by Larry Eder
Tadesse Tola, 2011 BAA Boston Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net
Will Tadesse Tola lead a whole group of runners under the Eindhoven Marathon course record? We shall see! Phil Minshull of spainsports thinks that it is a good possibility. Read on!
Ethiopia’s
Tola looking for a course record and to end Kenya’s winning streak
Tola looking for a course record and to end Kenya’s winning streak
The
2011 Marathon Eindhoven men’s race is expected to yield very fast
times, with the course record of 2:07.01 looking in severe danger on
Sunday.
2011 Marathon Eindhoven men’s race is expected to yield very fast
times, with the course record of 2:07.01 looking in severe danger on
Sunday.
Eight
runners will be on the start line with personal bests below the 2
hours 10 minutes barrier, five of whom have run faster than 2:08.
Into the bargain, there are several runners set to make their
debut over the classic distance but who have clocked great times at
the half marathon.
runners will be on the start line with personal bests below the 2
hours 10 minutes barrier, five of whom have run faster than 2:08.
Into the bargain, there are several runners set to make their
debut over the classic distance but who have clocked great times at
the half marathon.
Leading
the way is Ethiopia’s Tadesse Tola, still only 23, who showed off his
prodigious talent when he won the 2010 Paris Marathon in 2:06:41. He
then improved to 2:06:31 almost exactly 12 months ago when he
finished second in Frankfurt.
the way is Ethiopia’s Tadesse Tola, still only 23, who showed off his
prodigious talent when he won the 2010 Paris Marathon in 2:06:41. He
then improved to 2:06:31 almost exactly 12 months ago when he
finished second in Frankfurt.
Tola
will be looking to jointly put an end to the 12-year winning streak
by Kenyan runners and also improve on the course record, which was
set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2009.
will be looking to jointly put an end to the 12-year winning streak
by Kenyan runners and also improve on the course record, which was
set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2009.
Heading
the challenge to retain Kenyan supremacy in Eindhoven is David
Kipkorir Mandago.
the challenge to retain Kenyan supremacy in Eindhoven is David
Kipkorir Mandago.
He
is 10 years older than Tola but still has youthful legs and clocked
his best of 2:06:53 in Paris two years ago. He also knows how to come
home in front after having crossed the line first in the Hamburg and
Rome marathons in recent years.
is 10 years older than Tola but still has youthful legs and clocked
his best of 2:06:53 in Paris two years ago. He also knows how to come
home in front after having crossed the line first in the Hamburg and
Rome marathons in recent years.
Kipkorir
Mandago has adjusted his marathon preparations in recent months after
over-training, he believes, for his two most recent marathons in 2010
and 2011.
Mandago has adjusted his marathon preparations in recent months after
over-training, he believes, for his two most recent marathons in 2010
and 2011.
Alongside
Kipkorir Mandago is his compatriot Nicholas Chelimo Kipkorir,
who was second in Eindhoven last year in a personal best of 2:07:38.
Kipkorir Mandago is his compatriot Nicholas Chelimo Kipkorir,
who was second in Eindhoven last year in a personal best of 2:07:38.
After
just being edged out by last year’s winner Charles Kamathi, who is
unable to defend his title, with both men being given the same time
and only split by a photo-finish, Chelimo Kipkorir is determined not
to have to settle for second best again.
just being edged out by last year’s winner Charles Kamathi, who is
unable to defend his title, with both men being given the same time
and only split by a photo-finish, Chelimo Kipkorir is determined not
to have to settle for second best again.
He
went on to win the Honolulu Marathon in sweltering heat and humidity
last December.
went on to win the Honolulu Marathon in sweltering heat and humidity
last December.
Kenya’s
Charles Kiama Munyeki had a great year on the roads in 2009
culminating in a splendid marathon debut of 2:07.06 when finishing
fourth in Chicago.
Charles Kiama Munyeki had a great year on the roads in 2009
culminating in a splendid marathon debut of 2:07.06 when finishing
fourth in Chicago.
Illness
and injury curtailed his progress over the last 18 months but he now
feels he is back to his best and ready to make an impression in
Eindhoven.
and injury curtailed his progress over the last 18 months but he now
feels he is back to his best and ready to make an impression in
Eindhoven.
Ethiopia’s
Teshome Gelana Etana had two good marathons
last year, including winning in Houston in 2:07:37, but after failing
to finish at the Daegu Marathon back in April, he will be determined
to bounce back and show what he is capable of on European soil.
Teshome Gelana Etana had two good marathons
last year, including winning in Houston in 2:07:37, but after failing
to finish at the Daegu Marathon back in April, he will be determined
to bounce back and show what he is capable of on European soil.
Mention
should also be made of Kenya’s Kiplimo
Kimutai, who will be making his marathon
debut in Eindhoven.
should also be made of Kenya’s Kiplimo
Kimutai, who will be making his marathon
debut in Eindhoven.
Kimutai
went under the magical mark of one hour for the half marathon when he
finished second at the 2009 Great North Run in the north east of
England in 59:44, the same year that he finished seventh at the World
half Marathon Championships.
went under the magical mark of one hour for the half marathon when he
finished second at the 2009 Great North Run in the north east of
England in 59:44, the same year that he finished seventh at the World
half Marathon Championships.
He
is also an accomplished track runner and can boast of a 10,000m best
of 27:16.49.
is also an accomplished track runner and can boast of a 10,000m best
of 27:16.49.
Despite
his lack of experience over the full marathon distance, many pundits
think that Kiplimo Kimutai could be a dark horse in Sunday’s race.
his lack of experience over the full marathon distance, many pundits
think that Kiplimo Kimutai could be a dark horse in Sunday’s race.
A
group of pacemakers have been asked to take the leading pack through
to the halfway point in 63:15 to 63:30, which will give someone an
excellent chance of breaking the course record.
group of pacemakers have been asked to take the leading pack through
to the halfway point in 63:15 to 63:30, which will give someone an
excellent chance of breaking the course record.
Only
seven other marathons have been won in 2011 in times under 2:07 and
Marathon Eindhoven is aiming to add its name to that list.
seven other marathons have been won in 2011 in times under 2:07 and
Marathon Eindhoven is aiming to add its name to that list.
However,
whatever happens and whoever wins, a new
name is guaranteed to be added to the Marathon Eindhoven roll of
honour which stretches back to 1959, when Germany’s Fritz
Schöning crossed the line in 2:45:05; a time which the 2011 women’s
winner is expected to beat by around 20 minutes.
whatever happens and whoever wins, a new
name is guaranteed to be added to the Marathon Eindhoven roll of
honour which stretches back to 1959, when Germany’s Fritz
Schöning crossed the line in 2:45:05; a time which the 2011 women’s
winner is expected to beat by around 20 minutes.
The
Marathon itself is one of just five races on Sunday. There is also a
half marathon, a marathon relay, a 6km City Run and a 3km
MiniMarathon.
Marathon itself is one of just five races on Sunday. There is also a
half marathon, a marathon relay, a 6km City Run and a 3km
MiniMarathon.
For
more information about the Marathon Eindhoven (in Dutch and English)
the website of the event is: http://www.marathoneindhoven.nl/
more information about the Marathon Eindhoven (in Dutch and English)
the website of the event is: http://www.marathoneindhoven.
ends
