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11/19/2022

How people respond when you tell them you’re a runner

You know that moment when you meet someone and tell them you’re a runner. You’ve probably had to answer at least a few of these several times.

We love that others are curious about our sport. We know the sport so well but others are in awe when we explain just the basics. When you tell someone you’re a runner, here are some of the most common questions you have to answer.

1. What is the longest distance you’ve ever run? 

When someone asks this, you often have to pause and think. Maybe it’s just over 10K maybe it’s 30 or 40. Do stage races count? Whatever your answer is, it feels unimpressive until you see the look on their face.

2. I hate running.

This is a common one. You basically say something like “Once you get into it, it gets easier,” but you can tell you’re not converting this person any time soon so you drop it.

3. Don’t you find it boring?

That moment when someone calls yours hobby boring…  You know what they mean,  many find the sport boring. You get it. You just respond by telling them no you don’t find it boring and bite your tongue before adding that you obviously wouldn’t be keeping it up if you did.

4.Can you run 5K? 

You say yes realizing that this is a given and something that you take for granted.

5. Can you run 10K? 

Admit that it kind of feels good when the other person finds this impressive. To you, this is likely a distance you could do any day.

6. How many marathons have you done?

This is fun to talk about if you’ve done several marathons. If not, it can be frustrating explaining that you haven’t graduated to the marathon but that you’ve really chopped down your 5K and 10K PBs. You can tell they are unimpressed.

7. Do you run in winter? 

When you say yes, they often look alarmed. And maybe a little bit worried. You assure them that it’s fine.

8. Wait, you get up at 5:00 a.m.? 

Explaining this one never gets easy.

9. But you’re already skinny. 

It’s hard to hide your sheer annoyance at this comment. Your running is about so much more than achieving a particular body size but somehow, people never seem to believe you.

10. I can only run ___. 

This is what someone says before you convince them that it’s not true. To you, this is the opener to a motivational pep talk.

11. I couldn’t give up my favorite foods for health foods. 

When you let them in on the little secret that you actually don’t eat just health food, their mind is blown. Job well done.

12. Do you do any sports though? 

If you stared blankly at this person and then went on to explain (slightly snarky) that running is a sport, we’re OK with this response.

13. Want to train me for the race I entered?

Depending on how often you’ve been asked this question, you either love it or you hate it. On one hand, you’re pumped to have a new running friend. On the other, you’re worried that they will quit on you.  

(11/11/22) Views: 167
Sinead Mulhern

The 2022 B.A.A. Half Marathon returned to Franklin Park this morning as more than 6,300 athletes completed the 13.1-mile challenging course

At the front of the field, Kenyans Geoffrey Koech and Viola Chepngeno prevailed as men’s and women’s open division champions.

Despite sporadic rain throughout the morning, participants covered the challenging course through Boston and Brookline with smiles and enthusiasm. 

With a ferocious sprint into White Stadium, Chepngeno claimed the women’s open win in 1:10:40, just three seconds in front of Ethiopia’s Bosena Mulatie. Chepngeno, Mulatie and Hiwot Gebrekidan (Ethiopia) ran a majority of the race together, but it was ultimately the B.A.A. Half Marathon debutant in Chepngeno having the best finish of all. 

“I’m happy. So, so happy,” said a smiling Chepngeno. “The rain was cold. But I am happy so much!”

Gebrekidan was third in 1:11:09, with B.A.A. High Performance Team member Erika Kemp finishing as the top American, seventh in 1:12:13. Team USA Olympians Molly Huddle and Molly Seidel placed 12th (1:13:29) and 16th (1:16:22), respectively.

As a pack of a dozen runners led the men’s race through 10K, it was Koech taking the reigns at mile 9. While Tsegay Kidanu (Ethiopia), Zouhair Talbi (Marocco), and Teshome Mekonen (USA) did their best to keep close, it was Koech who stormed out of Franklin Park Zoo in front and wound up winning in 1:02:02. Kidanu and Talbi rounded out the podium in 1:02:10 and 1:02:15, while Mekonen placed fourth in 1:02:28 as the top American finisher. This was Mekonen’s first race as an American citizen. 

“The race was good, I am happy in Boston,” noted Koech, who said he came into the race briming with confidence. When did he know he had victory sealed? “The last 5K, all of the twisting [turns before the finish].”

