Jonathan Gault wrote:
This has nothing to do with timing.
It's very simple.
Kiptum's agent is Marc Corstjens.
The elite field coordinator for Rotterdam is...Marc Corstjens.
Just listened to the House of Run pod & they covered this. Understand that he's being directed to Rotterdam but, after the majors, I would argue that Rotterdam is right there with Valencia. It's faster than London. It's record eligible versus Boston. It's easier to get to than Tokyo. It's a fast/flat course with predictable weather. This could be a real sub-2 attempt.
I hear the argument that we should get all the best runners together & get to see them race. It sucks that we have to wait until the Olympics to see him race Kipchoge. But I think Rotterdam becoming a more competitive marathon is good for the sport. London/Boston can use his appearance fee on multiple other runners. Somebody is going to finish in the money because he isn't there. Maybe Rotterdam will become as competitive as London/Boston and then you have 4 spring races (counting Tokyo) where elites can make a living. Rotterdam has had solid fields over the years (2:03/2:18 CRs), just saying maybe this will elevate the race further.
Rotterdam is also a beautiful city. Went there with my wife in 2018. Cool train station/food hall/cubed houses. Very nice bridge that the marathon goes over. You're less than 30min to a whole bunch of windmills that you can walk through. It's on my bucket list to go back & run the marathon.