Kimetto can run faster in the marathon

Wow! So our very own Dennis Kimetto smashed the world marathon record over the weekend. He also made history by becoming the first man to break the 2hr 03min barrier.

As far as Kenyans are concerned, the winner takes it all and I guess congratulations are in order for the man who has worked hard to reach the peak.

I am sure Kenyans do not even remember that another Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai, who was second (2:03:23) also ran inside the world record although this is a story for another day.

But I must say the 2hr 02min 57sec posted by Kimetto was mind boggling and has sparked off a debate whether the marathon record can go under two hours.

All I can say is that it will take time. Let us, for now, allow Kimetto to bask in glory. It is hardly a week and we are already talking about the record dipping further.

That is too much pressure for a man whose title in the society has just changed to world record holder.

BROKEN RECORD
Kimetto has said he will be around for a while. I like the confidence of the new record holder and I will not be surprise if he works on slicing his record further.

For me, it did not matter Kipsang’s record had been broken, as long as the best time in the world remains within our borders and the fact that a whole 26 seconds was shaved from the previous mark.

Indeed, as quoted elsewhere, Kenya’s new kid on the block delivered a milestone in human endurance and cemented Kenyans’ total dominance of international road racing.

The fact of the matter is that Kenyan runners are an interesting lot and you can never tell what will happen next. However, one thing is for sure — the record will last for another year.

The last six record have been set in Berlin and the trend is likely to continue in years to come. Gone seem to be the days when marathon records were set elsewhere including Fukuoka, Rotterdam, Chicago and London among other locations.

RECORD HOLDERS

Kenya’s Paul Tergat set the ball rolling in Berlin in 2003, recording 2:04:55. It was broken by Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie (2:04:26) in 2007 at the same venue before he sliced it further to 2:03:59 the following year at the same venue.

Kenya’s Patrick Makau (2:03:38) was next in line in 2011 before Wilson Kipsang (2:03:23) took over last year and now Kimetto. And if the record is to go further down I guess it will still be a Kenyan breaking it.

So why Berlin, I know many are asking. I think everything in Berlin ranging from the flat course, the weather and even the passionate fans who line the route is just perfect.