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Is Beatrice Chebet Kenya's best bet for double gold at Paris Olympics?

With Olympic glory beckoning, is Beatrice Chebet Kenya's smart bet for double gold?

Two-time World cross country champion Beatrice Chebet is one of the Kenyan long-distance runners who are always known to show up when it matters and she stunned the whole world this past weekend with her world record.

Chebet, the world 5000m bronze medallist, competing in her second 10,000m event since she started her career, became the first woman in history to run under 29 minutes over the 25-lap race.

The 24-year-old stopped the clock at 28:54.14 to shatter Letesenbet Gidey’s world record time and automatically earn herself a spot in the women’s 10,000m team to the Paris 2024 Olympics where she has expressed interest in doubling in the 5000m and 10,000m.

After her world record feat at the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League Meeting in Eugene, Chebet said: “I came to run the 10,000m in order to get qualification and a great position for Paris because I want to double. I’m happy because it’s my first time to be on an Olympic team and with good health and hard work, I will medal again in Paris and that will be my favourite medal.”

The former world silver medallist will be making her debut at the Olympics and as far as things stand, she might just be the surprise winner in the two distances.

She has been in impeccable form this season, following her world record on the New Year’s Eve at the Cursa dels Nassos where she clocked an impressive 14:13 in the 5km road race.

The Commonwealth Games 5000m champion then proceeded to successfully defend her cross-country title in Belgrade, Serbia going up against a strong field that included world 10km record holder Agnes Jebet and Sirikwa Classic Cross-Country champion Emmaculate Anyango.

She opened her track season at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha, Qatar, flooring a strong Ethiopian contingent to win the women’s 5000m race. So far this season, it is evident that Chebet is a strong contender for the top prizes in Paris and no one is going to stop her.

Double world record holder Faith Kipyegon is yet to open her season following a slight injury setback and she might pose as Chebet’s closest challenger, but until then, the National Police Officer is in the right shape to carry the day in the city of love.

Timothy Cheruiyot shares key reason why he loves competing against Jakob Ingebrigtsen

Timothy Cheruiyot has explained why he loves running against his track rivals, singling out Jakob Ingebrigtsen as one of his favourite.

Former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has opened up for his love competing against track rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

Cheruiyot and Ingebrigtsen were in action at the Diamond League Meeting in Oslo, where they went head-to-head to the finish line with the Norwegian middle-distance runner dramatically diving over the line to take the top prize.

The two-time world 5000m champion crossed the line in a world leading time of 3:29.74 ahead of Cheruiyot who came in close second in 3:29.77. Frenchman Azeddine Habz sealed the podium, clocking an astonishing season best time of 3:30.80 to cross the finish line.

Cheruiyot, the Olympic Games silver medallist, noted that he loves competing against talented athletes like Ingebrigtsen who usually push him to the limit. Going into Oslo, Cheruiyot had high expectations to win the race but expressed satisfaction with his second-place finish.

He has been out with an injury bout but is slowly coming back to competing and will certainly be a force to reckon with.

“Racing with my compatriot, Jakob - it makes me happy, he's a strong guy and he finished fast today. I'm glad to be here in Oslo for the second time, the track is amazing.

“I was expecting the win but I'm satisfied I managed to run under 3:30 today. Now, I'm going home to prepare for the Kenyan trials - I need to finish in the top three.

“For the last nine months, I've been injured so I need to focus on training more to improve my fitness ahead of Paris, where I hope to get another medal for my country,” Cheruiyot said.

He opened his season with a second-place finish at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha before doubling in the 1500m and 800m at the National Championships.

An amazing fast 5k in Oslo

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Hagos Gebrhiwet of Ethiopia ran the second-fastest 5,000 meters of all time in winning at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo on Thursday.

Gebrhiwet ran a final lap of 54.99 to finish in 12 minutes, 36.73 seconds — 1.37 seconds off the world record set by Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei.

 Gebrhiwet's time is not only the second fastest time ever it was also a new national record for Ethiopia. New personal bests for the top eight finishers and new National records for Guatemala, Switzerland, Sweden, France and South Africa!

Also at the Bislett Games, home favorite Jakob Ingebrigtsen dived for the line to win the men's 1,500 just ahead of Timothy Cheruiyot in a world-leading 3 minutes, 29.74 seconds.

More details: Hagos Gebrhiwet produced the standout performance of the Bislett Games – and one of the biggest surprises of the year so far – when winning the men’s 5000m in 12:36.73 at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Oslo on Thursday (30).

It was one of three meeting records and five world leads set on an enthralling night of athletics action in the Norwegian capital, just two months away from the Paris Olympic Games.

Going into the men’s 5000m, many eyes were on world record-holder and Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei, two-time world cross-country champion Jacob Kiplimo and last year’s Bislett Games winner Yomif Kejelcha. But Gebrhiwet – who produced the first sub-13-minute run of his career on this track as a teenager back in 2012 – ensured his name won’t be forgotten in the lead-up to the Olympics.

The early pace was strong but not spectacular as the field was paced through the first 1000m in 2:33.13 and 2000m in 5:07.05. Addisu Yihune maintained that tempo through 3000m, reached in 7:41.05, with all the big contenders still in contention.

Kejelcha took control soon after and started to wind up the pace. Gebrhiwet stayed close to his fellow Ethiopian with Ugandan duo Kiplimo and Cheptegei close behind as 4000m was reached in 10:11.86, the previous kilometre being covered in 2:30.

Cheptegei was unable to hold on for much longer and started to drift back. Kejelcha continued to drive the pace but the challenge from Gebrhiwet and Kiplimo wasn’t fading, despite the increase in pace. Gebrhiwet struck as the bell sounded and moved into the lead, kicking past his compatriot and pulling away with each stride.

With a final lap of 54.99, Gebrhiwet charged through the line in 12:36.73 to win by more than two seconds from Kejelcha (12.38.95) – the first time in history that two men have broken 12:40 in the same race.

Gebrhiwet’s winning time is just 1.37 seconds shy of the world record Cheptegei set in 2020 and moves him to second on the world all-time list, one place ahead of Kenenisa Bekele, whose Ethiopian record Gebrhiwet broke.

Kiplimo held on for third, setting a PB of 12:40.96, while Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo (12:48.10) and Yihune (12:49.65) also finished inside 12:50.

It was just the second time in history that 13 men have broken 13 minutes. Along with Gebrhiwet, there were national records for Guatemala’s Luis Grijalva (12:50.58), Switzerland’s Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (12:50.90), Sweden’s Andreas Almgren (12:50.94), France’s Jimmy Gressier (12:54.97) and South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt (12:56.67).

“I’m really happy with my time,” said Gebrhiwet, the world road 5km champion. “I set a PB when I first ran in Oslo, and now it’s even better. The conditions and the crowd were great. It was a very fast race and it wasn’t easy for me, but it went very well. I’ll now try to qualify for the Olympics in the 10,000m too.”

There were notable performances in two other endurance events in Oslo.

Australia’s Georgia Griffith continued her breakthrough to win the 3000m in an Oceanian record of 8:24.20. The field had been paced through 1000m in 2:50.34, then that pace was maintained through 2000m in 5:40.73.

The field became more strung out over the final kilometre as the pace increased. Griffith made a break in the closing stages and Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw tried to come back, but her challenge was in vain as the Australian won in a meeting record of 8:24.20, 0.09 ahead of Amebaw in a race where the top six women finished inside 8:30.

In the closing event of the night, Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen was made to dive for the line to ensure a home victory for the Norwegian fans.

He controlled the pace in the second half, but still had 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot for company on the final lap. The Kenyan challenged the Norwegian down the home straight and appeared to have timed his kick to perfection, but Ingebrigtsen collapsed over the line to get the verdict in a world-leading 3:29.74, 0.03 ahead of Cheruiyot. The first 11 finishers all set either season’s or personal bests.

Lokedi, Kiplagat and Chepkirui Headline New York Mini 10K Run

Three Kenyans headlined by Boston Marathon second finisher Sharon Lokedi are among the top athletes entered for the 2024 New York Mini 10K set for Saturday, June 8.

Veteran and consistent Edna Kiplagat as well as Sheila Chepkirui, who finished second at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

The race also features four past champions, five Paris 2024 Olympians, and seven of the top 10 finishers from the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

Produced by the New York City-based nonprofit for more than five decades, the 52nd running of the event will also be competed by event-record holder and two-time race champion Senbere Teferi and two-time race champion Sara Hall, who will join the previously announced 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Marathon Team – Fiona O’Keeffe, Emily Sisson, and Dakotah Lindwurm – at the start line in Central Park.

Teferi, a two-time Olympian and two-time World Championships medalist from Ethiopia, has won the last two editions of the New York Mini 10K, breaking the event record in 2023 with a time of 30:12.

Also, in New York, she won 2019 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K and in her 2022 United Airlines NYC Half victory recorded the second-fastest time in the history of the event.

“I’m very happy to return to New York for the Mini, and I will try my best to win the race for a third time,” Teferi said. “It is such a special race because there is a bond that exists with thousands of women also running. Even though we are not related, I feel supported like we are all sisters in running.”

Hall is a 10-time U.S. national champion who won the New York Mini 10K in 2021 and 2022. Earlier this year, she finished fifth at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. She is also the former national record-holder in the half marathon and the only athlete in history to have won the New York Mini 10K, New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, and Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K in New York.

“It’s very cool that this year’s New York Mini 10K falls on the fifth anniversary of my first win at the race, and I can’t think of any place I’d rather be that weekend,” said Hall.

Munyao to exploit underdog status in hunt for Olympic title

London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao says he will exploit his underdog status in the hunt for the men’s marathon title at the Paris Olympic Games.

Two-time Olympic Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele are front runners.

The duo have won numerous championships and major marathons while Munyao only has last month's  London Marathon title to boast of. 

Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto will be the other Kenyan athlete in the race. But undaunted by the challenge, Munyao is determined to pull off a surprise in the French capital.

“I’m targeting nothing less than gold in Paris. I know Kipchoge will be chasing his third Olympic title and Kipruto is an equally serious contender but I’m ready for the challenge,” Munyao stated.

 The London Marathon London Marathon champion envisions a Kenyan sweep on the podium and expects the trio to push each other to victory. 

“A Kenya 1-2-3 finish is very possible. We’ll be pushing each other hard, and I believe Kenya will dominate in Paris,” he added.

Beyond winning gold, Munyao is keen to lower his personal best (PB). “I aim to reduce my PB to 2:01 or 2:02,” he added.

The 27-year-old  boasts a PB of 2:03:11 set in December 2023 during the Valencia Marathon, where he placed second.

Last week, the Ethiopian Athletics Federation announced its three male representatives for Paris, headlined by three-time Olympic track champion Bekele. He will team up with Valencia Marathon champion Sisay Lemma and Beijing Marathon champion Deresa Geleta.

Despite acknowledging the strength of the Ethiopian team, Munyao views his Kenyan compatriots as his main rivals.

“Ethiopia have a strong team no doubt but I don't see them posing any threat to us. I have run with Bekele and Lemma before and I know their techniques. However, I haven't run with Kipchoge or Kipruto before and that makes them more competitive unlike the Ethiopians,” he noted.

During his triumph in London last month, Munyao beat Bekele to the title, clocking 2:04:01 with Bekele, who was the pre-race favorite, settling for second place in 2:04:15.

At the 2023 Prague Marathon, Munyao clinched the title in 2:05:09, beating Lemma to second place in 2:06:51. Looking ahead to Paris, Munyao plans to stay with the leading pack and make his decisive move close to the finish. 

“My strategy will be simple! I have to stay with the leading pack and make my move a few kilometres to the finish as was the case in London,” Munyao noted.

However, Munyao tempered expectations for a new world record in Paris, citing the challenging nature of the course.

“I have not run the Paris course before but from what I have heard from athletes, it is a tough course. Breaking a world record there will not be easy. What will be important for us athletes is a medal,” he added.

Munyao resumed full training last week at Ngong Hills under the guidance of his coach Peter Muteti, running 30km daily.

“I resumed full training for the Olympics last week at Ngong Hills. I do 30km daily runs, 20km in the morning with light 10km runs in the evening,” he added.

Kibor and Melaku set to clash at the Stockholm Marathon

Two-time La Rochelle Marathon champion Marion Kibor will go head-to-head with Stockholm Marathon defending champion Sifan Melaku this Saturday (June 1) in a thrilling showdown in Sweden's capital.

Melaku claimed the title last year after clocking 2:30:44 in a race where she led an Ethiopian podium sweep. Compatriots Amente Sorome (2:33:31) and Yenenesh Dinkesa (2:35:44) placed second and third 

Kibor boasts a personal best (PB) of 2:22:35 set during last year’s Haspa Marathon, where she placed fifth.

The 30-year-old first seized the La Rochelle title in 2019 with a time of 2:29:51 and reclaimed it in 2022 with an impressive 2:25:15.

Her accolades also include a bronze in the Paris Half Marathon (1:06:46) and a silver at the 2022 Geneva Marathon (2:28:30).

Joining Kibor is Flomena Chepkiach, the Tunis Marathon champion, Lina Jepkemoi, the Linz Marathon silver medalist and Sarah Kiptoo, the 2014 Cleveland Marathon champion. 

Melaku will be flanked by her formidable Ethiopian teammates, last year’s runner-up Sorome and 2019 Leiden Marathon champion Zenebu Bihonegn.

In the men’s race, Fredrick Kibii, the 2023 Hannover Marathon bronze medalist, will lead the Kenyan charge. Kibii has a PB of 2:08:09 set in Hannover.

He will be supported by Robert Ngeno, Buenos Aires Marathon bronze medalist, who placed fourth at last year's Stockholm Marathon with a time of 2:13:52.

Also in the mix is Bernard Kipkorir, the 2020 Houston Half Marathon silver medalist. He has a PB of 2:07:18 from the 2021 Valencia Marathon where he finished in position 15.

Kipkorir has an impressive record in the half marathon including a title in the 2019 Istanbul Half Marathon (59:56) as well as silver medals during the 2019 Valencia (59:07) and Copenhagen (59:16) Half Marathons.

Rounding out the Kenyan squad are Kennedy Kipyeko, the La Rochelle Marathon champion with a PB of 2:10:49 and Abednego Cheruiyot, the 2022 Azpeitia Half Marathon bronze medalist.

Morocco’s Mohamed El Talhaoui will pose a significant challenge for the Kenyans. El Talhaoui, who has a PB of 2:08:03 from the Seville Marathon, is expected to be a strong contender.

Former Geneva marathon champion slapped with 7-year doping-ban for repeat offense

The Kenyan road runner was nabbed with prohibited substances in her system and will pay dearly for her second infraction.

The Athletics Integrity Unit has slapped Josephine Chepkoech with a seven-year ban for the the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone) from May 7, 2024.

Chepkoech’s results from February 18 this year have also been disqualified. The 2019 Geneva Marathon champion was provisionally suspended by the AIU on May 9, 2024, being served with a Notice of Allegation for violating Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 of its anti-doping regulations.

The AIU explained that on February 18, Chepkoech provided a urine sample during her competition at the Seville Marathon where she finished second in the race and after her urine was tested, it was found to have substances banned by the World Athletics Anti-doping Agency.

It was further noted that the athlete was not exempted from the use of the substance, popularly known as the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

The athlete accepted the ruling but this was the second time she had found herself on the wrong side of the law, having violated the anti-doping rules. She had previously served a period of ineligibility for two years from 2015 to 2017.

The athlete was required to serve a ban of eight years but after she accepted the ruling and responded in good time, she will serve the ban for seven years.

Meanwhile, Chepkoech made her marathon debut in 2018 at the Nairobi Marathon, dominating the women's race and winning in a time of 2:33:11. Last season, she competed in the Chengdu Marathon and ended up finishing fifth.

