Running News Daily
Top Ten Stories of the Week
4/30/2022
These are the top ten stories based on views over the last week.
Reigning world champions Muktar Edris and Hellen Obiri headline World 10K Bengaluru 2022
After a three-year hiatus enforced by the pandemic, with the last edition of the World Athletics Elite Label Race taking place in 2019, race promoters Procam International have pulled out the stops to bring the very best athletes in the world to India’s technology capital.
Edris, from Ethiopia, is the two-time defending world champion over 5000m on the track and will be using the Bengaluru race as part of his preparations to become just the second man to win three consecutive titles in the event at this summer’s World Athletics Championships in Eugene, USA.
He is no stranger to India having made his half marathon debut in the 2020 Delhi Half Marathon, where he finished fourth in the stunning time of 59:04.
His arrival in Bengaluru fulfils a promise he made after that run. “And when I come back to India, I will certainly be aiming to win and make a bigger impression,” said Edris in November 2020.
Edris will have some strong competition if he is to fulfil his ambition.
Also announced for this year’s TCS World 10K is the former holder of the world half marathon record Kibiwott Kandie, from Kenya, who has a 10km personal best of 26;51 from last year, almost a minute faster than the course record in Bengaluru.
Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku, who is still only 20, is another man with a 10km best inside 27 minutes, having run 26:56 last September just a few months after he won the world U20 3000m title on the track.
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Obiri will be making her Indian racing debut next month.
Like Edris, she has also won the 5000m at the last two editions of the World Athletics Championships and took silver medals over the same distance at the last two Olympic Games in Rio and Tokyo.
Into the bargain, Obiri can also claim two other world titles to her name after having won the world indoor 3000m crown back in 2012 and, more recently, she was the 2019 world cross country champion.
Both Edris and Obiri will have the TCS World 10K course records as their targets on 15th May.
Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor ran the men’s record of 27:44 in 2014 while the late Agnes Tirop, also from Kenya, set the women’s course record of 31:19 in 2018. Tirop also won the TCS World 10K in 2019.
Joyce Tele comes to Bengaluru having won the Agnes Tirop Cross Country Classic in February – a memorial race in her honour after her tragic death in October 2021 shocked the world – and has produced some outstanding half marathon times since the start of 2021. Tele ran a personal best of 1:05:50 to finish second in the Berlin Half Marathon earlier this month.
A third Kenyan to watch out for in the women’s race will be the 2017 world cross country champion Irene Cheptai, who also triumphed at the 2017 TCS World 10K a few months later.
Cheptai has been in good form recently with two strong second-place finishes in the prestigious New York and Prague half marathons in the last six weeks.
The TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2022 has a total prize fund of US$210,000, with the men’s and women’s winners taking home US$26,000. “It’s a true pleasure to be able to bring some of the world’s leading distance running stars to Bengaluru. The pandemic has meant this race has not happened since 2019 but we were always determined that, when conditions allowed, we would once again stage world-class races for elite runners and amateurs,” commented Vivek Singh, joint managing director of race promoters Procam International.
“Our commitment to getting India running again and helping people pursue a healthy lifestyle has never wavered and now we are back with a bang in Bengaluru,” he added.
In addition to the TCS World 10K for elite runners, there is an Open 10K, the Majja Run (5km) the Senior Citizens’ Race and the Champions with Disability Race (both 4.2km).
The Open 10K and the Majja Run can also be participated in virtual run. See the event website https://tcsworld10k.procam.in/ for details.
(04/27/22) Views: 143
Defending champion Vibian Chepkirui hoping to run 2:20 in Vienna
Defending champion Vibian Chepkirui hopes to make another big step at the Vienna City Marathon, aiming to win her second race at the classic distance as well. The Kenyan believes she is ready to run a time of around 2:20 on Sunday. Such a result would not only smash her PB but the course record of 2:22:12 as well.
It was in September when Vibian Chepkirui won her debut marathon in Vienna with 2:24:19 in very warm weather conditions. While five women feature personal bests of sub 2:25 there are two men on the start list who have run below 2:06. Oqbe Kibrom of Eritrea is the fastest runner in the field with a PB of 2:05:53.
