Rotterdam Marathon

Rotterdam is blazing fast every year.

I wish some faster americans would go over there and give it a go once in a while. I guess they probably get paid for in appearance money at Boston (or the more high profile ones occasionally at London) and not sure why Rotterdam would be interested in our 2:09-2:12 guys. I don't think Meb has any plans for this spring, though.

Wow, 4 runners under 2:06. When was the last time NYC or Boston had that kind of field? Without knowing, my guess would be: never.

Yea, too bad NYC and Boston cannot get anyone better than 2:09 or so.

2010 NYC

Abderrahime Bouramdane Morocco

· Personal best: 2:07:33

· Finished fifth in NYC in 2008 and ’09 · 2008 Olympian

Gebre Gebremariam Ethiopia

· Ran a 1:00:25 half-marathon in September · Making his marathon debut

Haile Gebrselassie Ethiopia

· Marathon world record-holder (2:03:59)

Marilson Gomes dos Santos Brazil

· Personal best: 2:08:37 · 2006 and 2008 ING New York City Marathon champion

· Fastest half-marathoner in the Western Hemisphere (59:33)

Abderrahim Goumri Morocco

· Personal best: 2:05:30

Peter Kamais Kenya

· 2010 NYC Half-Marathon champion (59:53)

· Has run 27:09 for 10K · Making his marathon debut

Abel Kirui Kenya

· Personal best: 2:05:04

· Reigning World Marathon Champion

· Making his ING New York City Marathon debut

Gilbert Kirwa Kenya

· Personal best: 2:06:14

· Won the Frankfurt and Vienna marathons in 2009

James Kwambai, Kenya

· Personal best: 2:04:27

· Third-fastest marathoner of all time

· Has a half-marathon personal best of 59:09

Emmanuel Mutai Kenya

· Personal best: 2:06:15

· Runner-up at the 2010 Virgin London Marathon

· Runner-up at the 2009 World Championships Marathon

Hendrick Ramaala, South Africa

· Personal best: 2:06:55

· ING New York City Marathon champion, 2004

Viktor Röthlin Switzerland

· Personal best: 2:07:23

Boston:

John Hancock Financial, the longtime supporter of the elite section of the Boston Marathon, announced today one of the event's strongest fields, including both defending champions, Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot of Kenya and Teyba Erkesso of Ethiopia. By the numbers, the field includes 14 men who have broken 2:08 (seven with sub-2:07 times), and 15 women who have broken 2:27 (eight sub-2:24).

The core of the Boston field comes from Africa's two powerhouse marathoning nations, Kenya and Ethiopia. In addition to defending champions Cheruiyot and Erkesso, the Boston field features Kenyans Geoffrey Mutai (2:05:55 PB), Gilbert Yegon (2:06:18), Evans Cheruiyot (2:06:25), Sylvester Tiemet (2:06:49), Sharon Cherop (2:22:43), Salina Kosgei (2:23:22), Caroline Kilel (2:23:25), and Alice Timbilili (2:25:03) and Ethiopians Tadese Tola (2:06:31), Bekana Daba (2:07:04), Tekeste Kebede (2:07:23), Tirfi Tsegaye Beyene (2:22:44), Merima Mohammed (2:23:06), and Dire Tune (2:23:44). Both Kosgei (2009) and Tune (2008) are Boston Marathon champions.

NYC: 4

Boston: 0

However, last year's NYC field was good only on paper. Geb is getting old, he may win another 1 or 2 major marathons but he'll never run 2:03:59 again and neither will James Kwambai. Not sure what was going on with him and Duncan Kibet but whatever it was (not judging here) they don't seem to get back to where they were.

Former UMass Lowell runner Ruben Sanca (BAA) will be making his marathon debut I believe. I hear he's looking for something around 2:15-2:16? He isn't going to win but will be interesting for many New Englanders to watch.

Wow, 4 sub 2:06 runners is really amazing, much more considering they're in their prime.

In history, only 21 men have gone sub 2:06. Tergat and Khannouchi are retired, Korir is semi-retired (ran 2:19:55 last year in Berlin). Gebrselassie is past his prime, so are Gharib, Goumri and Rutto. Kibet, Kwambai and probably Lel and Kipsang are done.

That leaves Makau, Mutai, Kirui, Kipruto, Kebede, Lilesa, Worku, Kiptanui and Cheruiyot. And Rotterdam got 4 of those. I wonder what kind of budget they have.

Anyway, Rotterdam blazing fast. Last year, Lilesa ran his PB of 2:05:23 only to finish 4th. Insane! I mean, just try to imagine that: Running 2:05:23 and not making the podium.

I don't think Rotterdam has a big budget, certainly less than Berlin or Paris. However, they've got their course layout going for them, probably the fastest course in the world among the bigger Marathons. So I understand why a 2:05 guy wants to run there to get down to a 2:04. Big money ahead once that's on your resume.

james carney and magda lewy boulet and a few other top americans ran rotterdam last year.

alberto salazar ran it in his prime.

there are always a few hundred recreational american runners in it.

It looks like Ed Whitlock is running it as well. He's shooting for the 80+ WR of 3:39. These things are never a lock, but... geez. Do you think he'll break the record or crush the record?

When Salazar ran it was like a match race with Deek. Great race on ABC Saturday evening-same day coverage.

Deek won, Lopes 2nd. Salazar was on his way down unfortunately.

Why isn't Rotterdam a marathon major?

Dick Doobey wrote:

Former UMass Lowell runner Ruben Sanca (BAA) will be making his marathon debut I believe. I hear he's looking for something around 2:15-2:16? He isn't going to win but will be interesting for many New Englanders to watch.

I believe the kid is in 2:12 shape right now. Considering it's his first thon, however, anything under 2:15 would be VERY solid for a debut.

Kenny Foster of the US Army is running it as well looking for a Qualifier

I think Rita Jeptoo will win rotterdam.

The race is starting right now. Anyone got splits?

Looks like Ruben Sanac is staring in group A.I am a big fan of him.I dont feel bad paying for my number if guys like that do as well.I hope he does well.He has a lot of people watching.Go to his blog .See you at mayors cup in the fall.

update?

If some of you are watching the race; could you post split times and position. Thanks a lot

have a link or is there a runner tracking

I think its on universal sports