(From Let's Run) Teshome Mekonen was born and raised in the Tigray region of Ethiopia but has been based in the US since 2020 and gained his citizenship in August (we’ll have more on his story next week on LetsRun.com). Only four Americans have ever run faster than Mekonen’s pb in the half (60:02), and while that time dates from 2018, it’s also worth noting that Mekonen raced Conner Mantz at the NYC Half in March of this year and beat Mantz by a minute.

He’s clearly one to watch for the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, though his two marathons so far haven’t gone very well (2:22 in New York last year, 2:13 in Ottawa this year). His performance today was solid — though 62:28 is over two minutes off his pb, the hills and rain slowed most of the field. For reference, men’s winner Geoffrey Koech ran 62:02 today but 60:01 at the Cardiff Half in October.

After crossing the finish line in Boston today, Mekonen crossed his arms above his head in a similar gesture to the one made by Feyisa Lilesa at the 2016 Olympic marathon. Mekonen said his gesture was to bring attention to his home region of Tigray, which has been at the center of a civil war between Tigray and the Ethiopian federal government over the last two years. While there was positive news last week with leaders from each side agreeing to a truce, getting humanitarian aid to the area has still been a problem and Mekonen has been unable to communicate with his family and friends in the region.

“In Tigray, still everything is no food, no medicine, no bank, no electricity,” Mekonen said.

Mekonen said right now he’s already started training for his next marathon, which will come on January 15 in Houston.

“My [training] program, everything is marathon [right now],” Mekonen said. “This [race] is like time trial.”

Mekonen said he’s hoping to run 2:08 in Houston and finish in the top three.

Quick Take: Molly Seidel — “I’m just in such a drastically better place than I have been for a long time”

Molly Seidel’s time today of 76:22 was, by her standards, poor — at her best, she can easily maintain that pace for a full marathon. But Seidel was still in good spirits. For the first time in a long time, she feels she is in a good place with her body and her mental health. Today’s race was a chance to lay down a marker of where she’s at right now, but she expects to get a lot faster in the coming months.

“While it’s frustrating to come out and not be anywhere near the front pack, it’s nice knowing that I’m just in such a drastically better place than I have been for a long time,” Seidel said.

It has been a rough year for Seidel. After the high of a bronze medal at the Olympics and American course record in the New York City Marathon last year, Seidel has faced a number of challenges in 2022. She dropped out of the Boston Marathon with a hip injury that wound up as a sacral stress fracture. She has also struggled with disordered eating and was forced to withdraw from the New York Mini 10K earlier this year because she was waiting to receive a TUE for Adderall, which she had been taking to manage her ADHD (she no longer takes the drug). But, thanks to the help of her family, her coach Jon Green, and the rest of her support team, Seidel said she is feeling the best — mentally and physically — that she has for a long time.

The stress fracture sidelined Seidel until October, and even once she resumed training, it was mostly cross-training due to an ankle issue that flared up. But she is back to full training now and says she has hit 110 miles the last couple of weeks.

“I’m like one of those steaks that’s raw and you throw it on the grill and fast-sear it,” Seidel joked.

Quick Take: Molly Huddle’s comeback continues — though it’s different racing now as a mom

Molly Huddle had already raced twice since giving birth to daughter Josephine in April, both at 10 kilometers (33:59 at the Lone Gull 10K on September 25 and 33:32 at the Boston 10K for Women on October 8). Today was another step forward on her comeback and the longest race she’s done so far.

Huddle said her time of 73:29 was slower than she hoped but knew it would be tough after 10 miles — which is exactly what happened. Huddle already has another half lined up in Houston in January and hopes that with two more months of training under her belt, she will be able to feel stronger in that race.

“This [race today] will bring me along, for sure,” Huddle said. “I think the next half will be a lot faster.”

Huddle also thinks she’ll feel stronger once she stops breastfeeding Josephine — she had to pump milk today 20 minutes before her warmup.

Huddle is returning to a faster marathon scene in the United States than the one she left when she took her maternity break. The American record has been broken twice this year and now stands at 2:18:29 to Huddle’s occasional training partner Emily Sisson.

“It’s crazy,” Huddle said. “The women are running so fast and it’s so deep up front. From the 2:18 to 2:22 range, we have a lot of women. I’m just hoping to PR. Mine is 2:26 the last time I ran. That was pre-supershoe era.”

