Athletics / Editor / 22 August 2009 /

Robin Adams talks us through the betting in the men's marathon and 4x100m where that man Usain Bolt has his eyes set on a third world record at these Championships.

The Winner market for this morning's men's marathon title has Abel Kirui [4.0] and Tsegaye Kebede [4.0] vying for favouritism in what should be a wildly fluctuating in-play affair. Kenyan Kirui was third in Rotterdam in April and three weeks later Ethiopia's Kebede was only ten seconds adrift of the London Marathon winner Samuel Wanjiru. Both Africans are bound to play a part in Berlin where tactics are going to be as important as stamina.

One ancient marathoner who generally gets his tactics spot on and can be likened to fine wine in that the older he gets the better he becomes is 37 year old Jaouad Gharib [12.0]. The marathon is the one race at these championships where age is not a factor and the Moroccan can sweep to his third world championship title. Gharib's compatriot Rachid Kisri [18.5] is also worth a small saver in an interesting and open market.

Whereas the day begins with the maximum athletic distance, it concludes with the minimum in the shape of the men's 4 x 100m relay. Given safe passage of the baton, Jamaica will win this without any doubt, but are unattractive at [1.23]. The Winner W/O Jamaica market has a more open feel and here Trinidad & Tobago [2.04], Great Britain [2.52] and the USA [3.05] are the favourites. I thought Britain looked comfortable when finishing second to the US in their heat and the British quartet can step up on that performance and claim the silver. GB [2.0] must also be backed in the match up with Trinidad & Tobago [1.4] and with Usain Bolt gunning for a third world record, the [2.18] on that outcome simply must be taken.

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