Magnificent Men’s Marathon Milestone Memories in 2011 Review

What a marvelous 'marathoning' year it was with the conclusion of New York City Marathon yesterday, the finale of the global major marathon events in the 2011 calendar.

The year 2011 so far has seen male professional marathon runners, the Kenyans in particular, progressively challenging the human speed limit to finish the 42.195km distance in astonishing new records upon new records.

As expected the Kenyans continue to dominate in the marathon arena around the world and with their abundant resources of young aspiring runners, and close to 200 men have run sub 2:06, the trend will likely remain in many years to come. The Ethiopians pose to be their worthy rivals thus far.

Highlights of Men's marathons in 2011:

Sub 2:06 Achievers and Ranking of Fastest runners :
All Kenyans unless otherwise stated
in bracket : [World Ranking regardless of conditions]
1. [1] 2:03:02 - Geoffrey Mutai - Boston 18 April
2. [2] 2:03:06 - Moses Mosop - Boston 18 April
3. [3] 2:03:38 (WR) - Patrick Makau - Berlin 25 September
4. [4] 2:03:42 - Wilson Kipsang - Frankfurt 30 Oct
5. [8] 2:04:40 - Emmanuel Mutai - London 17 April
6. [9] 2:04:53 - Gebregziabher Gebremariam (ETH) - Boston 18 Apr
7. [12] 2:04:58 - Ryan Hall (USA) - Boston 18 April
8. [17] 2:05:16 - Levy Matebo - Frankfurt 30 Oct
9. [22] 2:05:25 - Albert Matebor - Frankfurt 30 Oct
10. [23] 2:05:27 - Wilson Chebet - Rotterdam 10 April
11. [26] 2:05:33 - Vincent Kipruto - Rotterdam 10 April
12. 2:05:45 - Martin Lel [16] - London 17 April
13. 2:05:48 - Jafred Chirchir Kipchumba - Eindhoven 9 October


Chronology of some notable New Course Records established:
02 Jan - 2:08:07 - Xiamen - Robert Kipchumba (KEN)
16 Jan - 2:09:54 - Mumbai - Girma Assefa (ETH)
06 Mar - 2:06:13 - Lake Biwa, Japan - Wilson Kipsang (KEN)
20 Mar - 2:06:35 - LA, Los Angeles - Markos Geneti (ETH)
10 Apr - 2:08:08 - Daegu, S. Korea - Yusuf Songoka (KEN)
17 Apr - 2:04:40 - London - Emmanuel Mutai (KEN)
17 Apr - 2:10:58 - Madrid - Moses Arusei (KEN)
18 Apr - 2:03:02 (Fastest Ever) - Boston - Geoffrey Mutai (KEN)
03 July- 2:10:01 - Gold Coast - Nicholas Manza (KEN)
25 Sep - 2:03:38 (WR) - Berlin - Patrick Makau (KEN)
09 Oct - 2:05:48 - Eindhoven - Jafred Chirchir Kipchumba (KEN)
09 Oct - 2:05:37 - Chicago - Moses Mosop (KEN)
23 Oct - 2:07:03 - Chosunilbo Chuncheon, S.Korea - Stanley Biwott (KEN)
30 Oct - 2:03:42 - Frankfurt - Wilson Kipsang (KEN)
31 Oct - 2:08:33 - Dublin - Geoffrey Ndungu (KEN)
06 Nov - 2:05:06 - New York City - Geoffrey Mutai (KEN)

(WMM components)