Three 2:04 guys will be running Boston. Rupp might not even finish in third place.

Other than Tola and Desisa, this field is almost identical to what Rupp faced last year. Honestly the Men's field is a bit of a yawn. All the big names have run Boston multiple times at this point, other than Tola, and there really isn't a whole lot of intrigue to this field. Rupp has a decent shot to win but he'll have to be at his best to do so against two of the best Championship type runners in the World in Kirui and Tola.

Desisa is no longer the runner he once was. I wish rupp would have chosen London to get pulled to a fast time anyway. Kipchoge will be dropping a 2:03.x...

if it is a hot one for the 3rd year in succession then 2:10 could easily win Boston.

Mr. Rupp seems to be decent in hot weather so his time might not be affected as much.

He may not win but certainly will have a pretty good chance.

This will create a great deal of interest in the Boston Marathon this year.

Yuki Kawauchi for the win.

Rupp will go home DEVASTATED!

Many fast riders are not good at marathons with hills.

One exception was Emmanuel Mutai.

Winning wrote:

Yuki Kawauchi for the win.

I expect Rupp to crush Kawauchi (and the 2:07 - 2:09 guys) and finish in the mix with the faster PR Africans.

My fear is that the Africans (and Rupp) will be afraid to push a fast 2:05 - 2:06 pace and the race will be won in 2:08 or so.

Does Rupp have any tune up races planned?

Scorpion_runner wrote:

You know they are going to hit it fast, and not allow Rupp to hang around. They will probably go out at 2:08 and just keep turning the screw until Rupp is dropped.

They are going to hit it fast, and go out at 2:08? Isn't that contradictory? On second thought, I guess a 64 minute first half at Boston and then just a 63 or 64 minute second half would be a helluva race.

And, all of Rupp's marathons it has either been him turning the screws and dropping folks (Chicago), or he hangs on while the screws get tightened and places well (Boston, Olympics).

Scorpion_runner wrote:They will probably go out at 2:08 and just keep turning the screw until Rupp is dropped.

With 3:50/7:30/12:58/26:44 PRs, there's no screw they can turn that Rupp can't hang with.

Rupp is #17 by marathon PR in this race. Its obvious that with the 2:04, 2:05, and 2:06 guys here that Rupp won't finish in the top 10. At least that's what the anti-Ruppers would say. He's only a 2:09 guy of course and with all with these studs that they put on a pedestal they should easily crush him. We'll see...

Devil Dog wrote:

Scorpion_runner wrote:They will probably go out at 2:08 and just keep turning the screw until Rupp is dropped.

With 3:50/7:30/12:58/26:44 PRs, there's no screw they can turn that Rupp can't hang with.

Noshit. Soon LRers will have to accept that Galen Rupp is an all time great, being coached by an all time great. Runners of Rupp's caliber aren't 2:09 marathoners. If it takes 2:03:30, that's what he'll run.

Devil Dog wrote:

Scorpion_runner wrote:They will probably go out at 2:08 and just keep turning the screw until Rupp is dropped.

With 3:50/7:30/12:58/26:44 PRs, there's no screw they can turn that Rupp can't hang with.

Agreed, Rupp holds the screwdriver so to speak. Kirui was better last year but I think Rupp has gotten stronger and much more experienced with each marathon he's raced. Kirui may not have the same chance again. I expect greatness in Boston.

Can anyone explain to me why Desisa is a pure 2:04 guy? What did he run in Breakin2? What did he run in New York.

I expect nothing from him.

For as long as I can remember, Rupp has lined up against all these "2:04"-type guys on the roads and track, and done as well and often better as them. PRs mean nothing. How many runners with fast PRs couldn't hang at either Olympics? Or at Chicago, Boston?

RUPP IS KING

Devil Dog wrote:

Scorpion_runner wrote:They will probably go out at 2:08 and just keep turning the screw until Rupp is dropped.

With 3:50/7:30/12:58/26:44 PRs, there's no screw they can turn that Rupp can't hang with.

The turning of the screw will happen well beyond 10k dude.

crosscounts wrote:

Can anyone explain to me why Desisa is a pure 2:04 guy? What did he run in Breakin2? What did he run in New York.

I expect nothing from him.

For as long as I can remember, Rupp has lined up against all these "2:04"-type guys on the roads and track, and done as well and often better as them. PRs mean nothing. How many runners with fast PRs couldn't hang at either Olympics? Or at Chicago, Boston?

RUPP IS KING

Because he ran 2:04:45 in Dubai, and could have run faster.

His times:

2:04

2:05

2:11

2:11

Did you really bring up breaking 2? LoL That was a science project, being run at a death pace.

Boston Marathon Finishes: 1st, 1st, 2nd

New York Marathon: 2nd, 3rd, 3rd.

So the boy knows how to run hills, and loves running hills . Also, he has some track speed. PB at 10000m is 27:17

He has WAYYYYYYYYYY more experience at hills and at boston than rupp does, and he is the faster marathoner. Dude ,Rupp is not going to beat him or Tola.

And I'm sure he learned a lot from breaking 2. It actually showed in his New York marathon run. He looked very, very strong.

Last but not least, He is only 27. He is still a puppy when it comes to the marathon, because most elite runners get into the marathon in their early 30s

Only way he loses to Rupp is by Nike paying him to fold, which is why I don't trust american marathons.

With all these 2:04 guys, Rupp does not have a chance. They just need to run 1:03/1:01 and Rupp will finish a full 5 minutes after the 3rd place finisher. You know, because he's a 2:09 guy.

LoneStarXC wrote:

Rupp will go home DEVASTATED!

Agreed. I'm with LoneStar on this one.

Also, a mandarin is a small orange.

Rupp will finish with no better than 2:05 as his best marathon. You guys can talk all you want but you know it's true. His 10k time on the track means absolutely nothing to the marathon, look at Tadese and his half PR. Even Canova has said 2:05 is his peak.

Takinadump wrote:

Rupp will finish with no better than 2:05 as his best marathon. You guys can talk all you want but you know it's true. His 10k time on the track means absolutely nothing to the marathon, look at Tadese and his half PR. Even Canova has said 2:05 is his peak.

2:05 is actually pretty optimistic. Are a lot of people even thinking he will run that fast? I think 2:05 is in the realm of possibility, but if I had to bet on Rupp's final PR I would guess 2:06 or maybe 2:07.