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2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon - Men's Preview
by Sharon Ekstrom
photo: Scott Winnier / MarathonGuide.com
The front pack
at the 2010 Chicago Marathon
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An Historically Fast Marathon
The Chicago Marathon course is one of the fastest courses in the world and has been the source of four world records: two by men, Steve Jones (2:08:05 in 1984) and Khalid Khannouchi (2:05:42 in 1999); and two by women, Catherine Ndereba (2:18:47 in 2001) and Paula Radcliffe in 2:17:18. And in most years, the finishing times at the Chicago Marathon are the fastest in North America for the year. The potential for a new record is always a possibility on the course, and the 2011 field could be one to produce a record.
Added Pressure for a Fast Chicago Marathon
Chicago has held the title of fastest marathon in the world and even after London/Berlin/Rotterdam saw faster times, Chicago retained its title as fastest marathon in North America. But the 2011 Boston Marathon - on a point to point course ineligible for world records - saw four men run faster than any time ever run at Chicago. It is doubtful that anyone at Chicago will be able to run as fast as the 2:03 times run by Geoffrey Mutai and Moses Mosop at Boston, but there can be no doubt that the Chicago organizers would like to get as close as they can. In addition, the 2:06:35 winning time at the 2011 Los Angeles Marathon sets another mark that Chicago must surpass - it could not go down this year as the third fastest marathon in the USA for 2011! And the 2:06:35 time is not a trivial time to beat - it has been missed at Chicago as recently as 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Fast Men / Faster Times / Records
The 2011 Chicago Marathon field boasts seven sub-2:08 marathoners including Moses Mosop (KEN), Ryan Hall (USA), Bazu Worku (ETH), Evans Cheruiyot (KEN), Marilson Gomes dos Santos (BRA), Bekana Daba (ETH) and Wesley Korir (KEN)- as strong and deep a field as is usually assembled. Perhaps most notable in the field are two men who ran sub-2:05 earlier in the year at the Boston Marathon, Moses Mosop and Ryan Hall. Mosop, in his debut marathon, finished as the runner-up in 2:03:06, the second fastest marathon of all time. Hall finished fourth at Boston in 2:04:58 becoming the fastest American ever to run 26.2 miles. But the 2:03:06 and 2:04:58 don't count as "records" as they were set on the Boston course where the net elevation loss is too great to be eligible for a world record. But no one can argue that this pair and the rest of the crew can run fast times.
Hall Quiet on the Marathon Front
Ryan Hall is arguably the best American marathoner of all time and arguably the best American marathoner currently racing. At 28, he has already run eight career marathons nearly always finishing within the top 5 in the most competitive fields possible; and with six of his eight marathons finished in under 2:10. Expectations have always been high for Hall since his debut at the 2007 London Marathon (2:08:24). Many have expected Hall to be the first American in decades to win the Chicago or Boston Marathons - and the hype at some of these races has been incredible; perhaps contributing to pressure that may have negatively impacted those performances. At the 2010 Chicago Marathon, it was stated that Hall would be running for a new American record; but ultimately Hall withdrew from the field weeks before the race and left his coach and training home. Hall retreated and emerged at the 2011 Boston Marathon with a renewed sense of confidence running 2:04:58 on a perfect day (and, admittedly, with a tailwind). The hype and noise surrounding Hall at the 2011 Chicago Marathon is the least we have seen - all is quiet. Without the pressure and with the superb performance in April, Hall may be ready to attack that American record, if not prepare himself for the 2012 US Olympic Trials just three months away.
