Official 2015 Dubai Marathon Live Discussion thread

I wonder how much faster they could all run without those parachutes for bibs on their backs.

Yes, I'm sure the 'Italian coach' has helped him no end. All that core work......

agip wrote:

so many east africans just go for it - there is a huge pack at sub 2:04 pace through 11k - probably one guy or maybe 2 will run the whole thing at this pace.

americans would never just go nuts like that

I think the reason for this in Dubai in particular is that there is little to no appearance money. If you don't finish top 10, you're not getting paid, so guys might as well go for it.

Just imagine being an unknown 2:07-08 guy because there are over 100 people who are faster than you (guessing on the #)

Who is the announcer? Dude doesn't shut up. Rambles on and on.

The rhythm of their HIPS!? Come on, announcer. I WAS feeling bad for you. But now...

DubaiM wrote:

- Flawless stream quality, very clear picture

- no commercial breaks

- knowledgable commentator

- not much time wasted on the womens "race"

- perfect pacing

American Marathons are clown conventions compared to this.

Agreed, this is excellent.

Who is the white guy following the lead pack?

I haven't seen Lelisa Desisa at all so far. Has anyone else? He could be buried in that pack but he's barely been mentioned.

Who is this announcer? He's awful. He's broadcasting in English to people in Europe who are up at like 3 am, to Americans at 10:30 pm and acting like we are people who've never watched a road race before.

I think this is a great course. Minimize turns, hills and dips, and just crank.

Maaan this course is boring as hell, I now understand why the Boston marathon is so popular.

3:01 km, race is slowing down. It's getting warm...

Jonathan Gault wrote:

I haven't seen Lelisa Desisa at all so far. Has anyone else? He could be buried in that pack but he's barely been mentioned.

I saw him within the first 5k. He was almost at the very back. Have seen several shots with him in it

The pacing is almost flawless.

My phone has the humidity up to 76% in Dubai right now. No wind but the sun is rising and it will start to feel warmer.

agip wrote:

so many east africans just go for it - there is a huge pack at sub 2:04 pace through 11k - probably one guy or maybe 2 will run the whole thing at this pace.

americans would never just go nuts like that

Situations are not really comparable. The Americans are NOT as good as the East Africans. 2:04 is a possibility for the EAs. It is not for the Americans.

To make this comparison in any way reasonable you would have to have a race with a whole lot of folks who are between 2:07 and 2:11. Then have the whole pack run at 2:07 pace and see who blows up while 2 hang on to finish around 2:07. I don't know of such a race.

Dewey_Runner wrote:

Maaan this course is boring as hell, I now understand why the Boston marathon is so popular.

^facepalm

Jonathan Gault wrote:

I gotta agree, this is a nice broadcast. Just wish the course was a bit more interesting.

Yeah but you and I would talk about who the favorites are, the women's race. Boston, London, etc.

We woudln't talk about Kenyans and Ethiopians being friends.