Q - Coach: I just read an startling article by David Monti at Competitor [see here] telling how the male Kenyans have won 90% of the fall marathons....with the Ethiopians winning the other 10%. Is there any way Canadians or Americans can compete with these guys?
A – Absolutely, the North Americans can compete. But I know at this juncture it does appear rather daunting, considering:
1) according to the IAAF stats, as of Nov. 3/10, the
number of different Kenyans running under
2:05:00 = 3
2:06:00 = 6
2:07:00 = 11
2:08:00 = 23
2:09:00 = 40 !!
2) and Canada’s current fastest marathoner is Reid
Coolsaet at 2:11:23. [this may change after this
weekend's New York City Marathon where Simon Bairu
is competing] - [ed. note: Bairu had to drop out of the
NYC Marathon - see account here.
But if we are to become competitive, it may be helpful to examine why we are not. I had a similar question about 10 years ago which I responded to in my old Newsletter, and, since I believe much of what I wrote still pertains, I have just added it to the Reading Room section.
A – Absolutely, the North Americans can compete. But I know at this juncture it does appear rather daunting, considering:
1) according to the IAAF stats, as of Nov. 3/10, the
number of different Kenyans running under
2:05:00 = 3
2:06:00 = 6
2:07:00 = 11
2:08:00 = 23
2:09:00 = 40 !!
2) and Canada’s current fastest marathoner is Reid
Coolsaet at 2:11:23. [this may change after this
weekend's New York City Marathon where Simon Bairu
is competing] - [ed. note: Bairu had to drop out of the
NYC Marathon - see account here.
But if we are to become competitive, it may be helpful to examine why we are not. I had a similar question about 10 years ago which I responded to in my old Newsletter, and, since I believe much of what I wrote still pertains, I have just added it to the Reading Room section.
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