Habari za Wiki - 15 Sept, 2020
Kiyeng upsets Chepkoech
There was a bit upset at the Berlin leg of the World Athletics Continental Tour. 2015 Steeplechase world champion Hyvin Kiyeng upset the current world champion (not to mention world record holder) Beatrice Chepkoech. Hyvin overtook Beatrice in the final stretch to win her first competition of 2020 in 9:06.14. Chepkoech faded and crossed the line in 9:10.07 for second.
Steeplechase has been cut from many competitions, so it was great to see it in the mix and a good contest in the race. We think it’s one of the more exciting track events to watch, so hopefully it can make a comeback.
Virtual Boston is a Serious Race
Felix Kandie going for the win in the virtual Boston Marathon.
World Wars couldn’t stop it. Terrorists couldn’t stop it. But the pandemic made it a virtual-only event. The Boston Marathon is as historic an event as exists in athletics, and this year’s event will certainly be one worthy of special mention.
Between 5 September and 14 September, runners around the world could take part by running the marathon distance on a course of their choice.
Kenya’s Felix Kandie put in an impressive effort and finished 1st place among the virtual runners. He ran in Uasin Gishu county in the thin air at 2,400 meters (8,000 feet). Felix finished in 2:19:06. In 2019, he finished 4th in Boston. That’s a heck of an effort solo at altitude.
Faith Wins Again
Competing in her favourite distance at the Ostrava Golden Spike, Faith Kipyego delivered a powerful run to win the race in 3:59:05. Only 110 women in history have run sub-4 minutes for the 1500, so any time you see a time starting with 3, you know it is something special. Here’s a clip of the finish.
In the men’s 1500m, Timothy Cheruiyot wasn’t around, so others had a chance to shine. Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen battled hard to hold off Kenya's Kumari Taki who came in two tenths of a second behind. Here’s a video of the race.
Countdown to Kip Keino Classic
We are counting down to the Kip Keino Classic on 3 October. This will be Africa’s first major athletics event since Covid 19 pandemic. Indeed, one of the biggest ever in Kenya as it will be the first World Athletics Continental Tour Meeting on African soil.
There was meant to be a test run for select athletes on 19 September. However it has been cancelled to give more time for repairing the running track head of the big event in two weeks. Kenyans athletes for the event will be selected based on the 2019 rankings. We’ll keep you updated on who will be racing and how to watch.
London Prep: Ruth Chepngetich
Reigning marathon world champion Ruth Chepngectich trains in Ngong, on the outskirts of Nairobi. She trains herself with a little mix of group runs. She has never thought about engaging a coach since setting foot in Ngong. Ruth covers 170km per week in training as she prepares for her first London Marathon.
Will you be cheering for her on 4 October?
London Prep: The Legends Weigh In
Mary Keitany has won the London Marathon 3 times, including when she set the women’s only world record in 2017. She won’t be lining up in London this year, however she says this year’s field is the best selection and she’s eagerly waiting to see how it will unfold.
Felix Limo is the 2006 London Marathon winner, and he thinks that year’s edition is a little bit tricky because the athletes will race in 19 clockwise laps of 2.15 kilometres. It will be a totally different psychological race this time and tactics may be completely different.
Non-Kenyan news
Semenya Lost Her Appeal on Testosterone Restrictions
Two-time Olympic champion South Africa’s Caster Semenya lost her final appeal at Swiss Supreme Court against restriction of testosterone in female athletes. This means she will not be able to compete at 800 meters. Caster’s natural testosterone levels are above the average female range and World Athletics insisted she will need to lower their testosterone levels to keep competing in women’s events 400m and above.
Reactions poured in from across the sports world, including the great Simone Biles who tweeted: "this is wrong on so many levels.. once again men having control over womens bodies 🙄 I’m tired"
From Us At Enda
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From the Enda Community
As runners, we are at our best when we come together to lift up each other. @perfectlydopey did her part to lift up a friend by donning her Mara gold Lapatets, and running to support a friend running the virtual Boston Marathon.
Her caption read: “That was quite the adventure as I got super soaked in the rain for the second time this week. Our little group of runners does a great job showing up to a virtual marathon.”
