Running News Daily

You too can Train the Kenyan Way in Kenya

Kenyan runners and many non-Kenyan runners training in Kenya have had good success.  But why?  These four things stand out as the reasons behind their success. 

1. Training is a big part of their secrets including sloop training, intervals, fartlek and many exercise drills. They train twice a day, six times per week with the evening run easy. 

2. Equally important is their diet, the Kenyan's runner diet is starch based very high in carbohydrates.  Kenyan runners get 76 percent of their daily calories from carbs.

3. Almost all Kenyans train in groups, many at training camps.

4. Kenyans runners are surrounded by inspiration and positive thinking.  You must believe you can run a 2:01 marathon to be able to do it.  Visualization is a big part of this. 

Many runners outside of Kenya have thought about training in Kenya with Kenyan runners.  Some have made the trip and have had great success. But for most runners making the trip to Kenya and training for a month of more there never become more than a dream.

The main reason why it only remains a dream is because it just has not been easy to set it up.  Lifetime runner Bob Anderson who also was the founder of Runner's World Magazine in 1966 and most recently the publisher of My Best Runs wanted to make it easy for runners to come to Kenya and Train The Kenyan Way.  

Bob and his wife Catherine first travelled to Kenya in 2013 and staged a race in Thika.  It was during this trip he met up with Elam Wangwero, a 29-minute 10k runner who just loved all aspects of athletics. Bob and Elam talked about setting up a training camp in Thika (just an hour outside of Nairobi) during that trip. 

Work started on the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) some years later.  Bob brought on board Florence Kimiti to be the manager and then hired Coach Joseph Ngure to be the head coach.

Construction was finished in September 2021.  For the last two years the KATA staff have been working with Kenyan staff athletes getting them ready to accept guest athletes from around the world.  The KATA staff athletes are training to become professional runners (some already are) and to help guests achieve their goals.

“COVID did slow things down for a while, says Bob Anderson,  "but as of June 14, 2023 we are welcoming our first guests."

 KATA has six private rooms for guests, each with a double bed and private bath with a shower.  KATA has a total of 26 rooms including staff athletes’ rooms, office, a runners Lounge with a large TV screen, Olympic Dining Hall, Laundry room, Kitchen, storage rooms and a courtyard and garden so athletes can relax in between workouts.  

KATA is solely set up for athletes who are interested in improving, running new PR's, becoming campions or being a professional runner.  "We offer world-class training, quality Kenyan runner's food in a relaxed inspirational atmosphere with the emphasis on distance running, " says Director/Owner Bob Anderson working from his office in Mountain Views, California USA. 

KATA’s first guest is arriving on June 14th and staying for six weeks.  20-year-old Nadim Abdallah (second photo) is a college student at Virginia Commonwealth University.  He has clocked a 4:22 mile and recently ran a 14:31 5000m.  He wants to be in top form for the upcoming cross-country season.  His goal is to get under 14 minutes for 5k.  

"His mom and dad (Joel and Sara) are very supportive of their son's passion," says Bob Anderson “and we are going to help Nadim reach his goal by teaching him the Kenyan way of training.”

The second confirmed guest checking in July 2 for 12 weeks is Max Barnett (third photo) from England.  He ran a 3:45 marathon in Paris a few weeks ago and wants to break three hours by October in Lisbon.  "This is an aggressive goal," says Coach Joseph, "but we are going to help him make it happen."  

"I have spoken with Max several times," says Bob Anderson "and I think we can help make this happen because of the passion Max has.  His focus for 90 days will be running where now in england he just has too many other things getting in the way."

Bob Anderson and the team are very dedicated to this program and feel their setup is different than most.  "We just have a cozy personal feel here," says onsite manager Florence.  "So much positive inspiraton."

"This is your chance to Train the Kenyan Way," says Bob.  "We wanted to make it easy for others to experience this amazing opportunity."  All you need is a passport/visa and an airline ticket to Nairobi, Kenya. KATA will take care of everything else including picking you up at the airport. "Of course, you have to have the desire to become a better runner," says Florence, who was also a 1:59 800m runner as a junior.

"KATA offers training programs for 800m to 1-mile, 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and the Marathon" says KATA's onsite senior AK coach Joseph Ngure.  "We will work with you and help you achieve your goals.  Just let us know your starting point and your goals and we will provide the coaching to help you achieve it."  

At any one time 12-20 Kenyan KATA staff runners are training at KATA. Most live and eat at KATA while others live nearby. These Kenyan athletes set the style of KATA as they work hard to become better runners themselves and help and support our guests.

You might be thinking that something like this must be very expensive.  It is not, the cost is just $375US weekly with a minimum stay requirement of four weeks.  This covers all your costs including a private room, three meals a day and world-class training.  "Any less time would not give us enough time to help you reach your goals," says Elam.

For more info go to: www.KenyanAthletics.com

Six tips on finding the right running coach

This time of year is the most popular for running, and challenging yourself to sign up for summer and fall races is a fantastic way to achieve personal goals. If you’re new to the sport or looking to take your running to the next level, working with a running coach can be a game-changer. Finding the right coach can be tough, but it can provide guidance, structure and expertise to help you reach your full potential. But how do you find the right running coach for your specific needs? Here are some essential tips and ideas to help you in your search.

1.- Align your goals

Before you begin your search for a running coach, take some time to write down your running goals. Are you aiming to complete a marathon, improve your speed in a 5K, or simply learn to run? Understanding your goals can help you find a coach best suited for your objectives, since different coaches specialize in various areas of running, such as the marathon, track and field, or recreational running. If you know what you’re looking to accomplish, it can help you narrow down your options and find a coach who can best assist you in reaching your goals.

2.- Do your research

When finding a running coach, it’s crucial to research their experience and ask for referrals from other runners. You should also consider their track record of coaching success, including testimonials from some of their athletes or former clients, to gauge their satisfaction and the effectiveness of their training approaches. The last thing you want is to have someone who doesn’t know what they are doing or crosses personal boundaries. The internet can be an incredible resource when trying to find the right coach-a quick Google search of their name to see accomplishments or reviews can go a long way.

3.- The two C’s

The two Cs might be the most crucial tip of the four. Compatibility and good communication are essential factors in finding a great coach. You want to make sure you find a running coach who understands you as a person and your running goals. The purpose of a running coach is not only to enhance your performance, but also to provide you with motivation, accountability, and valuable insights to help you become a better runner.

It is good to arrange an initial meeting or consultation with a few coaches to discuss your goals, training preferences, and expectations. This meeting will help determine if their personality and coaching styles align. An open line of communication, where you feel comfortable asking questions and providing feedback, is crucial for a coach to understand your needs and tailor their guidance accordingly.

4.- Consider your schedule

Unless you’re a professional runner, odds are you will be training while managing school or a full-time job, so finding time to squeeze in training sessions isn’t always easy. Before hiring a coach, make sure their approach and plan work with your schedule. A good coach should be able to adapt to each individual’s circumstances, considering factors like work, sleep, family commitments, and personal limitations.

Many coaches will offer an initial trial or assessment session to evaluate your running form and fitness level, determining where you’re at in your training. This trial period will allow you to experience the coach’s training approach and assess if their style suits your needs.

5.- Find your budget

It’s important to find a coach who fits your budget. Be sure to ask yourself how much you are willing to spend on a coach. Running coaches may have varying rates, but they usually charge annually, monthly, or per training plan. When inquiring, always ask about their pricing structure and what is included in their coaching services. Some coaches offer different tiers or options, such as one-on-one coaching, online training plans, or group sessions, each with different price points. Consider the level of support and guidance you require and find a coach whose fees align.

6. - Train the Kenyan Way

Kenyan runners have proven that hard work pays off as many races around the world are won by Kenyan runners.  What is their secret? Kenyan runners don't only put in lots of miles.  It is a whole program guided by a coach.  In Kenya there are many running camps helping Kenya runners as well as other runners from around the world.  One of the best camps offering an all-inclusive pacakage is the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika just one hour from Nairobi. 

Everything is included in their program and the cost is just $375 per week with a four week minimum.  A guest runner from England booked a 12 week stay starting July 1.  Max ran a 3:45 marathon in Paris and want to get under three hours by October at the Lisbon Marathon.  An aggressive goal but one KATA Coach Joseph Ngure and team feel is possible. 

KATA has made it easy for runners all over the world to now Train the Kenyan Way in Kenya.   

Kirika and Mungai were the winners at the 21st monthly KATA Time Trial in Thika

Zakariah Kirika and Boniface Mungai lived up to expectation by ruling both the 10, 000 and 5,000metres during the May Kenyan Athletics Training Academy Time- Trial held at Thika Stadium May 17. 

The Star, who has been playing second fiddle to KATA's internationals Peter Mwaniki and Peter Wanyoike, timed 30:42.1 in his 10,000metres specialty while Mungai outclassed newcomer Simon Ngubao in the 5,000metres after clocking 15:04.6, improving his January’s time of 15:27.7 by 23 seconds.

During the 21st KATA (Kenyan Athketics Training Academy) Time Trial that alternated with the Road last month, Evans Kiguru took the silver position in 10,000metres behind Kirika in 32:13.3 with another newcomer Gabriel Kahura coming third in 32:27.3.

In the 5,000metres, Levis Kuria bettered his March’s 15:32.8 to record new personal record of 15:06.2, chopping off 26.5 seconds and finished ahead of perennial Fredrick Kiprotich who finished in 15:18.2.

In the Ladies, Caren Chepkemoi bettered her 5,000m Personal Best after registering a new17:28.2 from her previous 19:11.6 to come ahead in the category with Narok-based Maureen Nairesiae clocking 18:20.6.

KATA's Peter Njeru did not run the time trial because he had just gotten back after finishing third at the Petrom Bucharest Romania half marathon clocking 1:01:21.

The 22nd edition of the KATA monthly Time Trial will return to the Road on 14th June on the Ndarugo-Mang’u Road.

Name:                    Bib               Age          Time

     10,000Metres

1. Zakaria Kirika      114              22            30:42.1

2. Evans Kiguru         93              27            32:13.3

3. Gabriel Kahura    124             40            32:27.3

4. Anthony Mukundi 84         35                32:41.8     

5. Alfred Kamande   113              25                34:01.1

6. Paul Ng’ang’a        106        42                34:05.3

7. Charles Ndirangu  90         60                 36:13.2

8. Moses Mutunga    121      27                 37:44.4

5,000Metres

1.Boniface Mungai     111      24                 15:04.6

2. Simon Ngubao        121      28                 15:05.4

3. Levis Kuria               117      22                 15:06.2

4. Fredrick Kiprotich   122      24                15:18.2

5. John Mutiso             109      19                16:14.8

6. Amos Chirchir          126      23                16:19.3

7. Peter Mukundi         115      25                17:22.0

8. Caren Chepkemoi    89        21                 17:28.2

9. Ismael Mburu          120       22                18:18.1

10. Maureen Nairesiae  107    107              18:20.6

11. Virginia Wanjiru      123      21                20:14.2

12. Hannah Njeri           110      24                21:04.6

13. Nancy Githaiga        108      32                22:33.5.

Peter Mwaniki again wins the 20th edition of the KATA monthly time trial in Thika Kenya clocking 29:17.5

The 20th edition of Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) time trial were held in Thika Kenya this Wednesday with on-form Peter Mwaniki and Fredrick Kiprotich retaining their titles.

Peter bettered his 29:42.6 attained in February to clock 29:17.5 on the 10Kilometres Course while Fredrick, who finished first in last month’s 5,000metres on the track, defended the 5Kilometres class after timing 15:34.7.

Zakaria Kirika followed the winner in the 10Km clocking 29:58.4 with 3rd-placed Raphael Gacheru clocking 30:54.2. 

Peter Mburu and Evans Kiguru followed in 31:04.5 and 31:08.1.

In the 5Kilometres, visiting athlete Daniel Kishoyan from Narok came second in 15:48.5 while upcoming John Mutiso,19, clocked 16:49.0 during the trial held at the traditional Mang’u-Bob Harries Road, just 5Km from KATA.  

In Ladies, Marathoner Kellen Waithera,36, improved her time from 36:38.3 to 34:36.3 while Caren Chepkemoi posted 38:08.2 for second place.   

Paul Ng’ang’a clocked 35:21.1 to come first in the 40-44 master’s class while Charles Ndirangu, 60, clocked an excellent 36:26.9 to win his category.

20th KATA TIME-TRIAL

     10Kilometres 

1.Peter Mwaniki              106          24         29:17.5

2.Zakaria Kiriki               124          22         29:58.4

3. Raphael Gacheru       117          24         30:54.2

4. Peter Mburu               123          26         31:04.5

5. Evans Kiguru               115          27         31:08.1

6. Simon Mwangi           107          21         31:08.5

7. Simon Ngumbao        120          28         31:50.3

8. Boniface Mungai        111          24         32:06.8

9. Anthony Mukundi       84           35         32:12.9

10.Eliud Muthike             127          28         34:22.5

11. Kellen Waithera          121         36         34:36.3

12. Paul Ng’ang’a              110         42          35:21.1 

13. Charles Ndirangu       118         60          36:26.9

14. Caren Chepkemoi       89          21           38:08.2

15. Chris Kamande            114        38           48:53.6 

        5Kilometres

1.Fredrick Kiprotich           108        23          15:34.6

2. Daniel Kishoyan               93          21          15:48.5

3. John Mutiso                   119        19          16:49.0

4. Amos Chirchir                122        23          16:52.7

5. Lawrence Maina           112        24           18:14.3

6. Francis Kariuki               120       16            18:20.8

7. Lewis Mwangi           109         16           18:22.9

8. Paul Kariuki                -              24           19:00.0

9. Virginia Wanjiru       126         21            25:12.5

10. Hannah Njeri          90           23            26:08.2

Garcia breaks 35km race walk world record in Dudince

Double world champion Kimberly Garcia got her 2023 campaign off to a superb start on Saturday (25), breaking the 35km race walk world record with 2:37:44* at the Dudinska 50, the first World Athletics Race Walking Tour Gold meeting of the year.

The Peruvian race walker produced a solo effort from the early stages, passing through the first kilometre as part of a small lead group and then breaking away just a couple of minutes later. By the time she reached 5km in 22:41, she had a 16-second lead over Chinese duo Liu Hong and Ma Li.

Garcia’s lead grew to more than a minute by 15km, which she passed in 1:07:29 with four-time world champion Liu still level with compatriot Ma. World silver medallist Katarzyna Zdzieblo was a further minute behind in fourth.

Ma started to lose contact with Liu at about 18km, but Garcia continued churning out her metronomic splits, reaching 20km in 1:29:58. With 10km to go, Garcia’s lead

over Liu had grown to 84 seconds. Wu Quanming, meanwhile, was starting to close on Chinese teammate Ma.

Garcia reached 30km in 2:15:10, almost two minutes clear of Liu, who was safe in second place. Wu had moved into third by this stage, but Ecuador’s Magaly Bonilla was closing fast.

There was no catching Garcia, though, who maintained her relentless pace to charge through the finish line in 2:37:44, taking two seconds off the previous fastest mark for the distance.

Liu, who was making her debut at the distance, followed more than two minutes later in 2:40:06 but was rewarded with an Asian record. Bonilla was third in an Ecuadorian record of 2:46:32 and a fading Wu held on for fourth (2:47:34).

"I knew I was in good shape and that I could challenge the world record," said Garcia. "The first 20km was ok and at a good pace, then I started to tire and the wind got stronger. Thankfully I found some extra energy for the final five kilometres.

"It's a big thing for me to achieve this record," added Garcia, who also confirmed she will defend both of her titles at this year's World Championships. "I still think I can go faster, maybe at the World Championships. I'm not planning any more 35km races before Budapest."

Doctor remedies last year’s runner-up finish

One year after finishing second over 35km in Dudince, Mexico’s Jose Doctor triumphed in a national and meeting record of 2:26:37.

He trailed Olympic bronze medallist Evan Dunfee and Ecuador’s Brian Pintado during the early stages, as Dunfee led through 10km (41:25). They moved together as a trio up until 17km, reached in 1:10:14, but Dunfee then started to slip behind. By 20km, which Pintado and Doctor reached in 1:22:31, an 11-second gap had emerged to Dunfee.

Pintado tried to make a break after 22km, but Doctor reeled him back in just over a kilometre later. Brazil’s Caio Bonfim, meanwhile, was also moving through the pack. Doctor reached 25km in 1:43:21 with an 18-second lead over Bonfim, who was now in second, 24 seconds clear of Pintado.

Pintado continued to slip behind and eventually withdrew after 27km. Doctor, however, remained a safe distance ahead of Bonfim, while China’s Cui Lihong was making up ground on Dunfee.

Doctor extended his lead in the final kilometres and crossed the line a confortable winner in 2:26:37. Bonfim was second in 2:27:30. Lihong moved into third place with just over a kilometre left, finishing 15 seconds ahead of the Canadian in 2:29:00.

In the closest finish of the day, 2017 world champion Eider Arevalo of Colombia won the men’s 20km in 1:19:23 with double world bronze medallist Perseus Karlstrom finishing 21 seconds behind.

India’s Sandeep Kumar led during the early stages, going through 5km in 19:38 with a five-second lead over Karlstrom. The Swede drew level with Kumar a few kilometres later and the duo went through 10km in 39:33, 17 seconds ahead of Arevalo and Mexico’s Noel Chama.

Kumar was given a third red card and had to sit out a one-minute penalty, essentially taking him out of contention. It left Karlstrom alone in the lead between 12km and 17km when Arevalo finally caught up with him.

They rallied for the best part of a lap before Arevalo finally broke free thanks to a 3:50 final kilometre, winning in 1:19:23. Karlstrom was second in 1:19:44 and Chama was third in 1:20:46.

Elsewhere, Mexico’s Alegna Gonzalez won the women’s 20km race in 1:28:09, winning by more than two minutes from Puerto Rico’s Rachelle de Orbeta.

Peter Mwaniki Njeru wins the 19th monthly KATA time trial clocking 29:36 for the 10000m in Thika Kenya today

Peter Mwaniki Njeru improved his February time by more than six seconds during Kenyan Athletics Training Academy 19th 10,000 metres time-trial as the monthly event moved to Thika Stadium on Wednesday.

Njeru clocked 29:36.2 improving his February 29:42.  He was followed closely by Nyahururu-based Joseph Mwangi who managed 29:59.1 while home-boy Zakaria Kirika finished 3rd in 30:37.1

In the 5,000m, Fredrick Kiprotich out ran Boniface Mungai to finished in 15:09.2 while the latter timed 15:15.6 with upcoming Levis Kuria came third in 15:32.8.

The next time-trial will take place on the Road and is slated for April 19 on the Ndaugo-Mang’u Road.

RESULTS

10,000 Metres  (Bib, age, time)

1.Peter Mwaniki       112            24          29:36.2

2. Joseph Mwangi     89             20           29:59.1

3. Zakariah Kirika      103            22           30:37.1

4. Peter Mburu         121            27            30:46.7

5. Raphael Gacheru  105           24            31:40.3

6. Evans Kiguru          117           27            32:04.1

7. Anthony Mukundi 119          35             32:42.2

8. Christopher Kamande 113   35            37:42.6

5,000metres

1. Fredrick Kiprotich     107        23          15:09.2

2. Boniface Mungai      111       25          15:15.6

3. Levis Kuria                 124       21           15:32.8

4. Eston Mugo              122        30           15:48.6

5. Alfred Kamande       123       25           16:17.7

6. Catherine Njihia       106       24            17:10.2

7. Paul Ng’ang’a            120      42            17:12.8

8. Peter Mukundi          90        25            17:53.7

9. Caren Chepkemoi     93        19            19:11.6

10. Amos Chirchir         110      23            20:30.0

11. Joseph Wanjiru       109      34            20:22.8

12. Hannah Njeri            84       23            22:27.6

13. Virginia Wanjiru      125      21            24:08.9

14. S. Suryawanshi        127      31            27:58.6    

Koech, Wanjiru spearhead Team Kenya in Sunday's Tokyo race

Bernard Koech will lead a strong Kenyan contingent for the Tokyo Marathon this Sunday. 

