POLL yes or no, will Mo debut faster than Bekele?

No, no, no 2.06.6

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/73618000/jpg/_73618455_73618454.jpg

Mo will run faster than Bekele. At this stage in their careers Mo is simply the better runner. Bekele has lacked full motivation for a while now and I think it's too late to expect a sensational marathon from him - very good , yes , but not sensational. This is what Farah WILL produce in London. As I have said before:- why would Mo run a marathon unless he was ultra confident he was going to be at least as good at it as he is at 5K & 10K?

mark b wrote:

As I have said before:- why would Mo run a marathon unless he was ultra confident he was going to be at least as good at it as he is at 5K & 10K?

$1.2million a good enough reason?

You're not confident at all. I'm not saying you won't bring it. I'm saying you won't win it.

Whenever people talk about Mo, I think it is hilarious when they say he is a middle distance runner who happens to race the 10k. Where were all these experts before he ran the 3:28?

Amazing athlete wrote:

Whenever people talk about Mo, I think it is hilarious when they say he is a middle distance runner who happens to race the 10k. Where were all these experts before he ran the 3:28?

No kidding. Meb's best PR is the 10,000 and Dathan's is the 5,000, still. They will hate on Mo in any way they can, and apparently calling him a mid-distance runner is one of those ways.

Amazing athlete wrote:

Whenever people talk about Mo, I think it is hilarious when they say he is a middle distance runner who happens to race the 10k. Where were all these experts before he ran the 3:28?

Mo Farah is mentioned as a mid distance runner in this thread from 2006

There is one quite simple reason as to why he won't have a good debut: he doesn't actually want to do it. Before the trolls let rip on me for this, let me explain myself.

Before London 2012, he signed a contract to run the 2013 London marathon. Then, he goes and wins double gold and is currently absolutely minted, obliterating the original purpose of VLM2013 (not expecting to do so well, it was a really good guaranteed payday). Once this happened however, he wanted to go back on his contract as he realised that he was actually quite good at this track lark. London agreed to let him off running the whole thing on two conditions; that he ran half of it in 2013, and the whole thing in 2014.

I really wouldn't expect to see him taking to marathons seriously for quite some time. Expect a big blow up at 32k; he gets his payday if he reaches 30.

Yes. Bekele is a bit over the hill, compared to his 26:17 days. He's a high 26 guy now. Mo should still be able to do better and on a faster course.

No - he has said he is looking for 2:07.

No

Yep. Mo is boss.

No. I think he will run 2:07 and get the UK record.

This thread would have been more useful before Bekele's race.

Think no.

The Brits might be out to play games on all of us! Remember Mo has a twin brother with striking resemblance. Knowing how the marathon course is full of corners and sharp turns, is it possible they plan on having the twin run a portion of the distance while Mo is given a lift only to show up at 38km for a 4km kick to win the race easy? I can smell a fish on these Brits!

mark b wrote:

Mo will run faster than Bekele. At this stage in their careers Mo is simply the better runner. Bekele has lacked full motivation for a while now and I think it's too late to expect a sensational marathon from him - very good , yes , but not sensational. This is what Farah WILL produce in London. As I have said before:- why would Mo run a marathon unless he was ultra confident he was going to be at least as good at it as he is at 5K & 10K?

BobbyM wrote:

No.

Farah is a fraud of a champion winning championships with a kick against 2nd tier competition. Bekele is the real deal.

You're right. He cheated. He should have run his races he way you wanted.

Bekele always looked dominant as a racer because he was flat out faster than the field... by a lot. He was no master tactician. Farah bu contrast is great tactically with terrific closing speed. His PR's are not in line with his racing accomplishments (though they are very good). I expect Farah to run fast because after Geb and Bekele, not many people have done on the track what Farah has done. But Farah has been able to do what he has for different reasons than they have. I expect a great debut, but not sub-2:05.

Mo will never win the hearts and minds of Letsrun residents

If he wins London they will say :

1 he was pulled by experienced marathoners to the finish line

2 was on dope

3 Bekele was not there to kick his ass/ he dogged Bekele

4 his home town crowds helped him

5 the race was slow and he sat and kicked at the end(as he usually does ) lol

6 he used voodoo/ black magic to win

7 other marathoners didnt want to embarrass him in his hometown and let him win