Will Bekele Run a major this fall?

Tron wrote: Any guesses that Bekele runs a major this fall? Last year apparently he was "snubbed" and settled on Amsterdam which didn't go so well. He was then supposed to run Tokyo earlier this year but was injured ( i think stress fracture?)

Saw on Kejelcha's Instagram a few weeks ago the video of those two running together so obviously back training. Is his stock too low (or asking price too high) to get into a major? If he actually wants to make the Ethiopian Olympic team, I'd think he needs a good fall showing

At most he'll run a Gold Label race, but my guess is a Major won't pay him an appearance fee satisfactory to him.

No Olympics for Bekele. He hasn't made an Ethiopian team since 2012. Marathon majors don't want him because he DNFs too often plus high appearance fee. In a way, Bekele is a victim of his own success. He can't live up to what he's done in the past.

Tron wrote:

WTF^n wrote:

Still talking about Bekele? WTF?

Might as well talk about Alan Webb. Or German Fernandez. Maybe Jim Ryun.

except even last years DNF in Amsterdam he was still on pace for a 2:07 which is still a pretty good time....just not what we expect

Those of us who recognize Bekele is done expected it.

Tron wrote:

WTF^n wrote:

Still talking about Bekele? WTF?

Might as well talk about Alan Webb. Or German Fernandez. Maybe Jim Ryun.

except even last years DNF in Amsterdam he was still on pace for a 2:07 which is still a pretty good time....just not what we expect

On pace for a mediocre time before dropping out. That's EXACTLY what I expect (and what other rational observers expect).

He was great. The GOAT. He's done. That's pretty much it.

WTF^n wrote:

Tron wrote:

except even last years DNF in Amsterdam he was still on pace for a 2:07 which is still a pretty good time....just not what we expect

On pace for a mediocre time before dropping out. That's EXACTLY what I expect (and what other rational observers expect).

He was great. The GOAT. He's done. That's pretty much it.

2:07 isn't mediocre.

?&; wrote:

WTF^n wrote:

On pace for a mediocre time before dropping out. That's EXACTLY what I expect (and what other rational observers expect).

He was great. The GOAT. He's done. That's pretty much it.

2:07 isn't mediocre.

Rupp would be mediocre based on 2:07. He is not even a full minute better than that.

Les wrote:

No Olympics for Bekele. He hasn't made an Ethiopian team since 2012. Marathon majors don't want him because he DNFs too often plus high appearance fee. In a way, Bekele is a victim of his own success. He can't live up to what he's done in the past.

Worked out well for them in 2016. Berhanu 2:13:29 in 13th place and Tesfaye Abera DNF

?&; wrote:

WTF^n wrote:

On pace for a mediocre time before dropping out. That's EXACTLY what I expect (and what other rational observers expect).

He was great. The GOAT. He's done. That's pretty much it.

2:07 isn't mediocre.

Ummm . . . yes, it really is. If you want to be relevant on the world stage then you better be prepared to go at least 3 minutes faster. Oh yeah, and you might want to not drop out.

Look, he's the GOAT. I get that. But he is also done. Why don't you get that?

WTF^n wrote:

?&; wrote:

2:07 isn't mediocre.

Ummm . . . yes, it really is. If you want to be relevant on the world stage then you better be prepared to go at least 3 minutes faster. Oh yeah, and you might want to not drop out.

Look, he's the GOAT. I get that. But he is also done. Why don't you get that?

It’s still an elite time. Just not gonna be considered a favourite against other elites.

You’re probably right that he is in that no longer top tier runner but I do think he’ll try to run a marathon this fall and could be faster than 2:07. But as you allude to, I’d be shocked with faster than 2:05 at this point unfortunately

Same as duh Mobot wrote:

Bekele is close to the same age as the Mobot. The difference is the Mo loves to train in secretive areas close to hard-to-police drug trafficking routes. That is the Mo way.

Not always. I saw him in Flagstaff two days ago. I'm always confused why he doesn't train with or help out with any U.K. runners. All of his training partners are naturalised Somalis- USA, Belgium, etc.

People thought Bekele was done years ago and then he shocked everyone in Berlin. If he focuses he can still win on a big stage but idk if he really wants it anymore. It doesn't matter though his legacy is cemented he's still the greatest ever. Haile dropped out many times as well people don't talk about that much.

ultra thon bro wrote:

hopefully he does the JFK 50 miler, that would be epic.

Probably see him in Amsterdam or Berlin. Honestly this would be amazing. I would love to see someone at his level, even his current level, run a 50 miler.

Disappointed to say the least at last year dropping out on 2:07 pace at 40k. Walk it in or whatever. I'm sure something serious must have been going on but if you start & get to 40k at a respectable tempo I don't understand not finishing -- even if he slowed by a ton it's only 2k. He would have been sub-2:10. Maybe held onto 2:07-8.

1. ‘On pace’ hehehe Heck I was on pace for a 2:02 marathon once myself.

2. Shouldn’t the thread be titled ‘Will Bekele drop out of a major this fall’?

3. Do races still have a ‘Clydesdale division’ or is that no PC these days and considered fat shaming? (No offense Josh Cox)

Strange brue wrote:

Same as duh Mobot wrote:

Bekele is close to the same age as the Mobot. The difference is the Mo loves to train in secretive areas close to hard-to-police drug trafficking routes. That is the Mo way.

Not always. I saw him in Flagstaff two days ago. I'm always confused why he doesn't train with or help out with any U.K. runners. All of his training partners are naturalised Somalis- USA, Belgium, etc.

I imagine because they're his employees. They go wherever he goes. It would be hard to get other UK runners to do things according to Farah's schedule like training partners do.

He's gonna run the Olympic marathon for Greece.

Banana Bread wrote:

I still believe in Bekele. He always was the greatest ever and it isn't over yet. There was a sculptor. He found this stone, a special stone. He dragged it home and he worked on it for months until he finally finished it. When he was ready he showed it to his friends. They said he had created a great masterpiece, but the sculptor said he hadn't created anything. The statue was always there, he just chipped away the rough edges. He's always going to be tearing away at himself until he comes to terms with who he is. Until he come full circle. He will be back. He's coming for that MF gold in Tokyo next year.

I feel the same, still believe in Bekele. I really hope he runs a marathon this year - whatever race it is, I don't care if its a major. As long as he runs and puts on a show, outkicks everyone and wins. DAMM I love him. THAT KICK.

Lets hope Ethiopia brings him to Tokyo, but he really needs to prove him self (even though his past is amazing).

He now sadly has a beer-belly. Reportedly loves cake too.

No he doesn't. You have never seen his belly. Show me pics or GTFO

I’m sure you fantasize about seeing his naked belly.