2005
Big Five: Joining Forces
The organizers of the Marathon races in London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City have founded the Big Five. They strive to improve the race experience for the runners and the fans on the streets.
Kelly Holmes Ends Her Career
Britain’s double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes has ended her professional running career. She will now focus on her new role as IAAF Ambassador and hopes to especially help children to get involved in sports.
Stephen Kiogora Wins Las Vegas Marathon
KIMbia’s Stephen Kiogora (Kenya) triumphed on the famous Las Vegas Strip with more than a minute ahead of his rivals. The women’s race was decided by Adriana Fernandez of Mexico after thrilling sprint duel.
John Korir Road Runner of the Year
John Korir has been named ‘Road Runner of the Year’ by the US magazine ‘Running Times.’ Very close behind in the ranking follows another KIMbia runner: Gilbert Okari placed second. ‘Running Times’ has a readership of nearly 400,000 in the US.
Kenya Breaks Ekiden World Record
Kenya’s men’s team has broken the world record at the Chiba Ekiden. In the famous Japanese marathon relay the Kenyans covered the classic distance of 42.195 kilometers in 1:57:06 hours. They improved the former mark, which the Moroccan team had run back in 1994, by 50 seconds.
Paul Tergat Wins ING New York City Marathon
Paul Tergat won his second big marathon and again produced a spectacular finish. For the second time the Kenyan had a winning margin of just one second after 42.195 kilometers. Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia surprisingly won the women’s race.
Uta Coaches Cross Country in Berlin
Uta Pippig trained in Berlin’s forest Grunewald with a group of runners as a part of preparation for the Berlin Cross Country Race. The race is organized by SCC-Running and will take place this Sunday.
Gebrselassie Wins in Amsterdam
Haile Gebrselassie ran to his first marathon victory in Amsterdam, but missed clearly the world record at the end. He ran 2:06:20 hours, which is a new Ethiopian record, course record and world lead as well.
Felix Limo and Deena Kastor Win Chicago Marathon
In good weather conditions Felix Limo (KEN) took the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. In the women’s race there was a US triumph for a first time in a big marathon after many years. Deena Kastor won in a world class time.
Chicago Marathon Promises Thrilling Races
Both the men’s and women’s champions from the 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon will return to Chicago on Sunday to battle with a field of world-class athletes to maintain their title.
KIMbia’s Charity Project: Change a Life For Only $ 500
KIMbia Athletics Management has started its charity project. KIMbia is raising funds to pay the secondary school fees for select teen runners in Kenya. One year’s fees typically range between US $300 and $500. KIMbia hopes to give promising young athletes the chance to develop educationally and athletically so that they will have more opportunities available to them.
Evans Rutto: “My aim is to win Chicago again”
Evans Rutto will start this Sunday’s LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon as the defending champion. The 27 year-old Kenyan has the unique chance to achieve a hat-trick at this race, which is among the most prestigious in worldwide marathon running.
Joseph and Tomescu World Half Marathon Champion
Fabiano Joseph and Constantina Tomescu are the new World Half Marathon Champions. The exactly 21,0975 kilometer long races were held on Saturday morning with 45 degrees Fahrenheit and rain in Edmonton (Canada).
Mizuki Noguchi Breaks Records in Berlin Marathon
Short time ago the five biggest marathon races in the world merged together for the ‚Big Five.’ The real,- Berlin-Marathon is among the group with Boston, London, Chicago and New York. And the results of the most spectacular road race in Germany showed once again that the membership is justified.
The Big Three in the Fall: Berlin, Chicago and New York
The marathon fall could be once more a stormy one. Three of the five Big Five Marathons are on schedule: The real,- Berlin Marathon makes the start on September 25th. Two weeks later the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon starts on October 9th, and on November 6th the ING New York City Marathon will take place.
Two World Records Broken in Road Races
There were two new road race world records in the last weeks: At 10 miles and the half marathon. Both were captured in Holland and just one week away from each other. Haile Gebrselassie improved the eight year old world record of Paul Koech by 21 seconds clocking 44:24 minutes. In the half marathon the just 18 year old Kenyan Samuel Wanjiru improved the already seven year old world record of Paul Tergat by just one second, clocking 59:16.
