Eliud Kipchoge / Ineos sub 2 marathon attempt October 13 in London Official Thread

Wmmgod wrote:

Take whoever you want and have them run the 1:59 challenge and nobody save Kipchoge breaks 2:02. The sheer pace required for such a feat is ridiculous and all of them would eventually blow up.

Just look at the last London marathon, with Mosinet finishing 18 seconds behind Kipchoge, in 2:2:55, on a course that is far from ideal. Kipchoge is the best at the marathon, but I doubt a couple of people would not be able to break 2:2 in ideal conditions, even starting on 2:0 pace.

grox wrote:

Wmmgod wrote:

Take whoever you want and have them run the 1:59 challenge and nobody save Kipchoge breaks 2:02. The sheer pace required for such a feat is ridiculous and all of them would eventually blow up.

Just look at the last London marathon, with Mosinet finishing 18 seconds behind Kipchoge, in 2:2:55, on a course that is far from ideal. Kipchoge is the best at the marathon, but I doubt a couple of people would not be able to break 2:2 in ideal conditions, even starting on 2:0 pace.

Starting at 2h flat is brutal, Geremew time was so good because 1. they negative splitted the race 2. had pacers the entire way (almost as ineos 1:59 would be to some extent) 3. he was in the zone and had the best day of his life.

Are you sure him or Wasihun will ever be able to replicate such a performance? They still have to prove it. Same was with Guye Adola which has disappeared almost completely since Berlin 2017.

So i still believe that you put anyone in the same race and nobody breaks 2:02, hypothetically if someone with a big engine like Geremew has a perfect day like in London, then maybe..but 100% nobody dips under Kipchoge's legal world record. Not even 2014 Dennis Kimetto, 2011 Geoffrey Mutai or 2013 Wilson Kipsang wouldn't.

Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:

What's the legality of having the pacing car with the laser line? It didn't have a specialized fairing that he was tucked inside of. I understood that the rotating pacers and moving drink hand-ups made the first attempt ineligible for WR consideration? If the car/laser thing is legit, why not get rid of the other stuff so that if he breaks 2:00, it's a legit record? I imagine that his training partners and some other highly paid rabbits (a start wedge of 15-20 that dwindles to three or so after 35K) could lay down the pace through 38 - 40K and leave Eliud to go remaining distance alone.

what about three half marathon runners capable of 59.30, swapping out with a fresh wedge of the same again.

Why is the sub 2 hour marathon the last barrier? We'll eventually have other barriers to break, maybe 3:30 mile, 9 sec 100 m, 1:40 800m, etc... Might not be in our lifetime, but give it a 100 years or so and they will probably run that fast.

trollism wrote:

Good job El Keniano has gone and is definitely not posting under a bunch of random usernames.

One of his super clean Kenyan heroes taking money from the evil company that sponsor the evil cycling team formerly known has Team SKY who by way of Kenyans testing positive left right and centre have been proven to be the biggest dopers in the history of doping.

How could he spin this one?

He'll try, firstly you and I will be labelled stormfront supporters, he'll just repeat whatever Rachel Maddow tells her viewers to say. People will then find the thread from three weeks ago where I asked him if "NN was the Team SKY of running" to which he replied "Hell no." It will then be pointed out that his super clean hero is running for "a gigantic western chemicals company" just like all the other Kenyans are in all reality. Then he will hide for a week until some other Kenyan wins something and he will turn up and gloat.

Apple Crumble wrote:

Kipsang and Bekele should sign up for Revel and get a non-record eligible sub-2 hour marathon TOMORROW! What's the difference? First is first.

Agreed. Not necessarily Kipsang or Bekele.. but surely there are some Ethiopians capable of 2:03 that could run a fast downhill course and do it. It's how 99% of the general public sets their personal bests as well, so I don't see the difference.

Apple Crumble wrote:

Kipsang and Bekele should sign up for Revel and get a non-record eligible sub-2 hour marathon TOMORROW! What's the difference? First is first.

Terrible examples - Kipsang and Bekele are over the hill. Neither will be competitive in the marathon for the rest of time.

Just wondering aloud here wrote:

What’re the chances Nike doesn’t want to be involved with this one?

[quote]Lirunnerr wrote:

It was just announced, give Nike some time. I'm sure they will co-sponsor the event. Having fans will be key, and I think London is a great place to stage it.

I SO want Adidas to come up with some parallel thing and get it done before Kipchoge. Some sort of almost out-back course, with the first half flat, and the second half somewhat downhill, so it's nearly legal. If it's indeed so monumental to go under 2 any way/shape/form, why not have Adidas, UA, Skechers gather a few guys and give it a try?

Keep gettin' them checks Eliud! Glad my man is getting paid.

I think he also thinks this is a genuinely noble endeavor that will completely separate his legacy from anyone else.

Seems low risk. More marathon major wins have diminishing returns on his legacy.

What happens if this thing is a mess or he isn't quite feeling it and he goes 2:02 even with the assistance? or DNF? or get's injured? That's probably the biggest possible downside for him. (Excluding the unmentionable - that he gets popped for EPO or something).

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wrote:

Unless you run in wooden shoes you can't really complain about the chemical industry who makes all your running shoes happening.

Or don't use a car...

We're all hypocrites. ALL of us.

He was a pathological liar (ie see Kenyan xc Champs thread) and/or perhaps a super troll that decided to give up the ruse without specifically outing himself.

Same schtick as tony the tiger. Notice he's never returned since Farah got his @ss handed to him in London.

According to the Telegraph article the billionaire funding this, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has completed more than 30 marathons as an amateur runner.

Does anybody know his results?

Is he on Strava?

Does he ever post or lurk here?

YourMom.Com wrote:

Keep gettin' them checks Eliud! Glad my man is getting paid.

I think he also thinks this is a genuinely noble endeavor that will completely separate his legacy from anyone else.

Seems low risk. More marathon major wins have diminishing returns on his legacy.

What happens if this thing is a mess or he isn't quite feeling it and he goes 2:02 even with the assistance? or DNF? or get's injured? That's probably the biggest possible downside for him. (Excluding the unmentionable - that he gets popped for EPO or something).

Well said. However, rest assured with this British big money behind him and it being done in London (think Seb Coe), he could be injecting epo on the lawn of Buckingham Palace, and he'd remain untouched. We're on for something out of the stratosphere. Only confounding factor that I foresee is the weather.

Wmmgod wrote:

Won't really matter, it would be the greatest achievement in running history. It will be remembered forever and if he completes the wmm set, it'll go down as the greatest sportsman of all time.

What boxes are left to tick off for the WMM complete set?

NYC

Boston

Tokyo

Is Fukuoka a WMM?

KosgeiFTW wrote:

According to the Telegraph article the billionaire funding this, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has completed more than 30 marathons as an amateur runner.

Does anybody know his results?

Is he on Strava?

Does he ever post or lurk here?

Go to Marathonguide.com -- has all results since 2000.

Sub 4:00 5K?

Legit question here. Will anybody else compete against Eliud in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge? It would help him in a psychological way. Or are they too afraid to blow up big time and chase some easy money instead??

Of course it would be impressive but it will be put in the same category as wind aided or downhill course. Do not think I will watch. Guys jumping in and out is what we do in workouts with runners of different abilities, not races. The whole thing makes me believe he himself does not believe he can break two in a traditional race. At his age, this is a gamble as a decline will be coming soon. P.S. Got to believe running in a loop without having to ever pass or move to get liquids is probably worth 200-300 meters in and of itself.