Organisers of the 39th edition of the Vienna City Marathon have registered more than 31,000 entries including events at shorter distances. Around 8,000 of them are marathon runners. The Vienna City Marathon is Austria’s biggest running event and a World Athletics Label Road Race.
The Vienna City Marathon will be streamed live from 8.30 am on Sundayat: www.vienna-marathon.com There will also be English live reporting of the elite races on the event’s Twitter account, which is accessible through the website as well.
"I have very good memories of Vienna and I am happy to be back. It is a good course and the people are fantastic,“ said Vibian Chepkirui, with her manager Julien di Maria of Ikaika helping her to answer the questions during the press conference.
"I have prepared well and because of my training I think that in good weather conditions a time of around 2:20 is possible for me.“ As Julien di Maria explained Vibian Chepkirui became more confident when she saw the result of her training partner Joan Melly last Sunday: She won the Seoul Marathon with a course record of 2:18:04.
“Vibian and Joan always train together in Iten. And they are more or less on the same level. It was only during the final stages of some sessions when Joan was a little stronger than Vibian,“ explained Julien di Maria. Vibian Chepkirui has only run a single international race since her Vienna triumph in September and has fully focussed on defending her title in the Austrian capital.
The 27 year-old was fifth in Spain’s Santa Pola half marathon in January with 69:35. On Sunday she will again be paced by her husband Wesley Kangogo, who also acts as a pacemaker for the group when they are training in Iten.
There are four women with faster personal bests than the defending champion on the start list of the Vienna City Marathon. One of them is Ruth Chebitok, who has run 2:23:29 in Toronto in 2018. “I had injury problems for some time, but then ran quite well in Berlin last year with 2:28:18. Now I am well prepared and confident that I can run a time around my PB again,“ said the Kenyan.
The Vienna City Marathon is among a number of top road races that experienced an unusually high number of late cancellations. Goitom Kifle of Eritrea had to cancel his start because of an injury. He had been the fastest runner on the start list with a PB of 2:05:28. Another one who can not compete in Vienna is the defending champion Leonard Langat of Kenya.
There could still be a winner from Eritrea, which would be a novelty in the history of the race. Oqbe Kibrom is now the fastest runner on the start list with a PB of 2:05:53. The Eritrean, who held the national record for some time with his PB from 2020, looks ahead with confidence.
“I have trained well and hope to run a personal best on Sunday,“ said Oqbe Kibrom. The pace of the leading group will likely be perfect for him as it is planned to pass through half way in around 63:00. An attack on the course record would then still be possible. Ethiopia’s Getu Feleke holds this mark with 2:05:41 from 2014.
Cosmas Muteti might not be a pre-race favourite, but the Kenyan has developed very well recently. Coached by former world record holder Patrick Makau he improved to 2:08:45 in Berlin last year, where he took a fine fifth place in warm conditions. „Patrick is a good coach and I have improved under his guidance,“ said Cosmas Muteti, who targets his personal best on Sunday.
There is also an OPEC Fund Rookie Team competing in Vienna on Sunday. The idea is to give unknown African athletes a chance to compete internationally in Vienna and to support them to hopefully build a successful career. Victor Serem is the most experienced of the group. The Kenyan has a PB of 2:12:00 which he ran in Nairobi in 2019. “This will be my first marathon outside Kenya and I am grateful for the opportunity. I hope to improve to 2:10 on Sunday,“ said Victor Serem. The other three runners of the OPEC Fund Rookie Team are Kenya’s Dickson Kiptoo (PB: 2:23:56 in Eldoret), Fanose Tessema Gonfa and fellow-Ethiopian Chaltu Fikadu Marame.