A Field Rife with Competitors
Other top performers in the field include: Bazu Worku (ETH), who had one of the fastest marathon debuts ever at the 2009 Paris Marathon (2:06:14 WJR) and was quick to improve his marathon times within in a year, taking third place at the 2010 Berlin Marathon in 2:05:25 at the age of 20; Evans Cheruiyot (KEN), the 2008 Chicago champion; Marilson Gomes dos Santos (BRA), two-time New York City Marathon Champion whose recent 2011 London Marathon finish was a personal best by over two minutes (2:06:34); Bekana Daba (ETH) the 2011 Houston Marathon champion; Getu Feleke (ETH) 2010 Amsterdam Marathon champion (2:05:44); and Wesley Korir (KEN), two-time Los Angeles Marathon champion who is back for his fourth consecutive Chicago Marathon. Another to watch is Bernard Kipyego (KEN) whose marathon finishes seem relatively less impressive (only a 2:07:01 best), but at 25 years old he is a strong half-marathoner with 5 sub-60:00 half-marathons to his resume since 2009, suggesting a breakthrough in the marathon could be possible.
Farewell to Sammy Wanjru
photo: Victah Sailer / Photo Run
Sammy Wanjiru Winning the 2010 Chicago Marathon
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No article about the 2011 Chicago Marathon will be complete without a mention of the two-time defending champion and course record holder (2:05:41), Sammy Wanjiru, who passed away [ed.: under mysterious circumstances] in early 2011. Bib number 1 will not be assigned to any runner for the 2011 race, as it should have been reserved for Wanjiru. At only 25, the world will have to wonder what else Wanjiru could have accomplished - generally destroying all other competitors including his impressive Olympic Marathon record which made him the first Kenyan to win the Olympic Gold medal. There will certainly be a twinge of sadness at the outset of the 2011 Chicago Marathon as the field remembers one of the greatest marathoners of the last decade. Rest in Peace Sammy.
Elite Men's Lineup:
| Male Elite Athletes |
| Athlete | Country | Bib | Personal Best | Chicago |
| Moses Mosop (26) | KEN | 2 | 2:03:06, Boston, 2011 | History |
| Ryan Hall (28) | USA | 3 | 2:04:58, Boston, 2011 | History |
| Bazu Worku (21) | ETH | 4 | 2:05:25, Berlin, 2010 | History |
| Evans Cheruiyot (29) | KEN | 5 | 2:06:25, Chicago, 2008 | History |
| Marilson Dos Santos (34) | BRA | 6 | 2:06:34, London, 2011 | History |
| Bekana Daba (23) | ETH | 7 | 2:07:04, Houston, 2011 | History |
| Bernard Kipyego (25) | KEN | 8 | 2:07:01, Rotterdam, 2010 | History |
| Wesley Korir (28) | KEN | 9 | 2:08:24, Los Angeles, 2009 | History |
| Dickson Kiptolo Chumba (25) | KEN | 10 | 2:08:45, Rome, 2011 | History |
| Joseph Chirlee (30) | USA | 11 | 2:12:10, San Diego, 2007 | History |
| Terefe Maregu (28) | ETH | 12 | 2:09:03, Frankfurt, 2010 | History |
Chala Dechase (27) | ETH | 13 | 2:06:33, Dubai, 2010 | History |
| Feyisa Tusse (28) | ETH | 14 | 2:11:39, Houston, 2007 | History |
| Joshua Chelanga (38) | KEN | 15 | 2:07:05, Berlin, 2004 | History |
| Kyeva Cosmas Mutuku (26) | KEN | 16 | 2:12:20, Krakow, 2011 | History |
| Atsushi Sato (33) | JPN | 17 | 2:07:13, Fukuoka, 2007 | History |
| Yuuki Moriwaki (27) | JPN | 18 | 2:12:34, Mainichi, 2011 | History |
| Masaki Shimoju (27) | JPN | 19 | 2:12:18, Nobeoka 2010 | History |
| Hironori Arai (32) | JPN | 20 | 2:12:17, Osaka, 2011 | History |
| Kouji Gokaya (23) | JPN | 21 | 2:12:07, Otsu, 2011 | History |
| Takashi Horiguchi (32) | JPN | 22 | 2:12:05, Tokyo, 2011 | History |
| Takayuki Matsumiya (31) | JPN | 23 | 2:10:04, Rotterdam, 2007 | History |
| Shawn Forrest (28) | AUS | 24 | Debut | History |
| Jason Gutierrez (27) | COL | 25 | 2:13:24, Los Angeles, 2011 | History |
| Martin Fagan (28) | IRL | 27 | 2:14:06, Dubai, 2008 | History |
| Tyler McCandless (24) | USA | 31 | 2:17:09, Duluth, 2011 | History |
| Michael McKeeman (35) | USA | 32 | 2:17:42, Chicago, 2009 | History |
| Mario Macias (30) | USA | 33 | 2:18:34, St. Paul, 2009 | History |
| Miguel Nuci (32) | USA | 34 | 2:15:34, Sacramento, 2006 | History |
| Joseph Driscoll (31) | USA | 35 | 2:18:22, New York, 2007 | History |
| Jesse Davis (30) | USA | 36 | 2:18:47, Houston, 2011 | History |
Past Head-To-Head Men's Athlete Meetings
| Tokyo - Feb 26, 2017 |
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3
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Dickson Chumba (KEN)
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2:06:25
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6
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Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
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2:08:10
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| Boston - Apr 18, 2016 |
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4
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Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:14:05
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| Tokyo - Feb 28, 2016 |
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2
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Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
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2:07:33
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3
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Dickson Chumba (KEN)
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2:07:34
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| Amsterdam - Oct 18, 2015 |
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1
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Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
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2:06:19
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4
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Chala Dechase (ETH)
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2:08:25
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| Chicago - Oct 11, 2015 |
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1
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Dickson Chumba (KEN)
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2:09:25
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6
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Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:10:39
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| Boston - Apr 20, 2015 |
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4
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Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
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2:10:47
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5
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Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:10:49
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| Dubai - Jan 23, 2015 |
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6
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Bazu Worku Hayla (ETH)
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2:07:09
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7
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Chala Dechase (ETH)
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2:08:11
