I saw Kenenisa training on a track once with 3 other African men. It really does just look like he's sprinting and going so fast. He is just so fast it's unbelievable that he can hold that pace for so long.
I agree that the long distance runners today, especially the Africans, are amazingly fast. We have a few who run for the university in my town. I occasionally see them training on a pedestrian and bicycle path here while I'm riding my bike. I can just barely stay ahead of them on my bike, but it kills me to do it. They are amazing, and those guys are just university runners, not at the Olympic level.
Carlos Lopes from Portugal was the Greatest non African Athlete to make a stand to the African Domination of the Long Distance competitions. The Man was Olympic Champion at 37 years old on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics games Marathon,breaking the Olympic Record that stood for 24 years. Was 3 Times Cross Country World Champion,and 2 times the second place. Won several Marathons around the World. Before the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games,Lopes broke the 5.000 meters European record and was able to achived the 2nd faster time on the 10.000 meters in the world during the Stockholm meeting ,only after the other great portuguese Runner Fernando Mamede who broke the 10.000 mts world Record on that same race where Lopes was 2nd with the 2nd fastest time in the world. By the beggining,mid 80's Carlos Lopes was the only non African Athlete capable of Run and win to any African Runner. What this Man achived after he was 30 years old ,only a super gifted Athlete was/is capable.
I agree Kenenisa Bekele is the greatest distance runner in history just because of. Cross country and track and road racing. Typically 10,000m runners usually move up to the half and full marathon because of their mileage of 100 plus miles a week which is amazing. His range tells us that and his ability to dominate distance races so easily and win even when they get tactical. Surprisingly he was able to run a 3:34 1500m when most distance runners of his caliber are not great at it because of their ability to run between 52 and 70 second laps on both non championship and championship style races. The one 5000m final in 2004 when Hicham beat Bekele, Guerrouj used the legs out of him with dropping a 1:46 final 800m which is amazing. Kenenisa Bekele could not handle that pace. But both are great runners.
Thank you for including Kenenisa's cross country accomplishments in your determination. It seems like this part of his running career gets overshadowed by WC and Olympic races and world records (which are all mind blowing by him). But what he did in World Cross Country may never be matched.
Great list, which I can totally get behind. However, you made a surprising omission from the honorable mentions list. SAMMY WANJIRU practically re-wrote the textbook on marathon tactics with his amazing display of surging and racing from the start at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, smashing the Olympic record in blistering heat. From that point on, the marathon would become a race from the gun, rather than a long run to 20 miles followed by a 10K race. Sammy then won two Chicago marathons and the London marathon, setting records in each before sadly passing away in 2011. Who knows what he was capable of if he had lived on. Sammy would make a great addition to your 'analyzing the greats' series...such a fascinating character, a beautiful runner and ballsy competitor. Kudos on the channel by the way...UA-cam was crying out for something like this. LOVE IT!
I still have Geb at #1 on sheer versatility. He wasn't just elite, he was a WR holder at 2k to marathon in the modern era of distance running. That's just so absurd to even think about.
For me Haile is the Goat. He was the most dominant track runner in the 90s and Nr. 1 on the roads in the 2000s. Show me any runner who ran world records from the 2k to the marathon and won global titles from 1500 - half marathon. No Kipchoge, no Farah can match that. The one thing Bekele has over Haile is his cross country dominance, but he was never been the best on the roads.
That’s exactly what I was thinking! El Guerrouj is the greatest middle distance runner of all time and Bekele long distance king. The two can’t be compared
@@Hmt2000 Well I didn't mean considering one criteria alone. I meant weighing the criteria differently. I personally think times should have greater weight than championship accomplishments. Championship races are very prone to racing tactics and the best runner doesn't always win. Case in point, El G at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. No disrespect to Paavo Nurmi but he couldn't hold a candle to Kenenisa Bekele in any race whether it's 800m or a marathon.
I love Geb and Eluid but it has to be Bekele unless I am missing something?? His dominance across the track and x-country is unparalleled. You don't have to look for any soft stats to prop him up (I am sorry its impressive but who gives a rip about the indoor 2 mile record)? When it comes to distance running you are judged by your time in the following events (1500/1600 m, 3000 m (kind of but not an olympic event), 5000 m, 10000 m, half marathon and full marathon. Bekele owns both the 5k and 10k world records, which no one has come close to in a long time (don't cite Baregas 12:43 that is still 7 seconds off which is a lot of time in a 5k), and has the 4th fastest marathon time in history, (faster than Gebs). When he won the 2009 10000m WC's Steve Cram noted that his time of 26:45 was exactly his average time over 11 previous 10000m races (in which he went undefeated). That is better than Mo Farahs pb. His track accomplishments alone would probably get him there but when you throw in his dominance in x-country, (11/12 titles over 6 years), there can't be any real arguments against him? I think if he can get healthy he still has a shot at the marathon WR.
For Me ABEBE BIKILA IS THE GREATEST LONG DISTANCE RUNNER .THE MAN WHO RAN BAREFOOT IN THE OLYMPIC MARATHON (1960 &1964) and Won The Gold Medal👍RIP⚘ Also my PORTUGUESE HERO CARLOS LOPES 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES MARATHON GOLD👍👍👍👍
Rajesh Karan Abebe Bikiila run barefoot in 1960 only. He won again in 1964 in Tokyo but this time he was running with shoes (obviously not the modern one which are lighter and comfortable) in México he run despite injury and disgust those who followed him by accelerating and eventually exhausting his opponents, to make it easier for his compatriot Mamo Wolde
How come Bikila is not even in the top 10? Only athlete to win 2 olympic gold medals in the marathon. The first one even barefoot. Could have been 3 without an injury.
Good comment definitely Abebe Bekila was a Legend in Olympic history and beyond ahead of his time consecutive 2 olympic golds amazing the only athlete to accomplish this impossible task he should be at least top 5 if not top 3 anyways the list is decent you can make an argument b/n Haile Gebreselassie and Kenenisa Bekele both prime jewels of Ethiopia best to ever do it in track and feild period i am not mad either way good choices for #1 and #2
Nor accurate. Waldimar Cierpinski won marathon gold in 1976 (Montreal) and 1980 (Moscow). And since your post Eluid Kipchoge has joined this club (Rio, Tokyo).
What about the Ethiopian shifter - Miruts Yifter. I believe he deserves at least an honorable mention. This man's running style and unbelievable kick made me a track and field enthusiast as a 13 years old kid.
Nurmi was truly something else. In Paris olympics they actually put the 1500m and 5000m so close to each other that it would be impossible to one dominant athele (read: Nurmi) to win both races. After the 1500m when the other racers fell down on the ground the winner Nurmi just walked away and started preparing for the 5000, which he won just an hour after finishing the 1500. He is the GOAT runner for me.
Kenenisa Bekele is a once in a generation event! He was the Black Mamba of the track and field? So, I absolutely enjoyed those 15 years with Bekele! He was the best thing to ever happened! 15 years of record breaking streak was amazing! He knows when to move all the way to the end.
What do you mean "Black Mamba"? Black mambas are known for their size and speed, and neither of those describe a long distance runner at all. If you refer to the color, the word "black" comes from the color of the snake's throat, not its outside. Please explain.
Don't know much about his work ethic compared to the other greats. But he is probably comparing him to kobe bryant as kobe is the black mamba, saying that he is the kobe bryant of distance running
Fantastic video! I think by the end of Kipchoge’s career, he’ll have a sub-2 hour marathon, another Olympic gold and probably a few more marathon wins. It’ll be hard to argue he’s not the greatest by the time he retires. But his lack of dominance on the track would favor Bekele and Geb over him. The GOAT runner debate is a fun one!
