Running News Daily

The best Half Marathon time in the last 12-months on US soil is 1:00:04. Can that change Sunday?

Kenyan Olympic 5000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot said that she expects to run a fast time at the New York Half marathon on Sunday. The elite men's field looks strong. Kenyans Wilson Chebet (59:15) and Stephen Sambu (60:41), Ethiopia's Teshome Mekonnen (60:27) with Dathan Ritzenhein (60:00), Abdi Abdirahman (60:29) leading the American charge and also Ben True who will be running his first half. But it is the women's race that has the real top names. Cheruiyot, 34, is stepping up her campaign in marathon after graduating from the track competition and will be using the race in New York as part of her preparations for the London marathon on April 22. "It is always a pleasure to race against some of the world's best runners because it brings out the best in you. I know the organizers in New York have assembled a big team of elite runners and I am excited to run the New York Half Marathon this Sunday,” she said before her departure on Thursday night. She will face Ethiopians Mamitu Daska and Buze Diriba and her compatriot Betsy Saina. (03/16/2018) ⚡AMP

Poland’s Gdynia Half Marathon is already in the lime light in just three years

The third annual Gdynia Half Marathon has Hillary Maiyo and last year’s runner-up Christine Oigo on the starting line. This year’s race took on new significance after Gdynia was chosen to host the 2020 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. A field of nearly 7000 runners will be competing. The race may not have a long history, but Maiyo has already become a repeat winner, taking victories in both 2016 and 2017, the former in a course record of 1:02:41. In recent years, the Kenyan has raced prolifically in Poland, with more than a dozen half marathon victories, including six in 2017 alone (with two of them coming on consecutive days). Poland's Marcin Chabowski will be hoping to keep pace with the leading contenders. The 2005 European U20 steeplechase champion has in recent years been Poland's top half marathon specialist. While his best of 1:02:26 dates back to 2011, he has been successful over the distance more recently with a fourth-place finish at the 2016 European Championships and wins in Poznan and Warsaw last year. (03/16/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan runners are set to dominate the LA Marathon Again

Champions from the last three years are set to compete, eyeing to set fast times and beat the standing course record of 2:06:35 set in 2011 by Markos Geneti. The 2017 winner Elisha Barno, Weldon Kirui, who won in 2016 and the 2015 champ Daniel Limo all from Kenya will be the men to beat as they return to put claim to the title and test their experience against a deep international field. "It was a good run last year and looking at the rivals I have against me this time round, I need to be on top form to be able to retain the medal. We will see how the race progress after the 30km mark and decide if I will need to push for fast time," Barno said on Friday. The Kenyans will be seeking to dominate the Los Angeles marathon for the 15th time. Last year, Barno clocked 2:11:53 after battling with Daniel Limo for most of the race. Limo finished 24 seconds behind Barno, while Wily Koitile was the third Kenyan on the podium. (03/16/2018) ⚡AMP

Mary Keitany wants the world marathon record and $500,000 in five weeks

Kenya’s Mary Keitany will have her work cut out for her when she lines up for the London marathon in April. The Kenyan, who was second at the New York marathon, has already announced her intent to shatter Paula Radcliffe's world record of two hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds, which she set at the London event in 2003. However, she also has another target of firming her grip on the women's World Marathon Majors (WMM) leaderboard, which will see the winner walk away with 500,000 U.S. dollars. "I have raced before in London and the crowd supported me. I hope they will be behind me in my challenge and help drive me on to achieve something incredible in London," said Keitany. “I want to make my family proud,” Mary said yesterday. Training with her husband/coach Charles in Iten, Kenya. (03/15/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan Geofrey Kamworor will be the man to beat at World Half Championships

Kenyan star Geoffrey Kamworor will be running the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia March 24. The long-legged Kenyan has, arguably, proved the most versatile distance runner of his generation. Besides his twin success at the biennial World Half Marathon Championships he has also scooped back-to-back World Cross Country titles, claimed 2015 world silver on the track over 10,000m and proved a formidable competitor over 42.2km as evidenced by his victory in November’s New York City Marathon... “I have run 58 minutes for the half-marathon, I always believe in myself. I am focused and want to win,” he says. Boasting an impressive half-marathon record of eight wins and three second places from 12 international races over the distance, Geofrey will be the man to beat in Valencia later this month. (03/13/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan Erick Kiptanui wins at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon

Battling high winds, Kenyan Erick Kiptanui and Etagegn Woldu of Ethiopia prevailed in their respective races at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon. Despite the wind and rain, the men's race still witnessed deep results with the first 12 running under 61 minutes. The challengers tried to make up ground at different points in the waning different stages, but they couldn't catch Kiptanui who closed with a 2:47 final kilometre end route to 1:00:05 victory in his debut over the distance. "I’m really happy with this result," said Kiptanui, whose biggest career win came at the San Silverstre 10km in Madrid last New Year's Eve. "I must thank the organisation for inviting me and trusting that I can run at this level. I think I could have achieved a better result if there were no strong wind. (03/12/2018) ⚡AMP

Sekine 3rd in Nagoya Women's Marathon Debut

Hanami Sekine took a step toward appearing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Sunday, when she led the Japanese runners at the Nagoya Women's Marathon, finishing third behind winner Meskerem Assefa of Ethiopia. In her marathon debut, Sekine clocked 2 hours, 23 minutes, 7 seconds, while Assefa cut the tape at Nagoya Dome at 2:21:45 for a personal best ahead of Kenya's Valary Jemeli, who was second in 2:22:48. By being one of the top three Japanese, Sekine booked a spot in next year's marathon Grand Championship, Japan's qualifying race for 2020. (03/12/2018) ⚡AMP

Galen Rupp runs first sub 60 to win 44th annual Roma Ostia Half Marathon

Galen Rupp ran a personal best to win the 44th edition of the Roma-Ostia Half Marathon on Sunday (March 11, 2018).

The US distance runner won the Rome race in 59:47 as he went sub 60 minutes for the first time and takes 43 seconds off his 2011 best.

He had Ryan Hall’s 2007 US record in his sights and came very close only missing Hall’s time by four seconds.

However, if he had dipped under the 59:43 mark it would not have stood as an American record however because the course is a point to point race and not record-eligible....

Rupp launched his decisive attack between 15th and 16th kilometers when, after a tactic of waiting during which he vented his most credited opponents, he lengthened the pace by breaking the Kenyans Moses Kemei, second place in 1:00:44, and Justus Kangogo, third in 1:01:02....

The female race saw Ethiopian’s Hftamenesh Haylu in first with 1:09.02 and compatriot Dera Datta close behind in 1:09:21. Third place went to Kenya’s Rebecca Chesir, who finished in 1:11:04.

(03/11/2018) ⚡AMP

Why don’t Kenyans run ultramarathons? Is it lack of prize money or what?

Kenyans, along with their neighbors in Ethiopia, dominate the world of long-distance running in distances up to and including the marathon. But not beyond the marathon. Why? Asking people at the center of the Kenyan running world, in the town of Iten, about ultrarunning brings mostly puzzled looks. What is this thing you speak of, they ask? Running further than a marathon? Is that possible?The big barrier to this is, of course, was money. In Kenya, there are no managers looking for ultrarunners, no one willing to pay for a plane ticket to a race in the hope of cashing in on a share of the winnings. This is because the winnings are small or non-existent. Money is a key motivator for many Kenyan athletes: running offers them a way to change their lives, to escape poverty and to help their families and communities.Yet, as the sport of ultrarunning grows, so do the opportunities to earn money. A handful of top ultrarunners now have agents securing them big sponsorship deals and a few races are putting up big cash prizes in the hope of luring the top competitors (03/10/2018) ⚡AMP

Last year's Gate River Run men's finish was the closet in race history

For the first time since 2014, both reigning champions - Leonard Korir for the men, Jordan Hasay for the women - return to defend their crowns at the Gate River Run Saturday March 10. “People always like to pull for the winners,” race director Doug Alred said. History leans against a Korir-Hasay double repeat, something that’s happened at the Gate River Run only in 1986-87 (Arturo Barrios and Grete Waitz) and 2001-03 (Meb Keflezighi and Deena Drossin). Given Korir’s current form, though, he’s the clear men’s favorite. A 31-year-old U.S. Olympian who was born in Kenya and now runs with the U.S. Army Distance Project, Korir made his First Coast debut a memorable success last year by edging Shadrack Kipchirchir last year in the closest finish in race history. (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Eritrea´s Tadese chasing fourth Lisbon Half Marathon victory

World record holder Zersenay Tadese will be gunning for a fourth victory at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label road race. Once again, the Eritrean, who set the 58:23 world record on this course in 2010, is the principal name on the long elite entry list. But he can expect strong opposition from eight athletes who have covered the distance in under one hour, along with 2012 Olympic and 2013 world marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda, who has never run under 61 minutes --his PB is 1:01:15-- but is this weekend aiming to join the sub-60 fraternity. On the list of favourites, we can include Kenyan Sammy Kitwara who as the winner in 2016 is quite familiar with the course and with a 58:48 lifetime best, capable of fast times. His compatriot Stanley Biwott, the winner of the 2015 New York Marathon, is also part of sub-59 club with a 58:56 lifetime best. (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Jerusalem Marathon guest of honor was Haile Gebrselassie

