Farah may target 10k/marathon double in Rio

TRR

Very interesting. Surely Bekele is going to move up to the marathon soon also. Next couple if years could be very interesting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/20088408

myflipflops

Early to be making declarations, even if it's just for publicity purposes. I would love to see it. Presumably Rupp will be making the step up in the next couple of years.

Main factor will be what standard Ethiopians/Kenyans (or Moroccans/Turks/Algerians!) appear on the scene during this Olympic period.

ThePiedPiper

Obviously it's complete speculation to be even thinking of such a double at the moment, but in theory, what do ye make of the possibility?

I've mixed thoughts on it really. I don't think that there is a huge amount of difference between elite level 10,000 training and marathoning. And from a recovery point of view, I think that 7-8 days would actually be fine, given that championship races are usually tactical affairs. I think Mo has all of the ability to be a sub 2:07 marathoner at the least, so his inclusion to run the marathon from Team GB would be a no-brainer.

However, there are loads of doubts in my head. Is there any guarantee that Mo would actually make the transition to becoming a sub 2:05 marathoner, which is the sort of standard he'd need to be to be even a medal prospect? It took Geb a while to make the transition to marathon, Tadese has struggled to make the transition from the half, where he is probably the best ever.

I'd love to see Mo be a success at the marathon, but there's a possibilty that he could switch in 2014, and "struggle" with 2:10-2:13 type times. Even if that was to turn out to be the case, you'd still see him being installed as favourite by the British media, no matter who the opposition or his form.

tunguska

It'd be interesting to watch at the very least, cant think of anybody in recent times whos even attempted such a thing, never mind carried it off. The only person who springs to mind is Lasse Viren in 1976. Won the 5 and 10k then 18 hours after the 5k final ran the marathon and came 5th. And that was in the days when he had to run a semi final for the 10k and an a quarter final for the 5k.

M cebee

tunguska wrote: »

It'd be interesting to watch at the very least, cant think of anybody in recent times whos even attempted such a thing, never mind carried it off. The only person who springs to mind is Lasse Viren in 1976. Won the 5 and 10k then 18 hours after the 5k final ran the marathon and came 5th. And that was in the days when he had to run a semi final for the 10k and an a quarter final for the 5k.

bit earlier but mills and clarke 1,2 in tokyo 64 10k
both ran marathon

Itziger

RunForestRun wrote: »

Obviously it's complete speculation to be even thinking of such a double at the moment, but in theory, what do ye make of the possibility?

I've mixed thoughts on it really. I don't think that there is a huge amount of difference between elite level 10,000 training and marathoning. And from a recovery point of view, I think that 7-8 days would actually be fine, given that championship races are usually tactical affairs. I think Mo has all of the ability to be a sub 2:07 marathoner at the least, so his inclusion to run the marathon from Team GB would be a no-brainer.

However, there are loads of doubts in my head. Is there any guarantee that Mo would actually make the transition to becoming a sub 2:05 marathoner, which is the sort of standard he'd need to be to be even a medal prospect? It took Geb a while to make the transition to marathon, Tadese has struggled to make the transition from the half, where he is probably the best ever.

I'd love to see Mo be a success at the marathon, but there's a possibilty that he could switch in 2014, and "struggle" with 2:10-2:13 type times. Even if that was to turn out to be the case, you'd still see him being installed as favourite by the British media, no matter who the opposition or his form.

I find it hard to imagine him struggling with 2;10 or so. For his level of ability, your first scenario is more likely - he might end up being a 2:07 man and come home 5th or 6th. Looking forward to finding out though!