The Kenyans would dominate ultras if there was a cash incentive to compete. Until that happens they will stick to marathons, half marathons, and other road race events as well as T&F
Ultras too Far wrote:
The Kenyans would dominate ultras if there was a cash incentive to compete. Until that happens they will stick to marathons, half marathons, and other road race events as well as T&F
250000 rand is just a bit under 20000 USD. Plenty of incentive for them.
https://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/event_prizes_medals/prizes-for-56km/Bump
Ultras too Far wrote:
The Kenyans would dominate ultras if there was a cash incentive to compete. Until that happens they will stick to marathons, half marathons, and other road race events as well as T&F
"Until that happens"? Don't hold your breath.
As testing continues to be ramped up in marathons, Kenyans will start to switch to ultra-marathons.
Stop pretending ultra "running" is a real sport.
The best Kenyan marathoners ought to replicate their performances at a race like Two Oceans, I would classify that as a tough ultra, you can (and they do ) race it like a marathon.
Comrades will require specific training, which they will not make the sacrifice for.
By the way, this year's Two Oceans had a major late (race eve) course change so any incentive for the record etc would have been off the table.
It depends what you call, ultra running !
In case of HardRock / UTMB / TOR and real ultras ... it is not the fastest or the fittest who wins, or who has the biggest running history and barefoot jogging to school at altitude ! The smartest on the day, who wins.
There is heat, cold, weight of the back pack, technical terrain, brutal elevation differences and heat differences, handling blisters and chafing, crewing, course knowledge, nutrition, hydration and so much more to ultra running.
This means that even if they trained properly, because of the multi-faceted variables, it would totally even out and their economy and lifestyle would mean absolute no advantage at all in those races. Look at the books of Jason Koop or the new one from Scott Johnston / Killian / Steve House and you'll know more about ultra running, a little bit.
So no, just like this Kenyans or therefor any other nations, will not dominate ultra running.
Who wins MDS since 1997 exclusively? Moroccans because they live there and know the desert and train only for that !
Who wins TOR ? Italians, French, Swiss ! Where is the race ? Italy, France and Switzerland ! There are people from like over 50 nations. Anybody could win. No !
Genetics play no role in these big events, just smart training and racing !!!
Coevett wrote:
As testing continues to be ramped up in marathons, Kenyans will start to switch to ultra-marathons.
I'll add this to the list of predictions you make that aren't coming true.
Are you implying the kipchoge couldnt compete at that race if he trained for it?
They would not dominate since there is virtually no drug testing in ultras.
They would dominate, of course.
East Africans dominate in every distance race from 800m up, there's no reason why they wouldn't perform well at longer distances.
Kenyas would do good in short distance ultras (50ks) but not a chance at the 100. They bodies are built for redline running...not ultras
I'll stop saying it when it stops being true.
It's really not worth contemplating. There are long-distance driving contests in golf and not one of the competitors is good enough to play on the PGA tour. Should Dustin Johnson bulk up and give it a go?
Deer Brojos, go get a few 2:03-2:06 Kenyans to run Western states next year and end this debate.
hobby hikers wrote:
Stop pretending ultra "running" is a real sport.
Sprinters say the same thing about the 800 to thon
SDSU Aztec wrote:
It's really not worth contemplating. There are long-distance driving contests in golf and not one of the competitors is good enough to play on the PGA tour. Should Dustin Johnson bulk up and give it a go?
“Not one” of them is good enough to play on the PGA tour? Jamie Sadlowski is pretty much recognized as the best long-distance driver out there (or was at least) and he’s played pro (including PGA tour) events, even won the US Open qualifier. Not sure he could make a living there but he does well for himself otherwise - but your statement that none of them are good enough to play on the tour is false, especially if they actually took the time to work on their short games.