Athletics Africa Magazine

REPORT - KENYA ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS/AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS TRIALS, NAIROBI (KENYA, June 24-26) World champion Vivian Cheruiyot won the 5000m on Saturday at Kenyan National Championships at Nyayo Stadium. But Olympic 800m champion Pamela Jelimo will not defend her Africa title after pulling out of the final of 800m. Her rival and 2007 world champion Janet Jepkosgei was the best in 1:58.95. Former world junior champion Winnie Chebet took the second automatic slot in 2:00.88. The men’s champion over the same distance David Rudisha and Richard Mateelong (steeple) moved a step closer to defending their titles with victory in their respective races. Rudisha won with a fast time of 1:44.23 to beat World and Olympic bronze medallist Alfred Kirwa Yego to second in 1:45.50 while Jackson Kivuva of the Armed Forces was third in 1:45.75. “I eye to challenge Wilson Kipketer’s record one day. But I am happy to have made the Kenya team today and now I will head to Europe to run two races and hope to...

TOMBLAINE (FRA, Jun 25): French Bouabdellah Tahri clocked at Meeting Stanislas de Nancy (part of French Alma Athle Tour) new all-time world best at 2000 m steeple with 5:13.47. Former top mark was 5:14.43 by Kenyan Julius Kariuki back in 1990. In ideal weather conditions Renaud Lavillenie cleared 582 in pole vault ahead of Jerome Clavier (570). Salim Sdiri leaped to 824 (+1.4) in long jump. In the 200 m new European leading time 20.38 by Martial Mbandjock who beat South African champion Simon Magakwe (20.44) and David Alerte (20.49). Leslie Djhone won the 400 m (45.72) and European steeple leader Benabbad Mekhissi won the 1500 m in 3:35.24. Fast also the 13.40 (+1.3) at 110 m hurdles by Garfield Darien beating Dimitri Bascou (13.48). Interesting to see 36-years old US record holder Dominique Arnold finishing 7th in 13.83. In women events fast 100 m by Ruddy Zang Milama of Gabun, she equalled her national record with 11.19 (+0.4). Second Veronique Mang clocked personal best 11.20 and ...

NAIROBI (KEN): Former 800m world champion Janeth Jepkosgei will lead over a thousand athletes as the country selects its best runners for the continental event next month. Jepkosgei, like many other elite athletes, have returned home to fight for places on Kenya team and the trials on Thursday will confirm who is fit enough to wear the national jersey come July 28 to August 1 when Nyayo National Stadium will stage continent’s premier event, the Senior Africa Athletics Championship. The first two athletes across the line will qualify while the third will be picked through the coaches’ wild card. Kenya will select a total of 144 athletes in all events. Jepkosgei will however seek another stage to end any doubt in the simmering rivalry with Olympic Champion Pamela Jelimo. Writes The Nation. World 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot is struggling with a thigh strain leaving Sylvia Kibet, the world silver medallist as the favourite. Linet Masai, the world 10,000m champion will also line up as...

Ethiopia's Imane Merga took a photo finish victory in the men's 5,000m in 13:00.12 ahead of Kenya's Alex Sammy Mutahi who blocked everyone to nick second in a personal best time of 13:00.12. Moses Ndiema Kipsiro of Uganda was third in 13.00.15 with Tariku Bekele of Ethiopia fourth in 13:00.81. A superb controlled run in the women's 800m by Moroccan 'new kid on the block' Halima Hachlaf produces a World Leading time of 1:58.40 ahead of the Olympic Silver and Bronze medallists Kenya's Janeth Jepkosgei (1:58.85) and Briton Jenny Meadows (1:58.89); both with 2010 season's best times at the IAAF Diamond League in Rome. Kenya's Augustine Kiprono Choge won the men's 1,500m , despite taken ill earlier, in 3:32.21 ahead of compatriot's Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (3:33.08) and Geoffrey Kipkoech Rono (3:33.89). Antar Zerguelaine of Algeria was fourth in 3:34.82. In the women's Javelin Throw , South Africa's Sunette Viljoen finished se...

