DUBAIMARATHON...CONSIDERATIONS with GIANNI DEMADONNA and RENATO CANOVA

WASHINGTON POST has the news already online!!Here up u find official results of this incredible race!!I will try to write my first considerations and during the day i will update this post!!

Tactically was a race normale with a pace pushed very hard since the beginning.In men race a very good job till 28km for 3 pacers Keitany,Kurgat and Kyieng.Martin Lel never in race and often too close and far from the top as a sign of a not right day!!It was known ethiopians had pushed harder for the time first of all as 3 fastest of spring will go to London Olympics and they do it!!

Out of race also Deriba Merga,well done by Marcos Geneti who made a big firs selection but in my opinion was impressive the gap created by Abshero in few meters to go for the triumph!

The first statistics says Dubai become the fourth fastest course in the world after the majors:i had saw the race and i am agree:it was very very fast

Curious during the day to see intermediate times about race:in my opinion very strong last 5km!!...around 30k the predicted time was around 2h05 or something a bit more!!

Very well done by Jonathan Mayo:coach Canova spoke me about this guy around 2h07 and he went under 2h05:second was also a guy unknown...i know also coached by Canova :during the day i will probably know more about him!!

If the season is opened with similar results...i don't want to know what can happens in next months!!

During the day i will speak more about an astonishing women race:complete podium under 2h20!!!!!..what else??

Coach Canova spoke me also his girls but i don't believe something like this morning in Dubai.......

During the day i have received the contributes of two important men in athletics-world as manager DeMadonna and coach Canova..Their Exclusive opinions only on my blog:

MANAGER GIANNI DEMADONNA (top two women in dubaimarathon and second in men):

"To do fast times we need fantastic weather conditions and a good course and today we had both:13°c at the start and 14°c at finish with a very fast course with only one corner at 18km when u came back near the sea.But this is not enough to explain these fast times:if u look the past of every athlete in the top,we saw guys with a big talent.Abshero was junior world champion cross country and last year 59'42 on the half.My athlete Dino Sefir, the second, has PB on halfmarathon also around 59'40 and last year was able to run 2h10'33 in marathon at Ottawa without specific trainings for marathon.Behind these not forger Marcos Geneti running around 2h06 last year in Los Angeles at the debut.2012 is started with fireworks if u look Tiberias Marathon and Houston 2 weeks ago.I am not so much surprised about this kind of future because now in Kenya and Ethiopia we have hundreds of athletes running for living assisted well by managers,something never existed before.I have here a staff,in Kenya in my camp we have everything:pacers for women,medical assistance for every health problems and principally coaches who train them with new ideas only dreamed by them years ago(my special thanks to Renato Canova and Gabriele Nicola for coaching-work).These factors are all important but you don't have to forget one thing:with few races on track,for guys with around 27' on 10k is easier decide to run a marathon.This kind of jump to marathon in men is done,still a couple of year to let women to understand the same idea!

Speaking about Lucy Kabuu,the real surprise of the day,we are coaching her since last 6 months and managing by2..having 14'35 and 30'30 as PB with her mind and with our training-programs created during the years trying also new solutions...it is easy to reach these kind of goals.

Speaking about race:men pace very regular with a predicted time of 2h05 and with very fast km in the finish.Women through 69'40 at half and still 7 women on the panel of 30km.Last 4km with Kabuu pushing till last km with Mergia as 800m runner (she is with us since the beginning of her career) controlling the revenge of an incredible Kabuu.Lucy in my opinion must be member of Olympics team and the other girls must answer her in London..having run in January she will be more relaxed than the others".

COACH RENATO CANOVA:

"My opinion about a race that confirmed the marathon-world is really changing.Men race developed very fast without big gaps on the pace:62'20 at half with 23 guys all together.By pacing of Geneti and Abshero at 30km time was 1h29'04 but only 9 guys:kenyan Mayo and all ethiopians.Reduced in 5 at 35km by an increasing on the pace of Tola.Impressive was Abshero from panel of 40k:last 2195m in 6'07..never seen a so fast finish in marathon..he run at 2'45" last chilometers!!!

