Official John Kellogg Is a Genius Thread (He Predicted The 2:03 on Boston)

Yeah, it really takes a genious to tell that they will run extremely fast when they have a ridiculous tailwind.

wejo wrote:

Fabulous races in Boston. 2:03:01 is an amazing time. Let's stop and praise JK for his quote of the day yesterday where he basically predicted a world's best in these conditions.

"A near-20 mph tailwind might chop three or four minutes off someone's finishing time. A sub-2:03:59 clocking wouldn't actually shock me. I'll tell you this - if Boston had rabbits and the field that is assembled for the 2011 London marathon was running with a time bonus on the line, I'd actually be a little surprised if someone didn't run the fastest marathon time ever recorded."

http://www.letsrun.com/2011/bostonweather-0416.php

....all he said is that a sub-2:03:59 WOULDN'T SURPRISE him. He didn't even make any predications. It was a win-win for him by stating it in such an optionally binary way. if they didn't run under 2:03:59, he can say that he never said that, or if they did, he could use his vague statement has some sort of validation that he was right.

What's JK's IQ? I doubt over 150 or even 130. using the term genius in this sense isn't right at all.

Fitness wrote:

. It was a win-win for him by stating it in such an optionally binary way.

That IS genius!!

No sense arguing against that, he did call it. He has my +1.

Fitness wrote:

What's JK's IQ? I doubt over 150 or even 130. using the term genius in this sense isn't right at all.

Spoken like a dumb guy with a high IQ.

JK is smart, but let's also give some props to Renato Canova. You guys (wejo, rojo, Employee #1) remember this quote, I'm sure:

Renato Canova wrote:

At the moment, there is an athlete clearly stronger than any other in the World, and is Geoffrey Mutai.

oh god I just remembered Canova coaches Mosop too

holy f

Coach Busch wrote:

No sense arguing against that, he did call it. He has my +1.

That's the point: he called NOTHING. He only said he "wouldn't be surprised," and he attached so many qualifiers to it is was a 100% safe statement. If the winner had gone 2:04 or 2:05 he would have been no less "right" or "wrong" - there's your test of the prediction's "genius."

Meanwhile, I have a genius prediction: If I was perfectly paced to 4800m of a road 5k with a huge tail wind, I wouldn't be surprised if I ran a PR by somewhere in the vague neighbourhood of 20 seconds.

mutai is self coached

wejo wrote:

Fabulous races in Boston. 2:03:01 is an amazing time. Let's stop and praise JK for his quote of the day yesterday where he basically predicted a world's best in these conditions.

"A near-20 mph tailwind might chop three or four minutes off someone's finishing time. A sub-2:03:59 clocking wouldn't actually shock me. I'll tell you this - if Boston had rabbits and the field that is assembled for the 2011 London marathon was running with a time bonus on the line, I'd actually be a little surprised if someone didn't run the fastest marathon time ever recorded."

http://www.letsrun.com/2011/bostonweather-0416.php

JK is so-so-so sick. He knows the x's and o's better than anyone in the game.

For years, average pundits and the athletes will be wondering as Bob Kempainen did way back when, "I wonder if it was the wind or if I was just special that day."

You might have been special but it was the wind.

Dude, calm down. Why would anyone be surprised to hear that a world best time was run on a downhill course with cool temps, a huge headwind and a few of the greatest runners in the world at the starting line?

If anything JK looks overly conservative in hindsight. If he predicted something that was remotely surprising (e.g. Davila finishing 2nd), I'd give him props. But he didn't.

meant to say "huge tailwind" of course.

Hey, I'm no genius either.

Not only is he a genius, but he is a wealthy supporter of U.S. athletics:

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=6381041&campaign=rss&source=OLYHeadlines

In the history of the Boston Marathon, there was only 1 top-100 performance at the Men's Marathon distance.

ONLY 4 top-200 performances on the ALL-TIME MEN'S LIST.