Sammy Kipketer Third at Golden League Final
There were a number of fine performances by KIMbia athletes in recent weeks. Sammy Kipketer was third in the 5,000 meters at the TDK Golden League Final in Berlin. Gilbert Okari meanwhile extended his unbeaten run on the US road race circuit. He won the sixth race in a row at a 10-kilometer race in Puerto Rico.
Stienitzsee-Cross a Real Success
There were many who felt like winners at the 2nd edition of the Stienitzsee-Cross on September 3rd: the whole region around the lake near to Berlin, the participants, the 220 volunteers and the organizers.
Kenenisa Bekele Breaks World Record in Brussels
Kenenisa Bekele has crowned a superb TDK Golden League spectacle in Brussels. The Ethiopian broke his own 10,000-meter world record at the 20th Ivo van Damme Memorial in front of a capacity crowd of 48,000 spectators in the Stade Roi Baudouin.
Paula Radcliffe: “I feel relieved“
England’s Paula Radcliffe won the World Championships’ title in the marathon in Helsinki on Sunday. Afterwards she gave the following interview.
Big Five: Greatest City Marathons Cooperate
The most important city marathon races have merged to the Big Five—the BAA Boston Marathon, real,- Berlin Marathon, LaSalle Chicago Marathon, ING New York City Marathon and Flora London Marathon. This was announced by the race directors during the World Championships in athletics in Helsinki.
World Champs (Day 9): Kenya Wins First Gold in the Last Race
Kenya’s runners finally snatched a gold medal in the very last race of the World Championships in Helsinki. In the 5,000-meter final Benjamin Limo triumphed with a strong final kick. Sileshi Sihine won the silver medal, while the Australian Craig Mottram won bronze.
World Champs (Day 8): Tirunesh Dibaba Runs to Historic Double
The Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba wrote athletics history at the World Championships in Helsinki. She became the first woman ever to win both—the 10,000 and 5,000 meters—in the Olympics and World Championships.
Kenya’s Equipment Sold Before World Champs
The Kenyan athletes didn’t win any gold medal in Helsinki yet. But even before the championship started they had lost some equipment. Kenya’s team equipment was partly sold illegally before the World Championships.
World Champs (Day 7): Borzakowskiy Sends a Warning
Olympic Champion Yuri Borzakowskiy sent a warning to his rivals at the World Championships in Helsinki in the 800-meter semi-final. The Russian won the first of three heats and beat the 1500m World Champion Rashid Ramzi (Bahrain).
World Champs (Day 5): Rashid Ramzi Follows Hicham El Guerrouj
Rashid Ramzi won the first medal in an outdoor World Championship ever for Bahrain. The 25-year-old became the successor of Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco) in the 1500 meters.
Bob Tahri Finished Eighth at World Champs
KIMbia’s Bob Tahri placed eighth in the 3,000-meter-steeplechase final at the World Championships in Helsinki on Tuesday evening (9th August). The Frenchman appeared to be not quite fresh enough to contest for a medal in the final stages of the race.
Shaheen Defends Title, Cuba’s Calatayud Surprises at 800 meters
Saaeed Shaheen defended his 3,000-meter-steeplechase title at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki. This final, as most of the competitions yesterday evening, turned out to be a water battle. Due to the heavy rain, the water jump was flooded minutes before the race started.
Ethiopian Wins with German Foreign Aid
Five out of six possible medals were won by the Ethiopian runners in the 10,000-meter finals of the men and the women at the World Championships in Helsinki. While Tirunesh Dibaba and Kenenisa Bekele once more won easily, the Kenyans just got one bronze medal by Moses Mosop.
World Champs (Day 3): Kenenisa Bekele Defends 10,000m Title
Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele lived up to his role as the favorite. He triumphed at the 10,000-meter race at the World Championships in Helsinki and defended his title.
World Champs (Day 2): Shaheen Will Be in Battle against Kenyans
The final at 3000-meter steeplechase on Tuesday evening in Helsinki will be thrilling. The big favorite, world record holder Saif Saaeed Shaheen (Qatar) ran in the heats on Sunday. On a day without any finals in the running events he clocked the fastest time of 8:11.79 minutes.
Overwhelming Support on Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm
Uta was celebrated on Berlin’s famous boulevard, Kurfürstendamm, where she participated in the 10-kilometer race: Bewag City Night. “Never before have I waved so much during a race. It has been another superb race here, and I was happy to be able to run in front of such a big crowd,” Uta said smiling.
