Habari za Wiki - 20 April, 2021
Mission Accomplished For Eliud
Korir & Kipchoge Celebrating. Photo credit: NN Running Team
A runway marathon at Twente Airport, in overcast conditions, Olympic qualifications and fastest time in 2021 – that was NN Mission Marathon.
Athletics lovers were in need of a beautiful marathon and Eliud, as promised, delivered by running the fastest marathon this year. 2:04:30 is not Eliud’s best time, in fact it is his 11th overall best time. However, the Sunday marathon was more about warming up for the Tokyo Olympic Games and showing that he’s in good shape after the rare defeat in London last year.
The men’s leading pack of Eliud Kipchoge and his training partner Jonathan Korir with two pacers passed through halfway in 1:01:43. Jonathan Korir stuck with Eliud. They passed 30km in 1:28:10. Shortly after Eliud tossed aside the gloves at around 33km, he made his decisive move, dropping off Jonathan and the pace setter.
In his smooth strides, marathon masterfulness and sun beaming on his face, Eliud did the loops on the runaway – eventually crossing the line in 2:04:30. Jonathan Korir bravely came in second in his personal best of 2:06:40 with Eritrea’s Goitom Kifle coming through to take third in 2:08:07.
Gladys Chesir, the only Kenyan female on the start list finished a distant eighth on her comeback after maternity leave. The race was won by German’s Katharina Steinruck in 2:25:59 who looked totally in control.
In total 25 athletes dipped under the Olympic automatic qualification standard (15 men and 10 women).
Marathon As A Team Sport!
Organizers are cracking their heads coming up with innovative ways to keep athletics going. RunCzech - organizers of Prague International Marathon - have come up with Battle of the Teams.
The idea is to assemble four teams, each made up of eight marathoners chosen from among the best in the world; four men and four women. Runners would be assembled and drafted into teams based on their personal bests over the past 48 months, so that their collective abilities would be evenly—if not perfectly—matched.
For the Battle of the Teams, the race is only over when the last runner crosses the finish line. Every teammate earns points based on his or her performance, like cross country. The first event will take place May 30, 2021 taking off from one of the city’s most cherished landmarks, The Charles Bridge.
We’re excited about this one, and will keep you up to date.
Kenyan Athletes Have Lost KSh 5 billion ($46.2m) Due to COVID
Athletics Kenya’s official Barnabas Korir says Kenya has lost close to Sh5 billion in revenue from athletes’ prize money earnings since March 2020. The pandemic has led to cancellation of all world marathon majors, some Diamond Leagues, some championships athletics events and more. From the earnings of athletes per year excluding appearance fees and contractual obligations, the prize money that they earn for the country is about Sh5 billion, noted Korir.
Revised Diamond League Calendar is Out
The 2021 Diamond League season will begin in the UK at the Gateshead’s Muller Grand Prix on 23rd of May. This is because Rabat, Morocco is unable to host the season opener on the same date. The Diamond League meeting in Rome, initially scheduled for 4 June, will now be held on 10 June in Florence, while Oslo's Bislett Games has moved back from 10 June to 1 July.
Non-Kenyan News
Running Helps Against COVID
It is generally known that physical activity can improve immune function and individuals who are regularly active have a lower incidence, intensity of symptoms and mortality from various infections.
A group of researchers seek out to compare hospitalisation rates, ICU admissions and mortality for patients with COVID-10 who were consistently inactive, doing some activity, or consistently doing some physical activity.
The study consisted of a sample of 48,440 adult and concluded that consistently engaging in physical activity reduced the risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes among those who tested positive.
From Us At Enda
Earth Day is on Thursday, which marks our 2nd year as a Climate Neutral certified company. As a company, we exist to increase fairness, justice, and equality in the world.
Environmental sustainability isn’t just the right thing to do for our planet. It’s also necessary for anyone who believes in fairness and equality because climate change disproportionately hurts the people who have done the least to cause it.
Thank you for being with us as we all do our part taking care of our one planet. Happy Earth Day.
From The Enda Community
This truly is a community moment: James Ravenell posted this excellent picture running in his Kambu Lapatets. In it, he notes the photo credit goes to Davon Culley, who also posted a set of photos racing in his Lapatets.
Great mates Run Kenyan together. Twende Pamoja!
