Check out all the positive splitting posers at NYC marathon

Triathlon Forum
1

Top 20:

1 ****1 1 Paul Tergat (36) NIKE, KEN  2:09:30  30:20 1:04:57 1:38:41 4:56  2 ****2 2 Hendrick Ramaala (33) NIKE, RSA  2:09:31   1:04:57 1:38:42 4:56  3 ****3 3 Meb Keflezighi (30) NIKE, CA  2:09:56   1:04:57 1:38:40 4:57  4 ****4 1 Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (27) NIKE, KEN  2:11:01   1:04:57 1:38:41 5:00  5 ****5 2 Abdihakim Abirahman (27) NIKE, AZ  2:11:24   1:04:58 1:39:12 5:00  6 ****6 4 Alberico Di Cecco (31) NIKE, ITA  2:11:33   1:04:57 1:39:13 5:01  7 ****7 5 Viktor Roethlin (31) ASIC, SUI  2:11:44  30:20 1:04:57 1:40:03 5:01  8 ****8 3 Simon Wangai (26) NIKE, KEN  2:13:19  30:20 1:04:58 1:39:13 5:05  9 ****9 6 Jon Brown (34) ADID, GBR  2:13:29  31:00 1:05:52 1:41:16 5:05  10 ****10 4 Isaac Macharia (24) ADID, KEN  2:14:21   1:04:58 1:40:17 5:07  11 ****11 5 Matt Downin (28) NEWB, NJ  2:14:28   1:06:45 1:41:44 5:07  12 ****12 6 James Kibocha Theury (27) KEN  2:14:59   1:06:44 1:41:24 5:09  13 ****13 7 John Henwood (33) NYAC, NZL  2:15:05   1:06:46 1:42:07 5:09  14 ****14 7 Robert Cheboror (27) NIKE, KEN  2:15:24   1:04:57 1:40:17 5:10  15 ****15 8 Christopher Cheboiboch (28) NIKE, KEN  2:15:34  30:20 1:04:58 1:39:12 5:10  16 ****16 8 Mark Saina (34) ADID, KEN  2:15:35   1:05:00 1:41:31 5:10  17 ****17 9 Pete Gilmore (28) CA  2:16:39   1:06:49 1:42:44 5:12  18 ****18 10 Ryan Shay (26) NIKE, MI  2:17:14   1:05:52 1:42:08 5:14  19 ****19 11 Kassahun Kabiso (22) WTC, NY  2:18:58   1:07:48 1:44:58 5:18  20 ****20 9 Antoni Pena (35) ESP  2:20:40   1:04:58 1:41:12 5:22

17 out of the top 20 positive split. I realize that the final 10 K are pretty darn tough, but some of these guys were 10 minutes slower in the second half. Seriously, what what were they thinking trying to blow through the first half with Tergat in 1:05 :slight_smile:

…meanwhile the top four ladies negative split in a huge way:

25 **F** 1 1 Jelena Prokopcuka (29) NIKE, LAT  2:24:41  34:17 1:13:02 1:51:18 5:31  26 **F** 2 1 Susan Chepkemei (30) NIKE, KEN  2:24:55   1:13:02 1:51:18 5:31    28 **F** 3 2 Derartu Tulu (33) MIZU, ETH  2:25:21   1:13:02 1:51:18 5:32  29 **F** 4 2 Salina Kosgei (28) KEN  2:25:30  34:17 1:13:02 1:51:17 5:33
2

Tactics. None of these people were trying to run the fastest race they could (conditions wouldn’t predict a fast time): they were racing to win. The lead men went out pretty hard, then dialed it back, then hammered to make a selection. Those who didn’t make the selection backed off, by choice or by necessity.

3

Interesting that 1, 2, & 3 were basically perfectly even. 1 & 2 were slightly negative. Incredible…

4

You don’t think they were trying to follow your new positive split plan ? :slight_smile:

5

i went with the positive split plan in my 1/2 marathon yesterday and it worked for me. got a new PB out of the day :slight_smile:

k

6

"17 out of the top 20 positive split. "
yes, but the other 3 (negative or even) filled the podium…

the optimal race strategy is usually not the same as the optimal performance strategy. That’s why most world-record attempts use rabbits, to ensure an even or slightly negative split: the optimal performance strategy.

Another solid performance by Meb but I really want to see him win one…

7

Guys, I realize that at the front end of the pack at NYC it is all about tactics and just like a bike race, hanging in the draft is worth more than doing your solo effort. After all, these guys are running at 20 kph full frontal (vs aero).

It is just interesting to see how many guys thought they had a shot at finishing on the podium and then croaked. Conversely, many may have realized that they had no hope for the podium, yet went out as fast and as long as they could, benefitting from the draft that then when they got spit out, dialed it back to the pace that would ensure them the highest possible placing :slight_smile:

If you scroll though the top 400 or so, you’ll see how few actually negative or even split, but yes, the very best do. Most of us just aren’t in that league :frowning: