Sunday, October 13, 2013

Revenge of the Kenyans

Hats off to Dennis Kimetto who wins Chicago in 2:03:45 shattering the course record and getting within striking distance of the world record on a much tougher course.  Berlin has tried every trick to optimize its course for records while Chicago has maintained its basic configuration with a number of turns and the inevitable mini-hills from bridges including  the bridge at Roosevelt at the 26 mile marker leading up to a left turn onto Columbus Avenue for the final 200 meters.  Kimmeto's race is all the more remarkable given he was being treated for malaria over the summer and then for back problems within the last 60 days. 

Tip of the hat also for Emanual Mutai who came in second with a blistering 2:03:52 and duled Kimetto neck and neck until the final mile.  In any other year, this would have been a winning time and a course record.

These guys didn't just ran, they flowed like water rushing down a mountain stream.

These are two of the fastest times in marathon history and strong evidence that the Big 5 are really the big 2 for setting records.  What we really need to see now is Kimetto. Mutai, Kipsang challenge match.  Pity that race timing, appearance fees, and training schedules will make this unlikely any time soon.

Final kudos to Tatiana McFarland who won the women's wheelchair division for the third straight year following at least two other major marathon wins this year.  She will go for the Grand Slam in New York in 3 weeks.


1 comment:

  1. I so envy your perch for this spectacle! Thank you for reporting on it.

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