DIBABA AT 5K, DEFAR IN THE 1500m in NEW YORK (USA): The revealed start list of adidas Grand Prix in New York on Saturday shows that for example for first time this year main 200 m rivals will clash. World champion Allyson Felix with olympic gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown. A world leader looks like something for sure. Double olympic winner Tirunesh Dibaba will make her track debut 2010 at 5000 m. Her main rival Meseret Defar opted for shorter 1500 m where her best 4:06.12 comes from 2006. But she does not look like favorite there. Olympic champion Nancy Lagat is unbeaten so far, Ethiopian former world indoor champion Gelete Burka added by all top US runners Anna Pierce, Shannon Rowbury and Christin Wurth-Thomas. JELIMO WILL TRAIN AT HOME - NAIROBI (KEN): Olympic 800 m winner Pamela Jelimo after not being satisfied with her marks at meetings end of May continues in training. Her next competition will be the Kenyan Trials at the end of June. After that decision about her racing pr...

LONDON (GBR, May 31): European CC and indoor champion Mo Farah won the Bupa 10 km on the road in new national record 27:44. The official 5km split of 14:09 meant Farah covered the second 5km in 13:35, writes Athletics Weekly . Kenyan Micah Kogo finished second (27:49) and Chris Thompson third (28:17). World half-marathon champion Mary Keitany was the runaway winner in the women’s race and the Kenyan improved her lifetime best performance to 31:06. Fellow Kenyans Doris Changeywo (32:15) and Edith Chelimo (34:30) finished second and third. MARINGA (BRA, May 30): Nigerian Ajoke Odumosu surprisingly won the 400m hurdles in 55.66 over Olympic and World gold medalist Melaine Walker of Jamaica (55.96) as the Brazilian May Tour ended with last fifth meet in Parana State. In the close 800m race, Brazilian Kleberson Davide beat Kenyan Richard Kiplagat (1:46.26 - 1:46.28). Solid 4:09.91 in women 1500 m by Ethiopian Betukan Feyisa. BRUSSELS (BEL, May 30): Alemitu Bekele won the Brussels 20 km i...

Kenyan Daniel Chebii won the 10 miles in Bern in 48:52. Runner up Vasil Matviychuk from Ukraine (49:12) narrowly beat Eritrean Simon Tesfaye (49:22). Kenyan Paul Kipkorir was fourth in 49:29. In the women’s race Hungarian Aniko Kalovics easily won from Kenyan Tabita Gichia with 56:02 over 57:48. Olympic champ Nancy Lagat won her event the 1500m in 4:44.8 during second day of Kenyan Army Forces Championships. Former world steeple bronze medallist Jeruto Kiptum was second in 4:45.5 while Ines Chenonges third in 4:46.0. Lagat also won the 800 m (2:08.4). Jackson Kivuva secured a gold in the 800 m in 1:47.6 and coming in second to Gideon Gathimmba in the 1500 event (3:47.2). Gathimba achieved 3:46.8. World XC Champion Joseph Ebuya, who after collapsing in 10,000m race recovered 24 hours later to win the 5000 m in 13:46.7. The men steeple racee was a closely contested affair but the honours went to Linus Chumba who was timed 8:29.0. Chumba’s team-mate Abraham Chirchir managed 8:29.6 to clai...

ADDIS ABABA (ETH): Ethiopia will enter a strong team in the 17th African Athletics Championships in Nairobi. Haile Gebrselassie, the Ethiopian legend said: „I expect to see a strong Ethiopian team in Nairobi and I expect to see Meseret Defar, Tirunesh Dibaba and Kenenisa Bekele. „ said for nation.co.ke. The 17th African Athletics Championships in Nairobi will also be used to select Africa‘s team to the IAAF Continental Cup (formerly World Cup) to be held in Split, Croatia early September. RABAT (MAR, Apr 25): About 22,0000 women took part to the 3rd „Course de la Victoire“ organised by former 400H world champion Nezha Bidouane. Malika Assasah won the 8km race in 27:17 ahead of Zhor El Kamch, who is back to racing after a materniy live (27:20). Bouchra Salhi and Malika Belfakir finished 3rd and 4th in 27:25 and 27:42. Informs Carole Fuchs. MADRID (ESP): Current marathon world record holder Haile Gebreselassie believes he could become the first man to go under 2:02 in the marathon wri...

