I cannot say through whom or how, but I know someone was recently told by Simon Bairu himself (and was confirmed by Alberto Salazar whom admittedly, isn't his coach).
You heard it from the Great White North first.
Rep it, Simon!
I cannot say through whom or how, but I know someone was recently told by Simon Bairu himself (and was confirmed by Alberto Salazar whom admittedly, isn't his coach).
You heard it from the Great White North first.
Rep it, Simon!
i thought it was official already (from one of those interviews after the stanford 10k or something) but if not, that's good to hear. should be fun, and i am still betting on ritz being there too.
Yeah, I thought I remember Bairu saying he would run the NY marathon in his interview right after Peyton Jordan, though I could be wrong. I know he said that he would probably run a marathon in the Fall.
Awesome, my record will be safe on that course. Just as Schiebler tried before, Simon will realize that if he wants to run fast he needs to go elsewhere.
Good for him. Maybe solinksy will pace him? Ritz will run as well if he is healthy. WTF is going on with him anyway?
lohalloran wrote:
Good for him. Maybe solinksy will pace him? Ritz will run as well if he is healthy. WTF is going on with him anyway?
Ritz and Teg got into a big fight and they are both hurt; will be August before they race again!
For the life of me I can't understand this fascination with the marathon with these guys who have the potential to run some fast 5k/10k times. Bairu just set a national record in the 10k and now wants to focus on the marathon, what about the Commonwealth Games in Oct. Why give up on the 5k/10k. He should be a potential medal threat in the 10k for the games. Come on Simon run some track and knock out some fast times then give the marathon a shot later.
and don't give me this crap that he is made for the marathon or that is where his potential is, this guy is a proven XC monster and together with a recent fast 10k still has some great potential in 5k/10k
I predict Simon will set new Canadian national records in the 5K and half marathon on the way to completing New York.
runner39 wrote:
He should be a potential medal threat in the 10k for the games.
Did you watch his race at Stanford? He got his shit absolutely rocked by Solinsky, Rupp, Chelanga and that other very young Kenyan. Medal threat my ass. He has no wheels at the end of a race, strength is his greatest weapon. Oh, the marathon is a strength race you say? Hmm, seems like a good choice to me.
Guy it's all about money. Ryan Hall makes hundreds of thousands of dollars every time he laces 'em up for a marathon.
Bairu could potentially run sub 2:10 and if he does, he'll make much much more skrilla than he ever would running fast at Stanford.
runner39 wrote:
He should be a potential medal threat in the 10k for the games.
was referring to the Commonwealth Games this October
Matt F. wrote:
Guy it's all about money. Ryan Hall makes hundreds of thousands of dollars every time he laces 'em up for a marathon.
Bairu could potentially run sub 2:10 and if he does, he'll make much much more skrilla than he ever would running fast at Stanford.
Bingo! It's not rocket science.
runner39 wrote:
was referring to the Commonwealth Games this October
The New York City Marathon is a more high profile race than the Commonwealth games 10k. But I do agree with you that in that race he could be a medal threat.
2:10 would be really impressive at New York, ESPECIALLY for a debut. Remember, in the last 7 years, only like one guy has gone sub 2:09 in New York. I'd love to see him in it to win but I'm guessing 2:12.
I think if the weather is good, and there is a good front group running a reasonable pace, Bairu can go sub 2:10...
Having said that, I hope he stays on the track for part of each season, I think he can run much faster at 5K and 10K still. Maybe a maximum of 1 to 2 marathons a year, and a bit of time to run Cross and Track...Go Simon!
Why not debut at Toronto Waterfront? He would have a good shot at winning whereas he would be a longshot in NY. He could then take that win and leverage much better appearance fees for London or Boston than a top ten finish in NY. We do North American runners insist on debuting at a major marathon instead of trying to win a less prestigious event?
Precious Roy wrote:
Why not debut at Toronto Waterfront? He would have a good shot at winning whereas he would be a longshot in NY. He could then take that win and leverage much better appearance fees for London or Boston than a top ten finish in NY. We do North American runners insist on debuting at a major marathon instead of trying to win a less prestigious event?
Competition.
BS.
I have no problem with Bairu's decision to race wherever he wants, but last year the race was won in ~2:08:30. There were three guys under 2:10 at Waterfront last year and eight under 2:15. He wouldn't be wanting for competition there.
adult onset wrote:
BS.
I have no problem with Bairu's decision to race wherever he wants, but last year the race was won in ~2:08:30. There were three guys under 2:10 at Waterfront last year and eight under 2:15. He wouldn't be wanting for competition there.
Agreed. Not competition, money.