Greatest Runner Ever

[BlueFlameBeanie]

someone said this should be a poll.... :p

[Zoom Jasari]

None of them, the greatest runner ever was Michael Johnson... hands down. you can argue all you want, but who else put the world records so out of reach that's it is unconceivable that they will be broken in the next 10 years.

[miler]

How far is Wariner from the 400 record? If I remember correctly hes not that far behind.

[iMac]

steve prefontaine?

[iMac]

Alberto Salazar?

[iMac]

Lasse Viren?

[hurdlefreak]

Sorry for the sprinter bias here but:

All time sub 44 400 races:

Michael Johnson: 22
All others in track and field history: 13

here's the list:
http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=O/ageGroup=N/season=0/gender=M/discipline=400/legal=A/index.html

[hungso_lo]

How far is Wariner from the 400 record? If I remember correctly hes not that far behind.


44.0 is not close to 43.18

That's pretty much a whole second. I'm sure Wariner will be faster in the future, but there's no one running anywhere near that record at the moment.

[hungso_lo]

Sorry for the sprinter bias here but:

All time sub 44 400 races:

Michael Johnson: 22
All others in track and field history: 13

here's the list:
http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=O/ageGroup=N/season=0/gender=M/discipline=400/legal=A/index.html


Why would you apologize for the sprinter bias, they didn't apologize for their distance bias lol


Out of the top 10 times in the 400, Michael Johnson has 8.

Out of the top 20 times in the 400, Michael Johnson has 14.

Out of the 36 times ever run run under 44.0, Michael Johnson has 23 of those.

[Kniteryder]

Why would you apologize for the sprinter bias, they didn't apologize for their distance bias lol


Out of the top 10 times in the 400, Michael Johnson has 8.

Out of the top 20 times in the 400, Michael Johnson has 14.

Out of the 36 times ever run run under 44.0, Michael Johnson has 23 of those.


Those stats are just SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

[iMac]

read carefully

Poll: Greatest (distance) Runner of all time

[vallistastud49]

Wasn't Paavo Nurmi pretty good? Just curious.

[vallistastud49]

My bad...I didn't see his name on there.

[Dragonsoul]

No offense, but Webb and Ritz are not even close to being able to be on this list, I'm assuming they are on the list for fun only. It would be the end of the world if they got tons of votes haha, good to see my pick, Geb, with the lead. Even though my fav athlete is Hicham El Guerrouj, I have always stated that Geb is better. I'm talkign only about male distance in past 13 years though. hehe!

[hurdlefreak]

well if it's gotta be distance then I'm going with Viren(how could you possibly not put him up there). Doubled 5000/10000 gold TWICE and set a world record after falling. Just unbelievable.

[Dragonsoul]

Whoa! Lasse Viren isn't on the list! He should be up there! Dang!

:rolleyes::eek:!!!

[Kugmar]

what are you all talking about, and im sorry Zoom Jasari, but even if Michael Johnson was onthe list, he didnt break 19 world records. Haile Gebrselaisse beats any of these other people by far (with the exception of Bekele but hes not 1/2 way through his career). Not only did he break 19 WRs though, but they were spread out in many different events, and thats not to say what he'll do in the marathon which would show even more versatility.

[trojanrunna]

wanna know why ryan hasn't gotten any votes? it's cuz ryan isn't even close. however, this guy from kansas, jim ryun, was pretty studly in his time.

[Jolly Farm]

well if it's gotta be distance then I'm going with Viren(how could you possibly not put him up there). Doubled 5000/10000 gold TWICE and set a world record after falling. Just unbelievable.

His times are pretty weak compared to guys like Geb and Bekele.

[BlueFlameBeanie]

wanna know why ryan hasn't gotten any votes? it's cuz ryan isn't even close. however, this guy from kansas, jim ryun, was pretty studly in his time.
oh my gosh..... i didn't catch that. sorry!thanks trojanrunna..
i put webb and ritz up cuz everyone seems to love them..? but there're not even close... you're right, Lasse Viren should be there. my bad.. bad... i think i'm fired from making polls..... :eek: :(

[Tprince]

It depends on what makes the "greatest." If you're talking timewise, Daniel Komen would be the winner; nobody can come even close to his 2 mile times. Hicham would be a close second, but Bekele, in my opinion, is also nasty. If you're talking in terms of competition, Herb Elliot was the best, being an undefeated miler. If you're talking revolutionary, Prefontaine was the best, and one of the few runners who actually gave every race his all, collapsing over the line. While other runners kick his ass timewise, Prefontaine's effort and attitude certainly deserve a mention.
I voted for Zatopec, as he was essentially a combination of the runners listed above, and, for his time, was out of anybody's league.

