Eagleton Copper League: 2,000m

Start List

Ken, Believers

Flank, DoF

Luke, Believers

Oddsmakers

Flank (-18) vs Field

Luke (-3) vs. Ken

Narrative

In the rarely run 2,000m, there are really two races happening within the one event. The first, is Team DoF's top male performer in Flank against the clock. The young ward was projected to be clear level above the rest of his male rivals on Team Believers and, based on the most recent performances from Team DoF's DoF, he is going to need to do just that if his squad is going to steal the points crown. 

There are a couple key factors when projecting Flank's time. The first is his Georgian location (the state not the country). The heat there can be oppressive and, during Flank's last time trial, he made the bold decision to run when the sun was high in the sky. He also decided to run on what sounded like a blacktop track with spikes. Hopefully he can find an upgraded surface for this event. Lastly, Flank has a split focus to his training. He's been logging some pretty long stuff (he did 12 miles the other day which his collegiate coaching staff was too afraid to let him try) in preparation for races outside the Copper League and that could cost him those extra seconds of speed he needs to distance himself from the pack.

But the battle that everyone seems to be talking about is Luke vs. Ken. Although the pair are teammates, there is expected to be no love lost between these harriers. The rivalry began all the way back in 2011 when Luke's status as one of the top recruits made Ken quite angry. Although eventually the hype proved to be accurate, there was that one year that Ken made it inaccurate. Then things heated up even further when Luke began belittling Ken for his lack of PRing which motivated Ken to a big race at the Regional meet. Thankfully, no one was checking up on Luke's XC progression that season. 

Now we are ready for the next exciting chapter in this story that even Mark Miller is like, maybe we should go back to talking about the good runners. You can make a strong argument that Ken and Luke are the closest they have ever been from a fitness perspective. Ken put together some strong short distance work, leading to a 10:08 3k. Meanwhile, Luke, who would probably want me to note here that he does not have access to a track, has been quietly strolling along documenting very ordinary runs. Does he have the speed needed for a 2k?

Up until recently, I've been leaning toward Ken as the favorite, but it recent weeks it seems that he may have lost some of his spark. Is it possible that once Ken dropped his 10:08 and proved to everyone he was decent at running again, his competitive fire smoldered a bit? That doesn't sound at all like something that would happen to him. Will this post drive Ken back into the head space he needs to come out on top for Team Believers? If this doesn't, I'm not sure what will.

Either way, the Ken vs. Luke rivalry should help benefit Team Believers in the final standings. But how much will it narrow that all important spread between themselves and the All-American Flank?