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the same sebastian When it is suggested that a world record will be set this year, he smiles and then starts laughing. berlin marathon Would the circumstances have been better?
it’s only been a month Kenya’s heroic effort To the Brandenburg Gate, a race described by his coach Claudio Berardelli as “daring”, after completing half the race on track for a world record in 60:16, he finished in just 2:02:16 – his third consecutive 2:02 marathon attempt. Others may be less appreciative given the 25C temperatures that heaped misery on thousands of others that day.
Yet beyond the debate surrounding Adidas The intelligence of athletes in relation to their strategy is now once again a topic of discussion regarding marathon running and the upper limits of human performance.
“Berlin was really tough,” Savay admitted in a conversation. IndependentThis was followed by a training block that included running up to 230 km (143 mi) per week. “I just kept in my mind how well prepared I was, but yes, the weather made a huge difference.
“I think the world record is really fast, but sub-two? It will come on its own, I can say that one will come along with the other.
“I can say what matters most is how I prepared myself, how ready I am for it. It’s honestly just a matter of timing. Sometimes we do things well, but eventually the race comes, and it’s frustrating, but with time, it will come.”
Berardelli is equally positive: “It’s hard to say whether he would have broken the world record in better conditions, he could definitely run faster, there is no doubt, you look at Chicago, we just talked about it, we came to the conclusion that, of course, the world record needs respect, but we will try again, I think he could definitely run faster than in his debut in Valencia (2:02:05) Were.”
Eliud Kipchoge Allowed a generation to dream, or, as the iconic Kenyan said repeatedly, “No human being is limited.”
and it’s late Kelvin Kiptum So thought, breaking the world record of running 2:00:35 in Chicago in 2023, led many to conclude that legitimate sub-two-hour races were first an inevitability. his sad demise After less than four months.
But it was the achievement of another Kenyan in the ‘Windy City’ that may have forever compromised the athletes and their team’s preparation.
Ruth Chepngetich In 2024, she became the first woman to break 2:10 in the marathon. Just six months later, AIU revealed that she had failed a doping test for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), which is commonly used as a masking agent for other illegal substances. He voluntarily accepted a two-year provisional suspension, casting a cloud over the sport and casting a wave of suspicion over athletes after each seismic performance.
Sava, who wears the supershoe Adidas adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 for his races, claimed victory at this year’s London Marathon and continued to train well in preparation for Berlin earlier this summer, giving Berardelli a sad conclusion.
“Before Berlin we realized that Sebastian, with respect to my other athletes, is a little different, special and capable of doing something great,” the Italian revealed. “But in the light of what happened with Chepngetich in Chicago, I remember telling [agent] Eric Lillot, ‘This could be the worst moment ever to try to run very fast, people won’t believe us.’
So discussions began with Adidas and the AIU about a comprehensive voluntary anti-doping protocol that would help remove some of the doubts about Sava’s expected excellence.
In an unprecedented move, Sava will be tested 25 times unannounced from July 25 to race day on September 21.
Berardelli claims, “There is a big problem of doping in Kenya, but that does not mean that every group is doing it or that it is systematic.” “Sebastian immediately agreed, and after consulting doctors, Rashi [of blood] It was very little, so it is not a problem and the effect is more mental.”
Meanwhile, Sava’s motivation appears to stem from a desire to maintain the longevity of the sport and avoid the poor reputation that has plagued cycling for decades.
Savay claims, “What can I say to my fellow athletes? It’s good to run clean, so we need a lot of tests to show this and protect athletics.” “It’s good to run clean, not cheat, and it’s essential for the longevity of athletics and also for a good career in sports.”
so what next? Where else? Both Savay and Berardelli have left the door open to running a half marathon or even a 10 km race to improve their preparation for the marathon, which Kipchoge has rarely done throughout his career.
Savay admits he would like to defend his title in London, although an increasingly busy schedule will see him field many offers as the world No. 1 male marathon runner. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo’s blistering performance in Chicago earlier this month, which came close to the world record but later faded to 2:02:13, put him back in contention, while compatriot John Korir, winner in Boston this year, and Olympic champion Tamirat Tola also deserve mention.
That means there’s a race on outside to be first across the line next year to break Kiptom’s world record and, ultimately, become the first person to break two hours in a legitimate race. Kipchoge’s INEOS 1:59 challenge,
“Yes, I’m happy and ready to try it [the world record] Again for our next marathon,” Saw concluded with a smile. “We are ready for it and we will achieve it next time.”