Bernard Lagat Making His Marathon Debut At The 2018 NYC Marathon At The Age Of 43

Let's remember, this is NYC. Meb ran 2:15 last year; only 4 US guys were under 2:20. Not a fast course.

1955 wrote:

Let's remember, this is NYC. Meb ran 2:15 last year; only 4 US guys were under 2:20. Not a fast course.

Bro course record is 2:05

Sub 2:13 wrote:

1955 wrote:

I have tremendous respect for him, and he is as a smooth a runner as I've ever seen, but (a) he's 43, (b) this is not a good distance for his training or his form.

He's not breaking 2:20.

With his recent half marathon time, that's just plain silly to post something like that.

THIS^^^

One poster has a brain, the other is negative Nelly with no grasp of what Bernard has already done.

This is not some bucket list attempt. This is a serious attempt at being a marathoner, and some day breaking the masters marathon record. He has been focused on this for awhile now, and he feel his body and mind is well developed to make a serious run at it.

He will break Meb's record.

He will run 2:11 or close to it before it is all said and done. He takes great care of his body, and he has the wheels to run a fast time. The reason why he didn't getting into road racing earlier, he was still having great success on the track.

Sports Illustrated: Why the marathon and why now?

Bernard Lagat: I’ve been in the sport for a long time. I was a track guy for a long, long time. I’d occasionally run on the roads with the 5th Avenue Mile here in New York and a 5K in Carlsbad but that wasn’t really my thing because I was such a track athlete. I finished my track career in 2016 and told myself to learn a few things about longer distance running and road racing in particular. How can I maximize what I’ve been able to do on the track and put it toward road racing? I’ve spent the past two years talking to the best road racers and reading a few things about it. I wanted a new challenge. I think I’ve been successful in my own way from a very good 1,500 meter runner to now a 62-minute half marathoner. I’ve waited this long and I’ve been able to make good preparation. Having now run a few half marathons and 10Ks, my interest was sparked. Now it’s ‘What can I do in a full marathon?’ I figured that now is the right time to try it.

SI: You keep saying that you’re ‘trying’ it. Incredibly, you’re still competing among the top elite runners.

BL: For me, I’m taking it one at a time. When I started road racing, I told myself that I’d give it about one or two years before I jumped into a marathon. I used to downplay the marathon so much. I wanted to just do it to say that I’ve done it and then check a box for my career. Things change as you go. I’m still running at the highest level. It’s not just trying it now. I am going to put myself 100% into it. When I told my agent that I wanted to do a marathon, I couldn’t think of a better place to do it than New York. This is something new and a great challenge. With the training that I’ve been doing, maybe this is the right time to go all-out. With all seriousness, I want to show up and run a really good marathon in New York.

Comprestanding wrote:

Sub 2:13 wrote:

With his recent half marathon time, that's just plain silly to post something like that.

THIS^^^

One poster has a brain, the other is negative Nelly with no grasp of what Bernard has already done.

Agree with this poster as well. Lagat ran a strong 1/2 in Houston. He's in shape to run 2:13 with average weather condition.

With these former world class runners anything is possible.

I like his disposition (according to the home page article)

"If he stays hydrated and RELAXED."

But add "centered and concentrated."

Like I said anything is possible.

NY throws more appearance money than Chicago, they offered something to make it worth making the debut, either that or he's going for the 2020 marathon team

I could honestly see him making the 10k team on the track though. Rupp will just focus on the thon. So you got Kipchirchip, Lenny Korir, Lopez Lamong, Hassan Mead and Ben True. With that list you can't count out Bernie Kip.

wineturtle wrote:

douglas burke wrote:

He says he WILL NOT be running the Marathon Competitively, just for fun, to say he ran a Marathon. eature/bernard-lagat-usa-portland-rio-2016

It seems his thought have changed since that 2 year old interview.

