Tag Archives: Tirunesh Dibaba

Athletics

Tirunesh Dibaba makes her return in Houston after four years absence

Three times Olympics champion, Tirunesh Dibaba will make her return to running after four years absence at the Aramco Houston Half-Marathon that will be held on January 15, 2023 in Texas, United States.

Dibaba who is the oldest athlete on the start list, comes to this race with a life time best of 1:06.50 that she got at the 2017 Ras Al Khaimah half marathon. The five times World Cross Country champion, will not have an easy ride as she will have to get past her compatriot, the 2012 World U20 Championships Silver medallist, Hiwot Gebrekidan, three-time World Athletics Championships 1500m medalist Jenny Simpson and American Half marathon record holder, Emily Sisson.

Dibaba who is also the five time World Champion will face a stiff challenge from Gebrekidan who comes to this race as the fastest athlete on paper with a time of 1:06.47 that she got last year at the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon, where she finished in sixth place.

“Houston is a famous race and my training has been going well,” said Dibaba.

The 36 year-old Simpson, will be making her debut over the distance as she continues her transition from track to road running. The longest race of her career so far was the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile in United States.

Another title contender is the ever fresh Sisson who have been improving in every race she has taken part in. The 32 year-old comes to this race with a personal best of 1:07.11 that she got last year at the USATF half-marathon where she took the honors.

Athletics

Dawit Seyaum breaks seventeen years meet record in 5000m race in Birmingham

World Indoor silver medallist Champion, Dawit Seyaum ran a world leading and meeting record time at the Müller Diamond League held on Saturday (21) at the newly renovated Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

The 25 year-old who took off two seconds from the previous 5km record that was by Beatrice Chepkoech from Kenya, when she set a new 5k world record of 14:41 in November last year, was too swift to the race favorites that included World indoor bronze medal in the 3000m, Ejgayehu Taye and Fantu Worku.

The 2015 African games 1500m champion, erased the old meet record of seventeen years that was set by her compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba and set a new Meet record of 14:47.55.

Seyaum led an Ethiopian 1-2-3 podium finish as she was followed by the 2019 African Games silver medallist, Hawi Feysa who crossed the line in second in a time of 14:4894 with Worku closing the podium three finishes in 14:49.38.

Both Feysa and Worku finished under the old meet record.

Athletics

Four world-record holder to debut in marathon

Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist, Letesenbet Gidey, the world-record holder in 5000m, 10,000m and the half marathon, will make her marathon debut at the 41st edition of the Valencia Marathon that will be held on Dec, 4, 2022 in Valencia, Spain.

The 24 year-old broke the 5000m world record in Valencia in October 2020, and then broke the half marathon world record in Valencia last October.

Gidey who also holds the 15km world record of 44:20 world best that she set in 2019 in Nijmegen, Netherlands, announced On May 11, on her Instagram page that she will be stepping up to the marathon distance.

Valencia is one of the best marathons for producing fast times. In 2020, Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir took honors at the event with the sixth fastest time in history of 2:17.16.

According to Jack Daniels VDOT performance tables, which predict an athlete’s performance based on previous performance, Gidey’s half marathon world record of 1:02:52 translates to a sub 2:12 marathon.

Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei currently holds the world record for the marathon with 2:14:04, which she set in 2019 at the Chicago Marathon.

Last month, Yalemzerf Yehualaw ran the fastest debut marathon in history of 2:17.23 in Hamburg, Germany, which also became the new Ethiopian National Record.

Neither of the two preceding world-record holders in the 10,000m — Ethiopian Almaz Ayana and Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan — have run a marathon.

Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba, who preceded Gidey as 5000m world-record holder, won the 2017 Chicago Marathon and last raced in 2018.

Kenyan women, once in a rivalry with Ethiopians, have recently dominated, winning eight of the last nine World Marathon Majors.

Gidey will use the Valencia’s flat and fast marathon course, to try and chase Kosgei’s world record which could be under threat.

Athletics

Tirunesh Dibaba gives birth to a second child

Three times Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba together with her husband Sileshi Sihine have been blessed with a baby girl.

The five times world champion who has not been active for the past two years gave birth to a baby girl named Mati Sileshi.

The former 5000m world record holder is married to Sihine who is the 2008 Beijing silver medallist.

Tirunesh Dibaba baby girl named Mati Sileshi. Photo: Courtesy

The two have a six year old son called Nathan Sileshi. Mati will be there second child.

