London Snickers.....

[ToraToraTora]

Are pacemakers now allowed? I thought they invalidated the race.

[roopower]

Obviously not, they've just been showing the women and discussing the pacemakers, one of them has dropped out.

[THECORBYLOON]

Not sure when it started but I seen a reference to them in the 2014 race.

They have pacemakers in the track races so I see nothing wrong with their being in marathons.

[ToraToraTora]

When Kipchoge did a sub 2 hour race using pacemakers they said it was merely an exercise to see if it could be done and the "record" would not be recognised. I'm confused.

[douglas9401]

Well I think it mars the event, bounty when ye think aboot it.

[ichkeria]

Pacemakers don’t invalidate a race.

I think the Kipchoge thing was a special event.
They are never called “records” but “world bests” because all courses are different.
I must admit I don’t like to see pace makers but course records and world bests are part of these big city events.

[gulliver1]

Wonder if any Aber runners joined in ??

[ichkeria]

It seemed a bit mean of the BBC cameras to only do an aerial shot of the elite start. And at the same time make fun of the club runner who supposedly tries to outsprint the leaders at the start!

[Old_Geezer]

Well you'd not want their heart to stop mid-race.

[ABerrant]

It was not the fact that pacemakers were involved which invalidated Kipchoge's Ineos 1:59 Challenge as a marathon world record but that the lead pacemaker was a car with a pacing laser to guide the rotating 41 pace runners in V-formation, allowing him to draft along the specially selected route (mostly flat and tree lined) against no other competitors and to receive hydration via bicycle.

[Hopkirk]

Do pacemakers give out Snickers then?

[ichkeria]

Another important factor in Kipchoge's sub 2-hour was that it simply wasn't a race.
By the way I watched Sifan Hassan struggle in the ladies race and thought to myself as they were saying she should drop out: "no, she's fine!" In fact the stops probably helped her control her pace at a key time.
it was a brilliant post-race interview, too.