Habari za Wiki - 2 March, 2021
1st Kenyan Track and Field Meeting of 2021
Kibiwott Kandie (bib 085) in 10,000m race at Nyayo
Athletics Kenya held a two day track and field meeting in Nairobi, the first of the year. Hundreds of athletes turned up for this open meeting. There were plenty of athletes that the men's 10,000m had two finals, while the men's 1500m had seven heats. There is hunger for athletics across the country.
Kandie Kibiwott was the biggest name competing and won his second ever 10,000m race in 28:28 as he sets his sights on qualifying for Tokyo Olympic Games.
The other hot contest was in one of the Men’s 5000m heats as Gideon Rono, the U-20 national cross country champion, bested Rogers Kwemoi, the senior cross country champ.
Kenya Names Tokyo Marathon Team
Athletics Kenya has named 4 male and 4 female athletes who will represent Kenya at the Tokyo Olympic Games. They are:
Peres Jepchirchir - World Half Marathon Champion, Half Marathon world record holder, and Valencia Marathon winner.
Ruth Chepngétich - World Marathon champion
Brigid Kosgei - Marathon world record holder and 2 time reigning Chicago Marathon and London Marathon champion
Vivian Cheruiyot - multiple Olympic and world Champion medalist on the track
Eliud Kipchoge - Marathon world record holder, reigning Olympic champion, and GOAT
Vincent Kipchumba - 2nd place in 2020 London Marathon
Amos Kipruto - World championship bronze medalist
Lawrence Cherono - 2nd place at Valencia Marathon, reigning Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon champion
To get their preparations underway, the National Olympics Committee of Kenya handed the athletes $10,000 – that is $1250 dollars per athlete to help with their preparations. This was received by marathon world champion Ruth Chepngetich. On paper the contribution is not a lot of money but it will go a long way to help especially because athletes haven’t earned consistently since COVID.
Ruth Chepngetich receiving the cheque of Kshs. 1,000,000 on behalf of the team.
There’s lots of discussion about the team now as only 3 male and female athletes can be on the final team, so 2 athletes will have to be dropped – will be Vivian Cheruiyot and Vincent Kipchumba? Also, what happened to 2020 Valencia Marathon Champion Evans Chebet, why didn’t he make the list?
Africa X-Country Postponed but Kenya Will Stay in Camp
Team Kenya for Africa Cross Championships was in camp preparing when news came in that Togo has requested the Confederation of African Athletics to postpone the Africa Cross Country for a second time.
However, despite the postponement news, Athletics Kenya has said the athletes will stay put in camp until final communication. There is also hope that another country will host the event – maybe Kenya or Algeria could step up?
Non-Kenyan news
42 Men Run Sub 2:10 at Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon
Japan is renowned as a great running nation, but this is still just stunning to see. At the final Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon (it’s being folded into the Osaka Marathon next year), a huge field of athletes went out and ran incredible times, led by Kengo Suzuki with a new national record of 2:04:56. You can watch the whole race here. Or just skip to the end and watch 100 athletes finish in about 10 minutes as 100th place was 2:15:19.
Semenya is Headed to European Court
Caster Semenya is not giving up the fight yet. World Athletics barred Semenya from competing in certain track events because of her high natural testosterone, a decision which Lawyer Gregory Nott says is a ‘human rights violation’. For this reason, the two time Olympic champion in 800m is taking the matter to the European Court of Human Rights that challenges restrictions. On Twitter Caster said this fight is for dignity, equality and the human rights of women in sport.
A Track in Uganda
Children on the new track. credit: Dan Vernon for NN Running Team
A new track in Uganda was opened by world champions Joshua Cheptegei and Halimah Nakaayi. Opened in Chemwania Primary School, close to Kapchorw , the new track is built for athletes, schools and the local community from Kween district. Ugandan athletes are on the ascendency, and with new facilities maybe we’ll see a whole new generation of athletes rising.
Nakaayi said, “In my years growing up there were few role models and few facilities. I am so happy to see that, for the new generation things are changing and more support and facilities are there.”
From Us At Enda
Run, Draw, Win!
We are giving away a pair of our next super-secret Lapatet colorway before launch. Anytime between now and 10 March, draw something on your route, and share for a chance to win.
We have written up details on how to join, some tools to help you make the most out of it, and inspirations from other drawing fans on Strava.
From The Enda Community
Please head on over to this Instagram post and join all of us at Enda in congratulating 33 time marathoner Davon Culley for cruising to a new, long sought after, person best this past weekend while wearing a pair of Lapatets!
“I've been chasing my PR of 3:45 since 2008. Failed to beat it tons of times. But not today. A PR at the age of 48 is something I will always be proud of. How does it feel to finally get it? To quote Kevin Garnett after he won the NBA title in 2008, "I just knocked the bully out!!"”
