I'm not sure why people care about what pros will be at a race. I finally qualified for Boston after 10+ years of trying and just don't care who is up front. I look at marathons as about the people running for fun and getting fit. Frankly I'd rather they stop even paying prize money or appearance fees and make the races about the normal runners.
I’m calling it now: Mantz will beat Kipchoge in this race! Mantz is a strength-based cross country stud who can handle hills very well. Kipchoge has grown accustomed to pancake courses. Those old skinny legs will falter on the hills. Look for Mantz to power past Kipchoge on Heartbreak Hill!!
🤣If this happens, Mantz deserves a year of a continuous black page on LRC. A photo of the moment he passes EK for good on the hill on his way to podium will become THE poster on the wall of every American HS runner for the next century.
This is a great field. Will this be the first time that Boston has had a better men's field than London? In terms of Big Names, all that's left are fading stars like Bekele and Farah and maybe someone like Kamworor. Kelvin Kiptum?
Think BAA did a good job here -- they gave the bag to Kipchoge but also went out and got guys who have done well on non-time trial courses. If Kipchoge is human in April, a bunch of guys who know how to run the Newton hills + roll the last 8k could make for a compelling race.
Chebet won Boston/NYC in 2022. Kipruto ran a 14:06 5k from 35k-40k to win Boston in 2021. Desisa has won Boston twice, NYC once, and took gold at Doha in 2019. Kitata beat Kipchoge & won London in 2020 + was 2nd @ NYC this past year. Albert Korir won NYC in 2021. Augustine Choge is also way down the list. Love the flyer on him.
If Kipchoge doesn't run away from everyone, we could see him in a big pack in the last 10k of the race.
((also credit to BAA for the long list of American men + women & not just the sub-2:12/sub-2:30 runners. there's a lot of 2:15-2:20 & 2:40-2:45 runners they're giving a shot to.)
Such a good summary of some of the history. One other moment in time is just last September in Berlin. Andamlak Belihu is the man that went 25k or more with the great man while Adola faded. Belihu is up for this.
Can't wait to see what happens after Daniel Do Nascimento surges a half mile in front of Kipchoge at mile 16 while muttering "See you at the finish, bichezz."
I'm not sure why people care about what pros will be at a race. I finally qualified for Boston after 10+ years of trying and just don't care who is up front.
I ran Boston in '22 and it made me realize one of the best things about running the majors is to be able to say you ran in the footsteps of, and competed in the same event as the best in the world on the same day. And you're lucky enough to be able to say Kipchoge was in your year. How can you not think that's cool?!
Mantz for top American, and we’ll know what’s possible for Kipchoge 7 days out and weather forecasts get more precise.
If weather is bad, Kipchoge will relax first half and then turn the screws just before the hills. If weather is favorable, Kipchoge goes quick through the half, leaving all but a couple others, will certainly go for course record and get it. Kipchoge will destroy that last 10k.
He’s more likely to run a 2:10 marathon 3 weeks before Boston, lead the pack going over Heartbreak, then fade to 15th place and get accolades for ‘running hard and going for it!’
We already know Fauble can run 2:08 high on this course if the weather’s good. I’m curious to see what Mantz can do here, and if I had to make bets he’d be my choice for top American.
We won’t see it. There’s likely going to be no camera footage of the American men finishing or even mid-race.
A top 10 is always big goal for Americans - can this be done this year??
Mantz for top American, and we’ll know what’s possible for Kipchoge 7 days out and weather forecasts get more precise.
If weather is bad, Kipchoge will relax first half and then turn the screws just before the hills. If weather is favorable, Kipchoge goes quick through the half, leaving all but a couple others, will certainly go for course record and get it. Kipchoge will destroy that last 10k.
What do you call favorable? Anything less than an 8 mph tailwind, and I’d bet against Kipchoge taking the course record.
There is only one other sub 2:06 in Boston outside of 2011.
I'm not sure why people care about what pros will be at a race. I finally qualified for Boston after 10+ years of trying and just don't care who is up front. I look at marathons as about the people running for fun and getting fit. Frankly I'd rather they stop even paying prize money or appearance fees and make the races about the normal runners.
Then why bother coming to Boston? I see you liked the challange of qualification for the race. You had been trying because your running friends have done it? You like the history of Boston as how old it is, the course, but not really that has been attracting best runners in the World? I'm curious why you kept trying for 10 years to come to Boston. What you said "I look at marathons as about the people running for fun and getting fit" doesn't really fit BQ challenges you experienced.
Btw, congrats finally qualifying and racing there this year (with so many great runners!)
This is a great field. Will this be the first time that Boston has had a better men's field than London? In terms of Big Names, all that's left are fading stars like Bekele and Farah and maybe someone like Kamworor. Kelvin Kiptum?
Was wondering same thing. Best guys left as far as I can tell:
Assuming at least 2-3 of these guys will run Tokyo or another Spring Marathon. If they got 5 of the top 6 and Kamworor/the old guys, you'd probably still favor Boston but it'd be an argument. I don't think Kandie, Rhonex Kipruto or Jacob Kiplimo are on the table because that might change things slightly.
I'm not sure why people care about what pros will be at a race. I finally qualified for Boston after 10+ years of trying and just don't care who is up front.
I ran Boston in '22 and it made me realize one of the best things about running the majors is to be able to say you ran in the footsteps of, and competed in the same event as the best in the world on the same day. And you're lucky enough to be able to say Kipchoge was in your year. How can you not think that's cool?!
Yeah, though the lame part is you don't actually get to see them at the start line anymore
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