2014 - KENYA ATHLETICS REVIEW MENS 10 000M Powered By: https://twitter/Kip3vans This year numbers reinforce the fact that the 10 000m is becoming an “uncommon event” as it is almost not held any more at the top-competitive level. “Almost” because only 1 Diamond League race was held over the distance this year and only 9 runners broke 27:30 & 20 runners broke 28:00 (Lowest since 2005). Because of this lack of top-competitive races, Japan-based runners are mostly running the event and playing a big part in this year Top rankings (7 of them being ranked among the Top 10). Moreover, the lack of races possibilities for non-Japan based runners makes 2014 worst than 2013. Statistically, while the top is getting a bit better from a year to another, the middle and back of the pack are going down. On a special note and in total opposition to the global trend - a very positive thing to note for the event - the 10 000m is still widely held in Kenya. In 2014, aside of all the Institutions, Provinces or County Championship, every track weekend meeting had a 10 000m in its program! In the front ranks, 3 runners ran a Sub-27:00 with World Championship bronze medallist Paul Tanui taking the edge over Olympic Games finalist Bedan Karoki and former NCAA star turned successful road-racer Stephen Sambu. Coming after in 4th, Africa Cross Country Champion Leonard Barsoton leads a group of six others Sub-27:30 runners. 26:51 runner Emmanuel Bett is 5th while a debut in July from Nyahururu & newly Japan-based James Mwangi was enough to secure him a 6th place overall. Others Japan-based athletes William Malel, Edward Waweru and Jeremiah Karemi are claiming the following spots. Former African and National Champion Kenneth Kipkemoi is concluding this year Top 10. Out of the National Top 10 this year are: Josphat Bett, Vincent Chepkok and Patrick Mutunga. New in the National Top 10 this year are: William Malel, James Mwangi and Stephen Sambu, all making their first ever appearance in the National Top rankings. As said above 7 out of 10 individuals are based half of the year in Japan. Considering their base in Kenya, Nyahururu is leading with 3 representatives ahead of Iten/Eldoret with 2 representatives, while Kaptagat, Kericho and Sotik all have one individual. USA is also represented by one individual based in the country. Lastly, 5 runners from the National Top 10 appeared in the only Diamond League 10 000m of the season in Eugene (USA). They were: Paul Tanui, Bedan Karoki, Stephen Sambu, Emmanuel Bett and Kenneth Kipkemoi. Other “interesting” facts: - Josphat Bett became the 5th Kenyan to win a bronze medal at the African Championship. - Josphat Bett the 7th Kenyan to win a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. - Edward Cheserek the 12th Kenyan to win the NCAA Championship. In terms of numbers for Kenyan men, 2014 is: - 9 World Top 10 - 3 Sub-27:00, 9 Sub-27:30, 20 Sub-28:00, - 46 Sub-28:30, 71 Sub-29:00 - Bedan Karoki and Stephen Sambu became the 32nd & 33rd Kenyan to run a Sub-27:00. - Leonard Barsoton became the 93rd Kenyan to run a Sub-27:30. - Joseph Kamathi became the 210th Kenyan to run a Sub-28:00. ~ Kip Evans
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:11:23 +0000
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