Yaaaaas wrote:
So if they front control a 3:29-3:31 race, would that not just give Jakob and Kerr a huge advantage the last half/quarter of the race? If Jakob can run low 40’s in his 3:26 race, I’d imagine he’d have a ton an energy left over in a 3:29 race with his current form. Same with Kerr, who is probably hoping it is closer to 3:29/3:30 than it is to 3:27.
Regardless what happens, if they were to employee any kind of tactics, this could throw a wrench in any of the finalists plans. I cannot wait!
Watch Doha DL here for a preview here. With nobody brave enough to take the lead and the heavy wind, Tim was allowed to control it. With wind, it called for a slower race 3:32 with a nice kick. Komen and Reynold worked off of that (Kipsang didn't help as it was too many Kenyans to all run a short line). Komen and Reynold tangled a bit, but now they have been training and hanging out together since Kenyan Trials, and know how each other runs (and will help each other out). Komen and Cheruiyot behind Tim at times each took turns protecting their position and Tim's from attacks. Almost nobody finished strong or close as a result. Reynold was the only guys who really ran a little below his level as Kipsang and some of the traffic gave him some tactical issues.
If they all get there, it is complicated by the caliber of the top athletes. The pressing issues of course will be will Jakob go hard to seize the lead earlier? Is Kerr going to be patient and decisive with his own move that could allow him to pass and then beat all of them? And then of course getting everyone into position won't be easy with how many guys will be trying to get to the top 5 of the race after 200. We'll see how serious they are about it, but this Kenyan team has complementary skills with guys willing to lead out early (Komen or Reynold), a guy who loves to squeeze from 800 out (Tim), and then willing guys to yo-yo and work behind that before their kick (Komen and Reynold).