Discuss.
Geb for sure.
He’s on pace of a 2:03 marathon as we speak. He’s beat Tergat when it’s mattered most and all his PR’s are faster than Tergat.
He also had (has) more range than Tergat. 3k to marathon world records is hard to beat.
and…look who is also still breaking WR’s.
but, it’s also like asking me:
“would you like 50 million dollars or 49,999,999.99 dollars?” Can’t go wrong with either.
The answer is Geb, no question, they could both be sitting behind Bekele in career accomplishments one day though.
Geb also has a World indoor 1500m champ and a 3.31? . Tergat was a phenomenal xc runner, certainly had Geb’s measure there. Geb had him covered on the track (some close classic contests) and has now a better marathon record.
Poor Tergat was unlucky to have such a rival.
Geb’s PR’s are faster than Tergat’s at pretty much every event. Geb’s range of distances is greater as well. Geb has two Olympic Gold’s where Tergat has two Silvers in head to head comp. Geb is still adding to his accomplishments. Two amazing athletes, but I can’t see a way to evaluate it in which in which Geb isn’t the greater runner.
The one area in which Tergat excelled where Geb was never able to was Cross Country. There Tergat has 5 golds and one Bronze – and this from the days where there was only one single race per competition, not two as there have been in recent years.
Otherwise, Gebrsellasie has pretty much won everthing else. Aside from the World XC, the only head-to-head race they’ve had in which Tergat came out on top (that I am aware of) was the London Marathon, in 2002, I believe, when Khannouchi taught them both a lesson.
That stretch duel between them in the Olympic 10k in Sydney was one of the most thrilling finishes I’ve ever seen.
That stretch duel between them in the Olympic 10k in Sydney was one of the most thrilling finishes I’ve ever seen.
Agreed, that was awesome to watch.
Can’t go wrong with either one, it’s like the old debate over Ted Williams vs. Joe Dimaggio.