London Marathon Field Announced

El Caballo

Just after being announced.

http://www.athleticsweekly.com/featured/bekele-lilesa-biwott-ghebreslassie-london-marathon-field-55410

Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 2:03:03
Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:03:51
Tesfaye Abera (ETH) 2:04:24
Feyisa Lilesa (ETH) 2:04:52
Abel Kirui (KEN) 2:05:04
Daniel Wanjiru (KEN) 2:05:21
Tilahun Regassa (ETH) 2:05:27
Abraham Tadesse (SUI) 2:06:40
Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (ERI) 2:07:46
Amanuel Mesel (ERI) 2:08:17
Asefa Mengstu (ETH) 2:08:41
Oleksandr Sitkovsky (UKR) 2:09:11
Alphonce Felix Simbu (TAN) 2:09:19
Javier Guerra (ESP) 2:09:33
Ghebre Kibrom (ERI) 2:09:36
Vitaliy Shafar (UKR) 2:09:53
Michael Shelley (AUS) 2:11:15
Chris Thompson (GBR) 2:11:19
Bayron Piedra (ECU) 2:14:12
Kevin Seaward (IRL) 2:14:52
Mick Clohisey (IRL) 2:15:11
Robbie Simpson (GBR) 2:15:38
Ian Kimpton (GBR) 2:15:55
Matthew Hynes (GBR) 2:16:00
Bouabdellah Tahri (FRA) 2:16:28
Andrew Davies (GBR) 2:16:55
Tom Anderson (GBR) 2:19:52
Jesús Arturo Esparza (MEX) 2:23:04
Bedan Karoki Muchiri (KEN) Debut

The field is insane as usual. Interesting to see Bekele there but after commiting to Dubai, I doubt he will run what would be his fourth marathon in 12 months. Even if Bekele doesn't run, the field is still absolutely loaded with the likes of Rio silver medalist Lilesa, 2009 and 2011 World champion and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Abel Kirui, 2015 World Champion Gebreselaisse, last years runner up Stanley Biwott and a debut from last years World Half marathon Silver medalist and sub-27 10,000m man Bedan Karoki to name a few.

Some Irish interest in there too with Mick Clohissey and Kevin Seaward out possibly looking for a spot in the World Championships so should be a cracking race all around as it always is.

tang1

No Callum Hawkins I see, in rich vein of form marathon wise past few years.

EC1000

tang1 wrote: »

No Callum Hawkins I see, in rich vein of form marathon wise past few years.

He's targeting the worlds and has been pre-selected for a place so doesn't need to qualify...

El Caballo

The women's field is out and well...it's just insane to be honest and definitely the greatest ever. I don't know where to even start with some of the credentials and calibre of athletes in this lineup. The field is stacked with Olympic and World Champions from both track and road, numerous multiple Marathon major winners and some of the fastest women to ever live and some Irish interest in there too.

https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/news-media/latest-news/item/sumgong-stars-in-stellar-line-up-at-2017-virgin-money-london-marathon/

Jemima Sumgong (KEN) 2:20:41
Mary Keitany (KEN) 2:18:37
Aselefech Mergia (ETH) 2:19:31
Florence Kiplagat (KEN) 2:19:44
Mare Dibaba (ETH) 2:19:52
Aberu Kebede (ETH) 2:20:30
Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) 2:20:35
Helah Kiprop (KEN) 2:21:27
Tigist Tufa (ETH) 2:21:52
Ana Dulce Felix (POR) 2:25:15
Lisa Weightman (AUS) 2:26:05
Andrea Deelstra (NED) 2:26:46
Maja Neuenschwander (SUI) 2:26:49
Diana Lobacevske (LTU) 2:28:03
Laura Thweatt (USA) 2:28:23
Krista DuChene (CAN) 2:28:32
Kellyn Taylor (USA) 2:28:40
Alyson Dixon (GBR) 2:29:30
Louise Damen (GBR) 2:30:00
Charlotte Purdue (GBR) 2:30:04
Maryana Damantsevich (BLR) 2:30:07
Susan Partridge (GBR) 2:30:46
Tracy Barlow (GBR) 2:32:05
Jenny Spink (GBR) 2:35:57
Yelena Dolinin (ISR) 2:35:59
Tish Jones (GBR) 2:36:13
Barbara Sanchez (IRL) 2:37:14
Hanna Vandenbussche (BEL) 2:38:35
Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) Debut

El Caballo

pac_man wrote: »

Is there anyone in that field that could get near Radcliffes 2:15 from London?

Nah, that record is miles out there. The women don't have male pacers like Radcliffe did back then either so that's a slight disadvantage too. Mary Keitany is the second fastest woman ever with 2:18 to her name but I think her days of running that fast might be behind her. Tirunesh Dibaba is one of the greatest runners ever so probably has the most potential to get close but her best is still 5 minutes away which is nearly a mile back the road. Even Paula's official World record of 2:17 is a long way out of reach for anyone currently running.

