Although no specific threats have been received, global tensions have led to the reinforcement of security in the famous race, in which 50,000 people are expected to participate. The test is preparing for unusually fast times, in the middle of a season close marked by the influence of the so-called “super shoes” on the records set in Berlin and Chicago.
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The city’s police commissioner, Edward Caban, announced a “comprehensive security plan” that includes reinforced foot patrols, like the one put into practice on Halloween night, as well as “anti-terrorism” measures and strict searches. “even of the personal belongings of the participants.
It will be an operation similar to that experienced in 2013, when security was reinforced in light of what happened months earlier at the Boston Marathon, where two brothers of Chechen origin, Tamerlán and Dzhojar Tsárnaev, detonated explosive devices at the finish line, causing the death of three people and injuries to 46 others.
In search of better times
New York is not exactly a setting that lends itself to big brands, not only because it includes slight climbs, but also because of the famous passages over bridges that impose windy conditions that are not very appropriate for fighting against the clock.
Even so, a world record was set there at the time, which the Norwegian Grete Waitz set on the first of his nine wins, by covering the route in 2 hours, 32 minutes and 30 seconds. In the next two years he would improve that time twice more.
But New York’s best results are still almost 11 minutes ahead of the women’s world record and more than four minutes slower than the men’s. The best marks are the 2:05:06 that the Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai ran in 2011 and the 2:22:31 of the also Kenyan Margaret Okayo in 2003, very far from the 2:00:35 that their compatriot, Kelvin Kiptum , comes from winning in Chicago, and the 2:11:53 of the Ethiopian Tigst Assefa in Berlin.
A little help along the way
However, the two current records have something in common that could make the difference in New York: both were made with the so-called “super shoes”the shoes designed by the two largest sportswear manufacturers, Nike and Adidas, to improve performance in long-distance races, the same ones that some of the favorites will wear on Sunday.
It is a shoe with a slightly curved rubber sole that does not exceed 40 millimeters set by World Athletics as the maximum to be considered legal, carbon-plated, weighing less than 140 grams and offering great energy return in each step, which which contributes to the so-called “running economy”, as it reduces wear and tear.
They have been designed to be used in the preparation and competition of a single marathon, under the argument that they are made for performance and not durability, which has brought criticism from environmental groups who question that such a short useful life leads to greater consumption of shoes, with its respective environmental impact.
The contribution of sneakers has also fueled another debate: that of the so-called “plastic champions”, authors of the best marathon brands in the world with clothing that reduces the credibility of their performance.
This was the case of other “super shoes”, then not approved, those used by the two-time Olympic champion and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge in 2017, under controlled conditions, to run the only marathon in history under two hours.
Stars to speed up the pace
But not everything will be given by technology. Some of the best runners in the world will gather in New York on Sunday.
In men, the 2021 champion stands out, Kenyan Albert Korirand the Olympic medalist and former world distance champion, the Ethiopian Tamirat Tola.
But it is in the women’s category where a true plethora of great Kenyan figures will meet, starting with the Former world record holder Brigid Kosgeiwhich will race in New York for the first time.
The winner of this year’s Boston Marathon will also compete, Helen Obirihalf marathon world record holder and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, and defending champion Sharon Lokedi.
With AP and Reuters
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