She has enjoyed a great marathon running career after her debut, where she finished second in both the 2019 Sydney Marathon and Zurich Marathon. In 2020, she finished fourth in the Zurich Marathon before her two marathons in 2023 and 2024.

Okpekpe 10km Race: Kenyans Dominate Race

Though no new record was set at the 10th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race on Saturday, but expectedly Kenyan Men and women dominated the race that was held in Okpekpe town, near Auchi in Edo state.

In the men, Kenyan  Pingua Zak ayo Edward returned a time of 29.31 minutes to win the top price of $15,000, while his compatriot, Isaac Kimpemboi placed second in 29.36 minutes and won $8,000. Alex Olotiptip placed third in 29.37 minutes to cart home $5,000.

The women event was dominated by the Kenyans. Gladys Kwanbuka blaize the trail in 33.05 minutes with Regina Wambui second in 33.38 minutes, while Sheila Cherotick placed third in 34.27 minutes. 

The women won the same price money as their male counterparts.

In the Nigerian category, Francis James Musa won in 30.46 minutes and won half a million Naira as price money with Israel Sadjo, the defending champion, placing second in 31.51 minutes and won N300,000. Dung Elijah Emmanuel was third in 32.20 minutes to cart home N200,000.

The Nigerian women were led by Patience Daylop Mwavwang, who successfully defended her title in 37.07 minutes. Yilmunen Nicholas Gokun placed second in 37.23 minutes while Blessing Shambo Solomon placed third in 37.28 minutes.

Josh Kerr beats 39-year-old British mile record and rival Ingebrigtsen in Eugene

Josh Kerr smashed Steve Cram’s 39-year-old British record to claim victory in the mile race at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon. The Scottish runner won a highly anticipated showdown with his Norwegian rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen thanks to a remarkable world-leading run of 3min 45.34sec.

Cram, who was commentating on the race for the BBC, had held the British record since 1985 with a time of 3:46.32.

The Olympic 1500m champion, Ingebrigtsen, who was stunned by Kerr in that event at last year’s world championships in Budapest, finished second, with the Britons Neil Gourley and Jake Wightman in fourth and fifth respectively.

Earlier, Keely Hodgkinson produced a dominant display to win the women’s 800m. The 22-year-old clocked a world-leading time of one minute 55.78 secs, while compatriot Jemma Reekie was third – behind Kenyan Mary Moraa – in a time of 1min 57.45sec.

Sha’Carri Richardson, the world champion won in her first women’s 100m of the Olympic year in a time of 10.83sec ahead of St Lucia’s Julien Alfred (10.93) and Dina Asher-Smith, whose time of 10.98 was a season best for the Briton.

Laura Muir continued preparations for this summer’s Olympics in Paris with fourth place in the women’s 1500m in a season’s best 3min 56.35sec. The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist said: “I want to be in the best shape I can for August, so it’s a step towards that to run 56 [seconds] in May. It’s very promising.”

Elsewhere, Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet set a new world record of 28min 54.14sec to win the women’s 10,000m. Chebet bested the previous record of 29.01.03 set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey at FBK Stadium in the Netherlands on 8 June 2021.Chebet finished ahead of Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, who finished in 29min 5.92sec in cloudy and cool temperatures. Chebet started to pull away with three laps to go, then poured herself into the final lap. “My body was responding good and I felt strong,” she said. “I felt like I was very comfortable.”

It was her first 10,000m race since 2020, in Nairobi. Chebet, 24, won the silver medal at the 5,000m at the world championships at Hayward Field in 2022. She won the bronze in the event at the worlds last year.

The finish qualified her for her first Olympics this summer in Paris. She said she hopes to double in the 5,000m and 10,000m. “But my target is to run 5,000m first, then 10,000m comes second,” she said. “Because this is my first 10,000m outside the country to run, and I’m so happy to run 28, a world record.”

The Prefontaine Classic is the lone American stop on the international Diamond League series.

Beatrice Chebet broke the women’s 10,000m world record at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday

Kenyan Beatrice Chebet broke the women’s 10,000m world record at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday.

Chebet, 24, clocked 28 minutes, 54.15 seconds at Hayward Field in her first 10,000m race since March 2020.

She became the first woman to break 29 minutes in the event, beating Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey’s previous world record of 29:01.03 from 2021.

Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay placed second on Saturday in 29:05.92, the third-fastest time in history.

Mile clash the big attraction in Eugene

Going strictly by time, the Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday (25) is one of the fastest races in the meeting’s 49-year history.

Add in the storylines, and it’s one of the most anticipated, too.

Featuring seven men with lifetime bests faster than 3:50, Olympic and world championship gold medallists, world record-holders and rivals whose banter has preceded the matchup for months, the mile caps a Wanda Diamond League meeting at Hayward Field whose potential for world-leading marks extends far beyond its final event.

Consider, for one, the women’s 800m, and the early window it will open into this summer’s Olympics. The field includes six of the eight competitors from last year’s World Championships final in Budapest, including gold medallist Mary Moraa and silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson. Notably absent will be bronze medallist Athing Mu, the Olympic champion, who was initially scheduled to race but has been withdrawn out of precaution because of a sore hamstring.

Raevyn Rogers, the 2019 world silver medallist whose image adorns a tower standing high above Hayward Field, also is entered, along with Jemma Reekie, Nia Akins and Halimah Nakaayi, who is coming off a victory at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix.

World champion Sha’Carri Richardson and Elaine Thompson-Herah headline the women’s 100m, along with world indoor 60m champion Julien Alfred and Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, while world indoor 60m champion Christian Coleman and Ackeem Blake are among the fastest entered in the men's 100m.

Perhaps the most dominant athlete entering the meeting is Grant Holloway, the world 110m hurdles champion who has won all 10 races he has contested this year, including the indoor season and heats. That also includes running a world-leading 13.07 into a headwind to win in Atlanta last weekend.

The three-time world champion's last loss came on the very same Hayward Field track, at last September’s Prefontaine Classic. The only remaining gap on Holloway’s resume is an Olympic gold medal, and Saturday’s race could be an early preview of Paris, as the field includes five who raced in last summer’s World Championships final in Budapest, including silver medallist Hansle Parchment and Daniel Roberts, who earned bronze.

Shot put world record-holder and multiple world and Olympic champion Ryan Crouser will open his outdoor season in his home state and at the stadium where he owns the facility record, while trying to best Leonardo Fabbri’s world-leading mark of 22.95m.

Since 2023, Crouser has lost in just one final – and it was at September’s Prefontaine Classic to Joe Kovacs, who won in Los Angeles last weekend with 22.93m, and is entered again. Payton Otterdahl, who owns the world No.3 mark this year, also is in the field.

Those events offer no shortage of global medallists. Few, however, carry the prospect for as much drama as the mile.

Over the past year, Olympic 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr, who outkicked Ingebrigtsen for last year’s world title in Budapest, have carried on a battle of words through the press about who could prevail in Paris.

Commonwealth champion Olli Hoare, who is part of the field following his 1500m win in Los Angeles last week, said the sport was better for the attention drawn by the back-and-forth between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr – but added that other racers wanted to strike the appropriate level of respect for their competitors, such as Yared Nuguse, whose PB of 3:43.97 was set battling Ingebrigtsen (4:43.73) down to the line at September’s Pre Classic.

“This is a big one. This is going to be a big one for a lot of egos,” Hoare said in Los Angeles. “But I think it’s going to be a big one for me because it’ll be the first race where I’ll have an inkling of where I am with the world’s best. There’s a bit of tossing and turning with the banter but you can’t disrespect that field. If you do, you’ll get eaten alive.”

That list of seven men under 3:50, which includes Hoare, notably doesn’t include Jake Wightman, who will be racing Ingebrigtsen for the first time since their duel at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, when Wightman won gold; Abel Kipsang, who was fourth at the Tokyo Olympics; Geordie Beamish, less than three months after he stormed to the world indoor title; or Lamecha Girma, the steeplechase world record-holder who is making his mile debut.

“Jake Wightman’s back, he’s a world champion,” Hoare said. “Yared Nuguse, 3:43 mile – these guys are keeping quiet and they’re going to wait for their opportunity to strike. And when they do strike, I guarantee they will make a comment.”

They are not the only accomplished names entered in the distances.

Athletics Kenya will determine its men's and women's Olympic 10,000m qualifiers at Hayward Field, with Kenya's two-time world cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet, the world leader at 5000m this season, part of a women's race that will include world champion Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, eight months after Tsegay set the world 5000m record on the same track.

World record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech will attempt to retain her controlling hold over the steeplechase when she races top challenger Faith Cherotich. The Kenyan duo produced the two fastest times in the world this year at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, which Chepkoech won in 8:55.40 to Cherotich’s 9:05.91. Olympic silver medallist Courtney Frerichs will no longer run after injuring the ACL and meniscus in her right knee.

One week after winning in Los Angeles, Diribe Welteji leads the 1500m field that includes 13 women who have run under four minutes. World indoor 3000m champion Elle St Pierre, who won the 5000m in Los Angeles, is running her first 1500m of the season, with Laura Muir, Nikki Hiltz, Jessica Hull, Hirut Meshesha and Cory McGee also entered.

Multiple world and Olympic gold medallist Sifan Hassan, as well as world No.2 Ejgayehu Taye, will feature in the 5000m.

In the field, world and Olympic pole vault champion Katie Moon opens her outdoor season against Sandi Morris, and in the triple jump four of the top five women this season are entered, led by Thea LaFond, whose 15.01m jump to win the world indoor title in Glasgow still stands as the mark to beat.

Olympic discus champion Valarie Allman has not lost in Eugene in two years, a run that includes claiming September’s Diamond League final. That could change on Saturday because of the presence of world leader Yaime Perez, who finished second to Allman in Xiamen last month.

In the men’s 200m, top US sprinters who will duel at the Olympic trials only weeks later will face off. Kenny Bednarek, fresh off a world-leading 19.67 in Doha, is scheduled to race against world No.2 Courtney Lindsey (19.71), with world silver medallist Erriyon Knighton making his season debut. Joe Fahnbulleh and Kyree King, winner of the Los Angeles Grand Prix 100m, are also entered.

Another winner in Los Angeles, Rai Benjamin, headlines the men’s 400m hurdles, and he enters with considerable confidence after running 46.64, the ninth-fastest performance of all time.

“I think I’m the fastest guy in the field, honestly,” Benjamin said of potential Olympic chances.

The women’s 100m hurdles and women’s hammer will not count towards Diamond League points totals, but will be more potential previews for global championships.

Women who account for five of the year’s six fastest times, all of whom are separated by fractions of a second, will face off in the hurdles. Tonea Marshall, fresh off her victory in Los Angeles in 12.42, leads 2019 world champion Nia Ali, Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, two-time world champion Danielle Williams and world indoor champion Devynne Charlton.

Brooke Andersen’s 79.92m throw from earlier this month remains the world-leading hammer mark this season but she will be challenged by world champion Camryn Rogers, 2019 world champion DeAnna Price and world silver medallist Janee’ Kassanavoid, who own the next three farthest throws this season.

Anyango confident of making the cut in women's 10,000m in Oregon

Valencia 10km Road Race silver medalist Immaculate Anyango is setting her sights on securing a spot in the women’s 10,000m team for a maiden appearance at the Paris Olympic Games.

With the Kenyan 10,000m teams (men and women) selection scheduled for May 25 in Oregon, USA, during the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League, Anyango is eager to showcase her prowess.

"I'll be heading to the Olympics Trials this week in Oregon. My goal is crystal clear: earn my place to represent Kenya in Paris," Anyango declared.

The Olympic qualifying mark for the women’s 10,000m is 30:40.00 whereas  Anyango boasts a personal best (PB) of 32:51.58 set at the  Fernanda Ribeiro Gala in Maia, Portugal.

Anyango is confident in her ability to meet the Olympic standard in Oregon. She said her mission now is to realise her dream of competing at the global extravaganza.

 "Making it to the Olympics is my ultimate goal. While the challenge of hitting the mark is real, my determination will drive me to succeed," she emphasised.

Acknowledging the tough competition in the women’s 10,000m field, Anyango remains cautious, admitting that, "The competition among female athletes in the 10,000m will be tough. It's going to be a demanding race."

However, she believes her meticulous preparations and participation in key races this year will give her an edge in the USA.

“My preparations are going on well. I have taken part in a couple of races this year and they have been crucial as far as my endurance and speed work are concerned,” she stated.

Anyango kicked off the year with a strong performance in January at the Valencia 10km Road Race, clocking 28:57 to secure the runner-up spot. Agnes Ngetich clocked 28:46 to obliterate the women’s 10km record.

She later went on to clinch the title at the Sirikwa Classic cross-country tour clocking 32:55.

Anyango also made the Kenya team to the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia in March but finished outside the podium in position four (31:24).

The results, however, did not dampen her spirits as she went on to clinch silver at the Boston 5km Road Race in April clocking 14:59 behind Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay (14:45).

She also won another silver medal the same month in the Bengaluru, India 10km Road Race clocking 31:16 behind Lilian Kasait (30:56).

Recognised for her achievements, Anyango was awarded the LG/SJAK  Personality of the Month for February after her victory at the Sirikwa Classic.

She sees this accolade as a significant motivation as she prepares for the Olympic Trials in Oregon, stating, "The award will fuel my motivation as I gear up for the Olympic trials."

Why Lokedi is the next big thing in marathon running

The 2022 New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi has every reason to stroll the streets with her chin up.

Lokedi, 30, is among the celebrated Kenyan athletes selected by Athletics Kenya for this year's Olympic Games in Paris, France.

She was named as a reserve athlete in the stellar roster of four female Kenyan marathoners tasked with flying the nation's flag in the French capital.

Lokedi was named alongside Tokyo 2020 Olympics marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri and Olympic silver medalist Brigid Kosgei.

The older daughter of Jonathan and Rose Lokedi, Sharon has three younger siblings Ceddellah Chelimo, Lince Cheptoo and Mercy Chemutai.

Born on March 10, 1994, Lokedi began to hone her skills at Kapkenda Girls’ School, where she set records in the 3000m and 5000m races yet to be broken to date.

So good was she that in 2013, she scooped the school's Athlete of the Year gong.

Upon completing high school,  she was recruited to the University of Kansas (KU), where she studied nursing and business.

She began competing first in collegiate track and cross country in 2015. Lokedi's desire to travel overseas for college began in high school.

It took her some time to think about it, deciding whether to stay in Kenya with her family or travel to the so-called land of milk and honey.

"I was encouraged to try it by a friend of mine who had applied to study in the United States," Lokedi said. 

 "When I saw images of people in America, I knew it was my dream and was determined to go there," she added.

Meanwhile, Lokedi was unsure if she wanted to continue with athletics and even at some point considered dumping the sport to concentrate on her studies. 

 However, the passion she had already developed for athletics drove her back to the sport. She began attending training with sights firmly set on a collegiate athletic career in the USA.

"Running is ingrained in you when you're accustomed to it, so you want to keep doing it," Lokedi stated.

"I was disappointed that I wasn't running and I knew I needed to return to my favourite activity.

"With her mind already set on pursuing an education abroad, Lokedi rummaged through online platforms to identify an appropriate institution online.

"I was unsure about the precise institution I should join. I would go online, go through images and try to get a sense of the various academic offerings and running programmes that each school had to offer. Ultimately, there was simply something peculiar about Kansas. She would exchange emails and make multiple phone conversations with the coaches."

She added: "The instructors were pleasant. They would inquire about my training regimen and follow up with me to see how I was doing. It was obvious that you could relate to these people on a deep level.

"In the meanwhile, her friends alerted her to Kansas' chilly weather. "People would occasionally comment on how chilly the US was, but I had already made up my mind. I had never seen snow before since Kenya doesn't have a winter. It was January and chilly when I arrived."

