George Atlas wrote:
The woman's steeple has only been contested for about 10 years. In 1972 Sid Sink had the American record in 8:26 when the AR for the flat 3000 was 7:45. 41 seconds slower.
The steeplechase in 1972 had been an event for men for 50 years and was 41 seconds slower than the AR for the flat 3000. Today at 8:06 it is 36 seconds slower than Bob Kennedy and Sydney Maree's 7:30. I'm not including the Kenyan Olympic silver medalist.
Coburn's 9:11.4 is 46 seconds slower than the AR for the flat 3000.
Yes its still a soft record however its also only 13 seconds from the world record.
Close to the same differential the American men were at in the event in 1972.
You have to look at it with that perspective.
Right. Thus, the women's event is progressing much more rapidly, which is nice.