Ezekiel Kemboi

"First of all, I had a very good race. Berlin has to be a special place, because I won silver in Paris, silver in Helsinki, silver in Osaka, and this year gold. I was tired of silver!"

[The hair style?]

"A friend of mine asked what I want to prepare for today, if I should paint my nails. But then we cut the hair and on the back side we shaved out the sign of Nike - my sponsor. Tomorrow I go back to Kenya to prepare for Zurich and there I'll shave my head again."

There is no American in steeple, there are sprinters in Jamaica. In Kenya you cannot do long jump, but if a Jamaican comes to steeple he would be number 1000 in the world and we were number 1000 in sprints.

It's what makes this stadium unique and so different to the others that makes it special. The history, but also the aesthetics make it an inspiring place to be, as an athlete or as a spectator.

Richard Mateelong

It was very fast, very tough. I won bronze before and now I did a step ahead to silver. I'm very happy - silver and personal best. My friend has to be ready to defend!

[Why the steeple?]

It is famous in Kenya and I saw this interesting race and I knew this is what I wanted to do.

Bouabdellah Tahri

I was close to silver. My focus was to finish in the top three. I wanted to run the first laps relaxed. The last round was very hard. I finished with a European record. It is a great day for me.

I worked a lot, advanced my technique at the obstacle [Tahri jumps higher over the steeples than others]. But overall I'm really happy. The last hurdle was very difficult and I was tired.



 

Share on Facebook
 

'Hills are speedword in disguise '
Frank Shorter

Vili runner's tribe interview - Berlin World Champs

The Willandra cross country course in Nowra has hosted three Australian championships, the first in 1992, followed by 1994 and then again in 2002. In a blast from the past, our heroes of yesteryear recall their memories of this race and the unique course.

Malcolm Norwood:

It was 1992, the year of the Barcelona Olympics, and I was in particularly good form thanks to the guidance of coach Chris Wardlaw. The Australian cross country titles were being conducted in Nowra for the first time. I was well prepared, and after inspecting the course the day before, I was impressed by its design and the challenges it would offer. The best way for me to communicate my thoughts of the course is to reflect on the race plan I implemented on the day of the race, which lead to my win.

In particular I remember that around the 2km mark there was a steep hill followed by a gentle downhill section, which reminded me of the course in Bundoora. It was here that I planned to make my move to take the lead. Other sections of the course, especially toward the start, I remember as being very tight. In these sections I planned to run as efficiently as possible and conserve my energy, and not worry too much about where I was in the pack.

On the day of the race conditions were ideal. I felt very relaxed since I had a clear plan in mind and avoided going too hard at the start, which let me avoid the jostling for a prominent position early on. By the time we reached the hill at the 2km point I was in touch with the bunch. I followed my plan to run a controlled hill surge, powering off the top and then keeping up a fast pace for as long as I could without over-exerting. By the time I reached the top of the hill, to my surprise, I was in front. At that point I surged off the hill and found myself 40m to 60m ahead. From then on I kept up a controlled pace, keeping up surges across the hill section each time I crossed it.

With my plan firmly in mind, a very well marked out track to run on, and with the race under control from early on I was able to enjoy the moment, and secure a satisfying national title. I hope you all will enjoy running on the course as much as I did, and wish you all luck in the race. I hope that some day I will be able to come back to Nowra to enjoy the atmosphere of the national cross country titles.

Shaun Creighton:

The 1992 Australian Cross Country Championships held extra interest as Mal Norwood, Pat Carroll and myself were all attempting to rebound from the disappointment of not being selected to compete in the Olympic Games in Barcelona despite all qualifying. Added to the mix were Julian Paynter fresh from winning the City to Surf and strong cross country runners Robbie O'Donnell, Wayne Larden and Rod Higgins who were all in good form.

I'd run over the Nowra course a few weeks before the race, so was aware of the infamous hill. On race day, I decided to start conservatively and try to work into a winning position late in the race. The plan was sound, but my execution of it was not. Having caught Mal Norwood at the bottom of the big hill on the final lap, I tried to break him as soon as I caught him. I gained a small lead half way up the hill, but had run out of gas by the top, giving Mal an opportunity to catch me on the crest and run away unchallenged. In hindsight, the better tactic was to wait until the crest and then make a strong run for home. I guess that's why they say hindsight is 20/20 !

Mal and I were both clearly in very good shape for this race. A few weeks later he ran 61.56 to place 16th in the World Half Marathon Championships and at the same time I took the bronze medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the World Cup in Havana.

