Habari za Wiki - 4 May, 2021
From The Enda Community
Tricia Carbone (@perfectlydopey in Instagram), has been an absolute inspiration this year. This past weekend she set out and ran her fourth marathon of the year in a pair of Lapaetets. Please do head over and share some Strava kudos.
In some places, we’re on the verge of getting back to racing. In many others, it still seems a long way away. To everyone like Tricia who is getting out there and setting your own challenges and meeting them: we salute you!
The Running News
Relay Magic
Ferguson Rotich receiving the baton from Naomi Korir in the mixed 2x2x400m relay. Kenya finished second. Photo: Dan Vernon for World Athletics
The Kenyan team showed up with medals on their minds at the World Relay Championships this past weekend. The men’s 4x200m team brought home a silver medal. You read that right: Kenyan runners medaling in a sprint event.
We’ve got the full rundown on the Habari Blog.
Faith Kipyegon Still One To Watch
World Athletics has a continuing series highlighting the 100 athletes to watch in the lead-up to the Olympics. In the middle distance races, Kenya’s 1500m golden girl Faith Kipyegon is listed among those to look out for. I mean Faith has won it all in 1500m. Here is why ten years after winning her first international medal, the 27 year old is still a force to reckon with and a odds on favourite to win gold again.
Brillian Jepkorir Wins Nelson Mandela Half
Brillian Jepkorir emerged victorious at Nelson Mandela Half Marathon on Saturday in South Africa. The reigning Boston Half Marathon champion clocked 67:32 for the victory and has now set her focus on training hard to qualify for the 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
2nd Edition of MA RA TH ON
One of the first big virtual running events that took off last year is back. MA RA TH ON is a virtual team relay marathon race where people around the world can form a team of four to cover the marathon distance of just over 42 kilometer. Each individual runner will cover 10,5 kms and together as a team they have run a full marathon. This event allows participants to safely run solo in their own locations while competing as a team.
Last year a staggering 106.000 runners registered for this virtual event. Geoffrey Kamworor was among that group, and ran the fastest quarter marathon out of everyone. Not much of surprise there.
The Kenyan shared his thoughts for this year: “I met my team via Zoom last year and we had a great talk and laugh before we ran, they were great. I am excited to see athletes from all over the world join us again this year!”
It takes place May 22-23 with registration open right here, right now.
Non-Kenyan news
Ethiopia Marathon Team Drama
Ethiopia Athletics Federation over the weekend held marathon trials to select six athletes who will represent Ethiopia in the marathon in Tokyo. It was an odd event.
Initially it was meant to be a full marathon in Switzerland, but then it was changed to a 35km race at altitude in Ethiopia. Just about any marathon runner could tell you a 35km run is very different from a full 42.
On the women’s side, Tigist Girma, Birhane Dibaba, and Roza Dereje went 1-2-3. Not much controversy there. A solid team of two 2:18 marathoners and 2:19 marathoner Girma earning her place by winning the race.
Shura Kitata, the man who defeated Eliud Kipchoge in London won the men’s race ahead of Lelisa Desisa and Sisay Lemma. Again, a solid team with two 2:04 guys and 2:03 Lemma.
But the biggest news was who wasn’t there: Kenenisa Bekele, the 2nd fastest man ever at the marathon. Big name 2:02 runners Birhanu Legese & Mosinet Geremew weren’t there either.
However, there is speculation that Ethiopia Olympics Committee will give Bekele a slot in Tokyo despite not taking part in the trials. We’ll keep you posted.