We'll have a more formal write-up but some quick notes from Jake Robertson's words at the press conference after his big 1:00:01 win at the Aramco Half.
Jake said he had been wanting to do this race all of December after he couldn't run Fukuoka. However he did not get confirmed entry into the race until this past Sunday.
Jake who runs his own training group in Kenya and now is self-coached, knew he was ready to run fast so he paid his own money to upgrade to business class so he could sleep.
Jake said the weather changed some of his plans, "I was hoping for a course record. When we dropped some slow ks I knew the time wasn’t going to be what we thought."
But once Jake made his move for glory he was surprised more guys couldn't stay with him. However, he had Guye Adola, one of the best in the world right behind him. "I knew Guye was breathing down my neck and I had to keep the peddle down and do my best...When Guye slid off the back I knew “this was it’”
His brother Zane trains with Guye when in Ethiopia so Jake is well aware of Guye's fitness. Zane told before Berlin where Guye nearly beat Kipchoge he had heard that Guye was in great shape and training to go for the world record.
Although Jake just missed going sub 1:00 he was super excited to beat a field like this. "Wow" he said adding, "Guye is one of the best in the world. The whole caliber of the field. I’m speechless. It’s am amazing feeling."
Jake will skip both Commonwealth Games and the world half and make his marathon debut at Lake Biwa. Then he'll run a series of road races in the US.