Could Hicham El Guerrouj break 2:08 in the marathon?

Two people:Rod Dixon,Pat Carrol.

Former World indoor 1500m champion Haile Geb. seems to be having no dramas breaking 2.08 even with his "fast twitch" fibres.

Could he? With training maybe. Will he? No.

A lot of it depends on his durability. There have been lots of runners with great speed to never touch sub 2:20, but others with slower speed to run 2:20. Didn't that Miles and Miles guy on here run 2:22 with a 31:30 10k best or something like that?

We assume someone can make that great leap because he's so good at the mile, but you never know. On the same train of thought some of the greatest high school milers went on to become marathon runners. Also, some of the more mediocre (4:30-40/9:30-10:00) high schoolers have went on to become great marathoners.

It's one of those questions that you really can't answer because there is just so much variation on the training/racing backgrounds of elite marathoners.

Alan

Hicham can win whatever event he wants. After all he beat the fastest man ever over 5k and 10k at the athens games in the 5k. if he wanted to pursue the marathon he would destroy everyone at that as well with the appropriate training.

The Olympics was a kickers race. ElG is gifted but he is a miler. He will never break 2h10 for the marathon.

of course.

mentally the toughest guy like ever!

How could anyone possibly believe that El G is NOT capable of breaking 2.08 - that is one of the most stupid things I have ever heard of - 12.50 for 5km - and does his 10km tempos runs at a pace of 30 minutes, TEMPO RUNNING. The guy has one of the biggest set of lungs EVER. With the right training he would murder 2.08, capable of sub 2.07. Paul Evans ran 2.08 something for christ sake (cracking run though Paul).

if you look at the all time best deal posted by someone, sub 2:08 has been done less times than sub 13 for a 5k. so i don't think you should just assume someone can run 2:08 no matter how good they are at the shorter distances. its a very rare mark to hit.

Remember that even Geb & Tergat have to work their tails off to get 2:07:xx. Take a look at El G's stride too. Great for a trackster, but not ideal for the 'thon.

2:08 - 2:09?? Yea.

2:07:xx?? That's KK type fast there.

Are you for real??? Serious mate! check out the all time lists for 5000m. 12.50 is on a different level to 13 minutes!

EL G 5000m performances is ranked 18th on the all time list, same place on the marathon is 2.06.23 (all time performance 18th) - taking this into consideration I would suggest 2.08 is a significantly easier target than 12.50. EL G with the right training would definitely have the potential to break 2.08, bollocks to fast twitch fibres and all - Haile has done alright and I wouldn't be too shocked if we saw EL G running a marathon in 2 years or so - sure he would be tempted by the amount of cash directors would dish his way to race?

Dont forget Eliud Kipchoge is 1-1 against EL G in the final 100m sprint for the 5000. He would probably be an even better marathoner.

Agree with you. Hicham is an incredle athlete. Of course 2.08 is outstanding but its not 2.04. I couldnt imagine the worlds best marathon runners - providing Hicham trained, being over 1200 metres ahead of him?? Hmmmmm?

If El G got serious, ran 120 mpw for 4 months, and then tapered for 3 weeks, he can easily run under 1:59 for a marathon.

i'd personally like to see him in a 10k first... i think he could give bekele a run for his money there.

agree wrote:

I couldnt imagine the worlds best marathon runners - providing Hicham trained, being over 1200 metres ahead of him?? Hmmmmm?

World XC 12K champ and 26:xx 10K'er Tergat faded to 2:08 in some races. It'd take years for El G to maybe become a 2:07 guy, not 4 months.

el g is a miler but has also lost to cherono, chebii and kipchoge in a 5k. if he can destroy those in a mile, i dont think he would beat any of those 3 in a 10k, much less bekele.

could he break 2.08? Yes. Will he do it? NO

I doubt that he will ever race further than 5000m

The amount of motivation he had up to Athens 2004 was huge.

Now his motivation has gone, we have seen the best of him.

Hicham is a perfectionist. His only motivation is to be the best in the World at whatever distance he races. Thats why he never races 800m.

He will never run a Marathon unless it is for fun, like Seb Coe did.

I'm not sure if this has been stated...But El G trains like a 10k runner in the fall. I have no doubt he has more endurance then most of you give him credit for.

...././// wrote:

Dont forget Eliud Kipchoge is 1-1 against EL G in the final 100m sprint for the 5000. He would probably be an even better marathoner.

well said