The Oracle wrote:
I didn't say middle distance. And I don't care if he isn't, but I do think 26:59 and 12:55 merit him some discussion.
I am a huge fan of Chris and think he has done amazingly well this year, but here are a few Americans that had better careers than Chris (granted Chris has many yrs to go):
Rodgers
Salazar
Shorter
Scott
Spivey
Bob Kennedy
Dathan Ritzenhein
Craig Virgin
Steve Prefontaine
All of these guys had multiple ARs, won or placed HIGH at many Euro meets (and/or marathons) for years. Some won or placed HIGH at WCCC. Most won or placed high at global championships, and were at or near the top of the annual lists in the 5k or 10k (or 1000m-3k for Spivey and Scott). Some won multiple NCAA titles, National and Olympic and World Ch Trials titles.
There are probably a few more. He is undeniably the fastest 5k/10k runner in American history, with only Ritz/Rupp/Meb/Abdi being close. And all of them are about 20-30 seconds away when you add up PRs.
I guess it has already been established that he is the fastest non-African 5k/10k runner of all-time. That by itself is astounding!
I saw him run at FLocker REgionals yrs ago, and then again at the Big 10 track meets and XC meets and I knew he would be something special, but even I thought he would be about 13:05/27:20 ... he has surpassed nearly everyone's expectations.
Go Chris!