Race Report for Iten Safaricom Run 2014: Early on Saturday morning, Franco set off on a 7km warm-up, in true Kenyan style, down the valley to the start of the race. Feeling less energetic, I shortly followed on a pikpiki. By 8:20am (10min before advertised race start time) there was only one other runner. We approached a steward who informed us that the race would probably start at 10am.... After an hour of lazing in the sun by the maize fields a respectable crowd had arrived. A person of some authority ordered the men to move out of the way and the womens race started. As with the previous 10K, it was a vicious start. Many ended up on the floor and others were walking by 1K, I opted for the slow and steady completes the race approach. The mens start must have been a similar affair as the mop-up bus was full when it passed. It was a challenging course to say the least. One long relentless hill with over 150m elevation gain, at high altitude, with a headwind, on an unclosed road. Thankfully we were without rain. I found myself running the majority of the race with a (slow) Kenyan and an American, I was grateful for some company as I had anticipated being alone. Around 6km I hit the wall (a steeper section) and they overtook me. Around 8km I passed the gates of Iten and had fab support from fellow HATC guests, some locals shouting mzungu, mzungu, wake up your legs mzungu and Lornah Kiplagat. It clearly worked as I worked my way back to the front of my competition! I finished in just over 45mins, 84th female and 2nd female mzungu (out of 4). Franco had a good race, starting slowly and progressively increasing his pace. He had a spot of luck meeting a Kenyan who paced him at Eldoret and ran with him until 7km when the other chap spurred him on to overtake the guys in front and finish strong. He clearly gave it his all as I was holding him upright at the line! Afterwards there was a great atmosphere with locals gathering and music playing. We bumped into Lornah who said you looked strong by the police station (yes yes yes!) and Wilson Kipsang, who recognised Franco from the track and wore RR colours. SuperSport TV interviewed us after Wilson and Lornah. Roundhay Runners are officially on the international athletics map! Happy running, Laura
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 16:15:46 +0000
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