Berlin Marathon -- live

[bobguild76]

That was one of the best things ever. I actually cried at the end. Is Kipchoge the greatest distance runner ever, from the aspect of all-round versatility?

Greatest marathon runner? Yes. What he has done in the marathon continues to amaze year in and year out. He dominates his event every bit as gloriously as Lewis, Bolt, Johnson, Bubka, and el Guerrouj dominated theirs.

Greatest 5k-10k-marathon? Close, but there are others. Kipchoge has multiple OG and WC 5k medals to go with his Olympic marathon gold, and at one time was the 4th fastest ever at 5k (now #6). His 10k credentials are the lowest of the three distances, but still excellent. And his longevity is amazing.

But Geb was also versatile, even down to the 1500, had longevity, OG and WC medals at 2 of the 3 distances, WR's at all three distances, and achieved #1 T&FN ranking in all three.

Bekele is up there also, and Zatopek, of course, has the three golds from the '52 OG to go with his long (at least long in that era) career.

[expat]

Good summary by bobguild of why (or at least how) GOAT discussions are entertaining but ultimately unsatisfying. That said, I'll vote for Zatopek who radically changed distance running. But Geb ... but Kipchoge ...

[GHM]

Last three minutes of race.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j329rCMOKq4

[gh]

i think I pulled these splits together properly, but one never knows about me and numbers:

5Ks
(14:24, 14:37 [29:01], 14:37 [43:38], 14:18 [57:56], 14:28 [1:12:24], 14:21 [1:26:45], 14:18 [1:41:03], 14:29 [1:55:32], 6:07)

10Ks
(29:01, 28:55 [57:56], 28:49 [1:26:45], 28:47 [1:55:32], 6:07)

Halves
(61:06/60:33)

did anybody note earlier that the 30K split is a "WR"?

[Master403]

But Geb was also versatile, even down to the 1500

PRs:
Geb 3:33.73
Kipchoge 3:33.20

[Powell]

PRs:
Geb 3:33.73

And 3:31.76i, still no. 2 on the all-time indoor list. Also won a WIC 1500 gold. Had he tackled the distance seriously outdoors, he might have broken 3:30.

[Master403]

So Kipchoge would have finished 16th and then 12th in today's Copenhagen Half Marathon.

[billychuck]

So Kipchoge would have finished 16th and then 12th in today's Copenhagen Half Marathon.

Wow! Today was one for the ages. I don’t see anyone seriously appaching that time anytime soon, even Kipchoge.

[Conor Dary]

Wow! Today was one for the ages. I don’t see anyone seriously appaching that time anytime soon, even Kipchoge.

When you run the second half 30 seconds faster...yes I think he can go faster...Dubai maybe..I don't see Bekele going that fast.

[beebee]

Is it time to begin discussing an actual sub-2:00?

: )

[NotDutra5]

Current hept wr and Lewis 9.92 in Seoul Olympics on the 24th of September 1988.

Hmmmm. Seem to recall a bit of a story to this one. Could be wrong.

[NotDutra5]

It turns out they did run Berlin Marathon on right day. Yes it is an NFL Sunday but no US Open tennis or Fed Ex/Ryder cup golf or any other big thing. So Monday sports papers may indeed mention this WR and - my heart be still - even make it onto the front page !! (Of sports not main section not to get too carried away.)

I read online newspapers and had forgotten about the Berlin race when I first opened this mornings online newpaper it was mentioned on the front page.

[gh]

Is it time to begin discussing an actual sub-2:00?

: )

for a women's 800, sure :-) :-)

[bambam1729]

countless times.... even the number of days with 3 WRs is probably very tough to enumerate

I think 1982 European Championships had 3 WRs - maybe not all on same days

[gh]

I have in my mind taht there was a Montréal day with 5-6 WRs.

But one triple that I know I saw was Z '97, when in short order Kipketer ran 1:41.24, Boit 7:59.08 & Geb 12:41.86. (El G's 3:28.91 wasn't even on the radar that night!)

Little did I know, when I left the meet with a smirk on my face that about 10 days later the 800 and steeple marks would be broken on the same night in Cologne.