Kipkogey Shadrack, 27, of Kenya won the Jerusalem Marathon in 2:21.26. The guest of honor at the marathon was Olympic medalist and long-distance running world champion Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia. Gebrselassie holds two Olympic gold medals in 10,000-meter running and four world titles for that same distance, and he was the first in the world to break the 2:04 time for the marathon. International runners came from 72 countries — including China, the US, Germany, Poland, Portugal, and Lithuania. The city of Hong Kong sent the greatest number of runners from outside Israel, followed by Los Angeles, Beijing and London. (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan´s Chesum returns to defend title in Barcelona

Jonah Chesum returns to defend his title at the Zurich Barcelona Marathon, an IAAF Bronze Label road race. Chesum was a pacesetter last year who went on to win the race in 2:08:57 in his debut over the distance. Later in the season the 29-year-old took fifth in the Gold Coast Marathon clocking 2:10:47. To help remember his surprise victory last year, Chesum spent part of his earnings from the race to buy a cow for his farm in Iten. “Of course,” he said with a laugh, “I named her ‘Barcelona’. Now she is pregnant and the calf will be named ‘Messi’.” (03/09/2018) ⚡AMP

Jake Robertson going for repeat win at Crescent City

Jake Robertson from New Zealand won the Crescent City 10k last year in 27:55. In many of past this year’s was dominated by runners from Kenya. Jake is returning this year and wants to again cross the finish line first. (03/08/2018) ⚡AMP

Olympic medalist Ethiopia's Kebede ready to break course record at Zurich

The 40th edition of the Zurich Marathon of Barcelona , which will be held March 11 in Barcelona, ​​will have a strong elite African participation, led by the Ethiopian marathoner Tsegay Kebede, 31 years old and with a personal best of 2 hours 04 minutes 38 seconds (Chicago 2012), bronze medal in the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008 and the 2009 World Cup in Berlin. Kebede will attempt to break the course recrod, which is held by the Kenyan Jackson Kotut in 2:07:30, since March 7, 2010. (03/08/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyan´s Aiyebei ready to make history at Nagoya Marathon

The 2016 Barcelona Marathon champion Valarie Jemeli Aiyabei has promised to break the jinx by winning the 2018 Nagoya International women’s Marathon set for this weekend in Japan. The Sunday race will see Aiyabei, the 2015 Kass Marathon champion, try her luck in the race that has never been won by a Kenyan athlete since inception in 1980."This will be my first time to compete at Nagoya but I want to win the race that no any other Kenyan runner has won in the 38 years of history,” said Aiyabei. The road queen, who won Valencia Marathon in 2016 with a course record of 2:24.48, is optimistic of winning the race as part of her 2018 resolution before embarking on other world marathons, hopefully the World Marathon Majors. (03/07/2018) ⚡AMP

Marathon Olympic champion Kiprotich ready for Hamburg

At the 33rd edition of the Hamburg Marathon on April 29 London Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich (Uganda) wants to run again for the victory. The best time of the world champion from 2013 and last year's second from Hamburg is 2:06:33 hours. One of Kiprotich's strongest competitors is Kenya's Sammy Kitwara, whose personal record time is 2:04:28. (03/07/2018) ⚡AMP

Allie Kieffer is back from Kenya and ready to Race the NYC Half

This year’s women’s open division is highlighted by last year’s runner up Emily Sisson racing against Olympic Champion Vivian Cheruiyot, TCS NYC Marathon podium finisher Mamitu Daska and rising American star Allie Kieffer who placed 5th at the NYC Marathon in 2017. Allie has been running over 100 miles weekly in Kenya over the last seven weeks. Sisson had the fastest-ever debut by an American on a record standard half marathon course with a time of 1:08:21. For the men's race Ritzenhein has two podium finishes and, along with Abdirahman, is the most successful American male ever in this event with a PR of 60 minutes flat. (03/06/2018) ⚡AMP

Jake Robertson sets the New Zealand National Marathon Record on his first Attempt