BRAZZAVILLE (CGO): African Confederation Golden meet in Brazzaville will be staged on May 30. 16 events will be on the programme with prize money in three categories p remium, classic and promotional ranging from 4000 to 2000 USD for individual wins. WURZBURG (GER, Apr 25): Kenyan success at 22nd Wurzburg 10 km road race. Jacob Cheshari in fast 27:56 over Titus Mbishei 28:16 and Charles Maina 28:27. Best Europeabn Sondre Nordstad Moen of Norway as 10th in 29:40. In women category Berlin 4th placer Grace Momanyi clocked 31:34 and had clear win over Jane Gakunyi (33:52). German Julia Viellehner was best European as 10th (36:45). KRAKOW (POL, Apr 25): Ethiopian Abebe Dagane won the 9th Cracovia Maraton in 2:16:13. Belarus Dmitriy Baranovski was second (2:22:16). Also in women category Ethiopia for Etaferahu Tarekegne in 2:37:22 beating Poland´s Agnieszka Gortel (2:39:16) and Russian Yuliya Vinokurova (2:40:23). NANCY (FRA, Apr 25): World CC Champion Joseph Ebuya won the 30th edition of...

CARLSBAD (USA, Apr 11): In windy conditions favorites were the winners, but did not touch world bests. Eliud Kipchoge clocked 13:11 to win the 25th edition of Carlsbad 5000 and missed the global mark set here by Sammy Kipketer in 2000 by 11 seconds. Ethiopians followed as Dejene Gebremeskel was second in 13:18 and Bekana Daba third in 13:24. Meseret Defar was competing without pacemaking help and against wind and clocked 15:04 at the end to win. Aheza Kiros was second in 15:26 ahead of another Ethiopian Meskerem Assefa (15:55). JOHANNESBURG (RSA, Apr 10): During first day of South African junior championships Cheyne Rahme improved his African junior pole vault record to 550. Luvo Manyonya leaped to 805 (+1.1) excellent personal best in long jump. Gideon Trotter achieved 10.41 in the 100 m and Jacques de Swart 46.08 in the 400 m. In the youth category impressive 10.50 (+0.3) by Rudolf Erasmus in the 100 m. REDUIT (MRI, Apr 10-11): Home record holder Stephane Buckland won the 100 m at...

Patrick Makau led a Kenyan one-two-three in the Rotterdam marathon on Sunday. The 25-year-old completed the course in 2hr 4min 47sec, 7sec ahead of Geoffrey Mutai, with Vincent Kipruto in third a further 19sec adrift. The trio, accompanied for much of the race by Ethiopian Feysa Lelisa, was on track to breaking Haile Gebrsselassie's world record of 2:03.59 before fading at the last. Ethiopian Aberu Kebede won the women's race in 2:25.29 ahead of American Magdalena Lewy Boulet, with Chinese favourite Xiaolin Zhu in third. Results Men 1. Patrick Makau (KENYA) 2hr 04min 47sec, 2. Geoffrey Mutai (KENYA) 2:04.54, 3. Vincent Kipruto (KENYA) 2:05.13 Women 1. Aberu Kebede (ETHIOPIA) 2:25.29, 2. Magdalena Lewy Boulet (USA) 2:26.22, 3. Xiaolin Zhu (CHINA) 2:29.42

Martin Mathathi has set his mind on the WR 10k. Interview Martin Mathathi Parelloop, The Netherlands [+ racefootage] Results 1 Martin Mathati Kenia 27:22 2 Micah Kogo Kenia 27:52 3 Berhanu Delale Ethiopië 28:08 4 Mike Kigen Kenia 28:09 5 Job Tanui Kenia 28:25 6 Abraham Rotich Kenia 28:26 7 Pius Kirop Kenia 28:52 8 Abdi Nageeye Nederland 29:14 9 Najim El Qady Marokko 29:21 10 Saji Abdelkabir Marokko 29:21

After putting up one of the most sensational performances in the glorious history of Kenyan athletics, the world cross country champions landed back in the country to a heroic welcome. Thousands thronged the Jomo Kenyatta International airport on Tuesday evening to welcome the champions who swept the tables clean in the world cross country championship staged in Poland over the weekend. Song and dance dominated the proceedings at the JKIA as the champions who picked every piece of gold in contention in Poland returned home. Eight times, they caused the Kenyan national anthem to be sung in a heroic afternoon that firmly returned Kenya to high table of world athletics. NTVs Rita Tinina was at the JKIA.

