london marathon elite fields to be announced today

what about dubai? wrote:

In reality, rather than Dubai being short, there may be something to the fact that runners in other marathons cover as much as a quarter mile over-distance, due to the inability to run the least tangents inherent in a course with a lot of turns. Conversely, as you said, that problem is minimized at Dubai because it is a relatively straight course.

This guy nailed it.

Weather wrote:

what about dubai? wrote:

In reality, rather than Dubai being short, there may be something to the fact that runners in other marathons cover as much as a quarter mile over-distance, due to the inability to run the least tangents inherent in a course with a lot of turns. Conversely, as you said, that problem is minimized at Dubai because it is a relatively straight course.

This guy nailed it.

And I will add this:

Nearly every other major city marathon in the world is designed to be attracted for the tens of thousands of participants and as such provides an enjoyable tour around the best and most storied parts of the city. Not Dubai. It's the most boring course I've ever seen. Fewer than half a dozen turns? What other course in the world is like that? What other IAAF Gold Label Marathon is like that?

What is more likely:

that Dubai, being flat and with fewer than half a dozen turns and reliably good weather is built to be fast for a few dozen East Africans instead of being enjoyable for the few thousand of amateur participants and that is why it's so lightning fast (along with attracting hungry marathon runners, running only for prize money and if not getting in the money, hoping to come away with a fast time)

OR

they've managed to somehow skirt the IAAF certification process necessary for their status in the series, and the insurance company that guaranteed the $1 million bonuses in Haile's record attempts failed to do due diligence in making sure the course wasn't a centimetre shy of 42,195m?

You get dozens fit runners all hammering away for the dream of $200,000 (remember there's no tax in Dubai) on a flat course with few turns and you will get fast times.

There is a difference between saying (in reference to Dubai course)it is short and it could be short. I totally agree with you on your explanation above and that means that those same runners will find it hard to replicate the times in other courses due to the many curves and turns. The problem is not really running longer distance but the fact that they have to slow down as they approach turns(hence losing lots of seconds and maybe even a minute).

Biwott is a good bet, his win in Paris was super impressive, CR and without pacemakers or any other company for the last 12km...

what about dubai? wrote:

In reality, rather than Dubai being short, there may be something to the fact that runners in other marathons cover as much as a quarter mile over-distance, due to the inability to run the least tangents inherent in a course with a lot of turns. Conversely, as you said, that problem is minimized at Dubai because it is a relatively straight course.

I think there is some truth to that statement.

Perhaps other, flat and reasonably fast courses, could reduce the extra distance run by defining the limits of the course using a line painted on the ground (or some other low barrier), rather than the high crowd control barriers (often lined with spectators)?

The current system forces runners to run turns at less than the minimum radius. In theory, such a new course could even be *faster* than a straight course, because by leaning into the bend, runners would not have to carry their centre of mass over the full distance, but in practice, it probably would only come close to a straight course.

I would be excited but I don't get universal sports so I can't watch the race.

I live in bloody New York City and I can't watch the London Marathon. Ridiculous. USATF should do something - this can't be good for running.

Where is Gebrasalasasisi

agip wrote:

I would be excited but I don't get universal sports so I can't watch the race.

I live in bloody New York City and I can't watch the London Marathon. Ridiculous. USATF should do something - this can't be good for running.

What do you want USATF to make your television provider do?

Left Said Fred wrote:

agip wrote:

I would be excited but I don't get universal sports so I can't watch the race.

I live in bloody New York City and I can't watch the London Marathon. Ridiculous. USATF should do something - this can't be good for running.

What do you want USATF to make your television provider do?

not sure exactly, but if the new head of USATF wants to make running more marketable he has to think about this sort of new media problem. A big part of the richest, largest media market is now effectively shut out of track. No marathon majors (except nycm), no diamond league.

Maybe USATF could 'sponsor' the pay per view webcasts of marathon majors and diamond league and the World Champs meat or something like that. Because Universal Sports does webcast, but they won't even let you PAY for it unless you get Universal Sports at home. It's just stupid - they are leaving money on the table.

////????//// wrote:

Then again, who knows if the cobbles could play into the Ugandan's favour again.

No cobblestones on the regular London course.

Abel Kirui mentioned on his Facebook page he has committed to London. There are a couple conflicting lists out there...any clarifications?

I've committed. Let me show you how crystal clear I am.

Here is the reason why Radcliffe set the WR in London and why the current crop of men can't:

Radcliffe was smart enough to run the tangents on the London course.

This current crop of mens runners are SOLELY focused on marking their man and/or dropping him to the point where they are only looking at the lead car or their competitors. As a result, they fail to realize that running the tangent will save them seconds. As others have pointed out, Dubai is relatively straight meaning that it is a lot harder to lose ground as you are racing.

Just to show how stupid some guys can be, watch Kithuka vs Sambu from the Mt Sac 10000 last year - EASILY translates to the roads and even XC

geb_fan wrote:

Where is Gebrasalasasisi

haile geb is running the vienna half marathon in april.

if all goes as planned by London & WADA, dirty record times will be run again continuing to make marathoning the most doped up joke in sports.

////????//// wrote:

Just to show how stupid some guys can be, watch Kithuka vs Sambu from the Mt Sac 10000 last year

Before I look it up, what happened there?

Paula is going to go for a whole year since april 15th 2012 without any racing. she is crazy.

What's next for Paula after 1:12:03 half marathon no more races but no retirement?

Yoko Shibui (2:19:41 PB) to run London Marathon.

https://twitter.com/Kyodo_News_EN/status/311328283390251008

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/athletics/news/p-sp-tp0-20130312-1096491.html

(Japanese)