Jake Robertson broke Rod Dixon's New Zealand marathon record at his first attempt on Sunday in Japan. Robertson completed the Lake Biwa Marathon in 2hour 8min 26sec. Hamilton-born distance runner looked strong early on, and stayed in the mix as the lead pack slowly shrunk. With 11 kilometres to go, he made a surge, setting the tempo and leaving only five runners remaining at the 35k mark. With the finish line nearing, and a trio of runners left in front, Robertson was dropped, but he paced himself well to claim third place, and the national record. His time is 33 seconds faster than Rod Dixon's previous record, which has stood since Rod won the New York Marathon in 1983. Remarkably, it was Robertson's first ever competitive marathon. Robertson is set to run the 10,000m at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. When he was 17 he moved to Iten, Kenya with his twin brother Zane who is also a world lass professional runner. (03/04/2018) ⚡AMP

Rio Steeplechase Gold Medalist Embroiled in a Drug-Testing Scandal

Ruth Jebet, the reigning Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion and world record holder, has become the highest-profile Kenya-born athlete to become embroiled in a drug-testing scandal. Although the news has not yet been confirmed, a number of prominent sources have suggested Jebet has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, believed to be the blood booster EPO. The Athletics Integrity Unit, which processes all doping tests in track and field, said it was unable to confirm the result of any tests under the World Anti-Doping code. Meanwhile, Jebet’s agent, Marc Corstjens, said he had not heard any news of a positive tests. “Honestly I am surprised and shocked. I am absolutely not aware of anything. I tried to reach Ruth but her phone is not answering. I have absolutely no official information.” (03/04/2018) ⚡AMP

Jake Robertson sets a new New Zealand National Record at Lake Biwa Marathon

New Zealand runner Jake Robertson placed third at the Lake Biwa Marathon in Japan today in 2:08:26 breaking the NZ national record held by Rod Dixon (2:08:59) for over 34 years. Jake has been training in Kenya, and has been described as a “white Kenyan.” This was his first marathon. In January he won the half marathon in Houston. The top four looked like this: 1. Macharia Ndirangu (Kenya) - 2:07:53 - debut 2. Albert Korir (Kenya) - 2:08:17 - PR 3. Jake Robertson (New Zealand) - 2:08:26 - NR, debut 4. Michael Githae (Kenya) - 2:09:21 - PR (03/03/2018) ⚡AMP

Wilson Kipsang will not be running the Tokushima Marathon afterall

We were informed from Japan Running News that Wilson Kipsang was running the Tokushima Marathon and we published that information. Today they posted the following: “Management for Kipsang states that he is only appearing at Tokushima as a guest and will not run, but the language used in the article reporting the official announcement is as translated above, that Kipsang is one of three Kenyan invited athletes as opposed to a guest runner.” So he is not running. But being in great shape he should run a marathon soon. A strong field has been confirmed for this marathon and it should produce solid performances. (03/03/2018) ⚡AMP

New Zealander Jake Robertson Long-awaited Marathon Debut Sunday

Jake Robertson (NZ), who has been training in Kenya will make his long-awaited debut over 26.2 miles when he lines up for the Lake Biwa Marathon Sunday, but the New Zealander faces a tough field at the IAAF Gold Label road race. As well as a strong international line-up, the race has plenty of domestic interest as it is one of the qualifying races for Japan’s 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials and an approved Project Exceed Marathon. The weather, however, could be a problem for the runners on Sunday with temperatures expected to reach 68F. Robertson has a half marathon PR of 1:00:01 which he recorded twice: at the 2017 Lisbon Half Marathon and at the 2018 Houston Half Marathon. He had been planning to make his marathon debut in Fukuoka last year, but he had to pull out just weeks before race day. (03/03/2018) ⚡AMP

Japan’s Project Exceed Program has Japanese Runners hyped up...next chance to be a millionaire is Sunday

The Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon (men only) on Sunday in Japan (Saturday night at 7:30pm PST) promises to be a good one. This is a Project Exceed approved race too which means $93,000US bonuses will be paid out to any Japanese men who go sub-2:08. Defending champ Ezekiel Chebii (Kenya) and fellow 2:06 men Tadesse Abraham (Switzerland) and Abera Kuma (Ethiopia) are there to spur the fastest Japanese men on. Also running in his debut sub-61 half marathoners Jake Robertson (New Zealand) and Macharia Ndirangu (Kenya/Aichi Seiko) likely to be a part of the lead group. Warmer than usual temps may make it hard for a 2:06 race to materialize, but the best bet for a Japanese man to be in it at that pace is Kenta Murayama (Asahi Kasei), twin brother of 10000 m national record holder Kota Murayama and a sub-61 half marathoner doing his second marathon after an aggressive but ultimately unsuccessful 2:16:58 debut in Tokyo two years ago. Yuta Shitara is not running but his twin brother, Keita will be. Race info from Japan Running News (03/03/2018) ⚡AMP

