That question got me thinking of some rematches in the track world that that I’m dying to see. Luckily for me, most of the following match-ups will soon take place, but in some instances, there are no potential rematches on the horizon. Here’s to hoping that this list helps get the ball rolling on Cheserek v. Soratos 2.0. 

 

Anyways, these are my eight track rematches that are sure to be awesome:

 

Stanley Kebenei v. Anthony Rotich in the steeple

 

These two Kenyans battled to the final barrier at the 2014 NCAA 3k steeple, when an exhausted Kebenei tumbled over the steeple, yielding the victory to Rotich. It was a death march, a fight to the end, with neither man wanting to give an inch. 

 

This rematch got an added element of intrigue this past weekend when Kebenei (who is now an American) ran the World lead (8:23.93) at Payton Jordan. Rotich’s PB is 8:21, so another epic duel will be expected in Eugene this June. 

 

Edward Cheserek v. Cristian Soratos/Jordy Williamsz

 

Who could forget the 53-second quarter that Soratos threw down in the NCAA mile, or Jordy Williamsz hammering past Cheserek two weeks ago at Penn? These races were like heavyweight fights, with Soratos and Williamsz throwing everything they had at Cheserek by using their own separate tactical methods.

 

Cheserek proved his mettle by rolling with the up-start Soratos when the pace got crazy fast with five laps to go, an added element to his greatness that we had yet to see up to that point. A rematch between these two over a mile would once again be unpredictable and feature a lot of change of pace. Cheserek won Round 1, but Soratos earned respect by leading so aggressively in his first NCAA final. The question is, will we ever see Soratos v. Cheserek Round 2? 

 

Unlike Soratos, Cheserek and Williamsz have only faced off in relays, so it would great to see them go at it in an open 1500m. Their sprint finish in the crazy tactical Penn Relays 4xMile will not soon be forgotten. They’ll run different events at NCAAs, however, so we’ll have to hope for another for an epic battle next indoor season in the DMR. 

Team USA v. Jamaica 4x100m

 

The Jamaicans hadn’t lost in a championship 4x1 since 2007, so when Ryan Bailey held off the hard-charging Usain Bolt on the anchor leg at last weekend’s World Relays, it was a huge moment for the Americans. As Team USA celebrated its first defeat of a Bolt-led relay since the Jamaican rose to greatness, tensions mounted and have now set the stage for another showdown later this summer in Beijing at the World Championships. 

 

This once one-sided rivalry has suddenly become a lot more interesting, and the trash-talking has only just begun. Whoever wins gold this August in China will have the last word. 

 

Mutaz Essa Barshim v. Bohdan Bondarenko in the high jump

 

These two men waged war week after week last summer in the Diamond League, matching up seven times all while becoming two of the best jumpers in history. The Ukrainian Bondarenko won three of the four duels to start the season, including the infamous adidas Grand Prix in New York where both men jumped 2.42m, tied for the second-highest jumps of all-time. 

 

But it was the 23-year-old Barshim of Qatar who would end up on top of the Diamond League, as he won the last two competitions in Birmingham and Brussels, jumping 2.43m (#2 all-time) in the finale to establish himself as the best in 2014. 

 

Now these two have even higher expectations in 2015, with Javier Sotomayor’s 22-year-old World record (2.45m) as the top priority. 

 

Emma Coburn v. Steeple American record

 

Emma Coburn broke the American record in the steeple on July 12th in Glasgow, running 9:11.42 to better Jenny Simpson’s 9:12.50 mark. But in a bizarre turn of events, it was announced in February that Coburn’s record would not be ratified by USATF because she did not take a drug test after the race. The rule states that an athlete must submit to testing after a record-breaking performance, lest the mark be nullified. Coburn was not made aware that she had to be tested, and had to accept the penalty. 

 

Her loss of the American record has only made her next attempt to break Simpson’s mark more highly anticipated. Not only is she expected to smash that record in 2015, but Coburn should contend for a medal at the World Championships in Beijing. 

 

Eliud Kipchoge v. Wilson Kipsang v. Dennis Kimetto

 

Just like Mayweather-Pacquiao was touted as the “Fight of the Century”, last month’s London Marathon was similarly hyped as the greatest marathon field ever assembled. Eliud Kipchoge was the surprise winner over former World record holder Wilson Kipsang (2nd) and current World record holder Dennis Kimetto (3rd). Kipchoge fought a tough battle to shake Kipsang, enduring a 4:33 25th mile together before the former sprinted away in the final 800m. 

 

Many expected either Kimetto or Kipsang to win, and Kipchoge’s surprise victory only increases the debate as to who is currently the best marathoner in the world. That answer may not come until the  Rio Olympics, the next time this trio is expected to all line up together. 

 

Mo Farah v. 1500m

 

The last time Mo Farah ran a 1500m was 2013 in Monaco, where he demolished Steve Cram’s 28-year-old British record (3:29.67) by running 3:28.81. Everyone knew Mo had speed, but 3:28 speed? The double Olympic champion put himself on another level that day, and the long wait to see the Mo-Bot in a 1500m again is finally over. 

 

It was announced last week that Farah will run the metric mile in Birmingham on June 7th, and fireworks should be expected based on Farah’s early season form. After setting the indoor two-mile World record in February (8:03.40), Farah showed his range by winning the Lisbon Half Marathon on March 22nd in 59:32, a new European record. 

 

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Farah’s two-year hiatus from the 1500m makes his upcoming trip to Birmingham feel extra special. 

 

American women 800m

 

The Drake Relays women’s 800m two weeks ago was touted as a World Championships preview, with eight American athletes who had sub-2:00 PBs lining up together. 20-year-old Ajee Wilson took the victory in Des Moines in 2:00.03, establishing herself as a favorite for June’s U.S. Championships after beating Brenda Martinez, Alysia Montano, and Chanelle Price, among others. 

 

The women’s 800 has arguably become America’s strongest event, and a potential World medalist will surely be left off the team to Beijing as only three will qualify. Who do you think will finish in the top three in Eugene?