Nowra is a terrific course and a true test of cross country running ability.

Jackie Fairweather:

Even though the first Australian X-C championships in Nowra was 17 years ago, I remember vividly that hill. The year 1992 was a bit of a breakthrough one for me with my running, resulting in me finally making my first Australian Team (for 1993 World X-C). I had started training for triathlon in early 1992 and the cross training lead to a quantum leap forward in my running performances. I came into Nowra fit, strong and confident after some recent good races and duathlon performances...

The field was very strong with some of the best runners of the era on the start line. The pace was fast from the start and there was a big group of us. But then we hit the hill and that sorted things out pretty quickly, with Kerryn McCann surging ahead and stringing us out. From there on it was survival. My diary entry from the race reads: ``Really hard race. Didn't feel like I ran well but came 6th. Should have been 3rd or 4th but wasn't aggressive, positive or tough enough. Really died but so did everyone else.'' The underlining of the word ``tough'' says it all. This is one tough course and really sorts people out. It is not enough to be fit going into a Nat X-C at Nowra, you have to be prepared for the course and prepared to be tough.

Interestingly that first year just 45sec spread the first 10 women - great close, hard racing and preparation for World X-C. Nowra is certainly a X-C course befitting a National Championship.

Wayne Larden:

I recall the 1992 Australian Cross Country Championships at Rod's farm in Nowra for a number of reasons. Firstly I remember the hills and the perfectly purpose built facility that Rod had made with love over a long period of time. I had heard of the cross country course many times before from locals and others who had been there to race. So a few of the boys who were living and training in Canberra thought we should take a reci to Nowra for the State champs immediately before the nationals.

Jules Paynter, Dave Evans and a few other loaded into the AIS camper and headed up the coast with the view of getting whatever advantage we could over the other lads coming in for nationals that year. It was a great trip and I can't recall where we all finished but we all agreed we better do a bit more hill work before nationals.

The other thing that I remember most about that first trip down to Rod's farm was the awesome hospitality. I couldn't recall a State Championship like it with home baked goodies, tea and coffee for everyone. We were all really warmly received by Nowra and we all went back to Canberra raving about the course and event.

So with a month or two of intense hill training we headed back to Nowra for nationals were an awesome field lined up to tackle Rod's hills for the first ever National Cross Country title at the venue.

Once again the baked goodies, tea, coffee and warm welcome was there when we arrived although this time the atmosphere was a bit more intense with the national title up for grabs. Most of the top runners were there minus a couple and those who were there were renowned ``strong men'' so we knew we were going to be punished over the 12km course.

The configuration of the course allows 3km or 4km loops so for the open men we had 3 laps to do to make up the 12km and it was pretty well on from the start with the big man Mal Norwood leading the charge. The other part of this course that everyone who has ever run there will remember is The Hill. It probably has a name but let's just call it Dead Horse for the purpose of this article. I call it that because it reminds me of the hill climb up to Thredbo which is, according to cyclists, Australia's most punishing hill climb - and of course, it would kill a horse. It isn't a super long hill but it is so steep if it was raining too much and you had the wrong spikes on you could easily slide back down to the bottom.



Luckily for us we were prepared and didn't slide back down the hill but on the second lap when the strong men are turning the screws and decide to put the boot in just before the hill it sure felt like we were going backwards. I remember thinking I was going all right, still in contact with the main contenders approaching the second hill until big Mal started pushing the pace into the hill on lap two, up the hill then over the hill and all the way to the finish.

From there Mal strung out the field in his usual dominant fashion to take the first ever Aussie title at the farm.

The other thing which I think has been lost from running events in some ways was the fantastic party we all had together that night. I was fortunate enough to be on the organising group who co-ordinated with a local pub to ensure we all managed to get to the one place and have a good time together after the event. I really remember the great time we all had with athletes from all the different states and it is one of my fondest memories.

I hope all the competitors in this year's nationals have an equally memorable time in Nowra and I want to say congratulations to Rod and his club mates for putting on such a great event and having the ongoing passion and energy to put together what I would vote as the best national cross country I've been to.

Rob O'Donnell:

Although my memory is blurred by the 17 years that have passed since the 1992 National Cross Country Championships, held for the first time in Nowra, I do remember a few things about the race. It was and still remains famous for THAT HILL and is very suited to a good strong cross country runner as it is a true cross country course

It was was held at the farm of Rod Gibbs ( a previous manager of traveling Australian teams) and presented a very challenging course. Victoria had a very strong team and back then the National Title was the most direct path into the Australian team for the world cross country championships so we were all keen to perform well.