Say what you will about the wind and the minuscule net downhill average, that does NOT MEAN A DAMN THING. THIS RACE WAS A GAME CHANGER. It doesn't GET THAT FAST OVERNIGHT. Give them the due credit. . .

1 2:03:59 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 1 Berlin 28.09.2008

2 2:04:26 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 1 Berlin 30.09.2007

3 2:04:27 Duncan Kipkemboi Kibet KEN 25.04.78 1 Rotterdam 05.04.2009

3 2:04:27 James Kipsang Kwambai KEN 28.02.83 2 Rotterdam 05.04.2009

5 2:04:40 Emmanuel Mutai KEN 12.10.84 1 London 17.04.2011

6 2:04:48 Patrick Makau KEN 02.03.85 1 Rotterdam 11.04.2010

7 2:04:53 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 1 Dubai 18.01.2008

8 2:04:55 Paul Tergat KEN 17.06.69 1 Berlin 28.09.2003

8 2:04:55 Geoffrey Mutai KEN 07.10.81 2 Rotterdam 11.04.2010

10 2:04:56 Sammy Korir KEN 12.12.71 2 Berlin 28.09.2003

11 2:04:57 Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich KEN 15.03.82 1 Frankfurt 31.10.2010

12 2:05:04 Abel Kirui KEN 04.06.82 3 Rotterdam 05.04.2009

13 2:05:08 Patrick Makau KEN 02.03.85 1 Berlin 26.09.2010

14 2:05:10 Samuel Wanjiru KEN 10.11.86 1 London 26.04.2009

14 2:05:10 Geoffrey Mutai KEN 07.10.81 2 Berlin 26.09.2010

16 2:05:13 Vincent Kipruto KEN 13.09.87 3 Rotterdam 11.04.2010

17 2:05:15 Martin Lel KEN 29.10.78 1 London 13.04.2008

18 2:05:18 Tsegay Kebede ETH 15.01.87 1 Fukuoka 06.12.2009

19 2:05:19 Tsegay Kebede ETH 15.01.87 1 London 25.04.2010

20 2:05:20 Tsegay Kebede ETH 15.01.87 2 London 26.04.2009

21 2:05:23 Lelisa Gemechu Feyisa ETH 01.02.90 4 Rotterdam 11.04.2010

22 2:05:24 Samuel Wanjiru KEN 10.11.86 2 London 13.04.2008

23 2:05:25 Bado Worku ETH 22.07.88 3 Berlin 26.09.2010

24 2:05:27 Jaouad Gharib MAR 22.05.72 3 London 26.04.2009

24 2:05:27 Wilson Chebet KEN 07.12.85 1 Rotterdam 10.04.2011

26 2:05:29 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 1 Dubai 16.01.2009

27 2:05:30 Abderrahim Goumri MAR 21.05.76 3 London 13.04.2008

28 2:05:33 Vincent Kipruto KEN 13.09.87 2 Rotterdam 10.04.2011

29 2:05:36 James Kipsang Kwambai KEN 28.02.83 2 Berlin 28.09.2008

30 2:05:38 Khalid Khannouchi USA 22.12.71 1 London 14.04.2002

31 2:05:39 Eliud Kiptanui KEN 06.06.89 1 Praha 09.05.2010

32 2:05:41 Samuel Wanjiru KEN 10.11.86 1 Chicago 11.10.2009

33 2:05:42 Khalid Khannouchi MAR 22.12.71 1 Chicago 24.10.1999

34 2:05:44 Getu Feleke ETH 28.11.86 1 Amsterdam 17.10.2010

35 2:05:45 Martin Lel KEN 29.10.78 2 London 17.04.2011

35 2:05:45 Patrick Makau KEN 02.03.85 3 London 17.04.2011

37 2:05:47 Vincent Kipruto KEN 13.09.87 1 Paris 05.04.2009

38 2:05:48 Paul Tergat KEN 17.06.69 2 London 14.04.2002

39 2:05:49 William Kipsang KEN 26.06.77 1 Rotterdam 13.04.2008

40 2:05:50 Evans Rutto KEN 08.04.78 1 Chicago 12.10.2003

41 2:05:52a Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot KEN 10.08.88 1 Boston 19.04.2010

