10K Greats

[Guest]

Here is a new twist. Who is the greatest United States 10,000 meter runner in history. Going back to 1960 the following athelets have at least 2 #1 US Rankings at 10,000m: Billy Mills, Tracy Smith, Frank Shorter, Craig Virgin, Alberto Salazar, Bruce Bickford, Mark Nenow, Todd Williams, Meb Keflezighi and of course I would add in Gerry Lindgren into the mix.

Strong cases could be made for several of these guys.

[Guest]

Re: 10K Greats

Also note that Pat Porter was ranked in the top 10 in the US 14 times between 1982 and 1996 including 2 number 2's but never was ranked #1.

Shorter has 6 #1's, Williams has 4 #1's, Virgin, Salazar and Nenow each have 3 #1's.

[6 5.5hjsteve]

Re: 10K Greats

How about Max Truex's great run in the Rome '60 Olympics ?

[Guest]

Re: 10K Greats

<Here is a new twist. Who is the greatest United States 10,000 meter runner in history. Going back to 1960 the following athelets have at least 2 #1 US Rankings at 10,000m: Billy Mills, Tracy Smith, Frank Shorter, Craig Virgin, Alberto Salazar, Bruce Bickford, Mark Nenow, Todd Williams, Meb Keflezighi and of course I would add in Gerry Lindgren into the mix. >

Depends on how you define "greatness". For having the most impact (inter)nationally, I suggest (1) Billy Mills (2) Gerry Lindgren.

[6 5.5hjsteve]

Re: 10K Greats

Have to go with Mills as #1, due to Oly win, plus the 6m WR the next year. Easy pick.

I'd pick Max Truex next.

[Guest]

Re: 10K Greats

A lot of people have run fast, but both Salazar and Virgin (especially Salazar) were tough cookies when it came to racing tactics, especially surging ability.

(Also Nick Rose, but he is British...and then there was Rono...!)

[Guest]

Re: 10K Greats

If we're not being limited to the track here, the greatest CC 10k. runner was Pat Porter.
Watching him fly the first mile with everyone else trying to keep up were some of the most exciting races I've ever seen.

[Guest]

Re: 10K Greats

I agree Pat was incredible on th cc course. Craig Virgin was also great on the grass.

Pat surely wins the longevity award. (82-96)

[Guest]

Re: 10K Greats

Here's one that could have happened and didn't: Remember when Paul Cummings ran a blistering last lap (I believe it was 55.6) to win the '84 OG Trials in 27:59.0? Unfortunately Paul experienced one of his severe allergy attacks in his qualifying round in the OG (on the same track, LA Coliseum) and didn't advance to the finals. He was in great shape and could have medaled in the final with his finishing speed. Bad timing....kind of like Henry March's viral infection in the steeplechase final in Seoul '88 OG.

[Guest]

Re: 10K Greats

Pardon the "typo", it's Henry Marsh.

[Guest]

Re: 10K Greats

I second the Paul Cummings input. Viewing the '84 Oly Trials video he was jogging, almost 'holding' back, then brutalizing everyone the last lap. No doubt he could have run quite a bit faster last lap or from further out. While riddled with allergy attacks of significant proportion - throughout his career - but for very bad timing the 84 10k finals would have been a much different scenario. Ahhh the "what might have beens". Godspeed Paul.

[Guest]

Re: 10K Greats

I think the high amount of road races he nickel and dimed himself between the trials and games had a little something to do with it. I agree, he was the only American with the last lap speed to have a chance to medal. He squandered it with appearance fees and small change prize money.

[billthedog]

Re: 10K Greats

Louis Tewanima, second to Kohlemainen, Stockholm, 1912. Surely at least in the top five.

[john1022]

Re: 10K Greats

Billy Mills ..

[Ranger]

Re: 10K Greats

Billy Mills is number one with out a doubt. And Tewanima is often over looked. I think Shorter and Tewannima tie for second.