Elite fields with personal bests
Men:
Oqbe Kibrom ERI 2:05:53
Abdi Fufa ETH 2:05:57
Raymond Choge KEN 2:08:11
Cosmas Muteti KEN 2:08:45
Weldu Gebretsadik NOR 2:09:14
Edwin Soi KEN 2:09:16
Charles Ndiema KEN 2:10:43
Lemawork Ketema AUT 2:10:44
Leonard Langat KEN 2:10:49
Noah Kipkemboi KEN 2:11:09
Victor Serem KEN 2:12:00
Anderson Seroi KEN 2:12:21
Mike Chesire KEN 2:13:28
Tomasz Grycko POL 2:13:30
Solomon Tesfamariam SUI 2:14:51
Abraham Kipyatich KEN Debüt
Timon Theuer AUT Debüt
Women:
Caroline Kilel KEN 2:22:34
Ruth Chebitok KEN 2:23:29
Sifan Melaku ETH 2:23:49
Sheila Jerotich KEN 2:24:15
Vibian Chepkirui KEN 2:24:29
Esther Kakuri KEN 2:26:11
Urge Soboka ETH 2:28:10
Nataliya Lehonkova UKR 2:28:58
Kellys Arias COL 2:29:36
Viola Yator KEN 2:30:03
Teresiah Omosa KEN 2:30:12
Benny Cheruiyot KEN 2:34:18
Neja Krsinar SLO 2:35:44
(04/22/22) Views: 134
Five tips for muddy trails, as the snow melts and the trails thaw out, here are some ways to make muddy running fun
As the snow melts and the trails thaw out, sunshine, cool temps, birds twittering in the trees–what could be better than spring trail running?
Spring brings muddy, wet trails, with puddles and water flowing on the downhills. It can slow you down, affect your footing, comfort and (obviously) cleanliness. Mud’s a part of trail running, though, and with a few tips, you can make it fun.
1.- Choose the right shoes
For muddy runs, use your shoes with the deepest lugs on the outsole. Lace up tight, in case you end up fighting the suction power of deep mud. (And by the way, don’t wear white socks.)
2.- Shorten your stride
Take short, quick steps to prevent slipping. Pay attention to your shoulders, don’t slump or arch your back, and relax your body. All of this will help you be more aware of your surroundings. It will also be easier to recover your balance if you do slip, in which case you should slide with it until you slow down before correcting your direction of travel.
3.- Read the ground ahead
Trails on south-facing hills or in the sun dry out more quickly. The same goes for higher, more exposed trails, or rocky ground. Your favourite midsummer trail may be a mud pit. Once out on the trail, keep your eye on the terrain ahead and anticipate how it will affect your footing.
4.- Embrace the mud
Well, not literally, but don’t avoid every puddle or a muddy section, which widens trails–a significant problem in trail maintenance everywhere. You won’t be setting any PBs, so just slow down and enjoy the kid-like fun of splashing in puddles.
5.- Après-mud basics
You will be quite, well, muddy, so bring a towel to wipe off before you get in the car, fresh socks and a place where you can put your muddy shoes. Dirty shoes wear out faster than clean ones, so hose down your shoes when you get home, or clean them in a bucket before you use them again.
(04/27/22) Views: 121David Smart
Allyson Felix’s shoe brand Saysh to offer “intentionally sexist” return policy for pregnant women
Days after Allyson Felix, the most decorated woman in track and field history, announced 2022 would be her last season of competitive running, she also implemented an industry-leading return policy for her shoe company, Saysh. The policy allows women to return shoes, no questions asked, should their foot size change during pregnancy (which commonly happens). If they need a new pair of shoes, new ones will be sent free of charge, in the proper size.
“A huge turning point in my life was becoming a mother—it opened my eyes to so much,” Felix told Footwear News this week. “As a runner, I have to pay attention to every little change in my body, and I went through a lot of change during pregnancy. I didn’t even realize that my feet could grow that much. I was tired of begging brands to meet me where I was, as both an athlete and a mother, and I was tired of sacrificing comfort and style. So I decided to make my own rules,” she says.
Advocating for all women, but especially athletes
Felix began actively advocating for pregnant women and athletes in 2019, when she spoke before the U.S. House of Representatives about the disparity in maternal mortality (which is significantly higher among Black women). Felix had serious complications while giving birth to Camryn, her daughter, in 2018, which moved her to outline the medical risks disproportionally experienced by African-American women.
