NAIROBI, Kenya, April 5 – Super-sub Charles Okwemba’s first touch forced Bandari defender Omar Islam to turn the ball into his own net in the third minute of added time as AFC Leopards secured passage to the Kenyan Premier League Top 8 semi-finals with a 1-0 win at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium on Saturday.

With an eye on post-match penalties to decide the winner of a keenly contested encounter, Ingwe coach James Nandwa hauled in Okwemba and seconds later, the midfielder’s low cross in the box was turned into the net by the retreating Omar with the substitute turning into an instant hero among the Leopards faithful who chanted his name to the nines.

“This is the luck this team needed. Even if we lost this game today, we would not have deserved it since we created many chances and we have been doing so. This could be our turn around, an own goal in the last minute could be our motivation.

“I keep saying this team needs time and it will deliver and fans need to be patient. I’m happy this has happened because I knew it was a matter of time things went our way,” under fire head coach, James Nandwa, said after the final whistle sparked huge celebrations on the Leopards’ bench.

Although Bandari’s forays upfront were at a premium, their coach, Twahir Muhiddin was seconds away from getting to contest the lottery of penalties on their Top 8 debut before Okwemba’s intervention.

“We did not play well and we deserved to lose but there is nothing to worry about because there is much to play for in the remainder of the season,” the former Harambee Stars head coah told.

In truth, the defensive discipline that saw the Dockers topple Gor Mahia last weekend in the KPL almost reaped dividends as Leopards were restrained to a point of silencing their vocal fans.

Leopards dominated for the better part of first-half with Jacob Keli, coming close in the 35th but last year KPL top scorer could not apply the finish allowing defenders to clear the danger.

Three minutes later, Keli was at it again squandering another chance in the box after receiving a fine pass from Nigerian Austine Ikenna, but he placed his shot wide.

In the 41st, winger Paul Were thought he had scored after receiving a pass from Keli, only for referee to rule the effort off-side.

Two minutes later, Ali Bai, could  give the Dockers the opener with his well taken free-kick that beat keeper Martin Musalia, only to see his effort hit the cross bar as both went to the breather locked at 0-0.

In the 50th minute,  Duncan Otewa was forced to clear the ball off Keli’s feet after Were brought in a corner from the left flank.

Musalia had to rise to the occasion and keep Leopards in the game after rescuing substitute Ibrahim Kitawi’s free-kick.

Leopards are now through to the two-legged semi-finals of Top-Eight and will wait to see their opponents after all the preliminary matches are complete.

On Sunday, defending champions Tusker FC will take on Sofapaka in the second knock-out match at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

PARIS, France, April 6- The dream, said Kenenisa Bekele before the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, would be to break the world record on his marathon debut. His dreams may not have turned into reality at the IAAF Gold Label Road Race, but his triumph in a course record of 2:05:03 was far from a nightmare.

Having won global titles on the track outdoors and indoors, as well as on cross country, road running was the only area of distance running that Bekele had not yet conquered.

Now it looks as though he is well on his way to doing that.

Bekele and his agent Jos Hermens had explained this week that part of their reason for choosing this race over any other is that Paris organisers were able to build the race around Bekele, whereas in London he would have simply been one of the many other star runners.

Headed by three pacemakers – Abraham Kiplimo, Silas Kipruto and Erick Leon Ndiema – Bekele was one of a large group of about 16 runners as they went through 5km in 14:43 and 10km in 29:35, suggesting a possible finish time of about 2:04:50.

The group had been whittled down to 12 runners at 15km, which was passed in 44:15, and it soon became clear that they wouldn’t hit the somewhat optimistic pre-race target of hitting the half-way mark in 1:01:40.

Instead they went through 13.1 miles in 1:02:09, still incredibly quick, and two of the pacemakers dropped out, leaving nine runners up front, including remaining pacemaker Kipruto.

At 25km, passed in 1:13:53, Kipruto dropped out which left Bekele as the leader. Just two kilometres later, he pushed the pace with fellow Ethiopian Tamirat Tola joining him at the front. Mike Kigen, Limenih Getachew and Gideon Kipketer had formed a three-man chasing pack about 20 metres behind.

After passing 30km in 1:28:39, Bekele kicked on and was out in front alone, still set for a time in the region of 2:05 as a course record looked more and more likely.

But then at 34km, Bekele looked across to his manager Hermens, who was on the back of a motorbike, and, with a slight grimace on his face, pointed to his hamstring.

Nevertheless, he pressed on and went through 35km in 1:43:36, his lead having grown to 45 seconds. Behind him, Getachew had moved into second place as Tola began to fade. Further back, Jackson Limo had passed a tiring Kigen.

As Bekele went through 40km in 1:58:31, the victory now looked guaranteed. There were no further signs of being troubled by injury, or by any of the other opponents for that matter.

Followed home by a swarm of cyclists and joggers with a burst of confetti ahead of the finish, Bekele crossed the line in 2:05:03 to take nine seconds off the course record set two years ago by Stanley Biwott.