I spotted that too...I also spotted that Farah's gold medal haul in Olympics and World champs is unsurpassed doing double doubles in both so why is he not higher in the list? This list seems to focus on times more than competitive performances which is a little narrow in assessment criteria.
@@david2804me mo Farah found no competition on the track, look at his personal best it tells that he had a luck I think he don't even deserve to be in the list
@@nhlahlashamzah7150 Hahaha. That is a totally ridiculous thing to say. He is the most successful championship distance runner of all time. Apart from Mo Farah, only Lasse Viren accomplished the Olympic double double at 5,000m and 10,000m in 1972 and 1976. Farah also won the double double at the World championships and very nearly completed a triple double in the 2017 world championships too but ended up 'only' second in the 5000m in 2017. Who else has a better record?
I defenitely miss Abebe Bikila in both lists.. That man was actually taking brakes - leisurily drinking some water - during both his comfortable olympic wins; and the first time he ran barefoot.. Both times at world record times, and 1960 winning the first gold medal ever for africa.. He was the one true beginning of the wonder!
A pleasure to watch, thank you. Nice that you place oldies like Nurmi, Zatopek and Lasse Viren in it . I would have give Bikila a place . But saying that , I don't have a clou for whom :) , they were all great runners.
Safe yourself time & energy, Bekele is the greatest of all time, in track, XC & road. look at his UA-cam videos and you'll never see a greater fartleg & finishing than his with a smile.
Thank you for putting such a wonderful and entertaining video together!! I had alway considered Haile Gebrselassie at number 1 given his longevity, amazing number of world records, performances in all distances, track-road racing-xcountry-Olympic performances and being a mentor to Bekele. However, you are making a very compelling argument for Bekele, especially when you factor in his amazing x-country performances. I am a huge fan and admirer of Kipchoge. However, Nurmi's incredible performances over all categories would have me place him at number 3 as Kipchoge's dominance has mostly been at the marathon level. Likewise, I would move Zatopek to number 5 as his performances were more diversified than Guerrouj whose dominance was primarily in the 1500m and mile although his times were very impressive in some of the other categories. If was also tough leaving out some of the honorable mentions like Ron Clarke and all of his world records and Paul Tergat and his x-country performances. Perhaps they should have gone ahead of Lasse Viren or Peter Snell. Thanks again for putting together such a well-thought out and thought provoking list. Please continue to put out such fantastic running videos that our both highly informative and extremely entertaining. Well done!!
Nice video! But In 80’s Mirits Yifter destroyed the Finland runners in Moscow Olympics by winning in 5000m and 10.000m respectively. Miruts even was nicknamed as “gear changer “ by his ability to surprise everyone unexpectedly speeding up from anywhere in the peloton, you can see him at the back when one lap remains and then at the finishing line talking first place, was so good speeding!
His nickname was Yifter the "Shifter". I used to watch him all the time in the late 70s early 80s. With 300 meters to go he left everyone in the dust like a Beach Boys song!!!
Indeed...I HEARD of yifter's stellar accomplishments..to beat the fins not so easy..I don't feel in all fairness that one should ask such a complicated question in THE ULTIMATE RESPECT TO ALL APPLICANTS .. but if you were to put a gun to my Head 🗣️..I would tell you Usain bolt ⚡ is the greatest sprinter in the modern history of life.because natural talented abilities..with no work ethic behind it!!!the fact speaks for itself.. NOW in the case of distance running..there is no one greater than the master surgeon of PAIN... HICHAM EL GUARROUJ!!!.. AND I will try explain why!!.. that he ran the Mile like a unicorn 🦄 FROM another world..but here is his ADDED power..if you were to ask him to train specifically for the other distances..he would destroy in event and opponents.. because of his ruthless and intense work ethic..any distance!!!..so now you ask who's the greatest runner.. ⚡ bolt vs.EL. G..NO CONTEST..".EL GUARROUJ "
Who I consider to be the best range-runners of all time: 100&200m: Usain Bolt: 9.58&19.19 200&400m: Michael Johnson: 19.32 & 43.18 100-400m: Wayde Van Niekerk: 9.94 & 43.03 400&800m: Alberto Juantorena 44.26 & 1:43.44 200-400m: Nijel Amos 21.34 & 1:41.73 (Harald Schmid is close) 800&1500m: Sebastian Coe: 1:41.73 & 3:29.77 1500&3000m: Hicham El Guerrouj: 3:26.00 & 7:23.09 800-3000m: Said Aouita: 1:43.86 & 7:29.45 3000&5000m: Daniel Komen: 7:20.67 & 12:39.74 800-5000m: Said Aouita: 1:43.86 & 12:58.39 1500-5000: Hicham El Guerrouj: 3:26.00 & 12:50.24 (Bernard Lagat and Daniel Komen are close) 5000&10000m: Kenenisa Bekele: 12:37.35 & 26:17.53 (I know Cheptegei has beaten both times, but Bekele has much more medals (at the moment)) 3000-10000m: Kenenisa Bekele: 7:25.79 & 26:17.53 1500-10000m: Mo Farah (?) 3:28.81 & 26:46.57 (or Kenenisa Bekele or Haile Gebrselassie) 1500-Marathon: Kenenisa Bekele: 3:32.35 & 2:01.41 800-Marathon Haile Gebrselassie: 1:49.35 & 2:03.59
You said Kenenisa beast? I can’t say kenya athletes beast Bc I love them but you beast. He is young and has record 2:03 that is very close to 1:59 . I hope he will break in short time. We will see🐖
@@asladinahmed8893 the word "beast" was not used in bad faith as you want to allude. Anyway am not responsible on how you decipher the analogy. Bekele is great Eliud is Great Africa is proud of all of them
The crazy parts of Bekele’s XC career is that he went unbeaten in 27 straight races from 2001 to 2007. And he won his last WC gold at the age of 25. Which is very rare considering that he won 11 golds Medals before even turning 26. Wonder what he would have achieved if he stayed injured free he continued to run XC
It's funny how man people voted Kipchoge as number one. He's definitely the greatest marathoner of all time, but he wasn't as strong on the track as his peers. We already talked about it, but Geb is the greatest.
Jaymes Cole If Eliud havent ever had a great career in the marathon, he would be on the same spot as Sihine, just behind Bekele on those days, without much glory.
I do agree with your list. Bekele's 2:01:41 marathon in Berlin 2019 is only 2 seconds behind Kipchoge's world record. Kipchoge is incredible but the sub-2 marathon though amazing was completely controlled. Think it's the runners that can go out in whatever conditions and win and run fast that should be most highly considered. I would love to see a Kipchoge - Bekele 2020 Olympic marathon race!
Carlos Lopes from Portugal is missing on the honorable mentions. 3 times cross country world championshio winner 1976-1984-1985 (the only european who defeted afrikans in cross country) and twice second (1977-1983). Olympic gold in Marathon Los Angeles 1984 and record. World record of Marathon 1985 in Rotherdam. Beated world record in 10.000m in 1984 in Stocolm (with Fernando Mamede ahed). He was so good in cross, as in track, as in street race...! And I also would put Paavo Nurmi in top 3. But the rest... I TOTALLY agree! This is the real and fare list. Congratulations!
Could you please make a video of the top 10 distance runners of all time for each discipline? 800 1500 3000 steeplechase 5000 10000 Cross country Half marathon Marathon
John Ngugi’s Olympic 5000m run was perhaps the greatest, and bravest, I’ve ever seen. Not forgetting he won 5 straight world cross-country championships. That kind of dominance deserves at least an honorable mention.
