Slow but sure, new faces keep Kenya's athletics prowess alive

Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei in past action. [AFP] In an athletics powerhouse like Kenya, rising to the top and clinching tickets to the Olympic Games and World Championships takes the hardest training and mental preparations. And featuring in the history of the country's athletics is achieved through in different style and fashion. Visit any of the country's athletics training bases and the take home would probably be, every athlete in Kenya is the best. There are the familiar faces who have basked in the glory of winning medals in international championships. But there are those who sweat it out in their bases to leave a mark and have not been lucky to take part in the ultimate international contests. These new faces are raising eyebrows in several road races. Their winning streaks have earned them red carpet receptions across the globe. With their lofty dreams, they have made history just like their peers who have cruised to historic performances at global championships. On Saturday, for instance, Alex Matata took the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in style. Athletes such as Matata are following in the footsteps of some of the country's masters of winning streaks. From 2014 to 2019, Kipchoge enjoyed a winning streak of 10 straight marathons, a historic feat in the 42km classic distance. Besides winning four London Marathon and three Berlin Marathon titles, Kipchoge is also the owner of the two fastest times in history. Before the Saturday win at the scenic Ras Al Khaimah, Matata had basked a winning streak that raised eyebrows in 2024. And he never disappointed a world that was still asking itself whether he would pull more surprises this season. Last year, he chalked up victories in at least four half marathons among them Padova (59:37) in April, Antrim Coast (59:46) in August, Delhi (59:53) in October and Al Sharqiyah International (61:17) in December. "My aim is to regularly run 57and 58 minutes for the half marathon and I won't be attempting a full marathon for another two years. I saw that Isaia (Lasoi) had a groin problem so I pushed on even though the wind was quite strong," Matata said after his hard-fought victor in Ras Al Khaimah on Saturday. Angela Tanui in action during the 2022 World Athletics Championships. [AFP] 10km World Record holder Agnes Ngetich is one star who has basked in victories. Ngetich represented the country at the last World Cross Country Championships. In 2024 alone, Ngetich enjoyed a winning streak that saw her triumph in at least four road races. Before winning the 2024 Kumamoto Kosa 5km in Japan in December, Ngetich had emerged victorious in 10km Valencia Ibercaja in January, Adizero Road to Records in April and Valencia Half Marathon in October. Several other athletes including Irene Jepchumba Kamais have made waves locally and abroad. In 2023, she came home with half marathon titles from Barcelona in February that year and Prague (in April). At the 2023 Barcelona Half Marathon, Kimais' relentless pace paid off and she dropped former record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei just before the 20km mark. By then, Kimais had built a three-second margin on Jepkosgei and she extended her lead over the final kilometre to romp home in a massive career best and course record of 1:04:37. The Barcelona performances put Kimais and Jepkosgei eighth and ninth respectively on the world all-time list. "When I was given the chance to compete in Barcelona I didn't hesitate, as I knew it was a very quick circuit. For me, it's incredible to beat my compatriot Florence Kiplagat's course record, which has stood unbeaten for many years," Kamais said. Names such as Edwin Kipyego, a former half marathon specialist are almost forgotten. Sheila Chepkirui during last year's New York City Marathon. [AFP] Kipyego had his breakthroughs in road racing in 2010. He won the Reading and Bristol Half Marathons as well as Barns Green and and Birmingham, all in October that year. He reinforced his place on the list of athletes basking in winning streak glory when he won the 2011 Ribarroja Del Turia Half Marathon with a personal best of 61:23 minutes. He came close to that mark at the Nice Half Marathon (61:26) and was seventh at the Lille Half Marathon. In his eighth half marathon outing of the year, he retained his title in Bristol in September. Mathew Kimeli's 2017 wins at Laikipia and then at Berlin 10km races propelled him to global races. Kimeli had raised eyebrows locally that year, winning the 10,000m t the national championships and a 10km contest in Iten. He won the 2023 Bangsaen half marathon. At the Bangsaen half marathon, it was only Kimeli and former London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto who managed to stick with Tsegaye Getachew when the Ethiopian put in a surge after leading through 15km in 45:57. Getachew and Kipruto then dropped Kimeli but gradually he covered the move and soon he was the one heading the three-strong lead pack. Getachew, who won last year's Amsterdam Marathon, glanced over his shoulder with around 1km remaining but Kimeli strode past on his other side. The Kenyan couldn't be caught and he won in 1:03:39, six seconds ahead of Getachew. Kipruto, the world marathon bronze medallist in 2019, was third in 1:03:52 and Kenya's Nobert Kipkoech Kigen was fourth in 1:04:35. And then there are marathon stars causing upsets in the marathon and whenever they line up, their chances of finishing in a podium spot are high. Angela Tanui, for instance, clinched the women's title at the tenth edition of the Napoli City Half Marathon last year. The 32 year-old dictated the proceedings thanks to her road racing experience. She whizzed the tape in a new personal best of 1:07.04 and was followed by Italy's Sofiia Yaremchuk, who also ran a 1:08.27 PB which also equalled Nadia Ejjafini's Italian half marathon record.

Slow but sure, new faces keep Kenya's athletics prowess alive

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