Best Distance Runner Ever

[XC Runner]

Since I saw it in the Ritz thread let's see what the arguments are. Any thoughts?

[Dragonsoul]

Do you mean best usa distance runner ever or anybody in the world? do you mean male or female? you are considering all time right as back as zatopek and nurmi? what are your requirements? It's hard to say, people have different opinions.

I will talk about what I know about, elite male distance(800 to marathon) in the past 10 years. And that is hands down Haile Gebrselassie with Hicham El Guerrouj in second place. That is my opinion with the limitations I put in because I do NOT know what happened in the past times and I don't research it.

[EastSideXC]

This should be a poll.

[nordicrunner]

Geb.

[M_ER_CU_RY]

Bekele based on times.

[Dragonsoul]

Mercury I like your icon!

Culp gets 4th!!!!!
:p!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nordicrunner]

bekele on times...he needs to do more:

12:37.35 Kenenisa Bekele ETH 13 06 1982 1 Hengelo 31 05 2004
12:39.36 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18 04 1973 1 Helsinki 13 06 1998
12:39.74 Daniel Komen KEN 17 05 1976 1 Bruxelles 22 08 1997
12:41.86 Haile Gebrselassie 1 Zürich 13 08 1997
12:44.39 Haile Gebrselassie 1 Zürich 16 08 1995

Geb has 3 of the top 5 times for 5k.

and 3 of the top 6 for 10k

26:20.31 Kenenisa Bekele ETH 13 06 1982 1 Ostrava 08 06 2004
26:22.75 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18 04 1973 1 Hengelo 01 06 1998
26:27.85 Paul Tergat KEN 17 06 1969 1 Bruxelles 22 08 1997
26:29.22 Haile Gebrselassie 1 Bruxelles 05 09 2003
26:30.03 Nicholas Kemboi KEN 25 11 1983 2 Bruxelles 05 09 2003
26:31.32 Haile Gebrselassie 1 Oslo 04 07 1997

not to mention 5 of the top 13 times in the 3k.

[78Champ]

My vote (http://www.dyestat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1271)

JW

[Dragonsoul]

:)

[BroeJob_5K]

Zatopec

[athousandtimes]

really hard to say of course, i mean are we talking about the latest record breaker and current top dog, or does 'greatest' mean something else too.

in my opinion the greatest olympic performance would be Zatopek's 5k/10k/marathon triple, within a span of 8 days and all in olympic records.

now with African domination of international racing i would have to crown Bekele with the greatest cross country runner, and Haile as the greatest track racer due to his owning many of the top times for 3k, 5k, and 10k. i wouldn't be suprised to see Bekele equal or surpass more of Haile's marks in the future.

i believe the greatest high school distance runner to be Gerry Lindgren. this is a really hard pick, but i believe his 10k record more outstanding than Ryan , Webb's, or Rupp's records.

as for the title greatest american distance runner, i really don't know. I would love to see Ritz definintly take the title in the next year or so. Right now i would have to say the most impressive performance would be Meb's silver medal against an international field including top Africans.

[swiftwings]

sorry to burst your bubble, but the 10k high school record is rudy chapa's...lindgrens indoor 2 mile record is pretty good though. and if i'm not mistaken, i believe its the longest lasting record.

[Timo]

Comparing generations is impossible. The best thing you can do is say the greatest 1500, 5k, or 10k runner of this generation or of the 70's is? But to say the greatest of all time is impossible. You can’t compare times from back in the day and now, and you can’t compare competition. Is EL G the greatest 1500 meter runner ever, well on time yes. Coe is on medals, and on winning percentage is Elliot. You can’t just say this is the best, and truly understand track and field.

[VoidSix]

Coe is the greatest runner of all time. He still has the #2 800m time in history!

Plus his two 1500m golds, various WRs, etc.

El G is getting pretty close though, 2 silvers, 2 golds. WRs.


However I still find it amazing that Jim Ryun and Gerry Lindgren were able to compete internationally as high schoolers. Ryun beat the mile WR holders, Lindgren a favorite in the olympic 10k!

[emceelaszlo]

Emil Zapotek 5000, 10000, Marathon


That will never happen again.

I'd love to say Pre but alas he died before he could truly become the greatest.