Love the video. But you neeeed to include a mention of Kipchoge’s 5000m gold from Paris 2003 when he was a junior and outkicked Hicham El-Guerrouj AND Kenenisa Bekele. Such a performance. This shows his versatility and the longevity of his career
What's the song at 12:17 and forward? Extremely difficult to find from "Audioblocks" because there are hundreds of thousands of songs. It is almost like saying the music is in youtube, heh.
Very nicely done -- hard to disagree with this list, and I'm sure we all have our favorites that were not ranked high enough or only made the honorable mention list. I highly encourage you to do a list of top MIDDLE distance runners of all time. Keep up the good work .........
Carlos Lopes? 1984 Olympic Champion on the marathon, First athlete to run the Marathon under 2:08 (broke the WR at the age of 38); Silver medal in the 10.000m at Montreal Olympics '76; 3x XC world champion. One of the greatest european long-distance runners of all time.
Literally, Haile was a very popular next to Abebe Bikila. He was staying dominant and breaking a lot of records than any Athletes. I admire his long time performance, self motivation, and determination. Kenenisa is also great athlete and also shinng for certain time. His strength and stamina was so incredible. We are prpud of all three Ethiopian greatest Athletes in the World. Each has their own peculiar talent, performance and integrity.
One of the best considered lists I have seen. Perhaps John Walker deserves an honorable mention not for his Olympic Gold but for his consistency being the first athlete to run 100 sub four miles and being the first to go sub 3:50 for the mile.
Awesome running clip! Noah Ngeny was also a strong runner. Do you think his 1k world record can be broken? I'd look foward seeing another "analysing the greats" clip about him
I’d rank Said Aouita above Keino or Snell. He dominated the 5000 meters in the 1980s, winning World and Olympic gold, and being the first athlete to break the 13-minute barrier. At the same time, he set world records over 1500, 2000, and 3000 meters that lasted into the ‘90s. He ran one elite 10,000-meter race in Oslo in 1986, winning with the second-fastest time that year; in the race, he outkicked Mark Nenow, who held the fastest time that year. And then, he won a bronze in Seoul at a race that was 16% the distance of his best event, just because he could.
Anyone who thinks Kipchoge is remotely close to bekele. Argue with me. My argument is below lol How in the world is Kipchoge better than Bekele. He is only two years younger so their careers have massive overlapping. Bekele has 9 world/Olympic titles 11 world xc titles 4 world records (still standing records ) The 4th fastest marathon of all time The Olympic 5k and Olympic 10k records (12:57 and 27:01) The world championships record for the 10000 as well in 26:46. All Kipchoge has is Marathon world record. 2 Olympic/ world titles The world championships record for the 5000 (12:52) He is not even remotely close to bekele. Sure he's won like 8 marathons in a row. But is that really any different than bekele not losing in the 10k for like 7 years. It's not like every single marathon has a world championships field. But just had to put this into context. That this Kipchoge recency bias is insane. After this morning. I don't want to hear anything else about Kipchoge being the overall best distance runner. Bekele just ran 2:01.41 in addition to everything else I already said.
Costa wasta to me, a marathon trumps all other distance running by a mile. If you can run 42 kilometres in 2 hours (which is looking very likely) you are better than anyone else. Nothing in the distance running world takes more determination and grit, and there has never been anyone nearly as dominant as Kipchoge in the marathon. Bekele was good at his distances, yes, but he will never be better than a man who can run minutes faster than him in the marathon.
@@Ddvgh1 there is no superior distance as they all have to be raced way differently. Saying the marathon Trump's other distances just shows that you yourself never ran competitively. Bekele and mo farah are the reason Kipchoge switched to the marathon lol. Plus add in the fact that bekele has beaten Kipchoge like 18 times to 8 it's very clear who's better. And That's without talking about why bekele has 7 more world titles and 2 more world records than Kipchoge. Kipchoge would bhavr to come back to track and win for like 5 years straight to be considered the overall best ever and that won't happen since he's 35.
@@flashdoom everyone ignores the fact that he just has not won as much as guys like Mo Farah, Haile, Bekele, El G. Bekele is the greatest Cross country runner, the greatest distance runner on the track, and the 3rd fastest marathon man. Kipchoge isn't close to being the greatest xc or track guy yet you think he is the best. It's not close at all
I am an Ethiopian and I believe that Kenenisa is a really unpredictable runner. You never know when he might show up and break your record.... but as much as I love and respect Kenenisa, I would say Haile is my number 1 due to his long term dominance in long distance running and his crazy number of world records.
I only just discovered this man as I started following racing just now and am star struck by Eluid Kipchoge but seeing Kenenisa is pretty amazing and during his peak his dominance was incredible to run back to back races is not easy yet he did it!
I would switch Kipchoge with El Guerrouj. El Guerrouj has won 3 times World Athlete of the Year (which none in the list has done it) and until now he's got multiple records still unbroken.
@@meshackkirui4951Kirui bro are u comparing Kenyan and Ethiopian athlete ??? doesnt matter we all are african..proud to be african...that is all. Love u
Good to see Daniel Komen, but I recon his name should be in the top ten. Everyone on the list, especially Gabersalassie, have come close to his mind bending 7min 58sec for 2 miles, but Komen is the only athlete who has run two back to back sub 4 minute miles. Even his 7min 20sec 3000m record still stands. No, he should be in the top ten.
EL G clearly the greatest. His longevity, records, and utter dominance over a mile beats everyone. Plus, he bested Bekele 2 from 2 at Bekele’s preferred 5000 meters. EL G has 2 k WR as well, and 2nd fastest 3 k time. 4 WCs at track’s most prestigious distance, and a 1500/5000 double at the Olympics...his 5000 PB, a distance he hardly ever raced is also superb
Greatest miler of all-time. El G has some serious questions though when it comes to being clean and doesn’t have the CC or anything above 5K to back him up as a distance great.
I think Eliud has 100% the strongest mind and mental strength of any runner ever. But in terms of dominance and overall times. I’d say either Haile or Keninisa.
@@DrReddit bro how can you think Kipchoge is mentally stronger ? Do you feel his pain during races ? Are you on his head ? Are you on the head of all others runner to say that they aren't as tired as him ? I would think that Bekele is stronger, he lost his wife (in 2005) but decided to still run World cross country championship WITHOUT preparation He won the short race and the long race, destroying eliud Kipchoge and Said Shaheen He's also one of the most injuried athlete of all time and is still dreaming to win after all injuries
You're just all saying that Kipchoge is the strongest mentally because you're all eating Nike propaganda to do Kipchoge an icon just because they want to sell marathon shoes
@@user-op6ey5hy5m well why are you being hypocritical? you asked "do you feel his pain during races, are you in his head?" well for bekele, do you feel his pain during his races? are YOU in his head? and no i'm not saying that because of nike or whatever you're trying to say, i'm saying it because he's only lost one marathon and it takes a lot of mental strength to keep a straight focused face during a marathon, also takes a lot of mental strength to has perfect form throughout a whole marathon, he also is the only person to ever break 2:02 in the marathon, also 2:01 unofficially, and just saying, bekele has been dropping out of most races, if that doesn't tell you anything about mental strength, i don't know what will
@@DrReddit I don't feel the pain of Bekele but I know him and I know that he had so much injuries, more than any other runner in history, I can tell you that he can't even train 2 weeks without feeling his legs tired asf and needing a break, I think that explains the "giving up" part Now why do you don't answer the question of XC, well kipchoge won maybe 10 or 12 marathon, but I don't think you watched TF before because Bekele was much more dominant on XC and track, I don't think your wife did a cardiac arrest during the beginning of XC preparation (during a run in front of the eyes of Bekele) THE GUY STILL WON THE TWO RACES AT XC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DESTROYING KIPCHOGE A MONTH AFTERTHAT WHITHOUT PREPARATION So plz don't be that kind of people that judge bekele's mind because he gives up from marathon, without knowing why he does and whithout knowing him (sorry for bad english) I don't blame Kipchoge's mind, I just say that all pro runners have good minds and that you can't tell that someone has better mind just because he is better in marathon
Had some free time and just ran across this video. Needs some updating after 4 years, especially after what Faith Kipyegon and Sifan Hassan did in Paris. Maybe we need four lists - two each for M/F: 800-5000 and above 5000?
