Monza2 - all engines will be firing

[lonewolf]

I don't care if they run 26 miles 385yds straight downhill in bouncy shoes, juiced to the gills with a tailwind and a phalanx of pacers, they will not break 2:00.00

[Tuariki]

Everything I have read agrees with you. It's a proof of concept. As such, the mechanics of the run should comply with all rules: not downhill, not point-to-point, no illegal equipment, no pacers jumping in en route etc.

But it will not be a record because the field will not participate in a race. Berlin was a race, Kipsang repeatedly surging to try to break Bekele. This will be a cooperative effort, not bona fide competition, and only record-eligible if there is a category of the dullest 2:0x:xx ever.

I feel very confident that while they may assist / pace each other up to 35km, from that point on they will start facing. The very nature of human competitiveness will see to that.

In other words it will be a race.

[cubehead]

I don't care if they run 26 miles 385yds straight downhill in bouncy shoes, juiced to the gills with a tailwind and a phalanx of pacers, they will not break 2:00.00

I don't think they will either...

Frankly I'll be impressed if they run the first half in under 60.