Triumphant Kirui to miss Amsterdam Marathon

Newly crowned World Marathon Champion Geoffrey Kirui will not compete in this year’s Amsterdam Marathon slated for October 15, as he takes a break following his exploits in the London World Championships.

Kirui participated in the last edition of the Amsterdam Marathon, finishing seventh with a personal best of 2:06.27 in a race won by fellow compatriot Daniel Wanjiru, who clocked 2:05.21.

After the London heroics, Kirui was expected to be one of the highlights in the Amsterdam race but is now focusing on a major competition towards the end of the year.

The 24 year old has however resumed light training to keep fitness as he targets to participate in one competition before the end of the year, as may be organized by his management team.

“I have resumed light training just to keep myself fit, for now I am not preparing for any competition but I will have one competition either in November or December this year.

“The season has been good and I cannot stretch myself too much. I will prepare without pressurizing myself to a tight schedule hoping to end my year in style,” told Kirui.

He has enjoyed a spectacular season this year, winning Boston Marathon in April in 2:09.37, a prospect that earned him a call up to represent Kenya in World Championships.

Kirui, now training at Keringet in Nakuru County, has lauded the move by the incoming Nakuru County Governor Lee Kinyanjui who announced his government will build an athletics training camp at Keringet.

Kirui believes the project will bear more world class athletes from the region that is also home to the 1500m World Champion Faith Kipyegon.

“I am grateful because he is the first Governor to say so. This will go a long way in helping athletes from the zone who have been struggling to find suitable training environment, forcing them to travel long distances,” noted Kirui.

Report by Gilbert Kiprotich