She needed some time to get used to the Midwest's erratic weather.

"One day, it was so sunny outside that I forgot to put on my gloves when we went to practice in the morning. But I was unable to use my hands at all once I stopped jogging. I attempted to reheat them but was unsuccessful. I broke down in tears and felt like travelling back home. I eventually got used to it," she said. 

 Her trip to Kansas was fraught with difficulties. She flew from Nairobi to Chicago hoping to catch a flight to Kansas City only to arrive when the plane had already left and was forced to spend the night in the airport.

"I had nothing at all, not even a phone. All night long, I sat there in the airport. I didn't even know what time it was, so I couldn't sleep. I merely stayed there and waited as soon as I arrived at my gate. I was unable to make a phone call to my parents or even get a snack.

"I had money, but I had no idea how to pay for it because I didn't understand how the US dollar operated. A further reason I didn't want to go anywhere was my fear of getting lost. I simply waited there until around eight in the morning, when my jet was scheduled to take off. It was horrible."

Eventually, she was received by KU assistant coach Michael Whittlesey. "Since I didn't have a phone, I was concerned that when I arrived, no one would be there to greet me," Lokedi said.

However, he was waiting for me when I arrived at the airport, and we then took a car to Lawrence.

Another issue she had to cope with was getting used to the food in her new nation.

"When I first came here, I didn't know what anything was, so I couldn't eat," she remarked.

"I used to go to the cafeteria and just gaze around. Everything appeared so different, and I was at a loss for what to do.

"With the assistance of her teammates and coaches, Lokedi took small steps toward acclimatising to her new environment. Thankfully, senior cross-country runner Daniel Koech, a fellow Kenyan, was there to provide her with the assistance she needed.

“Daniel did a lot for me. He was the one who helped me get a phone, or sometimes I would use his phone to call because he already knew how to dial home. He helped me get used to things here and he would also translate.

"It was challenging because my limited command of English made it difficult for me to communicate. While we did study English in high school, we didn't use it very often.

"Sometimes I would hear someone say something and then I would go ask him what they said. He was really pleasant and a great assistant. After class, we continued speaking in our mother tongue."

After enduring a comparable shift, Koech was determined to ensure that Lokedi wouldn't have to confront any obstacles on his own.

Lokedi acknowledges her teammates for encouraging her to realise her greatest potential as well. She has reached unprecedented heights, thanks to her unwavering energy.

Lokedi is on the market for more awards, even though she has plenty of them already to adorn her trophy cabinet. 

 "Those are the things that inspire me. When I practice every day, I consider what I want to achieve. I have a goal to accomplish. I want to perform better than I did previously."

She wants to improve other people's lives with her university education to uplift her community.

"Even though I am from a small, impoverished town, I am sure if I go back there with my community health major, I will work to make things better and assist people.

"I can educate them on topics such as their health and other unfamiliar yet important information."  

She reckons that her accomplishment will inspire budding athletes to pursue their dreams in life.

“It’s been so fun in the US and I enjoy every bit of it. I have three younger sisters in high school and it’s something I want to motivate other people to do.  "I've had a great time in the US and I love every aspect of it.

" I wish to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of my three younger sisters who are currently enrolled in high school.  

A third-place showing at the NCAA Midwest Regional and a 10th-place showing at the NCAA Championships highlighted her stellar freshman career, which also set a record for the highest individual finish by a KU female in the national championship meet. 

 She emerged as KU's lead female runner in all nine meets of her collegiate career where she placed in the top 10 in eight of the nine competitions. 

 "I won the 10,000m at the 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships."

Lokedi has been a 10-time All-American & 12-time Big 12 champion, as of March 2019.

Nike responds to controversial Paris Olympics kits for Team Kenya and USA

The brains behind the Paris 2024 Olympics Nike kits have explained the reasons behind the designs that generated mixed reactions from Kenyans and Americans.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Nike kits for team Kenya and USA elicited mixed reactions from fans who were worried about the color and too much exposure among other aspects.

Nike unveiled the kits during the "On Air" event where world 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson, two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, double world record holder Faith Kipyegon among other athletes were used as models.

However, what people did not know is that Nike has been preparing for the Olympic Games for a few years (since before the pandemic). As reported by Fashionista, they were focusing on fine-tuning features like Dri-Fit and Air for even better performance, testing items over Zoom.

"You need diversity in your pool. You need a certain amount of playing hours, time and intensity in these projects, but you also need the voice of an everyday athlete," Kathy Gomez, Nike's vice president of footwear innovation told Fashionista.

“Testing is a very intimate experience, getting to know them and understanding their data but also understanding them. We do everything to make the athlete feel like they're part of the process."

She added that Nike also uses stats from the sports research labs, taking results from a group of marathoners to optimize a digital prototype for running miles on end, before creating samples.

"Data is the new design. It allows us to amplify the benefits we deliver, whether it's compression or breathability or weight," Vice President of Apparel Innovation Janett Nichol said.

“To make a garment, we don't have to cut it into several pieces and then put all those elements together. We're able to put data through a digital computational system, and everything comes out."

Speaking about basketball, Gomez added: “If you think about efficiency in basketball, it's about holding your foot in. Containment in all directions plus comfort are two things that can be opposing.

"Being able to get containment that locks you in but doesn't feel like it's too tight comes from obsessing over the details.”

Nike’s Olympics preparation is mainly focused on refinement, and some sports have offered more room for experimentation.

Meanwhile, Nike did get some backlash after "On Air” with critics sharing their opinion. In response to the former, a Nike spokesperson said there are almost 50 unique competition styles to choose from, meaning athletes won't have to compete in the skimpiest clothing if they don't want to.

"For a sport like track and field, a sprinter may have very different needs than a javelin thrower, so our collection includes a dozen competition styles fine-tuned for specific events to ensure athletes can choose outfits that match their style and personal preference without sacrificing comfort," he said.

“We also have a range of bottoms for athletes to choose from offering full to less coverage. Ultimately, the best kits ensure that athletes can perform at their best without being distracted by their apparel, helping them stay focused on the world stage."

Moroccan star Soufiane El Bakkali out to deny Kenyans steeplechase title at Paris 2024 Olympics

Serial steeplechaser Soufiane El Bakkali is looking to make it difficult for Team Kenya to reclaim the steeplechase title at this year's Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Reigning Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali is out to ensure that Kenyans have a hard time reclaiming the steeplechase title following his recent declaration.

Kenya have been dominant in the steeplechase for years, and since they took the title during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, they managed to keep the title until the Moroccan took it during the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

He took the title from Conseslus Kipruto who had won it during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the Kenyan charge will be hoping to reclaim the title when they go for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

However, El Bakkali, the reigning world champion, has been a nightmare to the Kenyans and does not look at stopping the tormenting anytime soon.

After his triumph at the Diamond League Meeting in Rabat, the Moroccan superstar declared war on Kenyans, noting that he is going to train hard and reclaim his title at the Olympics.

“I'm so happy for winning in front of my supporters as winning at home has always a different taste. I would like to thank my parents, my coach, and the Moroccan federation for their support throughout the moment of my injury. I will start my preparation for the Olympic games where my goal is to keep my title,” Bakkali said after the race.

The serial steeplechaser noted that he had suffered an injury setback at the start of the season that prevented him from competing many events but he was glad to have won the race upon his return.

“As I stated yesterday in the press conference, I suffered from an injury which stopped me from participating in many events.

“This year is very important for me but the injury came at a very bad time. I was hesitating to participate today but I eventually decided with my coach to run,” he said.

Kenyan runner Judy Jelagat Kemboi set a new course record for the women’s half marathon at the Riga Marathon

On Sunday, May 19th, Kenyan runner Judy Jelagat Kemboi set a new course record for the women’s half marathon at the Rimi Riga Marathon, finishing in one hour, seven minutes, and 13 seconds (1:07:13). Kemboi improved the previous record set last year by her compatriot, Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, by 12 seconds (1:07:25).

With her victory in Riga, Kemboi confirmed her status as the pre-race favorite, having the best personal record among the participants. Kemboi’s result in Riga is the 26th best in the world for 2024.

Ethiopian Dibabe Beyene Debela finished second with a time of 1:09:53, while Kenyan Agnes Keino claimed the bronze medal, finishing in 1:10:33.

In the men’s competition, Kenyan Samwel Nyamai Mailu took first place, finishing in one hour and 21 seconds (1:00:21). Mailu, who won a bronze medal at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga last year, achieved the 39th-best result in the world this year for the half marathon distance.

He was followed by fellow Kenyan Collins Kipkurui Kipkorir, who finished in 1:00:47, while another Kenyan, Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei, took third place with a time of 1:01:57.

Former Boston Marathon champion finally receives prize money from a stranger after 10-year wait

The 2014 Boston Marathon winner Buzunesh Deba has finally her received prize money from a stranger after waiting for 10 years following Kenyan Rita Jeptoo's doping ban.

At the 2014 Boston Marathon, Ethiopian distance runner Buzunesh Deba gave her all and settled for second place with Rita Jeptoo wining the race in style.

However, in 2016, Jeptoo, the winner of the marathon, was disqualified by the Athletics Integrity Unit over a doping offense and Deba was now crowned champion but without being paid the prize money she deserved.

She has waited for 10 years, patiently, to receive her money and it was finally given to her, not by the race organizers, but by a stranger.

The race organizers insisted that they gave Jeptoo all the money, the $75,000 for winning the race and an extra $25,000 for setting the course record, an amount they never got back from her following her doping offense.

"She took my chance. I lose so many things. I thought everything is to change after I hear the news, but nothing,” Deba lamented last month, as quoted by CBS News.

However, someone, whom she claims to not know, decided to heal her wound and grant her the prize money. As reported by CBS News, Doug Guyer, a Boston College graduate and a businessman in the Philadelphia area, read about Deba's story in the Wall Street Journal and decided to offer her the money.

The Boston Marathon fan decided he would pay her out of his own pocket and he actually did it by sending Deba a cheque for $75,000 as he also considered paying her the remaining $25,000.

Following the news, the Boston Athletic Association explained that they are still in the process of recovering the prize money from Jeptoo.

In a statement, they said: “The Boston Athletic Association stands for clean sport and fair competition. Following the ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the B.A.A. began pursuit of reclaiming prize money awards from Rita Jeptoo.

“As the matter is still ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time. We are in the process of attempting to recover the prize money awarded to Ms Jeptoo, so that it can be repaid to Ms Deba.

“While we believe that Ms Deba is due the prize money as she is the rightful winner of the 2014 women's race, there are policies held by World Athletics and supported by World Marathon Majors that we, along with the other members of the organization, follow.

“The B.A.A is still pursuing Ms Jeptoo to recover the prize money for Ms Deba, which the B.A.A. believes would be a just and fair result for her and all runners who follow the rules. As this matter is still ongoing, we are not able to comment further at this time.”

Ebenyo Laments Injury Has Stopped Him from Defending Okpekpe Road Race Title

Kenyan athlete Daniel Ebenyo has expressed sadness over how injury has stopped him from becoming the first man to successfully defend an Okpekpe 10km International Road Race title.

The Kenyan top runner is also lamenting his inability to be the first man to break 28 minutes at the race after setting a 28:28 course record in 2023.

The 28-year-old won the men’s title last year and had promise to return to Nigeria this year but an injury he sustained in training means he will not be in Okpekpe to defend his title.

“I had a dream to be the first man to defend my title and and run another course record but definitely I can’t again,” wrote the Kenyan in a message to the Okpekpe race media.

Ebenyo, like the good sportsman that he is, is wishing the athletes who will compete for honors this year all the best.

“I am  hereby wishing all the runners all the best and may the best athlete win,” said  the  defending champion.

Ebenyo also has nice words for the organizers of the world-class, gold label 10km road race.

“Okpekpe is always a bridge and a mother to all races in Africa. God bless Okpekpe and God bless the organizer of the race. See you next year,” wrote Ebenyo who made the podium at both the World Athletics Championships in Budapest and World Athletics Road Running championships in Riga after emerging Okpekpe race champion last year.

This year’s race is the 10th in the series and organizers have assured of another world-class event come May 25 in Okpekpe in Edo State of Nigeria.

The race is the first road race in Nigeria to have its course measured by a World Athletics’ certified measurer  and the first in West Africa to be  granted label status to depicts its world-class status.

Strong world class elite field competing in Riga marathon this weekend

This weekend, the Rimi Riga Marathon will host world-class running stars who have stood atop the podium at prestigious marathons in Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Doha, Vienna, Hamburg, Dubai, Seville, and other prestigious events. The biggest competition for a spot on the podium this year is expected in the half marathon, where an especially strong field of runners will compete on the same course where world champions in the half marathon were crowned last October.

An intense battle is also anticipated among Latvia’s leading runners, who will compete not only for the Latvian championship medals in the road mile and the marathon, but also for high-quality results in the 5km and 10km distances. Because of the strong lineup of participants, we anticipate that in several distances we’ll see the Rimi Riga Marathon course records, and possibly even Latvian records, broken.

The Rimi Riga Marathon, the Baltic’s most magnificent mass sports event, on May 18 and 19, will not only bring together over 30,000 running enthusiasts from nearly 100 countries worldwide but also top elite runners from Latvia and around the globe.

FOREIGN FAVORITES IN THE HALF MARATHON WILL AIM TO BREAK THE RIMI RIGA MARATHON COURSE RECORDS

The most intense competition is expected in the half marathon at the Rimi Riga Marathon, where participants will attempt to surpass the time of 59:10 set by Sebastian Sawe, the winner of the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga last October. In the men’s elite competition, several accomplished Kenyan runners will compete this year, including last year’s World Athletics Road Running Championships bronze medalist Samwel Nyamai Mailu, Solomon Kipchoge, who ran under one hour – 59:37 in 2023, and Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei who triumphed in the Milan Marathon in April this year and holds a half marathon personal best of 59:44 set back in 2022.

Among the international elite women in the half marathon, there are also several representatives from Kenya and Ethiopia. Among them, Judy Jelagat Kemboi, a Kenyan runner who set an impressive personal best in the half marathon on May 5 this year – 65:45, clinching victory in the Geneva Half Marathon. She will face competition from her compatriots – Valary Jemeli (personal best of 66:14 set in 2019), who triumphed in the Doha Marathon this February, and Gladys Jemaiyo, who set her best time of 68:18 in 2022. On the course, we’ll also have the opportunity to see Ethiopian Gebru Azmera Hagos, whose personal record in the half marathon from 2017 stands at 70:40.

To break the records of the half marathon course, which belong to the Kenyan Sebastian Sawe (59:10) and the acclaimed Kenyan runner and the reigning Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir (67:25) since the World Athletics Road Running Championships 2023 in Riga, organizers encourage Riga residents and visitors to actively support the leaders on the streets of Riga on the morning of May 19.

ON THE MARATHON COURSE, THE LATVIAN CHAMPIONS WILL BE DETERMINED

Determined to become the Latvian marathon champion this year is Dmitrijs Serjogins, the national record holder in the half marathon and the holder of the highest marathon personal best among Latvians. Also lining up at the starting line will be the podium finishers of the Latvian Marathon championship 2023 – the reigning champion Aleksandrs Raščevskis, vice-champion Renārs Roze, and bronze medalist Kristaps Vējš-Āboliņš.

In the marathon course, several strong foreign runners have also registered, including the Kenyan Rodgers Maiyo, who boasts an impressive personal record in the half marathon – 61:56 (2015), and multiple-time Georgian champion and holder of the national record Davit Kharzishvili (2:11:46, 2023), both of whom will be aiming to be the first to cross the finish line in Riga.

