Wisconsin native and Portland-based runner Chris Solinsky has taken American performance in distance running to new levels in 2010. His stunning U.S. record in the 10,000 meters, 26:59.60, came on May 1 at Stanford. Then, on June 4 in Bislett, he ran 12:56.66 in the 5,000 meters.
He is the first U.S.-born runner to break 27 minutes in the 10,000 and 13 minutes in the 5,000. Solinsky, coached by Jerry Schumacher, ranks 31st worldwide in the 10,000 meters and 52nd in the 5,000 meters.
But only 16 men have personal bests in both events superior to Solinsky.
Here is a rundown of that illustrious group:
1. Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia, 12:37.35WR/26:17.53WR). Quite simply, he is the G.O.A.T. He holds the world records in both events and is the reigning Olympic champion in both events. His ability to kick off a mind-numbingly fast pace is unmatched. He is also the most successful runner in IAAF World Cross Country history. Medals: 3 gold, 1 silver (Olympics); 5 gold, 1 bronze (WC).
2. Haile Gebreselassie (Ethiopia, 12:39.36/26:22.75). If anyone else can lay claim to G.O.A.T. status, it’s Geb. The world record holder in the marathon set the standard that Bekele eventually met and exceeded on the track. He has broken 27 world records. At the age of 35, he won the Berlin Marathon with a world record time of 2:03:59, breaking his own world record by 27 seconds. Medals: 2 golds (Olympics); 3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze (WC).
3. Paul Tergat (Kenya, 12:49.87/26:27.85). The “Gentleman” held the world record in the marathon from 2003 and 2007 and is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time. Quite possibly the king of Kenyan distance running. Medals: 2 silver (Olympics); 2 silver, 1 bronze (WC).
4. Abebe Dinkesa Negera (Ethiopia, 12:55.58/26:30.74). A star in cross country running, and winner of the first African Mountain Running Championships, Negera has also showed track speed in his career. But can you believe, no global track medals? Medals: None.
5. Paul Koech (Kenya, 12:56.29/26:36.26). Never competed at the Olympics for Kenya, but he did place fourth in a World Championships. He won the 1998 IAAF World Half Marathon title. Medals: None.
6. Salah Hissou (Morocco, 12:50.80/26:38.08). A former world record holder in the 10,000 and 5,000-meter World Championships champion, Hissou is less well-known than countrymen Said Aouita and Hicham El Guerrouj. Medals: 1 bronze (Olympics), 1 gold, 1 bronze (WC).
7. Sileshi Sihine (Ethiopia, 12:47.04/26:39.69). Somebody has to get second in the major championship races, and lately that is usually Sihine. If not for Bekele, Sihine might well be considered worthy of being called G.O.A.T. But time and again, he settled for silver. Medals: 2 silvers (Olympics); 3 silvers and a bronze (WC).
8. Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya, 12:46.43/26:49.02). Kipchoge won the 5,000 at the 2003 World Championships, edging out Hicham El Guerrouj. And he was third in the 5,000 final at the 2004 Athens Olympics, behind El Guerrouj and Bekele. No shame in that. Medals: 1 silver, 1 bronze (Olympics); 1 gold, 1 silver (WC).
9. Moses Masai (Kenya, 12:50.55/26:49.20). He was fourth in the 10,000 at the Beijing Games in 2008. Medals: 1 bronze (WC).
10. Sammy Kipketer (Kenya, 12:52.33/26:49.38). Kipketer broke the 3,000-meter junior world record twice when he was 17. He holds the 5K road running world record as recognized by the Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS). Medals: None.
11. Moses Mosop (Kenya 12:54.46/26:49.55). A star cross country runner, he also represented Kenya at the 2004 Olympics. Medals: 1 bronze (WC).
12. Assefa Mezgebu (Ethiopia, 12:53.84/26:49.90). This retired standout is best known for taking bronze in the 10,000 in Sydney in 2000. He also specialized in cross-country running. Medals: 1 bronze (Olympics); 1 silver, 1 bronze (WC).