42 2:05:56 Khalid Khannouchi USA 22.12.71 1 Chicago 13.10.2002

42 2:05:56 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 1 Berlin 24.09.2006

44 2:06:04 Abderrahim Goumri MAR 21.05.76 2 Chicago 11.10.2009

45 2:06:05 Ronaldo da Costa BRA 07.06.70 1 Berlin 20.09.1998

46 2:06:08 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 1 Berlin 20.09.2009

46 2:06:08 Vincent Kipruto KEN 13.09.87 3 Chicago 11.10.2009

48 2:06:09 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 1 Dubai 22.01.2010

49 2:06:10 Tsegay Kebede ETH 15.01.87 1 Fukuoka 07.12.2008

50 2:06:12 Wilson Chebet KEN 07.12.85 2 Amsterdam 17.10.2010

51 2:06:13 Wilson Kiprotich Kebenei KEN 20.07.80 1 Otsu 07.03.2011

52 2:06:14 Felix Limo KEN 22.08.80 1 Rotterdam 04.04.2004

52 2:06:14 Patrick Makau KEN 02.03.85 4 Rotterdam 05.04.2009

52 2:06:14 Gilbert Kirwa KEN 20.12.85 1 Frankfurt 25.10.2009

55 2:06:15 Titus Munji KEN 20.12.79 3 Berlin 28.09.2003

55 2:06:15 Emmanuel Mutai KEN 12.10.84 4 London 13.04.2008

55 2:06:15 Bazu Worku Hayla ETH 15.09.90 2 Paris 05.04.2009

58 2:06:16 Moses Tanui KEN 20.08.65 2 Chicago 24.10.1999

58 2:06:16 Daniel Njenga KEN 07.05.76 2 Chicago 13.10.2002

58 2:06:16 Toshinari Takaoka JPN 24.09.70 3 Chicago 13.10.2002

58 2:06:16 Evans Rutto KEN 08.04.78 1 Chicago 10.10.2004

62 2:06:17 Ryan Hall USA 14.10.82 5 London 13.04.2008

63 2:06:18 Paul Tergat KEN 17.06.69 4 Chicago 13.10.2002

63 2:06:18 Evans Rutto KEN 08.04.78 1 London 18.04.2004

63 2:06:18 Gilbert Koech KEN 81 1 Amsterdam 18.10.2009

66 2:06:20 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 1 Amsterdam 16.10.2005

67 2:06:23 Robert Cheboror KEN 09.09.78 1 Amsterdam 17.10.2004

67 2:06:23 Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot KEN 10.08.88 2 Frankfurt 25.10.2009

67 2:06:23 Emmanuel Mutai KEN 12.10.84 2 London 25.04.2010

70 2:06:24 Samuel Wanjiru KEN 10.11.86 1 Chicago 10.10.2010

71 2:06:25 Evans Kiprop Cheruiyot KEN 10.05.82 1 Chicago 12.10.2008

72 2:06:26 David Kiyeng KEN 83 3 Paris 05.04.2009

73 2:06:29 Emmanuel Mutai KEN 12.10.84 1 Amsterdam 21.10.2007

74 2:06:30 Tsegay Kebede ETH 15.01.87 4 Paris 05.04.2009

75 2:06:31 Tadesse Tola ETH 31.10.87 2 Frankfurt 31.10.2010

75 2:06:31 Benjamin Kiptoo KEN 79 1 Paris 10.04.2011

77 2:06:32 Samuel Wanjiru KEN 10.11.86 1 Beijing 24.08.2008

78 2:06:33 Gert Thys RSA 12.11.71 1 Tokyo 14.02.1999

78 2:06:33 Michael Rotich KEN 29.10.82 1 Paris 06.04.2003

78 2:06:33 Chala Dechase ETH 13.06.84 2 Dubai 22.01.2010

81 2:06:34 Marilson dos Santos BRA 06.08.77 4 London 17.04.2011

82 2:06:35 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 3 London 14.04.2002