In the women’s competition, for the Latvian championship medals will compete last year’s medalists – Amanda Krūmiņa, who won the gold medal, Anna Kļučņika, who secured the silver, and one of the holders of the all-time highest marathon results and the 2023 bronze medalist, Anita Siliņa (PB 2:39:57, 2014).

Worth remembering is that the Rimi Riga Marathon record holder for men is the Ethiopian Andualem Belay Shiferaw, who won in 2019 with a time of 2:08:51. However, in the women’s marathon Ethiopian Birke Debele Beyene’s time remains unbeaten from 2019 – 2:26:22. Meanwhile, the fastest Latvian runner results in the Rimi Riga Marathon are the Latvian record set by Valērijs Žolnerovičs in 2017 with a time of 2:14:24, and the 2:40:23 result set by Ariana Hilborn in 2015.

Kipruto excited to run side by side with legendary Kipchoge

The 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto reckons he has polished his act satisfactorily to reap immensely at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Kipruto emphatically stated his desire to light up the French capital with a sublime performance. 

“I’m looking forward to competing in the Paris Games. Being named to the team is a great privilege and I cherish the rare chance to represent the country in the Olympics,” Kipruto stated.

“I’m ready to fight bravely for my country. I believe I’m in good shape and ready to make the nation proud in Paris,” he added.

Kipruto said the thought of being on the same team as his role model Eliud Kipchoge fascinates him a lot, adding that the double Olympic champion has always been his key source of inspiration.

The duo mske up the quintet of Kenyan male marathoners tasked with flying the country’s flag at the quadrennial global multisport showpiece set for July 26 to August 11.

Kipruto tipped Kipchoge to spearhead Kenya’s lofty hunt for a podium sweep but vowed to give him a run for his money.

“He is a brilliant athlete, one who has always inspired me a great deal. I desire to be as great as him and step into his shoes once he calls time on his career,” Kipruto remarked.

Kipruto reiterated an earlier call made by his teammates for a concerted effort, pointing out it was the only way to ensure a podium sweep.

“I believe in the strength of team effort. Away from competition, we train together reside in the same camp, and interact like a family. I don’t see what should prevent us from going for an Olympic as a team,” Kipruto stated.

He said they would do away with their pre-race favourites tag to stave off complacency, adding that it would be tactically suicidal to underrate their opponents.

Kenya will be defending the title that Kipchoge stashed away at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan and Kipruto has tipped the nation to replicate the feat in the French capital.

“We can’t afford to head to the competition with a superior mentality. I’ll appreciate that we have a solid team but we should be careful not to take our opponents for granted,” Kipruto said. “Marathon is a tricky venture and anything is bound to happen in competition,” he added.

Kipruto heads to the Games buoyed by impressive credentials as the winner of the Boston Marathon in 2021, the Chicago Marathon in 2022, and the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year.

Faith Kipyegon withdraws from Prefontaine Classic amidst injury concerns

Two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon unexpectedly withdraws from Prefontaine Classic.

Two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon has made an unexpected withdrawal from the Eugene Diamond League commonly known as the Prefontaine Classic.

Scheduled to compete in the 5,000m on Friday May 24 Kipyegon’s departure comes as a sudden pivot in her preparation for the upcoming Paris Games.

The Kenyan middle-distance star expressed her decision through a heartfelt announcement.

 "I’ve been building in a great way during the past months for a beautiful season ahead. Some weeks back I got a small muscle problem that was handled well," Kipyegon revealed. 

Despite the setback, she confirmed her continued dedication to her training regime. 

"I’m now back in full training, focusing to start my season in four weeks' time at the Kenyan Trials for the Olympic Games," she added.

The anticipation for Kipyegon at the Prefontaine Classic was high, especially given her stellar track record and her history with the event.

"I saw my name announced for @preclassic, it’s one of the greatest competitions in the circuit and I plan to compete there again in 2025," Kipyegon stated.

Kipyegon’s decision is particularly poignant as it follows her world record-breaking performance in Paris last June where she clocked an astonishing 14:05.20 in the 5,000m.

Unfortunately, this record fell outside the Olympics qualification window, necessitating another qualifying run to secure her spot for Paris. 

The qualifying standard for the 5,000m is set at 14:52.00, a mark Kipyegon has previously surpassed but must achieve again within the designated window from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

The 2023 season saw Kipyegon ascend to new heights in athletics, breaking three world records across various distances. 

Starting with the 1,500m in Florence, she continued her record-setting spree in Paris before topping the one-mile world record at the Monaco Diamond League. 

Her victories at the World Championships in Budapest, where she clinched gold in both the 1,500m and 5,000m, further cemented her dominance in middle-distance running.

However, her 5,000m world record was short-lived, as Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay surpassed it at the Prefontaine Classic in September with a time of 14:00.21.

Eugene, the host city for the Prefontaine Classic, holds a special place in Kipyegon’s career. It was here she won her second world title in the 1,500m in 2022 and secured last season’s Diamond League Trophy over the same distance. 

Her withdrawal not only impacts her preparations for Paris but also leaves her fans and fellow competitors in a state of surprise and anticipation for her next move.

Kenyan Alex Nzioka Matata wins the Bucharest Half Marathon

Kenyan Alex Nzioka Matata won the Bucharest Half Marathon held last Sunday, May 12, with a time of one hour, one minute, and four seconds.

Second place was taken by another Kenyan, Chebor Elvis Tabarach, with a time of one hour, four minutes, and three seconds, while third place went to another Kenyan athlete, Kibet Bismark Langat, with a time of one hour, four minutes, and 10 seconds, according to News.ro.

The first Romanian in the ranking was Leonard Mitrică, finishing in fifth place, followed by Alexandru Corneschi, who placed sixth.

The former finished in one hour, seven minutes, and four seconds, while the latter finished in one hour, seven minutes, and 56 seconds. 

In the women's category, the first in the ranking was Rabecca Chepkwemoi from Kenya, who finished the race in one hour, 12 minutes, and nine seconds.

Kenyans outsprint locals and the rest in yet another Absa Run Your City race

Kenya’s Vincent Langat and Diana Chepkorir made it two wins in as many Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K Series starts when they crossed the finish line first in the men’s and women’s races, respectively, in Sunday’s race in the Mother City.

Just five weeks after winning the Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, leg of the popular 10km race, Langat produced his first sub-28-minute clocking on South African soil when he won the Cape Town contest in 27:52.

Said Langat after the race:

I was excited when I made my move with 1km to go. This was my best win. Elroy is a strong guy. I like him and I appreciate the competition. I will now go and prepare for the Olympics in the 10 000m.

South Africa’s Elroy Gelant grabbed the second spot.

The two-time Olympian stopped the clock at 27:55, while Francis Abongo ran a personal best of 28:16 to claim third place in his first official 10km road race outside his native Kenya.

With three personal bests over 10km, 21km and 42km over the last nine months, 37-year-old Gelant says he feels more confident than ever. He had wanted to attack Precious Mashele’s 27:35 national record, even though the wind had other ideas.

He walked away with R85 000 in prize money—R25 000 for second place and R60 000 for breaking 28 minutes.

Said Gelant:

The wind was a factor. I just told myself, like a skipper who’s on a boat when there’s wind, you just need to change your sails, so I just changed by angle of running. But I knew that I would run well. I set my watch to SA record. I didn’t get there, but I’m still happy with the race.

Meanwhile, Chepkorir emulated her compatriot with her second victory in a row.

She clocked 31:47 to win in Cape Town after her victory at the Gqeberha race early in April.

Lesotho’s Neheng Khathala was the runner-up in 32:16, while Getenesh Sase Agafew of Ethiopia came in third in 32:48.

Race organizers have confirmed additional financial bonuses for record-breaking performers at the Okpekpe road race 10k

Financial bonuses for record breakers at 10th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race.

Daniel Simiu will be one of the athletes making a return to the race, having won the previous edition in style and he will be looking to impress one more time.

As per the race organizers, athletes who break the course, African or world records will be awarded bonuses of Ksh 262,300 ($2,000) and Ksh 655,750 ($5,000) respectively.

This is an additional amount to the prize money which is about Ksh 2.6 million (between $15,000 and $2,000) for the top five finishers of the race. The winners of the race have the honor of walking away with about Ksh 2.8 million if they manage to break the African/world record.

The men’s course record currently stands at 28 minutes and 28 seconds (28:28) and it was set last year by the World 10,000m silver medalist Simiu who displayed a great run and he will be looking to lower it and walk away with the bonus.

The women’s course record stands at 32 minutes, 41 seconds (32.41), and was set in 2014 by Ethiopia’s Wude Ayalew.

The men’s African/world record stands at 26 minutes, 33 seconds (26:33) and was set by Kenya’s Rhonex Kipruto in 2020 while another Kenyan, Agnes Jebet Ngetich holds the women’s world record of 28 minutes, 46 seconds (28:46) that set back in January this year.

As quoted by New Telegraph, Zack Amodu, the Okpekpe international 10km road race director revealed why the performance bonus has been introduced to this year’s race.

“This year, we have the $2,000 and $5,000 performance bonus to be earned by any man or woman who breaks the course record and African/World record respectively.

“Last year, we saw how Daniel Simiu moved very close to running a sub-28 minutes on his way to setting the 28:28 course record.

“We are motivating the athletes to run a little faster with the introduction of the performance bonus as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the competition,” he said.

Salzburg prepares for duel between Murithi and Herzog

The Salzburg Marathon is ready for its 21st edition on Sunday, May 12th. A new starting area, the historic flair of the “Mozart City”, the participation of the Austrian national record holder and a truly international field with runners of 85 nationalities provide all the ingredients for an unforgettable event.

Austrian national record holder Peter Herzog and Kenyan Peter Wahome Murithi are the headliners in the marathon race. An exciting duel is on the cards. Herzog has a personal best of 2:10:06 from London 2020 and made a return to good shape this spring after a year and a half full of injuries. Murithi even ran 2:09:40 in Graz 2023, a time that has to remain unofficial, as this event was not registered in the World Athletics Global Calendar.

Both athletes are coming to Salzburg bringing their personal running experience from the recent Vienna City Marathon three weeks ago. Herzog made a fine comeback in 2:15:29 in Vienna, while Wahome was on course for a sub-2:10 time, but dropped out after 30 km due to health problems. He is now hoping to make the most of his second chance to achieve a good result in this spring marathon.

Local hero Peter Herzog explains: “It was a decision of desire, not necessarily one of logic. I have rediscovered my marathon euphoria and am delighted that I will be able to enjoy this special marathon feeling a second time.”

The marathon field will be sent off at a new start area on the “Staatsbrücke“ bridge with a great view on the historic city center and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salzburg. “Over the past two decades, we have gradually put Salzburg on the international map of running and anchored it there. Today, we are an international event that attracts participants of 85 different nationalities from all over the world. Our aim is to ensure that they arrive in Salzburg with anticipation and a good feeling and return home with outstanding personal experiences“, say the race organizers.

Compared to previous years, the start has been brought forward by half an hour. This will give amateur runners in the marathon in particular the opportunity to run in the cooler morning hours for 30 minutes longer and 30 minutes less in the time when the highest temperatures of the day are expected.

Public transport to and from the race is available free of charge for all participants within the region of Salzburg on the day of their race. Salzburg Marathon is certified as an ecologically sustainable event by Austrian control authorities. Runners enjoy high quality organic food made from local products at the marathon village. The use of renewable materials and an integrated programme for the reduction of transports and natural resources is in place.

Kosgei believes she can go one step further and win title in Paris

Tokyo 2020 Olympics women's marathon silver medalist Brigid Kosgei believes she can go one step further and nail the title in Paris this year. 

In an exclusive interview on Wednesday Kosgei said she is ready to annihilate the rich field of competitors in the cut-throat 42km race on her way to the winner's dais. 

The two-time world champion constitutes the starry eight-member Team Kenya marathon delegation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games unveiled by Athletics Kenya last week. 

"I'm happy to be part of the team. The biggest dream of any athlete is to don the national colours and I'll do everything within my power to make the country proud," Kosgei remarked.

 "It's one great opportunity I cannot take for granted. Several brilliant Kenyan athletes deserved to be on board but were left out. My goal is to steer the nation to victory," she added. 

Kosgei will be gunning for the women's accolade alongside compatriots Peres Jepchirchir and Hellen Obiri. Sharon Lokedi is the reserve in the squad. 

"We have a strong team of marathoners and I'm certain we can achieve something positive results if we put our heads together," Kosgei stated. 

Her performance at the London Marathon on April 21 was, however, disappointing after she clocked two hours, 19 minutes, and two seconds to fizzle out to a disappointing fifth. 

She will, nevertheless, find comfort in her masterclass act on March 17, 2024, where she stormed to the Lisbon Half Marathon title.

Kosgei is well aware she has a lot to pan out in Paris after her inclusion in the starting lineup ahead of Lokedi ruffled some feathers, with a section of fans arguing that she ought to have been the reserve runner judging by their recent performances. 

Born on February 20, 1994, in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kosgei has demonstrated her gumption as a course diva since her inauguration, having bagged five World Marathon Majors. 

She gleamed to the Chicago Marathon title in 2018; and took the  2019 London Marathon gold medal, becoming the youngest woman to win the event. The feat saw her record the third-best time after Paula Radcliffe in 2005 ( 2:17:42) and Mary Keitany in 2017 ( 2:17:01).

She went on to replicate her conquering exploits at the 2019 Chicago Marathon. Her credentials were boosted further by a first-place finish at the 2020.

London Marathon and another gold medal at the  2021 Tokyo  Marathon. 

This will be her second appearance at the Olympics after wrapping up second behind Jepchirchir at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and ahead of compatriots Cheruiyot and Ruth Chepng'etich.

Kenyan Josephine Chepkoech provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit

A Kenyan marathon runner has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit over alleged use of prohibited substances.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan marathoner Josephine Chepkoech following allegations of doping involving the prohibited substance, testosterone. 

In a statement, the AIU said Chepkoech had been served with a Notice of Allegation for violating Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 of its anti-doping regulations. 

"The AIU has provisionally suspended Josephine Chepkoech (Kenya) for Presence (Testosterone Metabolites)/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone)," the AIU confirmed.

Chepkoech, 35, set her personal best marathon time of 2:22:38 in February at the Seville Marathon. 

She had made her marathon debut in 2018 at the Nairobi Marathon, dominating the women's race with a winning time of 2:33:11.

Chepkoech's provisional suspension means she cannot participate in any competition until a final decision is reached which could result in an acquittal or a formal ban. 

This is part of the AIU's crackdown on prohibited substances in athletics which has seen a rising number of Kenyan athletes penalized.

Notably, former youth world champion Jackline Wambui was also provisionally suspended in February due to a violation involving 19-Norandrosterone and 19-Noretiocholanolone which are also prohibited substances. 

She faces a two-year ban pending a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal.

Wambui's achievements include winning gold at the 2017 under-18 world championships and becoming the 2019 African junior champion. 

Lesotho star Neheng Khathala set to spice up Run Your City Cape Town 10K

Lesotho national marathon holder Neheng Khathala has confirmed her participation in this weekend’s Absa Run Your City Cape Town10K thus spicing up the women’s race.

Fresh from running her second fastest marathon time late last month when she finished 10th at the Hamburg Marathon with an impressive 2:28:37, Khthala will be up against her compatriot Blandina Makatisi who finished runner-up in the season-opening race of the popular Series in Gqeberha early last month.

Reflecting on her run in the German city, Khathala said she could have clocked a quicker time were the latter stages of the race not as difficult as they were.

“The second half of the race (refering to the Hamburg Marathon) was tough with a few small hills all the way to the finish. So that’s where I struggled. But I was well looked after and made it to the finish,” the Hollywoodbets Athletics Club athlete said.

