Sub-two hour marathon possible in Monza, say experts

FILE PHOTO: Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (L) of Eritrea leads the men's pack next to Hosea Rotich of Kenya and Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia as they cross the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge during the 2016 New York City Marathon in New York City, U.S. November 6, 2016. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

(Reuters) - Nike's "Breaking-2" attempt in Italy this weekend might not produce a sub-two hour marathon, but it will probably lead to a world best time, three exercise physiology experts have told Reuters.

Assuming conditions are conducive to fast running - cool and not too windy - all three predict a time inside Dennis Kimetto's 2014 world record of two hours, two minutes, 57 seconds when Kenyan Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa and Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese take to the Monza motor racing track, aided by a group of "in and out" pacemakers.