Koech, who has a personal best of 2:04:09 set at the Amsterdam Marathon in 2021, where he finished second.

Kenya's Mike Kipruto Boit, Brimin Misoi and Vincent Raimoi are also contenders for the title.

The Kenyan quarter will, however, face a stern test from 2021 London Marathon champion Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia.

Lemma won the London Marathon in 2:04:01 and will have compatriots Tsegaye Getachew, Mohamed Esa, and Deme Tadu Abate for the company as he seeks to add another feather to his hat. 

Getachew has a personal best of 2:04:49 posted while winning the Amsterdam Marathon last year while Esa's PB is 2:05:05 recorded while placing fifth in Amsterdam in  2022. Abate's PB of 2:06:28 was achieved in Berlin, where he placed third last year.

Japan had entered the last three national record holders, Kengo Suzuki, Suguru Osako and Yuta Shitara but the withdrawal of Suzuki last month leaves two to battle for the honours. 

Osako is the fastest Japanese man in the field with a 2:05:29 set in Tokyo three years ago. 

Hidekazu Hijikata, Kyohei Hosoya, Ryu Takaku and Hiroto Inoue have all run 2:06 and another nine Japanese men on the list have run 2:07.

At the pre-race press conference, Japan's most consistent marathoner over the last few years, Hosoya said he is in great shape and will be going for the Japanese NR and at a minimum the top Japanese spot.

In the women's category, Rosemary Wanjiru will spearhead Kenya's quest for glory in the Japanese capital.

Wanjiru has a personal best of 2:18:00 posted when she finished second in the Berlin Marathon last year.

She will have fellow Kenyan and 2022 Toronto Marathon champion Antonina Kwambai for the company. Another Kenyan Betsy Saina will be among the athletes to watch. Saina is back from maternity leave and ran a promising 1:08:25 for the win at the Seville Half Marathon earlier this year.

Ashete Bekere of Ethiopia is the race favourite with a personal best time of 2:17:58 when finishing second at the event in 2021.

Others to look out for the title include compatriots Tigist Abaychew and Worknesh Edesa.

Japanese man runs 3:28 marathon in wooden sandals

Finishing a marathon is hard enough, but one Japanese runner pushed his limits at the 2023 Osaka Marathon, clocking a three-hour and 28-minute marathon while wearing traditional wooden Japanese geta sandals.

Takanobu Minoshima, a 47-year-old runner from Sapporo, averaged a pace of 4:56/km over 42.195 kilometres while wearing the wooden shoes and even had the word “Geta” as his name on his Osaka Marathon bib.

His final finishing time was 3:28:11 for 2,896th place (out of 10,000+ runners), which is only eight minutes shy of the 2023 Boston Marathon qualifying time of 3:20:00 for his M45 to 49 age group.

Geta are traditional Japanese sandals that are often paired with the yukata (robe) for informal occasions, such as summer festivals. The geta has a slab of wood attached to the foot with strings or ribbons and rests on a sturdy piece of wood (that’s a little higher than the maximum stack height allowed by World Athletics!). We have to hand it to him for being able to stay on his feet for an entire marathon while wearing these.

This isn’t the first time Minoshima has raced wearing geta. In 2019, he ran a 100K ultra race in 13 hours and 45 minutes at the Kamalai Shrine 100 in Taiwan. He has a marathon best of 2:59:20 from the Hokkaido Marathon in 2014, when he wore regular running shoes.

Bernard Wambua wins the monthly KATA 10K Time Trial clocking 29:14

Bernard Wambua and Zachariah Kirika emerged as the winners of the 18th edition of KATA (Kenyan Athletics Training Academy) 10k and 5K Time-Trial that took place on Wednesday Feb 15 in Thika, Kenya.  

The duo clocked 29:14.8 and 15:14.1 in the trials held on a 5Km- loop that has become the standard distance for the Training Academy. 

Peter Mwaniki and Peter Wanyoike finished second and third in the 10Km while Evans Kiguru and Anthony Mukundi occupied similar positions in the 5km.

In women, Lucy Mawia led the class, cloccking 33:19.8 for the 10k ahead of Lilian Lelei who clocked 33:35.5.

The March Trial is schedule March 15 at the Stadium in Thika Kenya.    This will be the 18th monthly event.

          10Km

1.    Bernard Wambua   25       119        29:14.8

2.    Peter Mwaniki         24       112        29:42.6

3.    Peter Wanyoike      26        114        30:03.6

4.    Raphael Gacheru    23        106        30:25.5

5.    Peter Mburu            27        110        31:25.3

6.    Simon Ngumbao     27          84         32:46.2

7.    Eston Mugo             30         125        33:19.4

8.    Lucy Mawia             24          121        33:19.8

9.    Lilian Lelei                26          122        33:35.5

10.Chris Kamande        35          107       36:11.6

11. Catherine Njihia     24           90        36:22.9

12. Paul Ng’ang’a         42           120      36:38.3

13. Kellen Waithera     36           124      36:38.7

14. Naomi Wambui      39           123      37:08.2

          5Km

1.    Zachariah Kirika       22            89       15:14.1

2.    Evans Kiguru             27           111     15:52.5

3.    Anthoney Kamande 35           117     16:07.3

4.    John Mutiso              19           109      16:27.1

5.    Alfred Kamande       25           115      16:51.6

6.    Amos Chirchir           23           108      17:36.4

7.    Peter Mukundi         25            113     17:57.8

8.    Lawrence Maina      27            118     18:17.9

9.    Lilian Musenya         22             97      22:03.9

Around 8,000 runners gear up for Ooredoo Doha Marathon

Over 20,000 runners have taken on the challenge of the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo, and this year, many intent to join them.  

Around 8,000 runners are preparing for the much-awaited Ooredoo Marathon, scheduled to start in less than a week’s time.

Qatar’s most popular marathon, held annually since 2013, is finally coming back with yet another exciting challenge for all running enthusiasts in Doha. And as usual, the prize it holds is worth the effort.

“We’re rightfully proud that the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo is consistently one of the most popular events on Doha’s calendar year after year, but this pride must be shared with our invaluable sponsors, without whom we would be unable to present the race,” said Moza Khalid al-Muhannadi, director CSR, Sponsorship and Media at Ooredoo, at a press conference.

“We look forward to putting on yet another incredible event for Doha and for everyone taking part. Best of luck in the race.”

Some participants have told Doha News that the event, set to kick off on January 20, serves as a great motivation for them to improve their physical abilities and stamina to compete. Every year, it is a stronger challenge to be better.

“I participated two years ago for the first time and since then I always look forward to it. This year I even planned my workouts in a way that would make me faster and stronger to finish the full marathon,” Al Jazi, a two-time participant, said.

“I ran a lot of marathons abroad, but this one is different. You almost know everyone around you and it is such a warm, supportive environment. I can’t wait to reach the finish line.”

Others have praised Qatar’s efforts to organise such events that encourage sports and an active lifestyle. Over the past years, the Gulf state has focused extensively on promoting sports and physical activity as part of its 2030 vision.

World-class facilities have been built, major tournaments have been hosted, and various events have been taking place on an almost monthly basis, with great turnout from the community.

Qatar also holds Sports Day in high regards, declaring it an official national holiday to promote being active. Ooredoo marathon, on the other hand, is one of the most prominent national running event in the country.

“Every year I encourage more people to join me, and despite how hard it is, they all love it and come back. It’s one of those things that make you feel rewarded, and pushes you to achieve more and more,” Mohammed Hanni, a physical fitness instructor, told Doha News.

“I’ve been training a lot, so I’m very excited to hopefully break my own record this year.”

Start, end and timing

For this year, Al Jazi, as well as other runners, will start at Parade Pavilion, The Amir’s Grandstand in Al Corniche, and proceed to Katara, Lusail, and back to Al Corniche after the race.

The full marathon will begin at 6.15am, and the half marathon will follow at 7am. Starting at 8.30am, the 10km category will kick off, while the 5km will start at 9.30am.

Finally, at 10.30am, the 1-kilometer category for children will begin.

The 2023 marathon bags a total price of approximately QAR 1 million for all categories, and everyone who finishes their category will receive a medal to mark the achievement.

Special prizes will be awarded to Qatari entrants in each category.

Al-Muhannadi also disclosed that there would be a raffle with an SUV up for grabs. All competitors in the 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km categories who cross the finish line will be entered into a raffle to win a Volkswagen T-Roc.

Barsoton and Jisa run course records in Kolkata

Kenya’s Leonard Barsoton and Bahrain’s Desi Jisa ran course records to win the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K, a World Athletics Elite Label road race, on Sunday (18).

Barsoton, the 2017 world cross country silver medallist, retained his title with a time of 1:12:49, bettering the course record of 1:13:05 he set in 2019.

It was a tactical race. In the mix right from the start but not the leader of the pack, Barsoton was in fourth place behind Alfred Ngeno, Abdisa Tola and Birhanu Legese. He picked up the pace after the 20km mark and never looked back.

Having run in Kolkata before, he knew the course would include a bridge and then take a circuitous route around Babu in Kolkata Ghat along the banks of the Hooghly river.

While Tola of Ethiopia led the race from around the 15km mark, Commonwealth Games marathon champion Victor Kiplangat of Uganda soon set the pace. By the time the pack reached 23km, Barsoton was well ahead, increasing the gap between him and Legese in second place (1:12:54). Kiplangat appeared to have run out of gas and finished third in 1:12:56.

“I know the course and I knew exactly when to pick up the pace,” said Barsoton. “I had been preparing for the last two months. I had some niggles, but despite that, I am happy to have won here and with a course record. It was a very competitive race, and the others in the field gave me a tough fight.”

In the women’s event, Jisa took almost a minute off the previous course record set by Ethiopian Gutemi Shone, clocking 1:21:04 to eclipse the mark of 1:22:09 set in 2019.

Leading the group, Jisa slowed her pace in the 5km stretch between 15-20km, which looked like a tactical move to save her energy for a strong finish. With 5km left, she took complete control.

Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer (1:21:18) finished second and Uganda’s Mercyline Chelangat (1:21:31) third.

“I thank Kolkata for such a warm welcome,” said Jisa, runner up at the event in 2019. “I wanted to win the race and am thrilled to have done it with a course record. Now my target will be to participate in Paris (2024 Olympics), a dream for all.”

The top three in both races all finished under the previous course records.

Organisers for World Athletics

Leading results

Women

1 Desi Jisa (BRN) 1:21:04

2 Zeineba Yimer (ETH) 1:21:18

3 Mercyline Chelangat (UGA) 1:21:31

4 Obse Abdeta (ETH) 1:21:43

5 Ashete Bekere (ETH) 1:22:12 

Men

1 Leonard Barsoton (KEN) 1:12:49

2 Birhanu Legese (ETH) 1:12:54

3 Victor Kiplangat (UGA) 1:12:56

4 Alfred Ngeno (KEN) 1:13:15

5 Abdisa Tola (ETH) 1:14:27.

The 16th Monthly KATA Time Trial was dominated by Zachariah Kirika

Today in Thika, Kenyan Athletics Training Academy held its 16th edition of Time-Trial featuring 10Km and 5Km with on-form Zachariah Kirika winning both categories.

The monthly mini-competitions were held on a 5Km-loop that saw Zachariah stop at the turning point in 14:41 before deciding to run back with the newly recruited Evans Kiguru.

With rejuvenated strength, He overtook Evans at the 9th Kilometre and arrived at the finish in 31:17 with the latter trailing in 31:19.

Peter Mburu, the winner of last month’s 10Km run 15:04.9 to finish second in 5Km while Raphael Gacheru came third in 15:16.

In 10Km, Eston Mugo clocked 32:17  to close the podium where Alfred Kamandemanaged 4th in 32:35. 

In women, Kellen Waithera finished first in 39:04 while Naomi Wambui, both on-come back after their maternity leave, was second in 40:07.

Charles Ndirng’u took the masters 62-years class in 38:35 while Paul Ng’ang’a ruled the 40s category after finishing the loop in 34:35.

A total of 22 participants, all training under Kenyan Athletics Training Academy’s Programe, took part in event that was also the year-ender. 

The 17th edition will take place on January 18th, 2023.

POSITION:         Name:                BIB:           AGE:              TIME:

                       10Km

1.  Zachariah Kirika       88                21                31:17.8

2.  Evans Kiguru            102              27                31:19.2

3.  Eston Mugo              84                29                32:17.1

4.  Alfred Kamande      105             24                32:35.4

5.  Anthony Mukundi   80               34                32:49.7

6.  Paul Ng’ang’a           91               42                34:35.8

7.  Charles Ndirangu    210             62                38:35.4

8.  Kellen Waithera      86               36                39:04.8

9.  Michael Kimeu        96               28               40:07.3

10. Naomi Wambui      100               37               40:07.7

11. Kelvin Waiganjo     78                 26               47:47.2

                   5Km

1.  Zachariah Kirika      88              21                   14:41.1

2.   Peter Mburu           72              26                    15:04.9

3.   Raphael Gacheru   94              23                    15:16.9

4.   Levis Kuria              90               21                  15:37.3

5.   Fredrick Kiprotich 101             23                    15:44.3

6.   Jeremiah Obura     93               19                    18:15.3

7.   Stephen Kamau      500             19                   18:29.9

8.   Caren Chepkemoi  87                19                   18:38.8

9.    Peter Mukundi       70                25                  18:40.4

10. Lilian Musenya     103              21                     22:01.9

Peter Mburu and Zachariah Kirika ruled the 15th KATA Time Trail this morning in Thika

The 15th Kenyan Athletics Training Academy Time-Trials were held in Thika Kenya on Saturday. Peter Mburu and Zachariah Kirika came first in 10k and 5k respectively. 

Peter retained the title he won in October in a time of 29:43.8 without big challenge as his would-be opponent Zachariah ruled the 5k category in 14:25.9.

Newcomer Jonathan Korir from Ngong finished second in the 10km clocking 30:19.1 with upcoming Raphael Gacheru timing 30:31.8 for bronze.

42-year-old Paul Ng’ang’a was first master clocking 34:42.

In 5Km, Erick Mutuku came second to Zachariah after crossing the finish line in 15:07.9 where Levis Kuria sealed the podium in 15:08.8.

In women, Caren Chepkemoi came first in the 10Km category in a Personal Best time of 36:49.9 followed by come-back Kellen Waithera who managed 37:53.9 while new-find Lilian Musenya led in 5Km in 21:10.9. Hannah Njeri clocked 26:30.6 to finish second.

The KATA Time-Trial, initially programmed to be held on the Track, were held on the 5Km loop after heavy rain made the track unusable.

The December trial, to be held on the track, will take place on 14th and will feature 10,000m and 5,000m respectively.

NAME                       BIB            AGE             TIME

               10Km

1. Peter Mburu       105            24                29:43.8

2. Jonathan Korir     104            28                30:19.1

3. Raphael Gacheru 217           23                30: 31.8

4. Peter Wanyoike   92              26                30:42.2

5. Eston Mugo         87              29                31:02.5

6. Boniface Mungai 100            24               31:06.7

7. Evans Kiguru         82              27               31:16.2

8. Dennis Nyaga       86              24               32:03.0

9. Anthony Mukundi 80            34             32:43.4

10. Paul Ng’ang’a     98             42          34:42.3

11. Caren Chepkemoi 94         19                  36:49.9

12. Kellen Waithera  88           34                  37:53.8

      5Km

1.Zachariah Kirika    209         21                  14:25.9

2. Erick Mutuku       443         21                  15:07.9

3. Levis Kuria            96           21                  15:08.8

4. Fredrick Kiprotich 78         23                  15:11.3

5. Alfred Kamande   90         24                   16:07.6

6. Michael Mualuko 103       18                    16:33.3

7. John Mutiso         101       18                    17:13.4

8. Samuel Muiruri   72          27                    17:22.1

9. Amos Chirchir     102        22                    18:20.9

10. Lilian Musenya   81         21                    21:10.9

11. Hannah Njeri      78         23                    26:30.6

Former Roma Marathon Champion Elias Chelimo and Sheila Chepkoech won the 2022 edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon

Elias Chelimo who finished eighth last year was in the leading pack from the start before dropping Wilfred Kirwa Kigen who was his closest rival with five kilometers to go to win the men’s 42km race in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 22 seconds. 

Kirwa finished second in 2 hours 10 minutes and 50 seconds ahead of Felix Kangogo who settled for the third position in  2 hours 11 minutes and 08seconds. 

Sheila Chepkoech clocked 2 hours 27 minutes and 04 seconds minutes to win the women’s title ahead of Beatrice Cheptoo who settled for silver in 2 hours 28 minutes and 42 seconds with Shyline Toroitich claiming bronze after stopping the clock after two hours, twenty-nine minutes, and thirty-six seconds. 

Daniel Ebenyo Simiu won the 21-kilometre race in 1 hour and 50 seconds. Isaia Lasoi and Samuel Naibei finished second and third respectively. 

The women’s Half-marathon title went to Evaline Chirchir. Nelly Jeptoo and Edith Chemjor finished second and third respectively. 

Over 20,000 runners took part in this year’s event which started and ended at the Uhuru gardens here in Nairobi. 

Over 200 elite athletes, 100 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and 20,000 recreational runners participated in the marathon. 

The Marathon featured six race categories: 42km men and women, 21km men and women, 10km men and women, 21km wheelchair men and women, 5km Family Fun Run race and the Corporate Relay Challenge. 

KATA Athletes posted impressive results

Kenyans Athletics Training Academy athletes from Thika posted impressive results according to head coach Joseph Ngure.  

Competing in the competitive 10 and 21km, the upcoming runners used the occasion to gain experience after racing against elite athletes that included world class runners.  

Zachariah Kirika and Peter Mburu were the best placed among their teammates during the event held in the outskirts of the city capital.

Peter Mburu, the winner of our October 10Km KATA time-trial, broke his half marathon record after registering 1:04.39 from his former 1:05.45 where winner, Daniel Ebenyo, timed 1:00.50. Peter came 35th in the category with 3,769 runners.  

Zachariah finished 35th out of 5,914 finishers after clocking 34:08.4 against the winner’s 31:39.5 in the the long 10k.  The distance was actually 11.35Km.  "For a race like this I can not imagine why a 10k race would be this long," wrote Bob Anderson, KATA Director.  

"The races provided positive exposure and experience for our KATA athletes," says coach Joseph.

KATA RESULTS

          ATHLETE           BIB           EVENT     TIME        POSITION 

Peter Mburu   11135         21Km       1:04.39    35

Evans Kiguru   11140         21Km       1:08.21    101

Anthony Mukundi 11139  21Km        1:11.23     152

Susan Njeri       20319        21Km       1:20.44     27

Zachariah Kirika 30786      11.35Km   34:08.4   35

Erick Mutuku      33605      11.35Km   34:36.8   53

Raphael Gacheru 30585    11.35Km   34:56.7   58

Boniface Mungai  30791    11.35Km   35:33.6   77

Eston Mugo           30787    11.35Km   36:13.3   89

Peter Mburu clocks 29:38.2 10k at the 14th KATA monthly Time Trial

In the absence of KATA's Peter Mwaniki and Peter Wanyoike (both competing in Italy) another Peter took over the driver's seat during the 14th edition of Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) on Saturday.

Peter Mburu is the new champion of the 10Km Trial that saw half of KATA Athletes improving their Personal Records.

Mburu, who has been struggling with an injury since May, timed 29:38.2, bettering his previous 30:13.8 with the ever-green Zachariah Kirika finishing second in a new Personal Best of 29:44.5, chopping off 10 seconds from his April’s 29:54.4 Personal Best.  

The monthly time-trial that took place near Thika on a 5Km loop with 22 participants, saw half of KATA Athletes register their personal best times as they step up their training for Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon at the end of the month where most of them will compete in 21km and 10Km respectively.

