Athletics Africa Magazine

Kenyan Josphat Koech/Photo: Runners.it BRESCIA (ITA, Mar 13): Kenyan favorite Albert Kangor won the Art Brescia Marathon in 2:14:05. Second was Ethiopian Degefa Abebe Negewo who clocked 2:19:30. CIVITANOVA (ITA, Mar 13): Kenyan Josphat Koech won the 37th Half-marathon here in 1:03:52 ahead of team-mate Solomon Kirwa 1:03:53. Moroccan Soumiya Labani was the best woman (1:12:17). PIEVE DI CENTO (ITA, Mar 13): Taoufique El Barhoumi of Morocco was the best at the 28th Maratonina delle 4 Porte here in 1:03:43 ahead of Kenyan Eric Chirchir 1:03:48. Giovanna Epis scored women win for Italy (1:13:41). OOSTENDE (BEL, Mar 13):   Atelaw Bekele won the Belgian CC Men's title at 10.07 km with 29:01 ahead of Ethiopian Faisa Dame Tasana (29:10) and Jeroen D´Hoedt (29:19) who dominated in the final ranking of Lotto CrossCup. D´Hoedt after the race revealed he wants to qualify for Daegu in the steeple. DEN HAAG (NED, Mar 13): Young Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa (21) won the 37th Den Ha...

Nigerian   Peter Emelieze - Photo by Tatif c2009 METZ (FRA, Feb 25): Kenyan Bethwel Birgen scored a solid 3:39.21 at 1500m to win during the International Indoor meeting in France yesterday. Second placed Shadrack Korir , 32, also clocked sub 3:40 after two years indoors with 3:39.79. In third position was Yohan Durand (scheduled to run 3000 m at European Championships) 3:42.08 (overall PB) ahead of Russian champion Vyacheslav Sokolov 3:42.94. Nigerian Peter Emelieze won the men´s 60m sprint clocking 6.63 ahead of Ronald Pognon of France (6.69). Also a new Algerian indoor record for Othman Hadj Lazib at 60m hurdles in 7.72. PRETORIA (RSA, Feb 25):   The unexpected highlight at the second Yellow Pages Series meeting in Pretorial yesterday was a new South African 400m hurdles record by LJ van Zyl in 47.66. It was raining heavily before the hurdles (thunderstorm), during race still light rain with wind gusts, wet track and 15 degrees. With the conditions ...

Punta Umbria 2011 logo (IAAF.org) The Athletics Kenya (AK) has selected the team to represent Kenya at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbría, Spain on 20 March 2011. However Kenya's four world cross country champions, who all failed to qualify on Saturday for this year's championships, misses out. Joseph Ebuya, who won the men's title last year, failed to finish as did the women's title holder Emily Chebet while junior champions Caleb Mwangangi and Mercy Cherono finished down the field. Kenya team Senior Men (12km) 1. Geoffrey Mutai 2. Matthew Kisorio 3. Vincent Kiprop Senior Women (8km) 1. Linet Masai 2. Vivian Cheruiyot 3. Prisca Jepteling Junior Men (8km) 1. Isaiah Koech 2. Justin Cheruiyot 3. Philemon Yator Junior Women (6km) 1. Janet Kisia 2. Jepkorir Kipkoech 3. Faith Chepngetich Meanwhile, Paul Tanui leads Kenyan team for the African XC Championships to be held on March 6 in Cape Town, RSA. Others are Stephen ...

ADDIS ABABA (ETH, Feb 20): Berlin 10000m silver winner Meselech Melkamu won the Ethiopian CC Trials with 21:23 at 8 km in the absence of olympic winner Tirunesh Dibaba. Second was Hiwot Ayalew (24:31) who beat Belaynesh Oljira (24:37) still ahead of Wude Ayalew (24:40) and Genzebe Dibaba (24:48). Men´s 12 km race winner was young Hunegaw Mesfin in 32:20. Second was Diamond League winner Imane Merga 32:33 ahead of Dino Sefer (32:35). Marathon runner Feyisa Lelisa was fourth (32:40). Tesfaye Chernet won boys 8 km junior competition (21:32) and the World Youth 2009 medalist Genet Yalew the girls 6 km (18:27). VERONA (ITA, Feb 20): 30-years old Kenyan Albert Matebor won the 10th Verona Marathon in personal best 2:09:16 (he had 2:09:33 from Frankfurt 2007). Philemon Kipchumba as second achieved 2:11:11. Rebecca Jerotich won in women category with 2:35:56. Here best Italian Monica Carlin was fourth (2:47:06). TRABZON (TUR, Feb 20): Kenyan Moses Too won the 31st Half Marathon of Trab...

