Harder to win Olympic 10,000-5,000 or World-x?

[bekeselassie]

World XC was harder to win when it was just one race. AFter they split it into long and short races, it got a bit watered down. I, for one, am happy they're going back to the old format.

Interesting thought, Powell. I had posted a few weeks ago that I didn't like them going back to the old format because it would alter Bekele's legacy. But what you say does make sense.

Does that change anyone's perspective on Bekele's four doubles?

[tlb747]

Some athletes have alot of both--Tergat, Bekele, etc. Some just don't: Geb, for example.

Please cut this post! :roll:

If that post gets cut, would part of your user name also go? :lol:

[tlb747]

The above 2 posts are right on the money. X-C running is a different animal from track running--takes a different kind of strength, balance, and "touch." Some athletes have alot of both--Tergat, Bekele, etc. Some just don't: Geb, for example.

Ouch!

[nevetsllim]

World XC was harder to win when it was just one race. AFter they split it into long and short races, it got a bit watered down. I, for one, am happy they're going back to the old format.

I think the 5000m/10000m is definitely harder to win because you have heats in the 5000m (semis in the 70's and 80's) and sometimes 10000m

[Powell]

World XC was harder to win when it was just one race. AFter they split it into long and short races, it got a bit watered down. I, for one, am happy they're going back to the old format.

[kuha]

The above 2 posts are right on the money. X-C running is a different animal from track running--takes a different kind of strength, balance, and "touch." Some athletes have alot of both--Tergat, Bekele, etc. Some just don't: Geb, for example.

Did Geb ever run the world-x, maybe he could have won it in his prime?

Well, you already have your answer on this. Geb got 2nd in the '92 junior race. I was at the '95 Worlds race and he was decisively beaten (although there was talk about a flight screw-up for the Ethiopian team and how none of them got any sleep). In '96 I would have bet $100 that he would have won, but he tripped on a log and Tergat went on to humiliate him (see the IAAF video of this race--Tergat was awesome over the last mile or so). After this, Geb pretty much gave up on X-C. He's my all-time running hero, but he just never really "got it" with X-C.

I would add this: the first time I ever really paid much attention to him in X-C (in '92 he was just a name) was the Durham race in (I think) January of '94 (seen live on TV while living over there). It was a snowy, bitter day, but he just ran away from the field to win by something like a minute.

[SQUACKEE]

I know they are differant animals but im still surprised Geb didnt do better.

[bekeselassie]

03/25/1995 IAAF World Cross Country Durham Tergat 1 Gebrselassie 4
03/23/1996 IAAF World Cross Country Stellenbosch Tergat 1 Gebrselassie 5

And this one. :roll:

[bekeselassie]

Some athletes have alot of both--Tergat, Bekele, etc. Some just don't: Geb, for example.

Please cut this post! :roll:

[bad hammy]

Did Geb ever run the world-x, maybe he could have won it in his prime?

From this list of top three finishers I came across ( http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/xc.htm - couldn't fine an IAAF official results site) he placed third in the 94 long course, 2nd in the 92 junior, and won the short-lived World Cross Challenge (points over a series of races) in 94.

[EPelle]

03/28/1993 IAAF World Cross Country Amorbieta Gebrselassie 7 Tergat 10
03/26/1994 IAAF World Cross Country Budapest Gebrselassie 3 Tergat 4
03/25/1995 IAAF World Cross Country Durham Tergat 1 Gebrselassie 4
03/23/1996 IAAF World Cross Country Stellenbosch Tergat 1 Gebrselassie 5

[SQUACKEE]

The above 2 posts are right on the money. X-C running is a different animal from track running--takes a different kind of strength, balance, and "touch." Some athletes have alot of both--Tergat, Bekele, etc. Some just don't: Geb, for example.

Did Geb ever run the world-x, maybe he could have won it in his prime?

[kuha]

The above 2 posts are right on the money. X-C running is a different animal from track running--takes a different kind of strength, balance, and "touch." Some athletes have alot of both--Tergat, Bekele, etc. Some just don't: Geb, for example.

[EPelle]

I believe that conversation surrounded Sergei Lebed if I am not mistaken... he is one made for the hills, but not the flats. A strength runner can run mountains, but not necessarily be able to crank out pace under 60 seconds for his last 3-4 laps of a track race.

[26mi235]

Olys - fewer of them. Besides, as recently as 1981 an American won the men's XC champs - how hard can it be?? :shock: :lol:

Which begs the question- If the olympics just happen to be held in 1981 could Virgin win the 10,000? And if not , why not when he beat everyone in a harder race? :?

Beating everyone in a harder race does not mean that you will beat them in an easier one. Also, there are some runners that are just better on XC terrain relative to other runners. There was a bit of discussion on this in the fall. I thought that Bairu was a runner of this type, he just "floats" over the ground.