After his "unfortunate" Mission as pacemaker in Fukuoka Eliud Kiptanui chasing the end of January 2011 in Dubai marathon Haile's world record - Helmut Winter reports!
But not only irritating is the behavior of the "Marshall" on course, which was equipped with a red flag, so that runners finish with the time limit at predetermined positions of the race.
The Fukuoka Marathon on 5 December came this year in the special focus of attention of the international road running scene. However, less exceptional sporting results that there was in the jubilee year "2500 Years of the Marathon" recorded in large numbers, rather than by events which took her at 15 km "race", only to find at 30 km an abrupt end.
For while the results were rather disappointing in the target - the winning time of a re recovering Gharib (MAR) of 2:08:24, just four runners under 2:13 and a numeric average of 2:13:30 is now internationally at best second rate - made events caused by a pace-maker talked about, one has in this form, probably never before experienced in a high-profile city marathon.
First, the course was of great tradition in the southern Japanese city of a less spectacular course, four pacemakers led a field of about 15 athletes on the first part of the route. It took over as planned initially, the pace of the Japanese Matsumara work. 15:07 at 5 km and 30:18 at 10 km were in accordance with a final time of 2:07. At 15 km in 45:27, but this requirement was in danger, an increase of the rate makes sense.
And where the disaster took its "Run" because Eliud Kiptanui (KEN) should now support as a supposedly strongest pace-maker to turn to about 31.7 km, the top runners. Here is the latest Kiptanui since this spring after his sensational run over the cobblestones of Prague in 2:05:37 Nobody no more. The now 21 year old is certainly one of the greatest talents of the international scene in the road race. At the Berlin Marathon was the end of September it the constant rain and the wet streets to create much, he was in "only" 2:08:05 fifth place, but it was still faster than the eventual winner in Fukuoka this year.
Eliud which has great potential, he demonstrated immediately after the 15 km mark, where, as previously agreed, should take the pace of work. It came instructions to increase the pace, and unhappy the inexperience of the young Kenyan together because of loose laid, as if there were to win at the next corner is a premium. This one should have to point him in the run even more impressive that pacemaker services are not very helpful when his clients simply run away. That made Eliud. And how!
From the TV recording was determined for the kilometer section of the 16 km mark 2:41, and the following km in 2:46 was slower but much more. that go with his colleagues this breakneck speed and were not wanted, above all, appears only too plausible. For such intermediate sprints - pay must also be a world class athlete in the final stage tribute - read at an early stage of a marathon.
Gharib went only so, but with a respectable distance, the speed increase, because of course he knew about the potential of the outlier. There are rumors that say that Kiptanui had asked in advance if it is not possible, if necessary, go through the race. The liability of Japanese organization had him but made clear that this is neither desirable nor possible. With this in mind Kiptanui rushed the field in advance, at 20 km in 59:42, he was the last 5 km in 14:15 fantastic km running.
A look at the statistics shows that never in this phase of a major marathon a runner was faster, holds the record here Haile Gebrselassie from the last show in Berlin, 2009 14:36. The rate increase also had the consequence that the Kenyan was the half marathon mark in 1:02:58 already on course for a time under 2:06.
Kiptanui looked impressive loose, ran the next 5 km with 14:55 very quickly, and a visibly irritated crowd of observers of this spectacle, wondering what led the Kenyans in the shield, if necessary, whether he now ran his own account and tried to race to win.
But before such speculations further condensed, was a Japanese judges at the 30 km, the answer to that question. With a red flag to put the official of the leader in the way of the solo run of Eliud Kiptanui of exactly 15 km was over, Jaouad Gharib was suddenly in the lead and held it in a sovereign manner, to the finish.
But it was less the triumph of the old master from Morocco, much more than the action of the pace-maker, the second 15 km with 44:29 was almost exactly one minute faster than the first The Part 29:09 15 km to 25 km you have no comment. Benefits from this hunt at the end, no one has. Kiptanui was taken out of the race, Gharib had to "pay" in the final for the uneven pace in the middle part.
In the evening after the race were Kiptanui and the brother of his manager still somewhat at a loss and had no coherent explanation for what happened during the lunch hours. The inexperienced Kenyans simply lacked the routine for such a task. As he at the sudden increase in tempo was no contact with the top athletes, all signs point to a lack of preparation for this task. After the confusion in the run wanted Kiptanui through his own words, the race probably not, but what makes his behavior even more incomprehensible.
But not only irritating is the behavior of the "Marshall" on course, which was equipped with a red flag, so that runners finish with the time limit at predetermined positions of the race. Anyone who has seen the stubbornness and penetrance Japanese official in the exercise of such activities can appreciate that because the guidelines are implemented without mercy. That this is also on the front end of the field is done is not only strange but highly questionable and contrary to the rules. Diverse reactions to this incident show that the author of this report stands alone in his assessment.
About Pacemakers - following the bait at dog racing and disrespectfully as "rabbit" dubbed - are divided, in fact, opinions. The benefit in supporting the tempo style is indisputable. Without the very professional help of a whole armada of pacemakers would include Haile's world record in Berlin might not have been possible. It seems clear that the pace Designers are also participants in the race, in which they are active. That means also that they must, like all participants the opportunity to place themselves, possibly even win.
That is the exception, has shown in recent years, which is already due to the fact that an active pace maker more resources must use than those clients who benefited from a high but steady rate and shielding against external influences. But in exceptional cases, the hare a particularly good day, or Favorites are added indisposed, so the race ends with a surprise. For the sport such an outcome is good, there's been so in this situation a fair competition across the stage.
If, however, as seen now in Fukuoka, the specifications will see no pacemaker at the finish, without compromise and converting the pacemakers obsolete if necessary under pressure from the plug, this is against the rules of fair athletic competition in which every starter by definition the should have equal chances of winning the competition. The general secretary of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), former world class runner Hugh Jones, shares this view: "If an athlete deliberately to (rewarded) will support other buns Ehmer used, one can tolerate it as long as it is free in his choice is to make the race, ie also, stop it.
If organizers but who worry that he is prevented from further participation (and thus finishing well and possibly even win), this clearly goes against the rules. "The is little to add at this point. The rabbit is then no more participants in the competition, as fresh runners who start at a later stage the race. In the latter case, there is consensus that no such pacemaker services are permitted. A difference to the organized removal of a pace-maker is in this respect but hardly.
For the poor Eliud, who in Fukuoka, and many a victim of unfortunate circumstances, but also his incredible performance potential, was also in the future flags play a special role. What was learned namely in the week after the Fukuoka Marathon, Eliud Kiptanui is one of the top athletes in late January 2011 in Dubai to be launched. And as it is - but then even the half-marathon - contrary to blow a colossal and largely red flag near the inflection point represents a national monument in the emirate.
This flag will be used to but by no means to take him out of the race. Blowing against him this fact, it means a tailwind on the second half to finish in the Dubai Media City. During his performance and the potential shown in Fukuoka impressions he could be a worthy successor to Haile Gebrselassie after his three appearances at the Dubai Marathon. Whether it be even in the range of Hailes record is to be seen. Eliud has what it takes forever.
And when he again triggered a debate, but hopefully this time from the purely sporting side benefit, then that's the only young man from the heart to do.
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