ThisRegard

Sumgong has tested positive for EPO, don't think we'll be seeing her.

El Caballo

The first time in a very long time that the women are attacking Radcliffe's WR. The race is going to be carnage. Mary Keitany through 5 miles on 2:11 pace:eek: The main pack on 2:13 pace:eek:

and still ricky villa

Pity Eurosport don't seem to be showing this
I've never been crazy about the way the Beeb break up the coverage

El Caballo

Keitany through 10k in 31:17!!!!!. 7 women following within 20 seconds. Just for reference, Paula went through 10k in 32:01 en route to her 2:15:25 WR. Most of these are on or close to their half marathon PB pace and not far off half marathon WR pace. Be something like the men running 1:58 pace through 10k:pac:

El Caballo

The men are on sub-2 pace through 5k:pac:

El Caballo

Clohissey, Hehir and Seaward through 10k within 10 seconds of eachother in 31:20-31:30 which is 2:12 pace

El Caballo

Clohissey, Mick (IRL) 24 18-39 Started Half 01:06:41 02:13:23

» Hehir, Sean (GBR) 1454 18-39 Started Half 01:07:07 02:14:14

» SEAWARD, Kevin (IRL) 23 18-39 Started Half 01:07:09 02:14:17

Slowed a little through halfway after a quick start. Clohissey is still going strong

muddypaws

Aly Dixon's running style looks almost painful, is she injured, or does she always run like that?

El Caballo

muddypaws wrote: »

Aly Dixon's running style looks almost painful, is she injured, or does she always run like that?

Just her normal style but struggling a bit.

Keitany takes down the women's only WR with a 2:17 flat with Dibaba breaking 2:18 as well.

velo.2010

Keitany just produced the best women's performance in a marathon. I'd equate Radcliffe's male assisted effort to some of those wind/altitude assisted times you see in the 100m.

JohnDozer

Bekele is coming.... Will he??

walshb

600 to go and 40 metres separates them

El Caballo

Sean Hehir finished with a PB of 2:16.18
Seaward 2:17.08
Clohissey 2:18.34

Slow_Runner

A club runner is first British guy across the lineðŸ˜, a bit ofurther a pickle for the selectors.
And a debut to boot

Seaward looks like he had seized up crossing the finish line

hillsiderunner

Slow_Runner wrote: »

A club runner is first British guy across the lineðŸ˜, a bit ofurther a pickle for the selectors.

An easy choice I would think.

Same for Ireland with Hehir being 2nd in the Club runner group. Brilliant stuff

average_runner

Slow_Runner wrote: »

A club runner is first British guy across the lineðŸ˜, a bit ofurther a pickle for the selectors.
And a debut to boot

Seaward looks like he had seized up crossing the finish line

Why is it a pickle? He is automatically picked as first British home.

Slow_Runner

average_runner wrote: »

Why is it a pickle? He is automatically picked as first British home.

By the tone of the presenters they weren't sure what the protocol was, ie first British runner or first elite entered British runner.

Fare dues to him, looked nervous as fook being interviewed afterwards

El Caballo

Stephen Scullion finished in 2:17.59 as well which is a big PB for him of over 2 and a half minutes.

Chivito550

velo.2010 wrote: »

Keitany just produced the best women's performance in a marathon. I'd equate Radcliffe's male assisted effort to some of those wind/altitude assisted times you see in the 100m.

To be fair Radcliffe may have been paced by men, but they never ran in front of her from memory, just beside her. She was paced, but she wasn't drafting behind them, and she still had to go and run the time. I'm pretty certain she was in the shape in 2003 to run faster in a women's only race than Keitany did today. Mind you Keitany could have gone faster with smarter pacing.

El Caballo

Chivito550 wrote: »

To be fair Radcliffe may have been paced by men, but they never ran in front of her from memory, just beside her. She was paced, but she wasn't drafting behind them, and she still had to go and run the time. I'm pretty certain she was in the shape in 2003 to run faster in a women's only race than Keitany did today. Mind you Keitany could have gone faster with smarter pacing.

I hate how conflated the whole thing is now. It was fine when Radcliffe had both WR's but the question now is which is the real World Record. I wonder if Keitany got the World Record bonus today but not the course record or if she got any bonus. Drafting isn't the really big deal with male pacers although obviously that helps, having two people alongside you to push you on would give a huge advantage mentally. It was a lonely run for Keitany today after the pacer dropped out.

