Kenenisa Bekele also at London Marathon

It’s funny, after all the handwringing about how Bekele didn’t have access to super shoes, to see this post featuring a picture of Bekele in super shoes.

1. Are there new Vaporflies ?

2. Don't you think Abdi Nageeye from Holland has a chance ? Silver in 2021 OG, recent NYC winner (against Tola).

The v4 version are out around the same time from memory so I assume some elites may be sporting them.

Realistically, you can never rule out Abdi, but London is a faster course than NYC and I don't think in a speedier marathon he is likely to be as near the front as Tola, who seemed pretty clearly to not be in the same shape for NYC as he was Paris. Tbh i don't expect either to be battling for the win if Kiplimo/Sawe are going for time and don't blow up.

Abdi gets in when it isn't bullet pace race. I'm calling Kiplimo or Sawe for the win. (I'd love Bekele to come in for the win after coming second twice, once to Daniel Wanjiru who doped but i think it my be too late for Kenenisa to win, but a good position is possible)

Bekele was a mid-packer at the Olympics. Was there some problem that day that has since been fixed?

Yeah he had an issue with his hamstring during the race.

If he runs well I could see him in the 2:03 range on a good day. He was only around 17 seconds from breaking 2:04 last year. With all the good competition and if he races smart they can pull him to a good time.

It would be so awesome if they duel back and forth for the final 10k! Hopefully we get motivated Bekele instead of potbelly Bekele.

Not so sure about Kiplimo even FTW.

Mary and half-Mary are different ball game.

Remember Tadese?

Bekele and Kipchoge will run well with 3rd place a possibility for one of them.

Of the 2 I fancy Bekele as I believe Kipchoge is now a master's athlete like Bekele and no longer had the age advantage of a couple of years ago.

Great to see the 2 of them going at it and 2:03 is not impossible for either of them.

I love Kenenisa. He is like Rickey Henderson or Joan Benoit or Mick Jagger . . . He is so good that no matter how old he gets he still can be pretty competent. This guy could take a few years off, gain 30 pounds and run a 2:12. He will be running a 5:00 mile when he is a 75.

There’s a reason they run the race

the HM WR holders tend to either be great at the marathon or bomb absolutely.

i onlt loosely follow these major's, interested, really in only american runners. but was thinking, don't you people get kind of tired of basically the same runner's running the same few paced marathons over and over? i was keen to watch kipchoge run boston and new york a few times. but it looks like he decided to stick with the flat paced marathons after his boston melt down. too bad.

It's his debut... He could just as easily be another Tadese. Sub 2 for a debut is crazy, no matter what HM shape he's in.

Mr DNF - thought Bekele was hanging them up? Surely they cant be paying an appearance fee for him. Only world record hes hanging onto is the amount of DNFs hes produced. A sad end to a decent career

Yeah- HailGfan's post was badly worded.

Bekele never said he was retiring. Bekele is a testament to never giving up. He has fallen down with injuries but never gives up. He could have walked away years ago but has the determination to push forward. He made the Ethiopian marathon Olympic team in his 40's which no American would be able to do in the prime of their career. He is in his 40's running times that no American has yet achieved. I will always root for Kenenisa because he is a testament to tenacity. Its easy to be bold when things are good but in adversity and trials in where true character is shown. He's a humble guy who has achieved much in career and in my book he will always be a champ.

Easily? There’s about a zero percent chance he’ll be another Tadese. Running something like 2:02, instead of instead of sub-2, would not make his debut a bust.

I just like that he keeps entering races. Hope he does well. And if he doesn't, hope he doesn't retire soon.

TBH you can’t count him unless the race is on record pace. His most thrilling marathons have occurred when it looked as if he was falling off the lead pack. And I still reflect on his Great North half marathon after running most of the race behind Mo Farah and Gebreselassie to take the lead late and win. It’s still possible for Bekele to challenge the leaders and create excitement.