KATA's 60-year-old Charles Ndirang’u clocked 39:50 which is 83.8% age-graded.   

The next time-trial will take place on the track November 19 at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Track, and will include the 5,000m as well as 10,000m.  

            Full Results:

name, bib, age, time

1. Peter Mburu            98     26   29:38.2

2. Zachariah Kirika      210    20    29:44.5

3. Erick Mutuku           66      20   29:55.6

4. John Kuria                72      26  30:06.6          

5. Raphael Gacheru    81      22   30:43.2

6. Evans Kiguru            85      27   31:12.9

7. Eston Mugo             70      29   31:37.6

8. Fredrick Kiprotich   500    23   32:36.0

9. Anthony Mukundi  80      36    33:23.4

10. Paul Ng’ang’a         443     44  34:18.2

11. John Mutiso           127     18    35:45.1

12. Simpson Njoroge   217    38     36:03.6

13. Joseph Wanjiru        -       36     37:05.8

14. Susan Njeri             20      36     38:01.1

15. Caren Chepkemoi  94     19     39:43.0

16. Charles Ndirang’u  82     60    39:50.0

17. Kellen Waithera   100     35     39:50.5

18. Peter Mukundi    78        27     43:41.1

19. Hannah Njeri        95       23     52:29.0

Thousands of Kenyan runners dream about becoming a professional runner but most can not find the support needed to make it happen. Their conditioning fades as does their dream.

Most Kenyans under the age of 25 or so who run seriously are not doing it as recreation or for health reasons, they run because they think they have the ability to be a professional runner.  A career where they can win enough prize money to provide for themselves and their family.

In the United States most runners of all ages run for recreation and or for health reasons.  Most Americans do not even know a runner can make a living, a very good living from running races. The sport of professional running did not start until 1986 officially.   

There are as many as 80,000 Kenyans who feel they have the talent to make it as a pro runner.  Some have made it but most have not.  Many feel they have the talent to become the next Eliud Kipchoge, the most well-known marathoner in history.

(First photo) Some of over 100 athletes who have trained at KATA since 2019.  Charles (red shirt) is one of the top 60-69 runner in all of Kenya and has been part of the KATA since the beginning.

Eliud is their hero, and everyone knows Eliud is earning millions of dollars for his efforts and well deserved too.  He has lowered the world record to 2:01:09 and he thinks he can run even faster. 

The professional sport of running as become very competitive. Gone are the days where a man could run a half marathon in one hour and five minutes or a woman one hour eleven minutes and expect to win the race.    

Maybe these times are still fast enough to win a race that does not offer prize money or very little but not races that pay out several thousand of dollars to their winners.

(Second photo) Coach Joseph going over a recent workout from KATA in Thika.

"There are thousands of Kenyans who want to be the next Kipchoge," says Joseph Ngure, Kenyan Athletics Training Academy in Thika (KATA) head coach.  "They know they have at least some talent.  They know they have the passion. They dream about winning races all the time. 

"But many do not have any support.  Their family may be very poor and have very little money, even for food. Their parents may not even know that professional running is a way for their son or daughter to make a living, in fact a very good living."

The family, however expects their son or daughter to go out and get a job so they can bring home money for food.  Maybe a job on a farm or even in an office building. Yes, this would take care of the immediate issue of not having food and many potential professional runners have no choice but to take this path. 

However, this most likely will make it almost impossible for them to fulfill their real dream.  A much better career than working in the fields on a farm."It takes a lot of training these days to make it as a professional runner," says coach Joseph.  "We train twice daily six days per week.  And our athletes do more than just run 10 miles a day. It is a total program aimed at getting the most from the runner."

"And can you imagine training hungry," says Dan Sutich a coach from Washington. "It takes a lot of fuel to train to be a world class athlete. Just not going to happen if you are missing meals."

The talented runner needs support to make running their profession.  If their parents can't help, who do they turn too? In most cases there is no one else.  They attempt to do the necessary training (because they know they are talented) on their own and basically eat once in awhile. 

But this is not going to last very long.  And the chances of being discovered is almost impossible. Their shape will start fading away and they will just become another dreamer who never made it.  

Also the type of training necessary to run quality times, burns a lot of calories that need to be replaced. Food they do not have without support. 

If a son or daughter in the United States wants to be a professional soccer player and it is clear they are talented, they most likely would get the support they needed.  They certainly would not be missing meals or going to bed regularly hungry.  

Most parents in the US and in many other countries find a way to support their kids to pursue their passion.  Or there are programs, like schorships offering support. This type of support does exist in Kenya but not for many.

Bob and Catherine Anderson created the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika to help Kenyan runners become professional runners. The 23-room Academy trains, feed and house these runners was opened in 2020.  Training for the location was started in 2019. 

KATA offered the support they were not getting, three meals a day, twice a day training six days a week, a monthly time trial to gauge their fitness level and a clean place to sleep. 

(Third photo) Peter Mwaniki leading one of the monthly KATA Time Trials.  He clocked 29:00.9 for 10k.  Then Oct 2, 2022 he won a half marathon in Italy clocking 1:00:29.  

The Kenyan runner does not pay anything for these services. They are, however required to work 20 hours per week at KATA on things like cleaning, painting, computer work on the website My Best Runs (like posting results, links, etc.) and now operational duties for the KATA Hunger Project. 

KATA also does not take a commission from their prize money if and when this happens.  KATA does not manage runners, finding races and booking their travel.  Managers come to KATA to find talent.

Coach Joseph, KATA's head coach has over 30 years of experience as a AK senior coach.  He is very well respected.  Additionally, he is working on a series of four books called Train the Kenyan Way which will be available over the next six months.

In a short period of time the training programs he has put together at KATA are showing good results.

Eston Mugo checked into KATA 14 months ago.  He had run 36:50 for 10k, not a bad time but not good enough to make it as a pro runner. Eston was getting no support and not able to eat regularly.  He needed support and he contacted KATA. 

With a lot of hard work, Eston has already gotten his 10k time down to 30:04 (during a KATA monthly time trial) and will soon be under 30 minutes.  He could already win many pro races, especially in the US and once he shaves off another minute he will be ready to travel to Europe.

Eston spends his required 20 hours a week mosly on the My Best Runs website.  He has improved his computer skills in doing so and he is teaching other KATA athletes these skills as well. 

Another example of coach Joseph's KATA success, is Peter Mwaniki. Peter's family and even his brother offered him no support.  They did not believe that running could be a profession.  They were poor and could not provide any support.  He had run a 32:30 10k, a very good time for a recreational runner but not for a pro.  Peter sought out KATA for support.  

"After 13 weeks it was clear he was very talented," says KATA manager Florence Kimiti.  "Our 13-week program was not officially established yet but the program had already been born."

KATA asked him to stay and he can for sure call himself a professional runner now.  During the monthly KATA time trial he clocked a 29:00.9 10k at altitude.  A manager picked him up and sent him to Italy to run races.  Most recently he clocked a 1:00:29 half marathon (Oct 2, 2022), setting a new course record while winning by nearly two minutes. 

KATA's new program is called the KATA Hunger Project (just launched August 1, 2022).  The program offers support for runners from poor families for 13-weeks.

For now these runners would come to KATA in Thika for training and support.  At the end of each week, they would be given four kilos of home-grown fresh fruits and vegetables grown on a KATA Fresh Farm.

The number of Kenyans in Need KATA can support will be based on the amount of contributions received by supporters. In addition to runners this program also supports women farmers.

During the 13-week time frame, he or she would be required to do our workouts and run in our monthly KATA time trial. The results along with a story and photos are posted on My Best Runs giving international exposure. These KATA time trials were started Sept, 2021 and have been held monthly without fail.  Most have been 10ks but difference distances and surfaces are being added going forward. 

Obviously in just 13-weeks almost no runners could improve so fast to make it as a pro. However, let say the monthly time trial is 10k, a male runner runs 36 minutes. Four weeks later he runs 32 minutes. And then runs 29:30 four weeks later.

"We know from experience this person has the DNA to become a star. a professional runner," says coach Joseph.

With the exposure he would get through My Best Runs and social media, he most likely will get picked up by a running camp or a manager.  Or KATA will offer to take him or her in.  The runner would have made the big step toward being a professional runner.

Right now the only training location is in Thika at KATA. "However, we will be setting up training at the KATA Fresh Farm about 10k from Embu and other locations," says KATA manager Florence.

In all cases, there will be daily (six days per week) training sessions, a monthly time trial and weekly four kilos of KATA food available for pick up.  Those showing great promise may also be asked to come live, train and eat at KATA in Thika sooner than 90 days.

"We hope this project is going to help a lot of Kenyans," says Bob's wife Catherine. "As one of our supporters wrote, I can not imagine going without food wrote Dan Sutich."  Dan contributed $114.40 to the project.  

The Kenyan Athletics Training Academy in Thika just launched today the KATA hunger project helping potential pro runners from poor families

KATA (Kenyan Athletics Training Academy) announced today (Oct 4, 2022) it has launched a new project.  The KATA Hunger Project is going to help potential Pro runners from poor families.  Additionally the project will help struggling women farmers to be better more efficient farmers year around.   

"Our Kenya Fresh Farm Hunger Project (KATA Hunger Project) is going to provide 8.8 pounds (four kilos) of home-grown fresh fruits and vegetables weekly to Kenyans in Need for 13 weeks," says KATA director Bob Anderson, MBR publisher and founder of Runner's World Magazine (1966-1984). 

Bob and his wife Catherine built and financed the Kenya Athletics Training Academy located in Thika Kenya.  The 23- room academy was officially opened Sept 4, 2021.  

KATA is a one-of-a-kind facility and its focus is on training runners to become pro runners.  KATA does not manage runners and does not ask its athletes to share any of their prize money.  

Kenyan athletes are not charged to live, eat and train at KATA.  "We mostly seek out runners who need our help," says head coach Joseph Ngure, a senior coach with over 30 years of experience.

As an example, Peter Njeru Mwaniki was one of the first potental pro runners who came to KATA for help.  His family did not believed he could make distance running a career. They basically kicked him out of their house.  He then moved in with his brother but that was not working either.  

“He had run a 32:30 10k but his hope of making a career out of running was slim," says coach Joseph. "We took him in, feed him and trained him.  Within just a few weeks we knew he had great potential."  

On Oct 2, 2022 Peter won the Telesia half marathon in Italy clocking 1:00:29.  It was a good pay day for Peter and his new KATA family made it happen for him.  "We are very proud of Peter and all our KATA athletes," says Bob.

"It would be almost impossible to train hard without enough to eat," says KATA manager Florence Kimiti, as a junior ran 1:59 for 800m. "A 32:30 10k is not bad for a recreational runner but not for a pro runner.  A lot of Kenyans make a living from distance running, the most famous being Eluid Kipchoge who is making millions for his efforts.  He is our hero. The goat."

Peter will be running several more races in Italy before coming back to KATA to keep up his training and to help support our Kenya Fresh Farms Hunger Project. 

"All KATA athletes staying at our academy put in 20 hours per week of work," says operations manager Elam Wangwero, a top runner himself and who have known Bob and Catherine since 2014. 

"The work might be cleaning, painting, working on My Best Runs website (posting results, checking links, photos, etc) and now KATA Hunger Project.  But of course the training always comes first along with three meals daily."

"It seems to me that doing something other can training, eating and sleeping is helping our athletes run so well," says Bob. "So much of running is mental and you need a sharp mnd." 

"Without the support of KATA,"wrote Peter from Italy, "my dream would not have come true.  I am feeling the happiest ever.  I never thought of running such a time at this age."    

The KATA Hunger Project was officially started August 1, 2022 but unofficially started in 2020.  "Since we are going to provide home-grown fresh fruits and vegetables for our potential pro runners we needed to set up our own farm," says Florence.

Bob leased two acres of land outside of Embu on August 1.  It was idle land but it did have 40 fruits trees (banana and mango) that just needed care.  Additional land can be easily leased when needed.  

Vegetable beds at KATA's Fresh Farm have already been planted.  "We dug a well for water, we set up solar and are building a barn, thanks to Brock Hinzmann (2:19 marathoner back in the 80’s and 90’s) contribution," says Florence.

Runners can also train with the team by just coming to KATA and soon other locations.  And when approved, will be given four kilos of Fruits and vegetables at the end of the week starting Dec 23.  After or during the 13-week program the athletes with the most potential will be asked to live at KATA at no expense for them.

Potential pro runners outside of Kenya will be able to join the program starting November 1, 2022.  "Our guest runners will receive all the benefits as our Kenyan athletes," says Bob.  "Same food, same training, same duties with one difference. Our guests can have their own room."

Minimum stay is one month.  Cost which covers everything is $1000 not including airline ticket and visa.  

"A single month is not a lot of time," says coach Joseph, "but at least you will see what we do here.  Our program is more than going for runs and doing some speedwork.  We can get you ready to set new PR's."

"Our KATA Hunger Project is a keeper.  We want to reach a lot of Kenyans in need but we need your help," says Catherine.  "This is how the program works: for every one US dollar contributed, one pound of home-grown Fresh fruits and vegetables will be provided to a Kenyan in Need.  8.8 pounds weekly."

"There is so much talent here in Kenya," says Elam. "I am glad Bob and Catherine have set up these programs.

Joseph Njoroge clocks the 4th fastest Double 15k (10k+break+5k) ever this morning in Thika Kenya

Joseph Njoroge (blue jersey) from Ngong Athletics Club was the overall winner of the Second edition of the Double 15k race held in Thika on Wednesday morning.

The 18-year-old Nyandarua-born Njoroge clocked 29:56.17 in 10Km before caping the event with 14:43.93 to emerged top in 44:40.10 in the new race that is gaining ground in Kenya.

Local ace Zakariah Kirika, 21, who trains with the host Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika, combined 45:25.31 to finish second splitting 30:28.54 in 10Km and 14:56.77 after the break.

For the women, Newcomer Caren Chepkemoi from the Thika based Training Academy won the lady’s category in 59:50.76. She timed 40:14.97 in 10km and 19:35.79 followed by training mate Susan Njeriwho fished second in combined 1:00.01.68 in the race organized by Kenyan Athletics Training Academy.

62-year-old Charles Ndirangu who trains at KATA smashed the 60-69 world best clocking 55:11 for the two legs.  His splits were 37:04 for 10k and 18:07 for 5k.  

“The double Race tests athletes’ endurance. They must do 15Km split into 10Km and 5Km. This is separated by 1hr 45min break from the start of the 10Km race and beginning of the 5Km leg.  Times are added together for scoring.  The leaders after the first leg wears the yellow jersey so everyone knows who is leading going into the second leg," explained Bob Anderson, the creator of Double Racing in 2010 and the chairman  of the Double Road Race Federation based in Mountain View California USA. 

This was the second Double Race after the first was held in September last year during the official opening of the KATA that now hosts 15 athletes.

The KATA 10Km monthly Time-Trial resumes on October 15th in Thika.   

Monthly KATA Time Trial series was run on the track with good success

The August Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) Time-Trial was held on the Track in Thika Kenya for the first time toady (August 17) with Peter Mwaniki and Fredrick Kiprotich winning the 10,000m and 5,000m respectively. The 5000m was added this time around. 

Running on the 400m training track at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mwaniki transferred his winning from the road to complete the 25 laps in 29:24.4 followed by new addition Bernard Musau who finished in 30:02.8 while seasoned Zakariah Kirika maintained the third position clocking 30:17.9.

In the shorter 5,000m, middle distant runners and upstarts got motivated to running in their preferred distance.  Fredrick clocked 15:22.5 just edging out Boniface Mungai (15:23.9) with Alfred Kamande just behind clocking 16:11.9.

The August time-trial will now usher in the September race that will be the Second edition of the Double 15k (10k+break+5k) race as the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy marks it's first Anniversary. The September event will be held on 14th starting and finishing outside the Academy.  "All runners are invited to run in the second annual KATA Double 15k," says KATA Director Bob Anderson from his office in Mountain View, California.  "There were many world class times clocked a year ago."

10,000metres

1. Peter Mwaniki (bib 70) 29:24.4

2. Bernard Musau (82) 30:02.8

3. Zakariah Kirika (98) 30:17.9

4. Peter Mburu (79) 30:54.9

5. Nicholas Kitundu (72) 31:36.0

6. Evans Kiguru (85) 32:01.5

7. Anthony Wanjiru (80) 33:57.8

8. Joseph Nyota (66) 36:57.2

9. Caren Chepkemboi (76) 38:15.6

10. Susan Njeri (100) 38:58.5

5,000metres

1. Fredrick Kiprotich (500) 15:22.5

2. Boniface Mungai (77) 15:23.9

3. Alfred Kamande (67) 16:11.9

4. Gipson 17:19.8 (81) 17:19.8

5. Hannah Njeri (83) 26:02.3

Peter Mwaniki Njeru sets new course record at the KATA 10k Time Trial clocking 29:00.9

Peter Mwaniki Njeru used his international experience to produce scintillating performance at the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) 10 Kilometres monthly time trial held in Thika Kenya on Wednesday morning (July 13).

Njeru bounced back to victory and chalked new course record of 29:00.81 to surpass his previous mark while his namesake Peter Wanyoike, the winner of the last four editions, also beat his personal record after timing 29:18.88, eclipsing his time of 29:53.19 attained last month.

The victory, coming soon after the winner resumed his training after competing in Europe, aided the champion to focus on the programe for faster times in August.

“I was just testing my body after doing good loading the last two weeks. I know I will do better in my next races,” said Njeru, whose races are centralized in Italy.

The monthly time-trial also ushered in newcomers KepharNamtala from Nyahururu and Evans Kiguru of Murang’a who clocked 30:29.6 and 30:40.4 and finished 3rd and 4th respectively during the event held on a five kilometres paved stretch of road not far from KATA.

In the absence of consistent and regular Zakariah Kirika, rising star Nicholas Kitundu registered new 30:46.3, erasing his previous 31:13.3 to finish in position five as the Academy, located near Mang’u High School, off Thika Superhighway, marked 11th months since it officially opened.

The next time-trial, will be moved to the track to introduce variety, is scheduled for August 17th this year.

KATA 10k Time Trial #11 Results:

Name                       Bib             Age           Time

1. Peter Njeru          80              23             29:00.9

2. Peter Wanyoike  78              26             29:18.9

3. Kephar Namtala  66             23              30:29.6

4. Evans Kiguru        79             27              30:40.4

5. Nicholas Kitundu 500           22              30:46.3

6. Johnson Kaberia   81           25              31:10.4     

7. Raphael Gacheru 72             22              31:26.9

8. Boniface Mungai 77             23               31:46.3

9. Levis Kuria            82             21               32:04.1

10. Fredrick Kiprotich 100       23               33:26.8

11. Erick Mutuku     99             20               33:27.4

12. Alfred Kamande71             24               34:17.8

13. Martin Mambo 98              27                34:18.2

14. Peter Mukundi 85             25                 37:59.8

15. Jackson Cheruiyot 70       29                 38:01.5

16. Eston Mugo         73          29                 D N F

17. Robinson Mwaura 67     29                  DNF

Inspired by his dream of competing in the Boston Marathon, Bob Anderson started Distance Running News In 1966

Bob Anderson (publisher of My Best Runs) started Distance Running News in 1966, while he was still a high school student. Retitled Runner’s World in 1970, the magazine played a pivotal role in establishing running’s credentials as a legitimate sport.

Feature articles on training, diet, race tactics, and hotly contested reviews of running shoes delivered Runner’s World an audience in the millions, before the company was sold in 1984. Nearly 40 years later, Bob is still an exercise evangelist and a serial entrepreneur. Just don’t call him a jogger, he was only interested in racing!

