Daniel Mateiko seeks to lower his PB in Valencia this weekend

Daniel Mateiko has said he is looking to lower his personal best time of 58:26 at the Valencia Half Marathon on October 23.

During last year’s edition, Mateiko settled for third place in his personal best time. He said the position will not count for him as he achieves his target of a new PB .

“Everyone goes into a race with a spirit of winning but for me, the position doesn’t matter at the moment. I just want to lower my personal best,” Mateiko said.

Mateiko said he has been training well and he is bullish that he will attain his goal. He said he had a small injury which was treated and he is now okay. “I am fine though, I feel some kind of pressure,” he added.

Mateiko added that after the race, he will take a short break before resuming training for the World Cross-country Championships in Bathurst, Australia.

He is also hoping to make a cut for the World Championships in Budapest,  where he hopes to compete in the 10,000m.

“This is my last race of the season. After resting, I intend to begin intensive training in preparation for the cross country and World Championships,” he said.

Mateiko narrated how his experience at the World Championships, where he was placed eighth in 10,000m in 27:33.57, had boosted his morale.

“I got to learn that if you have to win, you have to fight hard. It was a whole good experience and I was happy to get that kind of exposure,” he said.

Mateiko revealed he looks up to world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge, who is also his training partner at Kaptagat.

“We have been close since I started running and he has always been my adviser. He also motivates me because of what he has achieved so far and he is a down-to-earth kind of person,” Mateiko concluded.

posted Friday October 21st
by Abigael Wuafula