The 1500m and 5000m aren't even prestigious T&F events. And if this forum is so focused on distance running why aren't we talking more about Kiplangat who won gold in the Marathon at World's or Cheptegei who won gold in the 10000m at World's?
The 1500m and 5000m aren't even prestigious T&F events. And if this forum is so focused on distance running why aren't we talking more about Kiplangat who won gold in the Marathon at World's or Cheptegei who won gold in the 10000m at World's?
You're half right. Going back before Modern Olympics, two most popular events, 100 yard dash and one mile. Fifteen-hundred meters and 100m dash are the two most popular events.
Jakob is WHITE and really good and the majority of posters feel as if they could go out for dinner with Jakob and maybe sort of enjoy the conversation. They don’t feel that way about the nonwhite guys like Cheptegei and Kiplangat. Plus Jakob is quite polarizing as he can be quite annoying, or arrogant or blunt to the point that some are offended. To others this makes him their hero.
They aren't the most popular track events but looking at letsrun, I'd say most runners on here are interested in the 1500/5000 or ran those distances themselves then moved up to the 10k, marathon.
Jakob is also kind of a personality with the reality TV, he speaks good English plus other obvious factors I guess.
He's the most consistently successful white guy in a part of the sport dominated by Kenyans and Ethiopians. People know Ingebrigtsen is right about the randomness of Kerr and Wightman, they will not dominate the mid/distances and, going forward, will likely lose more than they win. Jakob is a bonafide star who will continue to win, or at least factor in, many more 1500m/5000m races over the next few years.
There have been similar fandoms around Christophe LeMaitre, Jeremy Wariner, Matt Centrowitz, Grant Fisher, and even n'er-do-wells Cole Hocker, Craig Engels, Julien Wanders and Sondre Moen.
The real question is why does it bother you so much that a white man is dominating those events? Obviously something that's truly disrupting your life. I get youre stuck watching boring and poorly followed worlds 10000 as a result but perhaps you should expand your horizons?
Your post is incorrect. The 1500 is without a doubt one of the most prestigious events in the sport. At Worlds, I'd put it 2nd behind the 100. We aren't talking about the marathon at Worlds because there shouldn't even be a marathon at Worlds. We have a ton of majors and don't need it at Worlds.
But why is everyone obsessed with Jakob and the men's 1500? It's simple really.
1) Most letsrunners are diehard distance runners and most of them weren't born in Africa. In case, you've been sleeping under a rock, people from Africa generally dominate the distance races. Can you tell me the last time someone not born in Africa was heavily favored to win a single distance race at a Worlds/Olympics let alone two?
Before 2022, the last time someone not born in Africa won gold at Wpr;ds in the 1500 and/or 5000 at Worlds on the men's side was all the way back in 1983 - at the very 1st Worlds.
Jakob is living our dream. Plus we've been following him since he's 15 so he's a brand and we are emotionally invested.
2) Because the 1500 event is the rare event where talent/training and TACTICS are critical. It's much more interesting to talk about than say all of the sprints where it's a race against the clock. Also it's not diluted like the 5000 and 10,000. You know all of the top 1500 guys are going to be in the 1500.
Also its not just Jakob. The guys that have been beating him are Europeans.
Also, when was the last time you saw Europe sweep all 3 medals in the 1500? There has been a big change in the 1500. It's starting to trickle into the 5000 too.
Also its not just Jakob. The guys that have been beating him are Europeans.
Also, when was the last time you saw Europe sweep all 3 medals in the 1500? There has been a big change in the 1500. It's starting to trickle into the 5000 too.
Also its not just Jakob. The guys that have been beating him are Europeans.
Also, when was the last time you saw Europe sweep all 3 medals in the 1500? There has been a big change in the 1500. It's starting to trickle into the 5000 too.
Which Euros other than Jakob are top ten 5k guys?
Fisher obviously. Did you really ask that? In addition, Kincaid is in the top 10 on times and Gressier is in the top ten at worlds. Take your pick.
You might have lost a little credibility when disparaging the prestige of the 1500 as a track event while hyping up the 10,000--an event that spends most of its time in the picture-in-picture, or in commercial break, or getting cut from the Diamond League.
Jakob is WHITE and really good and the majority of posters feel as if they could go out for dinner with Jakob and maybe sort of enjoy the conversation. They don’t feel that way about the nonwhite guys like Cheptegei and Kiplangat. Plus Jakob is quite polarizing as he can be quite annoying, or arrogant or blunt to the point that some are offended. To others this makes him their hero.
This might blow your mind, so sit down when you read this.
Most of us are able to simultaneously root for Jakob, Sha'Carri, Kipyegon, Tsegay, Hassan, Nuguse, Lyles, Mondo, Crouser, Tara Davis, Sydney, Mu, D'Amato, Sunny Brown, Knighton, and Paul MF Chelimo.
Your focus on athletes' skin color is disgusting and you should seek serious help.
I root for Naguse because I want to see an American win but there is no denying that Jakob is the most dominant middle distance runner in the world right now. He is always in the hunt and can successfully double in the 1500/5000. There is no other athlete on the men's side that you know will compete down to the wire against the best in the world at both events. I admire his ability but I usually root for the underdog.
The 1500m and 5000m aren't even prestigious T&F events. And if this forum is so focused on distance running why aren't we talking more about Kiplangat who won gold in the Marathon at World's or Cheptegei who won gold in the 10000m at World's?
Other than the fact that he's white, which is certainly a novelty, there is also the fact that the WR is 25 years old and since then there has only been one guy who might have had the skills to take it down. Now we have a guy who obviously has the potential (even if you don't think he'll make it, you have to admit that he's in the ballpark), wants it, is consistent, and is interesting in interviews.
Jakob is WHITE and really good and the majority of posters feel as if they could go out for dinner with Jakob and maybe sort of enjoy the conversation. They don’t feel that way about the nonwhite guys like Cheptegei and Kiplangat. Plus Jakob is quite polarizing as he can be quite annoying, or arrogant or blunt to the point that some are offended. To others this makes him their hero.
This might blow your mind, so sit down when you read this.
Most of us are able to simultaneously root for Jakob, Sha'Carri, Kipyegon, Tsegay, Hassan, Nuguse, Lyles, Mondo, Crouser, Tara Davis, Sydney, Mu, D'Amato, Sunny Brown, Knighton, and Paul MF Chelimo.
Your focus on athletes' skin color is disgusting and you should seek serious help.
You are not very bright. Jakob being WHITE is a necessary but not sufficient condition for his popularity here. You are likely racist and therefore you are greatly offended when I point out the obvious. Jakob’s personality is a big factor in his popularity also but the fact that most of you can relate to Jakob as a white distance runner who is taking it to the Africans is a huge part of why you guys have him on a pedestal.