MMB shoved two mascots, punched another runner, and got DQ'd for excessive celebration but he remains the only man to win 3 Olympic steeple medals.

It wasn't easy for him though as he ran 8:31 and was pushed by Spain's Fernando Carro (8:34) Italy's Ethiopian born Yohanes Chiappinelli (8:35).

An American-born man has NEVER won a gold medal in a mid-d/distance event at the IAAF World Championships. That may change thanks to Evan Jager.

We highly praise Conseslus Kipruto who unseated the GOAT, Ezekiel Kemboi, at the Olympics, and had one of the greatest years in steeplechase history. At just 22 years old, Kipruto could stay at the top for some time. We also give out accolades for the amazing career that Paul Kipsiele Koech enjoyed.

If you were in the Olympics, would you protest to get a competitor who trounced you in a race DQd for stepping on a line more than a mile from the finish line? The French should be ashamed. They are supporting the "win at all costs" mantra which is the same mantra that has resulted in the multiple doping scandals that are threatening the popularity of the Olympics.

The Diamond League's debut in Africa features some great distance matchups. Everyone is hyping the women's 5000 at Pre next week but the gold (Almaz Ayana) and silver medallists (Senbere Teferi) are both in Rabat this weekend. Adam Kszczot, Amel Tuka and Nijel Amos headline the men's 800, while MMB joins Jairus Birech and Conseslus Kipruto in the steeple. And then women's 800 where World Indoor champ Francine Niyonsaba will aim to take down Caster Semenya. Plus LaShawn Merritt in the 400 and Erik Kynard vs. Gianmarco Tamberi in the HJ.

We need your help. Vote and tell us who are the male and female runner's of the year for the World, US, and NCAA. Plus vote for the 'best record-breaking performance', the 'race of the year', 'moment of the year' and 'unusual moment of the year'.

Jairus Birech reigned supreme this year, winning six of the seven DL events to go with a gold medal at the African Championships. Evan Jager was the clear U.S. #1 and enjoyed a PR (and American record) 8:04.71 in Brussels in September. Canadian Matt Hughes sneaks into the top 10 as well.

Move over, Diamond League finals. The 2nd annual Continental Cup in Marrakech, Morocco is the DL finals on steroids as this two-day meet has $2.9 million in prize money. There should be some great mid-d/distance matchups, including Nijel Amos vs. Mo Aman vs. Adam Kszczot in the 800,  Bernard Lagat vs. Caleb Ndiku in the 3,000 and Jairus Birech vs. Evan Jager in the 3,000 steeple, but we're most excited about the men's 1,500, which one could argue is better than an Olympic final. Plus Duane Solomon will race for the first time in almost two months. 

It was a tremendous race to end the Diamond League season. 
Discuss: Jagerrrrr 8.04.71 - New Steeplechase American Record!!!

The DL season wraps up with the second DL Final in Brussels on Friday as 16 more Diamond Race champions will be crowned. Some of the highlights include the men's 1500 (Silas Kiplagat vs. Asbel Kiprop vs. Ayanleh Souleiman plus Galen Rupp and Leo Manzano), Evan Jager in the steeple, Ajee Wilson and Brenda Martinez in the women's 800 and a great women's 3000 featuring Genzebe Dibaba, Mercy Cherono, Sifan Hassan and Americans Jenny Simpson and Shannon Rowbury. In non-distance action, the men's high jump (Bohdan Bondarenko, Mutaz Essa Barshim) and 100 (Justin Gatlin, Kemar Bailey-Cole) should also be exciting.

 

The man who threw punches in Monaco in 2011 and shoved a 14-year-old girl mascot in 2012 may have topped himself today in terms of bizarre behavior.

The reigning champ took it easy in the steeple prelims.