"Prague is known the world over for our world-class, record-setting competitive races. And when COVID-19 forced us to cancel them, tens of thousands of runners who had hoped to visit this magnificent city, planning to participate were disappointed. And so were we. This is what we live for.
So we set out to create another type of event altogether. A one-of-a-kind race that would signal to the world that the running spirit was alive and well in the Czech Republic. A race that would inspire other organizations to chart new courses for the future of running. And that would be a sign to cities everywhere that even COVID-19 has a finish line.
Our proposal? An exclusive, star-studded half marathon limited to 35 of the most celebrated distance runners in the world today. Men and women will compete separately, running on a flat, fast oval course through Letna Park in Prague. 16.5 laps. A course and a field designed to wage an all-out assault on current world record.
The men will set their sights on breaking 58:30, a time surpassed only twice in history. The women will be looking to shatter the current world record time of 01:06:11 in women-only race.
Start time for the men’s event is slated for 6:20. The women will start at 8:00. Weather permitting. Czech TV will broadcast the event live via satellite and global streaming. "
https://www.runczech.com/en/events/prague-21.1-km/
https://www.runczech.com/file/edee/en/media/press-release/restart_pr_eng.pdf
Official Prague 21.1 KM Discussion Thread - Women's Only Half Marathon WR Attempt
Report Thread
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It seems like an Adidas P.R. stunt as all the athletes are sponsored by Adidas and new shoes will be presented at the race.
Will it be as successfull as Sub2? I doubt that. -
Kandie Kibiwott big favourite, outstanding talent
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Four days, 35 profiles, where did this come from? Talk about 'out of the blue'. I am glad Sept 1 is not April 1.
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Meanwhile, the Letsrun front page hasn't been updated for 16 hours and you wouldn't know anything as big as this is even on!
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Aussiestatman wrote:
Meanwhile, the Letsrun front page hasn't been updated for 16 hours and you wouldn't know anything as big as this is even on!
Meanwhile Rhonex Kipruto is the big absentee, while his brother will act as a pacemaker. What is going on?? Rhonex is not fit? Injured?
Worth noticing, Kibiwott Kandie took up professional running just 3 years ago(although he once was considered a local prodigy while in school)..and ran a 1:03 half after only 10 weeks of training. Powerful and very efficient, i see Kandie doing something special on saturday if weather allows. (Ran 58:58 with a ridiculous 2:35 last km in Rak where it was 75F and the dew point was also close to 65, definitely not ideal for a half) -
Mzungu in Iten wrote:
Aussiestatman wrote:
Meanwhile, the Letsrun front page hasn't been updated for 16 hours and you wouldn't know anything as big as this is even on!
Meanwhile Rhonex Kipruto is the big absentee, while his brother will act as a pacemaker. What is going on?? Rhonex is not fit? Injured?
Worth noticing, Kibiwott Kandie took up professional running just 3 years ago(although he once was considered a local prodigy while in school)..and ran a 1:03 half after only 10 weeks of training. Powerful and very efficient, i see Kandie doing something special on saturday if weather allows. (Ran 58:58 with a ridiculous 2:35 last km in Rak where it was 75F and the dew point was also close to 65, definitely not ideal for a half)
I just chose my top 5 and have him at 3 behind Andamlak Belihu and Stephen Kiprop. My top 7 women starts with Edith Chelimo and Dorcas Tuitoek. -
Aussiestatman wrote:
Mzungu in Iten wrote:
Aussiestatman wrote:
Meanwhile, the Letsrun front page hasn't been updated for 16 hours and you wouldn't know anything as big as this is even on!
Meanwhile Rhonex Kipruto is the big absentee, while his brother will act as a pacemaker. What is going on?? Rhonex is not fit? Injured?
Worth noticing, Kibiwott Kandie took up professional running just 3 years ago(although he once was considered a local prodigy while in school)..and ran a 1:03 half after only 10 weeks of training. Powerful and very efficient, i see Kandie doing something special on saturday if weather allows. (Ran 58:58 with a ridiculous 2:35 last km in Rak where it was 75F and the dew point was also close to 65, definitely not ideal for a half)
I just chose my top 5 and have him at 3 behind Andamlak Belihu and Stephen Kiprop. My top 7 women starts with Edith Chelimo and Dorcas Tuitoek.
Definitely safer bet with Belihu and Kiprop, more experienced on the world stage, proven runners. However, for me Kandie is the dark horse, probably much more talented than both of them, maybe more talented than Kamworor(?), we will see, weather should be very good at 6AM, not ideal, but very good. -
OK, it's a PR stunt for Adidas but at least it's a genuine race under record eligible conditions. Adidas need to make a statement with their shoe, having WR holders will help push these to the masses. It's a shame their big names aren't involved, I'd love to have seen what Rhonex could do over 13.1
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Quickest fifth ever in a women's half [run with the men] is 66.14. That is under threat here. I am guessing most pundits would think it will be Peres v Melly. I beg to differ. I have written elsewhere that Edith Chelimo is one of only two distance runners with 6 half results under 68 min. The other is the WR holder.
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It would be epic to see Bekele. I can't wait to see him in London. I think a WR is on the cards. I hope his training has been going as well as it was up to the London Half
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If they break the HM WR, can they please then keep jogging for 90 seconds and also break Mo Farah's 1-day-old (if successful) hour record?
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runderun wrote:
OK, it's a PR stunt for Adidas but at least it's a genuine race under record eligible conditions. Adidas need to make a statement with their shoe, having WR holders will help push these to the masses. It's a shame their big names aren't involved, I'd love to have seen what Rhonex could do over 13.1
Likely associated with release of Adidas Adios Adizero Pro “super shoe”- ie “Majambo” -
Did you guys notice Henry Rono is on the start list and apparently ran 60:04 earlier this year? Not bad for a guy pushing 70.
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John Wesley Harding wrote:
Did you guys notice Henry Rono is on the start list and apparently ran 60:04 earlier this year? Not bad for a guy pushing 70.
Age is just a number! -
you must enter a username wrote:
If they break the HM WR, can they please then keep jogging for 90 seconds and also break Mo Farah's 1-day-old (if successful) hour record?
POTD -
Via David Monti:
Prague 21.1 KM Update:
The following women have scratched:
. Joan Chelimo (KEN) - inflammation of right foot
. Netsanet Gudeta (ETH) - fell when training & hurt her knee
. Dorcas Tuitoek (KEN) - inconclusive #COVID19 test -
"Looking to shatter the current WR of 1:06.."
Which is like two minutes slower than the WR that everyone cares about. I'd prefer if they just ran on a loop course with pacers and set a blistering overall WR, like hopefully Bekele or Eliud do in London. -
Aussiestatman wrote:
Quickest fifth ever in a women's half [run with the men] is 66.14. That is under threat here. I am guessing most pundits would think it will be Peres v Melly. I beg to differ. I have written elsewhere that Edith Chelimo is one of only two distance runners with 6 half results under 68 min. The other is the WR holder.
No threat any more. Fourth may not be under 68.30. -
Aussiestatman wrote:
Aussiestatman wrote:
Quickest fifth ever in a women's half [run with the men] is 66.14. That is under threat here. I am guessing most pundits would think it will be Peres v Melly. I beg to differ. I have written elsewhere that Edith Chelimo is one of only two distance runners with 6 half results under 68 min. The other is the WR holder.
No threat any more. Fourth may not be under 68.30.
Under four hours until the women start
