Kenyan Cleansweep at Olympics?

ecoli

After todays Berlin Marathon AK are gonna have such a headache selecting the team for Olympics next year when you think that 3 Kenyans have gone under Gebs (now former) WR this year the list of possibles is endless

P Makau (2:03:38 WR holder)
M Mosop (2.03.06 Debut Marathon 2nd Boston, 30k WR holder)
A Kirui (Current 2 time World Marathon Champion)
E Mutai (London Marathon CR holder beat Makau this year)
G Mutai (2.03.02 Boston Marathon Winner)

There are another few names that could be added to the list but how can you wittle that down to three?

I say they are hoping some opt out to run big city Marathons for the pay day instead.

BeepBeep67

They need to set the Kenyan A standard @ sub 2:03

G-Money

It's got to be a possibility. It's funny that it seems a few years ago, the Ethiopians were unbeatable but the Kenyan's seem to be making them seem almost pedestrian.

I still hope Haile gets on the Ethiopian marathon team for London though.

ecoli

G-Money wrote: »

It's got to be a possibility. It's funny that it seems a few years ago, the Ethiopians were unbeatable but the Kenyan's seem to be making them seem almost pedestrian.

I still hope Haile gets on the Ethiopian marathon team for London though.

Gonna have a tough ask as he has one shot come January to go for a fast time to make the team. He will need a sub 2.05 in Dubai and wont have the army of pace makers he is accustom to in Berlin

Getonwithit

Anyone spot Haile trying to tag onto Makau's back today just before he pulled in for the first time. Makau sprinted across the road and threw him a look. Great to see Radcliffe go well today. I for one will be roaring for her next year in the marathon.

thirtyfoot

How about gold in every event from 800 to marathon? Few dodgy ones but could happen.

average_runner

Kenyans look strong but the only way i see them getting all the medals will be if they run a fast marathon, if they go for a 2:05 ish marathon it could come down to a sprint which is pretty open

ecoli

thirtyfoot wrote: »

How about gold in every event from 800 to marathon? Few dodgy ones but could happen.

5k and 10k can see happening here esp the 10k to me a Kenyan to even medal in this would be a big achievment with Farah and KB as big favourites here

dna_leri

G-Money wrote: »

It's got to be a possibility. It's funny that it seems a few years ago, the Ethiopians were unbeatable but the Kenyan's seem to be making them seem almost pedestrian.

I still hope Haile gets on the Ethiopian marathon team for London though.

Anyone know why the kenyans have come back stronger?
Has anything changed in AK or in their coaching/training?

TFBubendorfer

ecoli wrote: »

5k and 10k can see happening here esp the 10k to me a Kenyan to even medal in this would be a big achievment with Farah and KB as big favourites here

Not if Bekele is fit

thirtyfoot

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Not if Bekele is fit

Hopefully he is as it would make a Farah win all the sweeter and probably the highlight of the Games.

ecoli

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Not if Bekele is fit

Sorry KB stands for Bekele (Spending way too much time on Letsrun)

Will be interesting to see what the Winter under Salazar can do for Farah to also or whether he will fall victim to second season syndrome like a fair few have done under both the Oregon training groups recently

TFBubendorfer

ecoli wrote: »

Sorry KB stands for Bekele (Spending way too much time on Letsrun)

DOH! Should have caught on myself!

Brianderunner

I think Emmanuel Mutai is the best of them for what its worth, his last 10k in London was the most impressive piece of marathon running this year imo. Kebede the best of the Ethiopians, he could get amongst them. Can only imagine what it would have been like had Sammy still been with us.

Woddle

http://www.universalsports.com/news-blogs/article/newsid=559052.html#kenya+names+daegu+gold+medalists+2012+olympic+team

Only one spot left on the mens marathon team for Kenya

ecoli

Woddle wrote: »

http://www.universalsports.com/news-blogs/article/newsid=559052.html#kenya+names+daegu+gold+medalists+2012+olympic+team

Only one spot left on the mens marathon team for Kenya

Saw that its pretty crazy alright it means that there will be atleast one sub 2.04 runner will not make the team pretty crazy

G-Money

I think Steve Cram's phrase is best when describing the Kenyan's, he always says "It's an embarrassment of riches". Don't forget Geofrey Mutai who ran 2:03:02 in Boston earlier this year.

Seres

ecoli wrote: »

Sorry KB stands for Bekele (Spending way too much time on Letsrun)

Will be interesting to see what the Winter under Salazar can do for Farah to also or whether he will fall victim to second season syndrome like a fair few have done under both the Oregon training groups recently

whats the story with second season syndrome ?

ecoli

Seres wrote: »

whats the story with second season syndrome ?

Dathan Ritzenheim moved to Salazar in May 2009 and in a short space of time became the 3rd fastest non African at 5k (not normally his specific event) he also went on to claim 3rd in the World Half Marathon Championships. He managed Pbs from 5k to the half marathon.