Beyond advocating for better medical treatment for women, she also helped cause a pregnancy-policy reform across the sport of track and field when she spoke out against her former sponsor, Nike, in 2019. Felix said she felt pressure to come back to competing as soon as possible after giving birth, even though she had spent time in the hospital with preeclampsia (often characterized by high maternal blood pressure), and was not yet ready.
Make your own shoes
Shortly after speaking out against Nike and their lack of support throughout her pregnancy, Felix signed with clothing company Athleta. A few months later, she launched her own shoe company, Saysh.
Saysh is a company that aims to put women front and center, Felix said in a Ted Talk this week, “I feared that I would be forced to choose between motherhood and being a competitive athlete [when sponsored by Nike]. Getting pregnant in track and field has been called ‘this kiss of death.'” She continued to say that her mission is to help people to not “have to choose between parenting and doing the work that they love.”
The Saysh One, the first shoe Felix has brought to market, is $150 USD and comes in three colors.
(04/22/22) Views: 113Madeleine Kelly
Vibian Chepkirui defended her title and smashed the course record at the Vienna City Marathon.
The Kenyan Vivian Chepkirui won with 2:20:59 after a close battle with fellow-Kenyan Ruth Chebitok who finished second in 2:21:03. Sheila Jerotich made it an all-Kenyan podium, taking third place in 2:23:01.
Cosmas Muteti won the men’s race with 2:06:53, which is the second fastest time in the history of the Vienna City Marathon. Fellow-Kenyan Leonard Langat was second in 2:06:59 and Eritrea’s Oqbe Kibrom followed in third with 2:07:25.
Although there was no course record in the men’s race the wider top results were the best ever in the history of the event. There have never been two results below 2:07before in Vienna. And seven times sub 2:10 is also a record for Austria’s prime road race.
A total of 32,000 runners from about 100 nations had registered for the 39th edition of the Vienna City Marathon, including events at shorter distances. Around 8,000 of them competed in the marathon. The Vienna City Marathon is Austria’s biggest sporting event and a World Athletics Label Road Race.
Men’s Race
There was good pacemaking with an even pace in the men’s race for a long time although the 2:05:41 course record was never really threatened. A group of 17 runners including the three pacers passed half way in 63:21 and then went on to a 30k split time of 1:30:12. However when the pacers all dropped out at the same time right after the 30k point the race for victory was on immediately.
It was Oqbe Kibrom who surged ahead instantly. The fastest runner on the start list (PB: 2:05:53) seemed on course for a first Eritrean victory in the history of the race. However with kilometer splits of 2:54 and 2:51 for the 31st and 32k Oqbe Kibrom misjudged his potential and the picture changed.
“I knew he was strong. But I decided not go with him at 30k and run my own pace instead. I hoped to close the gap slowly,“ explained Cosmas Muteti, who soon realised that he did gain ground on the leader. With around five kilometres to go the Kenyan, who is partly coached by former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau and was fifth in Berlin last September, caught Oqbe Kibrom and then moved away from him.
In the final stages fellow-Kenyan Leonard Langat took second place and made up some ground to the leader. “I knew that he was coming nearer, but I was sure to win as I would have been able to put in a sprint if needed,“ said Cosmas Muteti, who wrote history by becoming the 50th runner of the Vienna City Marathon to achieve a sub 2:10 finish.
“This is my biggest victory. I hope to be able to defend my title here next year and then may be break the course record,“ said Cosmas Muteti, who improved his former PB of 2:08:45 by almost two minutes.
Austrian’s Lemawork Ketema was the best European runner in Vienna with a 2:15:42 finishing time in 13th place. However he missed the qualifying standard for the European Championships.
Women’s Race
In relatively good weather conditions but some wind the women’s race developed differently. Defending champion Vibian Chepkirui, who ran only her second marathon after her Vienna debut triumph in 2021, broke away after eight kilometres. At the 10k mark she had a split time of 33:11 which pointed to a 2:20 finishing time.
