News23 Mar 2008


Kiprotich and Kosgei produce fast and easy runs in Dallas

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Wilson Kiprotich wins 8km in Dallas (© Victah Sailer)

Dallas, Texas, USAThe 'Post Apartment Invitational 8000 Challenge' saw Kenya's Wilson Kiprotich and Rose Kosgei win rather easily in fast times yesterday (22).

In almost perfect running conditions for the mass start Borden Uptown 5000 with cloudless azure skies and a very comfortable 12C/54F, the elite 8km had to be pushed back an extra 15 minutes as many tried to take advantage of the wonderful running conditions in downtown Dallas.

WOMEN

The invitational woman started 3 and half minutes earlier then the men's elite event. Kosgei, the 1997 World Junior Cross Country champion led the women in the first Mile pulling along Tatyana Chulak(RUS), Polish champion Dorota Gruca, Kenyans Margaret Chirchir and Leah Kiprono, and Canadian, Lioudmila Kortugaina who will attempt to make the Canadian Olympic Marathon team at the upcoming ING/Ottawa Marathon (25 May) which is an IAAF Silver Label Road Race.

Upon reaching the first mile slower than expected, Kosgei was off on a time trial as the others tried to maintain her quickening pace. She passed 5km in around 16:00 on her way to a 39 seconds win over Gruca in 26:20.

“I am very pleased to win”, exclaimed Kosgei who had won the Dallas Half Marathon back in December. She returned to Kenya to prepare for the 2008 Kenyan Cross Country Trials, but with all of the violence around her home and training base in Iten, she was forced to stop training for almost 3 weeks.

She had hoped to make the Kenyan team this year, but didn't even attempt to go to Nairobi with all of violence and her lack of training. She trains with her brother and her husband, Robert. Since giving birth to her son, Angelo, an Italian name in memory of Junior title win at the World Cross Country in Turin 97, she has felt much stronger and expects to have a fantastic year.

MEN

The men's invitation field has always made good world best attempts in the Post Apartment 8000 Challenge, and Wilson Kiprotich was also going for the bonus money which would come with the fastest ever time.

Kiprotich blasted off from the start line and only compatriots Haron Lagat, Richard Kipligat and Lamech Mokono tried ti maintain his furious start and Kiprotich had dissembled the field just prior to crossing the 5km split in 13:43.

“I was feeling good and running well, but the wind was too much to break the record today”, said Kiprotich after the finish. He slowed down a bit to break the tape in 22:18, only 6 seconds off Sammy Kipketer 2006 course record, but Kiprotich and Kosgei because of their front running also picked up an additional $1000 dollar bonus for the 6km prime which coincidentally is where Kiprotich passed Kosgei.

Victah Sailer for the IAAF

Men 8km

1. Wilson Kiprotich (KEN) 22:18
2. Haron Lagat (KEN) 22:33
3. Richard Kipligat (KEN) 22:49
4. Lamech Mokono (KEN) 22:59

Women 8km

1. Rose Kosgei (KEN) 26:20
2. Dorota Gruca (POL) 26:59
3. Margaret Chirchir (KEN) 27:13
4. Tatyana Chulakh (RUS) 27:33
5. Leah Kiprono (KEN) 27:38 

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