Kenya Update: The Race is Almost Here

wejo · 2007-03-23T16:38:14-04:00

It's 11:30 and I've got 30 minutes to write this as they'll kick me out of here in 30 minutes. The internet is pretty slow here and I'm having some problems since the last thing I did in NYC before catching my plane was spill a coke on my laptop. I got here and the keys don't work. So I downloaded some software to put up some photos. You can find them here: http://www.letsrun.com/2007/worldxc1/ (can someone click through the photos and post on here that they can view them. on this connection I can't really check) I'm just trying to give a feel for things in Mombasa. I posted a little earlier about the security here: (i was serious about the people being super nice despite beating the cops beating a guy pretty badly) Sorry for not posting this up on a webpage, maybe I can get Robert to do it but I don't have time to download any software: Pre Race Report I've been here a day and I'm already so glad I came here. It's been pretty surreal in some ways. Running into my old roommate in Flagstaff Chris White at the baggage terminal in Nairobi, sitting next to Reebok guru Todd Klein on my next flight, getting Paul Tergat's digits, and having Kip Keino borrow my Kip Keino training cap to give to some others. It's a very small world indeed. After not sleeping much last night. The first thing we did is go to the course. Lets just say this is like no world cross championship I've ever been to. There have been ones with shitty conditions (mud, muck in Europe, snow in the US) but I doubt there has ever been one on a dried out golf course, in excruciating heat and humidity (by the time the men's race goes off at 5:20 however the sun is much lower in the horizon so they men may get the best of it), on a course that was not completely set up 30 hours before the start of the race. When I got to the course, a lot of it was still not roped off (although since then I've heard they have added barricades in some places) and it seemed full of turns. More like a maze than a traditional XC course but that is perhaps because the course does not take up a ton of land. Usually Worlds is at a huge horse racing course or park. This thing probably takes up 3 golf holes. That's it. So everything is very tight together. And then the course goes through sand traps, up little ravines, and over a road. Throw in the killer heat and it will be a true test. No one sees anyone beating Bekele tomorrow but it is totally different conditions from what he has ever faced before. There isn't any attempt like in America to sanitize the course or make sure the footing is safe (well perhaps before this year where the Jonesy surprise: http://www.letsrun.com/2007/usaxcwomen/imagepages/image10.html was throne in the course at USATF nationals). They actually went out of the way to make the course as difficult as possible on a relatively flat piece of land by making runners go through sand traps at weird angles, as if the heat wasn't going to be a challenge to itself. After scorching in the sun for 1.5 hours (and this was at 10 am) I went to a luncheon hosted by Edinburgh 2008 which will be hosting World Cross next year. The always gracious Kip Keino was in attendance and a bunch of men in skirts. Geoff Wightman a letsrun.com fan invited me to the lunch and I'm glad I went. Kenny Klotz's dad is over here, really enjoying Kenya like the rest of us (he went on an incredible safari and like I believe Americans have a lot to learn by coming to Afirca), and he sat with us at lunch. At the same hotel was the pre-race press conference featuring Kenenisa Bekele, Moses Mosop, and Lornah Kiplagat. For more on the press conference see: http://www.iaaf.org/WXC07/news/Kind=2/newsId=38068.html Not much usually goes on at these conferences usually as the traditional questions are asked. But this one I thought was fairly interesting for a few reasons. First, because of all the former Kenyans stars who were just sitting in the stands watching. 3 to left Paul Tergat, 4 to my left, Wilson Kikpeter. Plus Tegla Laroupe, Martin Keino and who knows who else. But that's what it is like in Kenya. You'll be talking to some guy (i swear it wasn't me but would have done the same thing) about running and not realize it's Patrick Sang a former steeplechase stud. So I talked to Paul a bit (telling him I'm the brother of Robert, (Rojo took Paul to meet President with Moses Tanui) http://www.letsrun.com/2001/TergatTanui.html ) Next thing you know Paul is asking me about my brother and my dad (my dad went to lunch with them) taking down my name and number and saying he'll come by the next time he's in the States. Then he gives me my number and tells me to call and come by when I'm in Nairobi (Paul lives with his family outside of Nairobi instead of being in a formal training camp where the guys live as monks). So I'll be putting my Kenyan cell phone (only like $28 and costing only about 35 cents a minute to call the US -best thing I've bought so far) to good use. I also was struck by a few things said at the press conference. The Kenyans are very proud of this event and the head of the LOC talked about how "cross country has finally returned home". The average Kenyan on the street really wants a Kenyan individual winner (especially on the men's side) but most observers think Kenenise Bekele will get his 11th straight world title and his record breaking 6th long course title. But i don't think the average Kenyan thinks that as well. (My baggage porter was showing me his track knowledge by talking about Maurice Greene. I thought it was kind of funny when he said, "this is too long for him right?" and then asked whether I thought he was on drugs. Then he added, "he should do it the Kenyan way- with a lot of hard work") The press asked Bekele about breaking Tergat's record of 5 long course titles, he said he hoped to do it and would be honored. There then was a moment when Bekele looked through the crowd at Tergat and Tergat returned the gaze and they both basically acknowledge each other's greatness. I think a lot of people missed it (including myself as I was now just in front of Tergat but had it relayed to me) Speaking of Tergat he said he expects Bekele to win. And I talked with another journalist about how if it wasn't for about 3 feet (the amount he lost the 2000 and 2004 Olympic 10ks combined) Tergat would be regarded as the greatest distance runner to walk the planet. Instead he's the greatest humanitarian/distance runner to walk the planet. Tergat spent a lot of last week working with the US State Department in Nairobi, and even shot some promo video with Drew Barrymore (Drew's a huge fan of letsrun btw). I asked him how he found time to train (Paul is gearing up for next month's London marathon, and he acknowledged some weeks his schedule was tough but he manages to get it all in). And perhaps the most impressive comment I heard was from Bekele when he was asked whether he had any special diet or special training that he does to make him so great. His response was: "I believe God blesses people with special talents. Out of many people, only one can win. God has given me that gift repeatedly." He went on to add how "I do not have a special diet... I do not have any special training... It is the same as my teammates." He reiterated the fact that he has no idea why it is the case but we are all given gifts and talents and his gift was to run and to run fast. In some ways he seems almost awed by his own ability. For more on Bekele's quote go here: http://www.cbc.ca/cp/sports/070323/s032352A.html I then came back to the hotel and passed out on my bed for a little while. However, Kevin Thompson, a volunteer track coach at Cornell, who is good friends with Kip Keino went to the course at around 5pm. There viewing the course for the first time (the Kenyan team only got here on Thursday I believe) was the Kenyan team less than 24 hours before some of them ran. Things are just done a bit differently here. Kevin has a cool video that I'll try and upload at some time but he has a different type of card, but after the Kenyans looked at the course the crowd of people that flocked around them started singing and dancing, wishing them luck for this very proud moment for all of them. To beat Bekele they may need more than luck. And reiterating that fact was an Ethiopian journalist (i'm not sure what a journalist in Ethiopia does since the government oppressively restricts the press) who asked Bekele what he was going to do to celebrate his 11th win. The same journalist asked Bekele what he'd do last year and I guess Bekele held up 10 fingers to count his 10, yes 10, straight World XC titles. Perhaps a number 1, will be all that is needed. Because with a win in the unusual conditions on Saturday where tens of thousands of people will be actively rooting against him, Bekele will cement himself as what we already think he is, the best cross country runner of all time. Until tomorrow. Good night. (My previous update is here: http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=1823295 Photos here: http://www.letsrun.com/2007/worldxc1/ )