With a PB of 13'11 Ayele is still very young and could be the future of marathon with some famous kenyans.Behind him an astonishing sprint between Dino Sefir,Marcos Geneti and Jonathan Mayo:Sefir and Mayo are members of my group:during our preview we spoke about them but honestly i can't predict similar times...happy for them!

Something incredible today...very fast race..Stephen Kibiwott was 15th with 2h08'11:a fantastic race with 4 under 2h05,8 under 2h06' and 10 under 2h07'....

In the women-race we had for the first-time 3 women under 2h20' and 5 under 2h21'.I can follow the race on motorcycle so i can check every km and can give you extact times.The start was very fast with a following slowdown.The first 5k were reached by a group of 13 in 16'43 then,by an order of Lucy Kabuu,the pacers pushed up the pace to 3'17at km to go through 10k in 33'06.All together with the same pace,the 9 top classfied at the end went through 15k (49'40) 20k (66'06) and half in 1h09'42".At 23k Mamitu Daska went back to have 8 together at 25k (1h22'40).At 30k (1h39'18) went back Sharon Cherop and ethiopian Atsede Baysa seems to have problems.Also Lydia Cheromei showed some problems (stomach problems before the start) and she lost meters with Bizunesh Bekele at 35k (1h55'40").At this time were in four for the triumph:Lucy Kabuu who gave a big push to the pace,Aselefech Mergia very relaxed,Mare Dibaba and Aberu Kebede who lost suddenly meters at 38k.Very exciting the finish when Mergia,800m still to run,started as a track-runner:there was a Kabuu-reaction but impossibile to close gap on the ethiopian.Very fast the last 2195m for them:7'04 for Mergia and 7'07 for Kabuu.PB for all the top six classfied and a great satisfaction for me who has seen Mergia improvement (for the first time under 2h20'),Aberu from 2h23'48" to 2h20'33 and Lydia Cheromei (despite stomach problems) from 2h22'13 to 2h21'30 and verified the huge potential of Lucy Kabuu,probably the new star of the future!".

STATISTICS AFTER DUBAIMARATHON

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VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON IN KENYA

Virgin London Marathon was in Kenya last weekend to present its 2012 men-race and something more:in my opinion a good idea to improve the name of this incredible marathon in the home of so amazing talents of running.

It must be remembered partnership with Uk Athletics Endurance to let british top athletes train in Iten In High Altitude Center like Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe.

10 male athletes have a PB under 2h05'30 and 10 female athletes under 2h23' on the startingline on next 22th April:what else can u say about this marathon?probably easier to win olympics gold..:)))

I suggested for an interesting reading this post of REALBUZZ who made a good recap about all story.

Very nice idea the wall of fame with painting of the best kenyans winner in LondonMarathon,also Samuel Wanjiru:About this u could read on today NATION.

Excited to wait for 22th April!!

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DUBAIMARATHON 2012..My PREVIEW!!...THANKS TO RENATO CANOVA

It will be still night all around Europe when in Dubai thousands athletes will be at the start line of DubaiMarathon,the first important marathon of this new season.Race start for elite men and women will be at 3am GMT and the race will be broadcasted by Dubai Sports Channel (i will probably be able to have livestreaming link).

MEN:

In my famous video-interview,Coach Renato Canova spoke about a new era of marathon and still many surprises in 2012 starting from DubaiMarathon so i decided to contact him again and ask his opinion about this incoming race

"Men race will have surely two big names in Martin Lel and Deriba Merga" Renato Canova opens our chat with these words "I have spoke with Martin yesterday at LondonMarathon presentation in Iten and he says to feel in good shape and starting the race to reach his new PB on 42k.Deriba will be probably able to run around 2h05 to try to be in first three of Ethiopia and being automatically selected and qualified for Olympics".

A race so fast will have and halfmarathon time very interesting "Yes,it will asked a time around 62'30 at the half to be able to reach a similar goal".

Other two names Renato Canova suggested to us "To run a good race around 2h07,an intelligent race..i want to suggest two other guys i train named Stephen kibiwott and Jonathan Mayo:i would like for them a pace around 3'/3'01" at km to sign at half around 63'30".

Still speaking about men he want to close telling me "Many african guys will probably follow Martin and Deriba pace and in last 7-8 km it will be a disaster".