Dorcus Inzikuru of Uganda wins in Oeiras 2006 (Marcelino Almeida) The Ugandan Athletics Federation (UAF) has named a team of 31 athletes, including former world champion Dorcus Inzikuru, to prepare for the World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbría, Spain on 20 March 2011. The Team list: Juniors: Women: N. Chetagei, V. Chemutai, C. Lometo, D. Sande, S.Chesang, R. Chemutai, S. Ocitiru and R. Naijuka Men: T. Ayeko, J. Araptany, D. Rotich, P. Kipyeko, K. Soyekwa, R. Kiprotich and N. Ayeko. Seniors: Women: A. Negesa, J. Chekwel, D. Chesang, V. Chemos, J. Achola, R. Cheptegei, D. Inzikuru and C. Webombesa. Men: M. Kipsiro, S. Kiprotich, G. Kusuro, M. Kibet, D. Huru, F. Arapsudi, B. Siwa, I. Ayeko.

Bethwel Birgin takes the men's 1500m in a PB 3:35.38 over Mehdi Baala of France (3:35.97) and Ignisious Gaisah of Ghana nicked the men's Long Jump with 7.97m at the 27th BW-Bank Meeting in Karlsruhe, Germany yesterday.

Kenya's Ismael Kombich clocked a world leading mark of 3:34.13 in the 1500m at the Belgacom Flanders Indoor Meeting in Gent on Sunday. Results: 1 KOMBICH ISMAEL 3:34.13 2 KOMEN DANIEL 3:35.16 3 KIPRUTO BRIMIN 3:39.07 4 VAN MALDEREN KRISTOF 3:39.88 5 DEMCZYSZAK MATEUSZ 3:43.85 6 NAVA GORAN 3:44.72 7 STUBBE MATTHIAS 3:54.27

Kenya's 17-year-old Isaiah Koech storms to amazing 5000m time (12:53.29) at the PSD Bank Meeting in Düsseldorf, Germany on Friday and new World Lead in 1500m for compatriot Nixon Chepseba (3:34.63). 1 KOECH, Isiah Kiplangat 12:53.29 2 KIPCHOGE, Eliud 12:55.72 3 KOECH, Paul Kipsiele 13:15.64 4 RUPP, Galen 13:21.83 5 GETAHUN, Birhan 13:30.35 6 MUTAHI, Sammy 13:34.32 7 MEUCCI, Daniele 13:50.26 8 WALLERSTEIN, Johan 14:22.19

World Indoor bronze medallist, Ruddy Zang-Milama of Gabon won the women's 60m sprint clocking a season's best 7.15secs ahead of America's Mikele Barber, who timed 7.22 secs at the Russian Winter meeting in Moscow on Sunday February 6th. Results 1) ZANG-MILAMA Ruddy (GAB) 7.15 - SB 2) BARBER Mikele (USA) 7.22 - SB 3) MURINOVICH Natalya (RUS) 7.35 - SB

Little known Ethiopian, Yenew Alamirew, stunned the world by clocking the fourth-fastest time ever for the indoor 3000m, winning in 7:27.80 at the Sparkassen Cup meeting on Saturday.  Only world record-holder Daniel Komen and Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie (twice) have ever run faster indoors. Yenew Alamirew ETH 7:27.80, Augustine Choge KEN 7:28.00 and Eliud Kipchoge KEN 7:29:37 thus became the 3rd, 4th and 5th fastest performers ever on the distance indoors. Results:  1 ALAMIREW, Yenew 7:27.80 2 CHOGE, Augustine 7:28.00 3 KIPCHOGE, Eliud 7:29.37 4 MUTAHI, Sammy Alex 7:44.27 5 MEUCCI, Daniele 7:59.58 6 AMDOUNI, Morhad 8:00.87 7 OVERALL, Scott 8:05.46 8 FERNANDEZ, Alvaro 8:08.93 BIRGEN, Bethwel aufg. KENNOUCHE, Abdelslam aufg.

Daniel Njenga, winning the 2007 Tokyo Marathon. He was second at the 2011 and 2010 editions of the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon  (Kazutaka Eguchi/Agence SHOT) MARUGAME (JPN, Feb 6): Kenyan Samuel Ndungu won the Marugame Half Marathon in 1:00:55 over best home runner Tsuyoshi Ugachi 1:00:58 (his life-time best and 3rd Japanese all-time). In the women´s race Kayoko Fukushi was the best 1:09:00 beating Poland´s Karolina Jarzynska 1:10:36. OITA (JPN, Feb 6): Moroccan Ahmed Baday won the 60th Beppu-Oita Mainichi marathon in personal best 2:10:14. Second was Kenyan Daniel Njenga 2:10:24 and third Kazuhiro Maeda clocking career best 2:10:29. Chiyuki Mochizuki was the best woman in course record 2:39:57. MADRID (ESP, Feb 6) : Moroccan Mohamed Marhum won the Madrid Cross Country race in the Parque de las Cruces in 31:19 at 10.44 km. Ugandan Rebecca Cheptegei was best woman in 22:50 ahead of Maria Jose Pueyo 22:55 at 6.79 km. MERU (KEN, Feb 5): Little known Mary Mananu (21:16) su...

