Irina Mikitenko cracking 2:20 in Berlin (© Victah Sailer)
Chicago, USAWhen asked what was the most memorable about his 20 year tenure at the helm of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, executive race director Carey Pinkowski answered the three World records that have been set on the flat, fast course through the neighborhoods of Chicago. On Sunday’s 33rd running of the event, weather permitting, there may be a fourth record to add to those memories.
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.
Beijing Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru demonstrated in that race in 2008 that he is capable of lowering Haile Gebrselassie’s 2:03:59 mark and two other Chicago entrants, Morocco’s Abderrahim Goumri and Kenya’s Vincent Kipruto, whose personal bests, like Wanjiru, are also in the 2:05s, believe that they, too, have that capability.
Wanjiru ‘ready for 2:04’, record could be in jeopardy
Looking relaxed and confident, Wanjiru, told the media at Friday’s press conference that he was happy to make his first trip to the United States and “happy to see that guy Obama,” referring to US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Barack Obama.
Obama, whose father was Kenyan, is “more famous than (Kenyan) President Kibaki,” said Wanjiru, who added that he was told that the Obama’s Chicago home was only a 10K from the hotel where he was staying. Wanjiru said he hoped to make the trip. As for his race plans, he said he felt ready to run 2:04/2:05 “depending on the weather.” His agent, Frederico Rosa said that if the weather and the pacemakers cooperate, the World record will definitely be in jeopardy.
Short in stature, Wanjiru has a different physique that many of the other top runners, sporting a long torso atop short legs. His upper body looks long and lean, said Rosa, but those muscles are strong and Wanjiru’s legs are like those of a cyclist or speedskater with big quads. The key to getting the record, Rosa said, would be in helping smooth out the pace. If the pacers, which include 2007 Chicago champion Patrick Ivuti, can hold the pace necessary for a sub 2:04 and keep it smooth, the record could go, Rosa said.
Wanjiru has asked for the first half pace to be around 1:01:50, but the key to successful pacemaking, said Rosa, was to “hold him down” to keep Wanjiru from surging or having to run uneven pace through 30K.
“The goal is to make it relaxed,” said Rosa. To allow Wanjiru to save his energy for the final kilometres where most records are made or lost.
Focus on Kastor and Mikitenko in women’s race of champions
The women’s race won’t be one of time, but of comebacks. The two fastest women entered, Athens Olympic bronze medalist and 2006 Chicago champion Deena Kastor and defending World Marathon Majors women’s champion Irina Mikitenko are both recovering from losses. Kastor from a broken foot at the Beijing Games and Mikitenko from the death of her father.
“(Mikitenko’s father) was the most important person in my life,” she said. “That’s why I want to show him, to run good here just for him.”
Kastor said that the last five weeks of her training have been great.
She was able to run repeat miles close to five minute pace, as well as tempo runs under race pace, she said, and recover well from the efforts.
Those workouts convinced her that her body could still handle the stress of high intensity training and that her career was not over.
Last minute entrant Ethiopia’s Berhane Adere, the 2006/2007 Chicago women’s champion, also has hopes to come back from sup par performances the past two years and reestablish herself as one of the top female marathoners. When you add last year’s champion, Lidia Grigoryeva of Russia, to that mix, you have a battle of the champions at the front of the women’s race.
What they all hope for is good weather for running. Pre-race forecast is for a more typical October day in Chicago with temperatures in the 40s (4-9 C.). So rain and wind remain the major unknowns that could scuttle record attempts or alter the dynamics of the race.
Jim Ferstle for the IAAF
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.
Beijing Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru demonstrated in that race in 2008 that he is capable of lowering Haile Gebrselassie’s 2:03:59 mark and two other Chicago entrants, Morocco’s Abderrahim Goumri and Kenya’s Vincent Kipruto, whose personal bests, like Wanjiru, are also in the 2:05s, believe that they, too, have that capability.
Wanjiru ‘ready for 2:04’, record could be in jeopardy
Looking relaxed and confident, Wanjiru, told the media at Friday’s press conference that he was happy to make his first trip to the United States and “happy to see that guy Obama,” referring to US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Barack Obama.
Obama, whose father was Kenyan, is “more famous than (Kenyan) President Kibaki,” said Wanjiru, who added that he was told that the Obama’s Chicago home was only a 10K from the hotel where he was staying. Wanjiru said he hoped to make the trip. As for his race plans, he said he felt ready to run 2:04/2:05 “depending on the weather.” His agent, Frederico Rosa said that if the weather and the pacemakers cooperate, the World record will definitely be in jeopardy.
Short in stature, Wanjiru has a different physique that many of the other top runners, sporting a long torso atop short legs. His upper body looks long and lean, said Rosa, but those muscles are strong and Wanjiru’s legs are like those of a cyclist or speedskater with big quads. The key to getting the record, Rosa said, would be in helping smooth out the pace. If the pacers, which include 2007 Chicago champion Patrick Ivuti, can hold the pace necessary for a sub 2:04 and keep it smooth, the record could go, Rosa said.
Wanjiru has asked for the first half pace to be around 1:01:50, but the key to successful pacemaking, said Rosa, was to “hold him down” to keep Wanjiru from surging or having to run uneven pace through 30K.
“The goal is to make it relaxed,” said Rosa. To allow Wanjiru to save his energy for the final kilometres where most records are made or lost.
Focus on Kastor and Mikitenko in women’s race of champions
The women’s race won’t be one of time, but of comebacks. The two fastest women entered, Athens Olympic bronze medalist and 2006 Chicago champion Deena Kastor and defending World Marathon Majors women’s champion Irina Mikitenko are both recovering from losses. Kastor from a broken foot at the Beijing Games and Mikitenko from the death of her father.
“(Mikitenko’s father) was the most important person in my life,” she said. “That’s why I want to show him, to run good here just for him.”
Kastor said that the last five weeks of her training have been great.
She was able to run repeat miles close to five minute pace, as well as tempo runs under race pace, she said, and recover well from the efforts.
Those workouts convinced her that her body could still handle the stress of high intensity training and that her career was not over.
Last minute entrant Ethiopia’s Berhane Adere, the 2006/2007 Chicago women’s champion, also has hopes to come back from sup par performances the past two years and reestablish herself as one of the top female marathoners. When you add last year’s champion, Lidia Grigoryeva of Russia, to that mix, you have a battle of the champions at the front of the women’s race.
What they all hope for is good weather for running. Pre-race forecast is for a more typical October day in Chicago with temperatures in the 40s (4-9 C.). So rain and wind remain the major unknowns that could scuttle record attempts or alter the dynamics of the race.
Jim Ferstle for the IAAF