Haile Gebreselassie b/c

[luv2run]

Geb dominated for so many years, consistently lowering his own world records, winning consecutive world championships and gold medals. I don't know how to define "greatest" but Haile is up there for sure.

[Naimo]

The greatest distance runner ever probably never ran

[athousandtimes]

ooo yea, my bad.

and yea, i think your right about lindgren's Indoor 2 mile being the longest lasting.

[Jolly Farm]

The greatest distance runner ever probably never ran

Nah cause the greatest distance runner ever would probably be from east africa, and I don't think anybody born there doesn't give running a shot.

[rysheridan]

Said Auoita/Geb because of their ranges. To be the best distance runner ever you have got to be great at all of the distance races.

[Skibum657]

Greatest distance runner can be defined two ways. The most wins and medals and top times or world record. Personally I have to go with world record because that means the best time ever, therefore the best runner ever in my opnion. El Guerrouj is my pick.

But then again I consider Mo Green the best sprinter ever even though Tim Montgomery has the world record in the 100. But Green has broken 10 seconds more than anyone ever.

[XC Runner]

Isn't it true that when Greene set the record the wind was at the maximum it could be without the time being DQ'ed? Also his reaction time was just .01 off of being DQ'ed? Wouldn't you say that 100 record is a bit suspect?

[JB_runner5]

You really have to give a certain distance. I mean, if you are talking middle distance, 1500m, mile, it has to be, hands down, Hicham El Guerrouj. He is just the studliest middle distance runner there is. If you are talking about long distance, 5k, 10k, it has to be someone like Haile Gebrselassie or Kenenisa Bekele. Haile was awesome, but Kenenisa is killing. He is soooo young and already owns the 5k and 10k world records. God only knows how good he'll get.

[Kalaby]

Said Auoita/Geb because of their ranges. To be the best distance runner ever you have got to be great at all of the distance races.

Aouita always needs to at least be mentioned when this debate invariably comes up. He was #1 in the world rankings from the 800m-10,000m at one point or another in his career. Nobody else in the history of track & field can claim that.

[Timo]

People always live in the now, and forget the past. Don't you find it weird that most of you think the 2 best runners ever are running now? Coe 2 1500 golds, EL G 1
Coe 2 medals in the 800, EL G 0.
EL G 5000m gold, Coe no medal.
WR's: Coe broke the mile record 3 times, EL G once.
Coe also ran the 2nd fastest 800 ever.
Is he better then EL G... No. Is he worse? No. They are both the best of there time. Leave it at that.

[one_more_mile]

Depends on what you call distance. Best mid-distance Im gonna have to say El G. Best Long distance has to be Haile G.

[Sully 800]

but its fun to speculate about how was better, because people never get to see different stars such as these race....it is simply a matter of opinion, but i don't see why people seem to get upset when these threads come along....sure you can't conclusively say who is better between the different generations. We all realize that, and that's why the question was initially asked. This type of discussion allows us to remember the greats of the past who some people might other wise forget or never learn about, and it puts current times into perspective. I think they are very useful, helpful and interesting threads, despite the fact that you can't reach a conclusive answer. because in the end, that's the entire point.

[Kalaby]

The thing is that some people's track knowledge and perspective goes back no more than about 5 years or so. You can't fault people for that, but at the same time I really can't take their opinions too seriously when they unequivocally state across the board that the best runners ever are the guys currently running.

[78Champ]

Isn't it true that when Greene set the record the wind was at the maximum it could be without the time being DQ'ed? Also his reaction time was just .01 off of being DQ'ed? Wouldn't you say that 100 record is a bit suspect?
You mean Montgomery?

JW

[conabud]

People always live in the now, and forget the past. Don't you find it weird that most of you think the 2 best runners ever are running now? Coe 2 1500 golds, EL G 1
Coe 2 medals in the 800, EL G 0.
EL G 5000m gold, Coe no medal.
WR's: Coe broke the mile record 3 times, EL G once.
Coe also ran the 2nd fastest 800 ever.
Is he better then EL G... No. Is he worse? No. They are both the best of there time. Leave it at that.


not everybody lives in the now.......just look at the thread about barry bonds.
there are a few too many posts worshiping players from 40,50,60, 70 years ago.
fact IS that if you go by times, it has to be the runners with the world records that are the greatest ever.......but i don't like that theory. you can't forget about the greats that opened the door (even though they might not really be as good as our best today).....and that pertains to ALL sports.
I agree with you about COE.....he was freakin' amazing! that brother was fast....at least in the 800, 1000, and 1500. I'm a big patriotic USA guy, but my favorite running pic of all time is of Seb Coe winning an olympic race.

