Press ReleaseFebruary 24, 2024
There have been breakout victories for hitherto little recognized Daniel Mateiko of Kenya and Tsigie Gebreselama of Ethiopia within the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon within the United Arab Emirates early Saturday morning. And the imperious method of their wins on a breezy, humid morning with a sea mist invading the latter levels suggests they each have a really vibrant future. But the distinction of their race-winning ways may hardly have been higher. Mateiko led from the gun, and solely conceded the lead for temporary intervals, earlier than outgunning his colleagues John Korir and Isaia Lasoi within the last kilometre, to win in a world main 58min 45sec. Korir and Lasoi completed 5 and ten seconds behind respectively.
In distinction, Gebreselama contented herself to remain within the pack till she was able to strike for residence within the final 5 kilometres. Solely former world report holder (64.31) and 2020 winner, colleague Ababel Yeshaneh may go together with her, however that problem didn’t final lengthy. And such was Gebreselama’s attritional tempo that by the point she crossed the road in 65.14, Yeshaneh was precisely half a minute in arrears. Jackline Sakilu of Tanzania was the shock of the day, setting a nationwide report of 66.05 in third place. What was no shock was that the rostrum locations have been taken by athletes from three East African international locations who share the identical topography, the excessive altitude plateau of the Nice Rift Valley.
Konstanze Klosterhalfen of Germany threatened to gatecrash that unique membership as much as the hallway level in a race, having come instantly from her personal coaching camp in Ethiopia. However, having headed the sphere as much as 10k, which she handed in 31.09, which might have been a PB had she completed the race, she tailed off drastically and dropped out shortly afterwards, saying she didn’t really feel effectively.
Olympic marathon champion, Peres Jepchirchir had been one of many favourites to win, however within the bustle of the beginning, somebody trod on her heel and she or he misplaced round 20sec placing her shoe again on. Surprisingly for somebody together with her lengthy expertise, as a substitute of working her approach regularly again to the group, she shot off and rejoined them earlier than that they had accomplished the primary kilometre. She paid for that pointless effort within the closing levels, and will solely end seventh in 67.19.
Article continues under participant.
Gebreselama was not completely unknown previous to right now; she completed second on the earth cross nation championships in Australia final yr. ‘That was my greatest efficiency, however right now is best than that, as a result of I received,’ she stated after the race. ‘I knew I used to be in good condition. I believe I like cross nation and highway working equally, however now I need to put together for the observe’. In a reversal of custom, she is leaving right here for a four-month stint in an altitude coaching camp within the USA, earlier than she runs the Ethiopian trials with the intent on making the Olympic workforce at 10,000 metres.
Having been informed that there was no pacemaker within the males’s race, we puzzled why Mateiko, who led from the gun stored consulting his watch and checking over his shoulder at his pursuers. Possibly he was shocked they have been nonetheless there for thus lengthy, proper as much as the ultimate kilometre. However having executed all work, he was rewarded with a greater than worthy victory, then engagingly acknowledged that that was his intent all through the race. ‘After ending second final yr, I promised myself to win. However the situations have been tough; it was windy and really humid.’
Mateiko hails from Mount Elgon on the Kenya-Uganda border, however now trains in Eldoret with twice Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge underneath the tutelage of former steeplechaser Patrick Sang. ‘Patrick informed me I used to be in good condition, however to be strong-minded. And Eliud is giving me recommendation too. I wish to have his consistency. Now my dream is to run effectively within the London Marathon’. If his marathon debut is as spectacular as his win right here right now, the London crowds in April might be in for a deal with.
Outcomes, Males:
1 Daniel Mateiko KEN 58:45
2 John Korir KEN 58:50
3 Isaia Lasoi KEN 58:55
4 Gerba Dibaba ETH 59:38
5 Benard Koech KEN 59:42
6 Birhanu Legese ETH 59:43
7 Tamirat Tola ETH 59:46
8 Amos Kibiwot KEN 59:51
9 Boki Diriba ETH 60:10
10 Alphonce Simbu TAN 60:28
Ladies:
1 Tsigie Gebreselama ETH 65:14
2 Ababel Yeshaneh ETH 65:44
3 Jackline Sakilu TAN 66:05
4 Margaret Chelimo KEN 66:31
5 Evaline Chirchir KEN 66:36
6 Catherine Amanang’ole KEN 66:49
7 Peres Jepchirchir KEN 67:19
8 Gete Alemayehu ETH 67:25
9 Megertu Alemu ETH 69:23
10 Ashete Bekere ETH 70:03
