Eliud Kipchoge is taking Mo Farah very seriously

Kipchoge wants the world record and he will likely get it in London unless the weather is horrible. Nobody is going to be out kicking Kipchoge at 2:02 pace. Kipchoge will grind everyone out in the last 10k. I would be very surprised if Mo ran under 2:06.

DC Wonk wrote:

Kipchoge wants the world record and he will likely get it in London unless the weather is horrible. Nobody is going to be out kicking Kipchoge at 2:02 pace. Kipchoge will grind everyone out in the last 10k. I would be very surprised if Mo ran under 2:06.

Exactly. Mo would be of concern if he was around in the last 800M-1mi. But doubt he will be with the pace that will be set.

Mo hasn't proved anything at the marathon distance. He has run one marathon and ran a time that is barely faster than Meb's best time, which Meb ran on a much more difficult course. He's a minute off the world half record. He couldn't beat Bekele in the Great North Run years ago, and, more recently, he only got third at the 2016 World Half Champs. His road race resume is impressive, but when he faces the top road competition, he doesn't hold up.

What Mo does best is sit in the pack until the last couple laps and then turn it out for his unbeatable kick. That's it. He hasn't challenged any world records, he hasn't shown they he can keep rhythmically pound out even, fast laps (or miles, in the case of a marathon) in time trials with the absolute fastest guys of his era. He excels in championship style racing, not tests of absolute speed over the course of the whole distance.

Runners like Kipchoge, Bekele, and Kipsang have a nearly impeccable internal metronome and monster aerobic capacity. They can pound the fast miles evenly with or without a pacer, cover the moves of any jokers, and agonizingly ratchet down the pace for miles so you have no kick left. Instead, you're 2 or 3 minutes back. The marathon is not for sit-and-kickers, it's for rhythm runners that can pound out those even, fast miles for eternity, beating you through attrition, not pure speed.

Simply put, Mo's sit-and-kick routine won't work on these guys, as they will be on their second victory lap while Mo finally trots across the finish line. The marathon is a beast that will conquer even the best track runners.

I literally think Kipchoge should be worried about Bekele. Bekele should be taking most seriously. He will get the world record probably in Abu Dhabi. He might decide to literally skip London, if he already gets the world record in January(Abu Dhabi). I don't think any one won't beat his time in London, if he gets the world record in Abu Dhabi. I'm looking forward to his 25k race in India near Christmas. That will tell a lot about how he will do in Abu Dhabi. India is a hot country like Abu Dhabi, so will be good preparation for him. Kipchoge will still be the second best ever, and get the 2.02 he deserves. I can't wait to see Bekele.

I really doubt Bekele will run a monstruously fast marathon ever again. He's running Dubai because he realises it's the easiest marathon course ever designed. Even though i think he won't do it. Kipchoge would smoke the WR in Dubai anytime. If he does it in London it will be nothing short of legendary and cement his status as the greatest marathoner of all-time.

"Track times don't matter"

says the "rupp fan" who claims rupp's 26:40 makes him a 2:03 talent

next time make sure your username doesn't prevent you from making a cohesive argument.

"former A-level track stars?"

See guye adola, a B level track runner but an A level marathoner (we'll see how consistent he'll be in London).

also, farah broke 3:30 at Monaco. Everyone breaks 3:30 at Monaco. I don't believe kipchoge ever ran at monaco. and Kipchoge's 5k is faster and is also worth 3:28 on iaaf conversion tables