Habari za Wiki - 18 May, 2021
From The Enda Community
Tuzo and his sister Kaspi have committed to breaking a sweat everyday this year. Kaspi is huge on gym/yoga, while Kaspi is shares lots of running and lessons he's learning along the way. Here’s one from this past week:
“Day 137✅
New week! Easy 7km run for the legs after yesterdays long run.
Hoping to run the 2nd edition of MA RA TH ON by @nnrunningteam this weekend.
Anyone want to try it out?😃”
From Us At Enda
As part of our celebration of Kenya’s running reputation we like to use the phrase #RunKenyan. But we realise this phrase can mean many different things to different people depending on your connection to Kenyan running.
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Can you take 30 seconds to share with us what comes to mind when you see or hear the phrase #RunKenyan?
The Running News
Ekiru with fastest time in 2021
Titus Ekiru ran the fifth fastest time in a marathon worldwide when he won the Generali Milano Marathon in 2:02:57 on Sunday. This was Ekiru’s second victory in Milan.
Paced by South African's, the pack of 10 athletes reached the half-way mark in 1:01:48. Ekiru started to push the pace after 30km, maintaining that pace to the end having covered the second half in 1:01:09 and going on to cross the finish line in 2:02:57. The time is a world lead and his personal best. The first five men finished the race inside the previous Italian all-comers’ record of 2:04:46.
Ethiopia’s Hiwot Gebrekidan won the women’s race in 2:19:35 to break the Italian all-comers’ records.
Shocking Result in Tuscany
Lomuket for the surprise win. Photo credit : Athletics Hour
Mark Lomuket: if you haven’t heard of him before, you’re not alone. But make sure to remember the name.
He just made his name as a serious Olympic contender at a race that was billed to be a showdown between Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet (former junior world record holder) and Selemon Barega (World Championships silver medalist). Lomuket battled it out with Barega to cross the line in 13:01.68 - the fastest time this year.
Read the full story about Mark Lomuket's win.
Kenyan Sprinter Qualifies for Olympics
US based Kenyan sprinter Moitalel Mpoke has qualified for the Tokyo Olympic in 400m hurdles. The World U-18 400m hurdles silver medallist clocked 48.89 seconds to win his 400m hurdles on Saturday during the South Eastern Conference Outdoor Championships at the E.B Cushing Stadium in Texas. Mpoke met the Olympic qualifying standard by 0.01 seconds.
Kenya Trials Have a Date
The Kenyan Olympic trials will now be held from June 17 to 19 at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium, Eldoret as currently proposed by Athletics Kenya. The national trials will however be by invitation, Athletics Kenya has revealed.
Before the Olympic trials, Athletics Kenya will host the pre-trials for the Tokyo Olympic Games from May 27 to 29. Athletics Kenya settled on this date following the cancellation of African Senior Championships that were set for Algeria.
Africa Athletics Championships Postponed
The fate of African Athletics Championships remains unclear after Algeria indefinitely postponed the games. The Algerian Ministry of Youth and Sports (MJS) said the delay is due to Covid resurgence in the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and the risk of circulation of new variants. The ministry asked Algerian Athletics Federation (FAA) to make the necessary arrangements to inform the officials of the Confederation of African Athletics in order to agree new dates.
Unfortunately, July will be an Olympic month meaning just like Africa Cross Country, Athletics championships will not happen this year unless another host nation steps in.
Non-Kenyan news
Return Of The New York Marathon
The New York City Marathon will be held on 7th November 2021. And it will have in person runners. For its 50th anniversary, the race will have 33,000 entrants, instead of the usual 55,000. Mark your calendars!!! Registration for runners with guaranteed entry will begin on June 8 and close on June 15.
Cheptegei and 5 Other World Record Holders in Ostrava
Ugandan speedstar Joshua Cheptegei will tomorrow (Wednesday 18 May 2021) compete at the 60th edition of the Golden Spike in Ostrava. The 10,000m and 5000m world record holder will compete in 3000m and, if the weather permits, he is going to challenge Daniel Komen’s 3000m world record of 7:20.67, which has stood for 25 years.
His current best for 3000m is 7:33.26, he will be paced by a 7:28 man. The World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting has attracted other leading African athletes like Genzebe Dibaba, Hugues Fabrice Zango, Jacob Kiplimo. This meeting has attracted six world record-holders - such a stunning cast of athletic talent.
The Diamond League's Mouthwatering Clashes
The 2021 Diamond league season will get underway in Gateshead on 23 May. World athletics have picked seven mouthwatering clashes for the first three meetings of the season. From the 100m in Gateshead featuring Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Sha’Carri Richardson, Dina Asher-Smith to Mondo Duplantis Sam Kendricks combo in pole vault to 3000m clash between Letesenbet Gidey and Hellen Obiri in Doha. Fasten your seatbelts.