El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

[gh]

1 Cherono Stephen KEN 12:48.81
2 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 12:50.24


In Ostrava (correct link now up)

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

Can someone tell me in feet and inches just how big was that Russian lady's vault today?

thanks in advance

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

15'5"

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

Is that his first track 5k ever, or his first as a Senior? If so, is it the fastest debut ever?

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

El G ran World Junior 5 years back. I'm not sure that Stephen Cherono has run too many 5000's in his life either. Mostly a steepler (brother of Christopher Kosgei and Abraham Cherono, who ran in Ostrava steeple).

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

As fast as that was it will most likely be discouraging for the WC double.

As was speculated - his chances of doubling were none and they just got less. Too bad. A win with 12:50 would have possibly given him the confidence to give it a go.

Foiled by another Kenyan.

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

His first that is awesome. Said Auiota-like you never know

[MJD]

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

>His first that is awesome. Said Auiota-like you
>never know


Except it isn't his first. It either it is or it isn't. It was bad enough when everyone kept saying that Geb hadn't run a marathon when he ran London but this is much worse. At least you could argue that Geb's wasn't a "serious" attempt although I'm sure Geb would have disagreed with that statement at the time but El G ran under 14 minutes in his first 5000 for crying out loud. You can't just ignore that fact.

[trackstar]

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

Here's a quote from the IAAF website that should strike fear into the rest of the world: "I saw today I am not yet a 5000m runner...I have a good feeling from my first 5000m. I have to work on my rhythm. I will continue running the distance."

The guy runs a 12:50 on his first serious crack at the distance and feels like he still has some kinks to work out? Yikes.

[jlanza]

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

As fast as that was it will most likely be discouraging for the WC double.

Proably, but knowing that the chances are that the WC race will be more tactical and probably won at something over 13:00, he still might try for it.

Joe

Re: El G Runs 12:50..... and loses

>Here's a quote from the IAAF website that should
>strike fear into the rest of the world: "I saw
>today I am not yet a 5000m runner...I have a good
>feeling from my first 5000m. I have to work on my
>rhythm. I will continue running the
>distance."

The guy runs a 12:50 on his first
>serious crack at the distance and feels like he
>still has some kinks to work out? Yikes.

As I have wrote before I think he will be a serious threat to the 5k world record very soon. This performance shows this to be the case. However, I don't think that he has time to "work on the rythm" before the WC. But watch out next year!

respond tp cyril

how does running a 12:50 make el g. any less when i comes to a chance of doubling at the worlds. the guy can run 3:26 for a 15, the only guy that can touch him is lagat, and last i looked, there hasn't been a winning time at a world champs where the winner ran under 12:50

[gh]

Re: respond tp cyril

It's not the time that El G ran; it's the fact that he lost (convincingly). And lost to a guy not running in his specialty either. Now that he knows he can't just march in and claim the 5K title by fiat, I predict he won't even try. Opinion only.

Re: respond tp cyril

Its not like he was 10th with a 13:20 and said that is not my race that is the 4th or 5th fastest tme ever...Geb, Komen, and ?'s are only faster all-time we need to be patient.

Re: respond tp cyril

Does he really have much to lose in trying the double? Is it possible for him to lose the 1500m by attempting both (I can't recall the schedule). If he feels the 1500m is close to a lock he doesn't have much to lose in trying.

Whould he lose votes in T&F NEWS Athlete of the Year if he goes undeafeated in the 1500m this year but gets 4th or 5th in the 5000m - if so that would be unfortunate. I really enjoy seeing athletes stretch themselves into other events. I would have liked to have seen MJ try an 800m, or Kipketer hop in a top flight 1500m, etc..

I hope he goes for it - in my mind if he wins the 1500m and gets dusted in the 5000m he loses no luster.