2:10 is still a solid marathon time. I would consider a 2:10 marathon runner to be “world class,” although it’s probably borderline now at best. You won’t be anywhere near to winning any major marathon let alone a World Major. As OP pointed out, literally a mile+ off the winner. But it takes years of training and dedication to run that fast.
That said, American marathon stagnation remains a mystery to me. American 10,000m performances have improved dramatically since the mid-70s, yet CJ’s first sub-2:10 and first American at Boston celebration (which I think are great) look like marks from 45 years ago.
Our 10K guys are hanging on to track for too long. The marathon has become a speed event and guys should not be waiting until age 30+ to give it a go. Especially any US male over age 24 still running 27:45 or slower.
Well, Kelvin Kiptum (RIP) just set the current record at 23. For the women, Tigst Assefa is not yet 30 and Hassan is barely in her 30s. Not really a "stupid take" when lots of young guns are succeeding at the marathon, I know Kipchoge and Bekele reached their peak at 37, but that's the exception and not the rule. Even Kimetto ran 2:02:57 at just 30, which is still an all time great mark considering it was run before super shoes
Yeah, at an even pace, 2:10:00 is 1.9 miles behind 2:00:35.
True.
To answer the OP's question, to run a marathon in 2:10 after coming through the 23.7 mile mark in 2:00 is absolutely phenomenal, and I would 100% expect such a runner to devote their career and whole life to training.
Yeah, at an even pace, 2:10:00 is 1.9 miles behind 2:00:35.
True.
To answer the OP's question, to run a marathon in 2:10 after coming through the 23.7 mile mark in 2:00 is absolutely phenomenal, and I would 100% expect such a runner to devote their career and whole life to training.
That’s great that you are willing to pick up the lost income CJ gets coaching a college team. His family thanks you!
Our 10K guys are hanging on to track for too long. The marathon has become a speed event and guys should not be waiting until age 30+ to give it a go. Especially any US male over age 24 still running 27:45 or slower.
27:45 will not get the job done if it has become a speed event as you say. We need someone with sub 26:50 speed to switch right away.