Bekele’s winning time is the sixth-fastest marathon debut in history on a record-eligible course. Significantly, it is also the fastest ever debut by someone older than 30.

Behind him, Getachew finished a comfortable second in 2:06:49 while Luca Kanda came through to take third in 2:08:01. Robert Kwambai was fourth in 2:08:48 and Limo fifth in 2:09:05 as the top five finishers all set PBs.

“I had no marathon experience before today and it was very tough,” said Bekele. “But I ran the time that I expected.

“After 25km I pushed on alone. My hamstring was cramping after 25km to 30km so I was a bit worried and it was very tough, but it was okay in the end.”

Cheyech smashes PB to win women’s race

Kenya’s Flomena Cheyech lived up to the pre-race expectations to win the women’s race, but while her victory wasn’t a shock, her winning margin and finishing time were both something of a surprise.

A comparatively smaller lead group ran together in the first half, passing 15km in 51:04. Cheyech took up the running soon after as she began her long run for home.

She upped the tempo as her lead grew. Despite looking tired in the closing stages, she still had enough to finish off the job, crossing the line in 2:22:42 to take almost two minutes off her previous PB, set last year when winning in Vienna.

Although some way off the 2:21:06 course record set last year by Boru Tadese, Cheyech’s performance was the fourth-fastest winning time in the French capital.

Almost four minutes behind, Ethiopia’s Yebrqual Melese took second place in 2:26:21, taking more than three minutes off the PB she set earlier this year in Dubai on her marathon debut. Compatriot Zemzem Ahmed, a former steeplechaser, finished third in 2:29:35.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 6- Tusker captain and keeper Samuel Odhiambo, rescued Eugine Asike’s sudden death spot-kick to help the defending champions sail through to the Kenyan premier League (KPL) Top 8 semi-final after a hard fought 6-5 win on post-match penalties over Sofapaka on Sunday at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

Both sides were locked one-all in regulation time with Batoto Ba Mungu opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time through Humphrey Mieno before Kevin Kimani converted a penalty in the 69th to level.

Sofapaka had a chance to seal the match in regulation time but Kasolo Mustapha squandered chances that could have put them 3-0 up before the equaliser.

Both skippers had to rescue their charges in added time with Odhiambo, stepping in first to clear the danger in the box before his opposite number Felly Mulumba, did the same to force referee Davis Omweno to blow for full-time and invite spot-kicks.

The Brewers converted all their efforts through Odhiambo, Ismael Dunga, Brian Osumba, Kimani, Jesse Were and Jockins Atudo while Mulumba, Clifton Miheso, Mieno, Anthony Ekaliani and John Baraza scored for Sofapaka before Asike missed his.

“The match was difficult since it was a knock out. We played cautiously because we had to rest some players for Wednesday’s league match so balancing the squad was not easy and that added weight to the game.

“There is a negative part of coming one goal down since we usually concede first forcing us to compose ourselves and build the mentality once again. This is risky since it lowers our concentration something that we will work out on. I’m happy to reach the semis and my intention is to defend the title,” Tusker coach and former Harambee Stars tactician, Francis Kimanzi, told after the match.

On his part Sofapaka coach Sam Timbe, said they could have won the match in regulation time but blamed the referee for awarding his opponents the penalty alleging it was not genuine.

“We should have won the game in 90 minutes but we defended instead of continuing to attack and that cost us, but football is like that we failed to execute and Tuker woke up to take the day.

“We will work hard so that we can finish top- eight and compete next year but for now our attention shifts to the league and GOtv Shield,” the Ugandan said.

Batoto Ba Mungu were first to threaten with only six minutes of play when Kosolo found Enock Agwanda in the box who hit the side post.

The Brewers responded five minutes later with Were providing for Clifford Alwanga who unleashed a cracker in the box but keeper Barnabas Tiema rescued the danger.

Alwanga could have given Kimanzi the opener in the 14th when he beat defender Collins Shivachi from the left flank but once again he was denied by Tiema who punched for a corner that forced the former AFC Leopards custodian to clear Lloyd Wahome’s shot.

Six minute later Kasolo had a chance to break the deadlock through a counter attack in the right wing with Odhiambo to beat but he directed his strike direct to the custodian.

In the 20th Alwanga passed the ball to Were who was too slow for Tiema to slide on the ball as last year’s KPL top scorer runners up pleaded for a penalty but Omweno awarded the foul to the goalkeeper.

Sofapaka continued to pile pressure on Tusker’s defence with John Njoroge bringing in a cross in the 40th to force Wahome head out for a corner that saw Odhiambo recue Clifton Miheso’s header.

On the stroke of half-time, Sofapaka could attack with Agwanda providing a cross from the right wing but Kasolo failed to head home in the 44th.

A minute later, their efforts paid off when Mieno capitalized on Wahome’s poor clearance on Njoroge’s cross  to notch the opener and give Timbe 1-0 lead to the break.