Allie Kieffer trained in Kenya for seven weeks racking up 110 miles weekly

America’s marathoner Allie Kieffer has been training in Kenya the last seven weeks and posted this on Instragram: “On an whim my trip to Kenya has been one of the best experiences of my life. I wanted a real, or as close to it as I could, Kenyan experience. Instead of staying at a training camp, like most westerners that come to visit, I opted for an apartment. Thanks to that choice, I met the most amazing people that opened their arms, kitchens, hearts, and life to me. I will sincerely and deeply miss all the friends I made and can’t wait until I come back!” We follow her training on Strava and she has been running 110 mile weeks at high altitude. (03/02/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenya´s Olympic champion Cheruiyot leads New York Half Marathon

Kenyan Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot will compete in the New York Half Marathon on March 18 in the build-up to the London Marathon. Cheruiyot, who is the Frankfurt Marathon champion, is the third fastest in the field with a best time of 67:44 behind Ethiopians Mamitu Daska (66:28) and Buze Diriba (66:50). It will be Cheruiyot's first race this year. Her last race was in October last year when she raced to victory in Frankfurt clocking in 2:23:35. "I have a solid training program and will be hopeful it will withstand the challenge of New York. It is always good to see how the body responds in competition so that you can adjust before going to the main marathon competition," Cheruiyot said on Wednesday. (02/28/2018) ⚡AMP

What happened with Wilson Kipsang on Sunday at Tokyo Marathon

Former Olympic bronze medalist Wilson Kipsang of Kenya said Sunday stomach problems forced him to stop midway through the Tokyo marathon course on Sunday. Speaking moments after he dropped out of the race with only 15km done, the former world record holder said, "I really wanted to go fast, but after suffering from stomach problems the last two days before the race, I didn't have the power to run a decent race today." In the absence of Kipsang, Kenyan Dickson Chumba was the strongest as he recaptured the title he last won in 2014, timing 2:05:30. However, the hero of the day was Yuta Shitara of Japan, who was second clocking a national record time of 2:06:11. He improved the mark after 16 years and got 1 million U.S. dollar bonus for it. (02/27/2018) ⚡AMP

Morocco’s Kaoutar Boulaid breaks course record in seville

Kenya’s Dickson Tuwei and Morocco’s Kaoutar Boulaid triumphed at the 34th Zurich Maratón de Sevilla. Running in nearly ideal weather conditions, Tuwei clocked 2:08:18 while Boulaid’s winning time of 2:25:32 broke the course record by more than half a minute. “Honestly, I didn’t expect a 2:25 clocking but a time in the 2:27-2:28 region,” said Boulaid, who is based in Spain. “I went out fast but managed to maintain the pace in the second half and beat the Ethiopians.” (02/26/2018) ⚡AMP

Dickson Chumba wins the Tokyo Marathon again...six Japanese Runners under 2:09

Kenya’s Dickson Chumba (the 2014 Tokyo and 2015 Chicago champion) opened a nice gap as they approach 38km and went on to win in 2:05:29.

At 40k Japan’s Yuta Shitara takes another swig from his festive bottle and grits his teeth as he hunts down and passes Amos Kipruto.

This is a man on a mission! Yuta Shitara did not let up and accomplished the following: 1. Ran a Japanese marathon record of 2:06:11 2. Finished 2nd in the Tokyo Marathon (highest finish ever by a Japanese man at a World Marathon Major) 3. Won 100 million yen for setting the NR. That's $936,000US.

Wilson Kipsang dropped out at 15k...Amy Cragg finished third in the women’s race taking five minutes off her PR. (2:21:42). Ethiopian’s Birhane Dibaba won the female race in 2:19:51.

This year’s race was the biggest field ever with 35,500 starters.

(02/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Adidas looks to break the 2-hour marathon barrier with the Adizero Sub2

When you’re running 26.2 miles, every last ounce of weight you’re carrying counts. And now, Adidas is finding ways to reduce that load. The athletic company believes that the secret to breaking the two hour barrier when it comes to the marathon is in a shoe. Specifically, the Adizero Sub2. Designed in conjunction with some of the most talented distance runners in the world, this sneaker boasts Adidas’ new Boost Lite midsole. Most importantly, however, the Adizero Sub2 is said to be the “most advanced, fast and lightweight running shoe ever created by Adidas.” A key collaborator in Adidas’ quest to empower the sub-two-hour marathon race has been Wilson Kipsang. The Kenyan athlete won the bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and ran the fastest race held in Japan at last year’s Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:03:58. (02/24/2018) ⚡AMP

