Here’s what you need to know about the sub-2:00 marathon attempt, which is sponsored by Nike:
WHAT: Olympic marathon champ Eliud Kipchoge, two-time Boston winner Lelisa Desisa, and half marathon world record-holder Zersenay Tadese will try to break two hours for the 26.2-mile marathon distance. Of the three, Kipchoge, age 32, is the most likely to go sub-two hours. His personal best of 2:03:05 makes him the third fastest in history on a record-eligible course. The Nike attempt involves only runners sponsored by Nike.
WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 5:45 a.m. Central European time. In the United States, start time is 11:45 p.m. Eastern and 8:45 p.m. Pacific on Friday, May 5 -- tonight!
WHERE: The Formula One race track in Monza, Italy. The runners will do roughly 17.5 laps of the 2.4-kilometer circuit.
WATCH: The attempt will be livestreamed at RunnersWorld.com, beginning 15 minutes before the race starts. The stream will also be available on Nike’s Facebook page. The coverage will include commentary from marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe and veteran broadcaster Craig Masback, a former elite miler and former CEO of USA Track & Field who now works for Nike.
HOW FAST IS A SUB-TWO HOUR MARATHON? Running 1:59:59 for the marathon entails averaging 4:35 per mile for 26.2 miles!
WILL A WORLD RECORD BE RATIFIED IF THEY SUCCEED? According to RunnersWorld.com: "Given what is currently known about it, most likely not. Nike has strongly indicated that its attempt is focused on producing a sub-two under parameters of its own choosing. One or more aspects of what’s required for a performance to be ratified as a world record are likely to be circumvented. The course used for the attempt will be certified in accordance with rules for record eligibility. In the case of the Formula One oval, that means that the distance will be accurately measured. Because the attempt will occur on a loop course, the other aspects of course eligibility (the separation between the start and finish lines being less than 50 percent of the race distance, and the net elevation drop being less than one meter per kilometer) are automatically met. However, if the runners were to be led the whole way by an ever-changing roster of pacers, or if they drafted off a phalanx of vehicles for 26.2 miles, or if they could receive fluids and other aids on demand, such features would violate current rules of competition."Nike has looked at every possible element known to affect marathon performance, including weather, course, pacing and nutrition -- as well as shoes and other gear. Nike has created a shoe with a spring plate in the sole to be used in its sub-2 attempt.
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
