2008 London Marathon

On Sunday i am lining up alongside 36,000 other runners attempting to run one of the worlds 5 marathon majors. As if running 26.2 miles is not hard enough i am going to have a bet on the winner of the race as well!

I have actually done quite well out of marathon betting in the past and am quite hopeful of another decent return this year.

2008 London Marathon Elite Men’s Field & Personal Bests

Paul Tergat (Kenya) 2:04:55

Felix Limo (Kenya) 2:06:14

Emmanuel Mutai (Kenya) 2:06:29

Martin Lel (Kenya) 2:06:41

Hendrick Ramaala (South Africa) 2:06:55

Jaouad Gharib (Morroco) 2:07:02

Stefano Baldini (ITA) 2:07:22

Yonas Kifle (Eritrea) 2:07:34

Abderrahim Goumri (Morocco) 2:07:44

Luke Kibet (Kenya) 2:08:52

Aleksey Sokolov (Russia) 2:09:07

Meb Keflezighi (United States ) 2:09:53

Sammy Wanjiru (Kenya) 2:06:39

Ryan Hall (USA) 2:08:24

Canary Yellow (England) 4:44:46

Sammy Wanjiru is the man to watch here. He has twice broken the half marathon world record and has won his only marathon in Japan. He has stated he is looking to run 2:05:xx which would surely be enough to win this as he believes that is what he needs to get a place on the Kenyan olympic team. Finished 2nd behind Lel at the Great North Run in 2007. At least we know his motivation is high. No sense betting on him each way, if he attempts 2:05 one of two things will happen, he will win the race by 30 seconds plus or he will blow up in the last 5 miles and finish out with the washing, indeed i may beat him.

Martin Lel starts favourite. 1st 2nd and 1st in the last 3 years at London, he won the Great North Run (half mara) and the New York marathon in 2007. Clearly the man to beat, he may not have the really fast times but he is one hell of a racer.

Jaouad Gharib is a two time world champion who has never won a major marathon outside of those 2 world titles. Remember last year how he was smiling with a few miles to go, looked the best and managed not to win? He also manged to not win in Chicago when he got caught by Ivuti. Timeform might give him a squiggle. Maybe best swerved altho at odds of 19.0 i would criticise anyone having a dabble, he is my pick of the each way runners.

An athlete to lay is Paul Tergat. Former world record holder (and #2 on the all time list) he may be but that was a while ago and he hasnt won a marathon since 2005. In 2007 he was 6th in his 5th fastest marathon time which speaks volumes about the fact his career as an elite athlete is begining to wane imo.

Pick : Wanjiru to win mens race
Odds : 5.50
Stake : 4 / 10
Bookmaker : Paddy Power
Date : 2008-04-13
Match Result : 2nd behind Lel.
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