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| Chicago - Oct 12, 2014 |
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3
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Dickson Chumba (KEN)
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2:04:32
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8
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Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:11:09
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26
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Jesse Davis (USA)
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2:18:13
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37
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Mario Macias (USA)
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2:22:47
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| Tokyo - Feb 23, 2014 |
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1
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Dickson Chumba (KEN)
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2:05:42
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| Moscow World Championships - Aug 17, 2013 |
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12
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Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
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2:14:01
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| Boston - Apr 15, 2013 |
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5
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Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:12:30
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7
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Dickson Chumba (KEN)
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2:14:08
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| Tokyo - Feb 24, 2013 |
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3
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Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
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2:07:53
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|
9
|
Takayuki Matsumiya (JPN)
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2:09:14
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| Chicago - Oct 7, 2012 |
|
5
|
Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:06:13
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|
6
|
Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
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2:06:40
|
|
30
|
Takashi Horiguchi (JPN )
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2:20:32
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| London - Apr 22, 2012 |
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8
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Marilson dos Santos (BRA)
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2:08:03
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|
11
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Bazu Worku Hayla (ETH)
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2:10:14
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| Boston - Apr 16, 2012 |
|
1
|
Wesley Korir (KEN )
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2:12:40
|
|
3
|
Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
|
2:13:13
|
| Tokyo - Feb 26, 2012 |
|
7
|
Takayuki Matsumiya (JPN)
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2:09:28
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| Dubai - Jan 27, 2012 |
|
13
|
Bazu Worku Hayla (ETH)
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2:07:48
|
|
17
|
Chala Dechase (ETH)
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2:09:22
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| Houston Trials - Jan 14, 2012 |
|
50
|
Tyler McCandless (USA)
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2:19:56
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|
68
|
Jesse Davis (USA)
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2:22:24
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| Chicago - Oct 9, 2011 |
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1
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Moses Mosop (KEN)
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2:05:37
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|
2
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Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:06:15
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|
3
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Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
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2:06:29
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|
4
|
Bekana Daba (ETH)
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2:07:59
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|
5
|
Ryan Hall (USA)
|
2:08:04
|
|
6
|
Evans Kiprop Cheruiyot (KEN)
|
2:10:29
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|
7
|
Kouji Gokaya (JPN)
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2:12:15
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|
8
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Hironori Arai (JPN)
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2:13:17
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|
9
|
Takashi Horiguchi (JPN)
|
2:14:48
|
|
10
|
Masaki Shimoju (JPN)
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2:17:49
|
|
12
|
Michael McKeeman (USA)
|
2:18:07
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|
14
|
Joseph Chirlee (KEN)
|
2:18:36
|
|
27
|
Takayuki Matsumiya (JPN)
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2:22:26
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|
45
|
Yuuki Moriwaki (JPN)
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2:27:33
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| Boston - Apr 18, 2011 |
|
2
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Moses Mosop (KEN)
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2:03:06
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|
4
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Ryan Hall (USA)
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2:04:58
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|
9
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Bekana Daba (ETH)
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2:08:03
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| Rotterdam - Apr 10, 2011 |
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3
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Chala Dechase (ETH)
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2:08:47
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| Los Angeles - Mar 20, 2011 |
|
4
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Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:13:23
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|
5
|
JASON GUTIERREZ (COL)
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2:13:24
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|
8
|
Miguel Nuci (USA)
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2:18:33
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| Houston - Jan 30, 2011 |
