These are good points @Madollar and Kusadikika. Some record attempts do benefit from someone pushing you, especially if the hares fail. But you look at that change from 30-35K. A serious record attempter must control the race from here or else he fails, no matter who else is in the mix.

This is where the value of fitness fades and mental attitude becomes all important. GEB had mental strength in spades. So did Wanjiru but he never seriously attempted the record.

Bekele has pace, no question. But the evolution of Marathon record attempts is no longer speed but even splits. A metronomic pace that deliberately conserves energy in the first half in order to repeat the same in the second half.

Then you pray for the gods of marathon running to be in a good mood that day.

@wakanyugi what are your thoughts regarding the baby faced killer tirunesh dibaba she will be in london on sunday facing the likes of jeptoo and the kiplagats

The girls did come through but a bad way to start the season for jeptoo with that DNF
Dibaba might find the marathon a bit hard if she competes against a strong field At one point she was only 70 meters from the kiplagats but she had no strength to cut that gap given how powerful her last lap is in the 10K that was a complete surprise

Bekele must be smiling after seeing the results from london only two men ran faster than him farah ,kiprotich and the mutais were complete disasters

The next big race might be between bekele ,kipsang and eliud kipchoge

I think Tirunesh and Farah have a future in the marathon if they stick at it. I felt a bit sad for Farah though, so much was expected of him.

But for me the lesson from London is one that has been made before. The Marathon is no respecter of big names.

Our first Lady's performance was quite impressive though for a 50 year old debutant at the distance. I hope this will encourage more of our women to attempt the Marathon. I can't tell you how many of my women friends complete half marathons every year and yet insist they could never finish 42K.

I think Farah's big name is due to perfect timing and media hype. Perfect timing in that his rise coincides perfectly with the decline of Kenenisa Bekele. The only reason his name is mentioned alongside that of Kenenisa Bekele is because of winning two Olympic medals but in terms of pedigree Mo Farah is nowhere near Bekele.

Consider this in 5000 metres where he is supposed to be the king his fastest time in the distance is the 64th fastest time. Kenenisa Bekele is not only the World record holder in the distance but has also recorded 10 times faster than Mo Farah's fastest. In 10,000 metres his fastest time is 27th fastest. Bekele is again the world record holder and has recorded 7 times faster than Farah.

His marathon time would be tied for position 712 (seven hundred and twelve) fastest time in the world.

Ref:http://www.alltime-athletics.com/