While this was 57 seconds faster than the current Marathon record of 2:03:59 set by Haile Gebrselaissie in Berlin in 2008, it won't count because the route doesn't qualify.
It does however suggest that the current record may be broken soon?
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya wins Boston Marathon in 2:03:02...
While this was 57 seconds faster than the current Marathon record of 2:03:59 set by Haile Gebrselaissie in Berlin in 2008, it won't count because the route doesn't qualify.
It does however suggest that the current record may be broken soon?
Hi John, Why does the Boston marathon not qualify? Is it not one of the major marathons on the world circuit. What criteria / marathons count towards world records?
ReplyDeleteWithout looking into it too much, I think it is because it it a point to point course rather than a loop. So in the advent that there is a tailwind like on Monday, there is a big advantage.
ReplyDeleteThere is also an overall drop in height so that might be an issue as well.
Spot on John. I read a race report and its the overall descent and wind that disqualify it. It's a shame though, I mean that time has never been recorded on any course.. maybe mutai will come to a real marathon in cork to break it.. I'd say heile is sweating in to his cornflakes this morning!
ReplyDeleteIts interesting debate comparing Boston and Berlin. Sure its a net down hill, but we all know you never get back what those climbs take out you. Cobh 10 mile is a case in point!! Berlin does qualify yet is a complete flat course, which is more challenging?
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteThe key question for Irish runners is "Are we closer to Boston or Berlin?",
On another point, he has already broken the tape and the clock reads 2:03:01, why is his time recorded as 2:03:02, do they round up to the next full second?
Fergus
Anybody know if a Boston marathon time would qualify somebody for the Olympics.???
ReplyDelete