A dark cloud hovered the 2nd New KCC/AK track and field weekend meeting at Ruringu stadium in Nyeri when an athlete collapsed and later died after a race. Private Peter Isaboke Mogere of Nanyuki Airbase died moments after he finished the 5000m heat where he was battling to qualify for the finals

Stunning run by Sudan's Abubaker Kaki.

Athletics South Africa has announced the change of venues of two fixtures on the summer season calendar. The sixth and final leg of the Yellow Pages Series, scheduled to be held at the Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane on Tuesday, April 6, and the Yellow Pages SA Junior Track and Field Championships scheduled to take place at the University of Johannesburg on the weekend of April 10-11, will both take place at the Germiston Stadium, near Johannesburg, on the dates as stated. The change of venues was necessary after both the Pilditch Stadium and the University of Johannesburg Stadium were recently declared unavailable due to 2010 FIFA World Cup training camp commitments. Do you think this will have any effect on the preparations of the athletes? Have your say below.

A record field of close to 21 000 runners, including the men and women's defending champions, and over 1 000 international runners, will line up in Newlands on Easter Saturday April,3 for the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon. The Cape's biggest road running event has attracted a field of 8 700 runners in the 56km ultra marathon, making this the second biggest field in the history of the event. The record stands at just under 10 000 (9 766) runners, which was in 2004 when Chapman's Peak reopened. Some 35% of the ultra marathon field are novices who are running the event for the first time, an indication that the sport is growing and still attracting people to the longer distances. The 21.1km has attracted a field of 11 571 runners, which makes it the biggest half marathon in the country. Last year over 13 221 runners took part in the 21.1km event but race organisers decided to reduce this number for 2010 in the interests of runner safety, both out on the route and at the finis...

Paul Tanui cruised his way to victory in the 12km men's senior race at the National cross country trials held today at the Uhuru Gardens. In the women's senior race Linet Masai was too strong for her competition.

Hundreds of mourners turned up to lay silver medallist David Kiprono Lelei to rest on Friday. A contingent of elite runners, Athletics Kenya national officials and MPs Elijah Lagat, Peris Simam and Jushua Kutuny attended the burial ceremony in Kapsabet, Wareng District. Among them were four-time Boston Marathon winner Catherine Ndereba, World 3,000m record holder Daniel Komen and former Commonwealth Games 800m champion Japhet Kimutai. Athletics Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat, a member at the IAAF Council, conveyed condolences from the world-athletics governing body, saying Lelei had left a mark in global athletics circles. Kiplagat called on retired athletes to take up agent roles claiming most foreign track and field agents had little understanding about the sport. “I am calling on you retired runners not to sit back and watch as foreigners mess up with athletics. You should take up responsibilities as agents and we will bring all the resources home,” said Mr Kiplagat. Former World 10...

UTEP's Nigerian athlete Blessing Okagbare has been honoured by the league as this week’s Conference USA Female Athlete of the Week Okagbare earned her second automatic bid to the NCAA Indoor Championships next month after clocking a time of 7.22secs in the 60m dash at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational. The Sapele, Nigeria native’s time broke a 10-year old meet record, tied for first in the nation, earning the Frank Sevigne Female Most Valuable Performance of the Meet. The All-American also posted an NCAA provisional qualifying time in the 200m dash, running a 23.52 and earning gold medalist honours. Okagbare earned her first automatic bid to the NCAA Championships in the long jump on Jan. 23 at the Texas Tech Invitational with a leap of 6.59m (21-7.50). This is Okagbare’s second athlete of the week honour this season and third of her career. Okagbare and the Miners return to action as they enter Aggie territory this Saturday 13th for the Texas A&M Challenge at College Sta...