The Kernyan OG Marathon Squad revealed

daverunfast wrote:

why not just have a trial amd forget about having to choose?

I'd say the reason is that racing prize money is an crucial source of income to the Kenyan runners: asking them to run a marathon with no potential monetary gain would not have drawn the top talents, who can only run so many marathons in a year and depend on their good years providing financial security for the whole of their careers.

gramthlete wrote:

the BRObius strip wrote:

Kinda makes you wonder how Mutai would have fared if the weather had been cooler in Boston and how that effected the decision.

AFFECTED.

i think he was saying that the weather effected boston this year not sure what your talking about

grammerwhat wrote:

i think he was saying that the weather effected boston this year not sure what your talking about

YOU'RE talking about.

Also: to have an effect upon is to AFFECT. To effect is to produce or bring something about. Bad weather does not effect a decision, the people making a decision effect it. See

lol its so easy to troll you grammer guys your definitely easy to get a rise out of

grammerwhat wrote:

lol its so easy to troll you grammer guys your definitely easy to get a rise out of

*Sigh*, touché.

AK is playing it risky here. Only Kipsang can win gold (and he seems like a lock on it). But with this team it won't be a 1-2-3 on the mens side. Gold could very well go to ETH if Kipsang is having a bad day.

Womens side I only see Keitany who WILL win gold over Shubukova, unless she is having a bad day. The other two will fight for place 3.

I certainly don't think its a dead cert that Kipsang for Gold, or Keitany. Favourites in Olympics quite often fair badly. You can't just base it on this athlete has the quickest time, therefore they will win. You have to consider the weather conditions, London can be hot and humid in August. You need o tconsider championship experience, no pacemakers, you have to also be feeling fit on the day. Just Look at some the previous Olympic Marathon winners, or surprises, Hwang of South Korea in 1992, Josiah Thugwane in 1996, who only had personal best of 2:11:46 going into the Olympic Marathon. Roba of Ethiopia in Altanta 1996 was also a surprise at that time, Dita of Romania in Beijing another surprise. I also think the other 2 Kenyan have a great chance of winning gold. Abel Kirui is a proven Championship performer, winning two world titles in fine style and in tough condition, which are likely to be similar in London in August. Also Mosop has many years of experince competing for Kenya, winning Medals on the track and cross-country, and has shown to be very consistant in his 3 marathons.

I would have hated to be on the board that decided this team. You know people were going to be disappointed with the decision...just too many damn good runners to pick from, but what a spot to be in. I can't wait!!!!

That's what I said "unless they have a bad day". I can guarantee that Kirui won't win gold though.

"lol its so easy to troll you grammer guys your definitely easy to get a rise out of"

Yeah because being illiterate is sooooo funny! Don't you have a tree to go swing from?

even if Kipsang has a great day, Abshero is a big big threat.

I can't understand how you can guarantee that Kirui won't win gold. He's a double world champion for couldness sake. In The World Championships last year in Daegu Korea he won by two & Half minutes from a group of 2:05 runners, Vincent Kipruto, Feyisa Lelisa and Eluid Kiptanui. Running the second half of that marathon in a staggering 62 minutes in heat & Humid conditions. The Berlin World Championships in 2009 Kirui set the Championship record of 2:06:54, running well clear of former London marathon champions Emmanuel Mutai & Tesgaye Kebede and this year Rotterdam Champion Yemane Adhane a 2:04 runner. So to dismiss Kirui as having no chance of winning seems abit premature. The guy's a class act, Not to say that Kipsang is'nt, or that Mosop isnt. There is probably 8-10 athletes who stand a change of winning. Who would of predicted that the Olympic Marathon in Athens 2004 would of Consisted of an Italian, American and a Brazilian winning the medals! Give Kirui Some Respect!!!

Who are the Keryans?

sub240 wrote:

I can guarantee that Kirui won't win gold though.

Big call and not real smart, unless of course you can let us know how you can guarantee it?

I remember not too long ago, Letsrun had a minor headline about AK announcing that the Daegu gold medalists ALONG WITH Patrick Makau are automatically named to the London 2012 team...

(see a snapshot here)

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bx4hrEgDbfZrS0VFOVU3X3F5S2s

Obviously AK changed their minds when Makau was only named to the preliminary [marathon team selection] pool pending spring marathon performances.

yeah see this

http://www.letsrun.com/2011/homepage0930.php

Leaving off G. mutai was a big mistake. He was the unfortunate recipient of bad weather. London will not be that hot. It would be a tough call though. I hope he runs 2:03 low and I think he will this fall unless he does NY.

Can some tiny country give Makau and Mutai dual citizenship? They would have a tremendous shot at a medal.

Rainy day wrote:

Leaving off G. mutai was a big mistake. He was the unfortunate recipient of bad weather. London will not be that hot.

London, in the middle of August *and* with an 11:00 am start (to great protest from athletes when it was announced) has every chance of being at least as hot as Boston this year.