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.
Jake Robertson paid his own money to top up and fly business class to Houston as he knew he was ready to run fast
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Great finish for him, 4:28/M pace at the end, but if I were him, I'd go run a very fast course with pacers and get well under 60 while I was in top shape and healthy.
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wejo wrote:
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.
Why would an elite of his stature have that much issue getting into the race? Seems like it should be nothing more than a quick call from his agent and a quick yes in response? -
You probably wouldn't understand
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Great run, serious talent...but why would run Lake Biwa... Why not London?
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Big mistake skipping commonwealth games.
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oldlegs wrote:
Great run, serious talent...but why would run Lake Biwa... Why not London?
Maybe for same reason Bekele debuted in Paris and not London. No stress of having to run WR pace in your very first marathon. -
Just a Slow HJ wrote:
wejo wrote:
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.
Why would an elite of his stature have that much issue getting into the race? Seems like it should be nothing more than a quick call from his agent and a quick yes in response?
Now Jake paid to upgrade to business class so I wonder what that cost him but a lot of guys aren't going to shell out a few thousands dollars to fly in and then pay for accommodations in Houston. I'm sure the race would have let him run, the question is whether they'd pay for him to come in.
Jake was going to run Fukuoka and will now do Lake Biwa. That's the level he's more likely to contend and win rather than London. -
Does this mean his wife, Magdalyne Masai, is not running for New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games?
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Error message wrote:
Big mistake skipping commonwealth games.
Not really. He does not have a marathon qualifier and he would probably be a non factor in the 10k -
Serious question: How does the Robertson twins make a living? Purely trough running?
How did the make a living when they first moved to Kenya? I remember a few videos on youtube where they were sporting Monster energy drink and other expensive stuff.. -
Commonwealth has no value for him at this point.
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With a 60 flat 1/2, you'd expect 27 low, no?
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FinancialQuestion wrote:
Serious question: How does the Robertson twins make a living? Purely trough running?
How did the make a living when they first moved to Kenya? I remember a few videos on youtube where they were sporting Monster energy drink and other expensive stuff..
They begged for money from family . It takes nothing to live in Kenya. -
Commonwealth Games are important for NZ athletes for national recognition, legacy in the sport, sponsorship, national pride, national funding and representing country with a proud tradition in Commonwealth Games.
Steve Monaghetti launched his international career by running and winning his first marathon at Commonwealth Games. He was only qualified for 10km but was able to run the marathon too, his first.
Deek became a national sporting superstar in Oz when he won his Commonwealth marathon title.
Do the Robertson twins share one brain? -
Jake has not qualified for Comm Games. sub 2.12 is needed for New Zealand's selection policy, and if he went and did that, there wouldn't be time to peak again in Gold Cold, which is only 11 weeks away.
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notonpoint wrote:
Jake has not qualified for Comm Games. sub 2.12 is needed for New Zealand's selection policy, and if he went and did that, there wouldn't be time to peak again in Gold Cold, which is only 11 weeks away.
I think that running 2:12 in the marathon for Jake would qualify as a training run. His potential over the marathon distance is arguably equal to that of Moen (who has run 2:05.47), so a 2:12 is 10 seconds per kilometer slower. So Jake could run the qualifying standard in one of his training runs leading up to that game.
Of course, this is all hypothetical. I think his plan sound good.
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FinancialQuestion wrote:
Serious question: How does [sic] the Clayton Johnson lll twins make a living? Purely trough [sick] running?
How did the [sic]make a living when they first moved to Kenya? I remember a few videos on youtube where they were sporting Monster energy drink and other expensive stuff..
They have won a lot of money in spelling competitions.
Hilarious. -
About a year ago I thought Jake must have given up, three 60min flat half marathons later, wow. It would be good to see him and Moen race for the fastest whitey.
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Seriously asking if wrote:
Commonwealth Games are important for NZ athletes for national recognition, legacy in the sport, sponsorship, national pride, national funding and representing country with a proud tradition in Commonwealth Games.
Steve Monaghetti launched his international career by running and winning his first marathon at Commonwealth Games. He was only qualified for 10km but was able to run the marathon too, his first.
Deek became a national sporting superstar in Oz when he won his Commonwealth marathon title.
Do the Robertson twins share one brain?
None of those are NZers. They're Australians. It was a different time then, when you had to have permission to travel OS.
Not any longer. There are plenty of opportunities to run internationally.
Deek was always a star, from the age of 15.
