I wonder if you had to make a selection for the top countries who would you pick? I'd go for KENYA : Eliud Kipchoge, Wilson Kipsang, Geoffrey Kamworor(if he does the track, then Geoffrey Kirui), Kenneth Kipkemoi (reserve) . ETHIOPIA : Mosinet Geremew, Shura Kitata, Tamirat Tola + Kenenisa Bekele/Guye Adola (as a reserve). Have your say!
Kenya- Kipchoge, random Rosa athlete and random farmer who hasn't started formal training yet.
Ethiopia- Random Dubai dude x3
USA- Rupp, insert random kenyan, insert random Kenyan
Japan will also have a great team with Osako, Shitara, Inoue, Nakamura.
USA men: Rupp, Walmsley, Meb
USA Rupp a lock / 2 of these 4 :walmsley , Meb or 2 Kenyans ? you can quote the hounddog.
Did Walmsley say he was gonna run the trials and try to make the Olympic team? I missed it if so
In the USA, they should require sub 2:10 in the qualifying window, and if no one else gets it just send Rupp. Utterly no point in sending 2:14 guys to finish in 67th place.
Hounddogharrier wrote:
USA Rupp a lock / 2 of these 4 :walmsley , Meb or 2 Kenyans ? you can quote the hounddog.
Thread started with TOP countries then degenerated into discussing a second tier country with no 2.10 athletes.
Oh Please wrote:
In the USA, they should require sub 2:10 in the qualifying window, and if no one else gets it just send Rupp. Utterly no point in sending 2:14 guys to finish in 67th place.
Rupp had a 2:11:13 pb entering the last Olympics and finished 3rd.
Jared Ward had a 2:12:56 pb entering the last Olympics and finished 6th.
The Olympic marathon is not like other marathons, especially if it's 90 degrees and humid in Tokyo during the race. If you're a 2:12 guy but you can run well in hot weather you could do something in 2020.
Good point by JG. I'm skeptical that Jim Walmsley has goal to make major shift in training from ultras to 'thon training, but he did prove at WS he can excel at running in the heat unlike many fast runners. Barring injury only Rupp has a clear shot at making team. All others need to prove it on the day of the race. The heat in Tokyo will level field, but Kipchoge is still the runner to beat at this time.
M.A.G.A.
Rupp - Unless he is found a cheat
Ward - If he gets over his injuries, he'll find his fitness again and do well. He wasn't broken 2:10 yet because his best races have been in difficult conditions. However, Atlanta may be tough conditions again and Tokyo will probably be very tough conditions. If Ward gets healthy, he'll do very well for the US
Lagat - Wild card, hard to bet against him
Meb - He'll make it interesting but will miss out
Walmsley - Won't even toe the starting line
USA2020 wrote:
Rupp - Unless he is found a cheat
Ward - If he gets over his injuries, he'll find his fitness again and do well. He wasn't broken 2:10 yet because his best races have been in difficult conditions. However, Atlanta may be tough conditions again and Tokyo will probably be very tough conditions. If Ward gets healthy, he'll do very well for the US
Lagat - Wild card, hard to bet against him
Meb - He'll make it interesting but will miss out
Walmsley - Won't even toe the starting line
Can we get back to the elite nations again?
Aussiestatman wrote:
Thread started with TOP countries then degenerated into discussing a second tier country with no 2.10 athletes.
Like Australia? Unless you think Deek can make a comeback at age 61
Rupp, Leonard Korir, Chris Derrick
Is the marathon a team event in 2020? Will they score it xc style?
I'd pick Japan, even though Kenya and Ethiopia are the best they always blow up and overall don't finish well at the Olympics and world championships at the marathon.
USA2020 wrote:
Rupp - Unless he is found a cheat
Ward - If he gets over his injuries, he'll find his fitness again and do well. He wasn't broken 2:10 yet because his best races have been in difficult conditions. However, Atlanta may be tough conditions again and Tokyo will probably be very tough conditions. If Ward gets healthy, he'll do very well for the US
Lagat - Wild card, hard to bet against him
Meb - He'll make it interesting but will miss out
Walmsley - Won't even toe the starting line
Snide way of attacking Rupp. Typical NPC I hate YT stuff.
Lagat has already been found to be a cheat and was let off for political reasons, his "false positive" story has been shown to be full of holes and a lot of intrigue.
Is Ritz done?
How many countries placed two in the top six in Rio?
People throwing out Walmsley's name before Pennel or many other. Ridiculous.