A)Faster: marathon on road with track surface laid on the road.
They could tune the track surface to optimize energy return for the speed and running styles of those with the best chance of breaking two hours. They could optimize the surface for speed, taking into account some need for impact stress and some comfort.
Comfort should not be the primary consideration. The chance to run really fast and go sub 2 hours should outweigh any desire for comfort. Pain and suffering are temporary, but the glory of 1:59 or faster is forever. Only the strong survive.
Runners could wear special shoes lighter than road shoes since the track surface would provide optimal traction, energy return, protection and lesser impact than a road. The best tuned track surface for this event would not be rock hard, but it would be consistent and smooth.
Runners could train on the event surface to dial in efficiency at race pace and adapt their legs to the surface. Obviously not on the streets of Berlin but on tracks set up to exactly duplicate the feel, surface and tuning of what will be on the streets.
With ideal conditions, a big prize purse that awards time not place, well paid pacers, and enough lead time, there are runners that would be sub 2 hours next year in an invitational event on this type of route.
The payout would have to be big enough to pull runners away from big city marathons and their appearance fees. Enough lead time so it is the focus for the year.
An electric pace scooter on the side of the road which moves at 2:00 flat pace for the entire distance. Beat this to the finish and you are rewarded. No, you can not draft off this, its moving off to the side off the track.
Electric pace vehicle with clocks/odometers continuously showing elapsed time, distance covered, distance to the end, estimated finishing time, current pace. Continuous feedback.
This could be marketed like a prize fight (humans against the clock) and would attract worldwide interest, even among non-runners.
B) about the same time as current road marathon: marathon run on a standard 400m track.
Although potentially shorter than a certified road marathon due to the lack of distance added as insurance to certified courses, the turns would be too stressful over the distance at that speed.
Would be an invitation only event with a small group of participants. Crowding not an issue. If you are lapped you need to move out of the way to lane 2-3 or drop out.
Standard indoor track surfaces not optimally tuned for sub 2 hour marathon speed
The psychology of being 30+ yards behind the leader and leaders being out of sight must be considered. Runners would need to stick to the inside lane to minimize the distance run and to draft. With the top 30 people running single file, the guys in the back would feel way behind.
C) slower, marathon run on a standard indoor track
Too many tight turns, not enough space, boredom. Climate control would help some but its going to be a least 3 minutes slower than standard road marathon.
The psychology of being so far behind in lane one, drafting and running the shortest distance, as described above would be worse on an indoor track.
C.1) fastest, marathon run on a specially created indoor track.
One or more mile loop with gentle turns in a large indoor climate controlled facility. No wind. Perfect temperature. Lower humidity. No sun or weather. Great ventilation. No pollutants, pollen, etc.. Perhaps even pressurized to simulate below sea level conditions with more oxygen.
The loop is at least 3-4 lanes wide to allow some pack running and drafting without being too far back.
Specially tuned track surface like the Berlin road surface above. Special shoes and training opportunities. Similar rewards
Instead of a pace scooter you could have pace lights. Similar lead pace/data vehicle.
Continuous feedback clocks and odometers placed along the loop permit those behind the lead pace/data vehicle to get realtime feedback also.
Optional small light wireless earbud allow auditory feedback. Can be programmed to provide any real time instant data or messaging desired. “Estimated finish time 1 59 20â€. “Estimated $30,000 at this paceâ€.
Aid tables available three times per mile on both sides of the track. Get aid anytime if you need it and it has your special bottles or whatever else you want.
Big screen TVs along the way allow all runners to see who is behind them and how far back without turning around to look.
Continuous crowd and coaching support. Enough space between the track and the crowd. No smoking allowed. Crowd is limited to maintain temp and air quality.
Route is measured as a track, without the extra distance added as a certified road course safety factor. This saves over 42 meters in distance over a certified road course, 7+ sec at 2 hour pace.
Somehow the course is manipulated so the runners descend/drop the maximum allowed for record purposes 42 meters over the full distance.
Host a big reward tune up race, half marathon or 10k, in advance to get some fast times on the course/venue and create a buzz that the course and venue are very fast.
Sub 1:59 next fall.