¶2012 OG: mMar–Stephen Kiprotich (Uganda) 2:08:01

[dj]

T&FN formchart

1. Wilson Kipsang (Kenya)
2. Ayele Abshero (Ethiopia)
3. Abel Kirui (Kenya)
4. Emmanuel Mutai (Kenya)
5. Dino Sefer (Ethiopia)
6. Arata Fujiwara (Japan)
7. Stephen Kiprotich (Uganda)
8. Getu Feleke (Ethiopia)
9. Marílson dos Santos (Brazil)
10. Abderrahim Bouramdane (Mor)

[EPelle]

Olympic Record: 2.06.32, Samuel Wanjiru, KEN, Beijing 2008

2008 Results: G-Samuel Wanjiru KEN 2.06.32OR; S-Jaouad Gharib, MAR, 2.07.16; B-Tsegay Kebede, ETH, 2.10.00
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[lovetorun]

This event is one of those that can be called the East African parade...and not much chance, realistically (though one can always hope) that any of the USA guys can get in the top 7, let alone medal. Still, will be an interesting race. Hope that Hall will light one up this time as he is capable of doing.

[bobguild76]

Meb, Hall, & Abdi can all go out in 1:03 ... they did so in Houston at the Trials. The question will be; Can they go with the surges after 20k? When Kipsang or one of the others throws a couple of 4:35 miles at halfway, 1) how many will go with them?, 2) for those who go with the surge, how many will crash & burn at 25 miles?, and 3) for those who don't go with the surge ... will they work together so as to run their way back into a medal position?

[aaronk]

In just a bit over one hour's time, the 2012 Men's London Olympic Marathon will begin!!
Ninety five runners will start the twisting historic course.
Among these 95 will be 3 Americans, with the fastest being Ryan Hall.

Hall's best is, of course, the (aided) Boston time of 2:04:58.
However, his next best time is 2:06:17, which he ran in London on a different, and faster, course!!

Among the 95 entrants, Hall's 2:06:17 (non-aided) PR is 7th fastest!!
Thus he stands as the USA's best chance for another medal.
Ryan Hall could be #30 for the USA!!

[CookyMonzta]

HEY! Is Jaouad Gharib (silver in 2008) running? As twisted as this course is, maybe he can take advantage and steal a medal, and at 40 perhaps break Andrés Espinosa's 9-year-old masters WR of 2:08:46.

Then perhaps next year Haile Gebrselassie can break it, along with the other masters distance WRs (13:43.15, 28:30.88)!

[Alan Shank]

15:23 at 5K is 2:09:49 pace
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[aaronk]

I wonder if de Almeida realizes this is a FULL marathon....and not a HALF!!!

[CookyMonzta]

10K in c30:12.

[Alan Shank]

De Almeida of Brazil has pulled away a bit; he is 8 seconds ahead at 10K: 30:38 to 30:46. The 30:46 is exactly the same pace as the first 5K.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[LopenUupunut]

Ethiopia's Dino Sefir is already falling back... Gharib is not here.

[Alan Shank]

Ryan Hall is already well back. ????
Now De Almeida has been caught.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[Alan Shank]

Kipsang and Abshera are separating already.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[croflash]

Kipsang is gone... for now.

[Alan Shank]

Kipsang 44:58, so that was 14:12!!! Overall average pace is now 2:06:29, but at current pace he would break the world record. He's 11 seconds ahead of the chase pack.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[aaronk]

Kiprotich ran his last 5K in 14:11.......!!!!!!!!

[Alan Shank]

Eight in the chase pack, then another 13-second gap, at 15K. Meb is 26 seconds back of the chase pack. Hall is a minute behind Kipsang.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[aaronk]

At 15K....Meb in 17th, Abdi in 29th, and Hall in 50th!!1
Hall's 3rd 5K in 16:04!!!!

[EPelle]

Hall has just withdrawn (58.08)

[TR]

Ryan Hall is out!

[aaronk]

Hall just stopped!!!

[Alan Shank]

Looks like Hall has stopped.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[EPelle]

Abdi has just stepped off the course as well.

[aaronk]

Abdi also out!!!!!!

[oldtrackguy]

I think Kipsang is making as mistake, much too early for this move.

[EPelle]

Hall: Plantar fascia issue.

[Half Miler]

Where are you getting this info (Hall's injury) so quickly?

[Alan Shank]

Emmanuel Mutai has dropped back, as well as Dino Sefir of Ethiopia.

59:57 at 20K, that's 14:59, 2:06:28 pace.
Chase pack 14 seconds back, so catching up.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[EPelle]

Kiprotich, running his first championship marathon, through half-way point at 63.15

[aaronk]

1:03:15 at the half......an OR pace!!!!

But just barely!!!

[Alan Shank]

Just six chasers now. Asmerom of Eritrea has dropped back. 1:03:15 at halfway.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[EPelle]

Where are you getting this info (Hall's injury) so quickly?

Someone had tweeted to the announcers on my TV channel, which is not the delayed BBC feed others are viewing.

[EPelle]

Kiprotich disrupts his rhythm in nearly missing his water stop; he had to stop, turn around and jog a few steps back to get his supply.

[Alan Shank]

Now Dos Santos has fallen away. Five chasers.
Kipsang almost missed his drink just now, lost a few meters to the chasers.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[aaronk]

What a ROOKIE stop for a drink!!!
He lost maybe 5 seconds!!!