She was six seconds ahead of fellow-Kenyans Ruth Chebitok and Viola Yator. For an unexpected reason the 27 year-old was then not able to maintain this pace. “My husband and pacemaker Wesley Kongogo had a problem with his shoes and got a blister, so he slowed a bit,“ explained Vibian Chepkirui. While she had a lead of nine seconds at half way, which she passed in 70:38, she was unable to significantly increase it.
In contrast Ruth Chebitok, who had left behind Viola Yator after the half way mark, made up the deficit and was running right behind the defending champion at 35k.
Vibian Chepkirui stayed ahead by a step in the final section and it was with around one kilometer to go at Vienna’s Opera House when she increased the pace again and secured her second Vienna marathon victory.
“I am of course very happy to have won again in Vienna. I want to come back next year and then my goal will be to improve to 2:18,“ said Vibian Chepkirui, who ran 2:24:29 in her debut last September in warm conditions.
Slovenia’s Neja Krsinar was the fastest European runner in Vienna. She finished eighth in 2:35:30.
Results, Men:
1. Cosmas Muteti KEN 2:06:53
2. Leonard Langat KEN 2:06:59
3. Oqbe Kibrom ERI 2:07:25
4. Charles Ndiema KEN 2:08:12
5. Raymond Chose KEN 2:08:32
6. Edwin Soi KEN 2:09:10
7. Noah Kipkemboi KEN 2:09:55
8. Abdi Fufa ETH 2:10:32
9. Abraham Kipyatich KEN 2:10:51
10. Mike Chesire KEN 2:11:32
Women:
1. Vibian Chepkirui KEN 2:20:59
2. Ruth Chebitok KEN 2:21:03
3. Sheila Jerotich KEN 2:23:01
4. Urge Soboka ETH 2:27:13
5. Caroline Kilel KEN 2:29:29
6. Viola Yator KEN 2:30:40
7. Teresiah Omosa KEN 2:31:44
8. Neja Krsinar SLO 2:35:30
9. Kellys Arias COL 2:38:28
10. Chaltu Marame ETH 2:38:34
(04/24/22) Views: 107
Improve your explosiveness with this sprint workout, canadian indoor 400m record holder Lauren Gale gives tips on how to build your speed
Although sprinting and long-distance running are different disciplines, there is obviously some crossover. Both require explosive strength and power, whether to pass someone or when sprinting to the finish line. Working on your explosiveness can also reduce your risk of injury during activities that involve high power outputs with quick acceleration, as in middle-distance running or sprint events.
Canadian indoor 200m and 400m record holder and sprinter for Colorado State University Lauren Gale correlates a lot of her success with explosive work on and off the track. “When you are training for explosiveness, the goal is to build your lactate threshold,” Gale says. (Lactate threshold refers to the point at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in the blood during strenuous efforts, surpassing the body’s ability to flush/recycle it for energy production.)
The workout
Two to three sets of 300m, 150m, 80m, all off 90 seconds’ rest, with five minutes between sets
Before you start the workout, make sure you do a proper 10- to 20-minute warm-up with dynamic stretching. Each rep should be done at close to an all-out sprint pace, with 90 seconds of standing rest between reps and five minutes of standing rest between sets.
“The short rest mixed with the longer sprint reps will help build your speed for longer distances,” says Gale.
The purpose of this workout is to develop explosive power from your lower body. Each rep requires you to explode to top speed from a standstill position (like racing off the blocks), and you begin to accelerate by driving your lower body into the ground.
(04/23/22) Views: 97Marley Dickinson
The Best Stretches Before and After You Run a Race
Stretching before running is almost a universally known rule, probably because it’s drilled into us at school from a young age. We are taught that if you don’t stretch you’ll probably pull a muscle and end up injured.
We completely agree that stretching is important, but you might be surprised to know that the type of stretching taught in schools is known as static stretching, and can actually hinder your running performance.
