Official 2020 London Marathon Women's Race Live Discussion Thread

Hardloper wrote:

100% have a beer. I'm about to have one.

sounds like a solid plan. :)

terrible weather there. no top results possible. i'm beginning to believe that bekele not only has an injury problem because of the shoes (see above), but also saw no point in starting because of the weather forecast.

FatSlowOldGuy wrote:

No I mean I thought they introduced rules to stop prototypes and they said she got special permission to wear them.

yeah this is stupid. The point of the rules is to prevent this.

gaz_ultra wrote:

3) Mara Yamauchi is the female commentator on the British (presumably international) feed

Yes if you have the correct BBC feed you get Mara (2.23 runner). If you watch the other stream for the general public its not designed for serious fans.

Yes I got that. But other than to make RoJo lose his it and need another beer what was the point in introducing a rule you can't use prototypes and they have to be available to the public if you can just ask permission to break the rule and they say ok

Huge slowdown for the leaders. They just ran a 17:02.

So it’s OK for her to wear prototypes but no one else? Sounds like cheating.

Steph Twell drops out

I mentioned earlier about Britain's Steph Twell appearing to struggle a bit. It's bad news now as she stops on the side of the road, and it looks like a leg injury.

Natasha Cockram is leading the British challenge so far.

A difficult Sunday morning for Twell

8:46am

'I've got faster since having my sons'

Eight years after her last appearance in the race, 41-year-old mother of two Helen Davies is in today's elite race and eyeing an “outside chance” of making next year’s Olympics.

She spoke to Ben Bloom prior to the race about her unconventional running route.

“You’re thinking you’re getting close to the age where you should be hanging up your racing shoes and perhaps waving goodbye to your competitive years.“Actually I’m still improving since having the boys and being slightly older. I’m loving it."

She's running solidly today so far but is currently outside the Olympic qualifying mark though the half-way stage.

8:38am

Women's only world record on the cards?

This is undoubtedly a fast course and the weather doesn't seem to be hampering these two Kenyans as they aim to break that women's only record of 2:17:01. Through 25km and the clock reads 1hr21mins17secs. They're very much within range here.

8:32am

Brit watch

Steph Twell, who already has the Olympic qualifying time, and is sticking to her trusty rain jacket, has dropped off the group she was with. Looks like she is starting to struggle here.

Better news for Lily Partridge and Natasha Cockram, meanwhile, who are leading the way for the Brits. Still a long way to go though and all could change.

Twell was reported to have struggled with fasciitis over the summer

8:25am

Half-way mark

For the first time, Kosgei looks like it might be a bit of an effort as world champion Chepngetich pushes slightly ahead. But the world record holder moves back in touch onto her shoulder. Little bit of tactics?

8:19am

Here's the Queen...

In cardboard version, of course. Not even the Queen of England is above the rules to spectate on this socially distanced running bubble.

One wishes you well!

One wishes you well! CREDIT: PA

8:16am

Lap attack

As the lead athletes (Kosgei and Chepngetich) approach the hour mark, we have our first lapping of athletes, which was always going to happen with this course set up. British Olympian Alyson Dixon steps diligently out of the way to let the Kenyans pass.

8:14am

'It's not all glamour'

The Telegraph's athletics correspondent Ben Bloom is among the lucky few allowed into the race bubble today to report on matters. While he's obviously delighted to be reporting on live athletics action once again (it's been few and far between this year for him) the cold weather and rain is not to his liking. At least his social distancing tracker is working though...

I have a flask of tea, a scarf and hat on, a Bump device that beeps whenever we get within 1.2m of someone else, and the sound of the rain on the tent is so heavy that you can't have a conversation!

Not Ben Bloom, just the broom man back again to sweep up the rain

8:09am

Kosgei and Chepngetich forge ahead

Valary Jemeli has dropped off the lead group now, with Brigid Kosgei and Ruth Chepngetich - the two pre-race favourites - pushing the pace. They look comfortable, so much so they are chatting between each other behind the pace maker. I would definitely not be doing that 10 miles in. But then I'm not a very good runner....

8:05am

Lead group

A long way to go, but the leaders are bringing the pace down to within range of a women's only marathon record. That would be some feat considering the conditions today and race set up

8:02am

Kenyan 1-2-3

The leading pack is now three: Brigid Kosgei, Ruth Chepngetich and Valary Jemeli, a group that includes the world record holder, world champion and an equally experienced champion in Jemeli, who set a new course record at last year's Frankfurt Marathon.

The leaders pass in front of Buckingham Palace

7:57am

All hail the broom man

I have a feeling this individual is in for a busy day. But keeping the course clear for the runners is super important, even if there is no danger of spectators getting in the way.

Someone's got to do it

7:51am

10km times

Fair to say the Kenyans are leading the way so far. As was largely expected.

Brigid Kosgei goes through 10km in 32mins25secs, the same as Ruth Chepngetich. Fellow Kenyans Vivian Kiplagat, Shelia Chelangat and Valary Jemeli just a second slower.

7:48am

A quicker mile

Pace has definitely picked up here as the athletes go through mile six in 5mins08 - world record pace.

I'll have the 10km splits shortly as the leaders reach the 15 laps to go mark with 32mins57secs on the clock.

7:44am

16 laps to go

The athletes are running in a clockwise direction today, which for the usual track runners is a little different for them.

Things just starting to break up a little at the front but Brigid Kosgei is safely nestled in behind the pace makers.

7:35am

Prince Harry gets stuck in...

...to cheering on the virtual marathon runners in Los Angeles where he now resides.