ANDERSON HAS COMPETED IN NEARLY 1000 RACES

1. Why do you love running so much?

I love running simply because it gives me a lot of self-confidence. Plus you can run anyplace, anywhere, anytime — all you need is a good pair of shoes! It’s just you and your body in the fresh air. I also love that feeling when your heart’s pumping, things are clicking and you’re running as fast as you can. It’s an adrenaline rush. I’m 74 years old and I still run about 30 miles a week and walk another 30 miles. My little dog Daisy joins me for about half of this.

2. That is an amazing effort. Back in the early 70s, running wasn’t considered a sport in the way that football or baseball is, was it? How would you describe it?

Well, my dad, when he was in his 40s, wouldn’t have been caught dead in a pair of running shorts outside, it was just way too weird! I grew up in Kansas and ran cross-country and track in high school. But once the season ended, there was nothing, and college running was really only for superstars. People just didn’t run for fun and fitness. There were a few pockets of hardcore runners (like in San Franciso), and the Boston Marathon was around, but only a few hundred people entered races in those early years.

A STACK OF HISTORY

3. A lot of things conspired to create the jogging boom in the late 1970s. How did the marathon become a phenomenon?

I have to say one thing about jogging — I’ve never jogged a mile in my life! I run, and I run races! Anyway, what really helped put running on the map was when Dr. Kenneth Cooper came out with the book Aerobics. A few years earlier, President John F. Kennedy started the 50-mile hike challenge. Those two events really jumpstarted the running scene in America.

In January 1966, I published the first issue of Distance Running News.  Even though I only printed a thousand copies, lots of people wanted to read it. The next thing I knew, people started sending in subscription money. New Balance was one of my first advertisers. I think they paid $10 for a little ad.

4. Bargain! 

It started with two issues a year, then we went from four to six, then monthly. We went from black and white photos to colour. I started with a hundred bucks, and by the time I sold the magazine in 1984, we had 2,500,000 readers! We changed the name to Runner’s World in 1970, and the magazine became the Bible of running.

5. Did you have a grand plan for the business?

Not really. I was still in high school at the time! I was interested in running the Boston Marathon but had no idea how to train or go about it. I was reading every single word I could find about running, which wasn’t much. On the way to a cross-country meet one day I said to my best friend (Dave Zimmerman), "I want to start a magazine about running. We’ll call it Distance Running News!"  He said great!

A YOUNG BOB BESIDE HIS HANDY WORK

6. It sounds like the magazine fostered a great sense of community.

Absolutely. You’re right, it was all about bringing people together, which is exactly what social media does for people today. A kid living in Cheyenne, Wyoming, who absolutely loved running, but was into it by himself, was suddenly able to find out what was happening in the world of running by reading the magazine.

We covered all sorts of topics, including articles on how to break through the pain barrier when you hit the wall at 20 miles, training information, dietary advice, running after 40, and women’s running. When I started Runner’s World, a woman was not allowed to run more than a half-mile.

7. Whoa! I have never heard that before.

I mean, it’s hard to believe that was the case, but a lot of people thought the female body was just not made to run beyond a half-mile. As far as I was concerned, people are people, and it didn’t matter if you were a man or a woman. I didn’t care if you were 10 years old or 75 years old — or even 100 years old! — the fact of the matter is running should be for everyone. I remember Kathy Switzer was thrown out of the Boston Marathon in 1967. It was crazy, but women were not allowed to run 26 miles at that time. That rule didn’t change until 1972. Anyway, those are the sorts of things we were dealing with in those early days, and we covered it all.

8. The athletic brands were also in their infancy during this period. Did you have any inkling how big brands like New Balance would become?

I wish I could say I did. [laughs] At the time, the sneaker companies were really small firms. New Balance was based up in the North East of the USA and other brands were dotted around America. To put things into perspective, back in those days, a best-selling running shoe maybe sold a thousand pairs. That’s how small the business of running was.

In 1968 I asked some experienced runners if 10,000 subscribers was possible. They told me that figure was just unbelievable and that I’d never reach it. Those people I talked to clearly thought I was just a kid with crazy dreams, but I didn’t start Runner’s World to make money — I just wanted to help the sport! In my mind that was a much bigger goal.

9. Well, I’d say you had the last laugh. Do you remember when your first running shoe edition was printed?

Oh yeah, our first shoe issue came out in 1967, and we reported on all the brands. As the years went on we did it annually, and it became the biggest issue of the year by far, with close to four million readers. We hired Peter Kavanaugh at Penn State University — who we paid $25,000 for equipment — and sent him all the shoes to test. We included feedback from readers in the results too. We would end up ranking the shoes starting with the number one running shoe of that year.

10. Sounds like a recipe for drama and intrigue.

Yeah, it was. [laughs] Because we rated a shoe number one, the controversy was never far away. Some brands felt we had too much power and … actually one company thought that we were being ‘influenced’ and decided to pull out of the shoe issue, thinking that their second place ranking should have been higher. Funnily enough, we sold more copies of that October shoe issue than we ever had because the controversy made the national news. We were fully investigated and cleared, of course, because we were doing nothing wrong. We just presented the facts as we saw them.

11. What are your memories of working with Jim Davis, president of New Balance?

First of all, Jim was very personable and he didn’t need to be in the limelight. He seemed like a really hardworking guy who really cared about running shoes and making the very best product that he could. I was very impressed, and you just got the feeling he was gonna make his brand work. He made and sold shoes in different width sizes, and he was willing to roll the dice on that. And here we are today, New Balance is a huge company. It’s a very impressive story. 

(Jim Davis bought a small Boston Shoemaker in 1972 and turned it into a $3.6 billion New Balance company.  Jim is the chairman of New Balance and his wife Anna joined the company in 1977 and is the vice chairman.  Jim and Anna's net worth is estamated to be 4.6 billion dollars.)

12. You sold Runner’s World in 1984, by which time you had 300 employees…

We had 350 employees actually. [laughs] I was going through a divorce at that time and needed to sell the company. It’s funny, I started the magazine because I wanted to run the Boston Marathon, but I literally became a weekend runner only because my day was pretty full from six in the morning until eight at night. However, I was still able to run sub-six-minute miles in races on the weekend.

13. That’s quite ironic, isn’t it?

Yeah, it is. I wish I had followed my own advice. As I’ve gotten older, when I look back, my whole life was Runner’s World before the age of 35. Instead of taking off for an afternoon run, I just worked really hard. Luckily I’m still running 30 to 35 miles every week. I finally ran the Boston Marathon in 2013. It only took me 45 years to be on the starting line.

14. And was it as amazing as you thought it would be?

Oh my gosh, I’ve run close to a thousand races in my life but the Boston Marathon is number one. It was just an incredible experience and I was thrilled my wife and son Michael were with me that day. At the same time, that was also the year of the terrible bombing. Luckily I finished about a half hour before that happened. I ran 3:32:17 that day at age 65.  I was proud of my time but it only gave me like 9th in my age division.  

15. I didn’t connect that tragic year with the Boston race. That should have been a great day for you and a lot of other people.

Yeah, it was great, right up until the point the bomb went off. The experience of finally running through Boston and seeing the crowds was just beyond words. That doesn’t overshadow the victims and all the other people whose lives were destroyed that day, but the Boston Marathon is still an incredible race. What a tragic contrast to the joy that running brings.  

16. One last question.  You just can't stay away from being part of the running world!

I just love running and it will be part of my life until the end.  I am the editor/publisher of our website My Best Runs.  As of 2022 we have nearly one million unique readers annually.  In 2010 I started a new sport called Double Racing and we established the Double Road Race Federation. The double is a two stage race.  Our most popular disance is the Double 15k.  We run 10K and then a 5k one hour and 45 minutes after the start of the 10k.  Times are added together for scoring.  In 2012 I ran 50 races over the course of a year covering 350.8 miles averaging 6:59/mile.  A movie A Long Run the movie covers the event.  

I also started  the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika Kenya (one hour outside of Nairobi) and officially opened it Sept 4, 2021.  We currently have 13 Kenyan runners living and training there.  We do a monthly 10K time Trial and we have had four of our runners already break 30 minutes.  We have a lot of plans and have just started.  I am working with an amazing team there who takes care of the day to day.  Many have already told us we have one of the nicest if not the nicest "camp" in all of Kenya.

I love running and I love turning on as many people as I can to this amazing sport...Running and Racing!

GB boost team for World Champs

A number of athletes have been added to the British squad for the World Championships in Eugene following the publication of the “Road to Oregon 2022” qualification positions.

The athletes added are: high jumpers Emily Borthwick, Laura Zialor, Morgan Lake and Joel Clarke-Khan, long jumper Jazmin Sawyers, triple jumper Naomi Metzger, discus throwers Jade Lally and Nick Percy, shot putters Scott Lincoln and Amelia Strickler, sprint hurdler David King, 400m hurdler Chris McAlister, 400m runner Alex Haydock-Wilson, triple jumper Ben Williams and pole vaulter Molly Caudery.

Ellie Baker is also expected to be added to the team in the women’s 800m due to withdrawals from athletes ahead of her in the rankings.

However Callum Wilkinson has dropped out of the team in the 20km walk to focus instead on the Commonwealth Games.

The team is as follows:

Women:

100m: Dina Asher-Smith; Daryll Neita; Imani-Lara Lansiquot; 

200m: Dina Asher-Smith; Beth Dobbin; 

400m: Victoria Ohuruogu; Ama Pipi; Nicole Yeargin; 

800m: Alex Bell; Keely Hodgkinson; Jemma Reekie; Ellie Baker (subject to top 32 ranking); 

1500m: Melissa Courtney-Bryant; Laura Muir; Katie Snowden; 

5000m: Jessica Judd; Amy-Eloise Markovc; Eilish McColgan; 

10,000m: Jessica Judd; Eilish McColgan; 

3000m steeplechase: Lizzie Bird; Aimee Pratt; 

100m hurdles: Cindy Sember; 

400m Hurdles: Jessie Knight; Lina Nielsen; 

High jump: Emily Borthwick, Morgan Lake, Laura Zialor; 

Pole vault: Holly Bradshaw; Molly Caudery; 

Long jump: Lorraine Ugen; Jazmin Sawyers; 

Triple jump: Naomi Metzger; 

Shot put: Sophie McKinna; Amelia Strickler; 

Discus: Jade Lally; 

Heptathlon: Katarina Johnson-Thompson; 

4x100m: Dina Asher-Smith; Beth Dobbin; Imani-Lara Lansiquot; Daryll Neita; Ashleigh Nelson; Asha Philip; Bianca Williams; 

4x400m: Zoey Clark; Jessie Knight; Laviai Nielsen; Lina Nielsen; Victoria Ohuruogu; Ama Pipi; Nicole Yeargin; 

Marathon: Rose Harvey; Jess Piasecki; Charlotte Purdue.

Men:

100m: Zharnel Hughes; Reece Prescod; 

200m: Joe Ferguson; Adam Gemili; Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake; 

400m: Matthew Hudson-Smith; Alex Haydock-Wilson; 

800m: Max Burgin; Kyle Langford; Daniel Rowden; 

1500m: Neil Gourley; Josh Kerr; Jake Wightman; 

5000m: Sam Atkin; Andrew Butchart; Marc Scott; 

10,000m: Patrick Dever; 

110m hurdles: Andrew Pozzi; Josh Zeller; David King; 

400m hurdles: Alastair Chalmers; Chris McAlister; 

High jump: Joel Clarke-Khan; 

Pole vault: Harry Coppell; 

Triple jump: Ben Williams; 

Shot put: Scott Lincoln; 

Discus: Lawrence Okoye; Nick Percy; 

Hammer: Nick Miller; 

4x100m: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey; Jeremiah Azu; Jona Efoloko; Adam Gemili; Zharnel Hughes; Reece Prescod; Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake; 

Marathon: Josh Griffiths; Chris Thompson; 

Mixed 4x400m: Athletes already selected for the women’s 4x400m relay team will be available for selection for this event, plus: Joe Brier; Lewis Davey; Alex Haydock-Wilson.

Dina Asher-Smith will launch the defence of her 200m title at world championships

Dina Asher-Smith set for 200m defence as part of GB’s World Championships squad. 

The 26-year-old, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Keely Hodgkinson headline the 64-strong team for the competition in Eugene, Oregon, in July.

Asher-Smith won gold in Doha three years ago, having collected 100m silver, before going on to also secure silver in the 4x100m relay, and will look to improve on that haul in the United States.

She is expected to run at the Stockholm Diamond League meet on Thursday in her final race before the World Championships, which were rescheduled from last year after the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Outgoing Olympic head coach Christian Malcolm said: “We’ve seen a number of athletes step up on the global circuit so far this season, which has been really encouraging.

“We are confident that we’ve selected a team that optimises medal success and that have the ability to progress through rounds to reach finals.

“The World Championships is the start of a very busy summer of Championships and Games, so there are a number of opportunities for athletes to represent their country this summer.

“For those who have been selected for the team for Oregon, I wish the athletes and their coaches the best over the next week or so and to keep focus to achieve your goals.”

Daryll Neita, who reached last year’s Olympic 100m final and beat Asher-Smith in Manchester at the weekend to become British 100m champion, is also included for the 100m and 4x100m.

Despite winning the 200m at the British Championships on Sunday, however, 25-year-old Neita does not have the time for 200m qualification, with Asher-Smith joined by Beth Dobbin.

Johnson-Thompson missed the Manchester championships at the weekend but will look to defend the heptathlon world title she won in 2019.

The 29-year-old has been dogged by injury for 18 months since rupturing her Achilles in late 2020 and pulled out of the Olympics having suffered a calf problem in the heptathlon’s 200m.

Hodgkinson, who is expected to challenge American Athing Mu for 800m gold, is included along with Laura Muir, with the Scot aiming for her first World Championships outdoor medal after claiming 1500m silver in Tokyo last year.

Hodgkinson is joined in the 800m by Alex Bell and Jemma Reekie while Holly Bradshaw, who won Olympic bronze last year, will contest the pole vault.

Zharnel Hughes and Reece Prescod are Britain’s hopes in the men’s 100m with Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and Adam Gemili in the 200m.

Prescod ran 9.93 seconds in Ostrava last month to leave him 11th fastest in the world this year but he remains well behind world lead Fred Kerley, who posted 9.76 seconds at the US trials at the weekend.

All four are in the men’s 4x100m relay squad, with Hughes and Mitchell-Blake aiming to ease their heartbreak having been stripped of their Olympic relay silver after CJ Ujah’s positive drugs test.

They are joined by Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, new British 100m champion Jeremiah Azu and Jona Efoloko.

Asher-Smith, Dobbin, Neita, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Ashleigh Nelson, Asha Philip and Bianca Williams make up the women’s 4x100m squad.

Max Burgin, the fastest man in the world over 800m this year, won the British title on Sunday to seal his place.

World Athletics will publish its final world rankings ahead of the Championships on Wednesday, meaning there are likely to be a number of additions to the squad based on rankings.

The World Championships sparks a frantic summer with the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham starting days after the end of competition in Eugene and then the European Championships in Munich in August.

New personal best set at the KATA 10k Time Trial

The tenth edition of Kenya Athletics Training Academy 10kilometres monthly time-trial took place on Wednesday in Thika Kenya with Peter Wanyoike running a new personal best and winning again.  

Sibling rivalry marked the event with upcoming Erick Mutuku and consistent Zakaria Kirika fighting for the runner-up position during the run that brought together 16 participants.

Wanyoike, winning the trial for the 4th time in a row, clocked 29:53.19 to beat his previous 29:53.68 registered during the 8th edition in April.

Kirika was dislodged from his second position by Erick Mutuku who timed 30:03.18. Kirika managed 30:14.86 in third place.

The monthly trial has become a yard stick forgauging individual speed with young and upcoming athletes reaping maximum benefits.

Levis Kuria, Erick Mutuku, Boniface Mungai, Nicholas Kitundu and Raphael Gacheru, all in their early 20s, attained their individual records with significant margins.

Kuria clocked 31:32.75, improving his previous 33:03.46 while Mutuku and Mungai timed 30:03.18 and 31:25.79 from 30:14.67 and 32:30.42 respectively.

The next KATA 10K Time-Trial will take place on 13th of July at the same place.

RESULTS

NAME                      BIB         TIME            Age

1.Peter Wanyoike  79          29:53.2        26

2. Erick Mutuku     67          30:03.2         20  

3. Zakaria Kirika     78          30:14.9         21

4. Nichola Kitundu 72          31:13.3        22

5. Fredrick Kiprotich 76       31:21.9        23

6. Raphael Gacheru  70       31:25.5        22

7. Boniface Mungai   77      31:25.8         23

8. Robinson Mwaura  85    31:31.4         29

9. Levis Kuria        66            31:32.8        21

10. Geoffrey Mwangi 82    34:24.4         40

11. Erick Mugo       73         34:45.8         29

12. Paul Ng’ang’a   71        34:48.1          42

13. Charles Ndirangu  80  37:03.5          62

14: Peter Mukundi     81   37:36.1          25

15. Wisely Kipkirui     84   38:38.9          24

16. Ann Wangu          83    46:47.2         30

Only five seconds separated the top three at KATA 10K Time Trial

Sibling rivalry and Excitement marked the May Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) 10k Time Trial with elite athletes fighting hard to keep their positions.

The event, the 9th since the inception of KATA, was a motivating factor for all those who posted their personal records during the trials that took place on Wednesday May 18 in Thika Kenya.  

However, Peter Wanyoike and Zakariah Kirika were unstoppable as they fought tooth and nail to keep their top positions three times in a row.

Doing the trial a week after running his local marathon in Kenya, Wanyoike led Kirika to a 1-2 finish with Eston Mugo finishing third after recovery from an Injury.

Though the top two could not better their previous times, it was a relief for all the rest after knocking down several minutes and second from their previous times.

Wanyoike, who ran 2:25.04 ten days ago, registered 30:01.3 while his avid rival, who also ran 30:04, maintained 30:02.4 to keep his runners-up position.

Eston Mugo was shade over 30 minutes to click 30:06.3 from his April’s 33:22.1 with the all the rest attaining their Personal Best times during the trial that were held under cloudy weather.

60-year-old Charles Ndirangu clocked a fine 36:13.  

The next KATA 10k Time Trial will be held on June 15th with better times being anticipated on the same course.  Runners of all abilities are welcome to compete.  

Names                       BIB       Age    Gender    Time            April Time

1. Peter Wanyoike     213       26         M           30:01.3       (29:53.7 April time)

2. Zakaria Kirika          237       21         M            30:02.4      (29:54.4)

3. Eston Mugo           224       26        M           30:06.3       (33:22.1)

4. Erick Mutuku          216       20        M           30:14.7       (31:41.3)

5. Raphael Gacheru   233        22        M           31:35.9       (32:28.4)

6. Fredrick Kiprotich  79          23        M            31:41.5       - - --

7. Nicholas Kitundu    80         22        M              32:06.9      ------          

8. Boniface Mungai   235        23        M             32:30.5     (33:05.6)

9. Levis Kuria             214       21        M             33:04.5     (33:11.6)

10. Charles Ndirangu 82         60       M              36:13.2      ------

11. Samuel Muiruri    68         27        M              36:55.7     (42:30.8)

12. Peter Mukundi     71         25        M              39:16.5     New

13. Caren Chepkemoi 127    19        M           42:06.      (42:30.5)

14. Susan Njeri             76      36         M              45:11.9    (45:30.2)

Flying Pig Marathon Weekend Celebrates Hometown Marathon Winners

The 24th running of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon powered by P&G celebrated two Greater Cincinnati runners earning their first Flying Pig marathon wins.

The men’s division winner was 29-year-old Zac Holtkamp of Alexandria, Kentucky, in a time of 2:27:18. Holtkamp won this year’s Heart Half Marathon and in 2020 finished second in the Mesa Marathon with a time of 2:22:29. “I waited until after the Heart Half to sign up for the Flying Pig,” said Holtkamp. “After the Heart Half I thought, OK I can do it.”