I am agree with coach Canova about two big names but,reading startinglist it will be a very exciting race with 12 guys with a pb under 2h07';last year winner David Barmasai only 14th!!!

Many new guys in this race in my opinion...it could really be a race totally to discover!!!i bet on other three names,maybe to as winners but very near to podium :Ethiopian Markos Geneti,Kenyan Gilbert Yegon (2h06'18 at the debut in Amsterdam in 2009 deleting older record of the race of an ethiopian named Haile Gebresilassie) and Elijah Keitany:personally saw him in a halfmarathon here in italy some years ago like an incredible talent able to run 2h06'41 at debut in 42k.

Few words about my preferred, Martin Lel:appeared in a good shape finishing fourth in last edition of Corrida de San Paulo Brasil,he will probably back after two difficult years injured and will try to get qualification for Olympics:as said in other post ,in my opinion he is the only able to change ideas at Kenya coaching-staff for London.

WOMEN:

Continuing my chat with Renato Canova speaking about women:"In women race i think to train leading athletes of the race.In last training Lydia Cheromei and Lucy Kabuu (at the debut) have done excellent works and our goal is to run under 2h21".I am curious to know possible pace of the girls."We are going to have a 3'20"at km like pace with the idea to improve it in the last chilometers if the weather will be fine".

World bronze medallist in Daegu Sharon Cherop could be a top contender i ask?? "Yes,she could be one of them!She is still coached by Gabriele Nicola:let me thank Gabriele Nicola public to support me in first part of training of Lucy and Lydia till november."

Speaking about ethiopians,someone also coached by Canova,one name came out his words:"Aberu Kebede is said in a very good shape and very interesting will be her race.Near her,i put my other girls Aselefech Mergia and Koren Yal."

In my opinion,reading mediaguide it will be an amazing race on women-side!! 10 girls had a PB under 2h24".Ethiopians Mamitu Daska and Mare Dibaba will be important contenders to the kenyan girls named by Canova.

My preferred in women is Lucy Kabuu:she can do really a great race after two halfs under 67'10 in last autumn.In my opinion she is the only one can also change something in women provvisional team for Olympics.

It should be really a great race that will open another incredible marathon-year!!

on friday my opinion after the race hoping to have interviews with the stars of the race!!

DOWNLOAD official Mediaguide of event

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CROSSCOUNTRY RECAP...OF THE SUNDAY

ANTRIM CROSS:

Eurochamp Fiounnalla Britton caught this important triumph with an amazing race against english Gemma Steel beaten also in Edinburgh.In a course very difficult to run and not so easy as Edinburgh,irish Britton had an incredible battle against english and only in last lap could go away and win by only 7seconds:africans very far at over 20 seconds.

On 21th editions of Antrim cross,africans won 20 and this year Mike Kigen claimed his third triumph giving 28 seconds to other kenyan Mutuga.An hard race caused by rain as in photo where Kigen and Britton had dominated the competitions being really the strongest today.

HERE you can find IAAF report and official results.

KENYA DEFENCE FORCE CHAMPS:

Sure win by Mark Kiptoo.At the age of 35 he demostrated what hard training can do.Quite forgot he came back and you have to sign also his name for the African Cross Champs.Not far from him in second position marathoner William Chebon and cross country bronze medallist Vincent Chepkok.

Sharon Cherop happy for being named in provvisional marathon team for Olympics did a great race and in last lap was incredibly able to keep behind her in an exciting sprint miler Hellen Obiri appeared in a very good shape.On IAAF u can read the results.

DISCOVERY KENYA CROSS COUNTRY:

Record of 2155 participants for cross organized from Dr.Rosa.An incredible success of races and people as tradition.Senior race dominated by Geoffrey Mutai,Mathew Kisorio,Asbel Kiprop and Wilson Kiprop with the last one able in the last lap to push very strong and catch the triumph against strong rivals.Wilson Kiprop in very good shape after have seen him in Boclassic very fast against Edwin Soi.Confortable run by Asbel Kiprop in preparation for outdoor track races in Australia next month.

In women Joyce Jepkurui did her best in last lap when she took the head in front of marathoner Priscah Jeptoo and went away very strong and fast.

