The Times are reporting they want to have Kipchoge v Bekele any way they can
Editor's Note - Links here:
https://www.eurosport.co.uk/athletics/_sto7827908/story.shtml
The Times are reporting they want to have Kipchoge v Bekele any way they can
Editor's Note - Links here:
https://www.eurosport.co.uk/athletics/_sto7827908/story.shtml
Heard this earlier today through the Inside Running podcast. Apparently a decision will be made any day now.
Just like the one in Austria or whatever. Sounds good to me. Like another sub 2 drag race.
London has just confirmed this is happening. Elite-only race on October 4. Bekele, Kipchoge, and Brigid Kosgei all entered, with more to come. Mass race cancelled. 2021 edition moved to October.
Here's your future.
Sweet. That's what I hoped would happen. That would be great if some criterium-style races for US elites happen this fall.
Will Bekele and Kipchoge both be able to be on top of their game for the start of October?
20 laps of a St James park means quite hilly for a major marathon. Take the WR off the table for sure, just look forward to some head to head racing.
Bring all the Big guns to London and put on huge prize money. Invite Lelisa, Cherono, Kamwaro for the race too
I hope they told the athletes a long time ago.
I fear Bekele stopped training for the summer and may not be able to get as sharp as he was last year.
Amateur Runner wrote:
Bring all the Big guns to London and put on huge prize money. Invite Walmsley and Rupp for the race too
You left out a couple of people so I fixed it for you.
Lion belt wrote:
I hope they told the athletes a long time ago.
I fear Bekele stopped training for the summer and may not be able to get as sharp as he was last year.
Wasn't Bekele considering Valencia if London didn't happen?
Hills2paythebills wrote:
20 laps of a St James park means quite hilly for a major marathon. Take the WR off the table for sure, just look forward to some head to head racing.
a huge part of me is disappointed. bekele and kipchoge in a race should have a WR record on the line. But then again, if they set up some gimmick loops course with perfect conditions, the record wouldn't be taken seriously. so maybe it's for the best.
I would like to think this means fewer special interest stories and more coverage of the actual race. Maybe now networks will actually show the winning move at mile 22 instead of an interview with some guy trying to break the world record for running a marathon while dressed as a giant pickle.
just mapped it out. looks like anything in st. james would have constant 10 to 20 ft climbs and drops. Smalling rolling hills i guess. the 10 to 20 ft climbs are spread out over 100 to 300 meters or so. very slight.
Intriguing choice of park, I've never run it although we used to do college relays in nearby Hyde Park.
It makes sense if they want to keep crowds away. It is really easy to seal that area off.
high school xc coach wrote:
just mapped it out. looks like anything in st. james would have constant 10 to 20 ft climbs and drops. Smalling rolling hills i guess. the 10 to 20 ft climbs are spread out over 100 to 300 meters or so. very slight.
A course like this would have to favor Bekele provided he turns up in top shape, right?
I guess the only reason I say that is because he’s had so much success in XC and some road races featuring hills, while Kipchoge’s dominance is pretty limited to flat, fast courses. On the other hand, maybe any course that makes the marathon an even more grueling test of endurance will favor Kipchoge.
As always I’ll be rooting for Bekele, but my early prediction is that a younger man spoils the party and beats them both. It would only be appropriate in such an otherwise unpredictable year.
Younger man? Geremew maybe?
Hills2paythebills wrote:
20 laps of a St James park means quite hilly for a major marathon. Take the WR off the table for sure, just look forward to some head to head racing.
Not at all. A quick look on Strava and it will end up around 450ft of elevation gain which I think is less than Berlin. It won't be a WR just because of the circumstances but the course itself is good for a time trial