Who's to say that these Kenyans are actually 16-19? There's a reason why
Kenyans tend to drop in times when they are in their mid 20s...1. Are
actually probably 30 and not 25, 2. After so many years of top level
running, whether you start at 16 or 20 you tend to fizzle out. Check road
race results, the winning Kenyans are listed as early/mid 20s and only a few
stay competitive after 30 whereas many Americans/Europeans stay competitive
after 30. Even in marathon races in which you can still be very competitive
in your 30s you still many Kenyans listed early/mid 20s. Kenyans start
running at an earlier age, reach a top level, then end their careers at an
earlier age compared to American/European runners.
Cherono is young and has run a very fast time. That doesn't mean that with
age he will run much faster. Entine is RIGHT in that overall in a large
group the N./ E. Africans will produce faster runners, but he is DEAD WRONG
in stating that an American/European will NEVER win a major marathon or gold
medal...that statement is just plain ignorant on his part and he only states
it to reap the rewards of further book sales. There can and will always be
the select few Americans/Europeans that can and will achieve the heights he
says is impossible, but as a group the N. / E. Africans are better.
Alan
http://www.geocities.com/runningart2004
>Maybe Entine is right ... we have no chance, and should just give up before
>we fall further behind. We have no chance of ever getting a 16 year old to
>go 8:19 or even a 19 year old to go 7:58.
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