‘See how the body responds’

She has been recuperating well since and she is looking forward to the sprint in the Mother City on Mother’s Day: “For recovery, I’ve just been jogging and seeing the physio - the usual stuff, nothing much. For Cape Town, I’ll just see how the body feels on the day and then I’ll take it from there. I don’t have a pre-determined objective to run a certain time. I will just run according to how the body responds.”

Having run just 31 seconds outside of her national marathon record, bet on Khathala to be among those challenging for victory in Cape Town where she has good memories of her previous Run Your City races. She ran a personal best time of 32:06 in 2022 and last year she occupied the third step on the podium, a sign that she enjoys running in the Mother City.

But the athlete based in Potchefstroom will have to bring it all out if she is to deny Diana Chepkorir a second successive victory in this year’s series. The 22-year-old Kenyan who is one of only 17 women worldwide to have broken the 30 minutes for the 10km, won the Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10K early in April and will definitely toe the start line on Sunday as the favourite.

"We're thrilled to have Neheng Khatala return to the Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K in 2024," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.

"With Neheng and Diana Chepkorir both confirming their entries, we're seeing an exceptional level of talent that’s elevating the standard of women's racing in the series. Their participation not only adds to the competitive edge but also underscores the international appeal of the Absa Run Your City Series. We’re expecting an exciting race in the women's field and look forward to witnessing their outstanding performances.”

Solid times at the 33rd Monthly KATA time Trials series in Thika Kenya

A total of 27 athletes registered for the 34rd meeting monthly KATA (Kenyan Athletic Training Academy) Time Trial series this morning (May 8) in Thika Kenya. . Raphael karita won the Men 5km race in a personal best time of 14:26 which is also the meet record. His time was indeed impressive considering the wet, humid conditions.

He was followed by Charles ndirangu in second place who posted a personal best of 15:40. Ismael mburu finished in the 3rd spot and also posted a personal best of 15:42.

Virginia wanjiru took the crown in the women's 5km race in a personal best time of 17:59. Virginia impressively lowered her previous time by 29 seconds. Emmily wanjiru a junior finished in 2nd place in time of 22:47. 

Peter mwaniki took the victory in the 10km Men in a time of 29:10. Zachary kirika finished in 2nd place in a personal best of 29:39. The day really belongs to Kelvin ragui who finished in 5th position in a personal best time of 30:42. Kelvin's improvement was indeed astonishing lowering his previous time of 31:17 by 35 seconds. 

Jacinta kamau topped the podium in women's 10km race in a personal best time of 35:06, taking 5 seconds off her previous time.

In general our athletes have portrayed a courageous and mesmerizing character irrespective of the weather conditions. The performance told it all. As a team, we can confidently express and validate that training is a language, only understood through performance. The next KATA time trial will be June 12, 2024.  

5km Men 

1 Raphael karita 24 417  14:26

2 Charles ndirangu 23 319 15:40

3 Ismael mburu 23 318 15:42

4 John mutiso 19 253 16:15

5 Geoffrey ngama 50 146 16:47

6 Collins maina 20 140 14:04

7 Jeremiah obura 20 249 17:05

8 peter Mukundi 25 488 18:18

9 Lukas pytel 34 74 19:49

10 Alex kamau 22 317 21:28

5km women 

1 Virginia wanjiru 22 419 17:59

2 Emily wanjiru 17 313 22:47

10km Men 

1 peter mwaniki 26 325 29:10

2 Zachary kirika 22 246 29:39

3 Job kamande 24 442 29:51

4 Brian wekesa 26 191 30:40

5 Kelvin ragui 21 315 30:42

6 Joseph mwangi 22 326 30:43

7 Titus kemboi 19 199 31:05

8 Anthony Mukundi 35 444 32:04

9 Stephen ngigi 20 418 33:07

10 Boniface mungai 26 247 33:25

11 Joseph makeli 32 455 35:04

12 Charles ndirangu 64 414 37:46

10km women 

1 Jacinta kamau 22 320 35:06

2 Karen chepkemoi 22 248 36:48

3 Lucy muritu 39 322 48:27

Kinyanja and Ekai eyeing glory in Leiden Marathon

Kenya's Mildred Kinyanja returns to the Netherlands on Sunday to defend her Leiden Marathon title against a formidable lineup of female athletes. 

Last year, Kinyanja clocked 2:32:40 to claim the race ahead of Linet Chebet ( 2:32:47) and Gladys Chemutai (2:36:26), who finished second and third respectively. 

She boosts a person best (PB) of 2:37:57 set in 2023 at the Eindhoven Marathon, where she placed sixth in a race largely dominated by Belgian athletes.

In the same year, she clinched a bronze medal at the Dodoma Marathon, clocking 2:45:22, amidst tough competition from Naum Kebenei (2:45:20) and Tanzania’s Sara Makera (2:43:05) who secured second and first position respectively.

Adding to her accolades, Kinyanja also claimed the Kuching Marathon crown in Malaysia in 2019 with a time of 3:08:56.

Joining her in the quest for glory is Janeth Kiptoo, boasting a PB of 2:40:14 from the Kigali International Peace Marathon, where she finished eighth.

The Kenyan duo will face fierce opposition from Ethiopia's contingent, led by 2022 Jo'burg 10km Road Race bronze medalist Meskerem Tesfaye. 

Tesfaye holds a PB of 3:00:24 from the 2018 Khon Kaen Marathon, where she finished fourth. She will be accompanied by Dadi Alemu, who achieved a PB of 2:51:35 at the 2017 Stara Zagora Marathon, securing fifth place.

In the men's elite race, Generali Koln Marathon silver medalist Anthony Ekai will spearhead Kenya's charge.

Ekai, 28, finished second last year with a time of 2:15:21, just behind Amos Kipkorir, who clinched the title in 2:14:43.

Ekai will be joined by John Mungai, Isaac Yego, and Emmanuel Kipchumba, forming a formidable Kenyan lineup.

However, the Kenyan contingent faces tough competition from Uganda's Bernard Cheptoch, boasting a PB of 2:14:06 from the 2019 Rabat Marathon, where he finished 14th.

Cheptoch secured the Muscat Marathon title in 2022 with a time of 2:19:28 and claimed bronze at the 2018 Libreville Marathon in 2:21:28.

Representing the hosts is seasoned athlete Bjorn Koreman, with a PB of 2:10:32 set at the 2022 Rotterdam Marathon, where he finished ninth.

Ethiopians Lemi Berhanu Hayle and Bedatu Hirpa Badane win the Prague International Marathon

Ethiopian Lemi Berhanu Hayle won the 29th edition of the Prague Marathon in commanding fashion, running away from the field at 25km and not giving anyone else a chance. His winning time was 2:08:44, one minute and 44 seconds ahead of second place Kipkemoi Kiprono. Martin Edlman (2:22:19) produced the surprise performance of the day, becoming the first Czech finisher.

“The race had a great standard. You never get tired of seeing the joy on the runners’ faces. We are all already looking forward to the jubilee thirtieth year,” said Carlo Capalbo, president of the RunCzech organizing committee, whose events have been awarded World Athletics labels.

The men

Last year’s race record by Alexander Mutiso still stands at 2:05:09, but Lemi Berhanu Hayle, winner of the 2016 Boston Marathon, put on a great performance. “I am very happy. I wanted to win here. And it worked, so I’m very happy. It was difficult mainly because of the nasty wind,” Hayle said. Kenyan Kipkemoi Kiprono (2:10:28) finished in second place, while his compatriot Joshua Kipkemboi Kogo (2:10:51) secured third place.Four runners who had already run under 2:05 were competing for the win.

Herpasa Negasa Kitesa, Abebe Negewo Degefa, Lemi Berhanu Hayle and Abayneh Degu Tsehay all came to the race in good form, but today Hayle was able to pull away from them with ease and secure a clear victory. “I felt very good from the beginning. It was a beautiful race, Prague is beautiful and the fans cheered us on all along the track. I would like to come back here again. It came out perfectly,” said the Ethiopian champion.

The women

In the women’s race, Ethiopian Bedatu Hirpa Badane won in the time of 2:23:41, surprising even the biggest favourites. In second place was the Kenyan Dorcas Jepchirchir Tuitoek clocking a 2:24:50. She was followed by another Ethiopian in Amare Shewarge Alene (2:27:32) who at 37 years of age was only minutes behind her personal best, despite the challenging conditions.

The Czech Republic champion was Petra Pastorová (2:47:03). “I am extremely happy. Considering my age, it was difficult, but I enjoyed it,” said the 47-year-old winner.

Abdi Gelelchu and Margaret Agai took the honors at Copenhagen Marathon

With all 15,000 entries sold out in January, the Copenhagen Marathon already set a historic record since the race was born in 1980. But the elite runners were aiming for more records Sunday May 5th as they took on the newly designed, fast and flat course in near perfect marathon weather.

Edition number 43 of Copenhagen Marathon was a new breakthrough for the race with the strongest starting field ever sent out into the streets of the capital of Denmark. The female winner of the day was Margaret Agai from Kenya, who surprised the favorites and finished in 2:27.31.

“I’m very, very happy. The spectators were amazing and carried us through,” Agai said shortly afterwards and found a smile when talking about meeting the Danish crowd.

In the men’s race, favorite Gadisa Birhanu was also challenged by a strong field of favorites and was ultimately beaten by Abdi Gelelchu from Bahrain, who followed up on the surprises and crossed the finish line at Øster Allé in a winning time of 2:09.11.

“I’m very happy,” were the words that came out of the mouth of a hard-pressed winner who managed to lift his thumbs in triumph.

Last year’s female winner Rodah Chepkorir came into the race as the clear favorite with her race record from 2023 of 2:23.14. However, the 33-year-old Kenyan faced very strong competition. A total of 11 women were entered with times under 2 hours and 30 minutes. Mongolia’s Khishigsaikhan Galbadrakh surprisingly broke into the top 10 at the Tokyo Marathon this year and initially conquered the pacer and opened a small gap to Chepkorir and the other favorites. After 20 kilometers, she extended her lead to over a minute and was on course for direct Olympic qualification.

But her energy ran out and instead Agai came blowing from behind in a more measured race strategy to take the win and receive the flowers and be wrapped in the Kenyan flag.

Favorite defeat in the men’s raceIn the men’s race, expectations were high for Birhanu. The 31-year-old Ethiopian ran 2:04.59 when he won the Seville Marathon last year. The pacer was booked for a finishing time of just under 2:07 hours. It was a strong signal that the race record set by Eritrea’s Berhane Tsegay two years ago with 2:08.23 should be put to bed in the good conditions on an improved route. At the same time, it was well below the current time requirement for direct Olympic qualification of 2:08.10.

That goal was sought after early in the race when the favorite field of just under 10 runners completed 5 kilometers in 14.51. 25 seconds faster than the previous course record and also a pace well below the direct Olympic qualification requirements. It wasn’t enough for Gelelchu, but a lot of effort was put in to give the Danish audience a record.

After 25 kilometres, the front runners were still within reach of the race record. And after 35 km, a trio of Birhanu, Kenyan James Kiplagat and Abdi Gelelchu were decisively free and set the biodynamic GPS after breaking a yellow triumphal ribbon at the finish on Øster Allé.

Top-3 men and women

Women’s top three1: Margaret Agai, Kenya 2:27:312: Mercy Kwambai, Kenya 2:28,123: Alisa Vainio, Finland 2:28:21

Mens top three1: Abdi Gelelchu, Bahrain 2:09:112: Gadisa Birhanu, Ethiopia 2:09:553: Abebaw Muniye, Ethiopia 2:10:27

Kenyans dominate Belfast City Marathon with record-breaking performances

Kenyan athletes triumph at Belfast City Marathon setting new records and demonstrating their dominance in long-distance running.

Kenyan athletes reigned supreme at the Belfast City Marathon by smashing records and leaving their competitors in awe on Sunday.

Beatrice Jepkemei and Mathew Kiplimo emerged as the champions in the women's and men's races respective.

Jepkemei, 26, delivered a stunning performance breaking the women's race record with a remarkable time of two hours, 35 minutes, and three seconds. 

Her outstanding achievement shaved off one minute and 47 seconds from the previous record set in 2012 by Ukrainian Nataliya Lehonkova. 

Despite facing a fierce challenge from Morocco's Lalla Aziza Alaoui Selsouli in the final stretch Jepkemei held her nerve to secure victory, finishing 17 seconds ahead of her rival.

In the men's race, debutant Mathew Kiplimo showcased his potential by claiming victory in a time of 2:14:44.

Kiplimo's triumph was all the more impressive as he overtook long-time leader Aweke Ayalew of Bahrain in the final mile, crossing the finish line a mere eight seconds ahead of Ayalew. Moses Kilmulwo of Kenya completed the men's podium, finishing in 2:15:10.

Last year's women's champion, Ethiopian Shewaye Woldemeskel, put in a commendable performance to secure third place with a time of 2:39:58, holding off a challenge from Glady Ganiel, the 2022 winner from North Belfast, who finished fourth.

The ideal running conditions set the stage for outstanding performances, with over 5,000 runners participating in the full marathon and an additional 12,000 taking part in the relay event. 

Jepkemei and Woldemeskel dominated the women's race from the outset, with Jepkemei surging ahead after the 22 kilometers mark to secure her lead.

In the men's race, Kiplimo, Ayalew, and Kenyans Matthew Kemboi and Moses Kimulwo formed a leading quartet until the halfway mark. 

Ayalew and Kimulwo then broke away, with Ayalew appearing poised for victory until Kiplimo unleashed a remarkable burst of speed in the final mile to claim the title.

Local athletes also made their mark on the event, with Annadale Striders' Eskander Turki finishing as the top Northern Ireland-based athlete in ninth place, clocking an impressive time of 2:22:22 in his marathon debut. 

Additionally, 64-year-old Tommy Hughes delivered a standout performance finishing 25th overall with a time of 2:36:37. 

Hughes who represented Ireland at the 1992 Olympics has set numerous world age-group records in recent years.

Spectacular finish in Mainz, both course records smashed

A new fast German half marathon has emerged in the city of Mainz at the picturesque river Rhine. On Sunday morningboth course records were smashed at the Gutenberg Half Marathon Mainz and the men’s fight for victory ended in a spectacular and very rare dead race.

Debutant Benson Mutiso and fellow-Kenyan Victor Kimutai stormed over the finish line in 61:01 and neither with photos nor with video material it was possible to separate them. While both athletes shared victory Collins Kipkemboi followed in third with 61:38 and made it an all Kenyan podium.  

There was more success for Kenyan debutants in Mainz: Josephine Naukot won the race in 69:26 while Brenda Jepchirchir took second with 69:45. Both ran their first half marathon. Belgium’s Hanne Verbruggen took a fine third place with a personal best of 70:15. Once again she was inside the qualifying standard for the European Championships in Rome next month. 

The new focus on the half marathon distance turned out to be an immediate success for the event that was the former Mainz Marathon. The fine winning times propelled the race up into second place in the current German rankings of half marathons. Only the Berlin Half Marathon produced faster times in 2023 and 2024. “We have achieved the times we targeted and we showed that it is possible to run fast in Mainz. And there is quite some room for improvement,“ said Race Director Jo Schindler, who is also the Director of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. Including races at shorter distances organisers registered around 11,000 entries for the Gutenberg Half Marathon Mainz.

Benson Mutiso and Victor Kimutai took the lead after the 12k point and it was then mainly Mutiso who ran in the lead. However shortly before the finish Kimutai moved ahead. But Mutiso reacted and once they reached the line they were right next to each other. “I thought I was ahead,“ said Benson Mutiso, who had run a marathon before (2:09:21 in Munich last year), but never competed in a half marathon. “My next goal is to run a fast marathon in October. I would like to go to Frankfurt for that.“ Victor Kimutai as well thought that he was first over the line. “We know each other well since we train together in one group in Iten. So it is fine for us to share victory,“ said Kimutai who ran a personal best in Mainz with 61:01. Behind Collins Kipkemboi (61:38) fellow-Kenyan Patrick Kiprop took fourth place and also ran inside 62:00 minutes with 61:55.