HENRY RONO...in 1978 in just 81 days he set 4 new world records in 3000m, 3000m steeple chase, 5000m and 10000m. This feat will NEVER be repeated by any athlete.
Are you crazy (to the video owner) --> Hicham El Guerrouj , greatest of all time, has records that still stand. And you have the nerve to say he is not in the Top 10??? What distance ?? Mid?? Long?? You don't say in your heading, but you start at a mile you say ("From the mile to the marathon"): so he did mile, 1500 and 2000 and 5000 metres. Go see his accomplishments - mind blowing, do the DD. You got something against Morroco??
At 11:41 of the video, it shows Gebrselassie having the 2000m world record at 4:52.86. He ran this time indoors (see www.iaaf.org/athletes/ethiopia/haile-gebrselassie-8774 for his best times under his IAAF athlete profile). However, the IAAF does not recognize the indoor 2000m for world record purposes (see www.iaaf.org/records/by-category/world-records under Men Indoor tab). Due to this lack of IAAF recognition, I couldn't find whether Gebrselassie's indoor 2000m time would have been the world best at the time he ran it. The outdoor 2000m world record was 4:51.4 back on 30 Jun 1976 by John Walker and El Guerrouj has the current outdoor record at 4:44.79.
Actually I initially setup in my mind that he should be the GOAT in the long running history and started watching this video. Counting from 10, he should not be come earlier but at least he should be come after 4th place. Fortunately he is the no. 1. Yes that is KENINSA BEKELE. He is my favourite.
this hyped me up for tomorrows tempo. awesome vid dude
The Athlete Special good luck spencer you got it
My guy
Love you my guy
This is my boy right here
Spencer my guy get it
I saw Kenenisa training on a track once with 3 other African men. It really does just look like he's sprinting and going so fast. He is just so fast it's unbelievable that he can hold that pace for so long.
I agree that the long distance runners today, especially the Africans, are amazingly fast.
We have a few who run for the university in my town. I occasionally see them training on a pedestrian and bicycle path here while I'm riding my bike. I can just barely stay ahead of them on my bike, but it kills me to do it. They are amazing, and those guys are just university runners, not at the Olympic level.
You are a lucky man.i can only wish to even catch a glimpse of him in real life.
@@Kipchoge475 I almost did when they came back from Beijing Olympics 2008. The whole city went crazy 💜 🇪🇹
HENRY RONO..in 1978, in just 81 days he set 4 world distance records from 3000m to 10000m
Carlos Lopes from Portugal was the Greatest non African Athlete to make a stand to the African Domination of the Long Distance competitions.
The Man was Olympic Champion at 37 years old on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics games Marathon,breaking the Olympic Record that stood for 24 years.
Was 3 Times Cross Country World Champion,and 2 times the second place.
Won several Marathons around the World.
Before the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games,Lopes broke the 5.000 meters European record and was able to achived the 2nd faster time on the 10.000 meters in the world during the Stockholm meeting ,only after the other great portuguese Runner Fernando Mamede who broke the 10.000 mts world Record on that same race where Lopes was 2nd with the 2nd fastest time in the world.
By the beggining,mid 80's Carlos Lopes was the only non African Athlete capable of Run and win to any African Runner.
What this Man achived after he was 30 years old ,only a super gifted Athlete was/is capable.
I agree Kenenisa Bekele is the greatest distance runner in history just because of. Cross country and track and road racing. Typically 10,000m runners usually move up to the half and full marathon because of their mileage of 100 plus miles a week which is amazing. His range tells us that and his ability to dominate distance races so easily and win even when they get tactical. Surprisingly he was able to run a 3:34 1500m when most distance runners of his caliber are not great at it because of their ability to run between 52 and 70 second laps on both non championship and championship style races. The one 5000m final in 2004 when Hicham beat Bekele, Guerrouj used the legs out of him with dropping a 1:46 final 800m which is amazing. Kenenisa Bekele could not handle that pace. But both are great runners.
He was 3:32 for 1500, even better
@@jordanv3323 yes true
Agreed Kenenissa is the greatest
Kenenisa Belele
Bekele had a 3:31 1500m best and elguerrouj did not drop a 1:46 in the last 800 in the 2004 5000m final he did that in his 1500m final
Thank you for including Kenenisa's cross country accomplishments in your determination. It seems like this part of his running career gets overshadowed by WC and Olympic races and world records (which are all mind blowing by him). But what he did in World Cross Country may never be matched.
It’s a tough list to get right. You have to balance best vs. most dominant during there time.
Jake Telluride yep. Overall I agree with Bekele but there were more dominant runners in the past
Newer are always going to have an advantage in objective measures because they have superior conditions
Is it just me, or do these videos get you all hyped up for running? Inspirational athletes! Great video!
It’s not just you. They definitely do!
Great list, which I can totally get behind. However, you made a surprising omission from the honorable mentions list. SAMMY WANJIRU practically re-wrote the textbook on marathon tactics with his amazing display of surging and racing from the start at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, smashing the Olympic record in blistering heat. From that point on, the marathon would become a race from the gun, rather than a long run to 20 miles followed by a 10K race. Sammy then won two Chicago marathons and the London marathon, setting records in each before sadly passing away in 2011. Who knows what he was capable of if he had lived on. Sammy would make a great addition to your 'analyzing the greats' series...such a fascinating character, a beautiful runner and ballsy competitor. Kudos on the channel by the way...UA-cam was crying out for something like this. LOVE IT!
Respect to Abebe Bikila 👊🏽, should have been in the top five
Number 1 period!!!!☝️
#1 !!!
Abebe Bikila, in his first Olympic gold medal marathon win in Rome in 1960, he did it barefoot (without shoes)!!!
No lmao
Yep the dude run bare foot and won, who is gonna bit that!!
I still have Geb at #1 on sheer versatility. He wasn't just elite, he was a WR holder at 2k to marathon in the modern era of distance running. That's just so absurd to even think about.
I take it all back. After what Bekele just did in the 2019 Berlin Marathon, he has to be the GOAT.
@@wuhanclan We knew you’d come around…
@@chrispajak540 do you think bekele has 2 years left ?
For me Haile is the Goat.
He was the most dominant track runner in the 90s and
Nr. 1 on the roads in the 2000s.
Show me any runner who ran world records from the 2k to the marathon and won global titles from 1500 - half marathon.
No Kipchoge, no Farah can match that.
The one thing Bekele has over Haile is his cross country dominance, but he was never been the best on the roads.
El Gourrouj No.1 middle distance runner. Bekele No.1 distance runner. Kipchoge No.1 marathoner. You cant compare 1500 meter to 42.195 km
I agree entirely....this video is comparing chalk, cheese and some other stuff hehe.... Juantorena and Kipchoge in the same list?...daft comparisons.
