I think our boy Ish acquitted himself very well to finish second in that 2 mile behind Jakob's WBP. 8:09.23. Not bad for an 18-year-old.
Strong showing. Levy Kibet 13:04 knocking off an in-form Kwizera, Ismail and Balew with a 56 type last lap. The battle for those 1500/5000 spots is intense. Best race for Levy this year, he’d been merely OK on the roads.
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Time of 3:35.59. Not sure who that was, sounded like the announcer said Kipkemboi right near the end of the video but not sure if he was referring to the winner. Benjamin Kigen finished way back after challenging Keter in the semi-final
His name is Brian Komen. Doesn't even have a WA profile.
Brian Komen vs. Reynold Cheruiyot this Sunday 1500m in Nancy
Strong field including Stonier, Tshi te, Giles and Nader
Surprised to see Komen in this but looking forward to it
Nice find! It's good (and unexpected) that he's getting an opportunity in Europe — likely means someone has signed him. Hopefully there's a stream of the race. Moula and Clayton Murphy are in the 800, too and in general strong mid-distance fields.
Saw this nice feature on Komen's fellow Complete Sports teammate Kelvin Kimutai. He'll be going through the domestic races hoping to run the Worlds Qualifier next week:
As for Kipkirui, he ran pretty aggressively yesterday but could not hold the pace. Still got a slight PB in 13:05. But came through around 7:48 (13-flat pace), which means he slowed to 5:17 for the last 2K. 2 mile remains his best race so far. Cornelius Kemboi struggled and finished in 13:20 something. Perhaps not recovered from the Paris 5K, which was a short turnaround.
One mistake: Kemboi ran 13:14 to win in Huelva about 10 days ago. The step up to DL was clearly too far for him, and I think you have to put Levy Kibet and Kipkirui firmly ahead of him in that race for the 5K spots.
One mistake: Kemboi ran 13:14 to win in Huelva about 10 days ago. The step up to DL was clearly too far for him, and I think you have to put Levy Kibet and Kipkirui firmly ahead of him in that race for the 5K spots.
Yeah I agree and I'd say it might be like this:
1. Nicholas Kimeli (wildcard, racing 10000 at trials?)
2. Jacob Krop
3. Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (might be just 10000 or both like last year, consistent race wins even if not super fast)
4. Levy Kibet
5. Emmanuel Kiplagat (has been impressive in Japan - 3:39/13:00/27:07 recently, maybe races 10000 though)
6. Ismael Kipkurui
7. Cornelius Kemboi (not great in Oslo but can close well like last year trials and Huelva)
8. Michael Temoi (I think a lot of potential with 13:01 18 years old - training partner of Krop)
9. Richard Etir (13:00/27:07 wins in JPN, but Tokyo International Uni. student not sure if he will race but Tokyo International student last year Vincent Yegon raced trials so maybe)
Am I missing any big names? I think Benson Kiplangat might race 10000 but either way he hasn't really shown he can close the last lap like some of the others. I also think Benard Koech who's ran 13:00 this year will be in 10000m. Kioko and Kurgat based in the US and Amos Bett maybe a level down. Samuel Kibathi hasn't raced for a while after his promising XC season.
1. Nicholas Kimeli (wildcard, racing 10000 at trials?)
2. Jacob Krop
3. Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (might be just 10000 or both like last year, consistent race wins even if not super fast)
4. Levy Kibet
5. Emmanuel Kiplagat (has been impressive in Japan - 3:39/13:00/27:07 recently, maybe races 10000 though)
6. Ismael Kipkurui
7. Cornelius Kemboi (not great in Oslo but can close well like last year trials and Huelva)
8. Michael Temoi (I think a lot of potential with 13:01 18 years old - training partner of Krop)
9. Richard Etir (13:00/27:07 wins in JPN, but Tokyo International Uni. student not sure if he will race but Tokyo International student last year Vincent Yegon raced trials so maybe)
Am I missing any big names? I think Benson Kiplangat might race 10000 but either way he hasn't really shown he can close the last lap like some of the others. I also think Benard Koech who's ran 13:00 this year will be in 10000m. Kioko and Kurgat based in the US and Amos Bett maybe a level down. Samuel Kibathi hasn't raced for a while after his promising XC season.
I think you've pretty much nailed it. I think Amos Bett might end up factoring in a slower race. I'd think after Ebenyo's series of success on the roads and at 10,000m, he might opt to run that. That being said, the 10,000 is probably more firmly established with 2 likely spots for Kandie and Sawe barring disaster. That leaves one for the Simiyu, Kiplagat, Weldon Langat, Zakayo et al. group
1. Nicholas Kimeli (wildcard, racing 10000 at trials?)
2. Jacob Krop
3. Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (might be just 10000 or both like last year, consistent race wins even if not super fast)
4. Levy Kibet
5. Emmanuel Kiplagat (has been impressive in Japan - 3:39/13:00/27:07 recently, maybe races 10000 though)
6. Ismael Kipkurui
7. Cornelius Kemboi (not great in Oslo but can close well like last year trials and Huelva)
8. Michael Temoi (I think a lot of potential with 13:01 18 years old - training partner of Krop)
9. Richard Etir (13:00/27:07 wins in JPN, but Tokyo International Uni. student not sure if he will race but Tokyo International student last year Vincent Yegon raced trials so maybe)
Am I missing any big names? I think Benson Kiplangat might race 10000 but either way he hasn't really shown he can close the last lap like some of the others. I also think Benard Koech who's ran 13:00 this year will be in 10000m. Kioko and Kurgat based in the US and Amos Bett maybe a level down. Samuel Kibathi hasn't raced for a while after his promising XC season.
