Bekele to run Amsterdam marathon

Oh Please wrote:

I think it is actually a good idea. He had a good debut at Paris running 205 flat. He needs a win just for the mental aspect of it. I suspect he envisions the next showdown with Kipchoge to be Tokyo 2020, and he had better lay the ground work now.

More than just winning, he might want to have a race centred around him to get a good shot at the world record.

grox wrote:

Oh Please wrote:

I think it is actually a good idea. He had a good debut at Paris running 205 flat. He needs a win just for the mental aspect of it. I suspect he envisions the next showdown with Kipchoge to be Tokyo 2020, and he had better lay the ground work now.

More than just winning, he might want to have a race centred around him to get a good shot at the world record.

yeah, that's what i meant in original post. The last couple races with Kipchoge, it was done under his pacing criteria which wasn't Bekele's preference

Tron wrote:

yeah, that's what i meant in original post. The last couple races with Kipchoge, it was done under his pacing criteria which wasn't Bekele's preference

Yes. And as mentioned earlier in this thread, Paris worked well for him. That race was organised for him and he did not really have to worry about any competitor. Maybe that's best for a WR. If he gets it, he can then return to competitive marathons.

This race will set-up well for KB, although I probably would've liked to have seen him in Berlin or Chicago. He hasn't done well dropping out of record attempts lately so I understand why he's not going to Berlin in a race that'll go out at 2:03-flat pace. Chicago would've been interesting to see him take on Mo and Galen.

Amsterdam can be a confidence booster. He's the main attraction. The weather is usually good and the course is fast. It also can have a deeper field than Berlin and Chicago. 5 in the 2:05s last year. Good race for KB to sit in a pack through halfway in 1:02-mid and then try to go 2:04.

With his marathon results, he either runs 2:04 and wins or is a DNF. Good race to be in if you're trying to break through to the 2:04-6 range.

grox wrote:

Tron wrote:

yeah, that's what i meant in original post. The last couple races with Kipchoge, it was done under his pacing criteria which wasn't Bekele's preference

Yes. And as mentioned earlier in this thread, Paris worked well for him. That race was organised for him and he did not really have to worry about any competitor. Maybe that's best for a WR. If he gets it, he can then return to competitive marathons.

Bekele isn't afraid of competitors, he ran his fastest race in a close battle with E Mutai. On the other hand that Dubai race that was set up for him was a flop. All that matters is whether he's healthy.

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

Of course he'll get the AR, why wouldn't he?

Other than Banana Bread jumping out in front of him for for a selfie at Mile 24, that is....

Wrong thread. I just realized that response for the Houlihan 5k in Belgium.

Amsterdam?

Ha!

Dodging Chicago where the medalists are running...

Dodging Berlin where the goat is running.

Maybe he should just run the Hudson Mohawk marathon ..,,,

‘He looks determined in the picture...’

Wow.

How can you follow the sport to assert (correctly) that Berlin will use pacers per Kipchoge’s pace, yet not know that Amsterdam is also a fast course?

He'll undoubtedly attempt to break the world record. That is his main, and maybe only, concern for the marathon.

I am going to undoubtedly attempt to break the 200m record in my track workout tomorrow.

This is a smart move for him. I hope he runs well. As much as I love bekele, I admit his is career is at a point where he must win a marathon now or retire.

Hardloper wrote:

grox wrote:

Yes. And as mentioned earlier in this thread, Paris worked well for him. That race was organised for him and he did not really have to worry about any competitor. Maybe that's best for a WR. If he gets it, he can then return to competitive marathons.

Bekele isn't afraid of competitors, he ran his fastest race in a close battle with E Mutai. On the other hand that Dubai race that was set up for him was a flop. All that matters is whether he's healthy.

don't you mean kipsang?

kipsang ain't it wrote:

don't you mean kipsang?

Yeah

Dirty Dog. wrote:

Banana Bread wrote:

I dream about seen him in the red light district and been on a gondola with him on the canal.

You're one sick puppy.

?

I'll be the one laughing when Bekele silences all the haters. He will also be laughing when he wins and literally gets a course record if not a wr

Ralphed all night wrote:

How can you follow the sport to assert (correctly) that Berlin will use pacers per Kipchoge’s pace, yet not know that Amsterdam is also a fast course?

I've followed Bekele's and Kipchoge's races but aside from looking at the times of the Amsterdam course, haven't really seen a course profile or heard anyone talk about it

vivalarepublica wrote:

Is it possible that the major marathons did not invite him?

Rumour has it Berlin are going for their previous approach (i.e building the race around one runners WR attempt) and banking on that runner. Organisers have high hopes for a WR this year.

Banana Bread wrote:

I'll be the one laughing when Bekele silences all the haters. He will also be laughing when he wins and literally gets a course record if not a wr

Not if I figuratively get the course record first.

Tron wrote:

Anyone surprised? I think a good choice to not try Berlin again since pacers will be kipchoge’s choice. Is Amsterdam a fast course?

https://twitter.com/nnrunningteam/status/1019605568363941889?s=21

Lots of 2:05's run this course. Its fast. It will be paced, so maybe a 2:04 in the making.

Why this race? Bekele's agent Jos, is Dutch and well connected to the race.

Its a little more low key than some of the other races, so less pressure and the ability to focus on the time.