IT was extraordinary. Eric Kimaiyo conquered the 25th mile of the Honolulu Marathon -- which includes an increase of 90 feet in elevation -- in 4 minutes and 40 seconds. Kimaiyo surge
remarkable—and,
to some, suspiciousThe 28-year-old Kenyan, who won his second straight Honolulu crown Sunday, had put in several energy-burning surges over the taxing 26.2-mile course prior to his explosive move near Diamond Head.
Kimaiyo used even more energy to rally back to the pack after falling 30 to 40 yards off the pace at mile 14.
The strategy he picked to win was about as predictable as Hannibal deciding to cross the Alps to invade Italy.
If you're going to bust open a marathon race with a couple of miles to go, you'd think a flat plane of road or a stretch of downhill might be more appetizing.
But no. Kimaiyo decided to sprint uphill after 24 miles of pounding the macadam at a 5-minute pace.
In my opinion, that was remarkable.
But to some of the international marathon people involved with the 25th anniversary race, it was more than just remarkable. It was a bit suspicious.
Yes, indeed, the recurring subject of doping arose yesterday.
IT'S not the first time Gabriele Rosa, the Italian doctor who represents Kimaiyo and several other highly successful Kenyan runners, has heard these whispers.
He didn't want to hear them this week.
"Why must this always be said?" asked Rosa. "Why must the Kenyans, who can not defend themselves, be attacked?"
There is no evidence that Rosa's athletes use anything.
But the substance being mentioned here, as it has been in other parts of the racing world, is known as EPO (erythropoietin). It is administered to leukemia patients to increase their oxygen-bearing red blood cell count.
To a world class professional marathon athlete who's in peak condition, taking EPO can enhance his performance by 2 to 3 percent. In a tight race that can be critical.
Kimaiyo is a tremendous athlete and is now unquestionably one of the world's best marathoners.
His 2:08:08 in London and 2:07:43 in Berlin earlier in 1997 substantiate that. The latter time was the fourth fastest posted in the world this year.
The 2:12:17 finish he recorded on the uneven Honolulu course Sunday is considered equal to a much faster time elsewhere.
ROTTERDAM Marathon race director Jos Hermens predicted in a November article in the Times of London that the world marathon record of 2:06:50, which would be 10 years old in April, will fall next year. And Kimaiyo is one of the likeliest candidates to break it.
Consider that four of the six big-city marathons of the world this year have been won by Africans. Consider that 14 of the 21 marathoners who have come within 2 minutes of the world record this year are Africans.
Extraordinary performances breed suspicion. And most of them are being turned in by Africans these days.
"But this was an extraordinary move by an extraordinary athlete," said Dr. Jim Barahal, Honolulu Marathon Association president. "I think he's the best marathoner in the world.
"And I guess it's interesting that we can have a performance here impressive enough to get people talking about it like that."
Barahal, who has dealt with Rosa athletes since the late 1980s, was annoyed.
"The accusations are unsubstantiated and probably as much a result of jealousy as anything else.
"It would be a sad day if people were barred from activities based upon on other peoples' suspicions."