It's a World Champs meet. As a pro athlete, all you can do is turn up and compete against those around you.
Plus, he's 20 years old, now with a WR and $60000 in his pocket. I'm excited to see what the future holds for him.
Exactly, he could have had enough to outkick anyone today, we don't know. All he had to do was to outkick the strongest here. Also, he got Cheriyoits scalp. Good on him
Great win for Kessler but no surprise at all that he took a medal since he was the second fastest in the race after Reynold which scalp he took because Reynold was underperforming today.
But do you really belive that Kessler would have beaten the Norwegian, Nuguse, Kerr or other of the top milers. The 2 first 3:43 milers.
Jakob reportedly would have run if he wasn´t hindered by a wedding. But he of course might have run the 5000m.
Team bronze for GB in the women's HM as well. The commentators didn't know it was based on aggregate time rather than places so they thought Morocco and South Africa were ahead. Considering the team that GB sent, two medals, plus top 10 places in both of the 5k races is a great return.
Also been wondering how widely the prize money for the road mile WR was advertised. So many athletes who are just below the podium level left $50k on the table. 3:56 is a walk in the park even for someone like Geordie Beamish. I'm sure Abel Kipsang could do with that sort of cash. Such a missed opportunity
You’re underestimating how tired some of these guys are. Kipsang has been struggling the last few races and withdrew seemingly as a result. You saw Cheruiyot bombing today, he has been racing a lot. Similarly, Hull and Nelly Chepchirchir fading back. I don’t think it’s as easy as saying everyone would’ve been able to extend their season and win especially for the guys running out of steam after a long season. It feels like George Mills was maybe the guy I’d point to as still on the upswing and could’ve hit a big payday.
Yeah, that's a good point. And it's the same point Josh Kerr was making before the Pre Classic but so many (including one of the podcast hosts) didn't seem to think that reasoning held much water
There’s no point in comparing these mile times with the 5th Ave. mile times. 5th Ave. is a point to point net downhill and surely a faster course than today’s. Jessica Hull ran 10 seconds faster in NYC than she did today.
Yep, I know, at least partly. Really much downhill? don't believe it. Faster it is though.
The elevation looks crazy due to the scale but it is overall a slightly downhill course. It looks like a net downhill of about 10 feet.
You’re underestimating how tired some of these guys are. Kipsang has been struggling the last few races and withdrew seemingly as a result. You saw Cheruiyot bombing today, he has been racing a lot. Similarly, Hull and Nelly Chepchirchir fading back. I don’t think it’s as easy as saying everyone would’ve been able to extend their season and win especially for the guys running out of steam after a long season. It feels like George Mills was maybe the guy I’d point to as still on the upswing and could’ve hit a big payday.
Yeah, that's a good point. And it's the same point Josh Kerr was making before the Pre Classic but so many (including one of the podcast hosts) didn't seem to think that reasoning held much water
lol kerr had half the load of the kenyans. he wanted to go out on a high note in an easier race.
"The first six blocks, from 80th to 74th, are definitely steadily downhill — not too steep (which can actually be annoying and slow you down) but sort of perfectly inclined for hammering. At 74th, it heads quite sharply uphill. It’s steeper than the downhill, but it’s relatively short — only about three blocks. Then it’s pretty much flat, slightly uphill then slightly downhill, for two blocks to 69th. Then it’s that same nice downhill grade, perfect for hammering, until about 64th, when it becomes almost flat, but still slightly downhill. In other words, it’s potentially a very fast course. You can hammer the first quarter mile, attack the uphill (because it’s pretty short), hammer the third quarter mile, and then just try to hold on."
After some consideration have to say that I'm very surprised so many potential winners didn't participate in this Champs.
With $10k / $30k HMs prize money and $50k WR bonuses it is rather astounding UK milers didn't run and Kipyegon gave up the fight so "easily". Tsegay won $30k at the Eugene DL Final for the 5000 (and were there any WR bonuses in DLs/DL Final?) but she could have possibly easily beaten (also) 5k 14:29 WRwo in Riga to collect (additional) $60k. She would have had only Chebet to defeat but Tsegay is now on WRs level, rather much better than Chebet - not like in 2022 - though it's always a challenge to beat her as Chebet, built like a young boy, is an extremely smooth/fluid runner.
I think it’s the marathon next for Sawe. I think Kandie likes dabbling (on the track), and if Sawe had interest he would’ve aside from the Hour run and a low-key 10,000 last year. Wonder if he goes in Boston (adidas race)
I think you might be right. I was hoping Sawe would be at the trials this year because I reckon he could've made the team. I feel like the Olympics may hold a bit more prestige for some 'hybrid' track/road athletes than the world champs though so maybe those who don't make the marathon team for Kenya might race track such as Kamworor, Kandie perhaps, the former however in quite good standings to make the marathon team although NYC he might have to win/beat Chebet to do so
Looks like I'm wrong. He's on the record with this:
Meanwhile, Sawe said he also has an eye on next year's Olympic Games, where he will seek a ticket for the 10,000m. “I will be targeting the 10,000m since I am not ripe for marathons. I only run in half marathons and 10km,” said the Seville Half Marathon champion.
- Since he trains with a group that is excellent in the Marathon, I wonder if Claudio B. has some rationale for why he might not do great in the full distance. He's run 26:49 for the 10K on the roads (with a consistently strong kick), so he certainly would be a factor on the track if he qualifies for Team Kenya.
Sawe, who finished sixth at last year's edition of the Valencia race in 59:06, is hoping to improve on both time and position when the race goes down on October 22.
