Des Linden Partnering Up With Galen Rupp As The Official NYC Marathon 2023 Live Commenators

And her reply:

Dumbo - Bible by day, Underground Steroid Bible by night.

Does anyone have any idea how much money Des and Galen will be paid by TCS to appear on screen? Seems like a total waste of money. I think Linden is a spunky runner and I am a fan. I don't really like Rupp but freely acknowledge his impressive accomplishments. However, both of these runners seem like truly terrible choices to provide commentary on the race. Personally, I don't think either of them does a good job on camera.

Time to start a campaign to draft wejo and rojo as official commentators!

Um. No.

I'm going to keep other more personal opinions about behavior quiet, but W and R have made far too many nasty opinions about professional runners based on arbitrary opinions to be credible commentators in an international marathon the size of New York.

They could maybe do it for marathons that don't bring in talent from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Morocco, Japan, Brazil, etc. but for large scale marathons that have a field that is not just Americans, the Johnsons are too jingoistic for that job.

You can't bring in a Kenyan and have him or her winning and only discuss the American you like.

Just to be clear, it's only American Born that matters.

I have been surprised at how terrible Des is as a commentator. It’s not an easy job, I’m sure, but she clearly has no natural gift for it, either. And what a bizarre pairing this is! I’m guessing they are using Des because maybe this is on ESPN, and that is who she does commentary for? While Kara works for NBC? I hope Galen is prepared to provide most of the insight, because we won’t be getting much from Des. We know she has insight to share, but she seems to freeze up behind the commentary mic.

Rupp is going to finally come out of his shell and deliver one of the most verbose and eloquent marathon commentaries ever put to a 21st century television:

"They fly together, three men: Cheserek, Kamworor, and Chebet: stride for stride, breath for breath, wildly intimate and yet fiercely opposed to one another, each striving for victory. Thoughts and hopes flit through the mind of each man, as their lungs burn and legs grow heavy with the weight of great strain and struggle. Back to you, Des."

And then Des is going to go all-in on the blue-collar everyman vibes:

"Geez Galen, I mean these guys are really pushing it out there! Three guys, just like you and me, out for a long November run through the streets of NYC. These guys worked so hard, so many late nights and early mornings, to give the crowds something to cheer for today. Look at'em go! Boy, they must really be pushing!"

very strange bedfellows. Linden went off when Ritz was allowed on her team because of his association with Salazar and the l-carnitine injections. Galen is like ground zero for NOP shenanigans.

Hopefully Galen and Des won’t refer to any of the runners as “they” or “them”.

Rupp should change his cap every time the camera goes off him and the back.

Anyways I've decided I am really rooting for Cam to get his well deserved worldwide moment after all these years.

Kind of like Shalane.

It really is the hardest "Marathon Major" so might be in his wheelhouse

Are you saying that Salazar cheated to win his three NYC Marathons? If you aren't saying this, then it's simply historical fact. Mentioning it is a factual comment and therefore, fair to say.

Galen, please plagiarize this! That would be spectacular.

This MB is simply the chase pack of aging track bros who can't and won't ever catch Des or Rupp. The commentary here is sad, and, misses three key points - first of all they are not solely 'paired' with each other. They will work with the main talent to provide insights into the tactics and strategy as the men's and women's race unfolds. Secondly - the credentials are amazing. You can't find two more experienced and notable American runners who can speak with clairvoyance on the twists of the course and the faces who will compete upon it. And third, these two can also share the nuance of the sport with a global audience in the way ESPN sport-to-sport talent cannot, and, as mentioned, have the credentials to back it up. This MB, more than any other forum, is an example of the running world looking too far up its own ass to see the larger stage for the sport.

The latter. All cheating is cheating.

I don't believe he doped as an athlete.

And yes... Salazar winning is historical fact.

But why do you think people try to avoid discussing Billy Bean? (Beane?)

It's for the same reason.

Because it was cheating.

for me personally Des has been a natural in the booth. As good as kara.

What does Billy Beane have to do with Rupp and Des commentating the NYC marathon?

Good question. It has to do with the suggestion of mentioning Alberto Salazar during the coverage. I'm all for the commenters being Des and Galen.

How is Billy relevant?

Well count me in the minority that's looking forward to this commentary. Des definitely seems like a person that I'd drink a whiskey with. I'm sure there will be dozens of puff pieces to placate everyone here that wants the traditional broadcast but hopefully these 2 runners share the race through their eyes having lived the experience.

He cheated. Nobody mentions him in baseball. He didn't cheat as a player. Nobody should mention Alberto although he didn't cheat as a runner.