Some of the latest news from the world of the sport, including dates for international events to be held in the UK and stats from the Berlin Marathon
Key dates confirmed
British Athletics has confirmed key dates of international events.
During the indoor season, the British Trials in Sheffield will take place on February 11-12, while the Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham – which forms part of IAAF World Indoor Tour – is on February 18.
Outdoors the British Trials run from June 30 to July 2 in Birmingham, while the London Anniversary Games is on July 9 and the Grand Prix Birmingham on August 20, with both of those events again part of the IAAF Diamond League series.
Berlin Marathon stats
After the Berlin Marathon, the top 10 performance average for the event is 2:03:35, nearly one minute better than the top 10 average (2:04:34) for London. Also 2016 is the top year for marathon running, the top five performance average is 2:03:31 and top 10 performance average is 2:04:18, both the best ever.
Wilson Kipsang now has three sub-2:04 and six sub-2:05 performances, the most in history. He also has six sub-2:06 which ties with Eliud Kipchoge. The top five performance average for Kipsang is now 2:03:54, the best in history.
Aberu Kebede now has four sub-2:21 performances, second only to Paula Radcliffe who has five.
Stats by Ken Nakamura.
Bekele eyes Worlds marathon
Kenenisa Bekele, winner of Sunday’s Berlin Marathon in 2:03:03, is aiming to compete in the marathon at the World Championships in London next year, informs organisers.
“If the federation select me, I’ll run the World Championships in London,” he said.
Bekele wasn’t selected for the Olympics despite finishing third in the London Marathon in April but his agent Jos Hermens believes Bekele could still be a factor at the 2020 Olympics.
“In 2020 Kenenisa will be 38 – why not? You should never give up. I see a career as being like a candle which, of course, at some stage goes out. But in recent years Kenenisa’s has not been burning much,” he said.
Bekele said his training for the Berlin Marathon went well but he “must make a couple of changes in training” in order to attack the world record of 2:02:57.
Amsterdam Marathon
Bernard Kipyego will be aiming to claim his third successive Amsterdam Marathon title on October 16, informs organisers.
Kipyego also hopes to break the course record of 2:05:36 held by Wilson Chebet, who is looking to claim a fourth title after winning in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The line-up also includes former Chicago Marathon runner-up Sammy Kitwara and Ethiopia’s Dino Sefer who has already won the Barcelona and Ottawa Marathons this year.
‘Around-Taihu’ multi-day race walking competition
The second day of the international four-stage walking race ‘Around Lake Taihu’ saw Colombian Eider Arevalo winning the 10km in 39:53 ahead of Olympic medallist Dane Bird-Smith with 40:11 and Bian Tongda with 40:48.
In the women’s event Chinese 2012 Olympic medallist Qieyang Shenjie won in 44:07, beating Brazilian record-holder Erica de Sena’s 44:35 and Spain’s Beatriz Pascual with 44:46. Information from marciadelmondo.
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