Boston Marathon 2012: Geoffrey Mutai Will Not Duplicate Last Year's Success

At the 2012 Boston Marathon, Geoffrey Mutai will not have the same kind of success he had last year.

That's the bad news for Mutai. The good news? He could not have the same kind of success and still win.

In the 2011 event, Mutai set a course record at 2:03:02. And by course, I mean a marathon course. That was the fastest time that anyone had completed any marathon ever. 

Mutai wasted no time proving his great race was no fluke. After winning the Boston Marathon, he went to New York and won that race by breaking their course record. 

He clearly enters this event as one of the favorites, but just as one of the favorites to win—not break the record.

There will be no records broken at this year's event. Mother Nature will make sure of that. It is going to be hot and humid for the event. It is supposed to be so hot that the Boston Athletic Association felt compelled to release this statement. 

"

This will not be a day to run a personal best. If you choose to run, run safely above all else. Speed can kill. Heat stroke is a serious issue and is related to intensity of running as well as the heat and humidity.

"

While the sport's top runner are conditioned to a point where you wouldn't expect the heat to cause any health concerns, it still sets up an environment that is not conducive to posting all-time best numbers running long distance. 

The heat will take its toll on the runners. The times will rise because of it, and Mutuai might just have to "settle" for a win and not a record.