BTC Teammate's Betsy Saina and Andrew Bumbalough do the 26.2, how low will they go?

How low do you think Kipsang will go? He predicted a 2:02:50 at the press conference .

https://twitter.com/jhboston26/status/834989505702567936

righttheship wrote:

BTC, no history of success at marathon, yet.

Fitness appeared good back in November, but has he raced this year? It's very easy to over-train and bury previous good form, and as with most American marathoners recently that has resulted in sub-par performances.

What was his training like during his taper ... pace, effort, mileage, how did his legs feel?

With his credentials he should be able to break 2:10. However, considering the above, I'm guessing 2:13+, but hope I'm wrong.

1 and 2 at Olympic Trials isn't good enough, huh?

Get a job with cnn wrote:

What other make BTC member has even run the marathon? How much "history" is that? C'mon, man.

Don't forget Bairu and Nelson. Their moves to the marathon essentially ended their careers. Bairu had an awful race at NYC and pretty much credits that with messing his health up to the point he couldn't run anymore. Nelson wasn't quite as bad, but it didn't go well.

rojo wrote:

10minsapart wrote:

2:15

2:25

I think Saina should focus on battling for the win and the time will take care of itself. As for Bumbi, I think he should be better than 2:15:00 for sure.

Our men's preview is now up. Can Kipsang get the WR? What about the CR?

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2017/02/tokyo-marathon-mens-preview-2017-world-marathon-majors-kick-off-wilson-kipsang-wants-world-record/

Your comment is spot on.

I would not be surprised if Betsy won the race. I think she has run close to 30 flat in the track 10K and anytime you can make the Kenyan national team, you have to be pretty good. Also, she looks like a natural marathoner to me. What I mean by that is, on the roads, she doesn't always look like she is she is racing. The really good marathoners have long stretches where they appear to be in a rhythm, conserving energy, clicking off the miles while still running fast.

I can't really speculate on Andy but sub-2:15 would be ok

Its refreshing to see American athletes running in international events like Tokyo. We seem to avoid the big events.

This will develop international racing skills and also give a great opportunity to run fast with a group of the world best athletes.

righttheship wrote:

BTC, no history of success at marathon, yet.

Fitness appeared good back in November, but has he raced this year? It's very easy to over-train and bury previous good form, and as with most American marathoners recently that has resulted in sub-par performances.

What was his training like during his taper ... pace, effort, mileage, how did his legs feel?

With his credentials he should be able to break 2:10. However, considering the above, I'm guessing 2:13+, but hope I'm wrong.

Bill Rodgers never broke 28 in the 10k and ran only 13:42 for 5k. Personally, I hope Bumbi runs a second marathon too, I'd love to see him run his best.

Bumbi did not think he would be able to break the Georgetown alumni record of 2:11:12 set in 1970 by Eamon O'Reilly, who came in 2nd to Ron Hill at Boston, an American record at the time. Now his 2nd or 3rd marathon, he may be able to break that.

For Sunday, Bumbalough’s main priority is to run a strong second half and, as a result, he plans on going out conservatively for the first 13.1 miles. Bumbalough, for his part, said that anything under 2:14 would be okay and that 2:12 would be a “really good day,” but any time goal is largely dependent on his target split for his first half, something he and Schumacher will hash out later this week in their final pre-race meeting. Mostly, Bumbalough just wants to get back to what drives him as an athlete: making progress.

HM split 1:06:XX, final time 2:14:XX

Any faster or slower through halfway, DNF

Doubter of things wrote:

So Teg, arguably the best runner BTC has produced, ran 2:13. Why should we think this new guy will run even as fast as that? BTC has a weak history with male marathon performances.

You can argue Teg, I will argue Jager, Olympic silver medalist and American record holder. Yes, Teg set the AR for the two mile, a non-Olympic event.

2:10:30

2:22:00

The weather looks decent. I will say 2:12:35 for Bumbi.

Colospugs wrote:

Saina 2:21:14

DNF, the marathon deserves respect and Betsy just learned that today.

Not bad debut by Bumbi, especially given he's only raced what once in two years due to injuries? Obviously not going to be on Rupps level, but should be in the mix with other non-Rupp US runners. Meb is retiring this year and Ritz has to be done soon. Puskedra, Ware, Bumbi...

2:13:58

sub 2:14 Hooray! wrote:

2:13:58

That's not a bad debut. I hope he can keep himself in the mix over the next few years.

zohan wrote:

sub 2:14 Hooray! wrote:

2:13:58

That's not a bad debut. I hope he can keep himself in the mix over the next few years.

Just a little bit slower than Jake Riley's debut. Bout right

I think 2:13:58 places him 7th (just behind Estrada) on the US depth chart of London Worlds qualifiers

Trapper keeperz wrote:

Not bad debut by Bumbi, especially given he's only raced what once in two years due to injuries? Obviously not going to be on Rupps level, but should be in the mix with other non-Rupp US runners. Meb is retiring this year and Ritz has to be done soon. Puskedra, Ware, Bumbi...

...and a host of naturalized Africans.

2:13:58 is about right on my expectations for Andrew.

Would've thought Betsy could've done much better. The marathon can be cruel I suppose.