Steve Cram's 1983 world championship race in Helsinki is a model of how to win that type of race. A tall runner wins a race that goes out in 2:07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyHiAWvVgK4
1. stay in lane 1 and out of trouble in the back the first half of the race.
2. Get in position start moving on the backstretch at 800m. Be ready to take the lead if necessary, or just off the lead if your move has jumpstarted the race. In any event the racing starts at 600- "long drive for home" gear at this point.
3. Pull the trigger on that final gear with 200 to go- now we are in overdrive.
Cram probably spent 80% less time in lane 2 than Wheating did in his race. Still, Wheating didn't run too badly considering he lost to Centro, a 3:26 guy, and a 3:32 guy.