This was Holtkamp’s first Flying Pig after moving back to the area from Arizona. “I held off for years doing the Flying Pig,” he said. “So many people out there cheering me on, people that I knew, people that I didn’t know at all. For me, personally, that’s what keeps me going, every person who cheers for me, it’s like a mini aid station, it keeps me going.”

Second in the men’s division was 24-year-old Will Cadwell of Covington, in a time of 2:28:11. Cadwell won last October’s Fall Flying Pig Toyota 10K and also won the FCC 3 in July 2021. Third was 37-year-old Jeremy Wysocki of Miamisburg, Ohio with a time of 2:35:19.

In the women’s division, 34-year-old Grace McCarron of Loveland, Ohio won with a time of 2:50:00 in her first Flying Pig. McCarron won the Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio in 2021. “The atmosphere, the crowd, is just amazing. Often when you do a marathon there are some quiet spots, but here people are cheering all the time,” she said. “You’re out there, you’re working so hard, and to hear those cheers makes all the difference.”

Second in the women’s division was 26-year-old Madeline Dawson, who won the Heart Half Marathon earlier this year. Her time in the marathon was 2:52:51. Pacing third was two-time Flying Pig Marathon winner Anne Flower of Covington, who finished in 2:54:04. Flower won the Big Sur Marathon in California just last weekend.

In the Paycor Half Marathon, Cincinnati native Caitlin Keen, a two-time winner of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon (2018, 2021), won her first Paycor Half Marathon in a time of 1:21:08. The 29-year-old ran a half marathon in Waco, Texas, near her home in Fort Worth, last weekend, but because of a wrong turn, the course was shortened by two miles for the leaders. She made a last minute decision to return to Cincinnati this weekend for the half.

“The experience here is something I never expected. People stop me on the street here and say, ‘You’re Caitlin, I know you, congratulations on winning the Pig.’ I want to be here because that’s how much the people here mean to me.”

Second in the women’s division was 28-year-old Katarina Smiljanec from Covington in a time of 1:24:57. She also placed second in Friday night’s Fifty West Mile elite division. Third in the half was 24-year-old Aimee Piercy from Cincinnati in 1:25:53, who was third in Friday’s Fifty West Mile.

On the men’s side of the Paycor Half Marathon, 43-year-old Josh Whitehead from Huntsville, Alabama, won in a time of 1:12:14. Whitehead has made a remarkable recovery from a bicycle accident in 2020, when he was hit by a car and suffered a broken back, dislocated shoulder and partially collapsed lung.

Second in the men’s division was 30-year-old Eric Gruenbacher of Loveland, Ohio in 1:12:56 and third was 28-year-old Kyle Klingler of Cincinnati in 1:13:14.

The 24th annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon weekend powered by P&G began Friday night with sub 5:00 miles in the newly-configured Fifty West Mile, part of the TQL Beer Series.

This year the elite “dash for cash” mile started inside Cincinnati’s Transit Tunnel off Pete Rose Way and ended at the traditional finish line on Mehring Way. The fastest male among the elites was 22-year-old Andrew Taylor of Hilliard, Ohio, in 4:23. In a near photo finish, second place was 23-year-old Jack Cordonnier from Morrow, Ohio, in 4:25 and third was 28-year-old Charlie Michel of Cincinnati in 4:26.

Among the female elites, 27-year-old Gina McNamara from Washington D.C. won in a time of 4:59. Second among the elites was 28-year-old Katarina Smiljanec from Covington, Kentucky in 5:04 and third was 24-year-old Aimee Piercy from Cincinnati in 5:11.

Saturday’s slate of events began with the Toyota 10K, won by two-time Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon winner Jack Randall of Cincinnati. The 27-year-old won in a time of 31:45. In another close finish, second place was 29-year-old Logan Barrett of Jeffersonville, Kentucky, just one second behind at 31:46. Third was 23-year-old Walter Ramsey of East Lake Center, Georgia, in 35:46.

In the women’s division of the Toyota 10K, 42-year-old Shawanna White of Columbia, South Carolina, won in a time of 39:35. Second was 31-year-old Ashley Case of Angola, Indiana, in 40:45 and third was 31-year-old Kaitlin Budke from Blue Ash, Ohio in 40:51.

In the sold-out Tri State Running Company 5K, 24-year-old Jakob Mueller from Monroe, Ohio, was the winner in 16:07, with 31-year-old Anders Ludvigsen of Cincinnati second in 17:04 and 38-year-old Bryan Wagner of Lawrenceburg. Indiana third in 17:22.

For the women, 22-year-old Meredith Grace Gieske from Fort Mitchell was the winner in 18:57. Second was 45-year-old Amy Parker of Dublin, Ohio, in 19:26 and third was Abby Mace in 19:32.

Also held Saturday was the First Watch Flying Piglet, Cincinnati Children’s 26th Mile, PigAbilities presented by Goodwill Industries, and the Flying Fur.

Giulietta & Romeo Half Marathon in Verona: Alfred Kipchirchir and Meseret Gola win

The Dermasphere Giulietta & Romeo Half Marathon and Avesani Monument Run 10k experienced another historic day of great international sport and strong solidarity with the A Casa far from Home project "Emergency Sick Children of Ukraine - We help sick little ones on the run"They traveled half the world to come to Verona starting from the endless African highlands to become the new champions of the Dermasphere Giulietta & Romeo Half Marathon.

The 'Romeo' of 2022 is Kenyan and bears the name of Alfred Kipchirchir, he is the winner of the 15th edition of the Verona half marathon where he crossed the finish line in 1h00'57 ".

The 'Juliet', on the other hand, is very shy but when she runs she has grit and class to spare, her name is Meseret Gola and she comes from Ethiopia. He took the success in 1h10'09 ".

Two excellent performances, even if both failed to beat their personal bests or even to beat the records of the course. It is difficult to do so at this point of the season that sees the great road racing competitions finish. The satisfaction of winning the prestigious Verona race was nevertheless great.A great event as usual was the one organized by the organizers of Gaac 2007 Verona Marathon Asd, in collaboration with the Municipality of Verona, which maintained organizational standards of excellence, confirming the Gold Label Fidal.

Official start complete with a gunshot entrusted to the mayor Federico Sboarina and for the following waves also to the Sports Councilor Filippo Rando present at the start to greet the thousands of Italian and foreign participants.

Surprise second in the standings was placed by the Polish Ada Nowicki in 1h02'51 ", delighted at the arrival for having established a new personal best. He beat his 1h03'11 "which he had done at the Napoli City Half Marathon last February. Place of honor again for the colors of Kenya with Bernard Musau Wambua with 1h02'57 ". First of the Italians is the South Tyrolean Hannes Perkmann (Atl. Valli Bergamasche Leffe), sixth in 1h05'03 ".  Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) athlete Peter Njeru finished fifth clocking 1h03'53 just 30 seconds back of 4th place.  

Female podium completed by the Kenyan Lilian Lelei (Atl. Castello), second in 1h14'04 "and third the Ethiopian Meseret Ayele (G.s. Il Fiorino) with 1h15'25". Holding the Italian flag high is Arianna Lutteri, the current Italian marathon champion, who ran in 1h21'40 ". Avesani Monument Run 10k, real 9.7km, which was won by Alessandro Comai (Venus Triathlon) in 29'19 ", while among women the success of Claudia Andrighettoni (Us Quercia) in 34'23". Hundreds of people also participated in the non-competitive Avesani Monument Run 10k.

Gianni Pistis, coach and runner of the Charity Partner A Casa Away From Home, engaged in the project "Emergency Sick Children of Ukraine - We help sick little ones on the run" has more than hit the target.

Leaving last, Gianni had the task of overcoming a minimum of a thousand athletes, for each of which a company from Varese, which wishes to remain anonymous, will donate a thousand euros. Gianni honored his commitment by finishing in general position 204 with a time of 1h28'18 "and thus surpassing over 2 thousand athletes.

Grooming Future Champions in Thika Kenya

The Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA) is barely eight months old since it was officially opened September 2021. (Founder and executive director Bob Anderson flew over from California USA for the opening.)

KATA's presence in Thika and Kiambu County is being felt widely after our pioneer athletes have gone flat-out to inscribe the name of the Academy in the region.

During the last two seasons, nearly 90 per cent of our trainees have participated in both Cross Country and Track with positive indicators.

Competing at County level and getting selected to represent the unit at regional level is a positive indication that with time, the future champions in Kenya’s Central region will be the products of the Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA).

In addition to winning slots to regional championships, all our athletes have posted their Personal Records in their individual events, again proving that KATA is attaining its objectives of seeing upcoming and young runners improving their times.

All this is because of the well-thought out Program in the Academy that combine a high level of discipline, hard-work, and self-realization among the current crop of our learners.  The on-site management team make it all work: Florence Kimiti (manager), Elam Wangwero (operations) and Joseph Ngure (head coach).  All report to Bob Anderson daily who works from his office in Mountain View, California.  

Our day’s Programe begins with morning workouts between 06.15 and 08.00am with easy morning run covering 12 to 18Km on alternative days before breakfast in our Olympic Dining Hall at KATA.  

After breakfast, cleaning and maintenance of the Academy is the duty of the day for everybody.  We feel this is one of the processes of making these future champions responsible and useful members of society. Some go to nearby colleges to acquire skills that will come in handy after retiring from their active sporting career.

Currently we have our most improved athlete Zakariah Kirika (29:54 10k) pursuing electrical wiring, Fredrick Kiprotich is studying Agriculture and Boniface Mungai is studying accounting at a local university.

During three training sessions daily (not including Sunday), our second training session takes place between 9:00am and 11am and is mainly for agility, coordination exercises and speedwork.  The last training session begins at 16:30 pm to 17:30 pm. This is easy jogging mainly around the Academy.

In addition to daily and weekly training, the athletes focus on short-term goals that is tested during our monthly 10Km time-trial that is held usually every third Wednesday of each month. (Eight have been held so far.) These trials are open and several athletes from our neighbouring training camps have joined our team in testing their training too.  We charge no entry fee and pay no prize money.  But we offer internet exposure to all our finishers. (All results, a story and photos are posted timely on the My Best Runs website which currently have over 100k visitors monthly.)

It is from this time-trial that those who meet the target get the opportunity to compete in Europe through their respective management. Three of our athletes have had the privilege of going to Italy last year and this year since February, Peter Mwaniki Njeru and Lucy Mawia are in Europe now and are posting remarkable results. This is a big motivation to our KATA team!  

Apart from training and keeping the Academy clean, our athletes’ trains on the use of computers and each has to post his or her work-out on My Best Runs where our editorial team, under the stewardship of Elam, Okata and Eston Mwangi, update races on a daily basis.  (My Best Runs also have editorial people (all runners) in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bend Oregon, Chandler Arizona and Mountain View California.)

As the season moves on, we are expecting good performance in Road Races in Kenya beginning with the inaugural Uhuru marathon classic on May 8th in Kenya where four of our athletes will be flying the KATA flag.  

Lucy and Peter have already done well in races in Europe and will be racing again May 1 in France and Italy.  Lucy clocked a 31:20 10000m on the track in Italy and most recently Peter placed second on a tough 15k course in Istanbul clocking 46:33. Lucy is racing in France and Peter a half marathon in Italy on May 1. 

With a lot of potentials in the region, our next target will be young talents in our neighbouring schools and our technical arm will be visiting 2-3 institutions to help in training the school kids as they prepare for their inter-schools championships next month.

We are overwhelmed by the number of new athletes who want to join our Academy.  But then the opportunities are many. 

WANYOIKE DEFENDS HIS TITLE AS JUNIORS SPARKLE AT EIGHTH KATA 10K TIME TRIAL

The Eighth Edition of Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) Time-Trial took place on Wednesday morning (April 13) in Thika Kenya with upcoming athletes recording remarkable improvement.

However, experience and international exposure was at play where Peter Wanyoike remained unbeaten for the second time after winning the race back- to-back.

Wanyoike did not only win the 10Kilometres event but also improved his previous 29:57.8 after clocking 29:53.7. It was not easy for the winner as he had to resort to experience to fight off strong opposition from upcoming Zakaria Kirika who stuck on his shoulders from the beginning.

Zakariah managed a sub-30 clocking  29:54.4 in second position during the race that brought together 19 athletes.  Levis Kuria out-grew himself to finished 7th with an impressive 33:11. His personal best was 35:38.8

In women, Lucy Muli, has just started her training after racing in Europe in January, February,and March, set a new course record of 33:22.5 in winning the ladies trophy. Her December course record was 34:58.3.    

The trial came ahead of Regional Athletics Championships that was moved to 22nd and 23rd. The trial was also be used to select a KATA team that will participate in the Uhuru Marathon Classic that will be held on 8th May in Nairobi.

The 9th Edition of the monthly 10k time trial series is set for May 18th on the same out and back course about 5k from KATA (Kenyan Athletics Training Academy) where over 20 athletes are training under coach Joseph.  Twelve are living, eating, training and working at KATA.  "I am so proud of our runners," says KATA Director Bob Anderson from his office in Los Altos California USA. "They are getting stronger and stronger.  Our monthly 10k series is a first for Kenya and  is helping our athletes (and guests) both mentally and physically."

Overall Resuls:

  Names                           Age       Gender          Time 

1. Peter Wanyoike          26             M           29:53.7

2. Zakaria Kirika             21             M            29:54.4

3. Peter Mburu               26             M            30:13.8

4. Erick Mutuku             20             M            31:41.3

5. Raphael Gacheru       22             M            32:28.4

6. Boniface Mungai     23             M             33:05.6

7. Levis Kuria                  21             M            33:11.6

8. Eston Mugo               29          M           33:22.1

9. Lucy Muli                   23           F             33:22.5

10. Paul Ng’ang’a         42           M            33:33.4

11. Alfred Kamande    24           M            34:19.1

12: Samuel Chege       24           M            34:32.7

13. Wilfred Mang’eni 32           M            35:22.8

14. John Mwangi        40            M           41:05.8

15. Karren Chepkemoi 19          F           42:30.5

16. Samuel Muiruri     27           M           42:30.8

17. Susan Njeri            36            F          45:30.2

Peter Wanyoike and Catherine Njihia are the March 2022 Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) 10K Time Trial champions with individual personal records

Peter Wanyoike edged out 42-year-old Peterson Wachira from Nyahururu during the 10k time trial held in Thika Kenya on Wednesday morning (March 16) on the newly upgraded Bob Harris Road. He completed the course in 29:57.8 after covering the first 5Km in a slow 15:40.5 while Peterson finished in 30:06.0 which is a 95.79% age-graded.  

The monthly time-trial, the 7th since Kenyan Athletics Training Academy was officially opened in September last year, saw most KATA athletes post their Personal Bests with third-place finisher Zakariah Kirika and women champion Catherine Nikihia maintaining remarkable consistency.

Zakariah clocked 30:25.7, bettering his previous 30:41.9 while Catherine, the winner of the women category clocking 35:35.2. Her December time on the same course was 36:54.1.

Others with positive results included Peter Mburuwho clocking 30:43.5 from December’s 31:28.2, Paul Ng’ang’a 34:01.7, improving his 34:31.9 and Alfred Kamande who timed 34:41.4. Alfred did 35:16.5 in December.

60-year-old KATA athlete Charles Ndirangu clocked 38:08 which is 87.54% age-graded. 

With Athletics Kenya lining up a lot of activities in April, the KATA 10k Time Trial 8th edition is slated for 20th.

"We welcome runners to our next event in Thika, Kenya,"  says director Bob Anderson.  "We do not charge an entry fee and there is no prize money.  What we offer is an official 10k time. Times are published on our sponsor My Best Runs website."

Place, name, time, bib number and age.

1.Peter Wanyoike M 29:57.8 (210) Age 262. Peterson Wachira M 30:06.0 (216) Age 423. Zakariah Kirika M 30:25.7 (213) 214. Peter Mburu M 30:43.5 (211) 265. Peter King’ori M 31:38.7 (218) 256. Eston Mugo M 31:45.3 (220) 297. Erick Cheruiyot M 32:10.5 (214) 278. Raphael Gacheru M 32:48.3 (225) 239. Christian Muthini M 33:00.4 (234) 2910. Paul Ng’ang’a M 34:01.7 (224) age 4211. Alfred Kamande M 34:41.4 (217) age 2412. Samuel Chege M 34:59.4 (236) age 2513. Nicholas Kitundu M 35:19.6 (233) age 2214. Catherine Njihia F 35:35.2 (68) age 2315. Levis Kuria M 35:38.8 (231) age 2116. John Mwangi M 36:24.0 (235) age 4017. Solomon Njenga M 37:04.6 (232) age 3818. Lamech Cheleket M 37:32.1 (228) age 2319. Samuel Kamau M 38:01.7 (73) age 2720. Charles Ndirangu M 38:08.6 (237) age 60

Karren Chepkemoi F 20:37.9 (5KM) 69 age 21

Erick Mutuku M 15:05.8 (5KM) 229 age 20

2021 Fukuoka Marathon champion Michael Githae will lead a competitive Kenyan field in Tokyo

Michael Githae will be one of the frontrunners for the coveted title having won the Fukuoka event in December in 2:07:51. 

Githae will have Simon Kariuki for the company in the event. Kariuki finished third in the Lake Biwa Marathon last year in a time of 2:07:18. 

Benard Kimani, who finished fourth at the Eindhoven Marathon in 2019 in 2:11:31, and Daniel Kitonyi who has a personal best of 2:14.41 set at the Nagano Marathon two years ago, will be seeking to upset the formbook.

Nicholas Kosimbei, who has a personal best of 1:00.20 in the half marathon, will also make his debut in the full marathon.

Japan will be represented by Kengo Suzuki, who has a PB of 2:04:56 set at the Lake Biwa Marathon alongside Hidekazu Hijikata (PB 2:06:26),  Kyohei Hosoya (PB 2:06:35), and 2020 Fukuoka winner  Yuya Yoshida (2:07:05). 

Seven men with recent times under 2:07, 31 under 2:10, 112 under 2:20, and two debuting sub-61 half marathoners have confirmed participation.

Elsewhere, the Osaka Marathon is slated for February 27 with two Kenyans in the field.

The 2018 Lake Biwa winner Joseph Macharia Ndirangu with a PB of 2:07:53 and James Rungaru (PB 2:08:250 will compete at the event.

6th KATA 10k Time Trial Series continues in Thika

The Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) 6th edition of the 10K Time-Trials series was held on the 5Km loop course outside KATA in Thika Kenya Feb 16.  

Peter Mwanikie was the winner.

Peter, the winner of last month’s edition, broke away from closest rival Zakari Kirika in the last 20 meters after running shoulder to shoulder most of the ways to finish in 31:39.9

Zakari, who finished 4th in January, clocked 31:44.8 followed by Erick Mutuku in 33:01.6 on the winding and rough course starting and finishing outside the Academy.

The lone lady, Caren Chepkemboi, fresh from High school and a week old in the Academy, did 50:29.4.  The monthly event sponsored by KATA and My Best Runs had 15 participants. 

The date for the 7th edition will be held March 16th.  The series is for athletes training at KATA and for others.  There is no entry fee and no prize money.  "This is a good event to measure your fitness and to see your results published online," says  KATA director and My Best Runs publisher Bob Anderson working from his office in Mountain View California.  

"We run our series on two courses.  This is the tougher one," says head coach Joseph.  "The course record on this course is 29:59.  The course record on the other course 5k from KATA is 29:40."

