TheFinalSprint.com - Track & Field, Marathons, Racing News, Training Advice, Elite Athlete Blogs, Interviews, Podcasts, Videos and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Destination for Track & Field, Marathon, Cross Country, Olympic and Road Racing Enthusiasts.

Lead Stories: Friday, November 21, 2008

Note on the News: Impact of Kenyan Violence on Runners

Posted May 13th, 2008 at 11:30 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

My colleague Jeré Longman has written a lenghty piece published in today’s NEW YORK TIMES on how the post-election violence in Kenya has impacted runners there.

The story, written in Eldoret, focuses on world marathon champion Luke Kibet, but also mentions and interviews athletes and officials at many levels, including Catherine Ndereba, Wesley Ngetich, Lucas Sang, David Okeyo, Moses Kiptanui and many others. Photos accompany the story.

You can read the story at this link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/sports/othersports/13runners.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin

2 comments, add yours | Permalink

Training for Dubai, Gebrselassie & Kiplagat Face Different Challenges

Posted January 7th, 2008 at 3:34 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

With the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon looming in just 11 days, Haile Gebrselassie and Lornah Kiplagat are making their final preprations, each facing their own special challenges.

Gebrselassie, the world record holder and #2-ranked marathoner in the world last year in Race Results Weekly’s rankings, is dreaming of the $1 million bonus on the line for toppling his own world best of 2:04:26 set in Berlin last September. Well, at least his Dutch manager Jos Hermens is.

“I and he are certain he can do under 2:04,” Hermens is quoted by race organizers as saying last week.

But Gebrselassie himself is more circumspect. “Yes, I did 2:04 in Berlin,” Gebrselassie told race organizers via telephone over the weekend. “But everything was perfect, the weather, the course, the pacemaking. Sure, it’s possible to do under 2:04, but everything has to be perfect again.”
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Kigen Looking for Third Win at Frankfurt Marathon

Posted October 26th, 2007 at 11:15 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The sheriff will be back in Frankfurt on Sunday as course record-holder Wilfred Kigen goes for his third straight victory in the German capital at the Dresdner Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon.

Kigen, a 32 year-old Kenyan from Great Rift Valley city of Eldoret, got his first victory in Frankfurt in 2005, running a then-personal best and current course record of 2:08:29. That victory was a squeaker; he prevailed by just one second over compatriot Jason Mbote. Although he didn’t run as fast last year due to warm and windy conditions, he dominated the race, winning by nearly a minute and a half in 2:09:06.

At Kigen’s last outing over the 42.195 km distance in Hamburg last April, he was involved in another thrilling finish, losing by a single second to former ING New York City Marathon champion, Rodgers Rop. He was, however, rewarded with a new personal best time of 2:07:33.
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink