Habari za Wiki - 16 March, 2021
Kenyan Athletes Up Front at NCAA Cross Country
The US university cross country championships marked some of the most exciting racing we’ve seen in months. On the women’s side, Mercy Chelangat was part of the lead the pack right from the start, then kicked in the last kilometer to run to a commanding win.
On the men’s side, Wesley Kiptoo took off early and set the tone for the race. His early pace took a toll, and he was eventually passed fading into 3rd.
You can watch the whole women’s race here
and the men’s race here.
The race coverage is great, and the mass start might just give you goosebumps.
Will It Be A double for Obiri in Tokyo?
5000m world champion Hellen Obiri is giving a go at running both 5000m and 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympic Games. This is after Obiri competed and won 10,000m in 31:24.7 at Athletics Kenya second Track and field meeting over the weekend.
Does that seem tough? Well, doubling won’t be such a bad idea for Obiri – as Kenya at the moment doesn’t have a convincing line up for 10,000m women. The athletics schedule also makes it flexible for Obiri with the women's 5000m final being held on 2 August while the 10,000m race on 7 August.
We believe in Obiri, and imagine she could end up in the top 3 in 10,000m. But for now we await the Athletics Kenya trials for the Olympics.
Still On Hellen Obiri,
She won the Forbes Woman Africa Sports Award. The ceremony was held virtual with an audience of more than 2,000 attendees from across the world.
Vivian Cheruiyot Part of World Athletics Museum
The Pocket Rocket Vivian Cheruiyot - the 2009 and 2011 world 5000m champion, 2011 and 2015 10,000m world champion and 2016 Olympic gold medallist - is among the seven athletes from Africa who feature in the first stage of the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA).
MOWA is a 3D virtual athletics museum. The experience is a bit clunky, but full of good athletic nostalgia if you want to kill some time browsing.
Kinyamal praying to succeed David Rudisha
Kenya is struggling to get David Rudisha’s replacement. It is hard to replace someone like Rudisha! So chances of a medal in the men’s 800m in Tokyo are very slim. Just like they were at the 2019 Doha World Athletics championships. While there were flashes in Emmanuel Korir and Michael Saruni, no one has stepped up to fit in the big shoes of Rudisha. Now, Wycliffe Kinyamal, the 2018 Commonwealth Champion, has raised his hand saying he hopes he will replace Rudisha.
A Cheat Has Been Jailed
There are many who argue that the only way for cheating to stop is real punishment for those who break the rules. And now that’s happening.
2019 Jakarta Marathon runner up - Florence Jepkosgei became the first Kenyan athlete to be found guilty in a criminal court. Jepkosgei has been handed a 12-month sentence by an Eldoret Court for presenting a fake Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya-ADAK document before the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT). Jepkosgei, who pleaded guilty to the offense, had tested positive for a prohibited substance, Prednisolone during a race in China.
1500m explained with Faith Kipyegon
Just how much do you know about the 1500m? This event is more than fast running; here is a break down with Faith Kipyegon by World Athletics for the record are visualized stories behind the number
Non-Kenyan news
Angel City Elite, Wants to Increase BIPOC Representation in the Sport
Angel City Elite is a new running team based in Los Angeles with a mission - working toward bridging the diversity gap in the sport. The five women who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) – are determined to not only perform well, but be a voice in the running industry and community to make running more inclusive.
From Us At Enda
Oh hello hello! Would you look at that, we’ve got a new colorway of Lapatet for you today. We’re now in stock on all sizes of the Aberdare Green & Green, so go on a grab your pair today.
Become a Harambee Champion
It’s one of the most common questions you all ask us: “do you have brand ambassadors?”
Well we do now!
We are happy to announce the launch of Harambee Champions. This is a group of members of the Enda Community who love our gear and want to spread the word. If this sounds like you, and you’re keen to put your love of Enda (blush) on display, then head over to here for more details on how to apply.
From The Enda Community
The moment we saw it, we knew Simon Ritchie’s #EndaArtRun entry was going to be the winner. And you all agreed! It won the community vote, so we’re sending Simon a new pair of Lapatets to match his drawing!
Congratulations Simon, and thank you for that inspirational drawing!