Many expected him to push on in 2010 once he got a full year under Salazar however struggled with injuries and actually ran slower in 2010 marathon than he did in London in 2009 before he moved to Salazar

Chris Solinsky is another example. Last year he managed sub 13 5k and sub 27 10k (first non African to ever run under 27 min). This year he was expected to be top American challenging the Africans at Worlds however after early season promise (3.35 1500 and 13.10 5k to get A Standard for worlds out of the way) he didnt manage to get his season going after this

Seres

ecoli wrote: »

Dathan Ritzenheim moved to Salazar in May 2009 and in a short space of time became the 3rd fastest non African at 5k (not normally his specific event) he also went on to claim 3rd in the World Half Marathon Championships. He managed Pbs from 5k to the half marathon.

Many expected him to push on in 2010 once he got a full year under Salazar however struggled with injuries and actually ran slower in 2010 marathon than he did in London in 2009 before he moved to Salazar

Chris Solinsky is another example. Last year he managed sub 13 5k and sub 27 10k (first non African to ever run under 27 min). This year he was expected to be top American challenging the Africans at Worlds however after early season promise (3.35 1500 and 13.10 5k to get A Standard for worlds out of the way) he didnt manage to get his season going after this

interesting , would you have any opinion on the specifics why this has happened ?

ecoli

Seres wrote: »

interesting , would you have any opinion on the specifics why this has happened ?

Dathan Ritzenheim I would put down to being injury prone. His career has been plagued

As For Solinsky his season to me personally was too focused on to few races that his under racing left him to perform on big occasions in all or nothing scenarios and as a results some mishaps around these bigger occasions meant that his season became a bit of a write off.

ecoli

We will know by Monday who will take the last spot in what has to be the strongest national team ever to go to a global championships:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=4297710

So who you got? Kipsang? Mosop? or one of the Mutai's?

Brianderunner

ecoli wrote: »

We will know by Monday who will take the last spot in what has to be the strongest national team ever to go to a global championships:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=4297710

So who you got? Kipsang? Mosop? or one of the Mutai's?

Emmanuel Mutai for the class he showed in London. It's all fine and well running a fast time but you need tactical nous to win an olympics and that has to be at the forefront of the selectors thoughts

ecoli

Brianderunner wrote: »

Emmanuel Mutai for the class he showed in London. It's all fine and well running a fast time but you need tactical nous to win an olympics and that has to be at the forefront of the selectors thoughts

I would have thought that Mosop after Boston and Chicago? two very good performances this year and took Wanjiru's CR in less than ideal conditions

TFBubendorfer

I think it would have to be Mosop.

But don't forget, they usually have one or 2 top runners pull out injured before the Olympic marathon (that's what happened to Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot in Beijing); they nominate 5 runners for the team, even though only 3 can start. That leaves room for 2 more.

The problem is, with both Mutais and Kipsang, even 5 places won't be enough. And who knows, there could be yet another contender showing up in NY.

woodchopper

Rumors are circulating that the course in Frankfurt was 300 metres short, so the time was more like 2.04.20 by Kipsang.

Brianderunner

ecoli wrote: »

I would have thought that Mosop after Boston and Chicago? two very good performances this year and took Wanjiru's CR in less than ideal conditions

Perhaps i'm biased cause i saw E Mutai in the flesh over the last 10k in London. Mosop is the favourite to be selected of course.

myflipflops

I'd definately pick Mosop but there are strong arguments in favour of the others.

The Ethiopian seelction will be more interesting. Will they go with the sentimental pick with Haile?

G-Money

myflipflops wrote: »

I'd definately pick Mosop but there are strong arguments in favour of the others.

The Ethiopian seelction will be more interesting. Will they go with the sentimental pick with Haile?

Have the Ethiopian's got anyone who can take on the Kenyan's? Perhaps it's because the Kenyan's have dominated the marathon so much but I haven't really heard of many Ethiopian's being in the top 3 or 5.

Personally, I would like to see Haile get picked even if he doesn't have the A standard

Brianderunner

G-Money wrote: »

Have the Ethiopian's got anyone who can take on the Kenyan's? Perhaps it's because the Kenyan's have dominated the marathon so much but I haven't really heard of many Ethiopian's being in the top 3 or 5.

Personally, I would like to see Haile get picked even if he doesn't have the A standard

Kebede is top 3 material for sure.

myflipflops

Gebremariam is a quality marathon runner too.

Pisco Sour

G-Money wrote: »

Have the Ethiopian's got anyone who can take on the Kenyan's? Perhaps it's because the Kenyan's have dominated the marathon so much but I haven't really heard of many Ethiopian's being in the top 3 or 5.

Personally, I would like to see Haile get picked even if he doesn't have the A standard

Haile could go out on a bender the night before, stay up all night playing blackjack in the casino, have a greasy fry up for breakfast and still dance his way to that Olympic A-Standard, stopping for a few photos with adoring fans along the way.:)

On a serious note, I'd like to see him selected aswell.

myflipflops

04072511 wrote: »

On a serious note, I'd like to see him selected aswell.

So would the Kenyans I suspect.

ecoli

Dont forget Feyisa Lilesa who was third in daegu this year another one quality Eth runner for the team

G-Money

Geoffrey Mutai must be a contender for the Kenyan team.

Larry Brent

Marathon team should be all but finalised in next 10 days.

Abel Kirui would be a definite for me.