Because of this some people question whether or not stretching is required before a race, and it’s actually a commonly debated topic.
For one perspective, check out this video by Expert Village for their view on why and how to stretch before and after a run.
So what’s this dynamic versus static stretching all about?
Basically, the stretching technique you engage will determine if your muscles become dynamic and activated (ready for a run), or static and relaxed (when you want to cool down).
The last thing that you want to do before running, or any form of strenuous exercise, is to tell your muscles to relax. You want your muscles to become activated, warmed up, and prepped for activity.
A pre-running Static Stretching Study carried out by researchers in Brazil and summarized by Runner’s World concluded that “static stretching results in “a reduced capacity of the skeletal muscle to produce explosive force” which translates into a slower starting speed during the race.
Basically, runners that stretched using static methods beforehand performed worse in the beginning of the run in comparison to those who used dynamic stretching techniques.
So now we know why dynamic stretching is better for you, but what does it involve?
Here are the main points from Expert Village.
How to Stretch BEFORE a Run
Dynamic stretches basically involve moving through a full range of motion but in an active movement.
The first example provided by Expert Village is the Straight Leg March, where you move through a full leg motion kicking you toes up towards the ceiling. Your leg during this kick is to be as straight as it can.
This will elongate the back of the thigh muscle, stretching it but keeping it activated.
The other major muscle in your thigh to be targeted is the ones at the front known as the quadriceps (or the quads).
This can be done by doing a Walking Quad Stretch, which is lifting your foot towards your buttocks while keeping your knees side by side.
You alternate legs by taking releasing your foot, taking a step forward (being active) and then raising the other leg.
Living Strong recommends stretching all the major muscle groups that’s are used in running, so this means the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals, and hip flexors while incorporating other movements that warm up the abdominal, back and calf muscles.
How to Stretch AFTER a Run
Stretching after a run is important, particularly if you feel any tightness or pain as the movements will help to relax your tired muscles.
This is where static stretching comes in, whereby you hold the stretch for a longer period of time and often repeat the stretch.
Static stretching is key in maintaining the flexibility of the muscle and releasing the tightness often experienced by pounding the pavement.
Exercises recommended by Expert Village include the Straight Leg Hamstring Stretch, where you sit on the floor with one leg elongate, using your hips and not allowing your back to curve, you then bend your chest over your leg to stretch your hamstring.
You’ll probably see a lot of people doing these stretches before a big race, but as we mentioned previously, that’s big no no.
For relaxing your quad muscles, try lying on the floor on your side, then lifting your foot to your buttocks whilst keeping your knees aligned. This is similar to the Walking Quad Stretch, just on the floor, and the stretch is held for a period of time.
(04/25/22) Views: 93
Seven reigning global medalists to renew rivalry in Eugene 100m
The medalists from the men’s Olympic 100m and 200m finals in Tokyo, plus the men’s world indoor 60m final in Belgrade, will all clash in a stacked 100m field announced for the Prefontaine Classic, part of the Wanda Diamond League series, in Eugene on May 28.
Reigning Olympic champions Marcell Jacobs and Andre De Grasse will go up against Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Noah Lyles, Marvin Bracy and Christian Coleman, as well as Olympic 100m fifth-place finisher Ronnie Baker, at Eugene’s Hayward Field.
They will all be looking to make their mark ahead of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 taking place in the same stadium in July.
“I am honored and excited to be part of this year’s Prefontaine Classic at the University of Oregon in Eugene,” said Italy’s Olympic 100m champion Jacobs, who also claimed the world indoor 60m title in Belgrade last month.
“It’s going to be my first race in the US since the Tokyo Olympics and the adrenaline is already pumping. I can’t wait to feel the track beneath my feet.”
De Grasse won the 100m at last year’s Prefontaine Classic, a few weeks after becoming a three-time Olympic medalist in Tokyo. The Canadian claimed 4x100m silver and 100m bronze in Japan along with his 200m title.