William Malel Sitonik won in juniors by 11 seconds in front of Japhet Korir.

HERE the results

CROSS ELGOIBAR:

Probably in Spain the best cross of the day with finally the first race in Europe of World cross champ silver medal Paul Tanui.Tanui and the young Kipsang (winner of Seville) pushed very strong since the beginning and took early the lead with Geoffrey Kirui who left behind in third when the duo Tanui-Kipsang started in an amazing way to push harder.

At the astonishing sprint the triumph for Paul Tanui with the same time of Kipsang but they leave the young Kirui 39 SECONDS behind!!!!..fantastic!!good race in fifth position for the spanish Javier Guerra and another bad race for Leonard Komon incredibly out of race also today.

Ethiopian Wude did an easy job to win today being  the strongest before the start.Appreciated the race for kenyan Korikwiang at the second race of the season and able to catch the bronze behind the Ayalew's sisters.

The results of spanish cross are HERE

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CROSSCOUNTRY..ALL AROUND THE WORLD...PREVIEW OF THE WEEKEND

Many cross country races this weekend all around..

Let's try to make a short preview to everyone...

ANTRIM INTERNATIONAL:

In Northern Ireland this important cross with the irish Britton called as the top name by her european title.It will be interesting to see her running another time against english Gemma Steel,defeated in Velenje and also in Edinburgh.3 world junior medallists as Purity Kirui,Birtukan Adamu and Mekdes Bekele will be the leaders of african group.In men race the defender kenyan Mike Kigen must be in very good shape to wins again:he will find on the startingline Jacob Chesari and Titus Mbishei able to run under 27' last september.Don't forget Commonwealth 10k bronze medallist Joseph Birech and World Youth silver medallist Patrick Mutunga.

CROSS DI ELGOIBAR:

Another big cross this weekend in the amazing Cross de Elgoibar in the north in Basque-area.Also possible to find LIVESTREAMING sunday at 3pm GMT.In men the star will be Leonard Komon:for 3 times winner in Elgoibar will be the revenge of the bad race last sunday in Seville.Winner of Seville will be is big rival:we are speaking about Geoffrey Kipsang world cross junior champ in punta umbri one year ago.If Komon in good shape,it should be a very interesting duel.Pay attention to Geoffrey Kirui and world cross silver medal Paul Tanui.Wude Ayalew and Priscah Jepleting will be the leaders in women-race but could be surprise the other Ayalew named Hiwot,kenyan Pauline Korikwiang

LOTTO CROSS HANNUT:

A very good european cross this race in Belgium.In women race ethiopians Belete and Ruti will be faced with the kenyans Caroline Chepkwony,Brilliant KipKoech,Marta Mothu.

European Champ Atelaw Bekele will lead men-race against the best belgiums...Unknown kenyans Kipruto and David Bett will be the foreigners with ethiopians Tasama and french Benhari

DISCOVERY KENYA CROSS:

A 21th edition for the famous cross sponsored by Nike and organized every year from Dr.Rosa and his staff.In Eldoret many races during next week also to give new talents the way to demostrate their strength.

This race is also a valid test for kenyan-stars less than one month before trials for African Cross Champs.Big names in women race with the fourth of Daegu in 10k women Priscah Cherono and Mercy Cherono after triumph in Campaccio and a good place in Seville last sunday.In men ethiopians Daniel Abera and Abraham Cherkos,uganda-boys as Moses Kibet and Saegwo Kibet and many kenyans such as the young Japhet Korir and William Malel Sitonik.

all this befor an important edition of Dubaimarathon....stay tuned...i am preparing a preview of it

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GREAT EDINBURGH XCOUNTRY 2012...VIDEOS.

On 7th of january i was there!!My first cross country-race out of Italy!!An amazing experience let me discover a new way of athletics not always like in my nation!!
Very happy to visit an incredible city like Edinburgh..
Suggest everyone to run once a Great_Run race!!!
thank you guys!!

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PROVVISIONAL KENYAN TEAM OF MARATHON...SOME CONSIDERATIONS

Being a big fan of marathon,the news announced today is very important in this year and, after reading many opinions on Twitter and Facebook,it's time to make a kind or recap and say something about this question.