As it stands, if i was picking the team, Makau a probable for place no. 2 and G Mutai and Mosop the most likely possibles for the last spot. But the next 10 days might influence my 2nd and 3rd picks.

myflipflops

Possibly the greatest week or so of marathon running in history coming up.

Pisco Sour

What's Paula's racing schedule between now and London? Has she any marathons in the pipeline?

G-Money

04072511 wrote: »

What's Paula's racing schedule between now and London? Has she any marathons in the pipeline?

She's doing the Vienna half on Sunday. Apparently she's getting a head start then they're setting off the rest of the field, including Haile to catch her.

Just saw a tweet from her that she had bronchitis and pleurisy recently. Need to google that last one.

G-Money

myflipflops wrote: »

Possibly the greatest week or so of marathon running in history coming up.

Agreed. Almost too much to watch! There's Paris, and Rotterdam on Sunday, Boston on Monday and London next Sunday.

ecoli

Ethiopian marathon team for London 2012 –


Mens
Ayele Abshero (2:04.23), Dino Sefer (2:04.50), Getu Feleke (2:04.50)


Womens
Tiki Gelana (2:18.58), Asselefech Mergia (2:19.31), Mare Dibaba (2:19.52)

Interestingly no Kebede (Olympic and WC bronze medallist)

TFBubendorfer

ecoli wrote: »

Ethiopian marathon team for London 2012 –

Mens
Ayele Abshero (2:04.23), Dino Sefer (2:04.50), Getu Feleke (2:04.50)

Interestingly no Kebede (Olympic and WC bronze medallist)

They obviously went by best times, hence no Kebede and no Gebremariam (where has he disappeared to anyway). I don't think they are quite in the same class as the Kenyans, but they might still prevent a Kenyan clean sweep.

I knew Haile would not be on the team, it's still a bit sad, though.

ecoli

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

They obviously went by best times, hence no Kebede and no Gebremariam (where has he disappeared to anyway). I don't think they are quite in the same class as the Kenyans, but they might still prevent a Kenyan clean sweep.

I knew Haile would not be on the team, it's still a bit sad, though.

He ran Boston but got in trouble with the heat and finished 14th in 2.22.

I think the Kenyan team is alot weaker than we would have thought 6 months ago. They have lost there air of invincibility as the Ethiopians look to have caught back up with the huge Kenyan progression last year.

I think Kenya will still take gold but I think Ethiopia will definitely be in the hunt (though be interesting to see how they come through their training since Dubai/Rotterdam)

I think 6 months can change things dramatically (as proven by the progression of this thread:D)

natep219

Kenyan has the strongest mens marathon team probably ever produced. 3 men under 2.04 is an insanely talented team. I find it hard to believe that other Kenyan men who have also run under 2.04 will not be on their team, unbelievable .

Nate

ecoli

natep219 wrote: »

Kenyan has the strongest mens marathon team probably ever produced. 3 men under 2.04 is an insanely talented team. I find it hard to believe that other Kenyan men who have also run under 2.04 will not be on their team, unbelievable .

Nate
www.rundreamachieve.com

Despite being 2 time WC Kirui only has a 2.05.04 PB

Having said that I think there strongest runner has been left at home (G Mutai) due to crazy weather in Boston. Both him and Kebede seem to have lost there choice simply on poor race selection rather than lack of ability

G-Money

Apparently Moses Mosop is out of the Kenyan team due to injury. A replacement is rumoured to be announced tomorrow. If so, you'd have to think it would be G Mutai who get's the nod.

http://www.albertostretti.org/2012/06/moses-mosop-out-of-olympics.html?m=1

Dan man

G-Money wrote: »

Apparently Moses Mosop is out of the Kenyan team due to injury. A replacement is rumoured to be announced tomorrow. If so, you'd have to think it would be G Mutai who get's the nod.

http://www.albertostretti.org/2012/06/moses-mosop-out-of-olympics.html?m=1

Emmanuel Mutai has been given the place....Geoffrey overlooked again.

G-Money

Dan man wrote: »

Emmanuel Mutai has been given the place....Geoffrey overlooked again.

Yep, he really must have p******d someone off at Athletics Kenya. I hope he goes and runs 2:02 somewhere this year to set a new world record.

TFBubendorfer

G-Money wrote: »

Yep, he really must have p******d someone off at Athletics Kenya. I hope he goes and runs 2:02 somewhere this year to set a new world record.

He might still be injured. I heard that was the reason why he was left out of the initial squad.

Clearlier

(got this link from letsrun)

The plot thickens a little. Athletics Kenya said that they didn't consider Makau or G Mutai because despite asking for updates on their physical condition they hadn't received them. In the link below you'll see a refutation of this from Makau's manager. He said that no questions were asked but that they had volunteered information and made a formal request to be an alternate. Of course email communication is easily fabricated but I struggle to believe that Athletics Kenya couldn't have got in contact with Makau and G. Mutai if they had really wanted to. It does sound like there's some kind of personal disagreement/problem here somewhere.

Perhaps the Kenyan's think that they'll win no matter who they put out but I think that the Ethiopians will have something to say about that.

http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/?p=17304