Official Paris Olympic marathon men’s thread - race 2 am east coast

So who is the "strongest" runner, really?

Not the fastest "rhythm" runner who can light it up on the track or in a flat road race...

But the runner who has the strength and the mental toughness to power up (and down) those brutal hills (once going out and once going back) without quitting the race?

I think this race is going to be absolute carnage... and that the top 3 finishers will surprise nearly everyone..

Shoutout to Ser-Od Bat-Ochir. It's truly incredible we have Bekele and Kipchoge back in Paris 21 years since their 5000m battle; in the marathon at those champs was Bat-Ochir for Mongolia. He's raced in every Olympics and Worlds marathon since, this perhaps his last one. A real stalwart of championship marathoning the past 2 decades, hope he has a result to be proud of but he's already achieved something very admirable in his longevity

I seriously doubt it but props on this far out prediction.

Took a big nap before this so I can watch it. Praying it's worth staying up for, I'm gonna be real sad if I stayed up just for none of the Americans to finish top 10 and for Bekele/Kipchoge to DNF.

@Banana Bread

Come in Mr. Bread, do you copy?

Would appreciate your Bekele commentary tonight

C'MON KENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eliud and Kenenisa next to each other on the start line. It's almost race time

The finish looks scenic. Downhill and through the center

They’re lined up!

Uh oh, Bekele looked pudgy.

I want to see suffering and DNFs.....

I hear ya but let’s try to enjoy the race for whatever it brings

Haile!!!! So good to see him

Getting Willy Wonka vibes from Geb

HAILEEE

Really excited for this one, I love hard courses that prioritize strength and tactics over raw speed.

I'd like Bekele to win and an American to medal, but with this course I'm expecting nothing and anticipating chaos !

Haven't seen Mantz yet

Locked in, let's gooooo