Man you are spot on!
That’s exactly what I was thinking! El Guerrouj is the greatest middle distance runner of all time and Bekele long distance king. The two can’t be compared
Well, El Guerrouj shouldn't be in this list.
Totally agree
I'm moroccan, Saïd Aouita is my favorite athlete and i love El Guerrouj. But yes, Kenenisa Bekele is definitly the GOAT. No doubt.
No one can run like el guerrouj do
Speak of your self most marokkaner now that H .elgerouj is the greatest and he beats bekele 2 time
Iam from india. My fav is said aouita.♥️♥️ Phenomenal middle distance runner . 👍👍 ....
You can reorganize that list by any criteria you want and Kenenisa Bekele will still come out on top
Nah. Paavo Nurmi won over twice as many olympic golds and medals than bekele. So in that criteria Nurmi is clear.
@@Hmt2000 Well I didn't mean considering one criteria alone. I meant weighing the criteria differently. I personally think times should have greater weight than championship accomplishments. Championship races are very prone to racing tactics and the best runner doesn't always win. Case in point, El G at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. No disrespect to Paavo Nurmi but he couldn't hold a candle to Kenenisa Bekele in any race whether it's 800m or a marathon.
Bekele is my favorite runner of all time
Great list I totally agreed, remember Bekele is the first and only runner in history to win WC Gold in Indoors track, outdoor and XC
I love Geb and Eluid but it has to be Bekele unless I am missing something?? His dominance across the track and x-country is unparalleled. You don't have to look for any soft stats to prop him up (I am sorry its impressive but who gives a rip about the indoor 2 mile record)? When it comes to distance running you are judged by your time in the following events (1500/1600 m, 3000 m (kind of but not an olympic event), 5000 m, 10000 m, half marathon and full marathon. Bekele owns both the 5k and 10k world records, which no one has come close to in a long time (don't cite Baregas 12:43 that is still 7 seconds off which is a lot of time in a 5k), and has the 4th fastest marathon time in history, (faster than Gebs). When he won the 2009 10000m WC's Steve Cram noted that his time of 26:45 was exactly his average time over 11 previous 10000m races (in which he went undefeated). That is better than Mo Farahs pb. His track accomplishments alone would probably get him there but when you throw in his dominance in x-country, (11/12 titles over 6 years), there can't be any real arguments against him? I think if he can get healthy he still has a shot at the marathon WR.
Bekele is bad news. He brings chills to our Kenyan runners. Yesterday he almost broke the world marathon record in Berlin from Eliud
It’s sad he missed eluids marathon world record by only 2 seconds and since he is now 37 years of age I don’t think he’ll ever run faster
MrBro Don’t bet on it.
@@joellehughs6073 😂❤
@@joshswimz3890 he is forever our hero🇪🇹
For Me ABEBE BIKILA IS THE GREATEST LONG DISTANCE RUNNER .THE MAN WHO RAN BAREFOOT IN THE OLYMPIC MARATHON (1960 &1964) and Won The Gold Medal👍RIP⚘
Also my PORTUGUESE HERO CARLOS LOPES 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES MARATHON GOLD👍👍👍👍
Rajesh Karan Abebe Bikiila run barefoot in 1960 only. He won again in 1964 in Tokyo but this time he was running with shoes (obviously not the modern one which are lighter and comfortable) in México he run despite injury and disgust those who followed him by accelerating and eventually exhausting his opponents, to make it easier for his compatriot Mamo Wolde
How come Bikila is not even in the top 10? Only athlete to win 2 olympic gold medals in the marathon. The first one even barefoot. Could have been 3 without an injury.
Jérémie Clévy Definitely deserves to be in the Top Ten. An absolutely legendary runner & a Hero to Ethiopians.
Good comment definitely Abebe Bekila was a Legend in Olympic history and beyond ahead of his time consecutive 2 olympic golds amazing the only athlete to accomplish this impossible task he should be at least top 5 if not top 3 anyways the list is decent you can make an argument b/n Haile Gebreselassie and Kenenisa Bekele both prime jewels of Ethiopia best to ever do it in track and feild period i am not mad either way good choices for #1 and #2
I was about to comment the same thing
Absolutely! He's legend
Nor accurate. Waldimar Cierpinski won marathon gold in 1976 (Montreal) and 1980 (Moscow). And since your post Eluid Kipchoge has joined this club (Rio, Tokyo).
What about the Ethiopian shifter - Miruts Yifter. I believe he deserves at least an honorable mention. This man's running style and unbelievable kick made me a track and field enthusiast as a 13 years old kid.
kc2mibwill This is very true. Way underrated & not to forget he was the original inspiration to Haile Gebreselassie.
First off, love the Bob Marley image, Oddly enough, that is my exact phone background. Also, got to agree, should’ve gotten an honorable mention
please they mention only english spoken runners where is Carlos Lopes and Fernando Mamede for instance don t make me laugh
Nurmi was truly something else. In Paris olympics they actually put the 1500m and 5000m so close to each other that it would be impossible to one dominant athele (read: Nurmi) to win both races. After the 1500m when the other racers fell down on the ground the winner Nurmi just walked away and started preparing for the 5000, which he won just an hour after finishing the 1500. He is the GOAT runner for me.
Who is here after kipchoge run a sub 2 hour marathon ?
Doest change the list tho
@@Bonobopantherienbionique Especially that Kenenisa Bekele improved his personal best in the marathon by 82 seconds.
It’s still Bekele.
But not recognized by IAAF
@@ጠቅላላ_እውቀት_Knowledge you just said the obvious
Kenenisa Bekele is a once in a generation event! He was the Black Mamba of the track and field? So, I absolutely enjoyed those 15 years with Bekele! He was the best thing to ever happened! 15 years of record breaking streak was amazing! He knows when to move all the way to the end.
What do you mean "Black Mamba"? Black mambas are known for their size and speed, and neither of those describe a long distance runner at all. If you refer to the color, the word "black" comes from the color of the snake's throat, not its outside. Please explain.
Don't know much about his work ethic compared to the other greats. But he is probably comparing him to kobe bryant as kobe is the black mamba, saying that he is the kobe bryant of distance running
Fantastic video! I think by the end of Kipchoge’s career, he’ll have a sub-2 hour marathon, another Olympic gold and probably a few more marathon wins. It’ll be hard to argue he’s not the greatest by the time he retires. But his lack of dominance on the track would favor Bekele and Geb over him. The GOAT runner debate is a fun one!
He just did mate
@@robertwhisps3617 not a world record
Typo in farah’s 10000m Pr. I think you meant to write 26 not 25. Good video so far!
I was kinda confused about that bc 25:46 is the same pace as his 5k pr
I spotted that too...I also spotted that Farah's gold medal haul in Olympics and World champs is unsurpassed doing double doubles in both so why is he not higher in the list? This list seems to focus on times more than competitive performances which is a little narrow in assessment criteria.
Yes, Farah's PR is 26:46:57 (not 25:46:57).
@@david2804me mo Farah found no competition on the track, look at his personal best it tells that he had a luck I think he don't even deserve to be in the list
@@nhlahlashamzah7150 Hahaha. That is a totally ridiculous thing to say. He is the most successful championship distance runner of all time. Apart from Mo Farah, only Lasse Viren accomplished the Olympic double double at 5,000m and 10,000m in 1972 and 1976. Farah also won the double double at the World championships and very nearly completed a triple double in the 2017 world championships too but ended up 'only' second in the 5000m in 2017. Who else has a better record?
