REIGNING OLYMPIC CHAMPION Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya narrowly failed in his attempt to complete the distance under the mythical two-hour mark, finishing in a time of 2hr 00min 25sec today.
The time, which smashed the world record of 2hr 02min 57sec set by Dennis Kimetto of Kenya, will not enter the record books largely because of the non-compliant system of pacemaking used in the attempt, made on the Monza National Autodrome racing circuit.
For the entire attempt, Kipchoge ran behind a six-man pacesetting team which trailed a time-keeping vehicle by less than 10 metres.
Despite narrowly missing the mark, Kipchoge said he believed it was possible and that he could make another attempt.
Speaking trackside to Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, a former three-time winner of the London marathon, Kipchoge said: “I hope next time… but I can say it’s closer (possible) for a human to run under the two-hour mark.”
Backed by a small army of scientists put together by sportswear giants Nike, and helped by an ever-changing battalion of pacesetters, Kipchoge set out to complete the classic marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres) in 1hr 59min 59 sec or faster.
In his pursuit of sporting immortality Kipchoge had to set a ferocious pace of 4min 34sec per mile — seven seconds quicker than the world record pace set by Kimetto at the 2014 Berlin Marathon.
Requiring the sort of evolutionary leap against the clock that is usually only achieved over decades, Kipchoge started in promising fashion.
Despite being one second over the target time after five kilometres, he was clocked at five seconds under after 10 then 15 km and was still two seconds inside the target at the 25 km mark.
But over the remaining third of the race, which began at 0545 local time in slightly humid conditions, Kipchoge steadily began to fall behind pace.
He was clocked at over six seconds over the required pace at the 35 km mark and, over the remaining distance, began to steadily trail his pacesetters before finishing just 25 seconds over the target.
We’ll written article hope limerick win both matches
Best of luck to joe and the ladies
Given the poor management performance in Croke Park on Sunday, if Joe wins the clubs will have realised their mistake when they got rid of him. Maybe now they will bring him back as manager.
Best of luck to everyone on Sunday.
I wouldn’t be too critical of the clubs here. Yes they rubberstamped the decision but Joe was never going to be left continue with his group, just like Anthony Carmody before him . If the cliques dont want you then youre not getting anywhere. I hope the girls go on to win next Sunday.
Best of luck girls #LuimneachAbú #proud
Speaking of Ciaran carey wonder if he had the ball Brian
Hogan had @the end last Sunday. .Ahh well one guy in 25 years pure hurler
Well said Joe, best of luck!!!