58:18 WR Half Marathon

[Conor Dary]

Ran first 10k in 28:03 then next 10k in 27:16....and he looked it....so I suppose with a more even pace the record should be under 58.

[26mi235]

It depends on the course; maybe the first half was up and in to the wind...

[AFTERBURNER]

The Valencia course seems to be for the
Half-Marathon what Berlin is the the Marathon!

[Powell]

It depends on the course; maybe the first half was up and in to the wind...

I doubt a WR could be set on a course with significant height difference and/or wind.

[Conor Dary]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ8Zmw_qPg0&t=2890s&app=desktop&persist_app=1

One of the smoothest running styles I've ever seen. If someone can break Kipchoge's 2:01:39 I'd bet on this dude.

[El Toro]

I doubt a WR could be set on a course with significant height difference and/or wind.

The race appeared to be on the same course as the World Half Marathon Championships earlier this year.

The course starts near the harbour and runs away from the harbour to the highest point around halfway before returning down towards the ocean.

The difference in height over the course is a maximum of 13.8m, around 45 feet. The IAAF course map and (tiny) height profile is available here.

Edit: Race director of the Valencia Trinidad Alfonso EDP Half Marathon, Juan Manuel Botella said the course is "95% the same as the WCH in March". The only changes are at the start/finish if you compare the IAAF March map to the actual race map.

I can’t believe it, I’m over the moon,” said 29-year-old Kiptum. “Obviously I knew I was in good shape because I set a PB last month in Copenhagen but I was eager to run in Valencia because it’s one of the flattest circuits I’ve ever run and I was confident of improving on my best.

Edit: There was rain the previous day, leaving Sunday nice and clear with morning temperatures around 12 C (54F) with a light wind for the 0900 start. More details in attached image.

[Powell]

The course starts near the harbour and runs away from the harbour to the highest point around halfway before returning down towards the ocean.

From the profile it looks to me like both the start and the halfway point are at around the same level (ca. 10m). It's in the next couple km after halfway that the highest point is reached.

[gh]

Note that the IAAF ratified Kebede's mark from the March race in Valencia as a women-only World Record

[Atanvarno]

If someone can break Kipchoge's 2:01:39 I'd bet on this dude.

Don't

https://www.athleticsintegrity.org/disciplinary-process/provisional-suspensions-in-force

[Conor Dary]

Too bad....fun to watch...

[JumboElliott]

Can't say it's surprising.

[Conor Dary]

No indeed not...

https://sportsscientists.com/2019/04/we-need-to-talk-about-east-african-runners-and-general-trust-vs-skepticism-in-performances/

[Conor Dary]

https://mobile.twitter.com/Scienceofsport/status/1121869401052057601

[thedoorknobbroke]

https://af.reuters.com/article/idAFL3N22845P

[JumboElliott]

I would add another category of people that raise suspicion to me to the people Ross says should be in the high risk pool:
People who never have bad races.