I think you've pretty much nailed it. I think Amos Bett might end up factoring in a slower race. I'd think after Ebenyo's series of success on the roads and at 10,000m, he might opt to run that. That being said, the 10,000 is probably more firmly established with 2 likely spots for Kandie and Sawe barring disaster. That leaves one for the Simiyu, Kiplagat, Weldon Langat, Zakayo et al. group
Yeah 10000 is really interesting as you say Kandie and Sawe have been racing really well recently. There's the question marks of whom will actually be racing the distance but looks very competitive too. Mateiko for me despite having not raced for a while also has a good chance, seems very strong but lacks a strong kick. Then there's Waithaka and not sure what's going on with Rodgers Kwemoi this year but it'll be fascinating.
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be watching. Komen finally got his WA profile (nothing there yet, obviously). It'll take a couple of years of experience on the circuit for him and Kipkirui before they can get used to racing the big boys. I feel like Reynold Cheruiyot has a leg up on both currently and could be a medal contender in his event as early as next year. It might take a full Olympic cycle for Komen and Kipkurui to get there given worldwide depth.
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be watching. Komen finally got his WA profile (nothing there yet, obviously). It'll take a couple of years of experience on the circuit for him and Kipkirui before they can get used to racing the big boys. I feel like Reynold Cheruiyot has a leg up on both currently and could be a medal contender in his event as early as next year. It might take a full Olympic cycle for Komen and Kipkurui to get there given worldwide depth.
I've also seen him on the entry list for the Poznań Memoriał Czesława Cybulskiego meet in Poland also on Sunday. I feel like he will be there now because that is an updating start list by the looks of thing not a PDF. Either way though I'm looking forward to him racing.
Also previously mentioned Aron Kemei is racing in Germany today.
Die Leichtathletik-Familie blickt am Samstag nach Dessau wo das 25. Anhalt-Meeting steigt. 140 Athletinnen und Athleten haben sich angesagt, auch Sprinterin ...
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be watching. Komen finally got his WA profile (nothing there yet, obviously). It'll take a couple of years of experience on the circuit for him and Kipkirui before they can get used to racing the big boys. I feel like Reynold Cheruiyot has a leg up on both currently and could be a medal contender in his event as early as next year. It might take a full Olympic cycle for Komen and Kipkurui to get there given worldwide depth.
I've also seen him on the entry list for the Poznań Memoriał Czesława Cybulskiego meet in Poland also on Sunday. I feel like he will be there now because that is an updating start list by the looks of thing not a PDF. Either way though I'm looking forward to him racing.
Also previously mentioned Aron Kemei is racing in Germany today.
Reynold Cheruiyot PBs with a 3:31.60. Pacing was sub-optimal, around 55/57mid/58mid/40.9 for Reynold and he led from 950-1500. Held off a hard-charging Nader in a kick with both dropping the field. This was another top effort, and he looks 3:30 or even 3:29 capable if he can get into Lausanne.
Nice runs by both Komen and Cheruiyot, looks like Komen got a deal with Nike and is another (along with Munguti, Etiang, Keter) athlete who could be right there if one of the top three falters. Still view Cheruiyot, Cheruiyot and Kipsang ahead but maybe the gap is closing slightly or more guys are coming into the conversation. Wonder if Komen or R. Cheruiyot will have another race in Europe soon and who will be at Kenyan National Champs this week
Nice runs by both Komen and Cheruiyot, looks like Komen got a deal with Nike and is another (along with Munguti, Etiang, Keter) athlete who could be right there if one of the top three falters. Still view Cheruiyot, Cheruiyot and Kipsang ahead but maybe the gap is closing slightly or more guys are coming into the conversation. Wonder if Komen or R. Cheruiyot will have another race in Europe soon and who will be at Kenyan National Champs this week
Yeah hopeful that one or both will opt to run in Lausanne and/or Ostrava instead of opting to return to Kenya for that meet. It doesn't look like the 1500 at Kenyan Champs will be particularly strong, whereas Lausanne has Jakob, Girma, Tim, Wightman and maybe Katir. Ostrava has Girma at least, and it sounds like he is chasing sub-3:30.
In his first race abroad too. Here I was waiting for him at the meet in Nancy (won by Reynold) but he didn't show up. Oh, the Kenyan 1500 trials will be a trip.
The management agency that signed him is Elite Running Team. They are usually pretty transparent about their athletes, so hope we can learn more about him and his upcoming competitions.
Kelvin Kimutai in the 800. I thought he was running at Kenyan champs but I suppose he could be running both. This would be his first overseas race.
1500: Elijah Manangoi and Brian Komen. The field is huge (21 + 2 pacemakers). It would behoove everyone if the races goes out in 55-1:52 type tempo with Girma keeping the pace going. He should be able to outclass everyone in that fashion. If it bunches, the race could get messy and slow.
Lastly Kenyan Champs-wise, far from exhaustive but here're notable athletes I saw in competition:
800: Kemei, Kinyamal, Tim Cheruiyot, Tuwei, Collins Kipruto (did not see Kelvin Kimutai) 1500: Reynold, Keter, Munguti, Kiprugut, George Manangoi, Elijah Manangoi, Simotwo (did not see B. Komen, Etiang or Kipsang) 5000: Simiyu