82 2:06:35 Markos Geneti ETH 30.05.84 1 Los Angeles 20.03.2011

84 2:06:36 António Pinto POR 22.03.66 1 London 16.04.2000

84 2:06:36 Benoit Zwierzchiewski FRA 19.08.76 2 Paris 06.04.2003

86 2:06:38 Sammy Korir KEN 12.12.71 1 Rotterdam 09.04.2006

86 2:06:38 Deriba Merga Ejigu ETH 26.10.80 6 London 13.04.2008

88 2:06:39 William Kipsang KEN 26.06.77 1 Amsterdam 19.10.2003

88 2:06:39 Felix Limo KEN 22.08.80 1 London 23.04.2006

88 2:06:39 Samuel Wanjiru KEN 10.11.86 1 Fukuoka 02.12.2007

91 2:06:40 Tsegay Kebede ETH 15.01.87 1 Paris 06.04.2008

92 2:06:41 Martin Lel KEN 29.10.78 2 London 23.04.2006

92 2:06:41 Elijah Keitany KEN 83 2 Amsterdam 18.10.2009

92 2:06:41 Tadesse Tola ETH 31.10.87 1 Paris 11.04.2010

95 2:06:42 Felix Limo KEN 22.08.80 2 Amsterdam 19.10.2003

96 2:06:43 Tsegay Kebede ETH 15.01.87 2 Chicago 10.10.2010

97 2:06:44 Josephat Kiprono KEN 12.12.73 1 Berlin 26.09.1999

97 2:06:44 Felix Limo KEN 22.08.80 1 Berlin 26.09.2004

97 2:06:44 Paul Kirui KEN 05.02.80 2 Rotterdam 09.04.2006

100 2:06:45 Richard Limo KEN 18.11.80 2 Amsterdam 21.10.2007

101 2:06:46 Abdelkader El Mouaziz MAR 01.01.69 5 Chicago 13.10.2002

101 2:06:46 Eshetu Wondimu ETH 26.01.82 3 Dubai 22.01.2010

103 2:06:47 Fred Kiprop KEN 03.06.74 1 Amsterdam 17.10.1999

103 2:06:47 Raymond Kipkoech Chemwoio KEN 19.04.78 1 Berlin 29.09.2002

103 2:06:47 Wilson Onsare KEN 15.06.76 3 Paris 06.04.2003

106 2:06:48 Driss El Himer FRA 04.04.74 4 Paris 06.04.2003

106 2:06:48 Sammy Korir KEN 12.12.71 2 London 18.04.2004

106 2:06:48 Rachid Kisri MAR 01.03.75 5 Paris 05.04.2009

109 2:06:49 Tesfaye Jifar ETH 23.04.76 2 Amsterdam 17.10.1999

109 2:06:49 Simon Biwott KEN 03.03.70 2 Berlin 29.09.2002

109 2:06:49 Joseph Riri KEN 21.10.73 2 Berlin 26.09.2004

109 2:06:49 Sylvester Teimet KEN 84 1 Seoul 21.03.2010

113 2:06:50 Belayneh Dinsamo ETH 28.06.65 1 Rotterdam 17.04.1988

113 2:06:50 William Kiplagat KEN 21.06.72 3 Amsterdam 17.10.1999

113 2:06:50 Josephat Kiprono KEN 12.12.73 1 Rotterdam 22.04.2001

113 2:06:50 Deriba Merga Ejigu ETH 26.10.80 2 Fukuoka 02.12.2007

113 2:06:50 Moses Kimeli Arusei KEN 84 2 Paris 06.04.2008

118 2:06:51 Atsushi Fujita JPN 06.11.76 1 Fukuoka 03.12.2000

118 2:06:51 Abel Kirui KEN 04.06.82 2 Berlin 30.09.2007

120 2:06:52 Abdelkader El Mouaziz MAR 01.01.69 4 London 14.04.2002

120 2:06:52 Vincent Kipsos KEN 22.06.76 3 Berlin 29.09.2002

120 2:06:52 Charles Kibiwott KEN 08.08.74 3 Rotterdam 09.04.2006

120 2:06:52 Julio Rey ESP 13.01.72 1 Hamburg 23.04.2006

120 2:06:52 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 18.04.73 1 Fukuoka 03.12.2006

