Official 2017 Dubai Marathon Live Discussion Thread

Skips Arm Day wrote:

Hermens is now blaming Bekele's problems on a fall at the start. Anyone see this in any feed? Doesn't sound like a particularly compelling story to me but who knows, maybe it was that bad.

Yes, the camera barely caught it and never went back. It was very similar to world half championships. Early off the line fall and was trampled.

I'm in love ` wrote:

Ravena wrote:

Women's leader looking efficient and beautiful running.

The guy posting as Oh please above was also really right about her being "tiny."

Ahhh... short girls. :)

Wish I had seen the finishing time exactly, though. Anyone have Degefa's time?

Jos Hermans said that KB falling at the start injured both his leg and his arm. He was bleeding from his arm. There was no countdown before the horn, and he was basically trampled from behind, and rolled over on the ground.

Such a shame that a quality runner's hopes, and indeed the running world's hope for a new WR, was compromised for such a lazy and inefficiently run marathon.

Hermens said there was no count down warning. Just the air horn suddenly blasting. That was true. Not the best way to send a large group of runners off.

Count Down none wrote:

Hermens said there was no count down warning. Just the air horn suddenly blasting. That was true. Not the best way to send a large group of runners off.

No countdown ? How is this even possible in a major race, let alone a WMM ? Whoever's in charge of that race needs to resign or be fired on the spot !

Skips Arm Day wrote:

Hermens is now blaming Bekele's problems on a fall at the start. Anyone see this in any feed? Doesn't sound like a particularly compelling story to me but who knows, maybe it was that bad.

People mentioned that they saw this early in the thread, but I missed the first ~5 minutes, so not sure myself. Of course, we all know what Kamworor would say to this....

Yeah, was thinking it was a bad start. A little awkward first few seconds but didn't see a fall. At least this means Bekele will be back.

AdrianCh wrote:

Fun Runner or Hobby Jogger wrote:

I am not sure what is worse, being called a hobby jogger here in the forums or being called a fun runner by the announcers. You're either a pro of you're a fun runner. I am not sure I would call any of my races fun. I enjoyed the accomplishment and success but fun is not something I would call it. I guess being called a hobby jogger here is not so bad.

Fun runner is objectively worse. I actually took offense and got triggered

AdrianCh wrote:

A 10k?

What's that? About 6 miles? Only fun runners run that

Once the top pro male and female marathon runners finished the video coverage spent a lot of time showing the thousands of fun runners packed together all walking. The announcer called them fun runners several times. If fun runners all walk then I never want to be called a fun runner. I am not a pro but I don't walk a marathon, 10K, or any other race.

Hermans said arm with blood. The leg maybe another injury from watching KB reach for his leg several times. Hermans said he needed to wait to see KB to find out exactly what the injuries are. He also said he was able to run 20k fairly well so likely no major issues to change their future plans.

doubly shafted wrote:

Kenenisa Bekele wrote:

It's over. Close this thread.

Like I said, time to go poop.

Paula was just getting ready to drop the hammer when that happened.

GOAT2BE wrote:

Count Down none wrote:

Hermens said there was no count down warning. Just the air horn suddenly blasting. That was true. Not the best way to send a large group of runners off.

No countdown ? How is this even possible in a major race, let alone a WMM ? Whoever's in charge of that race needs to resign or be fired on the spot !

Agreed. Race director failed to get that right.

observer 227 wrote:

itai wrote:

2:04:18

It looked closer 2:04:13 on the clock for Tamirat Tola. What's the course record?

Mule Wasihun in 2nd at about 2:06:47.

Sisay Lemma in 4th in 2:08 something, Jigsa close behind.

Jigsa looks like a Jamaican with the dreads lol.

You do know what a Rastafarian is, yes?

observer 227 wrote:

Skips Arm Day wrote:

Hermens is now blaming Bekele's problems on a fall at the start. Anyone see this in any feed? Doesn't sound like a particularly compelling story to me but who knows, maybe it was that bad.

People mentioned that they saw this early in the thread, but I missed the first ~5 minutes, so not sure myself. Of course, we all know what Kamworor would say to this....

My thoughts too.

Kamworor pulled a stunning win at the half marathon after his fall.

He also left his hat in Cardiff.

Glad I didn't pay $20 to watch Can I knee, sir? Bad Leg, eh?

And to think a simple little countdown could've made this race so much better.

Do you?

There are probably still many Ras Tafari supporters of Selassie in Ethiopia. However, I've never seen a picture of one from Ethiopia who was male and had dreads. Only seen rastafarians from Jamaica, USA, and UK with dreads.

Well wrote:

Dude in what world do you live in? Top 15 all dope. Maybe even some after that. Just accept it. Its part of the sport. Other wise you wouldn't have fast times and a show.

"Fast times" are relative, moron.

If it takes drugs to run 2:04 while the best would be at 2:07 without drugs, guess what? - 2:07 clean while the rest of the world was slower would be just as exciting (just as much "show") as 2:04 is today.

Cheetah wrote:

Glad I didn't pay $20 to watch Can I knee, sir? Bad Leg, eh?

And to think a simple little countdown could've made this race so much better.

Yes, countdowns are standard. That is why the lead runners didn't bolt. The air horn could have been a spectator screwing off. The non-elites got pushy.

ALWAYS have a countdown. That way the runners know a spectator isn't trying to goof up the start.

Here comes Mikey. wrote:

Bad Wigins wrote:

Why did he keep looking back at the finish?

To make sure Mike Rossi didn't jump in behind and outsprint him over the last 50 yards.

Mike Rossi cannot sprint at 3:00/km pace.

Insufferable insolence constantly on these boards. Coverage was incredible and such an amazing thing to watch a race live from Dubai with a camera on Bekele after dropping out. Many other cameras on the course and overall a thoroughly professional broadcast. Jos Hermens interview at the end was informative as can be and yes the camera did indeed miss the fall at the beginning. Sure the announcers weren't as knowledgable as one would hope but still professional and honestly most of the comments on these boards are just intolerable. My second post ever.