I always used to think that Cameron Brown was the best runner in Ironman. If he got of the bike with all the other big hitters, he would win.
BUT
After reviewing the footage from last years Kona, I’m starting to think that if Macca is there he will win.
I know there are a few guys that can run away and do super fast times but there aren’t with the big hitters off the bike usually.
Are there any Professional males that can swim and ride with the group and be in a position of getting off the bike together at the end of the bike at Kona and run away for the win?
I second Macca. I think he is definitely in the top 3 for best overall IM athletes currently. His countless wins around the world at any distance separate him from just being an IM athlete, but down to olympic as well. He can run a quick 10k or a smokin marathon.
I still believe Cam is the best runner, last year with his nutritional issues his run sucked. Macca said that he believed it would be him and Cam running side by side for the victory last year after they got off the bike together. If that happened they probably would have run Normann down. They would be the top two.
I think that may be part of Francois’ point…you would get into a lot of “what ifs.” For example, what if Normann had biked easy…say 10 min slower…maybe he would have run faster. But, triathlon is not a running race…it is who crosses the finish line 1st. I’m sure there is a Kenyan or 2 who could run a very fast IM marathon, but would be too far behind after the bike to make any difference; so, would they be better “off the bike” than Normann? I’d say no.
They are all “even” at the start. If Macca decided, if he could, to ride w/ Normann at IMH, and Normann completely ripped his legs off, who would better “off the bike?” The hypothetical “if they are all even” really doesn’t apply to triathlon - if it did, clearly the Kenyan would be the fastest “off the bike.”
It will be Aussie 1, 2 this year in Kona!! Macca and Crowie…Jacobs also top 5 and then Shortis in top 10…and yes Bell to givethe Aussies 5 in the top top 10!!!
Stadler also did the 42k 11 minutes slower than macca.
Well I hope this year it is a train on the bike and then Beke, Brown, Alexander, Faris and Macca all run together for about 41k each trying to drop each other with surges during the run.
And of course my Ironmanlive connection doesn’t drop out.
I agree. Off the bike Sergio is the best. He has consistantly shown that he is very strong and fast off the bike at Ironman races by recording the absolute fastest marathon time in I think every IM race that he has done. However, when it comes to doing well at big IM races, running well is only part of the story, being placed well relative to your competition and how they are going to run is just as important. At this level it can get very strategic. 5 minutes lead off the bike may seem like a long time when you are standing there watching the race, but that sort of lead can be gone in less than 5 miles if the leader has a bad patch.
I see a very methodical progression on Macca’s part over the past two years. After a string of blow-ups at IMH, two years ago he purposely cycled well within himself and ran through the field to finish 6th( a big confidence booster and a valuable lesson learned - for the most part it’s not about the bike!!). Last year he extended himself a bit more on the bike, putting him within striking distance (despite Stadler’s outstanding ride), at the start of the run and nearly pulled it off. This year . . . . we’ll see, but I would be putting my money on Macca, unless their are developments later on in the year.
That’s a weird question you know…
So…you want to know IF they’re all off the bike together? if they are even off the bike.
Well, look at who’s got the fastest run split. no that complicated. Or you mean, yet something else.
Tell you what, if they all got off the bike together, then Paul Tergat would take it.