125 2:06:53 David Kipkorir KEN 15.12.74 6 Paris 05.04.2009

125 2:06:53 Emmanuel Mutai KEN 12.10.84 4 London 26.04.2009

127 2:06:54 Ondoro Osoro KEN 03.12.67 1 Chicago 11.10.1998

127 2:06:54 Abel Kirui KEN 04.06.82 1 Berlin 22.08.2009

129 2:06:55 Hendrick Ramaala RSA 02.02.72 3 London 23.04.2006

129 2:06:55 Jaouad Gharib MAR 22.05.72 3 London 25.04.2010

131 2:06:57 Takayuki Inubushi JPN 11.08.72 2 Berlin 26.09.1999

131 2:06:57 Tesfaye Tola ETH 19.10.74 4 Amsterdam 17.10.1999

133 2:06:58 Daniel Rono KEN 13.07.78 2 Rotterdam 13.04.2008

134 2:06:59 Gilbert Kirwa KEN 20.12.85 2 Seoul 21.03.2010

135 2:07:01 Khalid Khannouchi USA 22.12.71 1 Chicago 22.10.2000

135 2:07:01 Geoffrey Mutai KEN 07.10.81 1 Eindhoven 11.10.2009

135 2:07:01 Bernard Kiprop Kipyego KEN 16.07.86 5 Rotterdam 11.04.2010

138 2:07:02 Sammy Lelei KEN 14.08.64 1 Berlin 24.09.1995

138 2:07:02 Driss El Himer FRA 04.04.74 1 Amsterdam 21.10.2001

138 2:07:02 Jaouad Gharib MAR 22.05.72 3 London 18.04.2004

138 2:07:02 Felix Limo KEN 22.08.80 1 Chicago 09.10.2005

138 2:07:02 Paul Biwott KEN 18.04.78 3 Amsterdam 18.10.2009

143 2:07:04 Khalid Khannouchi USA 22.12.71 4 London 23.04.2006

143 2:07:04 Francis Kiprop KEN 04.06.82 2 Berlin 20.09.2009

143 2:07:04 Elias Kemboi KEN 10.03.84 3 Frankfurt 31.10.2010

143 2:07:04 Bekana Daba ETH 29.07.88 1 Houston 30.01.2011

147 2:07:05 Joshua Chelanga KEN 07.04.73 3 Berlin 26.09.2004

147 2:07:05 William Kiplagat KEN 21.06.72 3 Frankfurt 25.10.2009

149 2:07:06 Josephat Kiprono KEN 12.12.73 2 Amsterdam 21.10.2001

149 2:07:06 Ian Syster RSA 20.01.76 5 London 14.04.2002

149 2:07:06 Gert Thys RSA 12.11.71 1 Seoul 14.03.2004

149 2:07:06 Charles Munyeki Kiama KEN 02.11.86 4 Chicago 11.10.2009

153 2:07:07 Ahmed Salah DJI 31.12.56 2 Rotterdam 17.04.1988

153 2:07:07 Paul Koech KEN 25.06.69 2 Chicago 12.10.2003

155 2:07:09 Japhet Kosgei KEN 20.12.68 1 Rotterdam 18.04.1999

155 2:07:09 Benjamin Maiyo KEN 06.10.78 2 Chicago 09.10.2005