[wiurecrunner]

What about Tergat?

[AMBULOPHOBIA]

just curious but what was ritz webb and lindgren (and someoned mentioned pre also) won?

[jrun]

Why would you apologize for the sprinter bias, they didn't apologize for their distance bias lol


Out of the top 10 times in the 400, Michael Johnson has 8.

Out of the top 20 times in the 400, Michael Johnson has 14.

Out of the 36 times ever run run under 44.0, Michael Johnson has 23 of those.

Yea, most of the board has a distance bias, but your post is just showing a 400 meter bais.

Care to inform the board on just how much Mo. Greene has owned the 100m performance list? (Not necessarily saying he's the 'Greatest runner of all-time')

[runningjew]

I'm gonna definately say Michael Johnson
1. cause hes a texan
2. cause hes big 12
3. cause he won gold at barcelona, atlanta, and sydney
4. WR 200 (19.32)
5. He's Jeremy Warniers agent

[trojanrunna]

Yea, most of the board has a distance bias, but your post is just showing a 400 meter bais.

Care to inform the board on just how much Mo. Greene has owned the 100m performance list? (Not necessarily saying he's the 'Greatest runner of all-time')
but have you SEEN his tattoo? in my opinion, viren's greatness is tainted. wasn't he caught blood doping?

[hurdlefreak]

Yea, most of the board has a distance bias, but your post is just showing a 400 meter bais.

Care to inform the board on just how much Mo. Greene has owned the 100m performance list? (Not necessarily saying he's the 'Greatest runner of all-time')


Mo "only" has 6 of the top 20 100 times in history. Though I am admittedly sprint biased, no one has historically dominated their event(running event that is) the way Johnson has. The closest I can find is El G with 12 of the top 20 times ever for the 1500. Even my favorite runner of all time, Edwin Moses, has 10 of the top 20 times in the 400 hurdles.

[Sully 800]

but you could certainly make a case for moses being one of the greatest sprinters ever with the streak of wins he had going.

[EastSideXC]

Awesome you made a poll. That made my day.

[BlueFlameBeanie]

Awesome you made a poll. That made my day.
yay! i love you whoever you are

[hungso_lo]

Yea, most of the board has a distance bias, but your post is just showing a 400 meter bais.

Care to inform the board on just how much Mo. Greene has owned the 100m performance list? (Not necessarily saying he's the 'Greatest runner of all-time')


I wasn't showing 400m bias, I was on my way to posting his stats in the 200 as well. But I got booted off(dial up), and I haven't been back on the board in about 2 days. Which is why there's 3 pages to this thread now. I know how much Mo has dominated, and I can post stats for him as well, but as much as I think he's the best 100m runner ever, I don't think he's the best runner. Which is why I didn't include him.

I'll include some stats tho.....

Out of the top five 200m times MJ has 3

Out of the top 15, 200m times MJ has 7

He has the most times run under 19.90 with 13. The next closest person has 7(Carl Lewis)

And I can't verify this but I believe he has 2 of the fastest splits ever for the 4x2, with an 18.5 and 18.8.

[hungso_lo]

what are you all talking about, and im sorry Zoom Jasari, but even if Michael Johnson was onthe list, he didnt break 19 world records. Haile Gebrselaisse beats any of these other people by far (with the exception of Bekele but hes not 1/2 way through his career). Not only did he break 19 WRs though, but they were spread out in many different events, and thats not to say what he'll do in the marathon which would show even more versatility.


Even if you include the 50m & Hurdles, 60m & Hurdles, 100m(indoor & outdoor), 200m(indoor & outdoor), 400m(indoor & outdoor), 110's, and 400hdl a sprinter would never have a chance to break 19 world records. Not only would they not be able to train effectivly enough to do all the events at that level, there just plain isn't enough events. I'm not real fluent with distance running, so I have no idea how many total individual events there are before it's considered a marathon.

[Kalaby]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you can't have a poll like this without at least having Aouita as a choice.

