London today. Sebastian Sawe (1:59:30) and Yomef Kejelcha (1:59:41) ran under 2 hours for the marathon, this time in a real race without cars and interchanging pacers like Kipchoge did a few years ago. Jacob Kiplomo (2:00:28) was also under the former world record held by the late Kelvin Kiptum.
In the women's division Tigst Assefa ran 2:15:41 which is the world record in a race without male pacers.
The last four guys ran 1:59.3, 1:59.41, 2:00.28, and 2:01.39 for the last 800 meters. That's just insane.
Crazy times. :e)
Super shoes? Better training? The evolution of the human species? Ideal weather and course profile.
Quote from: Fast Eddie on April 26, 2026, 03:35:09 PMCrazy times. :e)
Super shoes? Better training? The evolution of the human species? Ideal weather and course profile.
I think they were wearing the newest Adidas pro evo 3, which you have to enter a lottery to get.
I can't imagine a pair of shoes feeling faster than the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 I have but the OTQ athletes I know are registered for the lottery after London.
Quote from: kawasa on April 26, 2026, 11:14:33 AMThe last four guys ran 1:59.3, 1:59.41, 2:00.28, and 2:01.39 for the last 800 meters. That's just insane.
I think those were their actual times in hours and minutes. But they did close fast! Sawe ran a 4:12 mile in there and closed his last 2.2 km at 2:40 pace (4:16/mile) according to Citius Magazine podcast.
He has been tested something like 25 times recently and they have been watching over the past year. They have been knocking on the door since 2018 with Kipchoge's 2:01 and then with the Breaking 2 project. Shoes, nutrition during the race, PT and strength training, and training philosophy have all evolved over the past decade. Everyone across all levels (well except geezers like me) keep getting faster and faster!