Huddle will be 39 by the time of the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials and right now would not be among the favorites to make the team — even in her prime, Huddle was always better at the shorter distances on the roads. She admitted she’d need to catch some breaks to have a shot at the Olympic team in 2024 but isn’t completely counting herself out.

“Marathons have a lot of variables, so I’d need a few to go in my favor and against somebody else,” Huddle said. “But you never know. The marathon, I think I have a shot.”

(11/13/22) Views: 122

Valencia Marathon elite line-up has ambitious goals for 2022

The Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso elite line-up for its 42nd edition on 4 December, when some of the best athletes on the international scene will take to the streets of Valencia Ciudad del Running with the aim of improving the course record (2:03:00) and seeking the best women’s debut in the history of the event.

Tamirat Tola (2:03:39), the reigning World Marathon champion, heads the men’s line-up alongside his Ethiopian compatriots Getaneh Molla (2:03:34) and Dawit Wolde (2:04:27) in a preliminary list with up to seven athletes with fastest times under 2:05 over the Marathon distance. Kenya, a world power in the marathon, will be well represented not only by Jonathan Korir (2:04:32), but also by a trio of important debutants over the distance: Alexander Mutiso, Philemon Kiplimo and Kelvin Kiptum. Attention will also be focused on another athlete who will be initiated at 42,195 metres: the Ethiopian Milkesa Menghesa, the winner of the Copenhagen Half Marathon.

Valencia will also witness an interesting European battle between Germany’s Petros, Sweden’s Tsegayand the Swiss runner Wanders. Overall, the final line-up includes over 150 runners with accredited times under 2:20:00 for the marathon or 1:06:00 for the half marathon.

Gidey: the most eagerly awaited debut

In the women’s category, the spotlight will be on the long-awaited debut of Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey(currently world record holder in the 5000, 10000, 15K and half marathon, two of which were achieved in Valencia), who will make an eye-catching debut in a marathon on 4 December with the realistic ambition of beating the time of 2:17:23 (world record for a debutant), but also of getting as close as possible to the women’s world record of 2:14:04 (Brigid Kosgei, Chicago).

The Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui, also a debutant, could become the other female star of the Valencia Marathon in 2022, without forgetting some of the other runners included in this line-up with excellent times: Sutume Kebede (2:18:12) and Etagegne Woldu (2:20:16), who achieved second place last year in this marathon.

Overall, the final line-up contains over 80 athletes who have run sub 2h45:00 in the marathon or sub 1:17:30 in the half marathon.

(11/11/22) Views: 109

Five things to remember before jumping up to the marathon

Naturally, runners who have finished their first half-marathon are eager for that what’s next. Whether you want to run a marathon or not, the half-marathon can give you a brief idea of what to expect and what to work on before you move up in distance.

Although moving up from a half-marathon to a marathon makes sense, that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. Here are five things to remember when moving up to the marathon. 

1.- Find the right race

Find a destination that means a lot to you or that will help motivate you to train. Don’t just sign up for the next marathon on the race calendar. There are several things you should take into account before signing up, such as race date, field size, location and course elevation. If you are trying to chase a Boston qualifier or fast time you may want to lean toward a marathon with a flatter course, but for some, a marathon with rolling hills can help the mental miles go by faster.

2.- Plan. Plan. Plan

Planning is essential, and maybe the most important thing when moving up in distance. You’ll need enough time to find or develop a training plan and build a base before you dive head first into training. Increasing your mileage will take time, and there is nothing more discouraging than trying to quickly increase your mileage because you are in over your head. Plan your training in advance or month-by-month to set yourself up for success. Most runners will begin training 16 to 20 weeks out from their marathon, whereas in the half, 10 to 12 weeks is standard.

If you are going straight from a half to the marathon, be sure to space out the dates by at least four to six weeks to allow your body to recover and increase mileage. The last thing you want to do is run your first marathon on tired legs. 

3.- Prioritize distance

If it is your first marathon, you should focus on increasing your distance instead of your speed. Prioritize the mileage, and let the speed come naturally.