[XC Runner]

You mean Montgomery?

JW


Yes, my mistake. I usually don't ever follow sprinting.

[Jolly Farm]

The thing is that some people's track knowledge and perspective goes back no more than about 5 years or so. You can't fault people for that, but at the same time I really can't take their opinions too seriously when they unequivocally state across the board that the best runners ever are the guys currently running.

The thing is that the distance world record holders are the guys currently running.

[Kalaby]

The thing is that the distance world record holders are the guys currently running.


That's the point. Some see the current WR holder(s) as the best ever, period and end of story. No need to even start a discussion in the first place if that's the sole criteria to judge the all-time best.

[Sully 800]

yes, some see it that way, and in many ways in makes sense. they have gone faster than anyone else, so in that criteria they ARE the best. Others, such as yourself, think that other factors should be considered than simply the performance. Both ways of thinking still lead to valid arguments and discussions.

[Kalaby]

yes, some see it that way, and in many ways in makes sense. they have gone faster than anyone else, so in that criteria they ARE the best. Others, such as yourself, think that other factors should be considered than simply the performance. Both ways of thinking still lead to valid arguments and discussions.


Actually, not really. If people think that the best ever is simply defined by the current WR holder than there is really no need for a discussion in the first place. It's a black and white issue when boiled down to those terms. As you stated, I personally think there is much more involved with dubbing somebody the best ever at a particular event or events. To each their own I suppose.

[Jolly Farm]

I agree that there are other criteria, I was just replying to when you said that it was hard to take someone seriously when they say that the best distance runners ever are currently running.

[Kalaby]

I agree that there are other criteria, I was just replying to when you said that it was hard to take someone seriously when they say that the best distance runners ever are currently running.


I may not have chosen my words well earlier. I think I've explained myself a little better now. I'm referring to people simply equating the best ever to the current WR holder without looking into anything else.

[kingofxc25]

the only way to determine the best would to be to sum how bring them all back to race each other under teh same conditions, no one raced under the same conditions unless it was the same race so how can u even compare, i just dont see how it would be fair

[Timo]

In a mile race with everyone
El G, Walker (beer in hand), Said, Cram, Coe, Noah (1000m record holder), Ovett, Elliot. I take Coe with his kick at the end to win. 1:41 800m speed... Just nasty. That being said Coe is no better then El G, Walker, or Elliot

[Sebrle]

KiP KEiNO, he was the Normandy of the Kenyan Invasion (Altitude adjust his 68 1500 vs Ryun (and research the details :)))

[miler]

Haile Gebrselassie, you cant beat 17 world records, world championships, and 2 olympic gold medals

[Dragonsoul]

Everybody has a different opinions, it's hard to say.

By the way Montgomery's 100m wr was max legal tailwind, lowest legal reaction time, end of season in gp final, pretty perfect conditions. It is the legal world record(unless he gets dq'ed this year for past drug charges) but it's probably not as "good" as Maurice Greene's 9.79 which was with less wind and more reaction time I guess, but they can't control wind but they can control reaction time.

:rolleyes: :eek:

[Hall_@ss1088]

Haile Gebrselassie


Without a doubt

[track/XC]

i would without a doubt say haile gebrselassie then el g in second

[eatmyshorts]

I dont think El G at all, definately zatopek or Geb

even though El G ran over a certain distance in a shorter period of time that doesnt make him better.. Geb raced to win, he didnt have rabbits and rubber tracks and super nike lightweight racers. Those guys were distance runners and ran RACES not time trials labeled races. I think the best are the ones that won the most big time races, not who ran the fastest time. that makes them the best distance runner.
Amen

[Sully 800]

el g has lost what, I believe 5 races at 1500/mile distances since 1996? He runs to win as well, he just does it extremely fast...but he has one of the most impressive winning records for that long of a career that you can imagine.