13. Albert Chepkurui/Ahmad Hassan Abdullah (Qatar, 12:56.27/26:38.76). He switched his name and his country, from Kenya, in 2003. Medals: None.
14. Mohammed Mourhit (Belgium, 12:49.71/26:52.30). Moroccan born runner moved to Europe in 1997 and owns several “European” records. He was suspended for drug use between June 2002 and June 2004. He never came close to his personal bests again after returning to competition in 2004. Medals: 1 bronze (WC).
15. Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam (Ethiopia, 12:52.80/26:52.33). At the 2002 World Junior Championships he won the 10,000 meters and finished third in the 5,000. He was fourth in lone Olympic Games appearance, sixth in the W.C. Medals: None.
16. Mark Bett (Kenya, 12:55.63/26:52.93). He peaked eight or nine years ago. Medals: None.
{ 10 comments }
SORRY FOR MY IGNORANCE, WHAT DOES G.O.A.T. STAND FOR?
the answer… Greatest of all time.
r plural goat : any of various hollow-horned ruminant mammals (especially of the genus Capra) related to the sheep but of lighter build and with backwardly arching horns, a short tail, and usually straight hair
I agree Solinsky is good but let him repeat such performance next season. This starts won't do him any good if he doesn't medal at World Championship or Olympics. And just for your stats, there are a lot of East African Athletes who had the potential of being on the list if they had raced in 10,000M. Just to list a few; Moses Kiptanui, and his two cousins Ismael Kirui, and Richard Chelimo, Abraham Chebii(who beat Kenenisa twice in 2003), Luke Kipkosgei, Shaheen(stephen Cherono) and others. East African athletes on most occasions run just faster enough to win the prize money, few people care about times.
How can you say that Sihine could have been the GOAT if it wasnt for Kenny B? I think Geb still is the best of all time because of superior PR's at 1500, 3k, and 2 miles as well as all the road running events (so far) and not to mention…a 17+ year elite career. Sihine isnt even in the top 3. Tergat is in front of him easily too.
I agree Solinsky is good but let him repeat such performance next season. This starts won’t do him any good if he doesn’t medal at World Championship or Olympics. And just for your stats, there are a lot of East African Athletes who had the potential of being on the list if they had raced in 10,000M. Just to list a few; Moses Kiptanui, and his two cousins Ismael Kirui, and Richard Chelimo, Abraham Chebii(who beat Kenenisa twice in 2003), Luke Kipkosgei, Shaheen(stephen Cherono) and others. East African athletes on most occasions run just faster enough to win the prize money, few people care about times.
How can you say that Sihine could have been the GOAT if it wasnt for Kenny B? I think Geb still is the best of all time because of superior PR’s at 1500, 3k, and 2 miles as well as all the road running events (so far) and not to mention…a 17+ year elite career. Sihine isnt even in the top 3. Tergat is in front of him easily too.
Interesting article, but a bit inconsistent in its criteria if indeed this is a ranking. Sihine should be higher, but agreed that he should not be ranked ahead of Tergat. Koech is rather high for a guy who's never won a medal in any major championship. After mentioning Cross Country several times, the same criteria is mysteriously left off with respect to Gebremariam, who won an individual World XC title in 2009 in what is generally considered the toughest race to win, bar none. He should be at 12, if not higher.
Interesting article, but a bit inconsistent in its criteria if indeed this is a ranking. Sihine should be higher, but agreed that he should not be ranked ahead of Tergat. Koech is rather high for a guy who’s never won a medal in any major championship. After mentioning Cross Country several times, the same criteria is mysteriously left off with respect to Gebremariam, who won an individual World XC title in 2009 in what is generally considered the toughest race to win, bar none. He should be at 12, if not higher.
DB: It’s not really a ranking. The men on the list are listed by the their PR 10,000 times. Sihine would certainly move to 3 or 4 otherwise.
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