Some bold predictions at the Tokyo Marathon press conference Friday

After stepping up to the big leagues last year with course records in the 2:03 and 2:19 range, the Tokyo Marathon hopes to go one better this year. Men's course record setter Wilson Kipsang (Kenya) is back, stepping up from a 2:03:50 prediction for Tokyo in January to a 2:02:50 world record prediction at Friday's pre-race press conference. The top-ranked woman is Ruti Aga (Ethiopia), coming in hot off a 1:06:39 win last month in Houston and turning heads at the press conference with a boldly mumbled 2:18:00 prediction. Alongside Aga's brash 2:18:00 prediction, Amy Cragg (USA) said she hoped to run 2:22:59 with the caveat that while she'd like to run a fast time her priority would be placing in the top three. (02/23/2018) ⚡AMP

America’s Amy Cragg wants to PR at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday

Most of the talk about the Tokyo Marathon has been focused on the men’s race. Tad Hayano, the Tokyo Marathon Race Director says, “In women’s race, the 2015 world marathon silver medallist Hellah Kiprop and Purity Rionoripo, who clocked her personal best of 2:20:55 to win Paris Marathon last year, are the only Kenyans in the race. They will face Ethiopia’s two-time Olympic 5,000m champion Meseret Defar, who is making her marathon debut after being out of action for two years. The other Ethiopians in the line-up include Shure Demise, Ruti Aga and Birhane Dibaba, who makes her fifth consecutive appearance in Tokyo Marathon.” World marathon bronze medallist Amy Cragg (USA) has said her main goal at the Tokyo Marathon is to improve her 2:27:03 PR. (02/22/2018) ⚡AMP

World's Women-only Nagoya Marathon Elite Field is very strong

The Nagoya Women's Marathon is the largest women-only marathon in the world, one with a long history as an elite race and adapting to the times with a mass-participation field of 20,000. The last few years it has seen a series of dynamic, high-level performances by top Japanese women, from Sairi Maeda's 2:22:48 in 2015 to the 2:23:19 to 2:23:20 sprint finish battle between Tomomi Tanaka and Rei Ohara in 2016 to Yuka Ando's stellar 2:21:36 debut and teammate Mao Kiyota's 2:23:47 breakthrough last year. Maeda, Ohara and Kiyota all return this year to face the Kenyan trio of Lucy Kabuu, Valary Jemeli and Flomena Cheyech Daniel. (02/21/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenya’s Francis Kiplagat was killed late Monday in grisly road accident

Kenyan Athlete Francis Kiplagat was among those who perished in a tragic road accident along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway late Monday night. The athletes were travelling back to Eldoret after spending the day in Nairobi processing travel visas to compete abroad including the Paris half marathon. Kiplagat, 28, is credited with nine career victories by the Association of Road Running Statisticians, with lifetime bests of 14:58 (5km), 29:45 (10km), 62:49 (Half Marathon) and 2:15:57 (Marathon). (02/20/2018) ⚡AMP

Kirui knows that every runner will want to beat him at this year’s Boston Marathon

Kenya's Geoffrey Kirui has cut short his holiday to start preparations so that he can be in the form of his life to defend the Boston Marathon title. Kirui said he is determined to win a second Boston Marathon title.

"I know it will not be easy this year because every runner will want to beat me. Winning a second Boston Marathon title attracts me," Kirui told KweséESPN.

The 2018 Boston Marathon (April 16) is going to have one of the best fields ever. The 24-year old who is training in the Kenyan town of Eldoret, said that he embarked on a training programme that worked wonders last year and he believes it will help him be in the best form.

"It is always very tough winning a Marathon title for two straight years, but I am very determined and hungry to make this happen," he added.

Kirui said he decided not to think about the Commonwealth Games and opted out because his key focus is winning the Boston Marathon again.

(02/18/2018) ⚡AMP

On Sunday Kipyokei ran the Fastest women’s half marathon ever recorded on Mexican soil

Kenya’s Diana Chemutai Kipyokei established a Mexican all-comers’ record of 1:10:00 at the 32rd Guadalajara Half Marathon IAAF Bronze Label road race on Sunday (18). With temperatures hovering at about 55F 24-year old Kipyokei set out an aggressive pace from the beginning, covering the first part of the race at 3:20-per-kilometre pace. Having passed through five kilometres in 16:09 and 10 kilometres in 32:19, she went on to stretch her advantage to about 700 metres by the end, eventually winning in 1:10:00. Her time is the fastest half marathon ever recorded on Mexican soil by a woman. (02/18/2018) ⚡AMP

