At first glance, the 5,000m and 10,000m are like stock car races, going around in interminable circles, but without the noise, speed or crashes.

Not only that, they generally run in single file along the inside -- running just half a metre further to the outside can add 50m to the race. For years, the apparently methodical pace and gradually unfolding dynamics of the distance races, along with the fact that few North Americans are involved, have not made them a great favourite of North American television producers.

It can be mesmerizing simply to watch the form of runners like Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie. He wastes no energy and no oxygen because his form is exquisitely economical. His strides are compact, his arms are nearly motionless at his sides, and his knee action is almost non-existent. Perfect form is not only something to appreciate visually: no wasted energy means more energy for that killer finishing kick, and Gebrselassie might just have the best.

Then there are the tactical games, which are part of every race at these distances. The masters of these events can demoralize their rivals with sudden bursts of speed at any time. Perhaps they'll sprint for a lap before cruising at an easy pace for a couple more, and when the rest of the field has been encouraged by coming within reach, zooming ahead again. Gebrselassie is so difficult to beat because he's fast, wily and knows how to impose his will on the race.

Other runners prefer to keep an even, comfortable pace throughout the whole race and make adjustments as the race develops to deal with the situation unfolding. The lead can change several times in the final few hundred metres as different runners make their moves and others find themselves unable to adapt to the change in pace. As Gowan puts it, they essentially turn into 1,500m runners with their final kicks.