The Spotlight On The Sub-2: A Deep Dive Into Sawe's Marathon Masterclass

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Show notes

Sebastian Sawe's astonishing 1:59:30 marathon world record is in the spotlight today, as Gareth and Ross go deep into the physiology, technology and history of running to explore every angle. How was the race actually run, and what do the splits tell us about Sawe and predict about the future? How did Sawe shatter a barrier that had seemed impossible for so long? What role did the latest super shoes play, and how did they make fools of historical predictions by many, including Ross? To what extent is this performance credible given Sawe's proactive AIU doping initiative? How did the protagonists fuel their efforts? And what next for Kejelcha and Kiplimo, whose extraordinary performances were diminished by Sawe's shadow, and for the marathon over the coming year? If you're looking for the full picture, our Spotlight will reveal all of it.

Also: Carlos Alcaraz is injured again and will miss the defence of his Roland Garros title. Is this the shape of a future derailed by injury, and what does he need to change to build the durability of those before him? Plus, Allyson Felix is eyeing a comeback at LA 2028; we discuss her chances.

Links

• Letsrun article on their 2013 prediction and how it was disproven by the recalibration in the marathon
• Sean Ingle's views in the aftermath of the breakthrough
• Michael Joyner on the perfect physioloyg for a sub-2 hour marathon
• Ross' own dismissal of the sub-2 as imminent, before the game was recalibrated by the shoes
• A look at Sawe's fuelling strategy from Marathon Handbook
• Kejelcha's fuelling from Chris Chavez
• Alcaraz out of the French Open
• Allyson Felix has her sights set on LA 2028

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