4 replies to this topic

[HouseDad]

Just found this article on the BBC webs site:


2-Hour Marathon

House Dad.

Edited by HouseDad, 12 April 2011 - 07:11 AM.

[crowpower]

The graph shows the first sub 2:30 performance by Albert Michelsen in 1925. Unfortunately Michelsen's performance was on a course which was substantially short, perhaps up to a mile. The real first sub 2:30 was by a Japanese runner some years later.

The sub 2 hour barrier will not be broken in my lifetime. Comparing it to the first sub four minute mile barrier is a bit absurd. You can run your guts out for four minutes. You can't for two hours.

Going on the comments by Paula Radcliffe, I'd say that a female will break 2:10 before a male breaks 2:00.


I wish these professional articles would not make a basic mistake of getting the marathon distance wrong. It says 41.2 km.

[Perseus]

http://www.sportssci...hon-debate.html

[crowpower]

Boston won in approximately 2:03:01.

I might have to eat my words!

[vat]

crowpower, on 19 April 2011 - 05:48 AM, said:

Boston won in approximately 2:03:01.

I might have to eat my words!

Before you get too excited, it's not ratifiable as a record as Boston nets out as downhill, and there was a very strong tailwind - Ryan Hall who finished fourth in 2:04:58 ran a near four minute PB, from his Boston race last year.  A four minute improvement in an established marathoner is unheard of.

That said, massive, massive time.