The results (two lap course by KATA)

1. Peter Mwaniki 24 31:39.9

2. Zakari Kirika 21 31:44.8

3. Erick Mutuku 20 33:01.6

4. Erick Cheruiyot 26 33:50.6

5. Fredrick Kiprotich 23 34:22.2

6. Raphael Gacheru 23 35:07.4

7. Lamech Cheleket 21 36:56.8

8. Paul Ng’ang’a 42 36:59.1

9. Alfred Kamande 24 37:44.2

10. Godfrey Migwi 22 41:32.8

11. Caren Chepkemboi 21 50:29.4

Nagoya Women announced a massive $250,000 USD payday for 1st place in its 2022 race

Last year the Nagoya Women's Marathon was the first major Japanese race to take a step toward trying to restart the domestic industry, going ahead with its elite race, a limited mass-participation field of 5000, and an accompanying mass-participation half marathon with thousands more. In the fall it announced a massive $250,000 USD payday for 1st place in its 2022 race. Even as other races announce cancelations amid Japan's ongoing omicron wave and the final fate of the Osaka and Tokyo Marathons remains to be seen, Nagoya today announced the elite field for its Mar. 13 race.

The international component is very small, but at least there is one, not an easy thing to put together given Japan's still in-place border restrictions even if the government is making noises that it'll relax them a bit come Mar. 1. At the top of the list are Kenyan-born 2020 Tokyo Marathon course record breaker Lonah Chemtai Salpeter running under the Israeli flag, and 2019 world champion Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya. Given the prize money for 1st it's not a major surprise Salpeter is opting to run here instead of defending in Tokyo. Chepngetich has run 2:17 to match Salpeter's best, but it was back at Dubai in early 2019, and despite her world title and a win in Chicago last fall she hasn't broken 2:22 since then.

That puts her in range of Yuka Ando (Wacoal), holder of the debut marathon NR of 2:21:36 in Nagoya 2017. Ando ran 2:22:41 in Nagoya two years ago and is fresh off a 1:08:13 half marathon PB last weekend at the National Corporate Half, where she said she plans to better teammate Mao Ichiyama's 2:20:29 women-only NR this time out.

Reia Iwade (Adidas), Sinead Diver (Australia) and Rie Kawauchi (Otsuka Seiyaku) make up the next tier, with another five women just behind at the 2:26~2:27 level. In Kawauchi's case, she's doubling back off a 2:25:35 PB in Osaka last month in order to try to seal up an early place in the 2024 Olympic trials. Her easiest route to getting there is to run at least 2:30:25, making the grade by having two races within the qualifying window averaging 2:28:00 or better.

The list of first-timers and people coming back to the marathon is deep in numbers and talent. Key people include 1:09:12 half marathoner Kaena Takeyama (Daihatsu), 2019 Napoli World University Games half marathon gold medalist Yuka Suzuki (Daito Bunka Univ.), sub-32 track 10000 m runner Minami Yamanouchi (Raffine), and shoeless Hiromi Katakai (Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo).

Elite Field Highlights

Lonah Chemtai Salpeter (Israel) - 2:17:45 (Tokyo 2020)

Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) - 2:22:05 (London 2020)

Yuka Ando (Wacoal) - 2:22:41 (Nagoya 2020)

Reia Iwade (Adidas) - 2:23:52 (Nagoya 2019)

Sinead Diver (Australia) - 2:24:11 (London 2019)

Rie Kawauchi (Otsuka Seiyaku) - 2:25:35 (Osaka Int'l 2022)

Mirai Waku (Universal)- 2:26:30 (Nagoya 2021)

Ai Hosoda (Edion) - 2:26:34 (Nagoya 2020)

Haruka Yamaguchi (AC Kita) - 2:26:35 (Osaka Int'l 2020)

Hanae Tanaka (Daiichi Seimei) - 2:26:49 (Nagoya 2021)

Chiharu Ikeda (Hitachi) - 2:27:39 (Nagoya 2021)

Ayano Ikemitsu (Kagoshima Ginko) - 2:28:26 (Osaka Int'l 2021)

Ikumi Fukura (Otsuka Seiyaku) - 2:28:31 (Nagoya 2021)

Natsuki Omori (Daihatsu) - 2:28:38 (Nagoya 2021)

Kanako Takemoto (Daihatsu) - 2:28:40 (Nagoya 2021)

Yuma Adachi (Kyocera) - 2:29:00 (Nagoya 2021)

Eloise Wellings (Australia) - 2:29:42 (London 2021)

Anna Matsuda (Denso) - 2:29:52 (Osaka Int'l 2021)

Miharu Shimokado (SID Group) - 2:32:48 (Osaka Int'l 2020)

Madoka Nakano (Iwatani Sangyo) - 2:32:56 (Osaka Int'l 2021)

Nana Sato (Starts) - 2:33:42 (Hofu 2021)

Debut / Do-Over

Kaena Takeyama (Daihatsu) - 1:09:12 (Nat'l Corp. Half 2020)

Momoko Watanabe (Tenmaya) - 1:10:43 (Sanyo Ladies Half 2021)

Minami Yamanouchi (Raffine) - 1:10:44 (Sanyo Ladies Half 2018)

Kotomi Tsubokura (Wacoal) - 1:11:02 (Sanyo Ladies Half 2021)

Mayu Hirata (Wacoal) - 1:11:15 (Nat'l Corp. Half 2021)

Yuko Kikuchi (Hokuren) - 1:11:32 (Sanyo 2019)

Hikari Onishi (Japan Post) - 1:11:48 (Nat'l Corp. Half 2021)

Hiromi Katakai (Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo) - 1:12:00 (Nat'l Corp. Half 2022)

Yuka Suzuki (Daito Bunka Univ.) - 31:37.88 (Yamaguchi Time Trials 2019)

Kotona Ota (Japan Post) - 32:42.63 (Kyoto Time Trials 2021)

Tokyo Marathon announced domestic elite field

A few days ago the Tokyo Marathon announced the domestic elite field for its 2021 edition being held Mar. 6, 2022, with the caveat that final decisions on whether it would go ahead and whether it would have an international field, originally slated to feature men's world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, would have to wait until Feb. 18. Yesterday the Osaka Marathon announced its field for this year's race on Feb. 27, and like Osaka, Tokyo's field gives away its history as a men-only race. The men's field is even more massive than Osaka's, and the women's field only slightly deeper.

Overall Tokyo is solid, with the men's NR holder, the women-only NR holder, both half marathon NR holders, the last three Fukuoka International Marathon winners, seven men with recent times under 2:07, 31 under 2:10, 112 under 2:20, and two debuting sub-61 half marathoners. Only three women on the list including women-only NR holder Mao Ichiyama (Wacoal) have gone sub-2:30 vs. three sub-2:40 in Osaka, meaning that the field at the Nagoya Women's Marathon the week after Tokyo should be pretty good.

Especially notable people in the men's field include NR holder Kengo Suzuki (Fujitsu), two-time 2:06 man Hiroto Inoue (Mitsubishi Juko) who won last month's Osaka Half Marathon in PB time, 2020 Fukuoka winner Yuya Yoshida (GMO), and 2021 Fukuoka winner Michael Githae (Kenya/Suzuki). It's also notable that none of the three men who ran the Tokyo Olympics marathon is entered in Tokyo or any other domestic spring marathon. 

Along with Yoshida a large group from the GMO corporate team and other athletes are entered both here and in Osaka, so the final numbers at both races are likely to be a bit lower than what's on paper. But if the weather's good you can still expect to see massive races both weekends. And expect Ichiyama and Suzuki to give the world record for fastest combined times by a married couple in a single race, 4:27:05 by Kenyans Purity Cherotich Rionoripo and Paul Kipchumba Lonyangata in Paris 2017, a shot.

2021 Tokyo Marathon

Domestic Elite Field

Men

Kengo Suzuki (Fujitsu) - 2:04:56 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Hidekazu Hijikata (Honda) - 2:06:26 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Kyohei Hosoya (Kurosaki Harima) - 2:06:35 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Ryu Takaku (Yakult) - 2:06:45 (Tokyo 2020)

Hiroto Inoue (Mitsubishi Juko) - 2:06:47 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Yusuke Ogura (Yakult) - 2:06:51 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Daisuke Uekado (Otsuka Seiyaku) - 2:06:54 (Tokyo 2020)

Toshiki Sadakata (Mitsubishi Juko) - 2:07:05 (Tokyo 2020)

Yuya Yoshida (GMO) - 2:07:05 (Fukuoka Int'l 2020)

Simon Kariuki (Kenya/Togami Denki) - 2:07:18 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Masato Kikuchi (Konica Minolta) - 2:07:20 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Shin Kimura (Honda) - 2:07:20 (Tokyo 2020)

Kento Kikutani (Toyota Boshoku) - 2:07:26 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Yuta Shimoda (GMO) - 2:07:27 (Tokyo 2020)

Tadashi Isshiki (GMO) - 2:07:39 (Tokyo 2020)

Masaki Sakuda (JR Higashi Nihon) - 2:07:42 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Michael Githae (Kenya/Suzuki) - 2:07:51 (Fukuoka Int'l 2021)

Atsumi Ashiwa (Honda) - 2:07:54 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Kenya Sonota (JR Higashi Nihon) - 2:08:11 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Kento Otsu (Toyota Kyushu) - 2:08:15 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Naoya Sakuda (JR Higashi Nihon) - 2:08:21 (Fukuoka Int'l 2020)

Daisuke Hosomori (YKK) - 2:08:28 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Keisuke Hayashi (GMO) - 2:08:52 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Kazuma Kubo (Nishitetsu) - 2:08:53 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Chihiro Miyawaki (Toyota) - 2:09:04 (Tokyo 2020)

Takumi Kiyotani (Chugoku Denryoku) - 2:09:13 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Yuki Sato (SGH Group) - 2:09:18 (Berlin 2018)

Kei Katanishi (JR Higashi Nihon) - 2:09:27 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Yuki Takamiya (Yakult) - 2:09:30 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Taku Fujimoto (Toyota) - 2:09:36 (Fukuoka Int'l 2019)

Takamitsu Hashimoto (Komori Corp.) - 2:09:43 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Keisuke Tanaka (Fujitsu) - 2:10:07 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Kensuke Horio (Toyota) - 2:10:21 (Tokyo 2019)

Akira Tomiyasu (Tokyo T&F Assoc.) - 2:10:29 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Ryo Matsumoto (Toyota) - 2:10:32 (Lake Biwa 2020)

Ryota Komori (NTN) - 2:10:33 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Takuma Kumagai (Sumitomo Denko) - 2:10:41 (Fukuoka Int'l 2021)

Yuki Nakamura (Sumitomo Denko) - 2:10:47 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Takuma Shibata (Komori Corp.) - 2:10:48 (Hofu 2020)

Shota Saito (JFE Steel) - 2:10:50 (Beppu-Oita 2020)

Daiji Kawai (Toenec) - 2:10:50 (Lake Biwa 2019)

Junnosuke Matsuo (NTT Nishi Nihon) - 2:11:00 (Beppu-Oita 2020)

Asuka Tanaka (Runlife) - 2:11:07 (Fukuoka Int'l 2020)

Taiki Yoshimura (Asahi Kasei) - 2:11:13 (Hofu 2019)

Toshinori Watanabe (GMO) - 2:11:17 (Katsuta 2020)

Yoshiyuki Hara (Gotemba Takigahara SDF Base) - 2:11:21 (Hofu 2020)

Benard Kimani (Kenya/Comodi Iida) - 2:11:31 (Eindhoven 2019)

Debut / Do-Over

Nicholas Kosimbei (Kenya/YKK) - 1:00:20 (Lisbon Half 2019)

Masashi Nonaka (Osaka Gas) - 1:00:58 (Nat'l Corp. Half 2020)

Tomoya Ogikubo (Yakult) - 27:44.74 (Hachioji LD 10000 m 2021)

Naoki Koyama (Honda) - 27:55.16 (HDC Fukagawa 10000 m 2021)

Women

Mao Ichiyama (Wacoal) - 2:20:29 (Nagoya 2020)

Natsuki Omori (Daihatsu) - 2:28:38 (Nagoya 2021)

Shiho Kaneshige (GRlab Kanto) - 2:28:51 (Osaka Int'l 2020)

Hitomi Niiya (Sekisui Kagaku) - 2:30:58 (Nagoya 2009)

Miharu Shimokado (SID Group) - 2:32:48 (Osaka Int'l 2020)

Yui Okada (Otsuka Seiyaku) - 2:32:00 (Nagoya 2020)

Hitomi Mizuguchi (Uniqlo) - 2:32:33 (Osaka Int'l 2020)

Mai Fujisawa (Hokkaido Excel AC) - 2:35:52 (Kanazawa 2021)

Tomomi Sawahata (Sawahatters) - 2:36:45 (Osaka Int'l 2022)

Debut / Do-Over

Kaori Morita (Panasonic) - 1:10:28 (Nat'l Corp. Half 2021)

Rika Kaseda (Daihatsu) - 31:39.86 (Nat'l Championships 2020)

Peter Mwaniki sets new record at the KATA 10k Time Trial monthly series in Thika Kenya

The 5th Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA) 10k Time-Trial took place on Wednesday morning (Jan 19) with Peter Mwaniki (first photo) and Solomon Gachoka (third photo) ruling the event.

The monthly event, held on the same course as December, witnessed Peter set a new course record clocking 29:40 bettering Solomon’s 29:44 time set at the 4th event December 19.  

This was also an improvement for Peter from his December’s 32:00 that he did after competing in Europe for three months.

It was also a good day for Zakariah Kirika and Eston Mugo who finished 4th and 8th after the duo attained their Personal Best times over the distance.  

Zakariah clocked 30:41.94 compared with his December’s 31:27.60 while Eston managed 31:28.14 from his previous 32:32.26. Also Alfred Kamande improved on his PB of 35:44.47 to record 35:16.47. Elvis Kuria also ran well clocking his best time of 36:19.19 where he had 41:06.06 previously.

"I am glad to see our KATA athletes (both those living at our Academy and those living nearby) improving," says director Bob Anderson.  "Our training program is working with two runners under 30 already and sub 29 not far off.  Congrats to Peter for setting our KATA Time Trial record and to all the others who set PB today."

In the less competitive ladies category, in the absence of December winner Lucy Mawia, Catherine Njihia retained the title in 36:54.04 after her opponents Susan Wambua, Risper Kawira and Margaret Wanjiru arrived late for trial.

The 6th edition of the KATA 10k Time Trial, will take place on Wednesday 16th February 2022.  Athletes not currently training at KATA are welcome.  There is no entry fee, no prize money but this program gives athletes an official time, run on an accurate course and the results published by My Best Runs, the sponsor. 

     5th KATA Time-Trial January 19th 2022

       Full Rests

  Position     Names           Age      Time

1. Peter Mwangi-------23------29:40.7

2. Solomon Gachoka—31-----29:52.3

3. Elisha Tarbey ----------27---- 30:34.3

4. Zakariah Kirika--------20-----30:42.0

5. Joel Maina-------------36-----31:07.3

6. Peter Mburu----------26-----31:23.7

7. Eston Mugo-----------29-----31:28.2

8. Erick Mutuku---------19-----31:49.1

9. Isaac Nderitu---------30-----32:11.9

10. Erick Cheruiyot------ 26 ----32:27.8

11. Fredrick Kiprotich---23----32:37.9

12. Robinson Mwaura---29----34:20.0

13. Geoffrey Mwangi----40----34:20.7

14. Paul Ng’ang’a---------42----34:32.0

15. Alfred Kamande----- 24----35:16.5

16. Collins Kemboi-------23-----35:19.4

17. Elvis Kuria-------------20-----36:19.2

18. Simpson Njoroge--- 38       36:53.5

19. Catherine Njihia-----22-----36:54.1

20. Raphael Gacheru ---22    --37:56.7

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all our MBR family from publisher Bob Anderson

Another year has passed.  It has been a challenging two years for most of us all over the world.  But I do think the worst is mostly behind us.  The good news is that most races are coming back.  The Boston Marathon will be held in April again and most likely the 2024 Paris Olympics will be held as planned.  

The sad news is that we have lost a lot of good races. The Fukuoka marathon was first run 75 years ago.   This year's race was the last.  (Michael Githae was victorious at the 75th and final edition of Fukuoka International Marathon clocking 2:07:51.)

The pandemic was not the only reason, I am sure, why the Fukuoka Marathon was cancelled but it certainly was what pushed the organizers not to continue. 

Many other races have already been cancellled or are still in limbo.  From what I have read, there is no evidence that any runner has gotten Covid by attending a race.  I am sure there might be some but certainly what many people feared did not happen. But things will get back to normal soon.  

The good news is that many people decided to take up running during the last two years.  With all these people now training the obvious next step will be to yet again offer them a variety of races.  Training is great but running without racing is like writing and not publishing.  Our focus should be on what races are being held and not on what races are not.

It is Christmas Day.  Be sure to get in your Christmas run.  I plan on getting in at least seven miles today.  Since turning 70 a few years back I also now count walking.  

Actually I think mixing in walking at any age is good for the body.  I am going to average 8.8 miles daily for the calendar year and with the walking I have not had any serious injury all year long.  (I need 49.6 more miles over the next seven days to reach my goal of 3212 miles.  About 50 percent has been walking.)  

I will be 74 Dec 28 and I can still run 6 miles at eight minute pace.  I know there are lots of guys my age who are faster, that is super and I admire you.   But making running (and walking) a regular thing at any pace is also great.  We all just need to keep moving today, tomorrow and so on....

2022 is going to be a good year.  Let's make it our best year yet!  Merry Christmas and I need to get out before it starts raining again. 

Second photo is me, my daughter, son-in-law and grandson Owen getting in four miles yesterday.  My son, Michael will be here later today and we will get out as well.  He just ran a half marathon yesterday placing second overall clocking 1:38 on a tough course.  

As long as the rain is not too bad,  we are hoping to do a 35 mile relay tomorrow. Just the two of us and our Jeep.  One of us will be running all the time.  We tag off and cover anywhere from a couple of miles up to eight or so on each leg.  Fun event we came up with.  This will be the third time we have done it.  

Third photo is some of our KATA (Kenyan Athletics Training Academy in Thika Kenya) athletes with head coach julius the other day.  (Bob owns the KATA operation and is very proud to be offering this training, educational and housing facility.). Our Academy manager is Florence and she is doing a good job making it all work day to day.  She has a good staff as well and our athletes help out too.  

Good times at the 4th KATA 10k Time Trial Series in Thika kenya

The Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) is concluding the year strongly after athletes posted impressive times during the 4th edition of KATA monthly 10 Kilometres Time-Trial on Wednesday morning in Thika Kenya.  

The time-trial, held on a new course West of the Academy, saw Solomon Gachoka, the winner of the 2nd edition in October, clocked 29:44.23, bettering his previous time of 31:22.10 during the event that attracted 23 participants.

Solomon dislodged Elisha Tarbei, the November winner while new entrants, Evans Kibet, finished 3rd. Tarbei timed 30:05.91, chopping off 1minute and 28 seconds from his previous 31:34.45. Kibet was timed at 31:02.35.

In women, Lucy Mwende Mawia regained her footing ruling in the category just a week after returning to Kenya from Europe where she dominated her races. 

She clocked 34:58.24 ahead of Catherine Njihia and Monica Njeri who finished second and third timing 36:38.86 and 44:05.20.

Both the winning times for men and women are KATA 10k Time Trial best performances for the monthly series.  

Kenyan Athletics Training Academy Competition Director Joseph Ngure has hailed the results and predicted better times in future from all the Athletes.

“This is our 4th edition since the Academy was opened officially on 4th of September. All our athletes have been posting impressive times and we are expecting more next year,” summed up the Director, also a senior Middle and Long Distant coach.

Three of our elite athletes- Joel Maina, Peter Mwaniki and Lucy Mawia, fresh from winning several races in Europe, also participated in the monthly time trial.  

"Our 5th edition will take place on Wednesday January 19th and will act as a warm-up for those who would be competing for the Regions on 22nd," says KATA head coach Julius.  

KATA manager Florence days,"Some people want it to happen,others wish it happens,and others makes it happen. Our Kenyan athletic training academy time trial is one of a kind, where you can make it happen."

For more info of our monthly time trial please get in touch with academy manager florence at 0729074388 or 0104074388 in Thika Kenya.  

