Athletics Africa Magazine

SAN JUAN (PUR, Feb 26): Kenyan double world champion Vivian Cheruiyot won the World Best 10 km in Puerto-Rico in personal record 30.47 in the 10 km on the road. Her team-mate Linet Masai was third (31:15) beaten by Joyce Chepkirui 31:09. Emily Chebet was fourth 32:03 ahead of Winnie Jepkemoi 32:19. Kenyan Sammy Kitwara in the men category won this race for third time in 28:02. Second Vincent Chepkok in 28:11 ahead of multiple HM world champion Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea 28:13. Micah Kogo was fourth. TOKYO (JPN, Feb 26): Ethiopian Atsede Habtamu ran 2:25:28 to win the Tokyo Marathon in women‘s course record. In Second place, Yeshi Esayas from Ethiopia improved to 2:26:00 and third was Kenyan Helena Kirop 2:26:02. Kenyan Michael Kipyego was the winner in 2:07:37 beating Japanese Arata Fujiwara who clocked PB 2:07:48 ahead of Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich 2:07:50. Breakaway men‘s leaders Haile Gebreselassie and Hailu Mekonnen of Ethiopia faltered after hitting the hills in the las...

LONDON (GBR): Insidethegames writes that Kenenisa Bekele is so upset about what has happened that he is reportedly considering running for another country. Bekele's manager Jos Hermens, who has also guided the career of Bekele's fellow Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie, his predecessor as Olympic 10,000 metres champion and world record holder, told insidethegames: "I have just spoken to Kenenisa, who is back home, and he is so upset about the whole thing that he is saying 'Let me run for another country'. He says the first time he knew anything about it was when he saw the reports on Ethiopian TV. He said to me 'I have not been shown any respect'. He has told the federation he does not want to train on the Mondo track at the national stadium because it is too hard and it could lead to injury. Kenenisa and Haile were among several athletes who asked the authorities not to lay a hard track there three years ago, but they were ignored. This is ...

MAPUTO (MOZ, Sep 15): Nigeria was the best country in athletics at All-African Games with 21 medals (10-6-5). Second Ethiopia 6-7-7 and third Kenya 5-5-7. In total 22 countries won medals in athletics. During last day the most sensational win was by Kenyan in javelin. Julius Yego improved the national record with 78.34 m. Kenyans also won the 4x400 m in 3:03.10. Caleb Ndiku was the best in the 1500 m (3:39.12) ahead of Collins Cheboi 3:39.72. But in 5000 m Uganda celebrated as Moses Kipsiro won in 13:43.08 ahead of Ethiopian Yenew Alamirew 13:43.33. In half-marathon Ethiopia ruled. Desisa Lelisa 1:04:31 was the best and and in women race Mare Dibaba 1:10:47 ahead of Mamitu Daska 1:10:52. Irene Jelegat won the 1500 m for Kenya in 4:13.67. Nigeria won three golds. Oludamola Osayomi was the best in the 200 m (22.86, +1.9), Ajoke Odumosu in the 400 m hurdles (56.26) and the relay team clocked 3:31.21 to win. Mohamed Younis cleared 225 national record to win the high jump, Luvo ...

LUANDA (ANG, Dec 31): Legendary Haile Gebrselassie competed for first time since New York Marathon and won the 55th edition of Sao Silvestre in Angola. He clocked new course record 28:05 at 10km and clearly beat track 2010 10,000m world leader Josephat Kiprono (28:34) and two country-mates Diba Direba (28:37) and Deribe Merga (28:48). Ethiopians dominated also in the women race when former Boston marathon winner Dire Tune was the best in 32:17 ahead of steeple world junior record holder Almaz Ayana (32:20) and Rehima Rediz (33:15). Title defender and previous three time winner Grace Momanyi of Kenya was fourth (33:27). MADRID (ESP, Dec 31) : Eritrean Half-Marathon world record holder Zersenay Tadese won the 46th San Silvestre Vallecana, the most prestigious end of the year race in Spain. He achieved 28:27 at 10 km. Ayad Lamdassem gave him a good competition as second (28:36) ahead of Jesus Espana (28:40), Chema Martinez (28:49) and Sergio Sanchez (28:53). VITORIA (ESP, Dec 31): ...

Ethiopia legend Haile Gebrselassie announced on Sunday that he will return to running.  The announcement came at a ceremony of the Great Nekemte Run and is confirmed by EthiopiaFirst and a report of Ethiopian TV. The TV report also says his main aim is to run at the 2012 London Games. Gebrselassie making the announcement at the ceremony of the Great Nekemte Run / EthiopiaFirst Haile was one of the honorary guests at the “Great Run in Nekemete” to help the fundraise activities to build Wollega Stadium. He urged all to partake for the completion of the stadium. According to The Guardian , the veteran Ethiopian tearfully announced his intention to retire after pulling out of the ING New York marathon with 10 miles remaining due to a knee injury earlier this month.  But the double Olympic gold-medallist, regarded by many as the greatest long-distance runner of all time, hinted via his Twitter account last week that he may have been too hasty and needed time to consider his...