Kerley secured 100m silver between Jacobs and De Grasse in Tokyo, while Bednarek gained silver and Lyles bronze behind De Grasse in the 200m. At the World Athletics Championships Belgrade 22, Jacobs was joined on the podium by silver medalist Coleman and bronze medalist Bracy.
The men's 100m is the latest in a number of strong fields announced for the Eugene meeting. All three Tokyo Olympic medallists – Athing Mu, Keely Hodgkinson and Raevyn Rogers – will race in the 800m, while champion Mondo Duplantis will take on his fellow Tokyo Olympic medalists Chris Nilsen and Thiago Braz in the pole vault.
Michael Norman, Michael Cherry and Kirani James will race the 400m, while Rai Benjamin and Alison Dos Santos will go head-to-head in the 400m hurdles and the 100m hurdles will pit Keni Harrison against Jasmine Camacho-Quinn. Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Nicola McDermott will renew their rivalry in the high jump.
(04/22/22) Views: 87World Athletics
Yalemzerf Yehualaw runs sensational 2:17:23 marathon debut in Hamburg and Kipchoge’s course record was shattered in men’s race
Yalemzerf Yehualaw won the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, producing a sensational marathon debut. The 22 year-old Ethiopian clocked 2:17:23 which is the fastest time by a debutant ever. So far Paula Radcliffe’s time of 2:18:56 from London in 2002 was the fastest debut time by a woman.
Yalemzerf Yehualaw became the sixth fastest women in the history of marathon running, broke the course record and set a German Allcomer record. Fikrte Wereta took second in 2:26:15 and Bone Cheluke made it an all-Ethiopian podium with 2:26:23 for third place.
In the men’s race Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:05:30 course record from 2013 was broken by fellow-Kenyan Cybrian Kotut. He clocked 2:04:47, just edging Uganda’s debutant Stephen Kissa who crossed the line one second behind the winner. Ethiopia’s Workineh Tadesse followed in third place with 2:05:07.
A total of 20,000 entries from 68 nations were registered by organisers for the 36th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, including shorter running events on Sunday. Around 10,500 of them competed in the marathon. Additionally 9,000 children participated in a 4.2 k run on Saturday.
“That was a great spring comeback for us. We presented a stunning race on the streets of Hamburg and we are proud of the extremely strong results including two course records and a unique debut by Yalemzerf Yehualaw,“ said chief organiser Frank Thaleiser.
Yalemzerf Yehualaw came in late on Thursday and missed the pre-race press conference, but she took centre stage on Sunday when it mattered. In sunny but windy conditions and temperatures around 10 Celsius Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw dominated the women’s race from the beginning and constantly increased her lead.
She ran past the half marathon mark in a super fast 68:30. At this point she was already over two and a half minutes ahead. At the end of the race the gap between her and the second runner was almost nine minutes. “The race went well for me considering this was my first marathon. The fast Hamburg course suited me and the spectators helped me a lot,“ said the winner.
Yalemzerf Yehualaw was around four and a half minutes faster than former Hamburg course record holder Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia (2:21:54 in 2016). Additionally she broke the German Allcomers record of Kenya’s Gladys Cherono who ran 2:18:11 in Berlin in 2018.
In the men’s race things looked a lot closer from the beginning. 17 men passed the 10k mark in 29:29. A major surge came late in the race with only four kilometres to go. Cybrian Kotut and Stephen Kissa, a debutant from Uganda, broke away from the leading group which included six runners at that point. Both delivered a stunning showdown right to the finish line.
In the final sprint Cybrian Kotut pushed himself to a close victory in 2:04:47, a second ahead of Stephen Kissa (2:04:48). Ethiopia’s Workineh Tadesse took third spot in 2:05:07. All three runners were within the former course record of Eliud Kipchoge which stood at 2:05:30. The Kenyan superstar set this record back in 2013 running his marathon debut in Hamburg. ’’I am very happy that I broke the course record.
The pacemakers covered me well from the wind. It was not easy with the wind, but overall the conditions were very good,“ said Cybrian Kotut.
The fastest German runner was Florian Röser. He ran a solid marathon debut in 2:15:03. ’’I’m very surprised to be the fastest German athlete. The race was not ideal for me but considering that this was my debut it was good,“ he said.
