Sub 2 Hour Marathon definitely impossible?

I am thinking there is a line between "impossible" and "extremely unlikely"....

Especially with some sort of time frame, and especially within the context of "human species" as we currently think we know what that means...

I don't think anyone is saying that some sort of semi-bionic process could not produce something (note I am not using the term someone) that could cover 42.2 K. in under

120 minutes... Actually we can already do it easily....

On Bikes ..... Ahhh.... technology, ain't it great ???

Other than that ... 2 hours for the Marathon is not happening ..

How is this 82 posts long? Sub 2 is impossible. No debate. 4 mins faster than what is currently being run? No, no, no. Not possible without doping.

Must we be taken back to the 4-minute mile barrier? It was impossible to break it until I did. How many have broken it since?

Granted a marathon is a marathon, and a lot has changed in the way of running since my time, but its still a possibility.

Roga Bannister wrote:

Must we be taken back to the 4-minute mile barrier? It was impossible to break it until I did. How many have broken it since?

You could use the same statement to argue that someone will eventually break 1:30 in the marathon, which is ridiculous. Truth is you can\'t run anything in nothing flat (forget who said that). There is certainly a limit; the argument is over where that limit is. Personally, if I had to take someone\'s word on it, I\'d take Tergat\'s.

Oh definitely, the 150-180 mile weeks had to have had some residual effect. But he still may have been faster if he'd gone somewhat easier. Or he may not have. I think he was pretty much on his own that night in Antwerp. And I've wondered what the effect of running at night had. If he was like me it would have helped him.

Everyone must admitt though, it would be cool to look back on Tergat's "impossible" quote, after someone ran sub 2, as another one of those 'It absolutely can't be done' ideas. Classic

fun to think about, and lots of good points

My hunch is that it helped Clayton to run at night.

Some 'experts' state that everyone's body functions

better in the afternoon than the morning.

I tend to believe the scientists on this one because

I'm primarily a morning runner and am definitely a

"morning person". That said, it seems that it is easier

for me to run 30 seconds to a minute per mile faster

in the evening than in the morning.

I heard a great Australian once say 2:10 was impossible.

Sub 2 will happen.

The question is When?

If John Campbell had run Boston In 2:11:04 at age 47 rather than early 40's?

At the age graded scale He would Have run 1:59:30.

It is probable rather than Possible that someone will nail sub 2.

Snatch wrote:

If John Campbell had run Boston In 2:11:04 at age 47 rather than early 40's?

At the age graded scale He would Have run 1:59:30.

It is probable rather than Possible that someone will nail sub 2.

I'm 28. Bekele is not, in truth THAT much faster than Tergat over any track distance so I'm certain that he's not the one to do it. We're looking at 11secs a mile here - thats akin to about 3secs per lap. Imagine the 5000m record suddenly dropping by 36 seconds? Or even a half of that? It seems inconceivable to me that it could happen in my lifetime. Eventually someone will come along with the latent natural ability to do it but will sport even exist by then?

Since Bekele has been mentioned we can look at it this way:

Sub 2 is 105.5 laps at 68.25 per.

That's one hundred five and one half laps.

Bekele's 10,000 record pace was 63.1 seconds.

What if the top ten men marathon runners hook up with the top 10 female marathon runners and each couple has 10 children. Then all of them move out into the country with various rolling hills and they aren't allowed to wear shoes. Then several coaches are employed to train the children as well as several people trained in brainwashing to make them believe they can break 2 hours or that they have already accomplished the feat. Those who grow and are not able to get anywhere close to the barrier or shot and then the process is repeated.

Congratulations. You pass Genetic Engineering 101.

MarathonMind wrote:

Ummm, your statement is kind of ridiculous in itself. Tergat has no dignity to reclaim. He is the current WR holder and something of an authority on what is possible.

Many marathoners have themselves said they think 2:00 is impossible.

Well excuse me, but how would you feel if you had run 2.04.55 and you were asked about someone running a sub 2?

I might feel it was beneath my dignity to even answer such a question. However Tergat, despite being somewhat insulted by the question, was polite enough to answer.

You misunderstood me due to my poorly worded answer.

I should have written:

"Tergat has lost no dignity which needs to be reclaimed."

I think Paul is a great man.

Roga Bannister wrote:

Must we be taken back to the 4-minute mile barrier? It was impossible to break it until I did. How many have broken it since?

Granted a marathon is a marathon, and a lot has changed in the way of running since my time, but its still a possibility.

You need to look at why the hype of the 4 minute mile was there. A handful of people had run under 4:03, some numerous times and couldn't break 4. Bannister and Landy had several attempts that ended in 4:01/4:02 if I remember correctly.

We are not at that point in the marathon. We're 5 minutes away!! When people repeatedly run under 2:02, then we'll be at the same point as with the mile. Right now, talking about going under 2 is comparable with people telling Bannister, Landy, and Santee that they might make it under 3:50 one day.

According to my observation, I don't think it is possible to run asub 2hr. Just imagine, world marathon record relay was ran in 1hr 57mins barely under 2hrs(with combination of different men running their specialty) then, what about one single person! I doubt it. I wish aperson who has run 60 mins in half marathon would tell us how he feels and think about it, if in reality it is possible to make another half 60mins. What I know it is that it is easier said than doing it! As far as Bekele is concerned I think people should know that marathon is adifferent ball game. Geb was better than Tergat on track but Geb has not yet run as fast as him. DONOT forget what LACE AMSTRONG said after running Marathon debut."It was worst than my worst days in tours","I chewed more than I would eat". Geb himself said it is not possible not even 50 years to come....Remember experience is the best teacher.

MarathonMind wrote:

You misunderstood me due to my poorly worded answer.

I should have written:

"Tergat has lost no dignity which needs to be reclaimed."

I think Paul is a great man.

I didn't misunderstand you MarathonMind, you misunderstood me.

Surely an endurance animal could go through the half 2mins slower than half mar PB and continue for the full marathon. 58.00 is certainly possible. Someone like Tadesse could take the marathon to a new level.