Comfortable Course… Breaking the 7-Minute Range

“2 hours 6 minutes? Or 2 hours 7 minutes?”

The reason that Berlin Marathon and Chicago Marathon are famous is because they hold the world’s top records. Former men’s world record holder, Ronaldo de Costa (Brazil) ran 2 hours 6 minutes 05 seconds at 1998 Berlin Marathon, and Khalid Khannouchi (U.S.A.) ran to set men’s present world record (2 hrs. 5 min. 42 sec.) during 1999 Chicago Marathon. That is how close is the relationship between marathon tournaments and records. The reality conforms the formula, `good record = world’s prestige tournaments`.

The country’s best marathon tournament, Donga Seoul International Marathon, has all conditions to leap into the international world.

Firstly, the Seoul course of 2002 Donga Seoul International Marathon, which will be held on the 17th, is similar to that of Berlin Marathon. The Berlin Marathon course has 10 meter and 20 meter-high hills are 30 kilometers and 35 kilometers points, and the rest is plain. Donga Marathon’s Seoul course is also quite plain except for a 25 meter-high hill about 5-8 kilometers after the start, and a 20 meter-high hill after the first 20 kilometers. Especially, the 20 kilometer-course between Seoul City office and Jamsil is `gentle downhill`, which will make runners feel comfortable. Besides, Donga course has the uphill in the beginning, whereas Berlin has it near the end.

Also, Donga Marathon’ course has less curves than the tournaments that often pass through downtowns, such as London Marathon. When there are many curves, runners have disadvantage on their speed because they have to keep changing direction.

Samsung Electronics men’s marathon team coach, Oh In-Hwan, who participated in world’s top marathon tournaments with the `star of Korean marathon` Lee Bong-Ju, said that “this is not inferior to any other courses in the world. Good records can be expected because there is no uphill that would pressurize runners.”

Kolon’s coach Jung Ha-Jun also added, “Last year’s course was good, but it became better this year after excluding Songpa-gu’s Karak market course that has strong wind and uphill.”

When sports-producer of Japan’s TV Asahi, Saito Hiroto, visited the course in January, he said that “there is no better course in Japan.”

Even the participating runners have great potentials for good records. Including Japan’s Fujita Atsushi, who set the Asian record (2 hrs. 6 min. 51 sec.) at 2000 Fukuoka Marathon and Morishita Yoshiteru of 2 hours 7 minutes 59 seconds, world’s top runners like last year’s Amsterdam champion Driss El Himer (France. 2 hrs. 7 min. 02 sec.) and Gert Thys (South Africa. 2 hrs. 06 min. 33 sec.) will take part in the tournament.

“Looking at the course and runners, tournament records in both men’s and ladies divisions would be at ease.”, said Samsung Electronics ladies marathon coach, Yim Sang-Kyu. Kunkuk University coach Hwan Kyu-Woon also said, “With these conditions, 2 hour 7 minute or 8 minute range will be surely possible, and 6 minute range can also be challenged depending on the weather and pace-making.”

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com