Meb has already mentioned that he'll be running a Fall Marathon, but hasn't named it yet. While he normally runs NYC, it's a very real possibility that he'll choose Chicago as he already won Boston and NYC, and he would love to add the final US Major to his list of titles.
Knowing that he would have a very slim chance of winning in a rabbitted race, did the Chicago organizers end the rabbit tradition to ensure a Meb appearance?
Who?
Probably yes. That sucks. And I'm a Meb fan too.
A 40 year old man won't be winning Chicago.*
*unless Mr. Pinkowski decides to not invite anybody of substance.
highly unlikely.
I also have to add that it would be in Meb's best interest to choose Chicago over NYC since it's a month earlier, which gives him more time to prepare for the Trials in February
Interesting. I guess we will find out soon enough. But if Meb does chicago then I bet it is part of the reason.
And if he does chicago I assume it would be so he could be as ready as possible for the trials.
This is the first time I've considered he would run somewhere outside NYC.
NYC pays good money to get past champions to return each year. I really doubt Meb would run Chicago, even if they get rid of rabbits. I think it is simply economics. Rabbits are expensive. They have to hire top talent to rabbit because a WR attempt is always sought by agents and race directors. How many runners can go through 13.1 at 1:02 and reliably hold the pace through 30K? Plus, the European races (Berlin and Rotterdam) have cornered the market on superfast WR attempt races. The weather in Chicago is too iffy and the course has a few too many turns to bother investing in rabbits for a WR attempt every year.
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