In the women’s race Josephine Naukot already took the lead around the 13k mark. With 69:26 she was then well ahead of fellow-Kenyan Brenda Jepchirchir (69:45). “This was the best race of my career and my greatest victory,“ said Josephine Naukot. “My next goal is to run a time between 65 and 66 minutes. I would like to come back to Mainz next year and further improve the course record. I am not thinking about the marathon yet.“

Belgium’s Hanne Verbruggen showed another fine performance, improving her recent PB of 70:23 to 70:15. “I hoped to run sub 70:00, but I was on my own for large parts of the race. That made it difficult. My big goal is to break the Belgium half marathon record of 68:58“, said Hanne Verbruggen, who is now number three of the Belgium all-time list. Next month she will compete in the European Championships’ half marathon and then in the Olympic Games’ marathon in August. 

The top five women in Mainz all clocked personal bests in good weather conditions. Ethiopians Lelise Wakweya and Hadas Shimuye finished in fourth and fifth places with 71:17 and 72:39 respectively. “My impression after this race is that there is huge potential in Mainz. We can build on this,“ said Elite Race Coordinator Philipp Kopp.

Kenyan Vincent Langat back to run Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K

Having come out of left field to win the season opening Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10k in April, Vincent Langat is looking to make it two out of two in the popular 10km series.

The Kenyan will line up for the Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K on May 12 looking to once again pull the rug from underneath the local stars’ feet just as he did in Gqeberha. Unheralded and not even included in the pre-race elite runners’ media conference as he was to run his maiden race out of Kenya, Langat ran a Personal Best (PB) time of 28:01 to leave all of Elroy Gelant, Precious Mashele and Thabang Mosiako in his wake.

He showed that he is a top class runner just this past weekend when he bettered that mark to 27:11 which earned him fifth place at the Adizero Road to Records in Germany. Langat now has his sights set on reigning supreme in Cape Town on Mothers’ Day.

“I have been well. I just went on with training without any problems. It was very nice to cross the finish line as the first finisher,” he said in reference to his victory in Gqeberha “I (had) hoped for a faster time, but the circumstances didn’t allow it. I want to win another race in South Africa! And try to better my PB.”

But Langat will not have it his way, especially now that the South African runners are aware of him. Both Mashele and Gelant are likely to want to gain revenge on the Kenyan and with the legendary Stephen Mokoka in the mix too, it will take something special for Langat to be victorious again.

Another South African keen to do well next weekend is Kabelo Mulaudzi who had a breakthrough 2023 in the Absa series.

The youngster sat out the Gqeberha race doe to injury but has since healed and is excitedly looking forward to Cape Town.

“I’ve recovered from the injury and have been training well,” he said “I’m just focusing on my race because I know it’s not going to be an easy one. I’m racing against the best in the country, the likes of Precious Mashele, Stephen Mokoka and Elroy Gelant. But for now, I’m focusing on my race. If I can get a top five or top three podium position, I would be happy. I’m looking forward to giving my best.”

Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder is thrilled that Langat is back for the second of the five-legs series: “His return adds an extra level of excitement, highlighting the competitive spirit of the Series. It's fantastic to see South Africa's elite athletes like Kabelo Mulaudzi and Precious Mashele going head-to-head with international athletes of Langat's calibre. We can’t wait to witness this thrilling competition at the Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K."

Course records could fall at Copenhagen Marathon this weekend

Sunday’s Copenhagen Marathon can once again boast a strong, East African dominated start field. In the women’s race, Rodah Chepkorir of Kenya is returning to the scene of her record-breaking race from last year, while Ethiopia’s Gadisha Berhanu in the men’s race holds the role of favorite.

With all 15,000 start numbers sold out as early as in January, the 44th edition of the Copenhagen Marathon has already set a record. At race day, Sunday the 5th of May, further records could as well be broken. In the women’s race, eyes are set on Rodah Chepkorir Tanui, who won last year’s edition in a race record of 2:23,14 hours. However, the 33-year-old Kenyan will be up for a tough task defending her title in the Danish capital. Among her strongest opponents is Derartu Gerefa of Ethiopia, who finished fourth at the Seville Marathon in February.

With 11 women entered with a personal best under two and a half hours, the international level of the race has never been higher. Alisa Vainio set a national record of 2:27,26 last year, and with the second pacemaker aiming for 2:26,59, the Finn will as well be targeting the Olympic entry standard (2:26,50). Another national record holder is Khishigsaikhan Galbadrakh of Mongolia, who ran 2:26,32 when finishing 8th at the Tokyo Marathon two months ago.

Birhanu of Ethiopia is the one to beatWith a personal best of 2:04,59, Gadisa Birhanu is the one to beat in the men’s race. The 31-year-old Ethiopian ran the impressive time when triumphing at the Seville Marathon last year. 10 men are entered with a personal best under 2:10 hour, among them Japan’s Tsubasa Ichiyama (2:07,41) who will have his debut on European soil. The elite field includes as well the legendary figure of Ser-Od Bat-Ochir; the 42-year-old runner has represented Mongolia at all Olympic Marathons since Athens 2004 – and at 11 (!) consecutive World Championships.

“We are thrilled to be able to present such a strong field of elite runners at this year’s Copenhagen Marathon – both men and women,” says Dorte Vibjerg, CEO of Sparta Athletics & Running.

“This is a great endorsement of Copenhagen Marathon as an organization and of Copenhagen as a city. It shows that we have the right framework for the runners to achieve something great on a beautiful, flat and fast course through Copenhagen and Frederiksberg. So if you want to see some of the world’s fastest runners unfold, Copenhagen is the place to be on Sunday.”

Pacemaker Mathew Chekwurui of Kenya is set to aim at finishing time of 2:07 hours – well below the race record of 2:08,23 set by Berhane Tsegay of Eritrea in 2022. At the same time, it’s close to the Olympic requirement of 2:06.50, so it will be exciting to see who will join that train.

The race incorporates once again the National Championships, and with deadline for Olympic qualification approaching soon, the best Danish runners are all set for fast times.

Chebet vows to reclaim New York title after falling short in Boston

Two-time  Boston Marathon Champion Evans Chebet has his sights set on reclaiming the  New York City Marathon crown after failing to defend his  Boston title.

The  New York City Marathon, the largest marathon in the world, is slated for November 3.

The 35-year-old secured a third-place finish with a time of 2:07:22 at the 128th edition of the  Boston Marathon on April 15, with Ethiopians Mohamed Esa (2:06:58) and Sisay Lemma (2:06:17) taking the top spots.

Chebet is confident of a stronger performance at the New York Marathon and boldly declared that his intention to clinch the title.

“I have intensified my training ahead of the  New York Marathon and my target is to clinch the title. I hope to be ready before the event,” he noted.

In 2022, Chebet stormed to victory in 2:08:41 to secure the  New York title. He, however, was forced to pull out of the 2023 edition, where he was poised to defend his crown, due to injury.

Reflecting on his  Boston performance, Chebet attributed his third-place finish to a tendon rupture but expressed satisfaction with his result.

“Before we went to the  Boston Marathon I got an injury during training.  My tendon raptured and I couldn't perform to the best of my ability, finishing third.”

He added: “It was a tough race. Of course I would have loved to retain my title but I am still happy with my performance,” he stated.

In 2022, Chebet clocked 2:06:51 to claim his first  Boston title, leading a Kenyan podium sweep. Lawrence Cherono (2:07:21) placed second with Benson Kipruto (2:07:27) settling for third.

He returned to the Massachusetts capital in 2023, where he defended his title after clocking 2:05:54. Chebet emphasised his commitment to smooth training, working closely with physiotherapists to ensure his recovery.

“I started training two days ago. Right now, I feel my leg is okay. I have been working with my physiotherapist to ensure I get back on the road as soon as possible,” he noted.

With light 12km morning runs and careful monitoring, Chebet aims to avoid overexertion and potential setbacks.

“With the advice from my coach and doctors, I have been running 12km daily in the morning. I want my leg to adjust and heal first before I add more kilometres to my daily run,” he stated.

He also pointed out that he would not push himself because he feared a repeat of what happened last year before the  New York Marathon, where he was set to defend his crown.

“Last year, I pulled out of the marathon because of injury. I am taking things easy to ensure I am fit for  New York. I am hungry to reclaim my title,” Chebet stated.

Jepchirchir is confident with her finishing kick ahead of the Olympic Games

The reigning Olympic women’s marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir reckons she has the allure to hypnotize her way to another crown at the upcoming 2024 Paris Games in August.

Jepchirchir, 30, heads to the French capital inspired by her mind-blowing act of genius at the 2024 London Marathon, where she smashed the women’s only world record at a searing pace of two hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds.

In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Jepchirchir expressed optimism in her determination to crack a back-to-back title at the Olympic Games.

She spoke moments after Athletics Kenya unveiled the official list of eight men and women marathoners who will hold forte for the nation at the Paris Games.

“I know it won’t be easy. I’m expecting a tough contest but I’m confident I’ll accomplish my pursuit at the Summer Olympics in Paris. I’ve equipped myself adequately for the enormous assignment ahead,” Jepchirchir remarked.

Jepchirchir said she would replicate the tactical blueprint that fired her to glory in previous races including her momentous triumph at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“I have adopted a strong finishing kick that comes in handy on the home stretch. I’ve always made it impossible for my opponents to overtake me in the final 800m. That’s exactly what I intend to do,” Jepchirchir stated.

Reflecting on her historic windfall in the frigid streets of England last month, the diminutive runner said her record-smashing exploits caught her by surprise.

“I was thrilled by the victory. I was not expecting to shatter the world record. I remotely believed someone would smash it but it hardly crossed my mind that person would be me.”

The conquest served to embellish an astral career set in motion by two World Half Marathon victories in 2016 and 2020.

She went on to storm the 2021 New York City and 2022 Boston Marathon titles before wrapping up third at the 2023 London Marathon.

Jepchirchir headlines a starry roster of Kenyan marathoners tasked with hoisting the nation’s flag at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

According to a list unveiled by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya on Wednesday, Jepchirchir’s teammates include reigning Boston and New York Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Brigid Kosgei, and 2022 New York Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi who has been incorporated as a reserve runner.

Double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge headlines the men’s list that also boasts the recently crowned London Marathon champion Alex Mutiso,  Benson Kipruto and Timothy Kiplagat who has earned a spot on the team as a reserve.

The women’s Olympic race slated for August 11, will cover a 42,195km loop linking Paris and Versailles.

The marathon will begin at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris and ends at Les Invalides, passing through nine districts including the Paris— Boulogne-Billancourt, Sèvres, Ville d’Avray, Versailles, Viroflay, Chaville, Meudon and Issy-les-Moulineaux.

Ekwam looks to leave a mark at the Paris Olympics

Zablon Ekwam is keen to leave his mark in the 400m event at the Paris Olympics after securing his qualification time at the Kip Keino Classic last week. 

Ekwam powered to fourth place in 44.69 seconds, closely trailing Botswana’s Leungo Scotch at 44.54. Bryce Deadmon of the USA took second (44.41), while Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori clinched the title (44.10).

With the 2024 Olympic mark set at 45.00 for men and 50.95 for women, Ekwam’s performance puts him in prime position for the global showdown.

 “The Olympics is the climax of any sporting event and every athlete's dream is to make it to the global showpiece. I look forward to making my mark in Paris,” Ekwam remarked.

Ekwam highlighted the privilege of representing the country in an event where few Kenyan athletes qualify. “Representing the country in an event where there are not as many athletes qualifying is a nice feeling,” he stated.

Kenya has only secured two medals at the Olympics in the 400m, first at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, where Julius Sang clocked 44.92 to secure bronze and in 1992 in Barcelona, where the late Samson Kitur also won bronze in 44.24.

The last athlete to represent the country at the Olympics in the 400m was Emmanuel Korir at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he was disqualified for a false start.

 Despite missing out on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Ekwam remains determined to post impressive results this time around. 

 “I have been fighting for this spot for four years. I missed out on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics because I did not make the cut,” he stated.

He pointed out that consistent training was the key to making the Olympic team. “I went back to training consistently for three years to make the 2024 Olympics.”

Ekwam’s dedication paid off, as he recently contributed to shattering two African records with the 4x400m men’s relay team at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland in March.

He was in the company of Wiseman Were, Boniface Mweresa and Kelvin Tauta.

Looking ahead, Ekwam is also set to represent Kenya at the World Relay Championships in Nassau, Bahamas as he seeks to showcase his prowess in the 4x400m mixed relay.

He will be joined by Were, Kennedy Kimeu, Mercy Chebet, Mary Moraa and Maureen Thomas as they hunt for a top-14 finish that will secure Olympic qualification for the relay team.

Precious Mashele confirms his participation in Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K

With Stephen Mokoka already a confirmed participant at next month’s Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K, the presence of Precious Mashele means we have a scintillating fast race on the cards.

Once club mates, training partners and actually mentor and mentee, the duo have since become fascinating rivals with the younger Mashele looking to get to the levels of Mokoka and sometimes succeeding in showing the experienced stalwart a clean pair of heels.

Mashele has previously deposes Mokoka as the country’s half marathon champion and more importantly he broke the latter’s 10km national record at last year’s Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10K.

Brace yourself then for a thrilling contest in the Mother City on May 12 after Mashele confirmed his participation in the Mother’s Day race.

Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder Michael Meyer is ‘thrilled to have Precious Mashele line up for the Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K.

“His performance at the Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10K earlier this month and at the ASA Senior Track & Field Championships this past weekend showcased his incredible talent, and we're excited to see him bring that energy to the streets of the Mother City,” he said, adding that Mashele's presence will ‘elevate the competitive spirit of the event’.

Mashele took home a bronze medal in the 5000m during the ASA Senior Track & Field Championships on Saturday and though an athlete of his caliber would ordinarily have been disappointed with third place, the Boxer Athletic Club star was contented.

“I’m happy with my bronze medal because the race was very tough. I’m very happy with what I got,” he said of his 13:35.19 time which saw him trailing winner Adriaan Wildschutt and silver medalist Elroy Gelant at the Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

It was the second time in just over two weeks that Mashele saw the heels of his Boxer teammate Gelant. At the season-opening Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10K, the duo again finished second and third with Gelant overtaking Mashele near the finish line behind Kenyan Vincent Largat.

The presence of the East Africans in the series delights Mashele because it gets him to push much harder than he usually does when he’s just in competition with local runners.

“I run fast times when I run against the east Africans. So, for me, it’s a good opportunity to run with the East Africans,” explains the man who has claimed four podium finishes in his last five starts in the Run Your City 10K series.

He is still not at his peak, but he believes he is getting here: “My fitness is coming around. Although I’m not where I want to be yet, I can say I’m at about 70% of where I should be. But I’ve got momentum and I think it’s only a matter of time before I get the shape I want.”

The race in Cape Town against Mokoka and a group of other fantastic local and east African runners will be a good test for him to see just how much he is progressing towards that shape.

Jepkorir ready to shake off rivals as she seeks to defend Copenhagen title

Rodah Jepkorir is gearing up to defend her Copenhagen Marathon crown against top-tier competition on May 5 in Denmark’s capital.

Last year, Jepkorir blazed through the course in 2:23:14 to claim victory, setting a new personal best (PB) in the process.

Valentina Mateiko secured second place in 2:25:05, while Britain’s Philippa Bowden completed the podium with a time of 2:29:16.

The 33-year-old is no stranger to success, boasting three Buenos Aires Marathon titles under her belt.

