Habari Za Wiki- 18 January, 2022
The Running News
Rono/chebet win the Nairobi cross country championship
The 21-year old Geoffrey Rono timed 27:49.1 at Kenya Prisons Service grounds in Nairobi West to cross the finish line first. In the women's 10km senior race, Emily Chebet ran 32:13.2 finishing the race in the first place. Rono who finished 14th in the National cross country championships in 2019 made quite the comeback after missing out in 2020 and 2021.
After his victory in the men's 10km senior race at the Nairobi region cross country championship, Geoffrey Rono says he is not overwhelmed by the prospect of matching up against seasoned runners at next weekend's national cross country championship in Eldoret and expressed his wish to do Nairobi region by getting a podium finish.
The 21-year-old timed 27:49.1 at Kenya Prisons Service grounds in Nairobi West to cross the finish line first, ahead of Musa Mitei and Meshack Letim who clocked 27:56.6 and 28:11.8 to finish second and third respectively.
His only wish was an injury-free season as he promises the best. “I want to emulate my role model Timothy Cheruiyot”, the World 1500m champion he said.
In the women's 10km senior race, Emily Chebet ran 32:13.2 to win the race as Winfred Yavi timed 32:23.7 settling for second place, ahead of third-placed Mercy Chepkorir who clocked 33:03.8.
Chebet said the race was the perfect preparation for her stab at road races this year.
"My focus is now on road races. During the Istanbul Marathon recently, I finished seventh but I believe I can do much more. Today's competition was to fine-tune my speed and I am glad that I won," Chebet said.
I don’t know about you but we’ll sure be looking forward to these races!
Lang'ata's Geoffrey Rono and Emily chebet during the Athletics Kenya Nairobi Cross Country Championships at the Kenya Prisons Service ground, Nairobi West on January 15, 2022.Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Countdown to Boston Marathon begins
With Boston Marathon fast approaching, Champions of 7 out of the last 8 Boston Marathon promise a return as they all aim to break the tape again. The question of who will take the win still remains unanswered. Kenya will have a team of marathon stars all up against Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, Worlds second-fastest Marathon Runner. They Include Benson Kipruto, Lawrence Cherono, Titus Ekiru, Geoffrey Kamwaror, Evans Chebet, Albert Korir among others.
Kamwaror, two times New York marathon winner who missed out on the Olympics after an injury is among the athletes to definitely watch out for. Kamwaror recorded a PB 2:05:23 during the Valencia marathon last month after his return.
Titus Ekiru, who last year ran 2:02:57 in Milan, the fastest time of 2021, and Benson Kipruto, who was the 2021 champion at Boston, are also on our watch list as we countdown to Boston Marathon.
In the women's category, Jepchirchir will be part of an elite start list that also comprises London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei.
There will be 12 women who have run under 2:23, with the event – the first Boston Marathon held on Patriots’ Day since 2019 – marking the 50th anniversary of the first official women’s field, which in 1972 featured eight finishers.
They include 2017 and 2018 champions Edna Kiplagat and Des Linden as well as four subs -2:20 Ethiopian contenders in Degitu Azimeraw, Roza Dereje, Zeineba Yimer, and Tigist Girma.
Don’t worry we’ll give more updates as the event nears for now we can only wish our athletes the very best as they continue with preparations.
To some non-Kenyan News
Countdown to World Athletics Continental tour
The 2022 World Athletics Continental Tour will commence in just five days with an expanded schedule featuring meetings in all six continental areas, beginning in New Zealand.
More than 130 meetings have been included so far in this year’s Tour, which will be divided into four levels – Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Challenger. The status of each meeting will be determined by the quality of competition and prize money on offer.