Kristina Hendel was the dominant German woman in the field. She finished the race in a strong fifth position with a personal best of 2:27:29. “We had to fight against the wind from kilometer 8 till 31. On top of that I got cramps but they eased later in the race. I broke my personal best and I am very proud of that. I hope I will run in a German vest at the European Championships in Munich,“ said Christina Hendel.
The former Croatian gained German citizenship in 2021 but is not eligible yet to compete for Germany internationally. Deborah Schöneborn finished the race as the second fastest German woman in 9th place with a time of 2:29:51.
Men:
1. Cybrian Kotut KEN 2:04:47
2. Stephen Kissa UGA 2:04:48
3. Workineh Tadesse ETH 2:05:07
4. Victor Kiplangat UGA 2:05:09
5. Abebe Negewo ETH 2:06:05
6. Masresha Bere ETH 2:06:44
7. Edwin Kiptoo KEN 2:06:52
8. Abraham Kiptoo KEN 2:06:59
9. Bazewe Asmare ETH 2:07:13
10. Bernard Ngeno KEN 2:07:27
Women:
1. Yalemzerf Yehualaw ETH 2:17:13
2. Fikrte Wereta ETH 2:26:15
3. Bone Cheluke ETH 2:26:23
4. Tseginesh Mekonnen ETH 2:26:29
5. Kristina Hendel CRO 2:27:29
6. Priscah Jeptoo KEN 2:28:48
7. Rosa Chacha ECU 2:28:52
8. Gadise Mulu ETH 2:28:37
9. Deborah Schöneborn GER 2:29:51
10. Jana Soethout GER 2:34:28
(04/24/22) Views: 87
Fast times at the Meta Time Trials in Malaga
Eilish McColgan has set a UK 5km record of 14:45 at the ASICS META:TIME:TRIALS in Malaga.
She bettered her own 5km mark of 14:48 from the UAE back in February and Paula Radcliffe’s 14:51, set at Hyde Park in 2003, while McColgan is also close behind Sifan Hassan’s European 5km record of 14:44.
Fast times were the target and many were achieved at Sunday's META: TIME : TRIALS by ASICS, a World Athletics Label event in Malaga, with Ethiopia’s Tsegay Kidanu quickest in the men’s 10km with 27:14 and Britain’s Eilish McColgan among the national record-breakers in the 5km.
The event was specially organised to showcase the new METASPEED™+ Series footwear and McColgan, the 2018 European 5000m silver medallist, was among the athletes to go quicker than ever before. She led the women’s 5km in 14:45 to improve the official British record and finish ahead of Kenya’s Naomi Chepngeno with 14:57.
In the men’s race, Olympic finalist Mohamed Katir ran 13:20 to miss Jimmy Gressier’s European record by just two seconds. Felix Bour of France was second in 13:41.
Kidanu impressed on his 10km road race debut, running 27:14 after passing half way in 13:42. That saw the 2019 world U20 cross country fifth-place finisher win by nine seconds ahead of Kenya’s Boniface Kibiwott with 27:23.
Kenya’s Vicoty Chepngeno, winner of the Houston Half Marathon in January, was this time racing over 10km and claimed top spot in 31:39, 16 seconds ahead of Sweden’s Sarah Lahti with 31:55.
Three athletes dipped under the hour in the men’s half marathon, led by Morocco’s Olympic marathon 11th place finisher Mohamed Reda El Aaraby with 59:54.
That saw him break the hour barrier for the first time, improving on his previous best of 1:00:17 set when finishing 13th the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia.
Kenya’s Wilfred Kimitei and Alfred Kipchirchir were just two seconds behind him, both clocking 59:56, while their compatriot Vincent Ngetich clocked exactly an hour.
Ethiopia’s Yeshi Kalayu Chekole claimed a clear win in the women’s half marathon, running a PB of 1:07:30 to finish 38 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Sharon Kemboi with 1:08:08.
(04/25/22) Views: 85