I defenitely miss Abebe Bikila in both lists.. That man was actually taking brakes - leisurily drinking some water - during both his comfortable olympic wins; and the first time he ran barefoot.. Both times at world record times, and 1960 winning the first gold medal ever for africa.. He was the one true beginning of the wonder!
Even Belayneh densamo he wins 8 marathon
he deserved to be ranked in there truly.
Easy, Kenenisa bekele. 👌 🇪🇹
You had to mention Miruts Yifter the Gear Shifter the winner of 10000 and 5000 meters Olympics in 1980.
A pleasure to watch, thank you. Nice that you place oldies like Nurmi, Zatopek and Lasse Viren in it . I would have give Bikila a place . But saying that , I don't have a clou for whom :) , they were all great runners.
Thanks for including Prefontaine the legend in there!
Great list
Safe yourself time & energy, Bekele is the greatest of all time, in track, XC & road. look at his UA-cam videos and you'll never see a greater fartleg & finishing than his with a smile.
Cap kipchoge god of the road but yea bekele the 🐐
hicham el guerrouj my friend
Finalllly someone agrees with me! Bekele GOAT
Otávio Augusto Rodrigues Bernardo Silva exactly.
Kenenisa Bekele hands down the best
Nurmi maybe. Hard to compare tho.
For me.. Every one of them.. Is a Legend... HUGE RESPECT FROM INDIA 🇮🇳
Thank you for putting such a wonderful and entertaining video together!! I had alway considered Haile Gebrselassie at number 1 given his longevity, amazing number of world records, performances in all distances, track-road racing-xcountry-Olympic performances and being a mentor to Bekele. However, you are making a very compelling argument for Bekele, especially when you factor in his amazing x-country performances.
I am a huge fan and admirer of Kipchoge. However, Nurmi's incredible performances over all categories would have me place him at number 3 as Kipchoge's dominance has mostly been at the marathon level. Likewise, I would move Zatopek to number 5 as his performances were more diversified than Guerrouj whose dominance was primarily in the 1500m and mile although his times were very impressive in some of the other categories.
If was also tough leaving out some of the honorable mentions like Ron Clarke and all of his world records and Paul Tergat and his x-country performances. Perhaps they should have gone ahead of Lasse Viren or Peter Snell.
Thanks again for putting together such a well-thought out and thought provoking list. Please continue to put out such fantastic running videos that our both highly informative and extremely entertaining.
Well done!!
Nice video! But In 80’s Mirits Yifter destroyed the Finland runners in Moscow Olympics by winning in 5000m and 10.000m respectively. Miruts even was nicknamed as “gear changer “ by his ability to surprise everyone unexpectedly speeding up from anywhere in the peloton, you can see him at the back when one lap remains and then at the finishing line talking first place, was so good speeding!
His nickname was Yifter the "Shifter". I used to watch him all the time in the late 70s early 80s. With 300 meters to go he left everyone in the dust like a Beach Boys song!!!
Indeed...I HEARD of yifter's stellar accomplishments..to beat the fins not so easy..I don't feel in all fairness that one should ask such a complicated question in THE ULTIMATE RESPECT TO ALL APPLICANTS .. but if you were to put a gun to my Head 🗣️..I would tell you Usain bolt ⚡ is the greatest sprinter in the modern history of life.because natural talented abilities..with no work ethic behind it!!!the fact speaks for itself.. NOW in the case of distance running..there is no one greater than the master surgeon of PAIN... HICHAM EL GUARROUJ!!!.. AND I will try explain why!!.. that he ran the Mile like a unicorn 🦄 FROM another world..but here is his ADDED power..if you were to ask him to train specifically for the other distances..he would destroy in event and opponents.. because of his ruthless and intense work ethic..any distance!!!..so now you ask who's the greatest runner.. ⚡ bolt vs.EL. G..NO CONTEST..".EL GUARROUJ "
Who I consider to be the best range-runners of all time:
100&200m: Usain Bolt: 9.58&19.19
200&400m: Michael Johnson: 19.32 & 43.18
100-400m: Wayde Van Niekerk: 9.94 & 43.03
400&800m: Alberto Juantorena 44.26 & 1:43.44
200-400m: Nijel Amos 21.34 & 1:41.73 (Harald Schmid is close)
800&1500m: Sebastian Coe: 1:41.73 & 3:29.77
1500&3000m: Hicham El Guerrouj: 3:26.00 & 7:23.09
800-3000m: Said Aouita: 1:43.86 & 7:29.45
3000&5000m: Daniel Komen: 7:20.67 & 12:39.74
800-5000m: Said Aouita: 1:43.86 & 12:58.39
1500-5000: Hicham El Guerrouj: 3:26.00 & 12:50.24 (Bernard Lagat and Daniel Komen are close)
5000&10000m: Kenenisa Bekele: 12:37.35 & 26:17.53 (I know Cheptegei has beaten both times, but Bekele has much more medals (at the moment))
3000-10000m: Kenenisa Bekele: 7:25.79 & 26:17.53
1500-10000m: Mo Farah (?) 3:28.81 & 26:46.57 (or Kenenisa Bekele or Haile Gebrselassie)
1500-Marathon: Kenenisa Bekele: 3:32.35 & 2:01.41
800-Marathon Haile Gebrselassie: 1:49.35 & 2:03.59
Nurmi for 10000m?
I think Yifter deserved an honorable mention at the very least. Heck I think he was considerably better than some of the guys mentioned
You have to include Yifter in the top ten. But I agree with you, Kenenisa Bekele as No 1.
Who is here today after Bekele wins the Berlin marathon missing the world record set by Eliud kipchoge by a whisker?? This man the real beast 💪💪
You got something to say now?
@@koppite9600 sure Eliud the G. O. A. T
@@wycliffjohn380 😂😂😂😂
You said Kenenisa beast? I can’t say kenya athletes beast Bc I love them but you beast. He is young and has record 2:03 that is very close to 1:59 . I hope he will break in short time. We will see🐖
@@asladinahmed8893 the word "beast" was not used in bad faith as you want to allude. Anyway am not responsible on how you decipher the analogy. Bekele is great Eliud is Great Africa is proud of all of them
Fully concurred with your list. And I will subscribe.
The crazy parts of Bekele’s XC career is that he went unbeaten in 27 straight races from 2001 to 2007. And he won his last WC gold at the age of 25. Which is very rare considering that he won 11 golds Medals before even turning 26. Wonder what he would have achieved if he stayed injured free he continued to run XC
Yes,,, Bekele is good on the track,,, he is the GOAT. can,t take that from him,,, Kipchoge is good at the Marathons
It's funny how man people voted Kipchoge as number one. He's definitely the greatest marathoner of all time, but he wasn't as strong on the track as his peers. We already talked about it, but Geb is the greatest.
Yes I agree..
Special Agent Dale Cooper one race doesn't make you a great when you were beaten by those same men a year later
Yesss
@@PhileasFogg yes he won a race at 18 and then he did not do anything that we could qualify him as a GOAT for doing it (on the track)
Jaymes Cole If Eliud havent ever had a great career in the marathon, he would be on the same spot as Sihine, just behind Bekele on those days, without much glory.
Kenenisa is the best that ever lived. Mark my word he will be the first "official " marathon record holder to run sub 2 hr mark. 2nd is Haile
I'd say Sileshi Sihine and Salah Hissou deserves to be in the honorable mentions
Am agree 💯🙌 bekele is greatest runner of all time .
