A Note on Northwestern High School it is under a Mile from the Pork and Bean Projects, When I was about 10 years old I went to special education school with kids from around Dade County, sometimes I would try to go see friends from there, and the cops would pick me up and drive me home (I did not want to go with them, I wanted to see my friends who lived around there, When I got home the Police would tell my parents things like cops don't even go there without at least 2 police cars, People are getting killed left and right there, but the cops don't know, yeah I got into a few fights like everywhere, but most of the people are really nice, cops just fabricate stories to make it seem worse than it is.
Sifan Hassan and Jakob are my favorites, I like versatile runners more than ones who can only excel at one event. Andreas Almgren is in that group as well and the best runner Sweden, where I'm from, has ever had. He's got the national records from the 1500 to half marathon, and is the only runner in history to run 1:45 or faster in the 800 and sub 27 in the 10k.
Bryce Hoppel: One of the fiercest competitors I've seen in a long time. Just set a huge AR and looked so disappointed not to medal, even though he clearly pushed himself to 100%. I remember in a race in Budapest he followed the leader out in 48.X and then kept pushing and pushing even while tying up and afterwards was lying on the track breathing so hard I thought he needed to be defibrillated.
Connor Mantz: I love how much he races, even on the track, as a marathoner. Last year he jumped in a 1500m and finished in 3:37, off marathon training. If there's a race, anywhere, anytime, any distance, you can expect Mantz will show up and give 100% and place at least decently. He is the opposite of Mu and McLaughlin.
Bernard Lagat: We're talking about a dude who at age 41 won the U.S. Olympic Trials 5000m with a monster kick, smoother form than all the 20-somethings he blew by. The great Lord Coe would always comment on how Lagat's stride in his late 30s and early 40s looked "majestic." If Lagat at age 37 and current Cole Hocker were coming into the final 200m of a slow race, I'd bet on Lagat.
Graham Blanks - stays under the radar and off social media, seems to run to his max potential every race.
My favorite currently is Fisher hands done. Being from the Midwest I've been aware of him since he was a sophomore in high school. I am not usually emotionally invested in the success of an athlete but I am in Fisher.
Besides Fisher, I admire the hell out of Yomif Kejelcha. I felt absolutely gutted for him in Paris. I always look for his name on the start sheet and if it is there, I will watch. He is a gamer and is fearless. If he is in the race, you can count on it being fast and, most of all, competitive (he makes races entertaining). He doesn't have a pretty gait like so many Africans, but I love watching him wind it up. We distance fans owe him a debt of gratitude.
For all time, I have to go with Billy Mills. Before state cross country, our team would gather and watch Running Brave. One of the greatest underdog stories in all of sports: ever!
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Laura Muir: grit, humility and just seems like such a quality person in interviews
Sifan Hassan: crazy, talented, tough, and real
Moh Ahmed: such a great runner, tough, great attitude (see his instagram post regarding his fall: took responsibility for it, didn't have a sob story for himself).
For all time, I have to go with Billy Mills. Before state cross country, our team would gather and watch Running Brave. One of the greatest underdog stories in all of sports: ever!
That story he tells about how his late father used to tell him something about “wings of an eagle,” and on the last lap he went by a lapped runner and thought he saw an eagle with its wings spread on the back of his jersey, and it gave him the inspiration to go for the win. Then he finds the guy later and it wasn’t an eagle, it was the Olympic rings, but somehow his mind showed him what he needed to see instead of what was really there. My god. I agree, he’s my all-time favorite.
Tough one! It is hard not to be inspired by someone who medals in the 1500, 5,000, and 10,000 and says, "I'm never trying that again!" And then comes back and medals in the 5,000, 10,000 and marathon! Hassan is not only an inspiration but she genuinely seems to do it with joy.
Grant Fisher. Humble. Fast. Fierce.
Loved how gritty Kenneth Rooks was in that Steeple.
Gabby seems genuinely a great person AND the best 200 meter runner in the world.
Femke's spirit is hard to beat. I'd rather watch her run than just about anyone.
The American men's 1500 team. The future looks bright!
Bryce Hoppel: One of the fiercest competitors I've seen in a long time. Just set a huge AR and looked so disappointed not to medal, even though he clearly pushed himself to 100%. I remember in a race in Budapest he followed the leader out in 48.X and then kept pushing and pushing even while tying up and afterwards was lying on the track breathing so hard I thought he needed to be defibrillated.
Connor Mantz: I love how much he races, even on the track, as a marathoner. Last year he jumped in a 1500m and finished in 3:37, off marathon training. If there's a race, anywhere, anytime, any distance, you can expect Mantz will show up and give 100% and place at least decently. He is the opposite of Mu and McLaughlin.
Bernard Lagat: We're talking about a dude who at age 41 won the U.S. Olympic Trials 5000m with a monster kick, smoother form than all the 20-somethings he blew by. The great Lord Coe would always comment on how Lagat's stride in his late 30s and early 40s looked "majestic." If Lagat at age 37 and current Cole Hocker were coming into the final 200m of a slow race, I'd bet on Lagat.
Dude, why you got to hate on dripping-in-gold Sydney? And Mu did her job and then some by 20. Her heart is elsewhere for now. Leave her alone and let her finish growing up. Thumbs up to Lagat. He’s easily a retired favorite. Silky smooth and oh so fast.
He literally answered your question. The poster likes runners who actually race, and "dripping-in-gold Sydney" ain't it.
Agree with Mantz, and I'm a big Keely fan for the same reason! Generally like gutsy runners, so I gotta shout out Pat Tiernan, Bryce Hoppel, and Laura Muir.
At this stage its a genuinely good question. I love the sport but so many runners have proved to be so disappointing.
I go through phases where I really like someone and want to root for them but then something happens either doping, affiliation with doping, or a change that makes me not want to.
Emma Coburn has been a consistent favorite of mine. Someone to root for with a good head on her shoulders and found lots of success.
I want to see what the young kids do:
Tuohy, Valby, Wayment and others will be interesting to see.
...As others have said, I wish that she raced more and mixed up a bit in the DL meets and internationally...
That's one thing that's got me pumped for Grand Slam Track. She's already committed to 4 meets next year with 8 races in total.
People get on Sydney and Josh for not racing enough, but they were the first signings. I really hope the while thing works out, and achieves the intended result of bringing the heavy hitters to the competition more frequently.