The Duke of Sussex is patron of The London Marathon Charitable Trust but I'm pretty sure he's not donning his trainers and getting involved too. If he is, I'll be sure to let you know.

A Royal well wisher

A Royal well wisher CREDIT: PA

7:30am

Brit watch

Steph Twell is sitting in among the second group that has formed in the race. Pace makers with them are running to Olympic qualifying time.

7:29am

You're not a real fan!

Football grounds, rugby grounds, London Marathon....those cardboard fans are certainly dedicated! Race organisers have decided to employ cutout spectators attached to poles along the side of the route. It's all about the atmosphere....

Back to the race, meanwhile, defending champion Kosgei is in the lead group as you would expect.

7:25am

Race route

For those expecting to see the usual London Marathon landmarks, think again. If you don't already know, today's elite race is being run on a closed, looped course around St James's Park to adhere to social distancing and coronavirus protocols.

Laps for days

7:21am

Just over a mile completed

The women have passed under the finish line for the first time, just another 19 laps to go....

7:20am

Olympic qualification

Steph Twell and Lily Partridge are among the Brits enjoying being able to run again today. Twell has already dipped inside the Olympic qualifying standard of 2:29:30 during the required window but Partridge needs to do so. Today would be a good start - although this weather may hinder things.

Speaking before the race: "I need to focus on qualifying, whether that be from a top-10 finish or getting inside the 2:29:30. My run in 2018 got me both of those so a repeat would be great."

Partner Ben Connor makes his debut in the men's race, more on him later.

7:16am

WOMEN'S ELITE RACE UNDERWAY

And it's straight into a corner on this flat looped race. The pace makers immediately getting to work.

7:15am

Women on the start line

Names to look out for

7:14am

Wet wet wet

It's beginning to lighten up over London but there's no getting away from that rain. Gabby Logan, leading the BBC coverage, is wrapped up in a thick parka coat.

donkey doug wrote:

rojo wrote:

Your IP shows US, open up the NBC Sports app and you can watch it with commentating i believe.

Always amazed when ROJO doxxes his own users. HUGE internet no-no.

That's why the VIP Subscriber scheme went so well.

Live without paying $99

streak wrote:

FatSlowOldGuy wrote:

No I mean I thought they introduced rules to stop prototypes and they said she got special permission to wear them.

yeah this is stupid. The point of the rules is to prevent this.

You mean convoluted 'running rules' that some big bad corporation tries to purchase and strong-arm to try and tell people what they can and cannot run in?

RUN FREE, FRIENDS!

Ok. It's time to drin. Just before 1:32 Lindsay Flanagan has been lapped.

Who is on the various BBC broadcasts? I may try to switfch my IP to listen to that.

Here isthe entire field at halfway.

Pos.NameRunning NumberCategoryPred. FinishDiffTime

1KIPLAGAT, Vivian (KEN)1:08:11

2CHEPNGETICH, Ruth (KEN)1:08:12

3KOSGEI, Brigid (KEN)1:08:13

4JEMELI, Valary (KEN)1:09:06

5CHIRCHIR, Evaline (KEN)1:09:08

6BEKERE, Ashete (ETH)1:09:08

7MEGERTU, Alemu (ETH)1:09:57

8CHERUIYOT, Vivian (KEN)1:10:01

9HALL, Sara (USA)1:10:27

10CHELIMO, Edith (KEN)1:11:43

11DIVER, Sinead (AUS)1:11:46

12SEIDEL, Molly (USA)1:12:26

13MCCOLGAN, Eilish (GBR)1:12:26

14ROCHA, Carla Salome (POR)01:12:26

15STEYN, Gerda (RSA1:12:37

16MYKHAYLOVA, Darya (UKR)1:12:38

17FLANAGAN, Lindsay (USA)1:13:15

18NESBITT, Jennifer (GBR)1:14:31

19JELAGAT, Nancy (KEN)1:14:31

20PASHLEY, Ellie (AUS)1:14:31

21PARTRIDGE, Lily (GBR)1:14:31

22COCKRAM, Natasha (GBR)1:14:33

23UMMELS, Bo (NED)1:14:43

24JONES, Tish (GBR)1:14:43

25TWELL, Stephanie (GBR)1:14:47

26MITCHELL, Naomi (GBR)1:14:51

27BARLOW, Tracy (GBR)1:14:57

28DAVIES, Helen (GBR)1:17:34

Looking at that. Her'es what catches my eye? What happened to Cheruyiot? Glad to see Hall went with it. Seidel is doing better than I thought.

VIP content provider wrote:

donkey doug wrote:

Always amazed when ROJO doxxes his own users. HUGE internet no-no.

That's why the VIP Subscriber scheme went so well.

Live without paying $99

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcbrXtvyHTA

It was great while it lasted (23 minutes). Can you start another?

sarah hall moved up to fifth!

Those who planned for this 19+lap course have no clue about running. Their ignorance is heightened more by their hype for world record times on this course. Anything more than 10 loops in a marathon is torture for athletes. 4 loops is perfect. Expect athletes to slow down significantly in the later part of the race. Men's race will likely be 2:04 at best with many athletes dropping out. Women will be 2:20 at best. Sounds like mud thrown at organizers but this is an area athletes have no control but surrender to fate.

Women are slowing. 5:34 for the last mile split.

Hall up to 5th at 30k (2:21:21 pace)! Great running for her.

Chepngetich and Kosgei continue to slow -- they're on 2:18:16 pace through 30k.

Sara in 5th!

HALL IS IN 5th!

Hall's 25-30k: 16:57

Kosgei's 25-30k: 17:02

hr measurement wrote:

It was great while it lasted (23 minutes). Can you start another?

You get what you pay for :-)