Marathons around the world are being swept up in a running boom. 2011 has been the best of all time. Of course the new World Record set by Patrick Makau in Berlin in September indicates this, but even more incredible is the results across all 5 of the world majors. The ‘World Marathon Majors’ includes the top 5 races (London, Boston, Chicago, Berlin & New York). In all 5 of these events this year the course record was broken.
In London in April, Emmanuel Mutai (KEN) smashed the previous course record by 30s to win in 2:04:40. Mutai also claimed 2nd in New York with a time over a minute faster than the previous 10yr old course record.
In Boston in April, Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) won in 2:03:02 . Moses Mosop (KEN) in 2:03:06 and Gebregziabher Gebremariam (ETH) in 2:04:53. The top 3 athletes beat the old course record by more than a minute (Mutai by nearly 3 minutes). It was an exceptional race and one that will be debated for years as Mutai’s time is not recognised as a world record (WR) but instead a world best, due to the elevation changes on the Boston course and the strong tail wind. Regardless of your opinion on the affects of these, the times are an amazing indication of the progress of running.
In Berlin in September, Patrick Makau (KEN) set a new world record of 2:03:38, beating Haile Gebrselassie’s previous WR on the same course by 21 seconds. Makau’s run was an amazing effort beating the nearest finisher Stephen Chemlany (another Kenyan) buy more than 4minutes.
In Chicago in October, Moses Mosop (KEN) set a new course record of 2:05:37 and in the process earning Kenya their 10th Chicago marathon win in 11years.
In New York this week Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) claimed another course record (2:05:06) smashing the 10yr old NY record by 2mins and 37 seconds.
Again the top 3 men all beat the old course record, reiterating the amazing vein of talent being led by the East African powerhouses of running; Kenya and Ethiopia.
The likely Kenyan team for the 2012 London Olympics will comprise of the blisteringly hot Geoffrey Mutai, world record holder Patrick Makau and world champion Abel Kirui. In fact with Kirui’s strong win in this years world championship it is the first time Kenya have won all top 6 races in the world. The Kenyans are certainly leading in the fastest developing athletics event.
On the horizon is the next big milestone in world athletics. The sub 2-hour marathon. Reportedly Mutai claimed after his win in New York this week… The sub 2hr marathon, If it’s not me the next generation are coming along quickly.
In reality the sub 2-hour marathon is still many years away but after the fastest year on record we are fast approaching! Just as the 4min mile created intrigue and debate amongst fans & experts in the 1940’s & 50’s, the 2hr marathon could prove even more elusive for the world’s best.
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