Very surprised by the comments from Kandie's manager. "I don’t think at the moment Kandie can run 2:03, 2:04. " Maybe the manager meant 2:03,2:04 on NYC course, in which case the point is fair, but from the context provided I thought they were speaking in general. This doesn't make much sense to me - if Kandie, a 57:32 man with amazing consistency over the half marathon distance, isn't confidently in sub 2:05 shape, why is he running a marathon? 62:00 is nearly 4.5 minutes slower than 57:32. If a 60:00 runner wasn't in shape to run 2:09, wouldn't they be universally considered insufficiently fit for the marathon distance?
Secondly, we hear about a longterm, perhaps year long (or longer?) lingering issue for Kandie. So much so that after the marathon his activity needs to stop so that it can heal and he can eventually train without pain. Managing injuries is of course just a part of the sport, and especially a tricky part of marathoning. But for the agent to be so open about this issue makes me think it is actually quite serious, and I just wonder if they're not being a bit unreasonable thinking the knee will stand up to 26.2 miles on a hilly course.
Kandie is only 25, so I am somewhat surprised by the quick turn to the full distance. It seems he could afford to postpone until he has an optimal buildup, and take the time early in his career to be cautious about long term injuries. But of course I'm sure these athletes have tremendous pressure to 'strike while the iron is hot' and so on.
Anyways, I'm a tremendous fan, and I very much hope Kandie produces a magnificent debut. But the candor with which his agent speaks of these issues concerns me. (After all, how many times have we heard from management that an athlete was fit and ready to go, seen a DNF before 20 miles, and then get told that an unruly ankle or a spiteful hamstring has been interfering with training for weeks).