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1
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Bekana Daba (ETH)
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2:07:04
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5
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Jesse Davis (USA)
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2:18:47
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| Chicago - Oct 10, 2010 |
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4
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Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:08:44
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|
19
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Jesse Davis (USA)
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2:19:53
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| Berlin - Sep 26, 2010 |
|
3
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Bazu Worku Hayla (ETH)
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2:05:25
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|
6
|
Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (KEN)
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2:08:50
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| London - Apr 25, 2010 |
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6
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Marilson dos Santos (BRA)
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2:08:46
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|
23
|
Takayuki Matsumiya (JPN)
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2:21:34
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| Boston - Apr 19, 2010 |
|
4
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Ryan Hall (USA)
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2:08:41
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|
15
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Chala Dechase (ETH)
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2:14:57
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| Los Angeles - Mar 21, 2010 |
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1
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Wesley Korir (KEN)
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2:09:19
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|
14
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Joseph Chirlee (KEN)
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2:20:18
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| Chicago - Oct 11, 2009 |
|
6
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Wesley Korir (KEN )
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2:10:38
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12
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Michael McKeeman (USA)
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2:17:42
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| Berlin World Championships - Aug 22, 2009 |
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6
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Atsushi Sato (JPN)
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2:12:05
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|
16
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Marilson dos Santos (BRA)
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2:15:13
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| Boston - Apr 20, 2009 |
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3
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Ryan Hall (USA)
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2:09:40
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|
8
|
Evans Kiprop Cheruiyot (KEN)
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2:12:45
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| Sacramento - Dec 7, 2008 |
|
4
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JOSEPH CHIRLEE (KEN)
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2:17:50
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|
6
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MIGUEL NUCI (USA)
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2:19:39
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| New York City - Nov 2, 2008 |
|
1
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Marilson dos Santos (BRA)
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2:08:43
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|
31
|
Miguel Nuci (USA)
|
2:25:53
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| Chicago - Oct 12, 2008 |
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1
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Evans Kiprop Cheruiyot (KEN)
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2:06:25
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|
4
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Wesley Korir (KEN )
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2:13:53
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|
23
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Jesse Davis (USA)
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2:27:26
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| New York City - Nov 4, 2007 |
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8
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Marilson dos Santos (BRA)
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2:13:47
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|
16
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JOSEPH CHIRLEE (KEN)
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2:23:01
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| New York City Trials - Nov 3, 2007 |
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1
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Ryan Hall (USA)
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2:09:02
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|
31
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Miguel Nuci (USA)
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2:18:47
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73
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Michael McKeeman (USA)
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2:26:15
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| London - Apr 22, 2007 |
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7
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Ryan Hall (USA)
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2:08:24
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|
8
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Marilson dos Santos (BRA)
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2:08:37
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| Rotterdam - Apr 15, 2007 |
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1
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Joshua Chelanga (KEN)
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2:08:21
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2
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Takayuki Matsumiya (JPN)
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2:10:04
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