December 15th KATA 10k Time Trisl Results: 

1. Solomon Gachoka  29:44.23  (31)

2. Elisha Tarbei     30:05.91   (32)

3. Evans Kibet        31:02.35   (31)

4. Zakaria Kirika       31:27.60   (20)

5. Peter Kimwetich    31:34.92     (32) 

6. Erick Cheruiyot      31:39.29    (26)

7. Peter Mwaniki       32:00.25      (23)

8. Alex Ekesa        32:17.41    (39)

9. Eston Mugo       32:32.26      (28)

10. Fredrick Kiprotich  32:44.45      (22)

11. Paul Ng’ang’a    33:47.05     (43)

12. Collins Kibet      34:56.08     (22)

13: Lucy Mwende     34:58.24    23) F

14: Joel Maina         35:44.45    (36)

15. Alfred Kamande  35:44.47    (23)

16: Charles Ndirang’u 36:25.84  (57)

17: Catherine Njehia   36:38.86  (22) F

18. Martin Ndung’u   38:18.50   (31)

19. Levis Kuria      41:06.06  (20)

20. Lamech Cheleket  44:05.19  (23)

21. Monica Njeri     44:05.20   (23) F

Githae wins final edition of Fukuoka Marathon

Michael Githae was victorious at the 75th and final edition of Fukuoka International Marathon on Sunday (5), winning the World Athletics Elite Label road race in 2:07:51.

Githae, who runs for Suzuki track team, improved his previous best of 2:08:17, which he set when finishing fourth at last year’s Fukuoka Marathon. Japan’s Kyohei Hosoya finished second, 25 seconds adrift of Githae.

The pacers, led by 2012 Olympian Yuki Sato, directed the huge lead pack through 5km (14:47), 10km (29:39), 15km (44:30) and 20km (59:24) in what turned out to be something of a race of attrition. Yuta Shitara was one of the athletes to fall out of contention before the half-way stage; the former national marathon record-holder dropped out at 20km.

The half-way point was reached in 1:02:41, meaning an attack on the 2:05:18 course record was not out of the question. Simon Kariuki and Charles Wanjiku kept the pace going at the start of the second half, and 30km was reached in 1:29:08. But the pacemakers dropped out soon after, and the pace dramatically slowed down.

Nevertheless, the pack became strung out to almost a single file, and by 34km just Githae, James Rungaru, Hosoya and Ryu Takaku remained in contention. Soon after, Githae surged and Hosoya made a valiant effort to stay close but Githae gradually pulled away to win by 25 seconds in 2:07:51.

In third, Rungaru set a PB of 2:08:25, while fourth-placed Shohei Otsuka and Ryu Takaku and Daisuke Uekado in fifth and sixth respectively were just outside their PBs. Yuki Kawauchi, running his 12th Fukuoka Marathon, fittingly finished 12th in 2:11:33. He is planning on running the Hofu Marathon in two weeks’ time.

Looking back at Fukuoka's history

The Fukuoka International Marathon – which was awarded a World Athletics Heritage Plaque in 2019 – started in 1947 and is the second oldest marathon in Japan behind the now defunct Lake Biwa Marathon.

In its 75-year history, the world record was broken twice there – first in 1967 when Derek Clayton became the first runner to break 2:10 with 2:09:37, and then in 1981 when fellow Australian Rob de Castella ran 2:08:18.

De Castella isn’t the only global marathon champion to have contested the race over the years. Frank Shorter, the 1972 Olympic champion, notched up four consecutive Fukuoka Marathon victories between 1971 and 1974. 2000 Olympic champion Gezahegn Abera won in 1999, 2001 and 2002, while 1996 Olympic champion Josiah Thugwane won in 1997. The late Samuel Wanjiru, winner of the 2008 Olympic title, made a remarkable marathon debut in Fukuoka in 2007, winning in 2:06:39. And two-time world champion Jaoud Gharib won in 2010.

Numerous world record-holders have also competed in Fukuoka, including Haile Gebrselassie (winner in 2006), Belayneh Dinsamo (1990 winner) and Patrick Makau (2014 and 2015 champion).

Japanese runners have also enjoyed moments of victory in Fukuoka. Toshihiko Seko won four times (1978-1980 and 1983), and Takeyuki Nakayama won twice (1984 and 1987). During his 1987 run, Nakayama was on world record pace through 20km (58:37) and 35km until a heavy downpour in the closing stages slowed him down, and he eventually finished in 2:08:18.

When asked about the end of the Fukuoka Marathon, four-time winner Seko said: “It is like part of my history is being erased.”

Japan Running News, a leading authority on the sport in Japan, has produced a docu-film on the Fukuoka Marathon, entitled ‘Inside the Outside – When the World Came to Fukuoka’.

Leading results

1 Michael Githae (KEN) 2:07:512 Kyohei Hosoya (JPN) 2:08:163 James Rungaru (KEN) 2:08:254 Shohei Otsuka (JPN) 2:08:335 Ryu Takaku (JPN) 2:08:386 Daisuke Uekado (JPN) 2:08:567 Kohei Futaoka (JPN) 2:09:148 Masaya Taguchi (JPN) 2:09:359 Toshiki Sadakata (JPN) 2:10:3110 Takuma Kumagai (JPN) 2:10:4111 Ryota Komori (JPN) 2:11:3212 Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) 2:11:33

Alex Gold and Caitlin Keen winners of 2021 Flying Pig Marathon

Alex Gold and Caitlin Keen have won Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon.

Gold, 26, was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 2:26:29.

A Chicago native, Gold moved to Cincinnati several years ago, he said, and works for General Electric.

“I’ll definitely have a beer or two and maybe some Skyline Chili,” Gold said on how he plans to celebrate his big win.

Gold was followed by J.T. MacKay (2:28:31) and Steve Matthews (2:29:30).

Keen, 29, was the first woman to cross the finish line with a time of 2:43:45. Keen, who grew up in Hyde Park, is now a two-time winner, also finishing first in 2018 with a time of 2:46:39.

"It's been a really long couple years I think I can speak for everyone when I say the last two years have definitely been a storm I struggled a lot with running," she said. "This is my first race since the Olympic trials and I wanted it so bad I just wanted to be back on the course and have fun and that's what I did and I loved every second of it. "

Keen was followed by Amy Manning (3:00:24) and Allison Pitt (3:01:18).

Samuel Montclair and Daniella Townsend won the Flying Pig Half Marathon.

Montclair, 30, of Raleigh, North Carolina, finished with a time of 1:09:53, beating the old record of 1:10:34 held by Zachary Ripley.

He was followed by Eric Gruenbacher (1:13:15) and Greg Lemmon (1:16:42).

“The hills of Cincinnati are pretty tough, man, I just wanted to put a good effort in,” Montclair told us after the race.

Townsend, of Cincinnati, was the first woman to cross the finish line, finishing 13.1 miles around 1:21:02. She was followed by Christine Frederick (1:21:40) and Katarina Smiljanec (1:25:41).

After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Flying Pig Marathon returned to Cincinnati for the 23rd annual race. The Pig has historically been run in the late spring, but last year’s run was hosted virtually and this year’s race was postponed to the fall.

The total number of weekend participants this year was 15,833, including 1,979 for the full marathon, 5,420 for the Paycor Half Marathon, 1,277 in the Queen Bee Half Marathon, 2,190 for the Toyota 10K, 2,200 in the Tri State Running Company 5K and 1,155 for the Queen Bee Medpace 4 Miler. Other totals include 252 (63 teams) in the City Dash 4-Person Relay, 221 in the Flying Fur and 1,139 for Friday’s Fifty West Mile.

ABOUT THE FLYING PIG

Many may wonder, "Why 'Flying Pig'?" Officials said the name stems from the 1800s when Cincinnati was called “Porkopolis” because of all the stockyards and the meatpacking industry. Officials said many often ran pigs through the downtown streets. So when the founders of the marathon were looking for a name for the event back in 1997, “Flying Pig” brought smiles to everyone's face, so that seemed most appropriate.

Hosoya, Takaku and Uekado Will Lead Fukuoka International Marathon's Final Elite Field

With just over a month to go until its final edition, on Nov. 1 the organizers of the Fukuoka International Marathon held a press conference to announce its last elite field. For the second year in a row it's domestic-only, headlined by Kyohei Hosoya (Kurosaki Harima), 2:06:35 at the final Lake Biwa Marathon this past spring, Ryu Takaku (Yakult), 2:06:45 in Tokyo last year, and Daisuke Uekado (Otsuka Seiyaku), 2:06:54 in Tokyo just behind Takaku. 

Out of a total field of 124, along with the 3 sub-2:07 guys there are 11 sub-2:08, 18 sub-2:09, 25 sub-2:10 and many more at the sub-2:11 and sub-2:12 levels. It's an even bigger front end than was on the entry list at the record-breaking final Lake Biwa Marathon earlier this year, and for a domestic field it's one worthy of sending off Fukuoka's 75-year history. Last year's winner Yuya Yoshida (GMO), who was scheduled to run October's Tokyo Marathon before it was postponed until March, is absent. 

With Japan still holding tight to its border closures the international component of the field is covered by Japan-based internationals Michael Githae (Suzuki), 2:08:17 in Fukuoka last year, Mongolian NR holder Ser-Od Bat-Ochir (Mie T&F Assoc.) past Marugame Half winner Paul Kuira (JR Higashi Nihon), James Gitahi Rungaru (Chuo Hatsujo), Daniel Muiva Kitonyi (Track Tokyo), and the debuting Nicholas Kosimbei (YKK).

complete field listing

Kyohei Hosoya (Kurosaki Hariima) - 2:06:35 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Ryu Takaku (Yakult) - 2:06:45 (Tokyo 2020)

Daisuke Uekado (Otsuka Seiyaku) - 2:06:54 (Tokyo 2020)

Toshiki Sadakata (Mitsubishi Juko) - 2:07:05 (Tokyo 2020)

Shuho Dairokuno (Asahi Kasei) - 2:07:12 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Shin Kimura (Honda) - 2:07:20  (Tokyo 2020)

Yuki Kawauchi (ANDS) - 2:07:27 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Shohei Otsuka (Kyudenko) - 2:07:38 (Fukuoka Int'l 2020)

Masaru Aoki (Kanebo) - 2:07:40 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Yuta Shitara (Honda) - 2:07:45 (Tokyo 2020)

Atsumi Ashiwa (Honda) - 2:07:54 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Natsuki Terada (JR Higashi Nihon) - 2:08:03 (Fukuoka Int'l 2020)

Kento Otsu (Toyota Kyushu) - 2:08:15 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Michael Githae (Kenya/Suzuki) - 2:08:17 (Fukuoka Int'l 2020)

Junichi Tsubouchi (Kurosaki Harima) - 2:08:35 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Yuji Iwata (Mitsubishi Juko) - 2:08:45 (Tokyo 2020)

Kazuma Kubo (Nishitetsu) - 2:08:53 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Kenta Murayama (Asahi Kasei) - 2:08:56 (Berlin 2019)

Chihiro Miyawaki (Toyota) - 2:09:04 (Tokyo 2020)

Kohei Futaoka (Chudenko) - 2:09:15 (Beppu-Oita 2019)

Shoma Yamamoto (NTT Nishi Nihon) - 2:09:18 (Lake Biwa 2020)

Ser-Od Bat-Ochir (Mongolia/Mie T&F Assoc.) - 2:09:26 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Yoshiki Takenouchi (NTT Nishi Nihon) - 2:09:31 (Fukuoka Int'l 2020)

Takahiro Nakamura (Kyocera Kagoshima) - 2:09:40 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Paul Kuira (Kenya/JR Higashi Nihon) - 2:09:57 (Fukuoka Int'l 2020)

Jo Fukuda (NN Running Team) - 2:10:32 (Beppu-Oita 2020)

Ryota Komori (NTN) - 2:10:33 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Yuki Nakamura (Sumitomo Denko) - 2:10:47 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Takuma Shibata (Komori Corp.) - 2:10:48 (Hofu 2020)

Koshiro Hirata (SG Holdings) - 2:10:50 (Lake Biwa 2021)

Shota Saito (JFE Steel) - 2:10:50 (Beppu-Oita 2020)

Asuka Tanaka (Runlife) - 2:11:07 (Fukuoka Int'l 2020)

Taiki Suzuki (Eldoreso) - 2:12:09 (Fukuoka Int'l 2019)

Keita Shitara (Hitachi Butsuryu) - 2:12:13 (Tokyo 2020)

James Gitahi Rungaru (Kenya/Chuo Hatsujo) - 2:12:54 (Hofu 2020)

Daniel Muiva Kitonyi (Kenya/Track Tokyo) - 2:14:41 (Nagano 2019)

Debut

Nicholas Mboroto Kosimbei (Kenya/YKK) - 1:00:21 (Lisbon Half 2019).

Drastic changes has been made as Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon returns

The 18th edition of the Standard Chartered  Marathon will be limited to 2,500 elite runners as opposed to past editions where the competition attracted over 20,000 participants.

Peter Gitau, chairman of the Local Organising Committee, said there will also be a virtual race to cater for those who may be unable to run in the in-person marathon. 

"Because of Covid-19 protocols, we’re limited to the number of people who can participate in the physical marathons. This is why we have also introduced a virtual one," Gitau said.

He added: "We’ve also partnered with running clubs and Kenya Forest Service to encourage and enable participants to use green spaces for their virtual runs."

Furthermore, this year's edition will be run on the Southern Bypass  unlike yesteryears when the route comprised  included Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway and Forest Road. 

The start and finish points will be at the Carnivore Grounds and will feature different race categories: 10km, 21km, 21km Wheelchair Race, 42km and the 42km Corporate Relay.

Joshua Omukata, Nairobi Traffic Police Commander, said they have designed an elaborate traffic management plan to ensure minimal inconvenience and disruption to road users. 

"We have organised traffic diversions to ensure that residents have access to alternative routes during the stipulated marathon hours. Users of the Southern Bypass are advised to use alternative routes provided. We request that the public cooperates with our traffic officers deployed along the roads for smooth flow of traffic," Omukata said. 

Traffic to and from the Southern Bypass will be diverted to alternative roads between 12 a.m and 1 p.m on the d-day.

All interchanges to the Southern bypass will be closed except for Dagoretti interchange, which will be partially closed.

The marathon makes a comeback after it was cancelled last year due to unprecedented challenges brought about by Covid-19 pandemic and the containment measures required.

Elite athletes expected include Daniel Simiu, Rhonex Kipruto, Chemutai Riunotukei, Fridah Jepkite Lodepa Ptoo and Brilian Jepkorir Kipkoech.

Kenenisa Bekele will lead the entries for Sunday’s BMW Berlin Marathon

When Kenenisa Bekele lines up for the BMW Berlin Marathon this weekend (Sept 26) it marks the beginning of an unprecedented period of marathon racing. Due to Covid-related postponements, five of the six Marathon Majors will be staged within a 42-day period. If you’re a fan of the classic 26.2-mile distance, you are in for a feast.

Bekele is clearly excited by the prospect as he is racing in not just one but two of these races. After Berlin on Sunday he will attempt to recover and re-boot before tackling the New York City Marathon in early November.

Here is how the autumn marathon period plays out…

Sept 26 – BerlinOct 3 – LondonOct 10 – ChicagoOct 11 – BostonNov 7 – New York

Tokyo Marathon, which is also one of the Marathon Majors, was due to take place on October 17 too, but has been called off due to the pandemic. However the TCS Amsterdam Marathon is still on October 17 – and this Dutch race often sees fast times.

First comes Berlin, though. Bekele has not raced since March last year and during this time he has seen his world 5000m and 10,000m records fall to Joshua Cheptegei. Last October he was due to race in London but withdrew on the eve of the race with a calf injury. He is now aged 39 but don’t write him off. People thought he was a spent force in 2019 but he came within two seconds of the world record with 2:01:41 in Berlin.

“I will come back with good energy and motivation,” says Bekele. “The last race in Berlin motivated me a lot, so I hope I will fulfil my plan this year.”

Bekele will be among around 25,000 runners in Berlin as mass participation road running emerges from the pandemic. His opposition on Sunday includes Guye Adola, an Ethiopian who ran the world’s fastest ever debut marathon of 2:03:46 in Berlin four years ago but has struggled to improve since.

There is also Eliud Kiptanui of Kenya, who has run 2:05:21, plus a further eight men who have run inside 2:07 such as Philemon Kacheran and Festus Talam of Kenya, Olika Adugna and Tadu Abate of Ethiopia, plus Hidekazu Hijikata of Japan.

Adugna won his debut marathon in Dubai in 2:06:15 while Hijikata took the Lake Biwa Marathon victory earlier this year.

The women’s race, meanwhile, includes Hiwot Gebrekidan, who won the Milan Marathon this year in 2:19:35, plus fellow Ethiopian Shure Demise, together with Kenyans Fancy Chemutai and Purity Rionoripo.

Just seven days after Berlin, the Virgin Money London Marathon takes place with the fields led by women’s world record-holder Brigid Kosgei together with fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei and Ethiopians Roza Dereje and Birhane Dibaba.

The men’s race in London features Ethiopians Shura Kitata, Mosinet Geremew and Birhanu Legese plus Kenyans Titus Ekiru and Evans Chebet, whereas Brits like Charlotte Purdue and Jonny Mellor will create plenty of home interest.

Chicago includes world champion Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya in the women’s race alongside American hope Sarah Hall, while another home nation hope, Galen Rupp, takes on Ethiopians Getaneh Molla and Seifu Tura in the men’s race.

Scott Jurek Halts Appalachian Trail FKT Attempt-Injury forces ultra legend Scott Jurek off the trail

After just one week on the trail, Scott Jurek was forced to terminate his Appalachian Trail Fastest Known Time attempt.

About four days into his run, he developed a quad issue similar to the one that plagued him in 2015. Unlike his injury six years ago, he was unable to push through or walk it off.

After months of silence on social media, the trail runner from Boulder, Colorado, unveiled his summer plans for a record-setting run on the Appalachian Trail this week. As per AT tradition, he adopted a trail name — “Webwalker” — which was given to him by thru-hikers during his 2015 speed attempt.

As of late Tuesday, Jurek, 47, was already seven days and several hundred miles into a southbound trek on the trail, not far from the Maine-New Hampshire border. His goal was to complete the 2,193-mile trail from Mount Katahdin, Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia, in 40 days or fewer.

That would have not only lowered his only personal record on the AT by six days, but it would also have surpassed Utah ultrarunner Karl Meltzer’s current supported Fastest Known Time of 45 days, 22 hours and 38 minutes set in 2016. Jurek set the northbound supported FKT (46 hours, 6 hours, 7 minutes) six years ago, but Belgian ultrarunner Karel Sabbe lowered it by five days (41 days, 7 hours, 39 minutes) with an amazing effort in 2018.

“I haven’t forgotten the suffering, but sometimes you have to go back to the hard places and do the hard things,” Jurek said via social media this week. “I still have so much to learn, and I still have more to give.”

With the Tokyo Olympics less than two weeks away Bromell, Thompson-Herah and Vetter headline last Diamond League

With the Tokyo Olympics less than two weeks away, many of the world’s top athletes will get a last chance to test their competitive form when they line up in the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Gateshead, England, on Tuesday (13).

US sprinter Trayvon Bromell, German javelin thrower Johannes Vetter, Jamaican sprint star Elaine Thompson-Herah and British heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson are among the top names entered in the Muller Grand Prix.

Despite the late withdrawals of British world 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith and Dutch middle-distance star Sifan Hassan, the meet features an array of world and Olympic champions and will serve as a crucial tune-up ahead of Tokyo.

The seventh Diamond League meeting of the season – and second in Gateshead – comes just 10 days before the 23 July opening of the Tokyo Games and 17 days before the start of the Olympic athletics competition on 30 July.

