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[QUOTE="stamfordhusky, post: 4759113, member: 649"]
"World low" or "world best" would not be appropriate, since "world records" in the marathon must be achieved on courses that meet certain criteria.  Thus a world record can be very different from a world low based on several objective standards.  In fact, at least one marathoner has run significantly faster than 2 hours already.  Was a "world low", but not a "world record"

First, to be a record-eligible course, the finish line cannot be more than approximately 13 miles from the starting line to limit the effect of wind.  A course that runs straight out for 26 miles cannot produce a world record since there could be a wind at the runners back for the entire race.   Secondly, the course cannot be significantly downhill over the 26 miles.  Specifically, the max drop is limited to 1 meter per km over the course of the race.   Thus a course like Boston doesn't qualify under either criteria.  And thirdly, pacemakers cannot be used to block the wind.
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