After the sad news of kiptum, Olympic marathon looks wide open this time. Who are the favorites to win? Will kipchoge destroy the field again
After the sad news of kiptum, Olympic marathon looks wide open this time. Who are the favorites to win? Will kipchoge destroy the field again
at the 24th kilometre (his age) there should be a one minute pause where all the runners stand still
I'd say the favorites are eliud kipchoge, evans chebet (1st place in 6 of his last 7 marathons, PR of 2:03:00) and sisay lemma (2:01:48 for 1st place at Valencia last fall).
Disrespectful
Nothing from Kipchoge yet on social media on the tragedy last night. He didn't congratulate Kiptum for his WR, but surely he will offer his condolences?
Aurelius Marcus wrote:
Nothing from Kipchoge yet on social media on the tragedy last night. He didn't congratulate Kiptum for his WR, but surely he will offer his condolences?
The Independent (1 hour ago)
Kipchoge, who shares the four fastest men’s marathon times in history with his compatriot, said that he had been left “deeply saddened” by the news.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the marathon world record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum,” Kipchoge said in a post on social media.
“An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achive incredible greatness. May I offer my deepest condolences to his young family.”
Aurelius Marcus wrote:
Nothing from Kipchoge yet on social media on the tragedy last night. He didn't congratulate Kiptum for his WR, but surely he will offer his condolences?
Paris marathon wrote:
After the sad news of kiptum, Olympic marathon looks wide open this time. Who are the favorites to win? Will kipchoge destroy the field again
First- RIP to a great champion. I don't think any disrespect was meant by this thread. As tragic and sad as this is, most people had to have this thought cross their minds.
I think it's more open because Eliud may be suspect on the hills. I'm thinking back to Boston- his worst race recently.
His age and the hills and no pacers could open it up to a number of people.
I think even more interesting is it opens up a medal of any color.
At 2:00:00 there will be a moment of silence where no one crosses the line until 2:01:00 because no one could do what he did.
To change the tone of this I think marathon fans are truly robbed of great "god-tier" battles...
We never got to see the Bekele vs Kipchoge dream final matchup when they were both 2:01 runners - so much hype and then covid. Bekele will never be in that shape again.
Now again when we were really looking forward to an epic battle this summer, yet again we are permanently denied.
colorunner123 wrote:
I'd say the favorites are eliud kipchoge, evans chebet (1st place in 6 of his last 7 marathons, PR of 2:03:00) and sisay lemma (2:01:48 for 1st place at Valencia last fall).
I think Tamirat Tola (2022 world champion, 2:04:58 CR in NYC ‘23, 2:03:39 PR) belongs in the discussion. Victor Kiplangat of Uganda is a good “dark horse” contender, if you can call him that, having won the 2023 WC marathon and the 2022 CG marathon.
Agree that Tola could be a gold medal threat.
Kipchoge is like a wishdotcom version of Kiptum
RIP to the greatest there ever was.
colorunner123 wrote:
I'd say the favorites are eliud kipchoge, evans chebet (1st place in 6 of his last 7 marathons, PR of 2:03:00) and sisay lemma (2:01:48 for 1st place at Valencia last fall).
I can't discount Tamirat Tola.
He ia a racer.
Agreed. This guy knows how to run tactics and without pacers
Who cares?
Like going to see Napoli playing when Maradona was there and him not coming on.
Run4fun69 wrote:
Who cares?
Like going to see Napoli playing when Maradona was there and him not coming on.
That's my early appraisal. I'll probably watch but I won't care about the outcome. It will feel like a B final in swimming.
However, I fully acknowledge that time moves on. Each of the top contenders will run prior to Paris. That creates storylines and debate. Interest level will be huge. Just not from myself.
Has always been Eliud. Now 4sure100%
He wasnt the greatest. He was the fastest. Eliud will be always the GOAT. KK lost is a tragedy he would have a shot to become the GOAT :( very sad
Paris marathon wrote:
After the sad news of kiptum, Olympic marathon looks wide open this time. Who are the favorites to win?
Hint. He's Mormon.