Kipsang looking at running a flying fast time at Tokyo Marathon

Kenyan's Wilson Kipsang said on Friday he is confident he is going to retain his title and improve on the course record he set in his victory last year at the Tokyo Marathon. Organizers have also said the course has been changed and is flatter and faster. "Don't be surprised if the world record went down in Tokyo. I have my eyes on the target. Winning Tokyo Marathon in a flying fast time," Wilson Kipsang said. His main competition is Tesfaye Abera from Ethiopia whose best time is 2:04:24 and Feyisa Lilesa, the Olympic marathon silver medalist and Dickson Chumba. (02/17/2018) ⚡AMP

Erekiel Chebii Returns and is the one to beat at Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon

Defending champ Ezekiel Chebii (Kenya) returns to lead the field for the Mar. 4 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon. Chebii is one of three men in the field with recent 2:06 times, his 2:06:07 in Amsterdam 2 years ago leading Tadesse Abraham (Switzerland) and Abera Kuma (Ethiopia) to form a clear trio of favorites. Making up the second pack are 4 current sub-2:10 Japanese men, 2017 Gold Coast winner Takuya Noguchi, Rio Olympian Satoru Sasaki, and Sasaki's teammates Takuya Fukatsu and Fumihiro Maruyama. (02/13/2018) ⚡AMP
Japan Running

The four white Kenyans..It's all in the training..sacrifice and quality...

"These four runners listed below live and spend long seasons in Kenya at altitude, training with Africans with their custom meals, sleeping in their cots, training at 6am, fasting, and eating ugali The White Kenyans.

1. Julien Wanders this morning ran 60:09 at half marathon in Barcelona, a new Swiss record

2. Zane Robertson from New Zealand ran a 59:47 Half

3. Sondre Moen 2:05:48 Marathon From Norway, European record

4. Jake Robertson 60:01 Half Marathon in Houston From New Zealand

"They sacrifice themselves like the Kenyans... they run like the Kenyans... It doesn't matter that their skin is not black. It's all in the training. It's the sacrifice and the quality."

(02/11/2018) ⚡AMP
by Gonzalo Sukunza

Wasihun breaks course record in Barcelona and Wanders sets new Swiss Record

Ethiopia’s Mule Wasihun took an overwhelming victory at the eDreams Mitja Marato Barcelona, winning the IAAF Gold Label road race comfortably in a course record of 59:44 on Sunday. The 24-year-old took 20 seconds off the previous course record set five years ago by Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge. Bahrain’s Tejitu Daba confirmed her status as pre-event favourite in the women’s race to win in 1:08:36, one second ahead of Ethiopia’s Dibabe Kuma, who took 41 seconds off her career best. Switzerland's Julien Wanders, 21, who has been training in Kenya finished second this morning in a Swiss record and European U23 record of 60:09! (02/11/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Half Marathons

Kiprotich, Herpha win 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Frenchman Abraham Kiprotich has won the third edition of the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 42km race. while Ronny came second in time of 2:13.26 while Victor Benjamin completed the Kenyan domination coming in the third position in 2:13.29. For the women category, Ethiopia’s Guta won the race in 2:38.25 while compatriots Girma Getachew and Ayelu Hordofa were second and third in 2:38.36 and 2:38.41. Ethiopian Tanui Rodah was the 2017 winner of the category. (02/11/2018) ⚡AMP

It does not get much better than this - 2018 RAK Half Marathon

Fancy Chemutai narrowly missed out on breaking the world record at the RAK Half Marathon on Friday (9) on a day when both course records fell. The sea mist that blanketed the emirate’s capital provided near perfect conditions, while record-size mass fields and enormous depth to the elite groups meant a special day was more or less guaranteed. Perfect pacing by a trio of Kenyan men laid the foundation for an epic closing struggle between Mary Keitany and Fancy. The race came down to the contrasting figures of tiny Keitany and the long, rangy stride of the powerful Chemutai. At 20k they were inseparable. Keitany momentarily looked to be the one applying the pressure, but Chemutai shrewdly delayed her surge until the final 100m crossing the finish line in 1:04:52 with Mary 3 seconds back. The pair are now second and third on the world all-time list behind Jepkosgei. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Half Marathons

Edward Cheserek Runs the Second Fastest Indoor Mile in History

Multiple NCAA champion Edward Cheserek produced the second-fastest indoor time in history, 3:49.44, to win the mile at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston on Friday (9). The US-based Kenyan had won two mile races already this indoor season, but neither one of those were in ideal conditions. Assisted by two pacemakers for three quarters of the race, Cheserek found the conditions to his liking at the Boston University Track Center. The 24-year-old was able to cover each of the eight laps in about 28-29 seconds before crossing the finish line in 3:49.44. (02/09/2018) ⚡AMP
World Class Runners