Don’t feel discouraged if it feels like you are losing speed–it is a natural occurrence when training for the marathon. Running longer distances increases the stress on your muscles and joints, so don’t be too concerned if your 5K to 10K paces slow down as a result. It’s temporary. Take your time on the long runs and do what you need to to finish strong, rather than pushing yourself to potential injury.

4.- Practice fueling

Some runners can get through a half-marathon without energy gels or bars, but for a marathon, you need to find a fueling strategy that will work for you. After 75 minutes of exercise, the body’s glycogen stores are depleted and you need to take on carbohydrates.

There are tons of great products out there for marathon runners, but you’ll want to experiment with them during training to find the ones that work for you. Practice and tweak your fueling and hydration techniques early in your training to ensure you have enough time to settle on the right one. Once you find a fueling strategy, it will help you feel more confident and comfortable come race day.

5.- Be modest with your expectations

Although preparation is important for your first marathon, the race itself will provide you with the most wisdom. Anything can and will happen during your first marathon, and most of the time it’s beyond your control. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

(11/11/22) Views: 102
Marley Dickinson

Coros introduces limited-edition Molly Seidel watch

The endurance sports watch company Coros has released a limited Molly Seidel edition of the Pace 2, which celebrates the Olympic bronze medallist’s achievements and captures her unique and fun personality. 

The design of this special edition watch was a collaborative process with Seidel and her team, and features colors to represent her: two shades of green (her favorite color–a vibrant green to match her Puma race kit, and a more earthy green as a nod to the environment). 

Seidel’s limited edition Pace 2 comes with two watch bands: a green silicone band and an extra nylon band with Seidel’s famous “full send” catchphrase after she won bronze in the marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

The watch also comes with a scannable QR code to a custom 12-week marathon training plan created by COROS, Seidel and her coach, Jon Green of Verde Track Club in Flagstaff. 

Seidel was using a Coros watch before she signed on as an official athlete for the brand. When she won her Olympic bronze, Seidel wore the Coros Apex, and made headlines as her bronze-medal-winning marathon quickly became the most kudo’d women’s activity on Strava. In November 2021, she officially signed on as a Coros athlete and was the top American at the 2021 New York City Marathon, where she wore the lighter-weight Coros Pace 2. 

The Pace 2 is an excellent watch for anyone who likes to walk, run or cycle daily and wants to understand the simple statistics around their exercise. The watch also has everything you need for serious training, with stellar 30-hour GPS battery life and easy-to-understand metrics and statistics.

“This watch is Molly, and it represents all aspects of her personality, from her grit and determination to her youthful energy,” said Dan Suher, Director, Global Sales at Coros. “It is an honor to celebrate everything she has already accomplished in her career and know how much is still to come.”

The Coros Pace 2 Molly Seidel edition is available now on Coros.ca and through select running specialty retailers with a retail price of CAD $349.00.

(11/15/22) Views: 92
Running Magazine

Dublin cop banned for life after taking public transit to finish last month’s race

An Irish runner, who works as a police officer, has been barred for life from the Dublin Marathon after he was allegedly caught taking public transit to finish last month’s race. 

Race organizers began investigating the police officer’s result when they found that he negative-split his marathon by 50 minutes.

The officer averaged six-minute kilometers through halfway and increased his pace to a staggering 3:45 per kilometer in the final 21 kilometers.

He was allegedly seen boarding Dublin’s streetcar system, the Luas, which he used to get closer to the finish line. 

The officer finished in the top six per cent of all runners, but has since been disqualified and forced to apologize, returning his medal and T-shirt. His result was removed from the Dublin Marathon results.

Race organizers told the Irish Mirror they have finished their investigation and said the individual (who was not named) will be banned from all future events at the Dublin Marathon.

Coincidentally, the man caught cheating works for the anti-corruption unit of the Dublin Police and is tasked with investigating wrongdoing within the force. According to the Irish Independent, the police force is also conducting a fact-finding review. 

An estimated 25,000 runners took part in the race around Dublin on October 30. The marathon route was one lap around the city and was won by Taoufik Allam of Morocco in 2:11:30 and Nigist Muluneh of Ethiopia in 2:28:31.

(11/14/22) Views: 89
Marley Dickinson

Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui to make marathon debut at Valencia Marathon

The Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medalist Sheila Chepkirui has expressed her excitement about making her full marathon debut at the Valencia Marathon on December 4.