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19 years ago 03/23/2007 11:18pm EDT

re: Ali Mosa

Thanks for this, wejo. So glad you went.

19 years ago 03/23/2007 11:38pm EDT

re: Skuj

make sure you ask Tergat how his conversations on myspace with the430miler are going...

19 years ago 03/23/2007 11:45pm EDT

re: asdasdf

How the F are they gonna fit a huge field in between those stakes??? Hell with the heat, it's gonna be a Rollerball situation out there.

19 years ago 03/23/2007 11:49pm EDT

re: wejo

Wejo - how about some photos of the Americans, especially Cack.

19 years ago 03/23/2007 11:54pm EDT

re: photos

Tergat was actually 2nd in the 10,000m in 1996 and 2000. Not 2000 & 2004.

19 years ago 03/23/2007 11:57pm EDT

re: Correction Mr. Wejo

Will this be the official race progress thread? :)

19 years ago 03/24/2007 2:37am EDT

re: midwaste

midwaste wrote:
nice pics, it looks like you are about to melt in that pic w/ Tergat.

That pic was inside a room with air conditioning. The heat will be a serious problem. Usually races in heat like this are done at night. Hopefully there will be a little ocean breeze but coming from 30 degree weather this heat is a complete shock to my system and I grew up in Texas. Granted in Texas I would never wear pants and a boot around in the summer but hey I saw some guys in full suits yesterday. The men's race is last but I bet most of the teams are at the course for a large part of the day. I'm trying to put off going to the course till as late as possible. Maybe they have an airconditioned area for them to sit around but I seriously doubt it. They should just hose the guys as they come by.

And I seriously wonder how people will fit between those stakes as well. That first turn means the first quarter might be around 56. It's going to be crazy. The tight course (although someone said last year they had a similar tight turn last year early in Japan), the zig zag nature of the part of it by the finish (the course is on two sides of a road. The part by the start is more wide open. The part by the finish is like a rat maze), the sand traps, and perhaps most importantly the heat (i expect a few people to go to pass out) make it like nothing I've seen before. Should be interesting.