I do agree with your list. Bekele's 2:01:41 marathon in Berlin 2019 is only 2 seconds behind Kipchoge's world record. Kipchoge is incredible but the sub-2 marathon though amazing was completely controlled. Think it's the runners that can go out in whatever conditions and win and run fast that should be most highly considered. I would love to see a Kipchoge - Bekele 2020 Olympic marathon race!
Thanks again for these videos @Total Running Productions
Carlos Lopes from Portugal is missing on the honorable mentions.
3 times cross country world championshio winner 1976-1984-1985 (the only european who defeted afrikans in cross country) and twice second (1977-1983). Olympic gold in Marathon Los Angeles 1984 and record. World record of Marathon 1985 in Rotherdam. Beated world record in 10.000m in 1984 in Stocolm (with Fernando Mamede ahed). He was so good in cross, as in track, as in street race...!
And I also would put Paavo Nurmi in top 3.
But the rest... I TOTALLY agree! This is the real and fare list.
Congratulations!
You hit this list dead on!! 👏👏👏
Could you please make a video of the top 10 distance runners of all time for each discipline?
800
1500
3000 steeplechase
5000
10000
Cross country
Half marathon
Marathon
One of the best video I have ever watched.
John Ngugi’s Olympic 5000m run was perhaps the greatest, and bravest, I’ve ever seen. Not forgetting he won 5 straight world cross-country championships. That kind of dominance deserves at least an honorable mention.
Love the video. But you neeeed to include a mention of Kipchoge’s 5000m gold from Paris 2003 when he was a junior and outkicked Hicham El-Guerrouj AND Kenenisa Bekele. Such a performance. This shows his versatility and the longevity of his career
Thank you brother for being the best UA-camr ...legend ...respect
What's the song at 12:17 and forward? Extremely difficult to find from "Audioblocks" because there are hundreds of thousands of songs. It is almost like saying the music is in youtube, heh.
Very nicely done -- hard to disagree with this list, and I'm sure we all have our favorites that were not ranked high enough or only made the honorable mention list. I highly encourage you to do a list of top MIDDLE distance runners of all time. Keep up the good work .........
This is an excellence ranking . Kenesisa Bekele full of greatness .
I’ll be on this list one day
Bekele's 2:01:41 marathon today confirms his place as number one of all time.
What about kipchoge 2:01:39 London marathon
What about yesterdays kipchoge sub 2
@@franga7870 in that kind of conditions
Bekele would probably break 2 hours as well
@@leenchogu5536 Berlin not London
Carlos Lopes? 1984 Olympic Champion on the marathon, First athlete to run the Marathon under 2:08 (broke the WR at the age of 38); Silver medal in the 10.000m at Montreal Olympics '76; 3x XC world champion. One of the greatest european long-distance runners of all time.
Although Bekele is probably one of the greatest for me Daniel Koemen should be in the top three
Absolutely nailed it!
Literally, Haile was a very popular next to Abebe Bikila. He was staying dominant and breaking a lot of records than any Athletes. I admire his long time performance, self motivation, and determination. Kenenisa is also great athlete and also shinng for certain time. His strength and stamina was so incredible. We are prpud of all three Ethiopian greatest Athletes in the World. Each has their own peculiar talent, performance and integrity.
One of the best considered lists I have seen. Perhaps John Walker deserves an honorable mention not for his Olympic Gold but for his consistency being the first athlete to run 100 sub four miles and being the first to go sub 3:50 for the mile.
Psyched to see the top 10 womens distance runner list!
Grethe Waitz nr 1.🇳🇴
Nine win in New York 💪
You should include Ababe Bikila and Meruthe Yefter
great list!
Awesome running clip!
Noah Ngeny was also a strong runner. Do you think his 1k world record can be broken?
I'd look foward seeing another "analysing the greats" clip about him
I’d rank Said Aouita above Keino or Snell. He dominated the 5000 meters in the 1980s, winning World and Olympic gold, and being the first athlete to break the 13-minute barrier. At the same time, he set world records over 1500, 2000, and 3000 meters that lasted into the ‘90s. He ran one elite 10,000-meter race in Oslo in 1986, winning with the second-fastest time that year; in the race, he outkicked Mark Nenow, who held the fastest time that year. And then, he won a bronze in Seoul at a race that was 16% the distance of his best event, just because he could.
And he was injuries at Olympic Games in Seoul 😂
After yesterday and the ineos 1:59...1st person under 2hrs over 42.2km...does it change any opinions?
Add to the list 2nd fastest marathon ever for Bekele. He's unbelievable.
Anyone who thinks Kipchoge is remotely close to bekele. Argue with me. My argument is below lol
How in the world is Kipchoge better than Bekele. He is only two years younger so their careers have massive overlapping. Bekele has
9 world/Olympic titles
11 world xc titles
4 world records (still standing records )
The 4th fastest marathon of all time
The Olympic 5k and Olympic 10k records (12:57 and 27:01)
The world championships record for the 10000 as well in 26:46.
All Kipchoge has is
Marathon world record.
2 Olympic/ world titles
The world championships record for the 5000 (12:52)
He is not even remotely close to bekele. Sure he's won like 8 marathons in a row. But is that really any different than bekele not losing in the 10k for like 7 years. It's not like every single marathon has a world championships field. But just had to put this into context. That this Kipchoge recency bias is insane.
After this morning. I don't want to hear anything else about Kipchoge being the overall best distance runner. Bekele just ran 2:01.41 in addition to everything else I already said.
Costa wasta to me, a marathon trumps all other distance running by a mile. If you can run 42 kilometres in 2 hours (which is looking very likely) you are better than anyone else. Nothing in the distance running world takes more determination and grit, and there has never been anyone nearly as dominant as Kipchoge in the marathon. Bekele was good at his distances, yes, but he will never be better than a man who can run minutes faster than him in the marathon.
@@Ddvgh1 there is no superior distance as they all have to be raced way differently.
Saying the marathon Trump's other distances just shows that you yourself never ran competitively.
Bekele and mo farah are the reason Kipchoge switched to the marathon lol. Plus add in the fact that bekele has beaten Kipchoge like 18 times to 8 it's very clear who's better. And That's without talking about why bekele has 7 more world titles and 2 more world records than Kipchoge. Kipchoge would bhavr to come back to track and win for like 5 years straight to be considered the overall best ever and that won't happen since he's 35.
@@Ddvgh1 agreed. Seems everyone keeps ignoring fact he is possibly only human ever to break human limit barier(2h).
@@flashdoom everyone ignores the fact that he just has not won as much as guys like Mo Farah, Haile, Bekele, El G. Bekele is the greatest Cross country runner, the greatest distance runner on the track, and the 3rd fastest marathon man. Kipchoge isn't close to being the greatest xc or track guy yet you think he is the best. It's not close at all
Bekele is objectively the greatest. If you think otherwise, it's because you have personal biases
Now the list needs to be updated .Placing Kipchoge at number 3 is an insult and funny at the same time .😃😃😃
I agree !!!! With one or two active career years remaining ... kenenisa may even add more on his achievements list!!!!
Definitely Agree with your choice.
Also Worthy nods to the Mentions!!
I am an Ethiopian and I believe that Kenenisa is a really unpredictable runner. You never know when he might show up and break your record.... but as much as I love and respect Kenenisa, I would say Haile is my number 1 due to his long term dominance in long distance running and his crazy number of world records.
I only just discovered this man as I started following racing just now and am star struck by Eluid Kipchoge but seeing Kenenisa is pretty amazing and during his peak his dominance was incredible to run back to back races is not easy yet he did it!
Almost perfect list, but I’d include John Ngugi in the honorable mentions, at least.
