During the month of September, we have witnessed the start of the marathon season. Lots of athletics news in September 2019. From the beginning of August, I have started training many athletes, for the first marathon at the end of September and the last one in December. It is not always easy to train in the summer heat, but in Ireland, the year round temperature allows for optimal training.
Doha World Chamionship
The season started with the women’s World Championship in Doha, on the 27th of September 2019.
The choice of Qatar, for the World Athletics Championship 2019 is certainly a decision linked to the $ power! But let’s look at the athletics performances of this marathon of Doha with a few stats:
There is no need to write too much, athletes have been preparing for this race for months, and their performance is certainly not one we will remember. I am disappointed for the athletes, for our sport, for it to see this kind of race during the World Championship.
Few stats of the podium with athletes born in East Africa and the results :
- Ruth CHEPNGETICH ( Kenya ) 2:32’43”
- Rose CHELIMO ( Bahrain ) 2:33’46”
- Helalia JOHANNES ( Namibia ) 2:34’15”
Only 31 of them ran sub 3 hours, in a World Championship, it is certainly not what we would expect! Let’s see the full results:
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Berlin Marathon 2019
Then to close the month, the Berlin Marathon gave us great entertainment. Nobody was expecting this level of performance. We are all waiting for the Kipchoge 1h59 project in Vienna in October. But Bekele certainly gave a great show in Berlin over the weekend. Bekele ran a great race, finishing just 2 seconds from the world record. He really stormed the last 10 km to approach the world record, closing in 2:01’41”.
I don’t think anybody was expecting this level of performance in Berlin this weekend and it is great to see Bekele back to show us his great stride. After the marathon he was quoted as saying:
“I am sorry that I just missed the world record by a few seconds. But I know my potential. My preparation was not perfect for this but it was the best that it has been in a long time. It gives me great motivation for the future.” – Kenenisa Bekele
Great running from athletes that I coach and other friends who ran this weekend in Berlin in 2h53, 2h59, 3h14, 3h49 and 4h14. Here are the results of the top 10 runners ( Women on the left and men on the right ) :
Looking forward to the rest of the season, after all these great news in September 2019…