by Justin Lagat
Eliud Kipchoge, the best of all times? photo by Photorun.net
Justin Lagat sent this column in yesterday, on 7 things to consider about upcoming Berlin, Chicago and NYC Marathons. Tell us what you think! Send notes to runblogrun@gmail.com.
Another major marathon season is here and here are some of the exciting competitions to look forward to:
1. Eliud Kipchoge vs Wilson Kipsang in Berlin
I am not sure what Eliud Kipchoge feels about Wilson Kipsang, but he is the only runner who stopped him from becoming the only runner to remain unbeaten in his entire marathon career so far. Both athletes are determined to run fast times here and there is a high possibility of the world record being broken.
Wilson Kipsang and Eliud Kipchoge in 2013, big changes since then, photo by Photorun.net
There is already a lot of excitement building ahead of this race with a number of big restaurants in Iten, Eldoret, Kapsabet and Nairobi, here in Kenya, organizing watch parties in which the first 300 fans to arrive will get free breakfast.
2. How fast Tirunesh Dibaba will run on the Berlin course
Tirunesh Dibaba, photo by Photorun.net
The “baby faced destroyer” is arguably the most decorated female long distance track star with three Olympic titles and five world titles, among other titles, but is yet to transfer the same greatness to road running. So far, she has an impressive time of 2:17:56 in marathon, which is the 5th fastest time ever in history. This places her just within a minute away from Mary Keitany world record of 2:17.01.
3. Augustine Choge’s debut at the Chicago Marathon
Augustine Choge, photo by Photorun.net
He will be another 5000m and 1500m track runner moving up to the marathon for the first time. Choge has very impressive personal best times from 800m (1:44.86) through all the distances to the half marathon (59:26). He has been training alongside Eliud Kipchoge in his preparations for this marathon and Kipchoge’s results from the Berlin Marathon will mean a lot for him.
4. Mo Farah vs Galen Rupp in Chicago Marathon
Mo Farah wins Great North run, photo by Great run company
Mo Farah is in good shape having just won the Great North Run in 59:26. Rupp and his coach will most likely be trying to use the Chicago marathon to prove to Mo Farah that he may have made a wrong choice in leaving their camp.
5. The prospect of a new marathon star emerging from the loaded Chicago Marathon men’s elite field?
Tirunesh Dibaba, Galen Rupp, 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, photo by David Wearn
Chicago seems to be the most loaded and most open marathon of the season. Whoever will emerge victorious here will surely become the next runner to watch in the distance. Will it be Mosinet Geremew? Bedan Karoki? Mo Farah? Kenneth Kipkemoi? Birhanu Legese? Paul Lonyangata? Geoffrey Kirui? Galen Rupp? Augustine Choge? Looking at the star list, it won’t be that easy to predict the potential winner here.
6. Whether anyone will beat Geoffrey Kamworor at the New York City Marathon?
Geoffrey Kamworor, photo by Photorun.net
Kamworor will be here to defend his title and his closest rival from last year, Wilson Kipsang, will not be here. It looks set be an easy win for him if he will be in the same shape as last year and given that the weather cooperates with him perhaps he could be going for Geoffrey Mutai’s course record of 2:05:05 as well.
7. Vivian Cheruiyot vs Mary Keitany in the New York City Marathon.
Vivian Cheruiyot, photo by Photorun.net
Of the two times that Vivian Cheruiyot and Mary Keitany have raced against each other recently; both have beaten each other; Keitany beat Cheruiyot at the Great North Run last year while Cheruiyot beat Keitany at the London Marathon and it will seem proper that the New York city marathon will be the tie breaker as to who is the more superior road runner between the two.
Mary Keitany, photo by Photorun.net
