Marathon WR - 2:02:57

ThePiedPiper

Kimetto has fulfilled his massive potential to absolutely smash the WR. When this guy effectively allowed his long-term mentor to win Berlin a couple of years ago in low 2:04, it has seemed like only a matter of time until he'd have top billing at the fastest course and take the record. Last year's mid 2:03 time in Chicago was only just outside WR, and he's now become the first man ever under 2:03.

10 years ago, Tergat's WR was, I think 2:04:5x. Haile, in the space of a couple of years brought it under 2:04. Sub 2:04 remains hugely rare, only happening a handful of times in Berlin, twice in Chicago last year, and Kipsang's Frankfurt run a couple of years back. Kimetto, a man who never even competed in a race of any description until 2011 has now gone 2:02:57, running 1:01:12 for the second half of the race.

Spare a though for Emanuel Mutai, who ran 2:03:15, taking yet another second place.

We're sure to have plenty of people coming out of the woodwork now saying that sub 2 hours is only a matter of time. Kimetto reckoned in his post-race interview he could've ran a bit faster. Its fascinating to see where the current crop of runners can take marathoning. Its certainly now at a level that seemed completely unimaginable when Haile ran a WR of 2:04:26 just 7 years ago.

Itziger

RunForestRun wrote: »

Kimetto has fulfilled his massive potential to absolutely smash the WR. When this guy effectively allowed his long-term mentor to win Berlin a couple of years ago in low 2:04, it has seemed like only a matter of time until he'd have top billing at the fastest course and take the record. Last year's mid 2:03 time in Chicago was only just outside WR, and he's now become the first man ever under 2:03.

10 years ago, Tergat's WR was, I think 2:04:5x. Haile, in the space of a couple of years brought it under 2:04. Sub 2:04 remains hugely rare, only happening a handful of times in Berlin, twice in Chicago last year, and Kipsang's Frankfurt run a couple of years back. Kimetto, a man who never even competed in a race of any description until 2011 has now gone 2:02:57, running 1:01:12 for the second half of the race.

Spare a though for Emanuel Mutai, who ran 2:03:15, taking yet another second place.

We're sure to have plenty of people coming out of the woodwork now saying that sub 2 hours is only a matter of time. Kimetto reckoned in his post-race interview he could've ran a bit faster. Its fascinating to see where the current crop of runners can take marathoning. Its certainly now at a level that seemed completely unimaginable when Haile ran a WR of 2:04:26 just 7 years ago.

1.59.50 still 15 or 20 years down the line.

this guy only started running seriously in his mid 20's!
4 years ago he was a farmer.

Netwerk Errer

glasso wrote: »

this guy only started running seriously in his mid 20's!
4 years ago he was a farmer.

Yep, same as me except the farming bit. Watch out sub-2, I'm coming!!

GoTheDistance

With the exception of his obvious talent and training are there specific ingredients to go even quicker than this? Did Berlin, yesterday, have the perfect balance of air temperature, humidity, wind-speed, course elevation, elite competition, pacing etc? Is there a golden set of (environmental) conditions required for the right athlete to go faster again than this WR? Would love to hear some opinions on this!

veganrun

Nice write-up here. Think they went through half-way about 7-8 minutes faster than the winner of the Dublin half this year, insane.

http://www.runnersworld.com/races/dennis-kimetto-breaks-world-record-at-berlin-marathon

Very disappointing this wasn't on TV.

average_runner

Did eurosport not have it, they usually do,

veganrun

average_runner wrote: »

Did eurosport not have it, they usually do,

Don't think so, I didn't see it on their listings.

It always irks me a bit when I see how much football is covered on the 75 Sky Sports channels, especially when they fill the timeslots with repeats of shows that have been on, and how little coverage they give to athletics.

amcgee

its certainly getting closer, but given that the gap it is a bit away yet but it might be closer than we think. the thing is, how fast will it get. or i will it ever come to a time that cannot be beaten!!
thats some running for anyone. Amazing running.

Netwerk Errer

average_runner wrote: »

Did eurosport not have it, they usually do,

No, not this year. Pretty disappointing. They showed Andy Murray playing tennis instead.

walshb

It goes to show that maybe the 2 hour mark is there in our lifetime...

ThePiedPiper

GoTheDistance wrote: »

With the exception of his obvious talent and training are there specific ingredients to go even quicker than this? Did Berlin, yesterday, have the perfect balance of air temperature, humidity, wind-speed, course elevation, elite competition, pacing etc? Is there a golden set of (environmental) conditions required for the right athlete to go faster again than this WR? Would love to hear some opinions on this!

Berlin is as close to the perfect setup for a record as it can get. The course is very flat, there are probably a few too many turns. Dubai might have the slightly more favourable course, but small margins.

The fact that it's a WMM race mean there is massive prize money, sponsorship, bonuses and support for assembling an elite field. There needs to be enough money to attract 2-4 possible winners, about 5 pacers who are probably 2:06 capable runners and the correct blend of perfect pacing to 30k and competition thereafter to keep the racers moving along.

It's also imperative that the weather is just right, Central Germany at the end of September is about right, the hot weather usually only arrives after noon. The spikes in temperature that can happen in Chicago or London make records slightly less likely.

Finally, at this stage, most have now decided that it's the go-to place for a WR. Kip sang, Mutai and Kimetto go to Berlin expecting to run a WR or damn close to it. These guys are the best marathoners of all time in what may be the strongest ever era in the event. Sub 2:02:50 has now become a realistic target for the elite few.

GoTheDistance

RunForestRun wrote: »

Berlin is as close to the perfect setup for a record as it can get. The course is very flat, there are probably a few too many turns. Dubai might have the slightly more favourable course, but small margins.

The fact that it's a WMM race mean there is massive prize money, sponsorship, bonuses and support for assembling an elite field. There needs to be enough money to attract 2-4 possible winners, about 5 pacers who are probably 2:06 capable runners and the correct blend of perfect pacing to 30k and competition thereafter to keep the racers moving along.

It's also imperative that the weather is just right, Central Germany at the end of September is about right, the hot weather usually only arrives after noon. The spikes in temperature that can happen in Chicago or London make records slightly less likely.

Finally, at this stage, most have now decided that it's the go-to place for a WR. Kip sang, Mutai and Kimetto go to Berlin expecting to run a WR or damn close to it. These guys are the best marathoners of all time in what may be the strongest ever era in the event. Sub 2:02:50 has now become a realistic target for the elite few.

Thanks RunForestRun - Might be no harm popping into Paddy Power and seeing what the odds are for sub 2:02:30 and sub 2:02 in Berlin in years to come. Might not be huge odds but would be a nice prediction challenge. But as you say it takes a perfect storm of factors!