Bekele Going For 10K WR At Pre!

[Dutra]

FWIW I agree with ZZ. Bek is not improving and why should he?

Why shouldn't he?

What would make him faster as he turns 26?

What made Paul Tergat faster. He set his WR when he was 28, and he won his two Olympic silver medals when he was 27 and 31.

There are lots of other examples. Not all athletes are over the hill at 26. Many keep improving. Will Bekele be one of them? I've no idea, but I wouldn't dismiss the possibility.

What the poster is merely pointing out is that Bekele may not be able to improve on his WR. Does that equate with "over the hill". If he ran 26:27 would that be a performance considered "over the hill"?

I don't think it's far fetched at this point to think that the guy may not break his own WR.

[DrJay]

What's the American soil 5k best?

http://www.alltime-athletics.com/m_5000ok.htm

North American allcomers record: 13:00.77 Richard Limo KEN 18.11.80 1 Edmonton 10.08.2001

US allcomers record:
13:04.05 Tariku Bekele ETH 21.01.87 1 New York City 02.06.2007
13:04.56 Abraham Chebii KEN 23.12.79 1 New York City 03.06.2006
13:05.59 Saïd Aouita MAR 02.11.59 1 Los Angeles 11.08.1984
13:06.18 Micah Kogo KEN 03.06.86 2 New York City 03.06.2006
13:07.14 Benjamin Limo KEN 23.08.74 3 New York City 03.06.2006
13:07.54 Markus Ryffel SUI 05.02.55 2 Los Angeles 11.08.1984
13:07.83 Luke Kipkosgei KEN 27.11.75 1 Eugene 31.05.1998
13:07.96 Vénuste Niyongabo BDI 09.12.73 1 Atlanta 03.08.1996
13:08.10 Abraham Chebii KEN 23.12.79 1 Eugene 24.05.2003
13:08.16 Paul Bitok KEN 26.06.70 2 Atlanta 03.08.1996
13:08.29 Paul Bitok KEN 26.06.70 1 Eugene 26.05.1996
13:08.32 Julius Gitahi KEN 29.04.78 2 Eugene 31.05.1998
13:08.37 Khalid Boulami MAR 07.08.69 3 Atlanta 03.08.1996
13:08.4 Henry Rono KEN 12.02.52 1 Berkeley 08.04.1978

[BCBaroo]

It's just exciting for Bekele to run on US soil. I think it's a "tad bit" unfortunate that it's been labeled as a WR attempt, therefore making it a disappointment if he just runs mid 26.

But then I guess maybe it was "his handlers" who announced that it was a WR attempt... So, good onya.

[joeltetreault]

In addition to his 4:49.99, Bekele also dominated the 2008 WXC Champs, even with having to stop and get his shoe. And last year, he ran personal bests of 7:25 and 7:26, two of the fastest 3000m times since ElG's 7:23 mark in 1999. The way he negative split that 7:26 in the last kilo and the rainy, cold conditions it was run in, definitely indicate he has a 7:24 in him.

It should be noted that his 5000m mark for 2007 (Zaragoza) had some extenuating circumstances. Clearly given his 3000m times, he was in or close to WR shape, but it was extremely hot and he had to take control of the race earlier than expected (2000m) and was all by himself for the remainder. He finished almost 30 seconds up on second place. I really think he was in shape to run 12:37 or at least 12:40, but the rabbits and weather conspired against him.

[26mi235]

4:49.99

[EPelle]

What is being reported now is that his form is spot-on. We:ll see.

[Powell]

2-Mile indoor record

Not worth more than his 3000 PB.

and a long course victory.

By the smallest margin of all his wins, even though he only had one race to run this time, as opposed to two up to 2006.

No early-season track races this season.

Reportedly due to poor form.

[EPelle]

2-Mile indoor record and a long course victory. No early-season track races this season.

[Powell]

Every athlete is unique. It's nonsense to say that if X set their PB at 35, then Y will continue improving until the same age.

Take a look at Bekele's progression:
2004 12:37.35/ 26:20.31
2005 12:40.18/ 26:17.53
2006 12:48.09/ -
2007 12:49.53/ 26:46.19

The fact is in the last 2 seasons he couldn't even get anywhere near his records. What makes you think the trend will be reversed in 2008?

[tandfman]

FWIW I agree with ZZ. Bek is not improving and why should he?

Why shouldn't he?

What would make him faster as he turns 26?

What made Paul Tergat faster. He set his WR when he was 28, and he won his two Olympic silver medals when he was 27 and 31.

There are lots of other examples. Not all athletes are over the hill at 26. Many keep improving. Will Bekele be one of them? I've no idea, but I wouldn't dismiss the possibility.

[SQUACKEE]

FWIW I agree with ZZ. Bek is not improving and why should he? What would make him faster as he turns 26?

[jeremyp]

Relay style....Lagat runs the first mile, Vaughn the second, Lagat the third, etc.

I was thinking Webb and Lagat could run alternate laps: good workout!

[Marlow]

Maybe they should have two races combined: A 5k with the superstuds including some of those mentioned above and some other low 13 guys, and then the 10k with Bekele vs. the clock. He could "simply" continue on for another 12.5... :wink:

How about the 5Kers START as he crosses the 5000 mark. That would be awesome!!

[gh]

why is it that they persist and putting the "2" and "3" keys so close together on the keyboard?!

[dl]

Make that 32 for Ondieki. It took him a long time to develop from a good runner at Iowa State to a World Champion and world record holder.