Defending Champ is my choice to win. Amos Kipruto won here then in 2.04.39 after second behind Kipchoge in Tokyo in 2.03.13. Also has a second in Berlin in 2018 and a fourth in Valencia in 2020 in 2.03.30
Current Berlin Champion is my selection to be first lady to finish. Tigist Assefa won in 2.15.37, first half in 68.13 and between 25 and 35k in 31.39.
7th may be Leul Gebresilase, PB of 2.04.02 when second in Dubai in 2018. Second here last year. Third in Amsterdam in 2021 in 2.04.12
Next could be Vincent Kipchumba, runner-up here in 2020 and 21. The latter year is his PB of 2.04.28 behind Sisay.
Vincent is out, so then Legese moves up to 8th and Bekele will be my choice for 9th. Holds the NR of 2.01.41 in winning Berlin in 2019. Is a three time Olympic track Champ: the 5000 and 10000 double in 2008 after Gold over the longer distance in 2004. Also Berlin Marathon Champ in 2016 in 2.03.03 and runner-up London the next year.
Second could be Mosinet Geremew, second at both the last two World Champs. PB of 2.02.55 when second here in 2019. Also second in Chicago in 2018.
Next should be World Champion, Tamirat Tola. Won that in Eugene in 2.05.36. PB when fourth in Valencia in 2.03.40 last Dec. Fourth in NY both 2018 and 19.
Geremew is now out. Looking weaker as the weeks pass by, compared to Boston.
Sixth could be a woman on debut, but not British. Girmawit Gebrzihair. Won the half at RAK last year in 64.14
Eighth may be the other debutant, Eilish McColgan. Has NR's for 5000 on the track, 5K and 10k on the roads. That last record is an AR as well. Best at the half was sixth at RAK last year in 66.26. Can we see a 2.18.xx here?
McColgan now to seventh, then add in Tadu Teshome.
Eighth may be the other debutant, Eilish McColgan. Has NR's for 5000 on the track, 5K and 10k on the roads. That last record is an AR as well. Best at the half was sixth at RAK last year in 66.26. Can we see a 2.18.xx here?
McColgan now to seventh, then add in Tadu Teshome.
Teshome in ninth after Jeptum. Tadu fourth in Valencia last December in 2.17.36 after winning Barcelona the previous year in 2.23.53
Tenth man might be Mo Farah. Has four Olympic golds and six World Champs wins on the track. PB over this classic distance of 2.05.11 when winning Chicago in 2018. That time is still a NR by two minutes plus. Seven of the ten quickest Brits’ times were last century. Mo is now 40yo.
Tenth man might be Mo Farah. Has four Olympic golds and six World Champs wins on the track. PB over this classic distance of 2.05.11 when winning Chicago in 2018. That time is still a NR by two minutes plus. Seven of the ten quickest Brits’ times were last century. Mo is now 40yo.
Next could be Kinde Atanaw. 4th here last year in 2.05.27. PB when winning Valencia in 2019 in 2.03.51
That is Yehualaw. Ran under 2.17.30 twice last year in her first attempts at this classic distance. Won here even though she tripped on a speed bump, fell, and got back up.
Next on debut is Sifan Hassan. Had a huge Worlds on the track in 2019 winning both 1500 and 10000 then Oct that year in Valencia was 2nd behind Teferi over the half. PB at that longer distance in 2018 in Copenhagen when winning in 65.15
Not many hours to go now. Can't wait to see if Hassan is good enough to stay up with the premier marathon runners.
No offense Aussiestatman, I just genuinely think we haven't seen the last of Kelvin Kiptum. We shouldn't underestimate him.
It's likely he'll pull off a 2:01 in London (2:01:50-2:01:59) He'll definitely be more Pace-driven knowing what he's capable of now. Then when he tests the waters in London, he'll likely go to Berlin or Valencia and attempt to go Sub-2:01 (my Prediction is 1:59:55-2:00:30).
I just know Kiptum's momentum is strong right now. Far greater than any other Elite Runners racing in London this year.