Tokyo Marathon Elite Field

Bumbalaugh and Iowa State's Betsy Saina making debuts

I was wondering where Kipsang would end up. This looks like a better Tokyo field than normal.

Sounds like the course is also a faster course than previous. If Kipsang has good pacers then he may be able to get under 2:04

Looks awesome!!! Anyone know if we be able to watch this live? FloTrack?

I wouldn't be surprised if it was beIN or Eurosport. Fox Sports even does broadcasting in that area if I'm not mistaken.

From

https://www.iaaf.org/news/news/tokyo-marathon-2017-elite-fields

Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 2:03:13

Dickson Chumba (KEN) 2:04:32

Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) 2:04:38

Tadese Tola (ETH) 2:04:49

Bernard Koech (KEN) 2:04:53

Evans Chebet (KEN) 2:05:31

Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:06:11

Bernard Kipyego (KEN) 2:06:19

Shumi Dechasa (BRN) 2:06:43

Alfers Lagat (KEN) 2:06:48

Yet another (last ?) comeback attempt for Kebede !

wonder if kipsang can come close to the WR?

Regardless, the startlists are really nice and some of the pictures at the startlist are really cute

It wouod be interesting if he went after the world record, in berlin he and Bekele slowed down to race each before Bekele turned on the jets, and they both could have gone under. Hopefully not another dubai.

Kara "Queen" Goucher wrote:

wonder if kipsang can come close to the WR?

Regardless, the startlists are really nice and some of the pictures at the startlist are really cute

Tokyo marathon course has several gradual hills, making it hard to achieve a fast time of World record magnitude. That is why th132479e course record was above 2:07 until Kimetto brought it under 2:07 in 2014. Since then it has gone down to 2:05:41.

That said and with favorable weather conditions, Kipsang will run a good time of below 2:04:30 and more likely just under 2:04. Couple of guys to watch out for and who will push Kipsang to the line are Evans Chebet(3rd in Berlin 2016), Alfers Lagat and Marius Kipserem. Tadese Tola is also a great fighter. Tilahun Regasa who have been a great addition to this field.

Great field. Excited to see if Chumba will join the 2:03 club, but I don't think Tokyo is the course for it. Still should be a good duel between him and Kipsang, though.

Also, you guys SERIOUSLY have to click on the pdf and look at the photo of Shumi Dechasa - I don't know what the photographer was thinking, but it's one of those hilarious candids.

Sara Hall and Birhane Dibaba also in this race.

And it will be Andrew Bumbalough's debut. I didn't see him at the bottom of the list (they list by PRs so he's at the bottom since it's his debut).

http://www.kimbia.net/andrew-bumbalough-to-make-marathon-debut-next-month-in-tokyo/

“I’m not looking to knock it out of the park in my first at-bat in the marathon,” Andrew says. “I plan to run conservatively, to have a good experience my first time out.”

One reason Andrew chose Tokyo for his debut is that there are often several runners aiming for the 2:10-2:12 range that Andrew has targeted for his debut. The race’s Japanese contingent alone includes five men with PRs of 2:10 or 2:11.

I don't know too much about marathoning. Does Betsy Saina have a chance to win this, in her first marathon ever? 1:07 I'd her best half. Thanks.

3 days to go, live stream mentioned here

http://www.watchathletics.com/schedule/watchlive/2749

Not much in the way of pre-race talking so far, anyone think Kipsang can go for the WR ?

No one interested in the Tokyo Marathon ?

According to

https://www.iaaf.org/news/preview/tokyo-marathon-2017-kipsang

Kipsang is shooting for the WR in 2h02'50" (61'30/61'20) so it should be interesting, especially since Kebede is also going for that target, which seems ambitious since he's been off form for a few years now...

No way they break the world record. I say low 2:04 at best. If they really do go out at WR pace they are going to blow up and run 2:07-2:08.

Kipsang predicted 2:02.50, butt Kebede predicted 2:03.50 https://twitter.com/JRNHeadlines/status/834987552570400768

Ah that makes more sense ! Here's hoping to an exciting race.