He was the first man under 7:30 for the 3000m and the first under 13:00 for the 5000m. When he was running in his prime he held the 1500m, 3000m, 2 mile and 5000m WRs at the same time and had the second fastest mile. He had sub 1:44 800m wheels and could also run up through 10,000m. In fact, he's the only runner ever to be world ranked #1 in every flat event from the 800m through the 10,000m at one point or another in his career. He may not be the very best of all time, but he certainly belongs as one of the choices.

[Wizardx]

In addition to those missing, David Komen?

[Sully 800]

In addition to those missing, David Komen?

good ole dave. what a runner!

[miler]

daniel komen?

[Wizardx]

daniel komen?

HAHAHAHAHA. Nope.

[trojanrunna]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you can't have a poll like this without at least having Aouita as a choice.

He was the first man under 7:30 for the 3000m and the first under 13:00 for the 5000m. When he was running in his prime he held the 1500m, 3000m, 2 mile and 5000m WRs at the same time and had the second fastest mile. He had sub 1:44 800m wheels and could also run up through 10,000m. In fact, he's the only runner ever to be world ranked #1 in every flat event from the 800m through the 10,000m at one point or another in his career. He may not be the very best of all time, but he certainly belongs as one of the choices.
agreed. aouita was a beast.

[NJ5k]

Even if you include the 50m & Hurdles, 60m & Hurdles, 100m(indoor & outdoor), 200m(indoor & outdoor), 400m(indoor & outdoor), 110's, and 400hdl a sprinter would never have a chance to break 19 world records. Not only would they not be able to train effectivly enough to do all the events at that level, there just plain isn't enough events. I'm not real fluent with distance running, so I have no idea how many total individual events there are before it's considered a marathon.

He broke his own records multiple times.

[Dragonsoul]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you can't have a poll like this without at least having Aouita as a choice.

He was the first man under 7:30 for the 3000m and the first under 13:00 for the 5000m. When he was running in his prime he held the 1500m, 3000m, 2 mile and 5000m WRs at the same time and had the second fastest mile. He had sub 1:44 800m wheels and could also run up through 10,000m. In fact, he's the only runner ever to be world ranked #1 in every flat event from the 800m through the 10,000m at one point or another in his career. He may not be the very best of all time, but he certainly belongs as one of the choices.

Dang! Whoa! I'm upset, what about Said Aouita! Looks like he was missed, that guy was super elite. What about Daniel Komen? Those guys should be added next time. :):rolleyes::eek:!!!

[BlueFlameBeanie]

why don't ppl think Lindgren was a great runner? i know he's semi crazy now, but we're talking about his running, not his personal life. his HS records, 11 out of 12 NCAA Championships possible of his 3 years of eligability (sp?), he doesn't have any Olympic medals though... maybe that's a reason? \
wow i've never heard of Aouita before. have i been living in a bubble..? :o what years did he run?

[Beanfontaine]

None of them, the greatest runner ever was Michael Johnson... hands down. you can argue all you want, but who else put the world records so out of reach that's it is unconceivable that they will be broken in the next 10 years.


agrees.

[Kalaby]

why don't ppl think Lindgren was a great runner? i know he's semi crazy now, but we're talking about his running, not his personal life. his HS records, 11 out of 12 NCAA Championships possible of his 3 years of eligability (sp?), he doesn't have any Olympic medals though... maybe that's a reason? \
wow i've never heard of Aouita before. have i been living in a bubble..? :o what years did he run?

Please don't be offended by this, but it amazes me that names like Pre and Lindgren and even Webb and Ritz are put in polls like this, but people haven't even heard of Said Aouita of Morocco. He was the first "Lion of the Desert" before Morceli and El G. He dominated in the 1980s up to the very early 1990s with his prime years being 1983-1989. He was an all-time great by anybody's definition.

[Requiem]

wow, ive gotta say this is rediculous....lol....there are only 3 names on that list that should maybe be on the real list.

shorter
zatopek
Geb

you could argue Nurmi, but even his dominance wasn't nearly as much as some.

[Beanfontaine]

His times are pretty weak compared to guys like Geb and Bekele.


it shouldnt be about times...it should be about accomplishments/titles

Bekele - WR holder in 5k and 10k, indoor 5k WR, 4x XC champ in both 4k and 12k, World Champ in 10k, Olympic Gold in 10k and Silver in 5k

Geb - WR holder in 5k and 10k, ?2mile indoor?, Gold medallist 2x in Olympics

Lasse Viren - Gold medallist 2x 10k and 5k, WR in 10k ...dont know about wut else he did.

Is Tergat on there?