Awesome video... Pls keep making such fabulous videos
Thank u
I would switch Kipchoge with El Guerrouj.
El Guerrouj has won 3 times World Athlete of the Year (which none in the list has done it) and until now he's got multiple records still unbroken.
Happy to see both Kenenisa bekele and Haile Gebresilassie on first and second.❤❤❤❤
Good to see that most athletes being talked about here are my Kenyan countrymen. Bravo !!
?????NO1 and No2????
@@nigatuagize7595 Watch the video up to the tail end. You will agree with me
@@meshackkirui4951Kirui bro are u comparing Kenyan and Ethiopian athlete ??? doesnt matter we all are african..proud to be african...that is all. Love u
Kenya and Ethiopia are no doubt rivals when it comes to long distance running. Both countries have produced world class athletes.
Good to see Daniel Komen, but I recon his name should be in the top ten.
Everyone on the list, especially Gabersalassie, have come close to his mind bending 7min 58sec for 2 miles, but Komen is the only athlete who has run two back to back sub 4 minute miles.
Even his 7min 20sec 3000m record still stands.
No, he should be in the top ten.
Rest in peace Peter Snell 🙏🏾😞❤
EL G clearly the greatest. His longevity, records, and utter dominance over a mile beats everyone. Plus, he bested Bekele 2 from 2 at Bekele’s preferred 5000 meters. EL G has 2 k WR as well, and 2nd fastest 3 k time. 4 WCs at track’s most prestigious distance, and a 1500/5000 double at the Olympics...his 5000 PB, a distance he hardly ever raced is also superb
Greatest miler of all-time. El G has some serious questions though when it comes to being clean and doesn’t have the CC or anything above 5K to back him up as a distance great.
if you mean clean from drugs you must be joking
I agree with the list and give you a thump up buddy.
I would not include Mo Farah on the list because he never broke any world record.
indoor 2mile
He has the indoor 2 mile record. Plus he is arguably the most tactical distance runner ever.
Also because he is a drug cheat
His coach is a dryggie too...
He is double winner both 5k and 10k
when you watch them run they make it look so easy that it is hard to believe they are running faster then i sprint
I think Eliud has 100% the strongest mind and mental strength of any runner ever. But in terms of dominance and overall times. I’d say either Haile or Keninisa.
in my opinion i think eliud comes first for mental strength, but that's just what i think
@@DrReddit bro how can you think Kipchoge is mentally stronger ? Do you feel his pain during races ? Are you on his head ? Are you on the head of all others runner to say that they aren't as tired as him ? I would think that Bekele is stronger, he lost his wife (in 2005) but decided to still run World cross country championship WITHOUT preparation
He won the short race and the long race, destroying eliud Kipchoge and Said Shaheen
He's also one of the most injuried athlete of all time and is still dreaming to win after all injuries
You're just all saying that Kipchoge is the strongest mentally because you're all eating Nike propaganda to do Kipchoge an icon just because they want to sell marathon shoes
@@user-op6ey5hy5m well why are you being hypocritical? you asked "do you feel his pain during races, are you in his head?" well for bekele, do you feel his pain during his races? are YOU in his head? and no i'm not saying that because of nike or whatever you're trying to say, i'm saying it because he's only lost one marathon and it takes a lot of mental strength to keep a straight focused face during a marathon, also takes a lot of mental strength to has perfect form throughout a whole marathon, he also is the only person to ever break 2:02 in the marathon, also 2:01 unofficially, and just saying, bekele has been dropping out of most races, if that doesn't tell you anything about mental strength, i don't know what will
@@DrReddit I don't feel the pain of Bekele but I know him and I know that he had so much injuries, more than any other runner in history, I can tell you that he can't even train 2 weeks without feeling his legs tired asf and needing a break, I think that explains the "giving up" part
Now why do you don't answer the question of XC, well kipchoge won maybe 10 or 12 marathon, but I don't think you watched TF before because Bekele was much more dominant on XC and track, I don't think your wife did a cardiac arrest during the beginning of XC preparation (during a run in front of the eyes of Bekele) THE GUY STILL WON THE TWO RACES AT XC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DESTROYING KIPCHOGE A MONTH AFTERTHAT WHITHOUT PREPARATION
So plz don't be that kind of people that judge bekele's mind because he gives up from marathon, without knowing why he does and whithout knowing him (sorry for bad english)
I don't blame Kipchoge's mind, I just say that all pro runners have good minds and that you can't tell that someone has better mind just because he is better in marathon
Great video! Personally I'd put Lasse Viren a bit higher. Could you make a "Top 10 Greatest Female Distance Runners Of AllTtime"-video too?
Had some free time and just ran across this video. Needs some updating after 4 years, especially after what Faith Kipyegon and Sifan Hassan did in Paris. Maybe we need four lists - two each for M/F: 800-5000 and above 5000?
awesome!!! congratulations
10. Kip Keino - Kenya - 1500m 1968 OR 1972 3000m Steeple Gold WR
9. Peter Snell - 1964 800m/1600m double
8. Lasse Viren - Finald - 1964 and 1968 5/10 double
7. Mo Farrah - England - 2012 and 2016 5/10 double
6. Emil Zatopek - Czechoslovakia - 1952 - 5/10/marathon triple
5. Hicham El Guerrouj - Morocco - 83 of 86 win streak at 1500m. 1500/5000m double 3:43.13 mile
4. Paavo Nurmi - Finland - 121 race win streak over two decades - 1920s
3. Eliud Kipchoge - Kenya - Marathon sub 2hrs
2. Haile Gebrselassie - Kenya - 61 National records - 9 world records - 2 Oly Golds 5000m - 8 WC
1. Kenenisa Bekele - Ethiopia - 11 XC Golds - 3 Oly Golds
Imo should've been top 15 to include geoffrey kamworor, roger bannister, abebe bikila, steve prefontaine, and daniel komen
HENRY RONO...in 1978 in just 81 days he set 4 new world records in 3000m, 3000m steeple chase, 5000m and 10000m. This feat will NEVER be repeated by any athlete.
Great vid.
Bekele and Kipchoge have since strengthened their spots on this list, and like will continue to do so
Are you crazy (to the video owner) --> Hicham El Guerrouj , greatest of all time, has records that still stand. And you have the nerve to say he is not in the Top 10??? What distance ?? Mid?? Long?? You don't say in your heading, but you start at a mile you say ("From the mile to the marathon"): so he did mile, 1500 and 2000 and 5000 metres. Go see his accomplishments - mind blowing, do the DD. You got something against Morroco??
AWESOME COMPILATION
Zatopek’s marathon story is such a legend, deservedly so.
Great list
At 11:41 of the video, it shows Gebrselassie having the 2000m world record at 4:52.86. He ran this time indoors (see www.iaaf.org/athletes/ethiopia/haile-gebrselassie-8774 for his best times under his IAAF athlete profile). However, the IAAF does not recognize the indoor 2000m for world record purposes (see www.iaaf.org/records/by-category/world-records under Men Indoor tab). Due to this lack of IAAF recognition, I couldn't find whether Gebrselassie's indoor 2000m time would have been the world best at the time he ran it. The outdoor 2000m world record was 4:51.4 back on 30 Jun 1976 by John Walker and El Guerrouj has the current outdoor record at 4:44.79.
Actually I initially setup in my mind that he should be the GOAT in the long running history and started watching this video. Counting from 10, he should not be come earlier but at least he should be come after 4th place. Fortunately he is the no. 1. Yes that is KENINSA BEKELE. He is my favourite.