I remember the course most for the very steep hill of about 200m out the back before disappearing from the spectators' eyes through some trees and re-appearing to run down the steep other side of the hill. Ironically the downhill was where a lot of race winning breaks were established. Letting go down the hill before taking a sharp left hand turn at the bottom at which point there was maybe 1.5 km to go, was very important.

Shaun Creighton and Malcolm Norwood had a titanic battle for first place while a few of us battled for the bronze medal eventually won by Pat Carroll when he ran away from me in the last 1 km. It was also the first time I became aware of Kerryn Hindmarsh- McCann who ran away with the women's race starting what was to become a great career.

Tania Turney:

I remember Nowra being a pretty tough course with the hills. I also remember running in at the end with Jenny Lund. I have never liked sprint finishes and she just got past me on the line. For a cross country course it is hard but that is what cross country should be.

AUSTRALIAN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 1992 Nowra 29th August
12KM
1 Malcolm Norwood Vic 36.37.0
2 Shaun Creighton Vic 36.46.0
3 Pat Carroll Qld 37.02.0
4 Rob O'Donnell Vic 37.10.0
5 Wayne Larden ACT 37.23.0
6 Rod Higgins ACT 37.33.0
7 Julian Paynter Vic 37.51.0
8 Jason Cameron New Zealand 38.03.0
9 Paul Arthur NSW 38.15.0


TEAMS
1 Victoria 14 pts
2 ACT 36 pts
3 NSW 52 pts
4 Queensland 57 pts
5 New Zealand 60 pts
6 Tasmania 81 pts


WOMEN
6KM
1 Kerryn Hindmarsh-McCann NSW 21.15.0
2 Sue Malaxos WA 21.28.0
3 Sue Mahony NSW 21.37.0
4 Jenny Green-Lund Qld 21.38.0
5 Tania Turney Vic 21.38.0
6 Jackie Gallagher-Fairweather Qld 21.47.0
7 Carole Connolly Qld 21.51.0
8 Glenys Kroon New Zealand 21.54.0
9 Maryann Murray Tas 21.59.0


TEAMS
1 NSW 19 pts
2 Queensland 22 pts
3 Victoria 37 pts
4 ACT 58 pts


Compiled and edited by David Tarbotton and Ron Bendall for Athletics NSW

Results courtesy of

Share on Facebook

Introducing the Runners Tribe Trailwalker team



Most of you will already be familiar with the Oxfam Trailwalker event. It's a 100 kmrunning race held in Sydney and Melbourne on an annual basis to raise money for the Oxfam charity. The Sydney event will be held this August on the 29th from Brooklynon the Hawkesbury to Mosman on Sydney Harbour.

Runners Tribe has entered a team this year consisting of three guys and a girl.Here is the team:- Janelle Burgmann: Nationally ranked marathoner in her day...2:42 at Boston a few years back...tough as nails. Tell her which direction to run and she willgo allday...just don't let her navigate!- Andrew Knox: Handy 10km runner a couple of years back (30:25). From the Sean Williams mold...."can I run this thing bare foot?" Andrew ran for Randwick Botany and did well in the 2007 ANSW winter distance series.- Richard High: Well known for his range. Recent ironman, multiple marathons and fun runner in the Sydney Striders colours. Did 1.56 for 800m as a 16 year old!- John Suter: ING executive and very experienced campaigner. Has developed a love for trekking....last couple of years includes climbs of Mount Kilimanjaro,Himilayasand just back from Alaska fighting grizzlies for the best tasting tuna...inspiring stuff!

This foursome met just over 10 years ago when they decided to run from Melbourne to Sydney to raise money for Spinal research. This year's Trailwalker marks the 10th anniversary so they just had to give this a go. Their goal is a top 3 finish in the general classification. We will keep you posted on their progress and askthe guysfor a post race report.

The team is hoping to raise $5,000 so any amount you Tribers can spare would be greatly appreciated. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Your money will help some of the world's poorest people.

 

Share on Facebook
 

'Hills are speedword in disguise '
Frank Shorter

Runner's Tribe is pleased to announce that we will soon be launching our first athlete sponsorship program. We are very happy that we are now in the position to develop such programs and are positive that, in our own way, we are doing our part towards the development of this great sport.

This exciting development would not be possible without the generous support of New Balance, the major support sponsors to The Runner's Tribe.