A decade in Kenya turned two teens from New Zealand Into World Class Runners

The plan had seemed so simple when it was hatched in their mom’s basement. But as the plane was landing in Nairobi, the scabby ground growing closer, 18-year-old Zane leaned over to his twin brother and said, “Jake, what are we going to do?”... On Jan. 14, 2018, Jake Robertson won the Houston Half Marathon with a time of one hour and one second, beating a super-deep, world-class field and earning $20,000 along the way. His twin brother Zane had posted a stellar 59:47 half marathon in 2015. They are the fastest New Zealanders ever at that distance, and near the top of the heap on a global scale. And none of that is easy—hitting 4:35 per mile for 13.1 miles? Earning a living as a runner? Becoming an Olympian? Those are laughably lofty goals...A decade of training in Kenya is paying off. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Training

Half Marathon World Records were just missed by seconds at RAK

The RAK Half Marathon in UAE delivered. In the women's race Fancy Chemutai from Kenya just missed the world record by two seconds. She ran 1:04:53 just beating out Mary Keitany (1:04:55) and Caroline Kipkirui was third in 1:05:07. In the men's race Kenya's Bedan Karoki set a new course record in 58:42, just 19 seconds off the world record. In second running his first half was Jemal Yimer from Ethiopia (59:00) and third was Alex Kibet 59:06. Seven men broke one hour. RAK indeed delivered. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Fast Half Marathons

Eliud Kipchoge: Loves Running Because Running Is Life

Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya is currently the undisputed world No.1 over the 26.2-mile distance. The 2-time Berlin and London Marathon winner explains why he runs. "I started running because my neighbor, Patrick Sang (1992 Olympic and 1991 and 1993 world steeplechase silver medallist), was an athlete and I wanted to be just like him. Patrick came from the same village as I do and my mother used to be his teacher. I was so inspired by his success. To me, running is life." Eliud is running this year's London Marathon. (02/08/2018) ⚡AMP
Olympians

Kipsang is focused on setting a new World Marathon Record in Tokyo Feb 25

Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang is excited, focused and ready to set a world record at the Tokyo Marathon on Feb 25. This will be Kipsang second attempt at the Japanese premier marathon competition. He has intensified his training in Kericho, Kenya, running at high altitude and is hopeful that hard work will bear fruits. He knows his rivals will be on a similar mission in April at the London Marathon. "I surprised everyone when I almost won the New York marathon in Nov. last year. Well, this year I will just go ahead and do it in Tokyo," Kipsang said on Tuesday from Kericho. Last year, Kipsang missed the world record (2:02:57) but still ran the fastest time ever on Japanese soil to win in 2:03:58. "I will run fast and let the rest fall in place," he added. (02/07/2018) ⚡AMP
Training

Kenya getting ready for African XC Championship in Algeria in March

A total of 30 athletes will be selected this Saturday at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya for the upcoming 5th edition of the African cross-country championships set for Chlef, Algeria on March 17th. New York Marathon and two time world cross country champion Geoffrey Kamworor will not be among the 30. Kamworor has ruled himself out of the competition with reports indicating he will only focus on running at the World Half Marathon in Valencia, Spain, on March 24. (02/05/2018) ⚡AMP

Kenyans Double at Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon today

Kenya’s Edward Waweru and Betsy Saina took top honors at the Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon, winning the IAAF Silver Label road race in PBs of 1:00:31 and 1:09:17 respectively on Sunday. Waweru, who lives in Japan and runs for NTN Track and Field Club, took 97 seconds off his previous best. The former track specialist had contested just one half marathon before today, clocking 1:02:08 at the 2014 Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon. Shitara was second in 1:01:13, falling nearly one minute short of his national record. “I am happy to be the first Japanese finisher, but I really wanted to win the race,” said Shitara, who will be targeting the Japanese record at the Tokyo Marathon in three weeks. (02/04/2018) ⚡AMP
Japan Running

Previous Record Trounced at Napoli City Half Marathon

Kenyan’s Eliud Mwangi and Philip Kibungei ran well below the course record at the Napoli City Half Marathon today. The two crossed the tenth kilometer in an unofficial time of 28:35, a pace that, if they maintained, would bring them in under 61 minutes, but the climbs and a light wind slowed them in the second half of the race. The two fought to the last meter with a thrilling sprint to the finish, ending with both men having the same time of 1:01:21. Philip Kibungei was the winner in what was his debut in Europe at this distance. (02/04/2018) ⚡AMP