Sub 2:00 Marathon

It’s been a 108 years since the marathon  became established at its present distance of 42:195 kilometers and the world record has fallen from 2:55:18 to 2:02:57.  But will we ever see a sub 2- hour marathon?  Some people say no, but some running experts say it is  possible to clock 1:59.  If we base it on the progression (we are basing our theory in this century where the record has fallen by 2 minutes and 45 seconds, an average of 11 seconds per year,) then we could probably see the record dip below 2 hours in 15 years. Take  a look at the progress.  In 2003, Haile Gebrselasssie lowered the time to 2:03:59 in Berlin.  In 2011, Patrick Macau clocked 2:03:38, also in Berlin. Then in 2013, Wilson Kipsang timed 2:03:23 to further trim the record and finally in 2014, Dennis Kimetto further trimed it down to 2:02:57.  Now the question is how do we lower the  record to sub 2- hours? Well, here’s some answers: Footwear plays an important part in racing.  Flats now just weigh 7 ounces and with new materials, manufacturers could still cut it to another 50 grams.  It could chip some 36 seconds off a 2 hour performer.  High altitude training is also a factor.  Africans train live and train high, where thin air makes it hard to run in optimum paces. That’s also a reason  why our Philippine athletics  team train in Baguio City.  Some experts also said marathoners must improve on shorter distances like clocking 26:03 in the 10K or 57:15 in the half-marathon.  Usian  Bolt could probably be potential sub 2- marathoner if ever he would shift to the marathon.  Then finally put a big bonus on record  breakers like say $10 million to a runner who will exclipsed the mark.  I bet this will be a good incentive. Well, as adiddas  would  say “Impossible is nothing”. In contrast to the men’s, the women’s record has stalled.  Paula Radcliffe’s time of 2:15:25 (2003 London Marathon) has not  been broken todate.

DLSU lady spikers

After the Ateneo Lady Eagles raced to a 9-1 lead  over the De  La Salle Lady Spikers in the first set of the sudden death  third game of the UAAP  women’s volleyball, I wanted to stop watching  the game on TV.  However things got better in the second set when La Salle blasted the Lady Eagles with smashing spikes and  great defensive alignment.  Ateneo’s plays were easily read by La Salle as Alyssa Valdez started  to tire.  It was evident Alyssa was exhausted.  As I mentioned in a previous column the other Ateneans must support Alyssa.  In contrast  La Salle key players couldn’t do anything  wrong.  Mika Reyes and Joy Baron were just terrific in defense while Ara Galang , Cyd Demecillo, Kim Fajardo and Kim Dy delivered the final blows to Ateneo’s  grandslam bid.  La Salle thus annexed its ninth crown.  Congratulations  to you guys and oh yes, to my cousin-in-law, Boy Dichupa who is La Salle’s assistant team manager.  Animo!

DID YOU KNOW?

•The fastest ever knockout happened in Lewiston.  Maine in 1946 when Al Couture floored Ralph Warton in 10 and a half seconds (including the count).  Some of the fans “wala pa kalingkod”.

•ALBERTO SALAZAR  One of the United States current best athletics coaches won the 1981 New York City Marathon in a world record time.  This was only  Salazars’ second marathon after winning the same New York City Marathon last year.  Salazar was born in Cuba.