Chepkirui has had a successful career on track and the half marathon and thinks it was time for her to try the 42km distance.

“I am happy to be making my debut in Valencia…I just think it’s time for me to try this new journey. I have had some great moments on the track and I am hoping I will be able to register the same in the marathon,” Chepkirui said, adding that she is praying for good health on the race day. 

Chepkirui said she looks up to 2018 London Marathon champion Vivian Cheruiyot because of her hard work and remarkable races both on track and roads. She said her body is responding well to training so far and her goal is to finish the race. 

“After the Commonwealth Games, I had a slight injury but it got better. The training has been going on well and I am happy my body is responding well,” she said.

Meanwhile, the race has attracted 11 elite Kenyan athletes with Jonathan Korir being the fastest among his male compatriots with a PB of 2:04:32 posted last year in Amsterdam, where he placed fourth. 

Korir participated in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August and placed fifth in the marathon in 2:14:06. He was a distance  12th in Tokyo Marathon in 2:08:04 back in March.

The 2017 World marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui will also be in the mix. Kirui has a personal best time of 2:06:27. He placed fourth in 2:19:28 at this year’s Juarez International Marathon.

Others in the field are 2020 Santa Pola Half Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso, 2021 Bahrain Night Half Marathon champion Philemon Kiplimo and Kelvin Kiptum. Mutiso, Kiplimo and Kiptum will be making their debut in the 42km event. 

Bethwell Kipkemboi will be returning to Valencia with the hope of improving on his 17th-place finish during last year’s edition. He has a personal best time of 2:07:41. Others in the race will be Ronald Korir (PB 2:07:29) and Simon Kipkosgei (PB 2:07:07).

This will be Korir’s third race of the season after winning the BP Castellón Marathon in February and a fifth-place finish at the Volkswagen Prague Marathon.

Other Kenyan women in the field will be Monica Ngige who has a PB of  2:22:13 posted in Boston in April and Fancy Chemutai (PB 2:24:27). 

(11/11/22) Views: 86
Abigael Wuafula

Chepngeno, Tanui lead star-studded field for Boston Half Marathon

Vicoty Chepngeno and Josphat Tanui head the line-up for the elite field for the Boston  Half Marathon set for November 13.

Chepngeno, who is the 2022 Aramco Houston Half Marathon champion, heads the list of fastest female athletes with a personal best time of 1:05:03.

Chepngeno has competed in a couple of half marathons since the year began including Istanbul in March, where she placed fourth in 1:06:58.

Ethiopia’s Bosena Mulatie lines up as the second fastest in the field with a PB of 1:05:46 posted at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February, where he wound up fifth.

Also to watch will be another Ethiopian, Hiwot Gebrekidan, who placed fifth in 2:19:10 at the recent Tokyo Marathon. Gebrekidan also finished fourth at the Great North Run in 1:07:22.

Great Britain’s Jess Piasecki and USA’s Molly Huddle are among the top 10 fastest women and will be competing for top honours.

Piasecki and Molly have personal best times of 1:07:20 and 1:07:25 respectively. Other Kenyan women in the race include Cynthia Jerotich (1:06:04), Viola Chepngeno (1:06:48), Vivian Chepkirui (1:08:02) and Mary Munanu (1:11:56).

In the men’s category, Tanui heads the field with a personal best of 59:22, which he posted at the 2017 Ústi nad Lábem Half Marathon top place second.

Another Kenyan, Shadrack Kimining is the second fastest with a time of 59:27. Kimining placed second (1:00:34) at this year’s Rimi Riga Half Marathon back in May.

The Ethiopian duo of Lelisa Desisa and Tsegay Kidanu will also be in the race with the aim of spoiling the Kenyans’ party.

Desisa, the 2019 World Marathon champion, is the third fastest in the field with a PB time of 59:30. On the other hand, Kidanu has a PB of 59:52.  Mexico’s Jose Santana with a personal best of 1:01:11 will also be in contention.

Other Kenyans in the field include Geoffrey Koech (59:36), James Ngandu (1:01:28), Dennis Kipkosgei (1:03:23) and debutant Vincent Kiprop.

