Like Revel Big Bear has a net drop of over 5,000 ft. What would Kipchoge run on that course?
Discus.
Like Revel Big Bear has a net drop of over 5,000 ft. What would Kipchoge run on that course?
Discus.
5000ft drop marathon sounds like a quad-melter.
I just ran the Revel Mt Charleston.
Personally, I had to drop out of the race at 15.9 miles due to massive blisters on my heels leading to severe calf pain so I may not be the best source but I will weigh in with my experience. (I wasn't used to my shoes and slipped off the side of them on some steep banked curves).
However, up until that point I didn't feel aerobically challenged at all and was running significantly faster what I am capable of doing on normal road. I split the half marathon over 2 minutes faster than my half marathon PR without any trouble whatsoever.
Given that observation, I would wager that anyone who approached one of these Revel races seriously who trained properly for the downhill would be significantly under their PR. Depending on the athlete, the weather and all other things considered I'd bet a 5 to 15 minute improvement.
The only way we would ever know though is if there was a significant financial incentive for an elite athlete to do this. Running at marathon effort down 5000 ft is a pretty big risk for someone who relies on running as their cash cow.
I'd be shocked if Kipchoge couldn't break 2:00 on these courses.