In 2019, she clocked 2:25:46, followed by 2:26:53 in 2022, and completed a hat trick in 2023 with a time of 2:24:52. 

Jepkorir also clocked 2:27:10 to seal the Gold Coast Marathon title in Australia last year as well as the 2019 title in 2:27:56.

However, she'll face fierce competition from Ethiopia’s Derartu Hailu, who holds a PB of 2:23:18 from the Sevilla Marathon, where she finished fourth.

Hailu also holds the Xuzhou Marathon title with a time of 2:27:27.

Joining the fray is 2022 Kosice Marathon champion Margaret Agai, who aims to challenge Jepkorir for the title. Agai has a personal best of 2:23:28 from the 2013 Daegu Marathon.

In the men’s elite race, Castellon Marathon silver medallist James Kiplagat and 2018 Paris Marathon bronze medallist Ernest Ngeno will be among the contenders.

Kiplagat holds a PB of 2:09:08 from the 2023 Zurich Barcelona Marathon and also secured a runners-up spot at the 2021 Stockholm Marathon with a time of 2:12:26. Ngeno boasts a personal best of 2:06:41 from the 2018 Paris Marathon.

The duo will be joined by 2023 Durban Marathon bronze medallists Cornelius Yego and Benson Tunyo.

Ethiopia’s Gadisa Birhanu will prove a tough test for the Kenyans as he boosts a 2:04:59 PB set in 2023 at the Sevilla Marathon, where he clinched the title.

Abdi Gelelchu of Bahrain is also in the elite list with a PB of 2:07:15 set at the 2022 Sevilla Marathon and so will be Japan’s Tsubasa Ichiyama with a a PB of 2:07:41.

Tafa and Jebet triumph in the Madrid Marathon

Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Series Madrid 2024 was the biggest in the history of the event, with over 40,000 participants and Ethiopian Mitku Tafa (2:08:5) as the marathon winner, with the second place disputated among same country athlete Fikre Bekele (2:09:08) and Kenyan Douglas Chebii (2:09:10).

In the women race, Naom Jebet won (2:26:19) with a great distance from Ethiopian Bontu Bekele (2:27:03) and Kebene Chala (2:27:28).

Shortly before half marathon winners were present on the finish line, with 3 slots of Kenyan runners on the male pódium (Amon Kiptoo, 1:02:25; Joseph Koech, 1:02:31 and Shamack Kiprop, 1:02:33) on a race won in the last meters. First Spanish was Tariku Novales (1:05:03). On female category victory was for Kenyan Joyece Chepkemoi (1:09:22), followed by Spanish Isabel Barreiro, superb debut on the distance and in Madrid (1:13:19) and French Mathilde Sénéchal.

Morning races started with 10K, with Carlos Mayo achieving his seventh victory on the 10K Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid (29:10), after his competed race with Adam Maijó (2nd, 29:18) and third was Adrián Ben, 29:43.

Aragonian Carlos Mayo suffered a car crash two weeks ago with no injuries and he only had some side pains but were not enough to get the victory.

On Women 10K, Águeda Marqués got her third victory in Madrid (33:31), with Marta Pérez following as second (33:49), third one was Paula Herrero, on the process of coming back after injuries (36:12).

Was a day for the History of the event, with over 40,000 runners among the three distances (10K, Half Marathon and Marathon), with over 6,000 participants from previous year and more tan 113 countries represented on the streets. The event also supposes over 48 million Euro of economic impact on the city of Madrid in 2023.

Hamburg Marathon: Benard Koech and Irine Cheptai win men's and women's titles

Defending champion Bernard Koech and fellow Kenyan Irine Cheptai won the Haspa Marathon Hamburg with world-class times. Koech crossed the line in a brilliant 2:04:24 and clocked the eighth fastest time in the world this year. Missing his own course record and PB by just 15 seconds Koech became the first man to successfully defend the title in Hamburg since Julio Rey of Spain in 2006. Ethiopia's Haymanot Alew took second with 2:05:30 and Philemon Kiplimo of Kenya was third in 2:05:37. There was a thrilling duel in the women's race. Irine Cheptai won the battle and produced one of the fastest marathon debuts in history with 2:18:22. Fellow Kenyan Winfridah Moseti smashed her PB with 2:18:25 for second place. These are the second and third fastest times in the history of the race. Ethiopia's Gotytom Gebreslase took third with 2:21:19.

Organizers registered a record entry number of 38,210 athletes for the 38th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg. This includes races at shorter distances. 15,000 marathon runners were among the entries. “It was a superb race which produced some of the fastest times ever in Hamburg. However for many athletes conditions became tough when it suddenly warmed up strongly during the race,” said Chief Organizer Frank Thaleiser.

For long periods of the race the leading group was on course to break the course record of 2:04:09 which Bernard Koech established a year ago. After a 1:28:14 split time at 30k the last pacemaker dropped out and then Koech took off, immediately leaving behind Haymanot Alew, Philemon Kiplimo and fellow-Kenyan Ronald Korir. Koech covered the next 5k section in a breathtaking 14:17 and when he went through 35k in 1:42:31 it looked like he might finish in around 2:03:30. “But then I had a difficult section and because of that I missed the course record,” Bernard Koech explained later. “But this is sport, I am not at all disappointed. It was a great race and I might well come back again next year.” For the second time since 2022 four athletes ran sub 2:06:00 in Hamburg.

Germany's Sebastian Hendel finished in a strong tenth place with a huge PB of 2:08:51. The 28 year-old had a personal record of 2:10:14 before and now became the ninth fastest German marathon runner ever.

For over 30 kilometers Gotytom Gebreslase, the Marathon World Champion from 2022, ran together with Kenyans Irine Cheptai and Winfridah Moseti in the leading group. However with 10k to go the Ethiopian dropped back. With the leaders out of sight her dream of competing in the Olympics probably vanished. In the end Gotytom Gebreslase finished a distant third in 2:21:19. The battle for victory continued right into the home straight. Then the 2017 World Cross Country Champion Irine Cheptai opened a small gap and crowned her strong marathon debut with a win in 2:18:22. She was three seconds ahead of Winfridah Moseti. The two Kenyans managed to run the second half quicker than the first (69:44) and placed themselves on positions eleven and twelve in the 2024 world list.

“I never expected to win the race. I had hopes to maybe finish second or third,” said Irine Cheptai. “Perhaps I can now run between 2:14 and 2:15 in my next marathon. I would like to run here in Hamburg again next year.” In seventh place Argentinian Daiana Ocampo was the only athlete in Hamburg to achieve Olympic qualification. There was very bad luck for Katharina Steinruck once more. The German, who hoped to break her mother's PB (Katrin Dörre-Heinig, the Olympic bronze medalist from 1988, ran 2:24:35 in Hamburg 25 years ago), had to side step at a refreshment point when a pacemaker stepped into her way. She then collided full speed with a drinks table, fell and had to give up injured shortly after that. This happened shortly before the half way point and she had been running 2:23 pace. Rabea Schöneborn was the best German with 2:35:07 in 13th place.

Results, Men:

Bernard Koech KEN 2:04:24

Haymanot Alew ETH 2:05:30

Philemon Kiplimo KEN 2:05:37

Ronald Korir KOR 2:05:41

Tsedat Ayana ETH 2:06:40

Oqbe Ruesom ERI 2:06:50

Brimin Misoi KEN 2:07:06

Getaneh Molla ETH 2:07:38

Martin Musau UGA 2:08:42

Sebastian Hendel GER 2:08:51

Women:

Irine Cheptai KEN 2:18:22

Winfridah Moseti KEN 2:18:25

Gotytom Gebreslase ETH 2:21:19

Jackline Cherono KEN 2:21:40

Aminet Ahmed ETH 2:23:27

Cynthia Limo KEN 2:25:10

Daiana Ocampo ARG 2:26:24

Kidsan Alema ETH 2:26:50

Ayantu Kumela ETH 2:27:19

Neheng Khatala READ 2:28:37

TCS World 10K Bengaluru: Kenya’s Peter Mwaniki, Lilian Kasait win international elite titles

Kenyan runners Peter Mwaniki (28:15) and Lilian Kasait (30:56) cruised to the international elite men’s and women’s titles respectively, in the 16th edition of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru here on Sunday.

Mwaniki shifted gears at the 7.5 km mark to leave his countryman Hillary Chepkwony behind.

It was a similar story for Lilian, who pulled away from the nearest rival Emmaculate Achol at the 7.1 km mark.

Mwaniki and Lilian were unable to break the event records (men - 27:38, women - 30:35) on this new route. 

The new route was praised by most runners, but the finish line - stationed along a cordoned-off stretch on Cubbon Road - lacked buzz. 

This was in contrast to previous editions, where the grand finish on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium running track witnessed several cheering runners and onlookers.

On Sunday, Mwaniki, Lilian and other medalists had only the photographers and a few event officials to share their joy with when they completed the run.

Lilian had to overcome a setback along the way. Near Ulsoor Lake, she nearly bumped into the timing vehicle, which seemingly made a wrong turn. “The car turned, so I thought it was a turning point and followed the car. But the officials on the motorbike told me to proceed (forward), so I followed my colleague Emmaculate,” Lilian said.

ter winning the international elite men’s title in TCS World 10K Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Kenyan runners Peter Mwaniki (28:15) and Lilian Kasait (30:56) cruised to the international elite men’s and women’s titles respectively, in the 16th edition of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru here on Sunday.

Mwaniki shifted gears at the 7.5 km mark to leave his countryman Hillary Chepkwony behind.

It was a similar story for Lilian, who pulled away from the nearest rival Emmaculate Achol at the 7.1 km mark.

Mwaniki and Lilian were unable to break the event records (men - 27:38, women - 30:35) on this new route. 

The new route was praised by most runners, but the finish line - stationed along a cordoned-off stretch on Cubbon Road - lacked buzz. 

This was in contrast to previous editions, where the grand finish on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium running track witnessed several cheering runners and onlookers.

READ | Tajinderpal Singh Toor: Indian athletes don’t think of themselves any lesser than top athletes

On Sunday, Mwaniki, Lilian and other medalists had only the photographers and a few event officials to share their joy with when they completed the run.

Lilian had to overcome a setback along the way. Near Ulsoor Lake, she nearly bumped into the timing vehicle, which seemingly made a wrong turn. “The car turned, so I thought it was a turning point and followed the car. But the officials on the motorbike told me to proceed (forward), so I followed my colleague Emmaculate,” Lilian said.

Emmaculate had to be taken to the hospital after finishing the run. She was discharged a few hours later, organisers said.

Mwaniki explained that the course record could have been broken if the pacemaker had stayed on longer. “Our expectation was that the pacemaker would run five kilometres. But he dropped out at two kilometres. If the pacemaker had stayed for five kilometres, it may have been possible to break the course record,” Mwaniki said.

It was a memorable day for Kiran Matre, who broke the event record for Indian men’s elite athletes. Matre’s 29:32 bettered the previous milestone of 29:49 set by Suresh Kumar in 2015.

Sanjivani (34:03) continued her impressive run in this event. This is the third consecutive time that Sanjivani (34:03) has finished on top of the Indian women’s elite field.

Mwaniki and Kasait took home $26,000 each. Matre and Sanjivani earned ₹2,75,000 each. Matre also secured a bonus of ₹1,00,000 for breaking the event record.

Sheila Chelangat surprises and Hicham Amghar wins in Istanbul

Sheila Chelangat was the surprise winner of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. The Kenyan smashed her personal best and clocked a fine 66:47 despite rainy weather conditions and slippery roads. Fellow-Kenyan and debutant Miriam Chebet took second with 67:14 while Ethiopia’s Zewditu Aderaw was third in 68:17. The women’s race had a very good depth with eight runners finishing inside 69:00. Hicham Amghar of Marocco, who was runner-up a year ago, won the men’s race with a personal best of 59:47. Dinkalem Ayele was second in 59:55 while fellow-Ethiopian Gemechu Bute took third with 60:03. 

A record number of 14,200 runners entered the 19th edition of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. This includes athletes who competed in a 10k race staged parallel.

Sheila Chelangat, who was the tenth fastest woman on the start list with a personal best of 69:38, took the lead relatively early in the race. The 26 year-old Kenyan ran behind a pacemaker when she moved clear between 7 and 10 k. Despite the poor weather conditions she was able to keep the pace high and was so strong that she was never challenged. “I am really happy with my performance and the victory. However the weather was poor and the roads were slippery,“ said Sheila Chelangat, who achieved her biggest career victory so far in Istanbul. “I am not yet planning a marathon debut,“ said the Kenyan, who only ran her half marathon debut last month in Lille, where she was second. 

Competing for second place Miriam Chebet and Zewditu Aderaw were battling between 10 and 13k. Then Kenya’s debutant Chebet was able to move away from the Ethiopian. Running her debut half marathon in Istanbul the former European 5,000 m Meraf Bahta finished in 16th position with 72:51. The Swede was the best European in the race, but missed the qualifying standard for the continental championships in Rome in June by over a minute.

In the men’s race a bigger leading group passed the 10k mark in 28:39. In-form Dinkalem Ayele was among the leaders, along with Hicham Amghar and Gemechu Bute. Ayele was the winner of the Lisbon Half Marathon this spring, but in the final stages the Ethiopian could not get passed Amghar. The runner from Marocco was in the lead after 17k with Ayele and Bute close behind. Finishing runner-up and beaten by just six seconds a year ago this time Amghar made sure he is the number one. With 59:47 he was eight seconds ahead and improved his PB from 2023 by six seconds. 

“Despite the weather I was able to run a personal best, so I am very happy. It was better to have rain instead of wind,“ said the 29 year-old winner, who celebrated one of his best career performances. “I may well return to Istanbul in November for my marathon debut. I really like the way the organisers take care of the elite runners here,“ said Hicham Amghar.

While Ethiopia’s pre-race favorite Solomon Berihu did not finish, Canada’s Cameron Levins was the fastest non-African runner in eighth place. He clocked a fine 60:38, missing his national record by just 20 seconds. Further down the results list there was a national record for the Virgin Islands: Eduardo Garcia ran 63:53 for 29th place. 

The reigning European half marathon champion Tadesse Abraham of Switzerland finished in 24th position with 63:18. “It was a good race, but mentally I am not well,“ said Tadesse Abraham, who still has to come to terms with with loss of his fellow-Swiss marathon runner Adrian Lehmann, who died after a heart attack just eight days ago. “I came to Istanbul to run and get this a bit out of my head. Taking this into account I am satisfied with my performance today.“

RESULTS, MEN:

1. Hicham Amghar         MAR 59:47

2. Dinkalem Ayele             ETH 59:55

3. Gemechu Bute             ETH   60:03

4. Antony Kimtai               KEN     60:16

5. Benard Bitwott               KEN     60:18

6. Solomon Kipchoge         KEN     60:19

7. Mathew Samperu         KEN      60:27

8. Cameron Levins           CAN     60:38

9. James Kipkoech     KEN       60:43

10. Edward Pingua     KEN     61:08

WOMEN:

1. Sheila Chelangat           KEN 66:47

2. Miriam Chebet               KEN 67:14

3. Zewditu Aderaw           ETH 68:17

4. Betelihem Afenigus       ETH 68:33

5. Ftaw Zeray                     ETH 68:39

6. Betty Kibet   KEN 68:39

7. Gladys Chepkurui           KEN 68:50

8. Aberash Shilima           ETH 68:52

9. Ruth Jebet                   BRN 69:10

10. Meseret Dinke             ETH 69:53

Emmanuel Wanyonyi breaks road mile world record on competitive debut

Teenager Emmanuel Wanyonyi broke the road mile world record in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Saturday.

The 19-year-old set the new record following an incredible run of three minutes 54.56 seconds on what was his competitive debut over the distance.

