Official 2014 Boston Marathon Race Discussion Thread

rojo · 2014-04-21T07:59:52-04:00

It's Patriots Day in Boston and race day is upon us. It should be thrilling. A few comments. We asked our wind expert - John Kellogg (JK) - to comment on the weather. Yesterday morning, when the wind forecast was for a SSW of 7-8 mph, we asked JK how that would impact the race. The course runs mainly West to East but it does go slightly from the south to the North as shown here: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YQsV8uA1vvU/S9G7NqwAawI/AAAAAAAAEJw/702xB5sGJCw/s320/boston-CourseMap.gif Here is what JK wrote: [quote][b]JK wrote:[/b] There should be a tailwind component of 4-6 mph for the race, which in theory would make the times about 55 to 85 seconds faster than they would be if there was no wind. A little bit about wind readings: Unless a weather report specifically indicates the readings are those at ground level, wind speeds can be assumed to be taken 10 meters above ground in open areas (e.g., airports), and the wind speed that runners experience at chest/head level usually ranges from 40% to 80% of the reported speed, depending on surrounding objects (open areas vs. buildings, trees, etc.) and elevation (low sections of road vs. hilltops or overpasses). That's why you'll often see wind gauge readings of 4 mps (about 9 mph) at track meets when current weather reports show a 20 mph wind and it sure feels like it's a lot stronger than you'd expect 9 mph to feel. The wind gauge is actually closer to the ground than the heads and chests of the athletes, so runners are typically experiencing abut 12 mph of wind on a 20 mph wind day (unless the race is in an extremely flat, wide-open area like a prairie or a coastline, in which case the chest-level wind speed could be up to 80% of the reported speed). But for practical purposes, we can usually just use the reported wind speed to make time comparisons against calm conditions. Those comparisons can never be perfect because of the quirky nature of wind and the effects of terrain and surrounding objects. The real world isn't a wind tunnel, so take any prediction about the time benefit of a tailwind as a ballpark estimate.[/quote] The forecast has changed since he wrote that. It's expected to be more of a southerly wind. Last night, it was supposed to be out of the South but now still says SSW and then S. If it was straight out of the South, JK said on the phone it would probably help around 30 seconds versus there being now wind. In summary, the conditions are there for a fast day if the runner's decide to run fast. Temps will be in the 50s and sunny. A little warmer than ideal but a perfect day all told when considering what the spectators want. A few more intersting tidbits that I got from the press conference on Friday but haven't shared yet. I talked to top Ethiopian men's entrants in defending champ Desisa as well as 2:05:27 man Regassa who trains with Desisa. Both said they were in shape, but when I asked Regassa who was in better shape, he didn't hesitate at all. He pointed to Desisa. So the scuttlebutt is he's very much ready to defend. I also talked to Kenya's Kimetto who indicated he was happy with his fitness as well. In terms of getting seeing an American winner in Boston, here's one interesting scenario to consider down the road. Maybe the USA's best bet it to get a citizenship change. I asked LetsRun.com visitor Worku Beyi - the husband and coach of Deba - the Ethiopian woman who lives in the bronx - if they might become US citizens since they live here. He said, "Yes," and revealed he is actually getting his citizenship in October. I then asked if this meant Deba would run for the US in 2016. He thought she'd have to wait 5 years for citizenship (and said she was hoping to get a green card) but I told him I thought cirizenship could be expedited (wasn't it for Khanouchi). As for Desisa, he was outfitted in some sweet red, whie and blue adidas gear. I told him that looked like an American outfit and he said he'd love to get an American passport. Deba is obviously a real candidate. Desisa's mark seemed more like just a friendly statement. In the press room, they hopefully will have a split update each and every mile - much more than what you can get via tracking. I'll try to update them as I get them (and am actually going to be sending them via text to a top coach who asked for my help. If that American wins with a late surge, of course, we will be taking credit for it). I hope everyone enjoys the race - it should be awesome. In case you aren't up to date.

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12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:44am EDT

re: Tubby Tugboat Steamy

Tubby Tugboat Steamy wrote:
Am fairly new to the running scene, but could Jordan hasay be with the frontrunners? I hear so much about her. Could she win the marathon today? why is she not running today?

1/10

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:44am EDT

re: Bush-y

Seriously, they are discussing "what makes up New England?"? wow, some filler. :-\

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:45am EDT

re: rojo

Hall leads the pack? What an idiot! When is he going to learn?

Meb leads the pack? Look at how great Meb is running! What a champ!

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:45am EDT

re: Try the other one

Sketchers got their 30 minutes of advertising

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:45am EDT

tranny check wrote:
half the African's behind Shalane look like dudes.

If this was a beauty pageant maybe that would matter.

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:46am EDT

re: Trollie McSockpuppet

Trollie McSockpuppet wrote:
Tubby Tugboat Steamy wrote:
Am fairly new to the running scene, but could Jordan hasay be with the frontrunners? I hear so much about her. Could she win the marathon today? why is she not running today?
1/10

lol

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:46am EDT

re: ladedah

Larry Rawson just said I live in New England.

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:46am EDT

re: Perspective

Perspective wrote:
Hall leads the pack? What an idiot! When is he going to learn?
Meb leads the pack? Look at how great Meb is running! What a champ!

Meb finishes and starts his marathons

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:46am EDT

re: ladedah

This is pathetic. Meb attacks, and the director doesn't show them. They finally show the pair, and then cut right to a commercial.

