Habari za Wiki - 1 Dec, 2020
Not So Good For Kenya in Dehli
Marathon world champion Ruth Chepngetich was the best performing Kenya at the Airtel Delhi Half marathon with a second place finish in the women’s race. Ruth timed 65:06 behind the winner Ethiopian Yalamzerf Yehualaw who took it in 64:46. Irene Cheptai came in fifth in 66:43. London Marathon champion Brigid Kosgei dropped out of the race with hamstring trouble.
With a fifth place finish, Leonard Barsoton was the best placed Kenyan male.
Valencia Weekend
Kenyans athletics enthusiasts will be looking out for a better performance this Sunday as Kenyan athletes compete in the Valencia Marathon and Half Marathon.
It will be a star studded field with Chicago Marathon champion Lawrence Cherono, World marathon bronze medalist Amos Kipruto headlining the men’s line up while World Half Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir and reigning New York Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei will lead the women.
Here’s the full set of folks to watch:
Men: Lawrence Cherono - 2h04:06, Evans Chebet - 2h05:00, Philemon Rono - 2h05:00, Abel Kirui - 2h05:04, Amos Kipruto - 2h05:43, Geoffrey Kirui - 2h06:27, Daniel Kemboi - 2h06:31, Lani Rutto - 2h06:34 , and Abel Kipchumba - 2h09:39
Women: Purity Rionoripo - 2h20:39, Joyciline Jepkosgei - 2h22:38, Peres Jepchirchir - 2h23:50, Joan Chelimo - 2h26:24, and Fancy Chemutai - Debut
In the half marathon, we all can’t wait to see how Rhonex Kipruto will debut in the half and take on World Half Marathon champion Jacob Kiplimo, Kandie Kibiwott, Bedan Karoki among other. This is a great line up.
According to with website, there will be a live stream 6 December at 8:00 Spanish time / 10:00 Nairobi / 2:00am East Coast US.
Iten is Officially a World Heritage Site
Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet county is a global running village. It is a home of some of the best Kenyan athletes like Mary Keitany, Edna Kiplagat, David Rudisha, youngsters Nicholas Kimeli and Rhonex Kipruto and more. St. Patrick's High School over the last 30 years has produced world-class long distance athletes.
It has also been the go-to training haven for international stars like Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe. The Home of Champions has contributed immensely to athletics over the years and for this, Iten obtained World Athletics Heritage status.
Although this announcement was made in 2019 by World Athletics President Seb Coe, the World Athletics Heritage Plaque was only unveiled last week by Elgeyo Marakwet governor. In Africa, only Iten and Bekoji in Ethiopia have attained world Heritage status. A befitting feat for the global running village.
If you want to pay a visit, here’s our guide to Iten, the Home of Champions.
Peres Jepchirchir Should be Female Athlete of 2020, Right?
Women’s only World record holder Peres Jepchirchir will know on Saturday whether she is the best performing female athlete of 2020. Peres is the only Kenyan who made it in the final 5 on female athlete of the year award. Peres twice broke the women’s only half marathon world record in a span of one month this year. First at Prague 21.1km and then at the World Half Marathon championships.
This year's Awards ceremony will be staged as a virtual event on Saturday 5 December and streamed live on the World Athletics YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Athletics Season in Kenya is On
The 2020/21 Athletics season has taken off in Kenya. The season got off with Cross Country in Machakos.
World cross country champion Hellen Obiri got her season underway with a victory in the senior women's race with a winning time of 32 minutes 29.2 seconds. Obiri took command of the race from 3km and never let up.
In the men’s race former Enda Elite athlete Daniel Simiu delivered a majestic performance from start to win senior men's 10km race in 28 minutes and 27.7 seconds.
Cross Country is at the heart of Kenyan running, and a place where you can expect to see stars and upstarts show up to compete.
Non-Kenyan News
Coleman Goes to Court of Arbitration for Sport
100 metres World Champion Coleman has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his two year ban for whereabouts failures. He was banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit’s (AIU) Disciplinary Tribunal last month and is set to miss next year’s Tokyo Olympics. CAS statement said in his appeal, Coleman requested that the AIU decision be set aside, sanction eliminated or reduced.
Kilian Jornet Ends Run in Hospital
Famed for his mountain running, Kilian Jornet set out to run the 24 hour track world record this weekend. 10 hours in he was pulled off the track by his medical team and taken to hospital. After recovering, he said “Races sometimes don’t go well...so it is a good excuse to try it again ;)”
From Us At Enda
It’s Giving Tuesday, and the last day of our fundraiser for the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission of Kenya. Our shoe prices are up by $10 right now, and we’ll match your contribution to make a total donation of $20 per pair.
Many people from the LGBT community in Kenya can’t get an education, employment, go to church, or be with their families.
Jabari Tirop-Salat, one of the lead petitioners trying to change laws oppressing the LGBT community in Kenya, says, “The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commision is like a parent organisation to me… NGLHRC has been there from the beginning to support us, to ensure all the legal aid is there.”
12 hours from how, our prices go back to normal.
From the Enda Community
Like many of us, Steven Burke Taylor found himself not being able to see his family. So he’s making do, staying grateful, and keeping running. He says:
"Thankful everyday for @devoninthewoods, but especially thankful for her family today. They welcomed me into their home for the holiday when I couldn't see my own with no questions, and made me feel like family too. So here are just some highlights from the day with these wonderful folks"