by Larry EderDavid Rudisha ran a 1:41.54 for 800 meters, the world leader, in less than ideal conditions. It was cool, the track was wet, and David’s pacer maker, Sammy Tangui, took him out in 49.37, a bit off the 48.5 that David so desired.
After having run 1:41.78 at the adidas Grand Prix, on June 9, and less than two weeks later, running 1:42.12 at altitude during the Kenyan Trials, David gives the world a loud siren call that he is ready to rumble and just be very careful how close you want to run to this guy…..
David Rudisha won the 800 meters at the AREVA Paris Meeting on Friday, July 6, 2012. He ran 1:41.54. Both of those are facts.
On the Thursday before the event, David Rudisha, the king of the 800 meters, a man who has five of the top ten times of all times at 800 meters, held court. Soft spoken, David Rudisha is both student and warrior. He is a student of the sport, ” I have watched many of the races of Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett, ” Rudisha told me at the 2011 AVIVA London press conferences. At the press conference, David cautioned the media about world record predictions, as conditions have to all in place for a WR. Problem is, David Rudisha makes his earth shattering racing look easy. It is not. David Rudisha is simply one of the greatest athletes competing today. He is the Emil Zatopek of the 800 meters.
David Rudisha is also a warrior. Or, how else would you describe six foot, four inches of flying muscle as Rudisha lifts his knees, pumps his arms and charges down the last 150 meters of the race, pushing, pushing his body, heart and soul to another world record?
” In perfect weather conditions, I would break the record This time, it was not possible because of the wet track, also maybe the pace maker could be a little faster. It was simply too chilly for a record. Otherwise, the race was good, no complaints. Now, back to training, this was my last race before the Olympics.” noted David in the mixed zone.
David Rudisha, July 5, photo by Bob Ramsak, IAAFRunning (and this is per Mark Butler, one of our sport’s superlative statisticians and real track geeks), sub 13 seconds for each of the eight 100 meter splits of the race, David Rudisha did not let up, runnign 51.17 for the last lap, as he cruised to a 1:41.54, fastest time in the world, equal seventh best time all time list.
David Rudisha wants the gold medal in London to complete his medal collection. If I was an 800 meter runner, I would stay out of Rudisha’s wake.
AREVA Paris 800 meters, 1. David Rudisha, KEN, 1:41.54, 2. Antonia Manuel Reina, Spain, 1:45.62, 3. Alfred Kiwa Yego, KEN, 1:45.68, 4. Lachlan Renshaw, Aus, 1:45.90, 5. Paul Renaudie, FRA, 1:46.16, 6. Richard Kiplagat, KEN, 1:46.26, 7. Hamid Oualich, FRA, 1:46.26, 8. Elija Greer, US, 1:46.59, 9. Pierre-Ambrose Bosse, FRA, 1:47.85
