by Larry EderOccasionally, I am fortunate to speak with BBC World Service for a few minutes…and I love it.
Here is how it works:
I get a text from a producer on a topic, and if I can speak with them. We settle on a time, and they sometimes provide me with questions on the issues in advance. I like it the most, when the conversation evolves organically…
This is what I told the BBC in October 2019.
Brigid Kosgei flying through Chicago, photo by David Wearn/Chicago Marathon
1. Brigid Kosgei was expected to run fast by her manager, but not that fast!
Federico Rosa, of Rosa Associati told me he thought Brigid could go 2:16, maybe, 2:15. The issue is, Brigid runs to her own drurmmer. The Chicago marathon course is wicked fast, Kosgei is one of the most talented athletes in the world, and her Nike racing shoes are obviously of some assistance.
2. Is Brigid Kosgei the hands on for Tokyo?
Not necessarily. There is, in my mind, a big difference between a racer and championship racer. Most champ races have huge changes in speed, no pacers and require tactics. Women’s running is such that, today, a half dozen women could take gold in Tokyo.
3. What did you think of the INEOS 159 event?
I loved it. It brings people to running. Weeks later, I heard non runners speaking about Eliud KIpchoge in NYC. INEOS put together an amazing event, and got their $30 million out of it. But, it is not a race. My dream? Put Eliud KIpchoge and Kenenisa Bekele on the Berlin course, in a regular event, and let them duke it out. Now, that would be a race!
4. How fast can Eliud Kipchoge run in a real race?
I believe, in a real race, Eliud Kipchoge could run 2:01, perhaps, 2:00.50.
Eliud Kipchoge, photo by NN Running team
