I don’t think it’s meaningful that we haven’t heard about his build-up and it says more about the media and fans than it does Kipchoge’s training.
I think he’ll run faster than 2:04:20 but won’t be surprised if he runs 2:03 or 2:02-high and gets beaten into 2nd. 25 year old Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich ran 2:03:13 in his debut in Berlin last year; former Boston and Chicago champ Benson Kipruto ran 2:04:02 in Chicago in October and is looking to PR; maybe the Budapest world champ from Uganda, 24 year old Victor Kiplangat, is ready to take a big bite out of his 2:05:09 PB. It should be a big test for the 39 year old Kipchoge.
2:00:50 . Kipchoge is looking freaking jacked in the recent NN pics. I think it's likely he's in great shape. Keep in mind he hasn't raced since Kiptum's performance in Chicago. (RIP). That's been a chip on his shoulder since October. Timing is perfect to give an all-out effort and still recover for Paris.
I think this is absolutely right. Tokyo is just a bridge to Paris, which is the real focus of this stage of Eliud's career. It's not surprising we haven't heard much about his build-up, especially coming off a solid but seemingly decline-revealing 2:02:42 in Berlin. I think he could progress back to another remarkable sub 2:02. He ran 2:02:40 last time in Tokyo with a wrong turn at 10k and seemingly not too much attention on the clock.
I think a 2:04+ would be a major warning sign. Any thing under 2:04 signifies he's still a major threat in Tokyo, and anything under 2:03 would make him far and away the presumptive favorite.
Just me or has it been a quiet build-up? I'm not expecting much, 2:04:20, maybe doesn't win.
I don’t think it’s meaningful that we haven’t heard about his build-up and it says more about the media and fans than it does Kipchoge’s training.
I think he’ll run faster than 2:04:20 but won’t be surprised if he runs 2:03 or 2:02-high and gets beaten into 2nd. 25 year old Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich ran 2:03:13 in his debut in Berlin last year; former Boston and Chicago champ Benson Kipruto ran 2:04:02 in Chicago in October and is looking to PR; maybe the Budapest world champ from Uganda, 24 year old Victor Kiplangat, is ready to take a big bite out of his 2:05:09 PB. It should be a big test for the 39 year old Kipchoge.
High hopes, thanks for the pacing info. I'd have to disagree though, he's far too experienced to take on a pace that would result an a true blowup. That's being said, even with great conditions sub 2:01 is too fast for him at this point. So my official prediction is 2:02:45.
2:00:50 . Kipchoge is looking freaking jacked in the recent NN pics. I think it's likely he's in great shape. Keep in mind he hasn't raced since Kiptum's performance in Chicago. (RIP). That's been a chip on his shoulder since October. Timing is perfect to give an all-out effort and still recover for Paris.
Although I agree with you him looking jacked, I don't think sub 2:01. I say 2:02 mid. He's def put on some added muscle. Looking like his younger self.