In recent news, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has taken the decision to provisionally suspend nine athletes, including four from Kenya, over allegations of doping. Purity Komen, the reigning champion of the Istanbul Half Marathon, is among those facing temporary suspension due to the presence of a Prohibited Substance (Norandrosterone) in her system and suspicions of evading sample collection.
New York, NY – Hellen Obiri of Kenya left a lasting impression in the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, claiming victory with an awe-inspiring final mile of 4 minutes and 52 seconds, narrowly besting Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey. Obiri completed the marathon in 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 23 seconds. This year's race was distinguished by a slow start, resulting in Obiri's winning time becoming the slowest in 13 years. The elite women's field remained tightly packed for the initial 10 kilometers.
New York - In a remarkable display of talent and determination, Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola, the reigning world champion from 2022, clinched a resounding victory at the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon. Tola's triumph was nothing short of extraordinary as he not only claimed the top spot but also shattered the longstanding course record, finishing in an impressive 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 58 seconds. This remarkable feat erased the previous record of 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 6 seconds, set by Geoffrey Mutai back in 2011. Tola's victory was accentuated by near-ideal running conditions on the day, with a temperature of 52 degrees, clear skies, and a gentle 2 mph breeze at the starting line.
NEW YORK — In a captivating display of athletic prowess, Morgan Beadlescomb secured a remarkable victory at the US 5K Road Championships held in Central Park, with an impressive time of 13:44. This win marked Beadlescomb's second consecutive triumph in a major 5K road race, following his first victory just seven months ago at the B.A.A. 5K in Boston. The victory also underlined the success of Beadlescomb's Very Nice Track Club, which recently celebrated teammate Hobbs Kessler's road mile world title in Latvia.
Dublin, Ireland – The Dublin Marathon bore witness to an exhilarating display of athleticism, with Belfast's Stephen Scullion securing a commendable third-place finish in the men's category. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Ethiopian runner Kemal Husen's impressive victory, where he not only claimed first place but also established a new course record by crossing the finish line in an astonishing two hours, six minutes, and 52 seconds. This remarkable feat shattered the previous record, held since 2019 by Othmane El Goumri, by an impressive one minute and 14 seconds.
In a stunning performance that underscored his dominance, Brimin Misoi from Kenya claimed his second consecutive victory at the prestigious Frankfurt Marathon, held in the heart of Germany this past Sunday. Misoi's superb demonstration of skill showcased his unrivaled command of the competition.
Valencia, Spain - In a riveting exhibition of skill and determination, Kibiwott Kandie clinched victory in the men's category of the esteemed Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich on a balmy Sunday. With perfect weather gracing the event - a comfortable 15°C at the starting line and nary a breath of wind - Kandie, a former world record-holder, delivered a remarkable performance by crossing the finish line at an astounding 57:40. This secured his third win in Valencia while fending off some tough competition.
In a startling development, Titus Ekiru, a highly-acclaimed marathon champion, has been slapped with a ten-year suspension from the world of athletics due to his involvement in a major doping controversy. Ekiru, widely acknowledged as the sixth-fastest marathon runner in history, found himself embroiled in a precarious situation after failing two separate urine tests for banned substances in 2021, coinciding with his triumphs in the Milan and Abu Dhabi Marathons.
It's been an eventful four-year interval since the internationally renowned marathon sensation, Eliud Kipchoge, graced the bustling streets of Shanghai. Hailing from Kenya and a double Olympic gold medalist, Kipchoge is universally acclaimed as the preeminent marathon runner of our era. He continues to display unwavering dedication in his mission to disseminate the ardor for running and engage with local running enthusiasts.
The contest for medals at the sharp end of the 40th edition of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon on October 29 promises both exciting and fast competition. Last year’s men’s champion Brimin Misoi renews his rivalry with runner-up Samwel Mailu, the latter arriving in Frankfurt with recent outstanding form. Among the challengers to both Kenyans should be Guye Adola. The Ethiopian has a personal best of 2:03:46 which makes him among the fastest ever lining up for the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon.