The five times World Cross Country Champion serves as a Prisons Police with a rank of Chief Superintendent. She is also has an honorary doctorate from Addis Ababa University and has a hospital on the outskirts of Addis Ababa named after her.

Athletics

NN Zevenheuvelenloop Road Race cancelled

World famous 15km Road race better known as the NN Zevenheuvelenloop (Seven Hills Run) in Nijmegen has been cancelled due to rising COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands.

The organizers of the race where the world best times for both men and women were set, were ready to make a triumphant return on Sunday 21 November in Netherlands after a two-year hiatus, but were forced to cancel the race only yesterday.

“We really did everything we could to set up a safe NN Zevenheuvelenloop,” said Alexander Vandevelde the director of the Zevenheuvelenloop Foundation in a statement. “Our gratitude goes out to the municipality of Nijmegen for all their efforts and of course also to everyone who supported us until the last moment in our search for a safe edition. We sympathize with the disappointed runners who were looking forward to our fall classic.”

The NN Zevenheuvelenloop was founded in 1984 and has consistently been one of the world’s most competitive road races. Past champions include Ethiopia’s Haile Gebreselasie, Tirunesh Dibaba and Sileshi Sihene (three victories each); Kenya’s Tegla Loroupe (3 wins), and Scotland’s Liz McColgan (1 win).

Chepetegei stepped his first foot at the Nijmegen in 2015, where he was still a relatively unknown athlete when he won the very stormy edition and he went on to set the record and becoming Mr. Zevenheuvelen  and the only athlete to win four times; the 2016, 2017 and the 2018 edition consecutively. He was scheduled to run this year’s race.

Athletics

Joyciline Jepkosgei eyes New Delhi Half Marathon title

After clinching Family Bank Half marathon title in Eldoret, reigning world half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei will be eyeing for another title at the New Delhi half marathon that will be held in New Delhi, India.

This race has been dominated by Kenyan athletes, will be good for Valencia half marathon champion as she prepares to hit marathon in New Year.

The Iten based run will be in action on 21st October as she faces 2017 Chicago marathon winner Tirunesh Dibaba.

Dibaba is a three time Olympic champion and the same scriot will be written since they met first at the Ras al Khaimah (RAK) Hal Marathon when Jepkosgei finished third and the Ethiopian legend was fifth; secondly in May this year at the Manchester 10km in Great Britain when Dibaba won in 31:08 to 31:57.

The 25 year-old won the 2017 Prague half marathon with a world record of 1:04:52 before bringing her record down to 1:04:51 at Valencia half marathon.

The world half marathon silver medalist will be chasing to lower the course record of 1:06.54 that was set by Mary Keitany in 2009.

Athletics

Amane Beriso targetsToronto Marathon course record

Ethiopia’s representation at this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon just got stronger with the addition of Amane Beriso to the elite women’s field.

With a personal best of 2:20:48, recorded when finishing second at the 2016 Dubai Marathon, the Ethiopian has the fastest personal best of any woman who has ever lined up at this IAAF Gold Label road race. And it is apparent she also possesses the mindset to challenge her compatriot and defending champion, Marta Megra.

Victory is her primary objective, though she warns her rivals that the Toronto course record of 2:22:43, held jointly by Kenyan Sharon Cherop and Koren Jelala Yal of Ethiopia, could also be in jeopardy when the race goes off on 21 October 21.

“Absolutely, nothing is impossible, I believe,” says Beriso, who celebrates her 27th birthday on 13 October. “I think with Marta Megra it’s going to be a little difficult, but it is possible and I am in it to win it.”

“We have one month of training remaining, so I am willing to take on any challenge in front of me and I will try to improve the course record.”

This is no idle boast. Besides her brilliant run in Dubai a year ago, Beriso ran 2:22:15 in Prague in May 2017 which earned her second place in that IAAF Gold Label event. It was another eye-catching performance and if it wasn’t for an ankle injury which plagued her over the past year, she may have piled up additional credentials. Now healthy and fully fit after seeking treatment in Germany, she looks ahead to the battle for glory and an $80,000 pay day.

Despite having twice run well under the Toronto Waterfront course record, she is a novice at the distance. Dubai, in fact, was her debut.

“Yes I am new to the marathon and like any other athlete I get advice from my coach Gemedu Dedefo and my management (Gianni Demadonna) and also other athletes on how they see the race being won,” she admits. “They give me advice on how to beat my opponents.”

