Check this out from the IAAF synopsis of the Amsterdam Marathon.....
Just after Kimutai had fallen back, the leading pack reached 20km in 1.00.35, which indicated a 2.07 time was possible. At 30km (1.30.30) five were left in the leading group: Simon Bor, Stephen Cheptot, Sammy Korir, Boaz Kimayo (all Kenyans) and the Spaniard Antonio Pena.
Then all of a sudden, Kimutai re-caught the leading group. In just over three kilometres, he had managed to close a gap of about 3000m.
Anyone see something strange - or absolutely fantastic?
If Kimutai had made up 3km on the lead bunch, in the space of 3km then.... just take a look at this.
Assuming Kimutai is at point C - 6000m away from point A.
The lead bunch is at pont B - 3000m away from point A
Kimutai makes up this ground - because remembering the lead group most definetly doesnt stop.
sooooo....
The lead bunch is travelling at roughly 3min/km pace (the marathon was won in 2hr07, and 20km was 60min
that means they cover the distance from point B to point A in roughly 9min flat.
If Kimutai makes up 3000m, in the space of this 9min - then he has travelled 6000m in 9min, at a speed of 1min30/km
well inside Ngenys now rather crap-by-comparison 2min11. He has also been travrelling at 11.1 ms-1, which means he has - at some point travelled 100m in 9 flat - well inside even Oba's wind assisted, altitude assisted 9.6
Hail Kimutai! the greatest runner the world has ever seen!
(disclaimer - note: before you more fired-up types, and hyperactive college-freshies, eager to display your newly learnt skills of mathematics, and reason, point out to me it was a typo, and should read 300m - please dont. I am aware it was. It just looks funny, and the statistic makes the mind wonder. But just imagine that - standing on the side of the road watching a marathon, when a dude blows by you at 9 second 100m pace - gee - isnt imagining grrrreat)