World Championships (Day 1): Tirunesh Dibaba Storms to Gold
Tirunesh Dibaba has won the first gold medal in the running events at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki. The 19-year-old Ethiopian stormed away from the field in breathtaking fashion to take the 10,000-meter gold.
Running Events at World Champs: Radcliffe, Dibaba, Bekele Try to Double
The pictures from Athens are still in good memory: Paula Radcliffe, the big favorite in the marathon, was sitting on the roadside crying. Then, the English runner tried the 10,000-meter race and failed again. After the darkest hours in Paula Radcliffe’s career a year ago she now wants to reach her biggest triumph at the World Championships in Helsinki.
The World Championships on www.uta-pippig.com
The World Athletics Championships will begin this Saturday in Helsinki, Finland. On this web page you will find up-to-date information of all the running events.
“Great atmosphere, relaxed Berliners—I am looking forward to the City Night“
Uta will be running Berlin’s ‘Bewag City Night’ on Saturday evening (6th August). The 39-year-old triple winner of the Berlin and Boston Marathons mainly lives in Boulder (Colorado).
KIMbia’s Okari Wins Three Races in a Row
There was more success for KIMbia, the athletics group supported by Uta, in recent weeks. Gilbert Okari emerged as the runner of the summer on the US road running circuit. The Kenyan last week won his third big road race in a row when he took the Bix 7.
Uta Runs Berlin’s City Night
Uta will run Berlin’s ‘Bewag City Nacht’ this Saturday evening (6th August). It will be Uta’s first race in her second hometown and in Germany for nearly two years.
In Kenya Running Is Not a Popular Sport but a Necessity and an Opportunity
Running is Kenya’s biggest export success. Besides its safari tours, nothing else in Kenya makes as many positive headlines and attracts as much international attention as their runners. Last year Kenyan men have won 70 and women about 45 percent of all the 150 street races of worldwide significance.
More Than 85,000 Runners Apply for New York Marathon
New York Road Runners, soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary, is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running and enhancing health and fitness for all. The road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually.
Lincoln Defends US Title at 3,000m Steeplechase
Daniel Lincoln has defended his 3,000-meter steeplechase title at the US Championships in Carson (California). He won the event with a strong finish ahead of Anthony Famiglietti and Steve Slattery.
Uta Runs a Fine Bellin While There Is Great Success for KIMbia
John Korir (KEN) remains the runner to beat in US road running this season—the KIMbia athlete has run his fifth race of the year and won for the fifth time. The women’s winner of the Bellin Run was KIMbia’s Elva Dryer while Uta Pippig showed a fine performance and finished fourth in this 10-kilometer race.
KIMbia’s Elva Dryer Takes Bolder-Boulder
Elva Dryer celebrated one of her greatest wins. The 33-year-old took the famous Bolder-Boulder 10-kilometer road race. With an estimated 50,000 runners the event is one of biggest worldwide. Uta Pippig had a fine run as well. She finished in sixth position among 22,000 women runners.
Two Doubles for KIMbia
The last few weeks were successful for KIMbia’s athletes. They achieved two double triumphs at the traditional Lilac Bloomsday 12-kilometer race in Spokane (Washington) and the Wells Fargo 5K in Salt Lake City.
Elana Meyer Ends Outstanding Career
Elana Meyer has announced the end of her outstanding career. The South African has been one of the most prolific long distance track and road runners in the world for more than a decade. Elana Meyer has run five world records in road races in the 90ies.
Catherine Ndereba First Woman to Win Boston Fourth Time
There was a historical performance in the women’s race, which was started by three-time winner Uta Pippig. In the 109th edition of the Boston Marathon Kenyan Catherine Ndereba became the first woman to win the race for the fourth time. In the men’s race Ethiopian Hailu Negussie stopped the Kenyan win streak.
Paula Radcliffe: “In perfect conditions I could have run 2:15“
Paula Radcliffe ran the third fastest marathon time ever in Sunday’s London Marathon. She clocked 2:17:42 hours. She has now won five out of her six marathons. Paula Radcliffe gave the following interview.
Paula Radcliffe and Martin Lel Win London Marathon
The 25th Flora London Marathon had two highlights with best times of the year from Paula Radcliffe (GBR) and Martin Lel (KEN). Radcliffe also achieved the third fastest time of all times.
