Cox, AC, Mahon, Dowling, Baker, Delacerda....

I'm a big fan of Josh, but I don't see him in the same zip code with Alan C. I say Alan C. 2:11:45 and Josh 2:14:50.

Who would win in a fight, Ditka or a hurricane?

Ditka!

What if the hurricanes name was, Huricane Ditka.

Ditka 3 out of 5.

I think it'll go....

1. AC

2. Ditka

3. Dowling

4. Mahon

5. Cox

6. Delacerda

7. baker

8. Don't forget Verran

Clint looked pretty good at the New Haven 20k a few wks ago.

Josh fan wrote:

I'm a big fan of Josh, but I don't see him in the same zip code with Alan C. I say Alan C. 2:11:45 and Josh 2:14:50.

If you're such a big fan of Josh (as I am), how can you say he's gonna run a minute slower than he did in 2000? Josh has trained under Rosa for two more years, competed in the world championships (first US finsiher) and has done extensive training in kenya and europe. Josh knows what it takes to race well at this distance. AC is a great runner, but is a complete unknown at this distance. Ask Todd Williams how similiar the marathon is to the 10k.

I stand by my prediction that Josh will beat AC. I hope AC proves me wrong!

But Todd was past his prime when he started his march toward the marathon.

Alan

BearsFan wrote:

1. Cox-2:09:30 He's experienced, hungry, and due for a good one.

I sure hope I'm wrong, but I'm starting to get the feeling that Cox may forever be "due for a good one". I think Chicago is the race in which he needs to break out. I hope he does.

Cox 2:13

Dowling 2:13

Culpepper DNF

None of the rest will run faster than 2:15

Agreed. Every time there's a big marathon, someone's saying so and so will run 2:10 or better. Never happens. Please, one of these guys, prove me wrong.

Mini Ditka vs. KK?

Kyle Baker will suprise everyone in Chicago. The guy seems to be running faster and faster every weekend this summer. Bix, Crim 10 mile, New Haven, and most recently the 5k US championships. This guy is on a role. My guess is he runs in the area of 2:10-11 and beats all of these other guys except for maybe AC and of course KK.

Clint will go 2:13 I think he has the experience to do so...now if Brian Sell where in the race that 2:03.

Who would win, Paul Tergat or Ditka with Alan Culpepper on his back?

The Barbarian wrote:

Who would win, Paul Tergat or Ditka with Alan Culpepper on his back?

Ditka used to run with LINEBACKERS on his back....Ditka easy, by 2:00 at least.

With Culpepper and Dowling on his back, Ditka still wins, but only by 2 seconds, passing Tergat just before the goal line on sheer guts.

- Bob Sworski

Cox is a great guy, and wants it. i think he is gonna kill this marothon.... Call me crazy but i say cox runs 2:08:42, He has been training like a mad man, up in the mountains. I say he finishes 5th. AC runs 2:09:58, he has to much will power not to break his goal. And I think Baker has been over racing. I say he runs over 2:15. I hope he proves me wrong.

Hey Joe McV. You always seem to have a feel for the US guys. How do you pick 'em (cox, culp, delacerda, dowling, etc..)???

I know Ditka wins going away...but hows 'bout these other chums?

Dowling: 2:10

Culpepper: 2:11

Cox: DNF

Baker: 2:15

Delacerda: 2:16

Vernan: 2:18

Before the Swami speaks, he knows that some of the guys mentioned below will see this...do NOT take anything personally (whether it's good or bad). Hell, you can't, take anythign "personally" I' don't know any of you guys -- and as Tupac said, if I don't know you, I shouldn't judge you. All I know is what I read in "Race Results Weekly (tm)." If something rubs you the wrong way, well, heck, my phone no.'s in the book, and besides, what the heck do I know?

I also add in the interest of full disclosure that the Swami's side business (sports book on marathons) has had embarassing results. Payouts to one client have practically caused spikes in the pound-dollar exhange rate.

Now, the Swami says of the American men:

Khannouchi -- Has only lost ONCE on this course. He wins, 2:07:30 (time reflects his nonfrontrunning style)

Cox -- Based on what I've seen of him, I think he's a lot more for real than many think. Doesn't race much, but the way he trains and how he's progresses, that method can work. Course doesn't penalize the the fearless/reckless as much as other courses do. Look for 2:13-low.

Culpepper -- Good quicks, can train in volume, good marathon body ("Allan McBeal"). he could run 2:09 if he nails it, 2:12:30 if it goes only OK, 2:18 if he walls out badly.

Dowling -- Impressed a skeptical me at Boston. Tough, hot summer to train thru back East tho. 2:14:00

Baker -- On a roll, but isn't he a marathon virgin? 2:15, the hard way

Verran -- Assuming no race-day breakfast repurcussions like at Boston, could be 2:12:30.

Mahon -- not enough data to form an opinion.

De La Cerda -- tough customer, runs hard courses very well, but this flat course doesn't let him exploit that huge relative advantage to the fullest. But he has seen it beore. Forget "same-old" 2:16 tho. he goes 2:14:30.

And commenting on just one American chick, Drossin, look for her to run about what she did at NYC last year. 2:26-high.