The standard of world's men's marathon is fast improving. In 2010 a total of 124 runners covered the marathon distance of 42.195km in under 2:10 which would have classified them as elites in the 90's. There were 103 runners in 2009, 86 in 2008 and only 70 in 2007 who clocked this sub 2:10 barrier representing a phenomenal growth of 20%, 20%, n 23% over the recent years.
Apparently Kenya and Ethiopia continue to dominate this road event. The world's top 18 runners in 2010 come from Kenya (10) and Ethiopia (8) with the Kenyans occupying the top 4 places, 3 from Rotterdam (1st, 2nd n 4th) n the 3rd from Frankfurt.
On the World's Top 100 list, Kenya dominates with 59 entries followed by Ethiopia in 2nd with 28 and Morocco with 5 in 3rd. with the remaining 8 come from other countries.
The talk of the season was the emotional retirement announcement made by Ethiopian WR holder (2:03:59 in Berlin 2008) following his dropping-off New York City Marathon in November but he quickly reconsidered his quit decision n decided to continue his running career.
The highlight of the season was at the Rotterdam Marathon on 11 April which saw Patrick Makau of Kenya became the 4th all time fastest runner by clocking a world leading time of 2:04:48 to edge fellow countryman Geoffrey Mutai by a mere 7 seconds and this race produce the 1st, 2nd n 4th fastest times of the year.
Another highlight of the year was at the Chicago Marathon on 10 Oct where Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya (2:06:24) had a thrilling tug-of-war victory over Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia (2:06:43) and won USD500,000 as the winner of the champion of the 2009-2010 World Marathon Majors series .
Below is a list of Top 10 Marathon Runners of 2010 :
1) 2:04:48 - Patrick Makau (KEN) - Rotterdam 11 April
2) 2:04:55 - Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) - Rotterdm 11 April
3) 2:04:57 - Wilson Kipsang (KEN) - Frankfurt 31 Oct
4) 2:05:13 - Vincent Kipruto (KEN) - Rotterdam 11April
5) 2:05:19 - Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) - London 25 April
6) 2:05:23 - Lelisa Feyisa (ETH) ---- Rotterdam 11 April
7) 2:05:39 - Eliud Kiptanui (KEN) --- Prague 9 May
8) 2:05:44 - Getu Feleke (ETH) ----- Amsterdam 17 October
9) 2:05:52 - Robert K Cheruiyot (ETH) - Boston 19 April
10) 2:06:09 - Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) - Dubai 22 January
Many new Course Records were created in 2010, among them :
2:05:39 - Prague Marathon - Eliud Kiptanui (KEN) 9 May
2:05:44 - Amsterdam Marathon - Getu Feleke (ETH) 17 Oct
2:05:52 - Boston Marathon - Robert Cheruiyot (KEN) 19 Apr
2:06:49 - Seoul International Marathon - Sylvester Teimet (KEN)
2:08:32 - Duesseldorf Marathon - Musinschi (Moldavian)
2:08:47 - Xiamen International Marathon - Lilesa (ETH)
2:09:33 - Ottawa Marathon - Fujiwara (JPN)
2:11:04 - Melbourne Marathon - Kopkorir (KEN) 10 Oct
2:11:27 - Madrid Marathon - T Cherogony
2:16:42 - SC Kuala Lumpur Marathon - Nelson Kirwarotich (KEN)
2:23:38 - San Francisco Marathon - Keith Bechtol
The Largest Marathon Finishers in 2010 :.... VENUE ....... DATE ..... MEN ... WOMEN . TOTAL
1) London ------ 25 Apr.. : 24,423 + 12,127 = 36,5502) Chicago ------ 10 Oct. : 19,973 + 16,186 = 36,159
3) Berlin ---------- 26 Sep. : 26,597 + 7,430 = 34,027
4) Paris ----------- 11 Apr . : 25,144 + 5,671 = 30,815
5) Boston --------- 19 Apr. : 13,072 + 9,468 = 22,540
6) Los Angeles - 21 Mar : 13,223 + 9,138 = 22,403
7) Washington - 31 Oct. : 13,207 + 8,667 = 21,874
8) Honolulu ------ 12 Dec : 10,459 + 9,710 = 20,169
9) Orlando ------- 10 Jan .. : 8,731 + 8,152 = 16,883
10) Stockholm -- 04 Jun.. :11,436 + 3,279 = 14,715