Who can we contact to air our grievances?

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:47am EDT

re: Perspective

Perspective wrote:
Hall leads the pack? What an idiot! When is he going to learn?
Meb leads the pack? Look at how great Meb is running! What a champ!

POD.

Boit just entered this race this weekend. 2-time NCAA champ in Arkansas. He's coached by Andrew Kastor - deena's husband.

He's in American and was the top USA finisher at world half.

Mile 9 - 44:10 (5 minutes)

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:47am EDT

re: ladedah

Only 8 women in the lead pack now.

9th and 10th place women are 48 seconds back.

We should see some more peeling off the back soon.

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:47am EDT

re: boughten normalcy & agreeance

Why Flanagan & Hall & Meb insist on getting out front and helping the Africans is beyond me. Just get the F in the pack and chill out for 15 or 20 miles. I'm pullin for all of them but, dam, I can't fathom it.

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:47am EDT

re: ladedah

Desi Linden 2:14 back, 1:11:41. That's far back but that says more about how fast Shalane is going than anything. Desi is right on pace for a fast race and they say she wants to negative split.

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:47am EDT

re: Clerk

whatever happens....sure is exciting and nerve racking to watch!

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:48am EDT

re: Runthemhillsboy

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:48am EDT

Allah wins again! wrote:
I hope Mebrahtom Keflezighi wins! Be funny to have a Muslim winner after last year!

2/10

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:48am EDT

re: rojo

Is it possible that Boit entered to pace Meb? Do they have any history training together, etc.?

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:48am EDT

re: AhSo

AhSo wrote:
Why Flanagan & Hall & Meb insist on getting out front and helping the Africans is beyond me. Just get the F in the pack and chill out for 15 or 20 miles. I'm pullin for all of them but, dam, I can't fathom it.

this^^

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:49am EDT

re: Track_Marathoner_the_real_1

Women's leaderboard at halfway.

Pos. Name BIB Division Age State Proj. finish Proj. daytime Diff Time

1 Flanagan, Shalane (USA) F17 Female 18-39 32 OR 02:18:54 11:50:55AM +00:00 01:09:27

2 Deba, Buzunesh (ETH) F10 Female 18-39 26 02:18:55 11:50:55AM +00:01 01:09:28

3 Dibaba, Mare (ETH) F2 Female 18-39 24 02:18:55 11:50:56AM +00:01 01:09:28

4 Oljira, Belaynesh (ETH) F16 Female 18-39 23 02:18:56 11:50:56AM +00:01 01:09:28

5 Jeptoo, Rita (KEN) F1 Female 18-39 33 02:18:56 11:50:56AM +00:01 01:09:28

6 Sumgong, Jemima Jelagat (KEN) F3 Female 18-39 29 02:18:56 11:50:57AM +00:01 01:09:28

7 Melkamu, Meselech (ETH) F25 Female 18-39 29 02:18:56 11:50:57AM +00:01 01:09:28

8 Cherop, Sharon (KEN) F6 Female 18-39 30 02:18:57 11:50:57AM +00:01 01:09:28

9 Duliba, Aleksandra (BLR) F12 Female 18-39 26 02:20:29 11:52:30AM +00:48 01:10:15

10 Kirwa, Eunice (KEN) F5 Female 18-39 28 02:20:31 11:52:31AM +00:48 01:10:15

11 Ongori, Philes (KEN) F15 Female 18-39 27 02:20:31 11:52:31AM +00:49 01:10:16

12 Kilel, Caroline (KEN) F7 Female 18-39 33 02:22:12 11:54:13AM +01:39 01:11:06

13 Chepchichir, Flomena (KEN) F9 Female 18-39 32 02:22:25 11:54:26AM +01:46 01:11:13

14 Esayias, Yeshi (ETH) F14 Female 18-39 28 02:22:54 11:54:54AM +02:00 01:11:27

15 Linden, Desiree (USA) F8 Female 18-39 30 MI 02:23:23 11:55:23AM +02:14 01:11:41

16 Marchant, Lanni (CAN) F20 Female 18-39 30 ON 02:25:11 11:57:11AM +03:09 01:12:36

17 Burla, Serena (USA) F21 Female 18-39 31 VA 02:26:21 11:58:22AM +03:44 01:13:11

18 Petrova Arkhipova, Tatiana (RUS) F11 Female 18-39 31 02:27:54 11:59:55AM +04:30 01:13:57

19 Nelson, Adriana (USA) F23 Female 18-39 34 CO 02:28:15 12:00:16PM +04:41 01:14:08

20 Thomas, Wendy (USA) F30 Female 18-39 35 CO 02:29:19 12:01:19PM +05:13 01:14:40

21 Higuchi, Noriko (JPN) F22 Female 18-39 28 02:29:27 12:01:27PM +05:17 01:14:44

22 Aparecida da Silva, Adriana (BRA) F24 Female 18-39 32 02:29:28 12:01:28PM +05:17 01:14:44

12 years ago 04/21/2014 9:50am EDT

re: Track_Marathoner_the_real_1

Track_Marathoner_the_real_1 wrote:
AhSo wrote:
Why Flanagan & Hall & Meb insist on getting out front and helping the Africans is beyond me. Just get the F in the pack and chill out for 15 or 20 miles. I'm pullin for all of them but, dam, I can't fathom it.
this^^

this^^

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