Boston Globe: Ndereba Chasing after History / Kenyan Targeting Record Fourth Win
There are few people who can provide helpful advice to Catherine Ndereba. One of them, though, is Uta Pippig. As the 1996 Boston Marathon approached, Pippig was bombarded by questions about whether she could win the women’s open division for an unprecedented third straight time.
Evans Rutto and Timothy Cherigat: Ready for London and Boston
The winners of both, the Flora London Marathon 2004 and the BAA Boston Marathon 2004, belong to the same training group: Kenyan’s Evans Rutto and Timothy Cherigat are with KIMbia Athletics and they are coached by Dieter Hogen. Evans Rutto will start in Sunday’s 25th Flora London Marathon while Timothy Cherigat will run at the 109th BAA Boston Marathon on Monday.
More than 100,000 Runners Applied for a Bib Number for the London Marathon
On Sunday, the London Marathon, one of the biggest and best marathon races, will get under way. A record number of more than 100,000 runners applied for a bib number.
Kenyan Winners in Rotterdam, Paris and Milan
Next weekend will see the climax of international marathon running in spring. While on Sunday the 25th Flora London Marathon will take place the 109th BAA Boston Marathon will be started a day later. A week before three other big road races took place in Europe.
Silgich Hill Academy—Paul Koech Gives Something Back to Kenyan Children
There would be no school in Kipsomba had it not been for Paul Koech and his outstanding career. The Kenyan athlete, who had been one of the best long distance track runners in the world before he turned to the marathon in 2003, built a primary school outside the small village, which is 30 kilometers north of Eldoret: Silgich Hill Academy.
Spring Road Running Events Leading to Big Marathons
A number of high class road running events were held in the weeks prior to the big city marathons in April. On 17th April the London Marathon will be started. KIMbia runner Evans Rutto will be the defending champion. On the next day the Boston Marathon will feature 2004 champion Timothy Cherigat, another KIMbia runner.
World Cross Country: Unbelievable Comeback by Kenenisa Bekele
Just four weeks ago Kenenisa Bekele was only a shade of himself. But, at the World Cross Country Championships in France during the last weekend he staged an unbelievable comeback.
World Cross Country (Day 2): Bekele and Dibaba Double Up
Kenenisa Bekele is back and together with Tirunesh Dibaba won all four individual gold medals for Ethiopia in the senior races at the World Cross Country Championships.
World Cross Country (Day 1): Kenenisa Bekele Defends Title at Short Distance while Abraham Chebii Takes Silver
Kenenisa Bekele successfully defended the first of his two cross country titles at the World Championships in St. Galmier (France). The Ethiopian won the short course event. He had a five second advantage to Abraham Chebii, who is coached by Dieter Hogen in the newly set up KIMbia team.
The Start of KIMbia Athletic Management
KIMbia Athletic Management is a new management group in international athletics. Founded by Tom Ratcliffe (US) and Dieter Hogen (Germany), KIMbia will concentrate on long distance track events, cross country and road running, with a special emphasis on the marathon.
“Uta is a great inspiration—She was stunning“
During a meeting of the American Liver Foundation in Boston, Uta helped in promoting the charity project. Afterwards, Barry N. Chait, the director of the foundation, and Wendy Lennon, the Executive Director, gave the following interview.
Mourning Bekele Is a Shadow of his Former Self
A year ago Bekele broke the 5,000-meter world indoor record, which was held by his well-known compatriot Haile Gebrselassie. Now the Olympic Champion came back to Birmingham, but the mourning Bekele is but a shadow of his former self.
Kipchoge Wins in Kenya and Sends a Warning to Bekele
Eliud Kipchogo has won the long distance event at the Kenyan Cross Country Championships in convincing style. A month before the World Cross Country Championships in St. Etienne (France) Kipchoge sent a warning to Kenenisa Bekele. The Ethiopian has won the world titles during the last three years.
Indoor World Record in Boston, Gebrselassie and Bekele Are Back on Track
In the last few days, long distance runners set a couple of highlights in the new season. Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba broke the indoor world record at 5,000 meters.
New Year’s Eve Races: Lebed Beats Baldini, Mottram Faster than Tergat
Traditionally one of the most high-class New Year’s Eve races took place in Bolzano. Ukrainian Sergej Lebed defeated Olympic marathon champion Stefano Baldini during the final sprint.
