Average distance
Two mid-range tribes looked at the highlights of the 2024 Weltklasse. I accept that Mondo can view his 100 meter dash in that light.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the greatest man in the 1500m right now? “I’m not sure,” said the mirror. The Paris Olympics were going to solve the problem once and for all. It’s Josh Kerr, the reigning world champion, against Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the reigning Olympic champion, but Cole Hawker hasn’t been told to step aside and let the two favorites duke it out. . Kerr beat Ingebrigtsen, but Hawker spoiled it by passing Kerr and Ingebrigtsen; worse, he was expecting a gold medal.
Come to Zurich and we had a rematch. Could Hawker prove his Paris win was no fluke or could Kerr and Ingebrigtsen put him in his place? Yes, there was a problem again. This time, as the World Athletics website wrote. “It was Jared Nugusin’s turn to join the club.” The result was:
1 Jared Nuguse 3:29.21
2 Jacob Ingebrigtsen 3:29.52
3 Cole Hawker 3:30.46
4 Nils Laros 3:31.23
5 Josh Kerr 3:31.46
What does that tell us? That there are at least 5 outstanding middle distance runners and that there is very little to choose between them. Then Nuguse said: “This race was highly anticipated and I knew it was going to be fast. Anyone could win this race. In the beginning I just tried not to make a single mistake and be where I wanted to be, and then you have to be ready for the finish. The Olympics were like a a huge millstone, and when you got over it, it seemed like a fun race. It was a lot more fun running with these guys today. Winning a medal at the Olympics gave me more confidence in who I am and now I know what I can achieve. I mean, nothing has really changed, but the way I feel about myself has. So that’s definitely positive.”
Jacob commented. “My race was better than I would have expected yesterday. I am still not recovered. It’s worth coming here and competing. But another week of recovery would have been better for me and given me more motivation. It’s all about experience. My gut feeling is always right. I think Brussels will be fun. I will only run the 1500 because there will only be an hour between the 5k and the 1500.”
Cole: Hawker, who finished third, said: “Tactically, it’s always more difficult when you have pace, but it makes it interesting nonetheless. In races like this, with a field like this, it makes you appreciate it even more when you win or do well.”
With Keely Hodgkinson’s season ended with injury, there will be no Olympic rematch. That Athing Mu chooses not to compete much is a huge disappointment. It also meant that Mary Moraa was able to control the race and won comfortably;
1 Mary Moraa 1:57.08
2 Georgia Bell 1:57.94
3 Addison Wiley 1:58.16
4 Gemma Rickey 1:58.49
Then Moraa said: “My plan is to finish the season in a good way, but I leave everything to God. Training hasn’t been consistent since Paris because you’re doing another event every two or three days, so it’s tough. The workouts I’ve been doing for the past 7 months have kept me going. I train with my sister and the same coach, so I’m very proud that she won a gold medal at the U20 World Championship. I brought him up so he could follow in my footsteps. It’s my dream to be able to compete with him on the big stage.”
