Charles Abraham
Category:Athletics News
BMW Berlin Marathon, another proof of Kenyan dominance over distance running – Athletics news
Haile Gebrselassie, no doubt, was the pre-favourite for the BMW Berlin Marathon. However, nobody knew that the Kenyan stringent was all set to mark its dominance over the track while challenging the world record holder’s form and potential for the big run.
While running at the IAAF Gold Label Race, Patrick Makau not only named the event title, but he also snatched the world record from legendary Ethiopian runner, Gebrselassie. Just like him, on Women’s side, Kenyan runner, Florence Kiplagat dominated the track by over two and a half minutes.
Kenyan and Ethiopian rivalry in athletics, particularly in the running competitions is known to the entire world. There have been great Kenyan runners in the past, who have always been giving tough time to their counterparts from Ethiopia. Duncan Kibet, the great Kenyan runner had observed a finish of two hours, four minutes and 27 seconds, while running in Rotterdam back in 2009.
However, he could not overcome the then sole dominator of the track, Gebrselassie. Makau is certainly made up of tougher material. The performance he displayed lately, which included a defeated for the Ethiopian legend along with a new world record, underlined his strength well. He definitely has a racing brain that will always ensure his dominance over the run.
Makau, unlike most of his countrymen, has never been demonstrative of his running characteristics. However, he has been giving out his best to withstand the toughest of trainings. After accomplishing with his first two marathons, Makau told his manager, Zane Branson that his rivals had developed the thinking that the Kenyan had only learned to follow them and would only attempt to increase his pace when the finishing line was near. He said that he was going to change this thinking by setting the pace right from the gun.
The decision to be aggressive on the field paid the dividends for the runner, and provided him the confidence to trust his abilities and take on formidable runners like Ethiopia’s former world record holder, Gebrselassie. Now, if Makau continues to carry on with this confidence of his, he certainly has a leading role to play in world athletics.
No comments:
Post a Comment