Saif Saaeed Shaheen wins World Military XC Champs Short Course, hope for Brussels?

Of course, I was in Beirut for World Military Championships. The course was completely dry, very tough (there were many hills) on very good grass (golf fields). Shaheen was in front from the beginning, and attacked only during the last km on a hill, taking sme meter of advantage. Only Mucheru could follow him, Chepkurui (Hassan) lost 30 meters. During last 200m, Shaheen didn't push, and Hassan had a good finish overtaking Mucheru.

The quality of the race was not very high, after top 4 there was a big gap. Anyway, Shaheen can run a good race in 4 km only if the course is dry. We tested his adaptation to the mud, and for him is very difficult running in those conditions. He doesn't run long race in Bruxelles, only 4 km.

My personal opinion is that against Bekele nothing is possible. He can run at the same level of Chebii and Kibowen, depending on the course, not better. For seeing Shaheen protagonist in WCCCh, we have to await an edition like Vilamoura 2000, with dry course and spring conditions.

That sounds interesting, Who do you think the top non kenyan or non ethiopian athlete will be. What do you predict for Bob Kennedy from USA?

I think that the best runner not Kenyan or Ethiopian in long run can be Boniface Kiprop, that in any case is of the same tribe of Kenyans around Mont Elgon. Also in this case, there are many differences if the course is dry (but I don't think) or muddy. About Kennedy, he of sure has more chances if the course is muddy. A correct position may be around 12/18, back 5/6 kenyans and other ethiopians, competing with some Spanish (de la Ossa may be the best) and French (from Morocco and Algeria, of course...). But in WCCCh always there are surprises. Last year, for ex, Hicham Chatt was n. 8, and nobody (neither Chatt himself) could suppose so good position before the race.

I want to remember that the mud can be a good opportunity for athletes not very fast. Strong athletes need very hard ground for using their strong and reactive feet, while on the mud is more important to be "strong" in the tighs, and feet have no importance. That was the reason because of the second place of Lebid in 2001.

So, if the course is dry, no chance for white runners in top 12. But, if there is mud, may be that 2 runners in top 12 are not from African Countries.

Renato,

Do you have any inside info on Shaheen's chances at running in the Olympics this year?

Thanks for the hot tips. Also, Said Saaeed Shaheen is not allowed to run at the Olympics, recent news, :(

I want Bob Kennedy in the top 10! Do you think we'll see more white runners under 13 in the 5k anytime soon? Do you still train Saif?