Did Geb Not Break the World Record Because There Weren't Clocks on the Course

... seems like after 10K he was resigned to give up on the record.

Not sure he had totally given up at that point. 4:46's for 32.2k would have put him at 2:04 flat on top of the "cushion" from the first 10k. Of course, the "cushion" never works in the marathon if it is too far off your goal pace, but if he had held that pace he would have had a new WR. Funny how fine the line is between success and failure though- 4:42's (a 29:15 10k/2:03:15 42.2) might have been far less damaging than the 4:36's. Amazing how 6 seconds/mile make such a big difference in the end, but then again that is over a full sec./lap faster when on the track. Geb definitely knows and would feel the difference.

It's in the interview- either 10K or 1/2, he was just worried about salvaging.

Okay WTF, are you allowed to wear a freaking watch during this race or not? Why couldn't one of the pacemakers, or Geb himself, simply have worn a freaking watch? I wouldn't expect any race to have a clock out on the course, what if something happens and it doesn't display correctly or have the right time?

I'll feel bad for him if the rule was that he couldn't wear a watch. But if that was a not a rule, and simply decided that he wasn't going to wear one... then that's his fault. Plus, was there nobody at the splits orally calling out times?

I wonder how you would have done the same job given that you claim to know english very well.That was Geb's fate and the issue of miscommunication is is just but your lameless,idiot!

I agree that in hindsight, not wearing a watch was a puzzling mistake on Geb's part, but from the sound of things, even knowing the time wouldn't have slowed his pacemaker any. OTOH, knowing the splits with certainty, he could have slowed and let the other pacers stay with him.

Of course, if the pacer was Kenyan, the door creaks open for suspicion of sabotage by poor pacemaking. I have seen meets where the pacer did such a piss-poor job that I wondered if there wasn't an ulterior motive involved.

All in all, a weird series of mismatches that happen when you have runners from different countries chasing a buck in the desert of an arab oil emirate. The one thing that is sure: Geb was in sub-2:04 shape.

In the T & F News interview, Sean Hartnett talks to Haile like he's a second grader. Listen to the guy's voice, he's got good questions, but does he have to treat haile like he's at a second grade level of english comprehension? Haile is obviously very fluent in english. I had an exchange student friend in High School who always got mad when people would talk to him like he was slow and new at english when in fact, he was completely fluent. Sean should treat Haile with more respect in that regard and stop talking down to him.

Was there no clock on the media truck?

Sabotage is an interesting possibility. I remember an interview with martin lel after london where he said that he was certain the WR would come back to kenya and that it was an issue of national pride. This could definitely provide motive for the "rookie" mistake of running a 28+ 10k. I believe Rogers Rop was one of the pacers, he's an accomplished and very experienced kenyan runner in his own right. I can see how someone could propose sabotage on the part of the kenyans.

On the other hand, from what I understand the pacers are paid depending on the accuracy of their pacing and it's very possible they missed out on good money by their poor pacing, which would provide motivation to pace things correctly. Interesting thought banshii..

THANK YOU WEJO!!

GEB NEVER BROKE THE WORLD RECORD!!

THEREFORE TERGAT IS STILL THE WORLD RECORD HOLDER!!!

Pete wrote:

I'm in Avocado's Number's camp on this one - I guess I don't think WRs should be aided. Who cares whether there were clocks - or even split markers for that matter.

Might have been the stupidest post I have ever read.

Of course having times out on the course makes a difference. When you are running for a W.R., you need to know down to the second what pace is. 26.2 is a long way...

???

You are so f***ing stupid

Djibouti wrote: Might have been the stupidest post I have ever read.

Well, that's truly an honour, given the number of stupid posts one gets to read on here on a daily basis. I'll cherish this award.