There are 5 spots up for grabs; we encourage all athletes to lodge an application, no matter your age or events.

The sponsorship package will consist of a large amount of product (both shoes and apparel) as well as regular media exposure on Runnerstribe.

At this stage, only Australian applicants will be considered. The intial contract period will be 12 months.

We kindly ask for interested athletes to email their applications to:

info@runnerstribe.com

Please make sure that the application contains the following content:

Name:
Age:
Location of Residence
Coach (if you have one):
School you attended/or are still attending:
Events:
Personal Bests:
Race performances/highlights:
Job (if applicable):
Who currently pays for your gear (e.g., family member, yourself)?:
Ambitions:
A minimum of two referees'.
 

All applications must come with a 250 (maximum) word summary of why you think you deserve sponsorship.

Applications close at 5pm, Friday the 24th of April, so be quick.

Regards,

The Runner's Tribe Team

'My long term goal is to mix it with the world's greatest runners. '
Josh Johnson

1500m - Gaz De France Golden League

Has Sammy Wanjiru changed the conventional template for running a championship marathon?

The question must be asked after yesterday's world championship marathon emulated Wanjiru's audacious run to Olympic gold last year in Beijing with Abel Kirui and his Kenyan teammates taking control of the race at breakneck speed from start to finish.

Normally I don't like to talk about the people who are not at a championships, especially marathoners who opt for the big city, big money marathons over testing themselves against the world's best. But Steve Moneghetti declared Wanjiru's the greatest marathon run ever last August and now, 12 months later, Kirui has followed the same pattern to a world championships gold medal.

Statistically, the case is compelling. Kirui's winning time yesterday _ two hours six minutes 54 seconds _ is the second fastest men's championships time ever. The fastest is Wanjiru's 2:06:32 on the hot streets of Beijing.

Kirui broke the previous championship record set by Jaouad Gharib in Paris in 2003 by almost two minutes. Behind Kirui, three others broke two hours nine minutes _ silver medallist Emannuel Mutai of Kenya, bronze medallist Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia and Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya. Six men _ two more than yesterday _ ran sub-2:10 in Paris 2003, but only two, Gharib and silver medallist Julio Rey of Spain, wen under 2:09.

Kirui, Mutai and Cheruiyout, helped by a second Ethiopian, Deriba Merga, carried the lion's share of the pacing load in Berlin. Merga was also a central figure for most of the Olympic marathon. How he must hate his teammate Kebede. In Beijing he passed Merga on the track to grab the bronze; here he came through him in the last 5k, though Merga was in such a bad way by then that he failed to finish.

Merga showed ahead at the first two 5k splits, but from then on it was either Kirui or Mutai, and from 30k on, Kirui.

It is exciting to think that two championships in a row have now brought a men's race run in exhilarating manner. No doubt we will see a return to conservatism sometime in the future, but for the moment let's just sit back and relish this mad, mad new world order.

Scott Westcott got burned following the early pace, but he helped Martin Dent, Andrew Letherby and Mark Tucker to pack together through 30k as Australia finished eighth of 15 teams in the marathon World Cup. With top 8s hard as ever to come by at the world champs, let's not overlook this one.

Like Abel Kirui, Steve Hooker was committed to a course of action which would lead either to death, or to glory. Like Kirui, his boldness was rewarded with a gold medal in the pole vault.

Leading in to Berlin, Hooker's ambition was to secure a world championships medal to go with his Olympic gold. But last Monday week, he suffered a grade one strain to a groin muscle. Then commenced a race against time to get fit.

It looked all over when Hooker qualified with one jump at 5.65 on Thursday. He crashed to the bag and could barely walk after that effort. The soreness settled, and he embarked on an audacious strategy of taking only one jump in the final in the hope that would suffice for a medal.

Hooker came in at 5.85. He all but cleared the height, just tickling the bar off as he went over. He was shattered but, to his surprise, found enough energy to take one more at the next height of 5.90. to a mighty roar, he cleared it and it stood up for gold.

Two jumps for a world championships gold medal. It has been done only once before by _ guess who? _ Sergey Bubka, in Rome in 1987.

ends


 

Len Johnson was The Melbourne Age athletics writer for over 20 years, covering five Olympics, 10 world championships and five Commonwealth Games. He is the author of The Landy Era, From Nowhere to the Top of the World, and a former national class distance runner (2.19.32 marathon) who trained with Chris Wardlaw and Robert de Castella.