[Sulus]

Best "distance" runner: Geb (will be Bekele)
Best middle distance runner: Coe
Best cross country runner: Bekele (was Tergat)
Best miler: El G (honorable mention: Herb Elliott)
Best range: Aiouta

I really can't buy the arguements that guys like Nurmi or Zatopek could be considered on par with the modern greats. Although I agree that greatness is in racing, not time trials, the times these guys ran are of such that they are not even close to modern athletes (even I'm only a tad slower than Nurmi over 5000m!) That said, I do think some athletes, perhaps Elliott or Ryun, would be competitive if they were running today. However the radical difference in training, the global nature of the sport, and unfortunately modern PEDs make comparison difficult.

[jaguar]

Not sure if I've seen a post on the "Best Female".

I'm pretty impressed with Ingrid Kristiansen! I've been reading about her in Running with the Legends (which I highly recommend!). At one point she held every major world record between 5K and the marathon. Not sure where her PRs stand in relation to Paula.

[watchout]

I guess I'll throw out some names here ...

Best long distance runners: Geb and Bekele
Best middle distance runners: Ngeny and Coe
Best milers: Herb Elliot and El G

[Kaiserkong]

Since no one has mentioned his name:

I think Hannes Kolehemanien the original "Flying Finn" has to be one of the best runners of all time. He won the 5000/10000 at the 1912 Oly's and then won the 1920 Marathon. Probably would have won more at the 1916 Olys if they held it. Also first man to break 15 in the 5000 and other numerious WRs, and remember this was with dirt tracks and before running shoes.

Also one interesting side note. Hannes was one of the few people to compete in the Olympics for a country that did not exist! He ran for Finland, yet the 'country' was actaully at that time apart of the Russian Empire.

-Dave

[trackster900]

well i think bekele is the best distance runner geb. is the best track distance runner but he never did cross country and that is like haveing milk without cookies but i also beleive that bekele will overtake geb. in the next cople of years

[letsgorun]

bump....

[Leo Rufus]

Coe and Kipketer were the best 800 runners the world has ever produced. I don't consider one better than the other. If they had been contemporaries, I think out of 10 races Kipketer would have won 5, and Coe would have won 5.


The Milers: El G is one of the most perfect running machines that I have ever seen. Along with him, I pick Jim Ryun (who i think with better coaching could have been the first sub 3:50), and an honerable mention to Glen Cunningham. Sure, a 4:0x mile might not seem that fast today- but he was deformed during his childhood and was told he would never walk again- much less own a world record in the mile.

Distance: Geb is my pick. My reasoning is his consistancy, and some of his best races. He defeated Paul Tergat in the olympic 10k basicly running on one good leg and one lame leg and beat Tergat WITH HIS SPEED. Also, I believe without Geb- there is no Bekele. Bekele might someday surpass Geb in greatness, but it's probably because of Geb that Bekele has reached the level he's at now.

The Marathon: Can't say really, I suppose I don't know enough about it.

Americans: First, Prefontaine. He's my favorite, and the reason I started running in the first place. He is not the greatest american runner ever. He should have been. You may not agree with me but I am in no doubt that Pre was on his way to a World Record and an Olympic Medal- maybe not gold, but a medal.
The greatest American LDR would be Kennedy. However, he had a lot of unfulfilled potential. After that car accident he was never quite the same.
Moving up to 10k plus, Alberto Salazar. Absolutly unbelieveable athlete.
A few people I'd like to see take over:
Webb is almost to the point where he can be the best american miler. In order to do this, in my mind, he must: Break the american record in the 1500 or mile, and Silver in a Major Champs, Olympic or WC. (Ryun was our last Olympic 1500 Medalist, Silver).
D. Ritz, I believe in him a lot, but his best years are being wasted right now. If he could just put up a few years in a row without injury, I shudder to think. I believe he is certainly capible of becoming our best 10k+ runner, and I believe Ryan Hall to be the future of the 5k.
I say Hall because he reminds me a lot of Kennedy in that Kennedy Raced/Trained a lot for the mile when he was in college but then after College he converted that speed into endurance, which if you followed hall's story is similar (though more pock marked by injury).
Other noteworthy kids: Mcdougal I'd like to hope will continue his rise. Rupp has a promising future, and I think will be a great 5k and below man. Withrow's a bit of a mystery, but he has the gift he just needs time.