Expect a couple 204s in rotterdam tomorrow, maybe even wr!

Will the weather be perfect? A 2:04 needs cooperation from mother nature.

I am continually amazed at how fast that marathon is every year. It's a wonder it doesn't get bigger coverage. I know there are already 5 in the WMM, but could Rotterdam maybe could be a 6th some day????? Then they would have 3 spring and 3 fall marathons in the WMM if I'm right.

Weather conditions at Rotterdam are always iffy. The course at Rotterdam is fast, but Berlin is about a minute faster, IMHO (I've run them both).

It's true that a ton of Kenyans are running under an hour for the half now, but often that does not immediately translate into 2:05 or 2:06.

It will be interesting to see how Mr. Makau does today. I give him about a 30% chance of winning.

Jason

How do you account for a minute between them?

Weather looks to be perfect; Sunny, 46F, winds light & variable.

we have a winner

2:04:27

2:04:27

2:05:09

2:06:19

Wow.

portlandspirit wrote:

This race tomorrow will bring everyone to the conclusion that running 206 isn't that big of a deal tomorrow. Expect lots of people to run real fast, and I am sure we will see a handful of 205s and maybe some 204s, I wouldn't even be too surprised if makau ran under the wr tomorrow.

All these guys running under an hour in the half are going to make 206 look as commonplace as under an hour has become

The marathon is finally starting to get as fast as it should be based on the the 5k and 10k in recent years by the africans. 207 aint gonna mean sh!t for anyone by 2012

Man, you called it exactly. I agree we have now entered a new world were 2:07 truly dosn't mean sh!t.

That's insane. I mean, a few years ago a 2:06:19 would win most marathons in the world. Now it's more than one minute off the podium.

Can't wait to see the London marathon. I bet something great will happen there.

fast paced world

2:03:04---2:55Ks(4:42 permile)is fastst pace listed in the 2000 edition of The Big Green Book

New pace charts are needed.

Unbelievable....you really need to be a 2:05 or faster guy to win any major marathon these days...barring very adverse conditions where someone slower might sneak in with tactics.

News update: 2:06:19 STILL wins most marathons in the world.Conditions were perfect in Rotterdam (evidenced by hat/arm warmers on Kibet at finish). Still, great prognostication by the OP.

itsme wrote:

That's insane. I mean, a few years ago a 2:06:19 would win most marathons in the world. Now it's more than one minute off the podium.

Can't wait to see the London marathon. I bet something great will happen there.

Defence wrote:

2:04:27

2:04:27

2:05:09

2:06:19

Wow.

woo hoo :)

Not trying to speak for Jason here, but doesn't Berlin have really long straight sections and isn't a lot of the course sheltered also? That might account for some time differences.

pro bono wrote:

News update: 2:06:19 STILL wins most marathons in the world.

O.k., o.k., I got carried away a little. Still, the shift in quality is amazing. Paris six men under 2:07, Rotterdam two men under 2:04:30. That's impressive.

That picture was not from today although the weather was good. Kibet and Kwambai both in Nike singlets and shorts only. I recall Eyestone mentioning 48 degrees and no wind...partly cloudy the first half with the sun breaking out near the finish.

this makes me feel a little better after my horrible brackets this year.

portlandspirit wrote:

This race tomorrow will bring everyone to the conclusion that running 206 isn't that big of a deal tomorrow. Expect lots of people to run real fast, and I am sure we will see a handful of 205s and maybe some 204s, I wouldn't even be too surprised if makau ran under the wr tomorrow.

All these guys running under an hour in the half are going to make 206 look as commonplace as under an hour has become

The marathon is finally starting to get as fast as it should be based on the the 5k and 10k in recent years by the africans. 207 aint gonna mean sh!t for anyone by 2012

Wow!!!!!!!!

Portlandspirit,

In the spirit of oneness, I'd like to play the Mega million. What numbers should I pick...?

You called it in the right way. I had to check the date that you wrote your post to make sure that it was actually a prediction. Nice one bro!

What do you guys think is going to happen at London? Im really excited and believe we could see a new world record! London is generally faster than Paris and Rotterdam and last year they ran 2:05:15 with a bit of bad weather near the end.

I think Lel has what it takes to do it but am also anxious to see what Tadesse does in his first one!