Are you sick of brackets yet? Are you sick of hearing about David and Goliath comparisons?
Of course not!
This is March and brackets are all about the upset! March is also prime training season for myself as I prepare for a 2 marathons in April and 2 in May, including the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon on May 20th.
Without further ado, here is how the first round of March Madness Running Edition ended up:
1. Scott Jurek vs. 8. Forrest Gump
Winner: Scott Jurek
This might have seemed like a bye for Jurek, who's accomplishments in the world of ultrarunning are second to none and he inspired millions in the book Born to Run. If you have time, please read Jurek's Wiki page, it is almost as amazing as his stories.
Rather than list of the reasons why Jurek beat Gump here, I'm going to include reasons why I even included a fictional character in this bracket. When Forrest Gump came out in 1994, it was inspiring on to many different people for different reasons. Anyone who has ever watched the movie and seen a person running will undoubtedly think, "Run, Forrest, Run!" Whether Forrest is a young boy breaking the braces that confined him, becoming an All-American at Alabama, saving his fellow soldiers in Vietnam or running across America, nearly every major event in Forrest's life revolved around or started with running. The fact that 23 years later people still yell to me when I'm out running, "Run, Forrest, Run!", simply states how much this fictional dullard from Greenbow, Alabama helped shape running.
4. Alberto Salazar vs. 5. Hal Higdon
Winner: Hal Higdon
This was a tough matchup here because these two runners are totally different in their pedigrees. Salazar is the only man to win the New York City marathon 3 times (all consecutive, including a then world record time). Salazar also won the Boston Marathon once and had a successful collegiate. He once competed so hard in 107 degree heat, he collapsed at the finish line and was even read his last rites. He is unquestionably great, but Higdon's influence wins out.
Higdon was nowhere near the athlete Salazrar was. This is not to say that Higdon isn't an accomplished runner himself, completing at least 111 marathons, running a 4:13 mile and placing fifth at Boston with a time of 2:21:55. However, Higdon's may be the greatest journalist and writer running has ever seen. With a writing career that started in mid 1960's to modern day, Higdon has helped influence millions of runners through his words. Higdon's own marathon training plan has become the go plan for runners training for a marathon, especially first timers. With the boom in long distance running, a lot of credit has to fall on Higdon's shoulders for simply giving the masses the tools to achieve their own personal greatness.
3. Killian Jornet vs. 6. Allyson Felix
Winner: Allyson Felix
Jornet is as tough as they come. He is the new gold standard for ultrarunning and fastest known times (FKTs). He attempted to set the FKT for climbing Mt. Everest without oxygen and after missing the record, he tried again a week later. Just last year, Jornet broke his collarbone while running the Hardrock 100, only to get up, make his own sling and continue to finish the race. Oh, and he won. Jornet's running adventures are second to none and have taken the internet by storm. As great and amazing as Jornet is, Allysen Felix is the Queen of Gold.
Felix is the most decorated US track and field woman of all time. She has dominated the sprinting circuit for longer than almost anyone else, in a sport where success is as brief as the races themselves. Felix doesn't only get her self in shape for the Olympics, she has dominated the the World Championships for 12 years, and unheard of amount of time. The only question for Felix is how long can she do this? Runners everywhere should be inspired her longevity at the top of the sport.
2. Roger Bannister vs. 7. Ian Sharman
Winner: Roger Bannister
4:00:00. This time mark has defined Bannister, as he was the first human to every run a sub 4 minute mile. This really is the hallmark of Bannister's career, which seems like a short list of accomplishments compared to others on this list. However, when you pave them way for many and inspire millions with one landmark achievement, you've done more than your part.
If he wasn't up against the legendary Bannister, Sharman may have had a shot of going further. Sharman has won the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning 4 times and has 4 of the top 9 times in the Leadville 100 (yes even over 1 seed Scott Jurek). He's a beast and hopefully over the next few years can set the trails ablaze with some new records, he still has plenty of time to do so.
Winner: Steve Prefontaine
I hate myself for making this matchup. Dauwalter has been one of my favorite runners to keep on eye on over the past year. She won the Moab 240 (yes there is such a thing as 240 mile races) by 10 hours! She has been absolutely lighting the ultrarunning world on fire in a way that few ever have. I sincerely hope she continues to get better. If she does, she has the potential to be mentioned in the same breathe as Ann Trason. Dauwalter is still new enough that she doesn't even have her own Wikipedia page like every other runner in this bracket.
