1) Sammy Wanjiru, 2:04:10.
2) Martin Lel, 2:04:45
3) Zersenay Tadesse, 2:05:35
Abderrahim Goumri, Emmanuel Mutai and Tsegaye Kebede will also be in contention up to 35Km.
Ritz will run 2:07:30 and will be narrowly beaten by Röthlin, who will set a PR.
I know he's getting to be a bit of an old man, but Jaouad Gharib proved in Bejing he can still put in a great marathon. I think with a field this deep, the finish will be a lot closer than 35 seconds.
2009 London PR's
Martin Lel KEN 2:05:15
Sammy Wanjiru KEN 2:05:24
Abderrahim Goumri MAR 2:05:30
Khalid Khannouchi USA 2:05:38
Felix Limo KEN 2:06:14
Emmanuel Mutai KEN 2:06:15
Tsegaye Kebede ETH 2:06:40
Hendrick Ramaala RSA 2:06:55
Jaouad Gharib MAR 2:07:02
Viktor Röthlin SUI 2:07:23
Yonas Kifle ERI 2:07:34
Tessema Abshiro ETH 2:08:26
Dathan Ritzenhein USA 2:11:06
Zersenay Tadese ERI Debut
Hicham Bellani MAR Debut
MarathonMind wrote:
Dathan Ritzenhein USA 2:11:06
I'm surprised Ritz made it in. If he was a 2:11 Kenyan guy he wouldn't be in by a long shot. I guess London just wants a top American interest in for publicities sake.
2 large rock star drinks wrote:
I'm surprised Ritz made it in. If he was a 2:11 Kenyan guy he wouldn't be in by a long shot. I guess London just wants a top American interest in for publicities sake.
If he was a 2:11 Kenyan who came in 9th at the Olympics I bet they'd let him in.
but remember wrote:
2 large rock star drinks wrote:I'm surprised Ritz made it in. If he was a 2:11 Kenyan guy he wouldn't be in by a long shot. I guess London just wants a top American interest in for publicities sake.
If he was a 2:11 Kenyan who came in 9th at the Olympics I bet they'd let him in.
To be fair, Ritz would not have made the Kenyan Olympic team.
I love this new era of marathon and half marathon racing. This weekend was insane. 20 guys at 1:28:50 at 30K! That is ridiculous! These guys have not fear. They are our there to race. This is there chance to shine. There not gonna go to a big stage like a big city marathon and not give themselves a chance to run incredibly fast. These guys have all trained with guys who have already put up extraordinary times, and they now that they can run with the best. These guys have no fear. These guys are running incredibly fast and then running ridiculous late race splits at 35k! Sure many of them could run faster if they went out more conservatively. But the rabbits are usually fast and no one is not going with the lead. I love watching these guys race and many times you think they cant maintain those extremely fast splits, but now, the small european city marathons are being run in 207, and then rotterdam and paris the slightly sub elite will be 204s and always really really deep. Then the big marathons, I used to think some of them weren't that deep, but not anymore, at least at London. This year will be intense. I can see almost 2/3 of the guys being capable of 205 flat type race if weather is perfect and pace is fast. I don't think that many will but there is just so many guys, and no clear winner in my opinion. I feel like it will always be a definite race, the big races all have surges way late race, there is always drama. Its exciting sport!. And its so deep now that I just feel like the racing will get better.
I think I got the split wrong, but the point stands. Rotterdam is so underrated. This year has to be considered one of the best.
crystal balls wrote:
1) Sammy Wanjiru, 2:04:10.
2) Martin Lel, 2:04:45
3) Zersenay Tadesse, 2:05:35
Abderrahim Goumri, Emmanuel Mutai and Tsegaye Kebede will also be in contention up to 35Km.
Ritz will run 2:07:30 and will be narrowly beaten by Röthlin, who will set a PR.
just a note rothlin pulled out of the race.
Martin lel 2.03.56
sammy Wanjiru 2.03.58
Zerzeney Tedese 2.04.30 (WR debut)
World record will fall in London.
crystal balls wrote:
Ritz will run 2:07:30 and will be narrowly beaten by Röthlin, who will set a PR.
I read Röthlin won't be able to run London because of a pulmonary embolism.
Sorry, just saw someone already pointed that out.
oooohhhhh i like this and definitely can expect to see this happen :) I also put Kebede there. I really think London is going to pack in a number of guys under 2:05 and 2:06!!!
but Wanjiru seems less shining than last year. Maybe too many races (as someone already pointed out).
It would be interesting to know if is still actually coached by his former Japanese coach or now followed entirely by Rosa (who was already his agent)
Anyway he is such a talent, so he may recover in time for the race...