Round 3
1. Scott Jurek vs. 2. Roger Bannister
Winner: Scott Jurek
Bannister set one of, if not the, gold bar in running. His credentials and ability to give back to the sport of running until his recent passing puts him in the stratosphere of running. To this day his 4 minute pace is still basically the US standard for Olympics qualifications in the 1500 meter distance (1500 meters in 3:54:00 is the US standard to make the Olympic trials). Whenever your record holds its own for over 60 years as the mark everyone knows and aims for, you've done something amazing.
Jurek might not have quite the name Bannister does right now, but several books written by him or about him have changed the running world immensely. Ultramarathons are now much more common and more people are doing them then ever before. Jurek's plant based diet has also changed the diet of many runners. As human's continue to push the limits, both of these men will be remembered for what they have done to raise and set records but while Bannister's time will remain one of legendary proportions, Jurek helped launch runners into new unthinkable distances at a record clip.
1. Steve Prefontaine vs. 2. Kathrine Switzer
Winner: Kathrine Switzer
Prefontaine is iconic due to his influence and style. Prefontaine helped launch Phil Knight's little running shoe company from Oregon to the world, and I think Nike will be around for awhile. Prefontaine is in large part credited with helping spark the running movement in the US, Kathrine Switzer just did him one better by allowing women to run in longer distances.
Switzer's breaking down of the gender barrier is possibly the only thing in this bracket that could have stopped Prefontaine. While Nike certainly grew due to Prefontaine, there were other factors that helped it more and it would invevitably succeed on it's own right. Without Switzer, it could have been years or more before women could run marathons. Given that marathons and half marathons are a near 50/50 mix of women and men these days, I'd say her shadow is more ever present now than ever before.
1. Jesse Owens vs. 3. Dean Karnazes
Winner: Jesse Owens
Sorry Dean, your run stops here. While Karnazes did help teach people about ultramarathons, and arguably inspire as many people as Jurek, he never set any world records that were heralded by millions around the globe the way Owens did. Karnazes has his wins in some of the toughest races on Earth, but Owens did it on the biggest stage while staring down the Nazi's.
1. Usain Bolt vs. 2. Ann Trason
Winner: Usain Bolt
Ann Trason is legendary for winning so many races and virtually being untouchable, especially among women, in the ultramarathon world. Her longevity, consistency and times are still unbroken. She proved in the steps of Kathrine Switzer than women can and will compete with the men. Usain Bolt is just the best to ever do it, on a bigger stage, with more fans and more influence. Trason never had a shot at the Olympic golds the way Bolt did, but Bolt is the Lebron James of sprinting.
Round 4
1. Scott Jurek vs. 2. Kathrine Switzer
Winner: Kathrine Switzer
Jurek is actually my personal favorite runner on this list and unquestionable ultrarunning legend. Jurek's influence is well documented previously and his ability to make ultrarunning appeal to masses is only on par with Dean Karnazes. While Jurek rarely loses and has even set the one time speed record on the Appalachian trail, Switzer's impact is greater. Although Jurek would probably beat Switzer in any distance of running, Switzer paved the way for legends like Ann Trason. Switzer has her wins but becoming a symbol of female power and the ability to overcome edges out Jurek's awe inspiring stories of battling the Tarahumara.
1. Jesse Owens vs. 1. Usain Bolt
Winner: Jesse Owens
Usain Bolt is the Lebron James of sprinters, but Jesse Owens is the Michael Jordan. Bolt might have more medals and faster times, but he never had to overcome militant racism at the Olympics or unfair racism at home. Owens, an Cleveland, Ohio man like myself, faced it all and won. It's sad despite all his fame and legendary status, still faced all of the discrimination he did. Owens had to work other jobs and even race horses to survive, yet was still considered the greatest to ever do it. A recent article actually compared the two head to head holding for variables and Bolt won, by only one stride. People have claimed that Usain Bolt is decades ahead of his time, so what does that make Owens? Centuries ahead of his time?
Final Round
2. Kathrine Switzer vs. 1. Jesse Owens
Sometimes becoming the greatest runner isn't about speed but the impact and lasting effects of your runs.
This is a tough battle of two very different athletes from different times and exact opposite distances. Both overcame adversity and both did so for a better cause in a relatively short period. Switzer still runs today and has written books. She is unquestionably the most influential female runner. Owens however has several Olympic gold medals, world records and overcame just as much if not more than Switzer did, although he never had to breakdown the huge gender barrier...
Sorry Kathrine, but this was very tough.
Winner: Jesse Owens
Let me know what you think in the comments, retweets or messages. This was fun for me and I hope you learned something about running greatness along the way!
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