WC Marathon: Tamirat Tola vs Daniel Wanjiru

Bobbby Curtis.

isn't the course in Dubai short?

Kirui.

The unknown quantity. Has he given up his mountain home for hard and focused workouts? If so he will have a good shot.

If I remember Canova was saying something about his massive potential, being held back only by his inability to train at a maximum level due to Kirui's insistence on living in the remote mountains.

It's going to be Wanjiru. He comes across as somewhat confident, even cocky, in his Kenyan interviews. Seems to believe in his speed and he has reason to. Told a Kenyan reporter that he'd been hoping Bekele would catch up to him in the London marathon so he could "show you guys some drama". Funny because the impression I got watching that race was that he turned his head, seemed very shocked to see Bekele, and quickly picked up the pace in fear. 😂

I don't think Kirui will factor. Check this out from last year's Amsterdam marathon where he gets dropped by in the final stages, then Wanjiru unleashes a frightening surge to drop the other guy. All within a minute of each other.

I've bookmarked this video just a few seconds from the exciting part.

https://youtu.be/bzLWSVxMbMg?t=1h35m59s

I agree Wanjiru seems to be a confident guy and if his tactics in Amsterdam are anything to go by, he is the favorite. That said, Tamirat show in Dubai was also superb and if he shows up in similar shape then we got a show to behold in London. And don't forget the defending champion, diminutive Eritrean Ghirmay. Since his win in 2015 he has placed 4th in the Virgin London marathon, won New York marathon and placed 4th in the Olympics last year and all against the best fields. Championship races are his strength and he could come through for a back to back title. Kirui on the other hand is a strong athlete and certainly has a great future but he might not have what it takes to win a championship race since he tends to be slow when it comes to changing gears. That is why even with a sub 27 minutes PR back in 2012, he could not win the world juniors, only running 28:30 to finish 3rd.

The third Kenyan, Paul Lonyangata is a puzzle. The fashion in which he won Paris marathon indicates someone who has matured and if he goes on to win, it won't be a surprise. He certainly demonstrated he could mix up with anyone including the likes of Bekele and Kipchoge.

Yeah, I definitely should have mentioned Ghirmay Ghebreslassie as defending champ. The competition from Tola and Wanjiru seems tougher than in 2015, but he's still one to watch.

That Wanjiru surge in the Amsterdam video was great. Can't wait to watch this race.

101 Kentucky bourbon train wrote:

Bobbby Curtis.

Although never a prolific tweeter, he has been very quiet lately.

What will the weather be like on marathon day?

Given the lack of pacemakers, I expect it to be highly tactical, which could cause a surprise.

G Geb will not run London.

🥇 Geoffrey Kirui - Kenya

🥈 Tamrat Tola - Ethiopia

🥉 Alphonse Simbu - Tanzania

aadfs wrote:

Kirui.

The unknown quantity. Has he given up his mountain home for hard and focused workouts? If so he will have a good shot.

If I remember Canova was saying something about his massive potential, being held back only by his inability to train at a maximum level due to Kirui's insistence on living in the remote mountains.

Nice call!