Did Geb Not Break the World Record Because There Weren't Clocks on the Course

I think it made a big difference, and it certainly would have helped.

Surlak

I'm in Avocado's Number's camp on this one - I guess I don't think WRs should be aided. Who cares whether there were clocks - or even split markers for that matter.

Pete wrote:

I'm in Avocado's Number's camp on this one - I guess I don't think WRs should be aided. Who cares whether there were clocks - or even split markers for that matter.

Good idea. Why even have a finish line? Let the runners guess where the course ends.

So, you then agree that the clocks would have aided Geb's effort.

Yes Wejo, it would have definetly been to Geb's benefit to know what pace he was at in his record attempt. This is a horrible "oversight" by the race organizers.

I wonder if clocks/split-times were promised pre-race and then not provided. Geb could sue for part of the $1-Mill bonus plus larger appearance fees lost in future races.

I wouldn't sue, but that's just because it would hurt the sport in the end.

I was exaggerating a little about the split markers of course, to overdo the point I was trying to make. I just don't think Geb or anybody should expect or need pacers or clocks every km or bicycle pacers or what have you.

So your premise here is that the world's greatest runner doesn't know the difference between goal MP and 10 seconds per mile faster?

I thought the accounts say that Geb knew it (and the rabbits) was too fast yet went with it anyway.

Were there mile or k markers along the course? If there were I would say that it was therefore the fault of any athlete who didnt wear a watch in the race. IMHO its the responsibility of the race organisers to place appropriate distance markers but not clocks along the course.

Are you allowed to wear a watch in a race where you set a record? I don't think you can in the NCAA, but I don't know about IAAF rules. Can you wear them in the Olympic Games?

Yeah, I never realized Khannouchi, Tergat or Geb wore watches when they set the WR. You can definatley wear watches in the Olympics, Baldini and Meb were both wearing watches in Athens. I think the Olympics is usually such a tactical race that few people bother wearing them.

Bring a lawsuit? Where? In Dubai? Let's just say, the courts aren't exactly like they are in the US, UK, Australia or NZ.

GotClocks? wrote:

So, you then agree that the clocks would have aided Geb's effort.

Yes Wejo, it would have definetly been to Geb's benefit to know what pace he was at in his record attempt. This is a horrible "oversight" by the race organizers.

I wonder if clocks/split-times were promised pre-race and then not provided. Geb could sue for part of the $1-Mill bonus plus larger appearance fees lost in future races.

I wouldn't sue, but that's just because it would hurt the sport in the end.

GotClocks? wrote:

Are you allowed to wear a watch in a race where you set a record? I don't think you can in the NCAA, but I don't know about IAAF rules. Can you wear them in the Olympic Games?

Watches are fine under IAAF rules and I believe under USATF rules as well.

Weldon, obviously Gebrselassie knew how fast he was going. Quotes from an interview:

"One pacemaker at the beginning of the race didn't do the right job," he said. "I told him several times just to slow down and he didn't do that. He didn't listen to me," said Gebrselassie.

"I said to him four or five times 'what's going on, man? Cool it' And that was the mistake...really I can say I'm lucky just to finish the race. In such a kind of race, when it's too fast at the beginning there is a possibility just to drop out."

Speaking of watches, I bought a Timex Ironman for $15 at K-mart yesterday. $15! I should have bought three since I'm always losing them.

He must have had clocks or a watch because he said he was watching the time in this interview:

http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/asset/headlines/geb_dubai02.html

The end is where you make it.

David,

Why are you posting as wejo?

I am not sure why these splits were so erratically placed but...

............ Pace per mile

_8K (22:50) 4:36

10K (28:38) 4:36

14K (40:25) 4:44

18K (52:15) 4:46

27K (1:19:01)4:47

29K (1:25:01)4:49

30K (1:28:01)4:50

31K (1:31:03)4:53

32K (1:34:06)4:55

34K (1:40:09)4:52

40K (1:58:19)4:52

41K (2:01:19)4:53

FIN (2:04:52)4:46

Clearly he made the adjustment at 10k and salvaged the race from there.

Geb seemed pissed off in the T/F interview. I wonder if the pacemaker in question was Kenyan, who maybe didn't understand english so well, or some such miscommunication. It also seems like after 10K he was resigned to give up on the record.

he should have worn a watch.