At the business end of this year's VLM, Mo Farah will be entering unknown territory, and to win would need to overcome an array of world class marathon specialists such as Wilson Kipsang. Is setting a new British record (currently 2hrs 7mins 13 seconds) a more realistic target at his first 'serious' marathon attempt?
Comments
Yes I'd agree
I think it's a bit much to expect a win on his debut especially with the class of the other runners in the field. It must be one of the strongest elite fields ever put together.
I've just read that Farah has 'hired' long distance Ethiopian Legend Haile Gebrselassie as his pacemaker. That's like asking a 'Red Bull' mechanic to tinker with your ford fiesta !!!!
I know its unrealistic, and its a lot of pressure on a debut but... I would LOVE him to win it! I think that would be fantastic and I shall be cheering him every step
i read if he gets the record, he will hold the records from 1500 to marathon. Don't know if it's correct or not, but if so amazing.
Anyway
I dont think Mo will win. He might run a new British record but there is too much experienced marathon runners around him.
Apparently Farah isn't even going to start off with the lead group which Haile is going to pace until 30k. Instead Mo is going in the second group so he'll have a bit of catching up to do.
Running owl, err no, vmlm hired heile for PR. As slowkoala has said Mo appears to not even be going in that lead batch he wants to go through half way 30 seconds slower than that group, then see how many he can stalk down, as they said in Paris the pb for a newbie is 2:04:16 or 46? Or something like that if he could get near that for a first marathon thst would be special.
he's amazing and I'd love him to win, but I don't think he can, but hey what do i know I haven't got as much running talent in my whole body as he has in his little toe nails (if he has any left)
Haile wasn't immediately successful at the marathon distance although was exceptional at other distances. Mo has a very high level of talent, and has over recent years proved his calibre many times on the track and the road.
I, like many others, know that getting everything right on the day can be difficult but I wish Mo all the best for a successful race
Getting the British record?, yeah I'd have thought so
Winning it? , not sure but what a great day it'll be for British running if he does.
COME ON MO!
I agree FellZebra but just feel that as usual the press are hyping up everyone's expectations. He may run a great race in a great time but not win. But the press will be down on him like a tonne of bricks.
SK - I fear that if Mo breaks the British record but doesn't win (In theory he could even come something like 4th in that field, and still get the British record), the general public may look at that as a failure I want him to win, but I don't think he will.
What's his swimming and cycling like ?
I just hope I get to see it. I'll record it on the Sky box but I'll have a house full of Sheffield United fans so it will be a footballing Sunday for me.
Feels a bit weird actually
Make sure you fill the trough with swill. Those little piggies are going to need feeding.
Oh and loads of tissues for after the match. ;-)
Slowkoala, I disagree that the press will be down on him like a ton of bricks. Remember how he's well he's been recieved by the press in recent years and rightly so. That status will not diminish if he's not won it on his debut London.
Obviously hope that there's not opportunity for the press to come down on him for not winning!
It's true he has brought focus back to the marathon as an elite running event.
I saw Bradley Wiggins at the Olympic TT and the wall of noise coming up the road from the crowd was incredible, it'll be the same for Mo, the atmosphere will be fantastic and I'm a bit gutted I'll miss seeing him cos I'm running, sod's law. Wouldn't like to be him tho with that level of noise for 26 miles!
It would be amazing if he did win, ive been reading his article in the latest Runners World. What time do the elite runners start? Im confused with all the different times lol!
Looking at the start list which contains 6 of the top 12 fastest marathon runners ever and there's 8 who have run 2:05:12 or faster, I think Mo will struggle to finish in the top 6. He will be with the big boys, as well the his nemesis Jeilan also making a debut.
To say he has gone in at the deep end is to put it mildly.
Talking of which he probably can't swim! Don't know about bike. Probably a bit wobbly.
Stilts - don't know what speed you are, but if you can get to half way (just after Tower Bridge) in about 1:45 or faster you will have a good chance of seeing the elite storm along The Highway in the opposite direction. Hopefully with Mo in contention.
They call you lot pigs you know?
I can't wait to watch it and really really hope Mo can win, like others have said, it's a big ask and he's up against a class field. I will also be shouting for David Weir - hope he comes through in his category. Overall it's going to be an amazing and exciting race - good luck to all of the runners, not just elites.
My OH will be setting up his turbo trainer in the front room just so that he can watch while he trains!!
He's got Haile as pacemaker?
Last time I raced against Haile I beat him. How come I didn't get the call?
Mo's in with a shout of a top 3 if he's there or thereabouts with 5k to go.
Full credit to him though for lining up amongst one of the strongest marathon fields put together though, should be a cracking race.
Pretty sure the British record will go unless he DNFs
I think it will do him good not to win. He needs a new challenge and this is it. Think how great it will be if he really rises to it in a few years' time.
Let's hope he has remembered to enter and doesn't think he can enter on the day.
The thought of the finishers medal will spur him on.