Tergat confirms he is on Myspace and PWNS you all.

Is the race on WCSN? I just posted a thread asking that. If not I can give live updates via phone to someone.

19 years ago 03/24/2007 3:04am EDT

re: wejo

Lovely words and pictures.

Keep them coming.

19 years ago 03/24/2007 6:40am EDT

re: Hoyte

Well, I wonder how things are right now?

This is so cool, wejo, these reports. I mean, lets face it. THIS IS YOUR JOB!!! :)

19 years ago 03/24/2007 6:48am EDT

re: wejo

Why aren't the schoolkids in those pictures running?

19 years ago 03/24/2007 7:27am EDT

re: wejo

have a great time today wejo! you should probably try to call somebody over here with updates, I don't think wcsn has the race live.

19 years ago 03/24/2007 9:11am EDT

re: wejo

Thanks Wejo, this is terrific stuff. Try to stay out of the sun. You look a little warm.

19 years ago 03/24/2007 9:18am EDT

re: read this post

Ethiopian Women Win!

2-3-4-10 ethiopian women 19 points (after taking away the individual

competitors)

5-6-7-8 kenyan women 28 points

us women 8th (last?) in team race

________________________________________________________________________

19 years ago 03/24/2007 9:34am EDT

re: email from friend in Ethiopia.

mens race in progress...

tight race thus far . . . kenyans, ethiopians, ertreia with good block

of runners

19 years ago 03/24/2007 9:42am EDT

re: email from friend in Ethiopia.

through 3rd lap at 17:55

bekele and eritrean tadese zersenay is pushing the pace -- only bekele

has been able to go with him

19 years ago 03/24/2007 10:02am EDT

re: email from friend in Ethiopia.

MDC

Joined: 08 Oct 2005

Posts: 70

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:45 am Post subject: Senior Men's XC Race update

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

at the third lap (17:55), tedese zerdenay of eriteria pushed the pace and only kenesia beleke was able to go with him. . . now running side by side, kenenisa looks comfortable

MDC

Joined: 08 Oct 2005

Posts: 70

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:50 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

after opening up a 12 second lead, kenenisa just took off and has put five seconds on zerdenay . . . on 5th lap

MDC

Joined: 08 Oct 2005

Posts: 70

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:52 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

kenenisa just slowed down and essentially waited for zerdenay . . . then began to push the pace again . . . now zerdenay has just passed him and is pushing hard

MDC

Joined: 08 Oct 2005

Posts: 70

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:53 am Post subject:

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zerdenay has just opened up a commanding lead on keneisa, who looked incredibly relaxed . . . bekele does not look good

MDC

Joined: 08 Oct 2005

Posts: 70

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:55 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KENENISA BEKELE HAS JUST DROPPED OUT!!!!!

the kenyan fans are going wild! you'd think a kenyan was winning the race!

19 years ago 03/24/2007 10:04am EDT

re: email from friend in Ethiopia.

Joined: 08 Oct 2005

Posts: 70

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:58 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

eritera has its first individual winner, kenya wins the men's title . . .

19 years ago 03/24/2007 10:19am EDT

re: email from friend in Ethiopia.

Just get this

What!!!! a disaster BEKELE DROP Down 1K to GO. Zeinary Tedesey sp' Win The race..

Lorna kiplagat wins sinior men.

8k jnr men

1.Asbel kipron KEN.

2.Vincent Kiprob KEN

3.Mattew kisorio Ken

4patric komon Ken

UGANDA Guy

Eritria Guy

Full results laterxxxx

19 years ago 03/24/2007 10:22am EDT

re: kenyan

quite a race and i'm sure we'll hear a lot more about whatever happened to kenenisa bekele. btw, ethiopians go by their first name . . . their second name is their father's first name which means there are no family names that get passed down from generation to generation). we might refer to them as the bekele brothers, but they wouldn't here. a bit confusing to be sure.

quite a race. eritera is the arch-enemy of ethiopia these days (that's the border where the british "tourists" were taken . . . or got lost, depending on who you believe). kenyans looked pretty strong in the team race

19 years ago 03/24/2007 7:59pm EDT

re: wejo

Funny how we are all so much the same acround the world. U say we(USA) complain reagardless of heat, altitude, whatever. Yup, we do, yet isn't that human nature when one is not confide, secure and sure of them selves? Duh! We have a non profit to support a specific group of runners in USA , yet, there will always be the complaint, "Why that group?", then if not about the group then the complaint is "Who started the group?" then "Where is the money?" and of couse the last American question is "Where is my cut?"

Hmmm "....you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time...a take of of Ab. Lincoln, so we, w/o the internet of course, do the best we can with the tools we have...

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