Pre. When you're known by just one name, or even better a part of your name, you know you're a legend. Prefontaine is one of the most storied runners in the world. He sparked a revolution with his bravado and all out style. He fell short of his Olympic dreams, but he did so in such a way that legions followed him. He has had movies and books about his life. He is moving on to the next round at full force, just as one would expect him to.
Winner: Karl Meltzer
This matchup is all about results. Lagat is better known to the world for mid distance, Meltzer for ultramarathons. Both know when they step up to the starting line of any race, only a few in the world can beat them, maybe. Lagat has several world championships under his belt for 1500m to 5000m, but seems to always miss the gold at the Olympics. In spite of this, his name is always mentioned as someone to watch, even stepping up his game in 2018 and running a fast 1:02:00 half marathon as he is changing his races.
Meltzer just doesn't seem to lose. He's won at least 1 100 mile race a year for the last 16 years, with 38 overall 100 mile wins. Those records speak for themselves. Meltzer's nickname is "The Speedgoat" for a reason and at age 50 shows no signs of letting off the gas soon.
Winner: Florence Griffith-Joyner
(note, there was a typo in the bracket as spell check for some reason "fixed this" and I overlook this. It will be fixed going forward).
Keflezighi has become a bit of an icon since winning the Boston Marathon in 2014, the first American to do it in 31 years. He has published books, signed shoe deals with Skechers and continued running. His 2016 fall at the end of the Summer Olympics marathon summed up his career, falling just short, but turning it into something positive by doing pushups despite his 33rd place finish.
Meb will always be a fan favorite, but "Flo-Jo" is iconic. Griffith-Joyner, aka Flo-Jo, is a legend. Winning 3 gold medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics, and setting 2 World Records on the way. Flo-Jo had something else though, style and swagger. She signed endorsement deals, served as a co-chair to the President of the United States, was referenced in iconic rap songs and we can't forget her fashion. She had it all, love it or hate it!
Winner: Kathrine Switzer
Kathrine Switzer was a pioneer and a rebel. Switzer famously broke the gender barrier in the 1967 Boston Marathon, proving women are "too fragile" for this grueling distance. Given the explosion of long distance running and the fact that women easily make up half of the running community, in large part is credited to Switzer. Her tearing down the gender wall is easily on par with Bannister's 4 minute mile as far as milestones in running.
Gebselassie got a bad draw for the first round. Having dominated the 10K from 1993 to 2000 he is a legend in Ethiopia in his own right. True to his competitive nature he moved on to the marathon distance, winning the Berlin marathon while setting a world record time. He is now retired and one can only hope he starts to share his stories and training plans with the world. He truly is exceptional with a legacy that will live on.
(I dubbed Benoit-Samuelson a tie with Ansleigh here, hence there are two 7 seeds)
Winner: Jesse Owens
If you don't know who Jesse Owens is, stop reading this and go to your local library to read about him. Owens won 4 gold medals in the 1936 Olympics in Hitler's backyard of Berlin, discrediting his superior race talk. Owens once set three world records and tied another at a single track meet, all within one hour. It's actually a shame how his life turned out but he is to this day one of the most recognizable names in all of running. On a personal note, I LOVE that my hometown Cleveland marathon runs by his statue every year. It's a moment that gives me chills running in his shadow.
Benoit-Samuleson is a 2 time Boston marathon winner and was running competitively at the distance 13 years. She set the women's record for the race in 1983 that stood for 11 years and also won the US championships for the 10K distance in 1981. Her biggest accomplishment was winning the 1984 Summer Oympics marathon in her home country. There's a reason she's in the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, but Jesse Owens is a force to be reckon with in the running world.
Winner: Kenensia Bekele
Eliud Kipchoge won gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics marathon and is now trying to be the first in the world to run a marathon in under 2 hours with his Nike team. He has the fastest recorded marathon at 2:00:25, although it was aided heavily. He is also the 12 fastest man ever in the 3000m and 4th fastest ever in the 5000m. He was seeded so high mainly based off of his potential with some of his results. It might have been a bit of a reach but hey, bracket committees can do that!
Kenensia Bekele is a name all runners should be more familiar with. Bekele owns 4 world records, has 3 Olympic gold medals, 5 World Championship gold medals and has attempted to break the world marathon record. Bekele has been a dominant force from the 5000m distance to the marathon distance since 2002 (yes, 16 years now) and is still on top of his game. He deserves the utmost respect when he lines up for any race and if he keeps pushing it, could easily move up in the rankings fast of all time greats.