KAPSABET (KEN, Jan 16 ): Julius Kogo and Georgina Chepkurui easily won the 6th Re-discover Nandi National Social Security Fund 10km road race in Kapsabet. Kogo achieved 27:54 ahead of Nelphat Sirma (28:19) and Gilbert Kipkosgei (28:25). Chepkurui took the women's race in 32:33 with Gladys Jebet second (32:47) and Rose Jelimo third (33:22). ROVERETO (ITA, Jan 16): Kenyan Thomas Longosiwa won the 34th Cross della Vallagarina (EA CC Permit) with 26:07 at 8.69 km. Distant second Ethiopian Zelalem Bacha (26:24) beating another Kenyan Paul Sugut (26:38). In women´s 5.59 km, top place for 9:39 steeple runner Alemu Birtukan from Ethiopia in 18:59. Second was former Bahraini now Italian runner Nadia Ejaffini (19:11) and European CC winner Tetyana Holovchenko of Ukraine (19:25) was third. LE MANS (FRA, Jan 16): Kenyan Mike Kigen defended his title at 30th Cross Ouest-France. His final time at 9.1 km was 25:05. Mark Kiptoo was second (25:31) ahead of French champion Abdellatif Mefta...

African 100m champion, Méité Ben Youssef has been named the 2010 Ivorian Sportsman of the Year ahead of football superstars Didier Drogba of Chelsea and Yaya Touré of Manchester City. At the end of a referendum conducted by the Cote d'Ivoire sports daily SuperSport, first timer Ben Youssef won with 158 points after the vote of 19 Ivoirian sportscasters with Didier Drogba, the captain of the national football team second with 141 points and Yaya Touré third with 96 points. Méité Ben Youssef, 24, distinguished himself at the 2010 African Athletics championship, in Nairobi, Kenya last summer winning the gold medal on 100m and silver medal in the 200m. Below Ben Youssef Meite (Cote D'Ivoire) chats with Athletics Africa after winning the 100m title at the 17th CAA Safaricom African Senior Athletics Championships in Nairobi, July 2010. (Note: Interview is in French) - AthleticsAfrica.Com © 2010,

Gabon's star sprinter, Ruddy Zang Milama clocks 7.24 in 60m at a meet in France on Saturday. SAO PAULO (BRA, Jan 9): Kenyan Barnabas Kosgei won the 27th Corrida de Reis in Cuiaba after 30:24 at 10km. Compatriot Eunice Kirwa took the women's race. AUBIERE (FRA, Jan 8) : Gabon´s World indoor bronze medalist Ruddy Zang Milama clocked 7.24 seconds at 60m during local meet in Aubiere, France on Saturday. AMOREBIETA (ESP, Jan 9) : Reigning World CC Champion Joseph Ebuya won the 10.7km race at 57th Zornotza CC in 31:27. His Kenyan team-mates followed, Vincent Chepkok second 32:07 ahead of Lucas Rotich (32:08), Mark Kiptoo (32:20), Micah Kogo (32:48) and world junior champion Dennis Masai (33:06). FUENSALIDA (ESP, Jan 9): World medallist Eritrean Teklemariam Medhin won the 24th Cross del Calzado in Fuensalida in 38:56 at 11.7km. He was followed by Kenyans Hosea Macharinyang (39:05), Matthew Kisorio (39:08) and Kidane Tadese of Eritrea (39:39). In women´s 8km, Olympic steep...

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): ...

DALLAS (USA, Dec 5):  Kenyan James Kirwa won the Metro PCS Dallas White Rock Marathon in 2:18:40. With a record field of nearly 22,000 marathoners, half marathoners and relay runners, the marathon got under way with ideal conditions. Women winner Camille Herron clocked 2:42:30 ahead of Kenyan Evelyne Langat 2:45:43. MUREAUX (FRA, Dec 5): Kenyan wins at Cross International Les Mureaux. Paul Melly at 9 km got 24:59 ahead of Ethiopian Assefe Belete (25:03) and Eritrean Hunegaw Mesfin (25:16). Women´s 4 km winner Mary Wangari got 14:32 ahead of Sarah Chepchirchir (14:40) and Ethiopian Tizita Bogale (14:43). Marathon runner Martha Komu was 5th (14:59) and best European Karolina Jarzynska of Poland 7th (15:15). PUNE (IND, Dec 5) : Ethiopia's 23-year-old Gudeta Gemechu Biratu in his third race at the distance won the 25th Pune International Marathon timed with 2:13:20. Part of the event also 12th Asian Marathon Championships, here the gold medal for Qatari Mohammed Abduh who was 10th...

