I don't know what it is with this guy and going out so suicidally fast but I guess it paid off today.
POS BIB ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
1 972 Alfred KIPKETER KENKEN 1:43.95 WJL
2 979 Joshua Tiampati MASIKONDE KENKEN 1:45.14 PB
3 1383 Andreas ALMGREN SWESWE 1:45.65 NJR
4 277 Thiago ANDRÈ BRABRA 1:46.06 PB
5 565 Jena UMAR ETHETH 1:46.23 PB
6 1543 Tre'tez KINNAIRD USAUSA 1:47.13 PB
7 1385 Kalle BERGLUND SWESWE 1:47.31 PB
8 661 Kyle LANGFORD GBRGBR 1:55.21
Splits for Kipketer were something along the lines of 49.4-54.5.
He does this in every race he runs (Last year's World Youth 800 was particularly ridiculous) and it's been pretty well proven that the best way to run a fast time is with relatively even splits
So what could this guy do off of an even pace? Could he post back to back 51 lows and run sub 1:43? I don't think it's all that out of the question.
Thoughts?
*Also should be noted, it may not have been all that ridiculous of an opener for the rest of the field since other than one competitor the entire field set new personal bests in this race. Kipketer should be expecting quite a few flower deliveries to his hotel room later today.