Kipchoge officially racing Tokyo - Brigid Kosgei and Sara Hall too!!

This is a big miss by the GOAT. Boston will be the Super Bowl of spring marathons. Actually it will be the Bekele Bowl.

Kenenisa Bekele 2:01:41 (Berlin, 2019) NR Ethiopia
Titus Ekiru 2:02:57 (Milan, 2021) Kenya
Evans Chebet 2:03:00 (Valencia, 2020) Kenya
Lawrence Cherono 2:03:04 (Valencia, 2020) Kenya
Bernard Koech 2:04:09 (Amsterdam, 2021) Kenya
Lemi Berhanu 2:04:33 (Dubai, 2016) Ethiopia
Lelisa Desisa 2:04:45 (Dubai, 2013) Ethiopia
Gabriel Geay 2:04:55 (Milan, 2021) NR Tanzania
Benson Kipruto 2:05:13 (Toronto, 2019) Kenya
Geoffrey Kamworor 2:05:23 (Valencia, 2021) Kenya
Eric Kiptanui 2:05:47 (Apugnano, 2020) Kenya
Bethwell Yegon 2:06:14 (Berlin, 2021) Kenya
Geoffrey Kirui 2:06:27 (Amsterdam, 2016) Kenya
Eyob Faniel 2:07:19 (Seville, 2020) NR Italy
Yuki Kawauchi 2:07:27 (Otsu, 2021) Japan
Albert Korir 2:08:03 (Ottawa, 2019) Kenya
Amanuel Mesel 2:08:17 (Valencia, 2013) Eritrea
Bayelign Teshager 2:08:28 (Los Angeles, 2020) Ethiopia
Tsegay Tuemay Weldibanos 2:09:07 (Daegu, 2019) Eritrea
Scott Fauble 2:09:09 (Boston, 2019) USA
Colin Bennie 2:09:38 (Chandler, 2020) USA
Trevor Hofbauer 2:09:51 (Toronto, 2019) Canada
Jared Ward 2:09:25 (Boston, 2019) USA
Ian Butler 2:09:45 (Chandler, 2020) USA
Mick Iacofano 2:09:55 (Chandler, 2020) USA

Is that why Rupp ain't racing Boston? Ducking since the competition is stingy for a change? For the record he's a legend that's deserving of his Olympic medals. I'm not a hater, just calling out. 

Bekele sub 2 incoming. Eliud will regret not coming to Boston.

In Boston? Give me some of what your smoking.

Oozma kappa= banana bread = sham69

Legit mental disorder. 

I’m dreading the moment the Kipchoge magic ends. Will it be this year or next? The clock keeps running, but it will be a sad day for the sport. I hope he can remain in super elite form long enough to meaningfully race in Boston and NY. I know I have an American centric view, but why would you waste one of your few remaining elite marathons on Tokyo over Boston? Kipchoge doesn’t need the money, does he?

he wants to win all the majors. He's already got London, Berlin and Chicago. NY and Boston to come after his win in Tokyo, presumably.

Agree, that’s his stated goal. It’s just about prioritizing the remaining races. I think most fans would have preferred he tackle Boston first, especially in light of the fields. Kipchoge doesn’t seem to be a person to dodge the best competition and take the wins when they are easiest to get.

Sara Hall just announced she is also racing. Don't see many Americans ever race Tokyo, big fan of her racing more than the traditional spring/fall marathon

The thing is Boston is certain to happen, but Tokyo could still get iffy with all the restrictions. Much better to run Boston first and let Asian countries learn that Covid isn't as dangerous as it was in 2020.

yeah my guess us he’ll do them in this order: Tokyo 22, NYC 22, Boston 23, Berlin 23(?), and Paris 24 (wants that 3rd gold). and then retire.

would’ve loved to see him in the Boston lineup this year though.

Does anyone know if his appearance fee is higher for Tokyo? I bet that was a factor. And Kipchoge has nothing left to prove against anyone. Bekele is 62 years old and will probably drop out anyway.

Do you think there’s a chance Nike will insist he run the wc in Eugene rather than a fall major? I hope not and that you are right about NY.

Tokyo 22

WC 22

NYC 22

Boston 23

Cathal Dennehy said the appearance fee is approaching $1m

any info on the course? 

At this point in Eliud's career, I don't think Nike can tell him where to race. Nike will give him an ultimatum? You don't think Adidas or NB or whoever will give him a boatload of money if he is a 'free-agent'?

The order of WMMs above seems to make the most sense.

Where can you stream it? Doesn’t look like the networks will carry a broadcast. 

Will Rupp be a late entry for Boston?