Many athletes are returning to the venue in northeast England for the second time this season. Gateshead hosted the Diamond League opener in May after the meeting was moved from Rabat, Morocco. Tuesday’s meeting was originally scheduled to take place at the Olympic Stadium in London but was switched to Gateshead due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

World 100m leader Bromell will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance in last Friday’s Herculis EBS Diamond League meeting in Monaco, where he clocked 10.01 and finished fifth in a race won by American teammate Ronnie Baker in 9.91. It was Bromell’s first 100m defeat since 2019, having won four races in 2020 and 10 this year.

Bromell, who ran 9.77 in June for the fastest time in the world this year and won the 100m in 9.80 at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene last month, will be determined to regain the form that made him the favourite for gold in Tokyo.

Bromell will go up against Fred Kerley, who qualified for Tokyo by finishing third in 9.86 at the US trials, and Canada’s Andre De Grasse, the Olympic and world 100m bronze medallist. Isiah Young, who has clocked 9.89 this season, is also in the 100m line-up, along with British sprinters Adam Gemili and Chijindu Ujah.

About 40 members of Team GB’s athletics team for Tokyo – more than half the entire squad – will be in action in Gateshead. Missing, however, will be Asher-Smith, who pulled out citing a tight hamstring. She opted not to take any risks ahead of the Olympics.

“As you all know, I love running in front of a home crowd but I have to make smart decisions for myself and my body ahead of Tokyo,’’ Asher-Smith said in a statement on Twitter. “I’m sorry to those who were hoping to see me run this week but I’m looking forward to making you all proud in a few weeks’ time.”

Asher-Smith had been scheduled to run the 200m in a marquee matchup against Thompson-Herah, the reigning Olympic 100m and 200m champion. The Jamaican will now be the favourite in a field that also includes American Tamara Clark, who finished fourth in the US Olympic Trials in a personal best of 21.98.

Hassan, the women’s world champion at 1500m and 10,000m, also withdrew due to a tight hamstring and preferring not to take any chances before Tokyo, where she looks set to contest the 5000m-10,000m double. Hasan had been scheduled to run the mile, in which she holds the world record of 4:12.33. Winnie Nanyondo of Uganda, who has a season’s best of 4:00.84 in the 1500m, and American Kate Grace, who clocked 1:57.36 for the 800m in Stockholm, now start as favourites.

The men’s mile has past winner Jake Wightman of Britain in the field along with European indoor 800m record-breaker Elliot Giles, who will be running the 800m in Tokyo.

If conditions are good, Vetter could challenge Jan Zelezny’s 25-year-old javelin world record of 98.48m. The German came close last year with a throw of 97.76m and threw 96.29m to win his event at the European Team Championships in May. Vetter has been successful competing in Britain, winning the world title in London in 2017.

Javelin records have been set in the UK before, with Zelezny throwing 95.66m in Sheffield in 1993 and Britain’s Steve Backley setting a mark of 90.98m at London’s Crystal Palace in 1990. Also in the javelin field in Gateshead are world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and 2012 Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad & Tobago.

Still making her way back to full fitness after an Achilles injury, Johnson-Thompson is entered in the women’s long jump, where she will take on world champion Malaika Mihambo of Germany. In Stockholm, Mihambo produced the best jump of 7.02m in the third round but settled for second place in the new final-three format when her final effort of 6.77m was bettered by the 6.88m of Ivana Spanovic of Serbia.

In the women’s 400m hurdles, 21-year-old Dutch star Femke Bol will resume her rivalry with US athlete Shamier Little for the third time this season.

Laura Muir will attempt the 800m and 1500m double in Tokyo after being selected for both events in the British Olympic team

Muir, 28, has finished in the top five in the last three world 1500m finals without getting a medal and is 13th fastest in the world over 800m in 2021.

"To be going to another Olympics, hopefully in two events, is quite hard," she said.

"Looking at times and rankings I think I'm capable of making that 800m final."

Dina Asher-Smith, who finished fifth in the 200m in Rio aged 20, returns to the event in Tokyo as the world champion. Asher-Smith will also contest a hotly-anticipated 100m against a raft of in-form international rivals.

Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson is included in the 72-strong squad "subject to fitness" with the world champion and one of Britain's principal medal hopes struggling with an Achilles tendon injury.

The 28-year-old hopes to demonstrate her fitness by competing in July, just a few weeks before the start of the heptathlon in Tokyo on 4 August.

Elsewhere, Zharnel Hughes, a possible 200m threat, is picked only in the 100m. Reece Prescod, who finished fifth in 10.33 seconds in the trials as he continued his comeback from a hamstring tear, is also picked in the 100m alongside British champion CJ Ujah.

Scotland's Eilish McColgan will also double up, running the 5,000m and 10,000m, however Jodie Williams, who qualified for both the 200m and 400m, has opted to focus only on the longer distance.

Daniel Rowden, Andrew Pozzi and Jessie Knight, who finished third and out of the automatic selection spots in the 800m, 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles respectively at the British Championships, have also done enough to convince the selectors of their form.

Lawrence Okoye, who threw discus at the London 2012 before a seven-year stint in American football, was one of those to earn his place in the trials over the weekend.

"Every athlete and their support network should be incredibly proud of their achievement during a challenging last 18 months," said head coach Christian Malcolm.

"My message to those athletes nominated is enjoy this moment and keep your focus in these last few weeks as we count down to the Games."

World Champs timetable for 2022 season

Athletes will find tackling two events more straightforward with a spectator-friendly schedule that attempts to tick many boxes

Doubling up at the World Championships will be easier next year after the organisers in Oregon released their competition timetable for the 2022 event at Hayward Field.

The 100m and 200m, 200m and 400m, 800m and 1500m, 1500m and 5000m, 5000m and 10,000m will all now be possible without athletes having to contest more than one discipline on any given day. Other possible doubles include long jump and triple jump, plus the 20km and 35km race walks – although the race walks fraternity is unhappy the 50km distance has gone.

The 10-day schedule from July 15-24 finishes four days before the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham begin, whereas the European Championships in Munich start on August 15.

Medals will be decided in all evening sessions and some morning sessions too. Hammer throwers and 10,000m runners, for example, will have to start their warm-up early in the day for their finals.

The first day also ends with a 4x400m mixed relay final but there are heats on the same day a few hours earlier.

Another break with tradition will see 1500m finals during the first half of the championships. The blue riband 100m finals, however, are still on the first weekend.

There are no morning sessions from July 19-22, while July 18 looks like a big day for British interest with the climax of the heptathlon, Laura Muir potentially in the women’s 1500m and Dina Asher-Smith opening her 200m campaign. For Katarina Johnson-Thompson, a heptathlon and high jump or long jump double is also possible.

The final individual event of the entire championships will be the decathlon 1500m, which organisers say is in tribute to Oregon’s home-grown Olympic and world decathlon champion Ashton Eaton.

For the first time, the championships will end with the women’s 4x400m, honouring a pledge to greater gender equality that World Athletics made on International Women’s Day last month.

“The design of our world championships timetable is both an art and a science, with a lot of moving parts to fit together,’’ World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said.

“We’ve strived to create every opportunity for our athletes to shine, in the stadium, on the road and on screens around the world, and we’re looking forward to watching them do that in Oregon, as our flagship event is held in the United States for the first time.

“You won’t want to miss it,” added Coe, who frequently tackled the 800m and 1500m double during his competitive days.

Kengo Suzuki clocked 2:04:56 National Record to Win final Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon

Set to be absorbed into the mass-participation Osaka Marathon as its elite men's field next year the same way the old Tokyo International Marathon was swallowed whole by the Tokyo Marathon, the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon wrapped its 76 years as a freestanding event with a bang, a big one, Sunday in Otsu.

Everything was on. The conditions were good, light clouds, 7ËšC, 57% humidity and light breezes at the start. The field was good, 24 men having run sub-2:10 in the last three years and 52 sub-2:12. The pacing was good, the lead trio of pacers hitting almost every split within a couple of seconds of the target 2:58/km and the second group pacers even closer to the 3:00/km target. The shoes were good, across brands.

30 or so people went out on pace to go under the 2:05:29 national record in the first group, with what looked like about a hundred on mid-2:06 pace in the second group. Everything went smoothly and steadily, nature taking its course and whittling down both groups until there were only 12 left up front and a couple of dozen in the second group at 25 km when most of the pacers stepped off. Just past that point, Hiroto Inoue (Mitsubishi Juko), the second-fastest man in the field at 2:06:54, made a surge to break away. Lone remaining pacer James Rungaru (Chuo Hatsujo) took his time reeling Inoue back in, just five others still with him when he regained contact 3 km later.

When Rungaru stopped at 30 km past Ageo City Half Marathon winner Simon Kariuki (Togami Denki) took over with five Japanese men, Kengo Suzuki (Fujitsu), Hidekazu Hijikata (Honda), Shuho Dairokuno (Asahi Kasei), Masato Kikuchi (Konica Minolta) and Inoue, strung out single-file behind him. Kariuki slowed slightly to 2:59-3:00/km, but even so Dairokuno, Kikuchi and Inoue started to strain and lose touch. Suzuki and Hijikata, on the other hand, were even smoother and calmer than Kariuki, staying right there behind him.

The only changes until just after 36 km were the gap between the front and back trios widening and Suguru Osako's NR starting to slip out of reach. But at the 36 km drink station Suzuki made his move, one that will be studied for years to come. As they approached the #6 special drink table where Kariuki's bottle waited, Suzuki pulled out from behind him to his right. Just as Kariuki looked to his left to grab his bottle Suzuki attacked, and when Kariuki looked back up the gap was already about 5 m.

It was brilliant. And Suzuki, the 2017 National University Half Marathon champ in 1:01:36 and 2017 World University Games half marathon silver medalist and who made a similar move near 20 km in the MGC Race Olympic trials that ultimately helped his older teammate Shogo Nakamura win, was just getting going. For almost every one of the final 6 km he split in the 2:51~53/km range, bringing the NR back into sight, then 2:05:15, then 2:05:00.

With a final surge in the last 200 m of the track he stopped the clock at 2:04:56, the first Japanese man to break 2:05, 1:17 under former world record holder Wilson Kipsang's course record, and a PB by 5 and 1/2 minutes. "I didn't expect this kind of time at all," he said post-race. "In my other marathons to date I've slowed down in the last part, so the focus today was on finishing hard. I knew that was the right time to make my move." Still just 25, Suzuki's career goal is the Paris Olympics. Unluckily for him, the Project Exceed 100 million yen bonus program for a new national record has already run out. Let's hope he's got another chance to earn that kind of payday before Paris.

Behind him, Hijikata, only 23 and running just his second marathon after a 2:09:50 debut in Tokyo last year right before his graduation from Koku Gakuin University, dropped Kariuki for 2nd in 2:06:26. Likewise doing his second marathon after a 2:28:47 debut at Lake Biwa last year, 25-year-old Kyohei Hosoya (Kurosaki Harima) ran almost perfectly even splits, going through halfway in 1:03:21 to come up from the second group and run down Kariuki, Inoue, Dairokuno and half marathon NR holder Yusuke Ogura (Yakult) for 3rd in 2:06:35. Both Inoue and Ogura held on for sub-2:07 PBs, Inoue 4th in 2:06:47 and Ogura 5th in 2:06:51.

And behind them, the hits kept coming. 10 men ran 2:07. 13 ran 2:08. 14 ran 2:09. Almost all were PBs or debuts. 28 men sub-2:09, 42 sub-2:10. 174 men sub-2:20, the most ever, anywhere, by a long shot. With no Beppu-Oita, Nobeoka or Tokyo this season that may have been a factor of Lake Biwa being the only game in town, but still, can you believe those numbers, even with the usual Japanese depth? With the shoes these days times might not be worth what they used to be, but even if you factor in a couple of minutes this was about as good a demonstration of the sheer depth of quality of the marathon development system here as you could ask for.

And between that and a great race up front it was the perfect sendoff for Japan's oldest marathon before it disappears next year into the maw of Osakan modernity. Farewell, Lake Biwa. Long may you run.

Africa cross country silver medalist Leonard Barsoton is now eyeing New Delhi Half Marathon

Fresh from competing at the World Half Marathon in Gdynia, Poland, former Africa cross country silver medalist Leonard Barsoton is now eyeing honors in New Delhi Half Marathon.

In an interview, Barsoton said his mission in New Delhi will not only be to win the title but also to improve on his 59:09 personal best.

“I am working towards this and I am sure come the New delhi event, I will be ready,” said Barsoton.

The New Delhi race will be his third this year after finishing sixth at the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon and winning Kolkata 25km road race, where he lowered Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele’s

“This will be my first race after World Half Marathon and I know I am capable of pulling it off,” he noted.

Barsoton, who is also the Africa Games 10,000m silver medalist, bragged that he is an all weather runner hence he is not worried of the harsh climatic conditions in New Delhi.

Barsoton will enjoy the company of fellow Kenyans  Josphat Boit (59:19) and Edwin Kiptoo (59:26).

Others in the race are Abraham Cheroben (Bahrain) and Ethiopia’s Guye Adola, Amdework Walelegn, Andamlak Belihu and Solomon Berihu.

Few participants run Budapest Half Marathon due to the pandemic

A total of 5,600 runners from some 600 countries took part in Sunday's Budapest Wizz Half Marathon, a fraction of the tens of thousand participants usually taking the scenic route.

"As a result of the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Hungary, the Hungarian Government has introduced entry restrictions that make it now impossible for foreigners to enter Hungary. Foreigners will only be allowed to enter Hungary in the case that it is highly necessary," the organizers notified participants.

Organizers BSI (Budapest Sport Office) offered a special virtual race for those who cannot be at the race in person: "Run anywhere in the world, and anytime between September 2 and September 8, submit your result and get the same Finishers Medal, technical Event T-Shirt and the Wizz Air 20 euros value voucher shipped right to You!"

The event was held with strict safety rules in order to preserve the health of the runners, such as compulsory wearing of masks in the start and change zones, as well as the race center. There was a body temperature check before giving the start numbers.

The start of the race was done in smaller groups of a few hundred people, as opposed to the usual big launch of several thousand.

Finishers got their running medal in their hand, not on their neck.

There was no shower on site, and people were asked to leave the scene as soon as possible after reaching the finish line.

There were also many hand sanitizing points and people were asked to keep two meters distance from one another.

The Budapest marathons and half marathons are sightseeing running tour events: world heritage sites are present along the course, bridges across the Danube, Gellert Hill, Buda Castle, the Parliament of Budapest, Margaret Island, and other scenic spots.

Since the running event usually draws more than 60,000 people including family members, the city council of Budapest has limited the number of major running events to three per year, in order to cause less disturbances in the traffic of the Hungarian capital.

In the men's event, Gaspar Csere, 29, from Hungary won the race with a time of 1:06:29, whereas the fastest female athlete was Katalin Kovacs-Garami, 40, from Hungary with a time of 1:18:52.

Hassan and Farah break one-hour world records in Brussels

Britain's Mo Farah and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands set respective men’s and women’s world one-hour records* at the Wanda Diamond League exhibition meeting at the King Baudouin Stadium tonight.

Britain’s multiple world and Olympic champion held off the challenge of his training partner, home athlete Bashir Abdi, to set a new mark of 21,330m – eclipsing the 2007 mark of 21,285m set by Haile Gebrselassie. Abdi finished eight metres behind.

Hassan’s record also came after a titanic battle with Kenya’s world marathon record-holder Brigid Kosgei, although it later transpired the latter had been disqualified for stepping on to the infield in the closing stages.

The Dutch world 1500m and 10,000m champion reached 18,930 metres as the hour elapsed, beating the existing mark of 18,517 metres set by Ethiopia’s Dire Tune in 2008.

Moving into the final quarter of an hour, Tune’s mark seemed certain to be bettered, given that both women were more than a minute ahead of world record pace. The only question remained – which champion would secure it?

As they shadowed each other, swapping the lead but never getting away from each other, it was impossible to predict who would triumph. Hassan said afterwards that she thought Kosgei would “run away from her”.

But when the gun went to mark the final minute with the pair halfway down the back straight, Hassan moved ahead once more, and this time it was decisive.

Looking once behind her, the Dutch athlete took off, pumping her arms, going for broke. Kosgei, baring her teeth, did everything in her power to stay in touch, but there was no catching up, and when the 60 minutes elapsed, Hassan slowed to a halt halfway down the back straight after a crazy sprint finish.

"I didn't feel good before the start of the race, I even puked," revealed Hassan. "After 30 minutes of racing, I finally felt better. It was in the final 20 minutes that I gained the confidence I needed. When there were only two minutes left on the clock, the fun began. I just gave everything I had left. I am so happy with the win and the world record. It wasn't easy."

As the men’s race moved into the final quarter of an hour, the ghostly figure of the current world record holder, Gebrselassie, was shown in virtual shape, running at their side. They were bang on the pace.

With 10 minutes to go, they moved ahead of the world record schedule. They passed 18,000 metres in 50:43.

Inside the final five minutes, the home runner, who the day before had confessed that he expected Farah to beat him, moved to the lead, but the multiple champion was shadowing him still.

As advertised, the Wavelight visual pace-guidance system employing differently coloured LED lights installed on the inside edge of the track made the pursuit of records on the night immediately intelligible.

With three minutes remaining, both men were 30 metres clear of the leading blue lights, showing the intended pace, and the green lights snaking behind them, showing the actual world record pace.

A second world record appeared in the offing – and the same question was being asked. Who would break it?

The gun went to mark one minute to go, then Farah made a significant break. He charged around the bend as the final seconds ticked away, and at the same spot where Hassan had earlier triumphed, Farah did too, taking a few seconds to realise it was all over.

“The world record is yours, Mo!” said the stadium MC.

Abdi had the consolation of lowering the world best for 20,000m from 56:26 to 56:20.2*, having led his friend through that mark.

"I was very excited to be back on the track," said Farah. "I knew I was in a great shape after the hard work I did in the last six weeks. At a certain point, with just 10 laps to go, it became tough so I was happy that Bashir took the lead, but I felt great with just one minute to go. A fast last lap is still my best tactic."

Kenya’s Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon had to settle for another near miss as she attempted to beat the world 1000m record of 2:28.98 set on this track in 1996 by Russia’s double Olympic champion Svetlana Masterkova.

Having finished just 17 hundredths of a second short at last month’s opening Diamond League meeting in Monaco, Kipyegon seemed on track to achieve her ambition with 200 metres remaining, but faltered slightly over the final few metres to cross the line in 2:29.92.

Norway’s 19-year-old European 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who has already reduced the European record to 3:28.68, made a bold effort to improve on that but his honourable solo effort saw him finish in 3:30.69, with Jesus Gomez of Spain a distant second in 3:34.64.

In the pole vault, Sweden’s 20-year-old world record-holder Mondo Duplantis saw the last challenger, home vaulter Ben Broeders, fall away with a best of 5.70m.

The European champion then went on to clear a meeting record of 6.00m at his first attempt before having another crack at 6.15m, a centimetre higher than the best outdoor clearance ever made, by Sergey Bubka in 1994. He didn’t make it. But surely his time will come sooner rather than later.

Twenty-year-old Rani Rosius, who had won the Belgian title in 11.39, needed 11.43 to earn another prestige victory in the women’s 100m, with France’s Carolle Zahl second in 11.56.

Britain’s world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson had said the day before that this meeting – where she was competing in the 100m hurdles and the high jump – was effectively the highlight of her season, and she had a reasonably satisfactory result in the first of them, which was won by home champion Anne Zagre in 13.21.

Despite an uncertain start, Johnson-Thompson drew on her strength to take fourth place in 13.57 – inside her previous season’s best of 13.73.

Zagre was chased home by Denmark’s Mette Graversgaard, who clocked 13.26, and Belgian compatriot Sarah Missinne, who ran a season’s best of 13.55.

Johnson-Thompson went on to equal her season’s best of 1.84m in a high jump won by Australia’s Nicola McDermott with 1.91m.

Poland’s Iga Baumgart-Witan won the women’s 400m in 52.13, while the men’s 200m went to Italy’s Eseosa Desalu in 20.39.