MAZATLAN (MEX, Dec 5): Kenyan Simon Kariuki won Gran Maraton Pacifico in solid 2:14:16. Second home runner of Mexico Daniel Vargas (2:14:51) and third another Kenyan Cosmas Kiplimo (2:18:07). Also in women race win for Kenyan Hyvon Ngetich after 2:44:12. Isaac Kimayo was the fastest at the half distance with good 1:02:48 ahead of Mexican Carlos Cordero who improved his life-time best to 1:02:59 and another home runner Oscar Ceron (1:03:00). KAMPALA (UGA, Dec 5): Kenyan wins at Kampala Marathon. Donald Sambu clocked 2:19:44 and Tabitha Kibet 2:43:44. Ugandan wins at least at the half distance by Stephen Kiprotich (1:03:22) and former steeple world medalist Docus Inzikuru (1:18:42 ALCOBENDAS (ESP, Dec 5): Terrain World champion Joseph Ebuya from Kenya is continuing in his domination this season and clearly won the 29th Cross Internacional de la Constitución in Alcobendas. At 10.1 km his winning time was 29:37. Second was his Eritrean rival and silver medalist from last World ...

Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia winning at the Obudu Mountain Race (LOC) LORCA (ESP, Nov 28): Kenyan Joseph Kipkosgei achieved 1:02:25 to win the 23rd Half Marathon in Murcia region. Best woman Fatima Ayachi was timed at 1:13:54. GUJAN MESTRAS (FRA, Nov 28): Kenyan wins at 37th Sud Oest Cross (times not available). Mary Wangari beat Martha Komu and Ejegayehu Dibaba in women race, with best French steeple specialist Sophie Duarte 5th. In men´s 9.37 km win for Paul Melly over Mesfin Hunegaw of Eritrea and Mohamed Moustaoui of Morocco. Best French Driss El Himer was fourth. CORDOBA (ESP, Nov 28): Erick Kibet as another Kenyan posted similar winning time at 26th Half Marathon of Cordoba 1:02:47. But women winner was faster than in Lorca. Joyce Chepkirui clocked new course record 1:09:36. MT. OBUDU (NGR, Nov 28): Ethiopians Abebe Dinkesa (42:21) and Meselech Melkamu Haileyesus (48:57) claimed the win and the big 50 000 USD prizemoney at the 6th edition of the Obudu International ...

Joseph Ebuya comes home to win the BUPA Great Edinburgh International Cross Country ahead of Kenenisa Bekele (Mark Shearman) TERRE HAUTE (USA, Nov 22): NCAA first division CC Championships. Kenyans ruled in men´s 10 km. Defending champion Samuel Chelanga won in 29:23 over Stephen Sambu (29:27)with Luke Puskedra (29:38)in third place. Oklahoma State won the team title (73) ahead of Florida State, Wisconsin and Stanford. BANGKOK (THA, Nov 22): Standard Chartered Marathon was dominated by Kenyans. Winners were Lilan Kiprop in 2:16:10 and Fridah Lodepa 2:42:47. Informs Heinrich Hubbeling. SORIA (ESP, Nov 22): Kenya’s Joseph Ebuya and South Africa’s Dina Lebo Phalula capture victory at the 17th ‘Cross Internacional de Soria’ on Sunday in cold (6ºC) conditions with gusts of wind of up to 20 miles per hour. JOHANNESBURG (RSA): South African media are reporting that following intense pressure from various quarters to hand over the sport back to athletics, Sascoc announced on Friday...

MARSEILLE (FRA, Nov 21): Kenyan Philemon Limo achieved fast 27:58 at 10 km to win the La Provence race. Second Mangata Ndiwa (28:41). Women winner Hilda Tanui posted 33:40. CRETEIL (FRA, Nov 21): Ethiopian wins at Val de Marne CC race. Feyisa Bertukan was the best woman at 5.49 km (19:23) ahead of World junior 1500 m champion Tizita Bogale (19:25). Terefe Terefe was the best male runner at 9.32 km in 28:42 ahead of Kenyan Paul Meli (28:47) and Eritrean Samson Kiflemariam (29:12). VALENCIA (ESP, Nov 21): Kenyan John Mwangangi won the 20th Half Marathon of Valencia in solid 1:01:10 beating his team-mates Gilbert Masai (1:01:18) and Bernard Kipyego (1:02:08). On the women side new course record by Joyce Chepkirui (1:09:25) ahead of Ethiopian Atsede Habtamu (1:09:27) and Italian Anna Incerti as excellent third (1:10:41). PALERMO (ITA, Nov 21): Ethiopian Tsegaye Disasa won the Palermo Marathon in 2:18:57. Ethiopia had also best woman in Amelework Bosho clocking 2:47:50. BARCELON...