Bekele in sub 2:02 shape?

Bekele just needs to get a solid result on the board to rebuild his confidence after his string of disappointments since 2016 Berlin. That's why he ducked Berlin - he didn't want a repeat of London where he blew up trying to hang with Kipchoge's insane early pace. I think he'll be happy with a win in anything under 2:05, and then keep the momentum going for a strong showing in the spring.

SteeeeV wrote:

Bekele just needs to get a solid result on the board to rebuild his confidence after his string of disappointments since 2016 Berlin. That's why he ducked Berlin - he didn't want a repeat of London where he blew up trying to hang with Kipchoge's insane early pace. I think he'll be happy with a win in anything under 2:05, and then keep the momentum going for a strong showing in the spring.

Nailed it.

Banana Bread is not a true believer wrote:

Banana Bread wrote:

I can't wait to see him get the WR. The worst case scenario is a 2:04 course record. He always was the greatest runner. Kipchoge and Mo may have won some battles but Bekele will eventually win the war. I can't wait till Amsterdam. It would be fun to go for a run with Bekele on his warm down around the red light district after his race.

I am surprised you used the past tense. I don't think you really think he can do it.

The Great Pumpkin didn't land in Linus' sincere pumpkin patch due to a slip like that and Bekele won't party with you.

Dude, his account got hacked. Every other post is about soulmates and now he wants to go to the redlight district?

He has the speed to maintain the necessary pace, the question is does he have the endurance to maintain the pace for 2 hours?

Eliud Kipchoge started with 2:05 marathon (Chicago), so did Kenenisa (& Mo Farrah). His fitness can only make the marathon more interesting to follow. Even if he runs 2:02 something, which only two men have ran before, it will make things very exciting for us marathon fans. The only other man I see capable of a 2:02 in the future is Mohammed Farah & the 2018 Dubai marathon champion (including Galen Rupp)

I think Kam will be the one to watch in the future once he starts getting invited to fast courses.

Msubathi wrote:

Eliud Kipchoge started with 2:05 marathon (Chicago), so did Kenenisa (& Mo Farrah).

Farah started with a 2:8 (and that point, I must say I thought he'd never break 2:6).

El Keniano wrote:

I think Kam will be the one to watch in the future once he starts getting invited to fast courses.

Me too.

As for KB, I too am a big fan and I really enjoy watching (or rewatching) his pre 2010 races. But since then, you never know what you're going to get.

KB is already 36. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe no one has ever broken 205 at that age (Geb ran sub 204 at age 35, then the next year a 205 and 206, then after that it was DNF after DNF and a 208).

KB is developing a DNF history in the marathon. I feel he is on the same progression as Geb. Father time is undefeated. If KB tries to run PR or faster, he is doomed to DNF. If he is content in a 206 win, he could do that no problem.

I don't expect much for Kamworor. He will be 2:05 at the fastest. He is overrated here. People bring up his attempts in the 10,000m in 2015 but that was not the same league as Bekele/Tadese/Sihine races.

Tortiose wrote:

Bekele in sub 2:02 shape?

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHA.

No.

sbeefyk2 wrote:

If he was in shape for sub 2:02 he would have raced Kipchoge. You can’t tell me he couldn’t have planned to race a few weeks earlier. He’s ducking Kipchoge for a reason. That Berlin race would have been his best chance for a PR. It’ll be another dud.

100% agreed! His manager put him in a race where he actually might have a chance of winning. He's going to run > 2:05:xx, probably not even get the course record. Hell, at this point, he's more likely to DNF. Calling it here first, BEKELE GOES HOME DEVASTATED!

Bekele in 2:02 shape? More like Bekele talks big and disappoints again.

I wish Bekele the best and hope he achieves what he sets out to accomplish in his race. He is an inspiration, and am glad that I have the opportunity to witness such a great and classy runner.

lolz so hard wrote:

I can't even...

Peter Andersson wrote:

Marathon Running and their next matchup (WC next year, or London, or Berlin, or Tokyo 2020) might actually be the biggest news story in the world for a whole year, possibly two years!

I left the word "athletic" out in "athletic world" to feed the trolls. Thanks for biting! :-)

Regarding "fastest course in the World or not":

This time of year it's hit or miss with the weather and wind - on the right day it might be perfect temp for a good time and the wind could come in right over the last clicks ten klicks. Then anything can happen.

Remember Boston 2:03:02? Frankfurt is record eligeble if something that should happen there.

Also the time of year is a factor in that an autumn marathon is the last chance this year for some runners to prove themselves before going back to basic training. This goes for other marathons too of course. Halfknows can risk running themselves into the ground by going out to hard, in a way they'd be slightly less likely to do in the spring with summer coming up. Sometimes such gambles pay off.

Bekele might not even win it.

its obvious that 200 marathon can be achieved by bekele and kip had they focused on the marathon in their late 20's.

with proper pacing and drafting the current wr would be at least 400 m better, which means a slightly past prime runner is a 200 marathoner now.

consider too that the population of specialized runners is only what? that really attempt the marathon is what? tens of thousands??? from a couple of areas in kenya and ethopia. and japan to some extent...

so if the marathon was as popular as football, with millions of focused athletes , the talent level would dwarf the couple of super stars the event produces. now.

the point, 200 marathon 159 marathon is the reality,... right now.. if the masses of talent goes there....

El Keniano wrote:

Probably won't even win.

As always, words of wisdom from the self-proclaimed ambassador of Kenya. Get off the keyboard and stop spouting nonsense.

2:02:30ish (which is still hype) at best. But not yet I think, his road to a comeback is very long and arduous.

Kijana wrote:

El Keniano wrote:

Probably won't even win.

As always, words of wisdom from the self-proclaimed ambassador of Kenya. Get off the keyboard and stop spouting nonsense.

So we aren't allowed opinions now? And "self-proclaimed ambassador"? Please. I've always been clear my opinions are my own. Contribute to the topic or take a seat, fool.

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