Either way, barriers were broken today and Radcliffe's times don't look as far out there as they once did. Dibaba is only 31, stopped during the race and still ran under 2:18. Keitany is a monster but shoving on at 35 although showing no signs of it today, hopefully those two can push on from here and get rid of any conflation in the record books. They both have the obvious potential to get close to the unofficial WR, beating it is another question. It's a bit strange that despite a few women running quicker over the half marathon than many men who have run sub-2:15, no one has got close. Womens running is hitting new levels over the last two years from Ayana breaking the 10k world record, the constant lowering of the half world record that it is only a matter of time before someone comes along to challenge that 2:15.

Chivito550

El Caballo wrote: »

I hate how conflated the whole thing is now. It was fine when Radcliffe had both WR's but the question now is which is the real World Record. I wonder if Keitany got the World Record bonus today but not the course record or if she got any bonus. Drafting isn't the really big deal with male pacers although obviously that helps, having two people alongside you to push you on would give a huge advantage mentally. It was a lonely run for Keitany today after the pacer dropped out.

Either way, barriers were broken today and Radcliffe's times don't look as far out there as they once did. Dibaba is only 31, stopped during the race and still ran under 2:18. Keitany is a monster but shoving on at 35 although showing no signs of it today, hopefully those two can push on from here and get rid of any conflation in the record books. They both have the obvious potential to get close to the unofficial WR, beating it is another question. It's a bit strange that despite a few women running quicker over the half marathon than many men who have run sub-2:15, no one has got close. Womens running is hitting new levels over the last two years from Ayana breaking the 10k world record, the constant lowering of the half world record that it is only a matter of time before someone comes along to challenge that 2:15.

Why are you using the term "unofficial"? According to IAAF rules 2:15:25 is the official WR.

El Caballo

Chivito550 wrote: »

Why are you using the term "unofficial"? According to IAAF rules 2:15:25 is the official WR.

No it's not, it's a world best just like Mutai's Boston run in 2011 was. They changed it a couple of years ago.

Chivito550

El Caballo wrote: »

No it's not, it's a world best just like Mutai's Boston run in 2011 was. They changed it a couple of years ago.

You're wrong.

https://www.iaaf.org/records/by-category/world-records

El Caballo

Chivito550 wrote: »

You're wrong.

https://www.iaaf.org/records/by-category/world-records

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/sep/25/paula-radcliffe-sins-good-woman

Chivito550

El Caballo wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/sep/25/paula-radcliffe-sins-good-woman

How come the times are listed on the IAAF site so? Also the recent HM world record was run in a mixed race too.

I remember that by the way. It was proposed but never went through in the end.

El Caballo

El Caballo wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/sep/25/paula-radcliffe-sins-good-woman

Radcliffes reaction to the rule change

http://m.bbc.com/sport/athletics/14992147

28064212

El Caballo wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/sep/25/paula-radcliffe-sins-good-woman

That change was rolled back, IAAF now recognise two women's world records, Mixed and Women-Only

El Caballo

28064212 wrote: »

That change was rolled back, IAAF now recognise two women's world records, Mixed and Women-Only

Don't remember that happening, my bad.

dublin runner

An interesting article on the progression in female running times and performances:

http://www.traininkenya.com/2017/04/08/joyciline-jepkosgeis-half-marathon-world-record-a-discussion-of-the-progress-in-female-distance-running/

average_runner

28064212 wrote: »

That change was rolled back, IAAF now recognise two women's world records, Mixed and Women-Only

So what are the rules for the mixed record?

Why can't a man have the mixed record if he was paced by women for some of the distance?

Chivito550

average_runner wrote: »

So what are the rules for the mixed record?

Why can't a man have the mixed record if he was paced by women for some of the distance?

It's not a mixed record, it's a women's record in a mixed race. Completely different.

Second point is ridiculous. What man who sets a WR is being paced by a woman?

Also technically all mens races are mixed as there are women among the masses.

Duanington

El Caballo wrote: »

Stephen Scullion finished in 2:17.59 as well which is a big PB for him of over 2 and a half minutes.

If I'm not mistaken, he took 7\8 months off training last year too. Big performance

average_runner

Chivito550 wrote: »

It's not a mixed record, it's a women's record in a mixed race. Completely different.

Second point is ridiculous. What man who sets a WR is being paced by a woman?

Also technically all mens races are mixed as there are women among the masses.

Actually second point isn't ridiculous, as the mixed record and woman's record are two separate records correct?

So if a man had a woman pace them for 15 miles and just run faster than the current mix record.

Any how it was more of a fun question and to be honest it's a farce of a record, having two seperate ones!

Chivito550

average_runner wrote: »

Actually second point isn't ridiculous, as the mixed record and woman's record are two separate records correct?

So if a man had a woman pace them for 15 miles and just run faster than the current mix record.

Any how it was more of a fun question and to be honest it's a farce of a record, having two seperate ones!

I'll repeat, it is not a mixed record, it is a woman's record in a mixed race. It is a clear and obvious difference. The times men run do not come into the equation. Otherwise the men's marathon record would be your so called "mixed record" as there were women in that race (among the masses).