(11/12/22) Views: 86
Abigael Wuafula

The Difference Between Zero-Sugar and Electrolyte Sports Drinks

When to Choose Electrolyte Sports Drinks

Reach for electrolyte sports drinks in situations where you need to replenish nutrients, like after intense exercise."I would never want a marathon runner to choose a sugar-free sports drink when they are in the middle of a marathon because they need those simple carbohydrates contained in the regular sport drink to give them energy and fuel for their race," Ehsani says.

However, strenuous exercise isn't the only way your body loses electrolytes. If you're sick and throwing up a lot, for example, it's best to rehydrate with a drink that will replenish what you've lost. The same goes for illnesses that cause dehydration. In addition to rehydrating, electrolyte drinks will also help restore any depleted fluids.

When to Choose Zero-Sugar Sports Drinks

If you simply need to quench your thirst or cool down, a sugar-free sports drink may be the better option. "If an athlete is in their off season and just doing very light workouts a few times a week, they likely don't need additional calories and can use a zero sugar option, which will give them the electrolyte they need to replace from sweating," Ehsani says.

Artificial sugars in these drinks aren't harmful, as long as they aren't consumed in large doses, which can cause gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and an upset stomach.

What's the Best Way to Recover After Exercising?

Sports drinks are an easy solution to post-workout energy and fluid loss, but even they aren't the most optimal option. First, rehydrate with water. Ehsani also recommends eating something with a 3:1 ratio of carbs to protein within 60 minutes of finishing your workout: a smoothie made with a variety of fruits and soy milk, a greek yogurt parfait topped with fruit and granola, or pretzels and peanut butter. To replace lost electrolytes, eat foods rich in sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which are all lost through sweat, she adds.

Whether you've just finished a strenuous hike or have been working in the heat all day, you're probably reaching for a sports drink to rehydrate. There are two prominent varieties of the drink: electrolyte sports drinks and sugar-free sports drinks. Here's what electrolyte sports drinks and sugar-free sports drinks are made of, their differences, and which is best in a given situation.

What's the Difference?

"When strictly comparing, you may just notice a difference in overall calories, carbohydrates, and sugar amounts," says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, Board Certified Sports Dietitian. Electrolyte sports drinks contain electrolytes as well as simple carbohydrates that provide energy to the user. "These options are much higher in carbohydrates and calories than the zero sugar sports drinks," Ehsani says.

Sugar-free sports drinks are made with artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, and are generally lower in calories and carbohydrates than regular sports drinks. However, this doesn't mean they're completely void of electrolytes. "Zero-sugar sports drinks are often intended for individuals who need added sodium, such as in humid weather where sweating is increased, but may not need additional calories," says Mary Wirtz, BCDC. These drinks also have added potassium.

(11/13/22) Views: 84
Trail Runner Magazine

Kenyan Abel Kirui set to run next month's Fukuoka Marathon

Two-time former world champion Abel Kirui leads a strong contingent of Kenyan elite runners to next month's Fukuoka Marathon.

Kirui, 40, with a personal best of 2:05:05, faces stiff opposition to win the event set for December 4.

This will be Kirui's first marathon of the year having last participated in the 2021 Milan Marathon, where he finished 11th in 2:06:52.

Kirui said he has what it takes to win the race despite the competition. "Marathon running is never easy but I have had good preparations and I am looking forward to having a good outing,” added Kirui. 

Kirui will have fellow Kenyans Kenneth Keter and Silas Too for the company. Keter has a personal best of 2:06:05 set at the 2021 Amsterdam Marathon, where he finished eighth while Too has a PB of 2:06:32 posted in the Eindhoven Marathon last year.

James Gitahi, who finished third last year in a time of 2:08:25, will be aiming to go two places better this time around. Last year's winner Michael Githae will be aiming to defend the crown he won last year when he clocked 2:07:51.

Githae is upbeat about his prospects despite placing 11th at the Tokyo Marathon in March this year at 2:07:55. Githae also won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last August.

“I did not do well in Tokyo but I have trained hard for Fukuoka for the past three months. It's a very good field, especially the Kenyans and Ethiopians but I'm up to the task and ready to defend my title,” he said. 

Vincent Raimoi will be making his debut in the full marathon at the event having clocked 59:51 at the 2020 Ras El Khaimah Marathon in UAE, where he finished fifth. The Ethiopian athletes in the event will be led by Teshager Yegzaw and Yemane Tsegaye. 

(11/16/22) Views: 84
William Njuguna