157 2:07:10 Khalid Khannouchi MAR 22.12.71 1 Chicago 19.10.1997

158 2:07:11 Abdelkader El Mouaziz MAR 01.01.69 1 London 22.04.2001

158 2:07:11 Alfred Kering KEN 80 2 Paris 11.04.2010

158 2:07:11 Tsegay Kebede ETH 15.01.87 2 Praha 09.05.2010

158 2:07:11 Philip Sanga Kimutai KEN 10.09.83 4 Frankfurt 31.10.2010

162 2:07:12 Carlos Lopes POR 18.02.47 1 Rotterdam 20.04.1985

162 2:07:12 Paul Kirui KEN 05.02.80 3 Amsterdam 21.10.2007

162 2:07:12 James Rotich KEN 22.12.78 4 Amsterdam 21.10.2007

165 2:07:13 Steve Jones GBR 04.08.55 1 Chicago 20.10.1985

165 2:07:13 Atsushi Sato JPN 08.05.78 3 Fukuoka 02.12.2007

165 2:07:13 Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich KEN 15.03.82 3 Paris 11.04.2010

168 2:07:14 Daniel Njenga KEN 07.05.76 3 Chicago 09.10.2005

168 2:07:14a Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot KEN 26.09.78 1 Boston 17.04.2006

170 2:07:15a Cosmas N'Deti KEN 24.11.71 1 Boston 18.04.1994

170 2:07:15 Japhet Kosgei KEN 20.12.68 1 Tokyo 13.02.2000

170 2:07:15 Dmitriy Baranovskiy UKR 28.07.79 2 Fukuoka 03.12.2006

173 2:07:16 Isaac Macharia KEN 25.11.80 2 Dubai 18.01.2008

173 2:07:16 Jaouad Gharib MAR 22.05.72 2 Beijing 24.08.2008

173 2:07:16 Bernard Kiprop Kipyego KEN 16.07.86 2 Paris 10.04.2011

176 2:07:17 Benjamin Kiptoo KEN 79 1 Roma 22.03.2009

177 2:07:18 Kenneth Cheruiyot KEN 02.08.74 2 Rotterdam 22.04.2001

177 2:07:18 David Barmasai KEN 87 1 Dubai 21.01.2011

179 2:07:19a Andrés Perez Espinosa MEX 04.02.63 2 Boston 18.04.1994

179 2:07:19 Khalid Khannouchi MAR 22.12.71 2 Chicago 11.10.1998

179 2:07:19 Jaouad Gharib MAR 22.05.72 3 Fukuoka 03.12.2006

179 2:07:19 Mubarak Hassan Shami QAT 02.12.80 1 Paris 15.04.2007

183 2:07:20 Vincent Rousseau BEL 29.07.62 2 Berlin 24.09.1995

183 2:07:20 Lee Bong-Ju KOR 11.10.70 2 Tokyo 13.02.2000

185 2:07:21 Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot KEN 10.08.88 1 Frankfurt 26.10.2008