In my opinion it is sure that some other names will make a good race this spring will be considered and probably selected for the team but also interesting to understand who could be out.

General consideration is only one:it doesn't matter the names but with these 6 guys (3 men+3women) it will be impossible for anyone the marathons-podium in London next August!!...maybe only the best Shobukova could say something different!!

In men section telling these six names is very easy...they are the top,the strongest!!

-MOSES MOSOP:what he has done at the debut in Boston is unbelievable!!..and he confirmed in Chicago everything!!Time in Chicago was not so fast but remember he was not in good shape!!He is preparing Rotterdam now:i can't believe what can happens in that fast course!

-GEOFFREY MUTAI:Boston and New York won in that ways!!...what else!!....

-EMMANUEL MUTAI:Triumph in London with a very fast time and very good race also in New York..

-ABEL KIRUI:with two gold medals in world champs is correct put him inside in my opinion being him able to run at the top shape also champs-race..very imporant for a race as Olympics be able to not "hear" the important race in the day before and be relaxed always

-WILSON KIPSANG:he was surprise and became a star after Frankfurt where he lost WR in the last km...he will probably run in April in London and nothing is impossible for him!!

-PATRICK MAKAU:i have to admit my mistake about him....checked everything and before Berlin run incredibly fast more times.I read 59'02" in hm in Udine:i know every meters of that race..... sorry Patrick!!

Reading season-lists and twitter it will be easy to suggest names as Wilson Chebet and Vincent Kipruto...yes correct but i will not forget at the same Martin Lel,older thant other guys but if with a good shape and completely solved his health-problems,is very able to run one-against-one as in London.

Words of Isaiah Kiplagat say about a hard decision with 150 people raced the minimum..yes but with these names u can only lose the gold..

speaking about women...

Some surprises in my opinion...

Personally i don't think so easy in women and the season incoming will change something of sure!!

Edna Kiplagat ,Florence Kiplagat and Mery Keitany seem untouchable by now and i am agree!!But not sure  

it will finish with this trio in London.Priscah Jeptoo run an amazing time in Paris and then confirmed in Daegu with silver: i am waiting her improvement in spring in LondonMarathon!!Sharon Cherop run fast in Boston and then bronze in Daegu:also for her we are waiting a spring-marathon.

Lydia Cheromei should be considered a kind of captain of this team:she run 2h22 in Prague in May and the season now opening could help us to understand her real condition.

Next Friday in DubaiMarathon will make marathon-debut Lucy Kabuu:in less than two months twice under 67'10" on half...she can be the first big surprise of the season of sure and change something in the six!!

Speaking other names...Caroline Kilel first of all!!..Not in the three but i thought sure in the six:she triumph in Boston but run not so good in NY (time around 2h25 for a bad race....which time if she was ok?i can't imagine!!)

Probably someone will not be agree with my arguments but social networks help a lot to sharing every opinions an my idea for this post is right this...

Hope u like it!!

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PROVVISIONAL KENYAN OLYMPICS TEAM OF MARATHON...YOUR OPINION??

Tomorrow morning it will be announced provvisional olympics kenyan team of marathon and for us fan of athletics it will be an important news!!

So...why don't try the first post on my blog using the opinion of my followers and friends on facebook??

Social media applied to athletics...:)))

Leave me your preview or opinion...which could be your 3 selected??and why you choose these names??

Using your opinions,tomorrow in the evening i will prepare a post on my blog..

write your opinion!!

UPDATE:
HERE the official news with the names from IAAF this morning!!..waiting other opinions!!...

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MY PRESENTATION OF SEVILLE-CROSS and LIVESTREAMING LINK

This sunday there will not be only US marathon trials but in Europe the most important event will be "CROSS DE ITALICA" IAAF crosscountry in Seville (spain).

HERE u will find livestreaming of the race with a complete timetable!!(times are CET  GMT+1)

HERE the complete starting list of event (international races at page 40-41)

This is probably the best cross-country race of the year and i am going to make my personal preview speaking who could be in my opinion the best actors of both international races!!

