw Kessler out as the top hybrid man in the world, maybe Hobbs is counting himself out too early. He admitted not being a part of it would be disappointing to him.
Emma Coburn Explains Comeback, Says 9:00 Shape Now Needed to Make USA Teams
After Emma Coburn fractured her ankle in Suzhou in April, most probably wrote off her 2024 season. But on social media, it became immediately clear she had no intention to call it quits on the season. She shared herself religiously cross training mere weeks after surgery, and the question was more of a when than an if as far as a return in 2024. Coburn, like Elle St. Pierre did postpartum, chose an event run by her sponsor New Balance, the 5th Avenue Mile, as a low-pressure spot to return. While she wasn’t happy with her time, 4:37.2, she seemed in good spirits and healthy. When I asked about the quickening times in her main event, the 3,000m steeplechase, she stated plainly that 9:00 fitness is now what’s needed to make USA teams. For what it’s worth, Coburn’s personal best of 9:02.35 dates back to 2019.
Dorcas Ewoi Awed by Josh Kerr’s 3:44.3 Time, Explains Why She Didn’t Do Kenyan Trials
I was interviewing Ewoi right as the men’s race was going, and she couldn’t help but check out Kerr’s finish. In a sign that pro runners are just like us, the finishing time left her speechless and visibly awed. Before that, I got to ask about why she didn’t do Kenyan trials in June with an opportunity to compete in the Olympics. With her very strong set of results, she certainly would be right there to make either the 800 or 1500m teams. She explained that she ran her qualifying times too close to facilitate travel, and hopes to make future teams.
Race Results Weekly recaps 2024 5th Avenue Mile here
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