Makau world record might fall before London: Canova

Bolzano, Italy

Renato Canova, perhaps the world’s most highly regarded marathon coach, has predicted that Patrick Makau’s marathon world record would fall in the spring.

Canova also said that as many as eight athletes would break the two hours, four minutes mark this year. 

“What I am sure is that next year after the London Marathon, the record is no more Patrick Makau’s, and the record is under 2:03,” Canova told Italian blogger Alberto Stretti in a video interview while in Bolzano for the Boclassic road race on New Year’s Eve.

Canova, an Iten-based Italian who coaches world record holder Moses Mosop and two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui, amongst others, said it was more likely that Makau’s mark would be surpassed in Rotterdam than in London.

“Not in London,” Canova said, wearing his trademark sunglasses. “The first attempt is in Rotterdam.

“Moses Mosop (is set) to go (to) Rotterdam for running the world record one week before London.

“And, if he has some problem and it is not possible, in any case, in London there is Wilson Kipsang, there is the same Makau and I think that it is possible to try.

Set course records

“If this year (2011) Emmanuel Mutai ran 2:04:40, if the conditions are OK it is possible to also try in London, faster than 2:03:38,” summarised Race Results Weekly. 

The coach said the Rotterdam field would also feature the marathon debut of Kenyan Sammy Kitwara (58:48 half-marathon personal best) and the first full marathon attempt from gun to tape of Peter Cheruiyot Kirui.

Kirui is the man who helped pace Makau in Berlin to 2:03:38 and Wilson Kipsang in Frankfurt to 2:03:42.

After pacing, Kirui decided to finish in Frankfurt and clocked 2:06:31 in his debut despite initially having slowed down with the intention to completely drop out of last October’s race.

“Peter Kirui is another athlete who can run under 2:04, immediately,” Canova said.

Also in the reckoning should be Geoffrey Mutai, who last year set course records in both the Boston and New York marathons.