WOMEN:

-VIVIAN CHERUYOT :Number one of contenders and probably the woman to beat!!She ran once recently in a winning BOCLASSIC (italian road race) where she appeared in good shape even if at beginning of season.She was the best athletics-woman of last year and she returns to Seville to start the same road walked last year when she won 3 world medals (cross-5k-10k).

-LINET MASAI:Obviously number two.She run and won in Atapuerca in the first cross of the year.The most elegant athlete will run in Seville to finally try to beat her friend Vivian Cheruyot.It will be hard but possible pushing strong since the middle.

-FIOUNNALA BRITTON:no european had beat her in cross this year:she is in very good shape!!She excellently catch gold in EuropeanCross champs and last saturday made an amazing triumph in GreatEdinburghRun.Very curious and interested to see her against the terrible kenyans

MERCY CHERONO: Very young but very strong:able in 2011 to run 14'35 on 5k and very improved last year!!I saw her race last friday in italian cross CAMPACCIO:an amazing run!!Very strong,always pushing and no fear again a strong athlete as Silvia Kibet:she could be the real surprise of the day

OTHERS:

The first race after health-problems for Pauline Korikwiang could tell us if she recovered completely;Piscah Jepleting appears no strong as others kenyan girls.Speaking about ethiopians it's impossible to forget Ayalew-sisters....good athletes but probably on distances longer.Italian Ejjafini and spanish Dolores Checa to complete the possible top ten

MEN:

LEONARD KOMON The king of Italica of last two years is my number one favourite for sunday:few races recently but always well!!He perfectly knows this circuit and coul do his best:let remind he is WR holder of 10k and 15k road race and preparing his first halfmarathon next march.

PAUL TANUI:This kenyan,japanese-based,let me curious...very strong on track and defending silver medal in last WorldChamps XC.Recent japanese races tell us about a good shape for him.

IMANE MERGA: World Cross Champ doesn't seem in good shape last weeks.his training is not very explosive as recently:of sure in top but not winner in my opinion.

VINCENT CHEPKOK: I liked his race in Campaccio:attention to him!!If race will become hard he will be a front-runner:only the best Edwin Soi had beaten him at Campaccio....in sprint!!..again attention to Vincent!!

AYAD LAMDASSEM: only a mistake in this season for him:in European champs when he lost gold waiting too much to close on belgian Bekele.Last saturday in GreatEdinburghRun did a very great job with a sure triumph.He was sixth in Seville last year and,even if he is preparing japanese marathon of Otsu,in my opinion he will be no far from top five.

OTHERS:

Hunegaw Mesfin a talent but another very strange season:difficult to understand his condition but always a very good athlete.Moses Kipsiro is came back?On sunday we will know but don't forget him!!! Young Geoffrey Kipsang could create troubles to some big:only 19years old but 59'31" 40 days ago in New Delhi HalfMarathon.

an astonishing race!!

MY SOUNDS FROM EDINBURGH CROSS

Asbel Kiprop after triumph in Edinburgh CrossCountry by albertostretti
Kenenisa Bekele analyzes his race and season afte Edinburgh CrossCountry by albertostretti
Irish Britton after winning Edinburgh CrossCountry by albertostretti

What and incredible day in Edinburgh...these are my sounds with the top runners of the event!!

BOCLASSIC...MY OTHER VIDEOS...

On Saturday i was in Bolzano for Boclassic and i made some videos in men-race..

Here they are:

The sprint between Soi and Kiprop

Winner Edwin Soi speaks about race and also his coach Canova gives his opinion

Imane Merga third at finish!!

Stefano Larosa...the best italian at the finish!!

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EXCLUSIVE:INTERVIEW TO COACH RENATO CANOVA

What a beginning of 2012 for my blog!!Thanks to coach Renato Canova for this exclusive interview gave me yesterday in Bolzano!!

After a season where marathons-world changed so much,in my opinion voice and ideas of this coach is the best way to understand what happened and what is going to happen!!

He kindly analyzed marathons in 2011 explaining very much the situation and also he spoke about incoming season:many news about 2012 from his words!!!

He gave also his opinion about selection of olympic kenian team for marathon and said his only name favourite in olympic-women marathon...

So...let's listen to the interview...a bit longer...but very interesting....

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