Winner: Dean Karnazes
Michael Johnson was a track and field superstar in the mid 90's. With his continous world record setting races at the 200m and 400m, as well as relays, his debated title of World's Fastest Man was well fitting. He was undefeated at the Olympics and World championships from 1991 to 2000! His characteristic gold shoes where the stuff legends are made from, especially when they back it up. All in all, Michael Johnson was FAST!
Dean Karnazes clearly won't beat Michael Johnson in a sprint. He might have a chance if Johnson did 400m and Karnazes did 200m. Karnazes does do two things extraodinarily well: 1. He runs long and hard at a clip that is tough to beat and 2. He is a skilled writer and media machien. Karnazes helped bring ultrarunning to the masses, much like Jurek did, except Karnazes wrote his own books about his own runs. Where he falls in the standings a little bit is due to some criticism he has received for some of his own hyperbole and he doesn't have the winning pedigree of others in his sport, although he is still great. Karnazes' influence won him this matchup, which should make for an interesting next round.
Winner: Pheidippides
Gordy Ainsleigh might be a bit of an unknown to many runners, but he is the man accredited with founding the crazy ultra trail running scene when he started the Western States Endurance Run. Ainsleigh did this by competing in the Tevis Cup, a famous 100 miles horse race, on foot and finishing just shy of 24 hours. He has to be a little crazy to do this, but his influence has changed the world runs.
Pheidippides is the one person on this list who can without question say, "back in my day we ran up hills both ways!" Pheidippides is the person we credit with dying after completing his run from Marathon to Athens to inform then Athenians of the Greeks military victory. While he did die after his run, he also ran from Athens to Sparta, back to Athens, then to Marathon to fight then back. Dean Karanzes recently documented this is his book "The Road to Sparta" . Needless to say, this man was a legend we are all chasing and hence why we give him credit for running the "first" marathon.
Winner: Usain Bolt
No, surprises here. The man who is undisputedly the world's fastest man wins. Usain Bolt was the first man to win the 100m race at the Olympics three times. Not only did he win, he won by setting world records. The craziest thing is that he famously pulled up at the end of the race and still set a world record. His influence and fame has spread far and wide and he is known by everyone, as millions watched him succeed over the years.
Campbell had a mountain to climb to win this matchup, which should be normal to him. He climbs mountains all the time. Campell was the first 3 time finishers at the Netflix famous Barkley Marathons, arguably the world's toughest foot race. On par with Barkley's, Campbell also completed Nolan's 14, a 100 mile self guided race over the fourteen 14,000 mountain peaks in the middle of Colorado. Simply put, he's tough as nails, but his lack of limelight held him back here.
4. Carl Lewis vs. 5. Emil Zapotek
Winner: Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis is world renowned for being an enduring Olympic athlete with his gold medals spanning from 1984 to 1996, a stunning 12 years and 4 Olympiads! Lewis was a multi talented sprinted who crushed the competition for years, even getting drafter by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. It's no surprise he wins here.
Zapotek made this tough for me to decide who the champion was here. Lewis is iconic, but so it Zapotek, who even has a bronze statue of him in Prague. Zapotek dominated track and field from 1948 to 1954 winning in events from the 5000m to the marathon, which he entered on a whim. Zapotek was also awarded the Pierre de Coubertin Medal for sportsmanship, something Lewis never achieved.
Winner: Wilma Rudolph
Rob Krar is a legend in the ultrarunning world. He's won Western States, twice, and has the second fastest time ever at the Leadville 100. Krar also has major endorsement deals with clothing companies and thus is key in designing some of the gear endurance athletes today wear. His impact in running is huge, especially as he now begins to coach new athletes, but Wilma Rudolph was so much more.
Wilma Rudolph dominated at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics with three gold medals. She even made it to the 1956 Summer Olympics as a junior is high school, where she earned a bronze. Wilma did this though at a time of racial tension in the US and also had to fight the typical gender stereotypes of being a woman. She ran, she won, she overcame.
Winner: Ann Trason
Trason is beyond a legend in ultrarunning. She won the Western States 100 14 times, twice as much as 1 seed Scott Jurek. She also won the Leadville 100 multiple times and set a record for women that is still standing. She was also refenced in the book Born to Run and that story hardly does her victory total justice.
Mo Farah is a legend in Great Britian, rightfully so with his list of British records. In 2012 and 2016 Farah was a double Olympic gold medalist, proving his worth of being on this list. With nicknames like "Mobot" and his dominance of the 10000m and 5000m races, Farah is a formidable 7 seed, but Trason just doesn't lose easily.