186 2:07:22 Stefano Baldini ITA 25.05.71 5 London 23.04.2006

187 2:07:23 Fabián Roncero ESP 19.10.70 2 Rotterdam 18.04.1999

187 2:07:23 Viktor Röthlin SUI 14.10.74 1 Tokyo 17.02.2008

187 2:07:23 David Kipkorir KEN 15.12.74 1 Hamburg 27.04.2008

187 2:07:23a Kebede Tekeste ETH 81 2 Boston 19.04.2010

187 2:07:23 Nicholas Koech KEN 82 3 Praha 09.05.2010

187 2:07:23 Chala Dechase ETH 13.06.84 3 Amsterdam 17.10.2010

193 2:07:24 Hosea Kiprop Rotich KEN 02.10.79 3 Paris 06.04.2008

194 2:07:26 Fabián Roncero ESP 19.10.70 1 Rotterdam 19.04.1998

194 2:07:26 Benjamin Kimutai Kosgei KEN 05.09.71 1 Amsterdam 20.10.2002

194 2:07:26 Martin Lel KEN 29.10.78 1 London 17.04.2005

197 2:07:27 Josephat Kiprono KEN 12.12.73 2 Berlin 20.09.1998

197 2:07:27 Julio Rey ESP 13.01.72 1 Hamburg 27.04.2003

199 2:07:28 Josiah Thugwane RSA 15.04.71 1 Fukuoka 07.12.1997

199 2:07:28 Evans Rutto KEN 08.04.78 4 Chicago 09.10.2005

201 2:07:29 Josephat Kiprono KEN 12.12.73 2 Chicago 22.10.2000

201 2:07:29 Stefano Baldini ITA 25.05.71 6 London 14.04.2002

201 2:07:29 Salim Kipsang KEN 22.12.79 3 Berlin 30.09.2007

201 2:07:29 Abreham Cherkos ETH 23.09.89 4 Amsterdam 17.10.2010

Gubby, i posted this on another thread but will repost it below:

wejo wrote:

Fabulous races in Boston. 2:03:01 is an amazing time. Let's stop and praise JK for his quote of the day yesterday where he basically predicted a world's best in these conditions.

"A near-20 mph tailwind might chop three or four minutes off someone's finishing time. A sub-2:03:59 clocking wouldn't actually shock me. I'll tell you this - if Boston had rabbits and the field that is assembled for the 2011 London marathon was running with a time bonus on the line, I'd actually be a little surprised if someone didn't run the fastest marathon time ever recorded."

http://www.letsrun.com/2011/bostonweather-0416.php

That JK is a genius alright. Before JK, no one has ever thought that a strong tailwind would help in a marathon. NO ONE.

18 miles per hour is 8.0 meters per second -- or 4 times what is allowable in a sprint race. FYI the winds were officially 19.6 mph throughout the race (gusts 27-31mph) from the West/WSW -- directly at their backs.

1983 16mps start 10-13 mph the rest of the way SSW directly at their backs. Greg Meyer ran 2:09.00. His second fastest marathon is 2:10:59.

1994 18-20mph gusts 26-33 mph WNW winds (quartering) Kempainen ran 2:08:47. His second fastest marathon is 2:12:45.

Todays conditions were truly a 'perfect storm'.

Strong field, last year Boston CR dropped from 2:07's to 2:05's skipping the 2:06's with an honest effort. Put in a big tail wind and IRC and guess another minute or so drop? Logical, not Genius. With the Pace Rabbit (Hall) even more ideal!

My confusion is what this point to point course with huge tail wind does to comparison of courses? Is Boston now the official fastest course of the Majors when it used to be slowest?

Is Hall really a 2:04 marathoner?

Just don't know how to grasp today's Mother Nature assisted performances.

You are absolutly correct in that the wind certainly helped the runners. However, it is virtually impossible to say exactly how much. Vs. a 100m dash where the wind should help you the same amount the whole race, in a marathon the wind benefit should vary signficantly - not only in various places on the course but also by individual runner depending on where they were in the pack. Combine this with the fact there is always a huge variation in performances on a normal day (if there had been a head wind that slowed them down in the first half the winners time would not have been nearly as fast but I would bet the some runners would actually have run faster with a headwind as it would have made for more optimal pacing for them).

All in all, you can only say it was a fantastic performance.

Rojo: remember that wind speed, for weather measurement, is taken 10m above the ground. However, wind speed measurements in sprint races are taken 1m off the ground in EXACTLY the direction of the race. Pretty significant difference. Still, yes, it was a big help, but it was still a great race. Say you add 3 minutes, so Mutai ran 2:06 flat. Still phenomenal.