Beriso grew up in the Arsi region of Ethiopia about three hours southeast of Addis Ababa. This area has produced many of the country’s Olympic champions including Derartu Tulu, Tirunesh Dibaba, Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele. Their tremendous accomplishments were well touted to youngsters like Beriso. But it is after she moved to the capital that she truly believed she could become a professional distance runner.

Coach Gemedu’s group meets up anywhere from three to five times a week to train usually in places like Sendafa and Sululta, a short drive outside Addis. The altitude (2800m+) and virtually traffic-free dirt roads allow them to follow his program precisely. Two-time Toronto champion (2015 and 2016), Shure Demise, is among those whom Beriso counts as training partners. The preparation for Toronto is going according to plan.

“I feel I get better and better each time when I am training,” Beriso says. “I feel that mentally and physically I am capable of running good times. I feel great about myself and my fitness is better than last year. So, I am ready to take on any challenge that comes my way in the competition.”

Although training and the necessary recovery eats up much of her day, Beriso finds time to relax and escape the grind of athletics.

“I am not married but, I am engaged,” she reveals, “I have a fiance and we are thinking of getting married. We haven’t set a date but sometime in the future I hope to have a family of my own.

“I spend my spare time hanging out with friends, watching a movie, seeing my family and going to places just to relax.”

Beriso joins the aforementioned defending champion Megra, Kenya’s Ruth Chebitok, two-time Commonwealth medalist Jessica Trengove and Canada’s own Krista DuChene, who earned a spectacular third place finish at the 2018 Boston Marathon as some of the leading names for this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon women’s field.

“As I said, the Toronto race is a big deal for me because I feel that would be a big win for me,” Beriso declares. “So, my first goal is winning the race and to show myself that I am capable.”

Athletics

Gladys Cherono welcomed home with Songs and Dance

The 2018 Berlin Marathon course record holder, Gladys Cherono returned home on Wednesday morning following her exploits in Berlin Sunday.

Songs and dance rant the air as the two time Africa athletics champion arrived at the Eldoret International Airport with her husband Joseph Mbambok leading other family members ready to receive her.

The family waited patiently in the chilly morning weather, as they broke into song and dance as they welcomed the queen of Berlin marathon after she won her third title and defending her 2017 title, winning with a course record of 2:18.11.

The dance attracted other travellers, who, without asking joined the dance before boarding the planes, as traditional Kalenjin sour milk (Mursik) was served diligently.

Cherono said her purpose was to defend her title and not the world record while competing at Berlin marathon.

“My success story was to defend my title not breaking the world record. I have achieved my goal of both winning the race and breaking the course record that had stood for long,” said Cherono.

World record was not in my mind because I wanted to defend my title,” she added.

She said that the main challenge was that she was the defending champion and everybody was looking at her performance and running skills.

“As a defending champion, it was challenging because I needed to continue with my winning formula which I made it true,” said Cherono.

Cherono beat the race favourite Tirunesh Dibaba from Ethiopia who finished in third place in 2:18.55 with Ruti Aga coming home second in 2:18.34. The former world half marathon champion broke the course record of 2:19.22 that was set in 2005 by Japanese Mizuki Noguchi.

Athletics

Edna Kiplagat and Gladys Cherono Rule out World Record

Berlin Marathon defending champion Gladys Cherono and Edna Kiplagat unlike their male compatriots have ruled out breaking the world record when they line up for the Berlin marathon on Sunday.

Whereas their fellow Kenyan male counterparts Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge and New York City marathon silver medalist, the two have expressed their doubts in tackling the world record of 2:15:25, set by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe 15 years ago.

Instead, the Kenyan duo of Cherono and Kiplagat are focused on setting a new course record in Berlin.

The current course record was set in 2005 by Japan’s the 2004 Athens Olympic marathon champion Mizuki Noguchi, who ran 2:19:12, which also stands as the Asian record to this day.

However, Berlin race director Mark Milde has a feeling the world record will be under threat, especially from Chicago Marathon champion Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba.

The 32-year-old Ethiopian has won three gold medals at consecutive Olympic Games (2008 and 2012) and five World Championships from 2003 to 2013. Dibaba has also four World Cross Country titles to her credit.

Dibaba’s personal best is 2:17:56, set in finishing second at the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon which makes her the third fastest woman in the history of the marathon.

Cherono, who won the title last year, by posting a time of 2:20:23, holds her best time at 2:19:25 set in winning the first of her two Berlin titles in 2015 is eyeing the third crown.

“I want to improve on my personal best on Sunday,” said Cherono on Thursday.

