Official 2024 Boston Marathon LIVE Thread

"one hour and 19 minutes" :)

Talbi falling off. Of course a podium finish is still possible if others blow up and he doesn’t.

Sondre Moen is on 2:05:53 pace in 10th. Elkanah Kibet is on 2:06:19 pace and CJ Albertson 2:07:41 pace.

Lemma has a 1:49 advantage through the half. He’s going to struggle at some point but we can’t assume an athlete of his caliber is going to lose all of that lead. I’m pulling for him to be rewarded for his boldness, personally.

Need a top 5 finish. Currently 6 runners still holding on to the lead pack (including Lemma who is obviously far ahead). I expect one of the Americans will finish top 10 because there is gonna be carnage this second half, but it's gonna be hard for 2 more of the lead pack to fall apart. Not a bad runner among them.

Equal coverage would be an improvement

Born yesterday, friendo?

He is thinking "With a performance like this, there is no way I get left off the team!"

I don’t think the FCC gives a sh.t about this. The broadcasters do it because they obviously think it’s in their financial interest to give fair time to the wheelchair races. Whether that’s because it attracts viewers, advertisers or both, I don’t know. But if you have an opinion, tell the station. That’s surely what fans of wheelchair marathons did when they didn’t get to see the races in the past.

Now fun to watch CJ move up, 18th 15k to 14th Half.

Emma feeling it?

He's the 2nd fastest Ethiopian in history, 4th fastest human in hsitory. He thinks he can hold it. He's running by feel.

The first half is way downhill and there is a tailwind.

If the wind is worth a minute, going out on sub 2:01 for the downhill first half is far from crazy.

Obiri's form is so godawful compared to Bates' incredibly efficient perfect form, crazy how it doesn't translate to mean anything.

Peeked over at the Citius coverage, while a nice service, they are having trouble comprehending how much aid the downhill first half and tailwhind makes this fast start not so surprising.

Sure, but that positioning (hunched over like that) has got to be very unnatural/bad for the spine. Also, crashing is dangerous. Also, could you imagine training in your city in racing wheelchair? could be hit by cars. Overall, it's a risky sport.

Sure, fewer athletes than running, but still. You'd have to be tough. Plus, no one to talk to when you're training.

Lemma 4:27 split, sheesh.

I have no idea what you are talking about. Sure, in 2013, Hug won 5 golds in the World Championships - 400, 1500, 5000, 10000 and Marathon. But...he only got silver in the 800.

When they set course record in 2011 they hit halfway in 1:01:58 (but had a huge tailwind)

The chase pack was in 1:02:08 today but Lemma is 1:49 ahead of them.

The question now is what happens on mile 17 when he starts going up hill.

Downhill through mile 16. Then mostly uphill till 21.

Women at the hour mark with a huge lead pack and Emma Bates still leading.

There are 26 wheelchair men in 2024. There are about 15,000 men in the marathon. They get equal amount of screentime and prize money. When you Advocate for "EqUiTy" just know this is the insanity you get.

LOL. This John guy is slipping up all over the place. Not the worst I've heard, but definitely someone who isn't dialed in on the race. Not surprising given how little running they're showing.

I think he might break 2. He looks awfully controlled, and with the tailwind, I bet he could do it.