From a Aug 23 interview linked in OP

When I told my agent that I wanted to do a marathon, I couldn’t think of a better place to do it than New York. This is something new and a great challenge. With the training that I’ve been doing, maybe this is the right time to go all-out. With all seriousness, I want to show up and run a really good marathon in New York

Old school thinking -- get to 20 safely and race it in-- may serve him well.

. . . or not

The marathon is a harsh mistress.

That would be Foreman-esque at 45. Unfortunately I don't know what to believe about running anymore. I'll stick to enjoying coaching high school kids and seeing them improve.

ncrecuvuer wrote:

NY throws more appearance money than Chicago, they offered something to make it worth making the debut, either that or he's going for the 2020 marathon team

I could honestly see him making the 10k team on the track though. Rupp will just focus on the thon. So you got Kipchirchip, Lenny Korir, Lopez Lamong, Hassan Mead and Ben True. With that list you can't count out Bernie Kip.

ncrecuvuer wrote:

NY throws more appearance money than Chicago, they offered something to make it worth making the debut, either that or he's going for the 2020 marathon team

I could honestly see him making the 10k team on the track though. Rupp will just focus on the thon. So you got Kipchirchip, Lenny Korir, Lopez Lamong, Hassan Mead and Ben True. With that list you can't count out Bernie Kip.

No. He said he is done with track, and it is all about the road, and trying to make the Olympic team as a marathoner. It's going to be tough, because after Rupp, Dathan is still in the mix, and I think some of the Naz Elite guys are going to slightly take it to the next level and get down to 2:10. Plus Leonard Korir is going to move up at some point, and when he does, I can see him running 2:06.

Well now is the time to try to make the 2020 olympics. He won’t get another chance. Why not?

I can it would be very hard retiring for good. All your life racing is what you do. I hope he does well. He would be a great addition to the team.

I’ll change my prediction time from 2:17 to 2:14

impressed by Lagat wrote:

He will actually be very close to 44 years old when he starts the New York Marathon. It's a shame there has not been more insight into his training approach (his coach is James Li?) as he has had a very consistent career with very few problems with injuries. Yes for sure he is very talented but a lot could probably be learnt from his approach to training for career longevity at the very top.

It's out there - it's just that there's really not much to it:

Banana Bread wrote:

If El G didn't retire he would of been caught doping by now. He wouldn't have beat Bekele in 2008 but definately silver. Would be interesting to see what would have happened. He had a lot more to give but the risk of getting caught was to much for him.

Hey stinky! how's it going? Still bathing in cologne after a workout instead of really taking a shower and getting really cleaned?

Anyway, No, El G did not dope, and if he did so did Bekele, who is done for, toast, career over.

Enjoy your shower next week!

[quote]LetsRun.com wrote:

How fast will he run? Lagat's 62:00 half-marathon PB from Houston 2018 is worth about a 2:12:00 according to John Kellogg's conversion chart, but obviously NYC is a hard course. Meb Keflezighi has the US Masters record at 2:12:20.

That is a funny conversion chart. A properly trained marathon runner will run sginificantly faster than 2:12 with a 62:00 HM. I've noticed a pattern to where US runners often run really fast 10k and HM times, yet many fail to put together a decent marathon. If it is a common opinion that a 2.12 equals a 62 flat HM I understand where the issue stems from....

OK thanks for that. Low volume and high quality is the impression I am getting although no really ball-buster sessions for someone of his level/ability....

running commenter wrote:

KKnot Sso Ssure wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX0HqzjUyw4

He couldn't outkick Dathan who pulled away with about 1:20 left in a 10k race.

I love this race. Two old US legends: one speedy, one strong. Battle of will!

Hilarious at the finish! Announcer says that Ritz is checking over his shoulder constantly for Lagat "but it's the American who will win this one".... LOLOL

Low-key stoking the the LRC fire for the ol' american or not american debate.

I predict that he will run a 2:16:20 and that's if everything goes well.

Lagat is an inspiration. I know he'll do great at NYC. What I don't is the level of hate on the LRC.

Well, remember Abdi is running so Lagat may not get the 40+ record