Wanyonyi is predominantly an 800-meter runner. The Kenyan won the silver medal in the men’s 800m at the 2023 World Athletics Championship held in Budapest, Hungary.

The previous world road mile record was set by American athlete Hobbs Kessler. Kessler’s world record time was 3:56.13.

World-class fields will go for course records and target Olympic qualification in Sunday’s Haspa Marathon Hamburg

Kenya’s defending champion and course record holder Bernard Koech, who tied his personal best with 2:04:09 a year ago, is back while Gotytom Gebreslase, the World Champion from 2022, is the favorite in the women’s race.

The Ethiopian, who has a PB of 2:18:18, wants to secure the third spot for the Paris Olympic race in Hamburg. Fellow-Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw holds Hamburg’s course record of 2:17:23. Late entry Nienke Brinkman will also try to qualify for Paris. The Dutch runner is the bronze medalist from the European Championships in Munich in 2022.

Organizers of Germany’s biggest and fastest spring marathon have registered a record total of 38,210 runners. Among them are 15,000 athletes who will compete in the classic event. “If all goes well on Sunday and the pacemakers run a bit more even and slightly faster we could see similar results to last year. I am curious to see if Gotytom Gebreslase manages to qualify for Paris and if she is able to break the course record. But even a sub 2:20 time is something special since we only have one so far,“ said chief organizer Frank Thaleiser, who introduced an additional bonus of 20,000 Euros for the course records. All runners – men and women – who finish inside the course records share this amount. If there would be one man and three women who clock faster times than the previous records they would each receive 5,000 Euros. “This way we want to encourage the runners in a leading group to go for a fast time after the last pacemaker has dropped out,“ explained Frank Thaleiser.

“Training was going well and compared to last year in Hamburg I have reached the same level. So if the weather conditions are fine then a fast time is possible,“ said Bernard Koech. It is highly unlikely that he could still be selected for the Olympic marathon, but he said: “I will give everything and if they should select me then I will be ready.“ Bernard Koech is one of seven runners in the race who feature personal bests of sub 2:05:00. While Ethiopia’s Getaneh Molla is the fastest on the start list with 2:03:34 he has not reached such times in recent years.

Brimin Misoi and Philemon Kiplimo are tipped to be among the strongest challengers for defending champion Koech. Both have done very well on German roads in the past. Misoi has won the Frankfurt Marathon twice in a row. When he defended his title last autumn the Kenyan improved to 2:04:53 despite windy and rainy conditions. He now intends to run faster in Hamburg. “I ran the Paris Marathon at the beginning of April. But because of breathing problems I dropped out and then decided to go for Hamburg,“ said Misoi. It was in Berlin last year, where Philemon Kiplimo improved to 2:04:56 and finished eighth in a very competitive race. “German roads are good for me, so I am looking forward to Sunday. I want to run with the leading group and improve my time,“ said Kiplimo, who has a superb half marathon PB of 58:11.

“We are planning a pace in the region of the course record, may be slightly faster. Additionally there will be a really big group of probably 25 athletes who will target the 2:08:10 Olympic qualifying time“, said Hamburg’s Elite Race Coordinator Jurrie van der Velden of Jos Hermens’ Global management. “We are not quite sure yet, but the women’s leading group might run a pace somewhere between 2:16 and 2:18. There is a group as well which targets Olympic qualification, running sub 2:26:50 pace.“

“It is my goal to qualify for the Olympics on Sunday,“ said Gotytom Gebreslase, who surprisingly won her debut marathon in Berlin in 2021, then went on to become World Champion in the following year and took the silver medal at last year’s global championships in Budapest. Jurrie van der Velden explained that the Ethiopian federation usually selects the two fastest runners during the qualifying window and then picks the athlete who performed best at major championships as long as that athlete confirms good form. When Gebreselase ran the Nagoya Marathon in March she did not finish. “I got stomach problems during the race and dropped out after 35k. Then I trained well and decided to run in Hamburg. I am in good form now and want to run sub 2:18 here. Perhaps I can attack the course record. I would think such a performance should be enough to get selected,“ said Gotytom Gebreslase.

Nienke Brinkman joined Hamburg’s elite field at short notice. The European bronze medalist from 2022 has still not achieved the qualifying time for the Olympics. She ran her PB of 2:22:51 in 2022, but that was outside the qualifying period. A year ago Brinkman clocked a fine 2:24:58 in Boston, but this course is not record eligible and results do not count as qualifying times. However it is a far easier task for Brinkman to achieve qualification in Hamburg than for Gebreslase. Reaching the qualifying standard of 2:26:50 should be enough for the former Durch record holder.

A debutant could well be in the mix for at least a place on the podium: Irine Cheptai is the World Cross Country Champion from 2017. “I started preparing for my marathon debut in January and training went very well. I think I will go with the second group on Sunday,“ said the Kenyan who has already run a very fast and promising half marathon time of 64:53.

Among a number of German runners Katharina Steinruck is probably the one who could produce the national highlight in Hamburg. She improved to 2:24:56 this winter and now hopes to break the family record: It was exactly 25 years ago when Katrin Dörre-Heinig, the bronze medalist of the 1988 Olympic marathon in Seoul, won the Hamburg Marathon with 2:24:35. For many years this remained the German marathon record. “It is my aim to break my Mum’s record and it would be great if I could do it in Hamburg,“ said Steinruck.

Berihu, Ayele and Zeray ready for fast racing in Istanbul on Sunday April 28

Solomon Berihu of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Gladys Chepkurui head a very strong field of elite runners at the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon on Sunday. They feature personal bests of 59:17 and 65:46 respectively. The men’s field is really impressive since eight runners have already broken the one hour mark and another nine feature personal bests of sub 61:00.

There are seven women with sub 68:00 PBs and an additional three have run under 70:00. A couple of European runners will try to achieve the qualifying times for the European Championships in Rome in June. Among them are Turkey’s record holder Ali Kaya, who will start a comeback, and Sweden’s debutant Meraf Bahta. The required times stand at 61:40 and 70:30 for men and women respectively.

Organisers of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, which is a Gold Label Road Race of World Athletics, have registered a record number of 14,200 runners. This includes a 10k race staged parallel on Sunday. Turkey’s number one road race is one of the world’s major half marathons and has a world record course. Three years ago Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich broke the global mark in Istanbul with 64:02. While the world record has been improved since the course record still stands and will likely remain in place on Sunday. 

However there could still be another very fast time from the women’s winner on Sunday. With a personal best of 66:04 Ftaw Zeray is the second fastest on the start list behind Gladys Chepkurui. It was three weeks ago when the 26 year-old ran her first race of the year and finished runner-up in the Berlin Half Marathon. In very difficult conditions with temperatures well over 20 Celsius she still ran 67:22. “I have well recovered from the race in Berlin. I feel I can run a personal best on Sunday,“ said Ftaw Zeray, who was sixth in the World Half Marathon Championships last year. 

With regard to the weather forecast high temperatures will not be a problem for Ftaw Zeray on Sunday in Istanbul. But with six other women who have already run sub 68:00 the challenge is likely to be tougher than in the German capital. While Gladys Chepkurui missed her flight to Istanbul and will now arrive half a day later, she will hardly be delayed when it comes to racing fast. The Kenyan clocked her 65:46 PB in Barcelona a year ago and has run sub 70:00 eleven times.

Ethiopians Betelihem Afenigus and Aberash Shilima are the next fastest on the entry list with PBs of 66:46 and 67:26 respectively. However a debutant could also be in the mix for a place on the podium: Just 21 years old Miriam Chebet showed great form and consistency this year with three sub 31:00 times at 10k. When she won the race in Ibiza, Spain, in January she clocked a fine PB of 30:40.

Another promising debutant is Sweden’s Meraf Bahta. The European 5,000 m champion from 2014 is a late entry to the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. The 34 year-old is the Swedish 10k record holder with a 31:22 PB from 2022. The former Eritrean could qualify for the European Championships if she runs 70:30 or faster in her debut. Due to an injury Italy’s Giovanna Epis had to withdraw from the race in Istanbul.

Solomon Berihu is the fastest runner on the start list with his PB of 59:17. He ran this time back in 2019 in New Delhi and has not raced for almost a year. “I had an injury that kept me away from training. Now, I am feeling better and I am back in shape,“ explained the 24 year-old Ethiopian, who hopes to come back with a bang on Sunday. “My first goal is to win the race, but I am also hoping to run 59:30 or even faster.“ The Istanbul course record stands at 59:15.

Another Ethiopian is among the hot favourites: Dinkalem Ayele has shown great form this year when he improved to 59:30 in Barcelona and then won the Lisbon Half Marathon in very warm conditions with 60:36. “I am in good form and confident that I can go close to 59 minutes if weather conditions are suitable,“ said 23 year-old Dinkalem Ayele.

Solomon Kipchoge will probably be among the athletes who will challenge the two Ethiopians. The Kenyan, who improved his half marathon PB by almost two and a half minutes last year when he ran 59:37 in Lille, chose to come to Istanbul because of the fast course. “I will not start the race with a certain time or placing in mind. It depends on how my body will feel during the race. But I will try to improve my PB,“ said Solomon Kipchoge, who has the same surname as the double Olympic Champion Eliud Kipchoge. “I have no connection to Eliud, I am often asked about this outside Kenya. I am happy to be asked, because Eliud is a legend.“

Having not race since 2020 Ali Kaya surprised the organisers when he asked them to include him on the start list for a comeback race. The 30 year-old former Kenyan, who competed for Turkey since 2013, is a former winner of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. When he took the race in 2016 he established a national record of 60:16 that still stands today. The 61:40 qualifying time for the European Championships could be a goal for Ali Kaya. Spaniard Juan Antonio Perez, who has a PB of 60:58, will probably also target this time.

Elite runners and personal bests

MEN

Solomon Berihu ETH 59:17

Edmond Kipngetich KEN 59:25

Dinkalem Ayele ETH 59:30

Solomon Kipchoge KEN 59:37

Benard Biwott KEN 59:44

Antony Kimtai KEN 59:45

Tadesse Abraham SUI 59:53

Hicham Amghar MAR 59:53

Hillary Kipchumba KEN 60:01

Abraham Kipyatich KEN 60:03

Gemechu Bute ETH 60:12

Ali Kaya TUR 60:16

Cameron Levins CAN 60:18

Vincent Mutai KEN 60:20

Edward Pingua KEN 60:44

Benard Sang KEN 60:57

Juan Antonio Perez ESP 60:58

Albert Rop BRN 61:05

Mathew Samperu KEN 61:06

Tegegn Tamerat ETH 61:15

Ashenafi Moges ETH 61:22

WOMEN

Gladys Chepkurui KEN 65:46

Ftaw Zeray ETH 66:04

Betelihem Afenigus ETH 66:46

Aberash Shilima ETH 67:26

Anchinalu Dessie ETH 67:30

Zewditu Aderaw ETH 67:44

Betty Kibet KEN 67:44

Ruth Jebet BRN 68:22

Zinashwork Yenew ETH 69:16

Sheila Chelangat KEN 69:38

Meseret Dinke ETH 70:39

Amina Bettiche ALG 71:38

Miriam Chebet KEN Debut

Meraf Bahta SWE Debut

Defending champions return to defend Belfast Marathon crowns

A RECORD 5,500 runners are expected to take to the streets of Belfast on Sunday, May 5 for the sold-out Moy Park Belfast City Marathon, making it the biggest to date.

The 2023 winners, Morocco’s Mohamed Oumaarir and Kenyan Shewaye Wolde Woldemeskel, will be there to defend their respective male and female titles.

Oumaarir, who ran a time of 2:22:54 for the overall victory 12 months ago, will lead a strong contingent of international and local athletes. These include former Great Britain and Wales steeplechase representative Adam Bowden, who finished runner-up in last year’s event.

There are three interesting entries of east African origin. Former Ethiopian and now Bahrain national Aweke Ayalew finished 11th in the 2018 World Half Marathon Championships, recording a world-class time of 61 minutes and 19 seconds. More lately he clocked 2:07:12 in the 2019 Frankfurt Marathon, making him the fastest man in the field.

The Kenyan duo of Mathew Kemboi and Moses Kilmulwo also boast impressive credentials. Kemboi finished fourth in last November’s Istanbul Marathon in a time of 2:13:48, while Tuyange was 15th at the Barcelona Marathon last month in a time of 2:12:43.

Also taking to the field, will be GB’s Michael Young, who recently ran a time of 2:24:33 in December at the Valencia Marathon; William Strangeway, who finished third in the Murcia Costa Calida Marathon last year, recording a time of 2:20:32; and Welshman, Dan Nash, who won the Great Welsh Marathon on St Patrick’s Day in a time of 2:27.19.

Favorite for the first local prize is Annadale Strider Eskander Turki, who won the 2023 Moy Park Belfast City Half Marathon in a time of 1:09:10.

Dark horse here is the comeback kid Ed McGinley, who returned to the sport after an absence of nine years to win the Larne 10 Miles just over a week ago.

Conor Gallagher of St Malachy’s should not be ignored either given he was runner-up in the 2022 Belfast Marathon.

Turning to the women’s race, it will be Woldemeskel’s third time competing in Belfast, while Morocco’s Hanane Qallouj is no stranger to the Emerald Isle either, finishing sixth at the Dublin Marathon last October in a time of 2:37:20.

Others to watch out for are Qallouj’s compatriot Laila Aziza Selsouli, who finished eighth in the Marrakesh Half Marathon, and Kenya’s Beatrice Jepkemei, who recently ran 2:30:41 in the Linz Marathon.

North Belfast Harrier Gladys Ganiel heads the home challenge.

This year’s Moy Park Belfast City Marathon runners will be joined by 12,500 relay runners and another 1,200 participants in the 8-Mile Walk, all adding up to making it the biggest mass sport participation event in the north.

Bernard Koech hoping to retain Haspa Marathon title and pocket millions of prize money set aside

Defending champion Bernard Koech has plans to successfully defend his title and walk away with the millions set aside as prize money for the top finishers.

Defending champion Bernard Koech hopes to defend his Haspa Marathon Hamburg title on Sunday, April 28 as he also chases the hefty prize money set aside for top finishers of the race.

Koech broke the course record last year after cutting the tape in 2:04:09 and he returns to the 38th edition of one of Germany’s greatest road races, with eyes set on the prize.

The Kenyan opened his season with a win at the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris and he looks to continue the winning streak in the streets of Hamburg.

As he returns to one of his favorite courses, the 36-year-old will also be fighting for the millions of prize money up for grabs, since the event is a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. As per World Athletics, the minimum prize money for winners in such an event is about Ksh 4 million.

The athletes who finish second and third will walk away with about Ksh 2 million and Ksh 1.3 million respectively with those who finish fourth and fifth will bag Ksh 672,500 and Ksh 538,000 respectively.

The runners who finish sixth, seventh, and eighth will also be smiling to the bank after pocketing about Ksh 403,500, Ksh 269,000, and Ksh 134,500 respectively.

Meanwhile, Koech will face opposition from Getaneh Molla who has a Personal Best time of 2:03:34. He achieved the impressive time when winning his marathon debut in Dubai in 2019. Samwel Mailu will also be in the mix with Abraham Cheroben, who competes for Bahrain, will also be competing.

The women’s marathon has attracted Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase, the former World Champion from Eugene. Gebreslase was the runner-up at last year’s global championships in Budapest and has a personal best of 2:18:11. With this time she is the fastest woman ever entered into the field.

“We have made a really strong development in recent years. In the past two editions, there were three course records and world-class times.

“Now we have assembled another great field and it is quite possible that the course records come under threat once again,” said the chief organizer of Germany’s biggest spring marathon, Frank Thaleiser as per Watch Athletics.