Edna Kiplagat who began her World Marathon Majors (WMM) odyssey with victory in 2010 at the New York marathon said:“Berlin is a fast course and hopefully, I will improve my best time. After a few days of recovery from the tough race I had in Boston, I feel better and ready for action.”

 

Athletics

Tirunesh Dibaba goes hunting for Personal Best in Berlin Marathon

The strongest women’s field in the history of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will line up for the 45th edition on Sunday, including perhaps the greatest female long distance runner of all time, Tirunesh Dibaba.

Among the Ethiopian’s rivals will be last year’s winner, Kenya’s Gladys Cherono and her compatriot Edna Kiplagat, a double World champion. Four women will be competing who have run under 2:20 which remains the major yardstick of excellence for the women’s marathon. It is clearly the strongest women’s field ever assembled in the German-speaking world.

As a reflection of the race’s international attraction, 133 countries will be represented among the 44,389 participants. This is a record entry figure. The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race and part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series (AWMM) which also comprises Tokyo, Boston, London, Chicago and New York.

The new series, the 12th edition, of the AWMM begins in Berlin on Sunday and will also conclude with the 46th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON next September.

“I’ve heard a lot about the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and did my research. I know very well that the course is very fast,” said Tirunesh Dibaba, whose illustrious career includes three Olympic titles for 5 and 10,000m, nine world titles in all. And she still holds the world record for 5,000m on the track. “Switching to the marathon wasn’t a problem for me,” said the 33-year-old, whose best of 2:17:56 is the third fastest marathon ever by a woman. “I improved my training in preparation for Berlin and did more volume.

I am very well prepared and want to beat my best time on Sunday,” explained the Ethiopian, while some believe she is capable of getting close to the world record of 2:15:25, set by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe 15 years ago.

Berlin will mark the fourth marathon of Tirunesh Dibaba’s career. None of her previous races had pacemakers specifically for her benefit but this will not be the case on Sunday. “Pacemakers are very important for a fast time,” said Dibaba who appeared at the press conference with fingernails painted silver.

Asked if silver wasn’t the colour for the runner-up, Dibaba laughed and replied: “Not on Sunday, then silver will be the winning colour!”

The course record, which has stood for 13 years, is likely to fall on Sunday, given good weather conditions. In 2005 Japan’s Olympic champion Mizuki Noguchi ran 2:19:12 in Berlin which not only broke the course record but set an Asian record and remains so to this day. “I expect that one woman will take the lead from the start and behind her a group will form which would be on course to break 2:20,” said the race director Mark Milde. There was no mistake the runner he was referring to: Tirunesh Dibaba.

Dibaba’s strongest rivals are from Kenya. Gladys Cherono won the title last year, running 2:20:23 and her best is the 2:19:25 set in winning the first of her two Berlin titles in 2015. “I want to break my personal best on Sunday,” said Cherono. Her compatriot Edna Kiplagat has been one of the marathon elite for many years.

“It has always been my goal to run in Berlin. I know the course is fast and shall try to run my best ever time,” said Kiplagat, whose lifetime best is 2:19:50 and has twice won the World title (2011 and 2013).

The fourth runner with a sub-2:20 time is Dibaba’s fellow Ethiopian is Aselefech Mergia (2:19:31). While Mergia could not match these sorts of results in her recent races two other runners could do very well on Sunday: Ethiopia’s Ruti Aga was last year’s runner up, when she clocked a PB or 2:20:41. Japan’s Mizuki Matsuda ran a brilliant marathon debut in January, winning in Osaka with 2:22:44.

Elite runners with personal bests

  1. Tirunesh Dibaba    (ETH)  2:17:56
  2. Gladys Cherono     (KEN)  2:19:25
  3. Aselefech Mergia   (ETH)  2:19:31
  4. Edna Kiplagat         (KEN) 2:19:50
  5. Ruti Aga                  (ETH)  2:20:41
  6. Mizuki Matsuda     (JPN)  2:22:44
  7. Rei Ohara                (JPN)  2:23:20
  8. Honami Maeda      (JPN)  2:23:48
  9. Andrea Deelstra    (NED) 2:26:46
  10. Inés Melchor         (PER)  2:26:48
  11. Carla Rocha          (POR)  2:27:08
  12. Caterina Ribeiro  (POR)  2:30:10
  13. Ines Montero       (POR)  2:30:36
  14. Rachel Hannah    (CAN) 2:32:09
  15. Anke Esser           (GER)  2:43:14
  16. Miyuki Uehara    (JPN)   Debüt

Source: runnersweb.com