Tusker entered the last half attacking looking for the equaliser with Andrew Tololwa attempting to beat Tiema with his left foot shot but the Sofapaka keeper was on the right position to handle the threat.

Batoto Ba Mungu could have doubled in the 54th when Njoroge found Kasolo who was left with Wahome to beat but he once again  hewasted the chance as the defender shielded the ball for a goal kick forcing Timbe to substitute him for Elli Asieche.

Substitute Joshua Oyoo could have levelled five minutes later but Tiema saved the danger to keep his charges on the lead.

Kimani restored parity for the Brewers through a spot-kick in the 69th when Asieche infringed Alwanga in the box who was ready to connect Were’s cross, forcing Omweno to wave at the spot and the2011 KPL player of the year stepped in to convert and bring back his charges to the game.

Both skippers had to clear danger in their territory in the added time with Tusker surviving first when Odhiambo  stepped in first before Sofapaka’s Mulumba cleared Were’s cross in the added time to force the match to penalties.

Both teams converted all their normal five kicks but it was Odhiambo who stood out after rescuing Asike’s sudden death penalty to see the defending champions join AFC Leopards in the two-legged semi-finals.

PARIS, April 7- Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha will return after nearly a year out injured at the Diamond League meet in Doha on May 9, organisers said on Monday.

The 25-year-old Kenyan world record holder twisted his knee in training in New York last May, and could not defend his title at last year’s world championships in Moscow.

It will the sixth time he has competed in the Qatar event which is the first in the 14-leg Diamond League calendar this season.

“Of course I was injured last season,” said the 25-year-old Kenyan, who won in Doha last year for the fourth time. “That was disappointing but I’ve worked hard to get fit and healthy again and I am looking forward to running the 800m in Doha.”

Rudisha, who produced one of the finest moments in Olympic history with his spectacular 1:40.91 world record run in London, has been a familiar fixture in Doha since his first appearance in 2007.

That year, as a junior, he finished sixth, but returned the following year to claim his first victory in 1:44.36. He was fourth in 2009 but bounced back with solid victories in 2010 and 2012, clocking 1:43.00 and 1:43.10 respectively, both early season world-leading marks.

“I am very happy to be coming back to Doha. It’s a meet that has always had good races and been a good start to my season,” Rudisha said.

“This is a year without a major championship so I have time to progress and get back to my best. I hope to run in Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games however before that I am pleased to be back running in the Diamond League meetings.”

“We are really looking forward to welcoming back David Rudisha for the second time after his historical performance at the London Olympics,” said Qatar Athletics Federation secretary general Mohamed Al-Kuwari.

“He truly is one of the best athletes in the world, already a legend of his event. Like many other athletics fans, we will be very interested to see him back in competition after he missed most of last season due to injury.”

Leading the charge against the Kenyan will be Nijel Amos of Botswana who finished second to Rudisha in London, clocking a world junior record of 1:41.73, while Qatar will be well represented by national record-holder Abdulrahman Musaeb Bala (1:43.93), the 2013 Asian champion.

Andrew Osagie, another London 2012 finalist, will also be in the field on the heels of his second successive world indoor bronze medal-winning run.

Organisers also confirmed a high jump duel between Russian Olympic champion Ivan Ukhov and local hope Mutaz Essa Barshim, the London Games bronze medallist.

Ukhov edged closer to Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s world record 2.45m mark, with the Russian jumping 2.42m indoors this winter.

All eyes will be on Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba, who broke the world indoor records over 1500m and 3000m in February.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 7 – Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Nairobi City Stars have appointed Tim Bryett, as head coach following the abrupt departure of Nigerian Robinson Ndubuisi Ofwoku on Sunday.

City Stars chairman Peter Jabuya, told Capital Sport the Briton has accepted the offer to take charge of the side on voluntary basis and will be in charge until the end of the first leg in June.

The Kawangware based club has retained Joseph Jagero as the assistant.

“We have been in talks with Bryett who is in the country after the sudden departure of Ndubuisi. He has agreed to lead the club on voluntary terms since we are facing financial constraints.

“He is on the ground and it’s upon him to decide whether he will be on the technical bench on Wednesday when we host Chemelil Sugar,” Jabuya confirmed.

“He will handle the team for the first three months then he will decide if he will extend stay since his visa expires in June,” he added.

The chairman explained they had decided to mutually end their relationship with Ndubuisi due to the cash crunch.

“He is a very good coach and we really did not want to let him go but since I did not want his arrears to accumulate, I had to take the difficult decision to release him.

“I want to thank him for leading our team well since he took over at the beginning of the season and I wish him all the best in his coaching career,” he told.

“For a very long time, we have been running the club on SuperSport and KPL funds which are not enough. I have not paid players March salaries and it lowers their morale because they have bills to settle but we have motivated them and they are ready to take on any team,” Jabuya went on.

Bryett who has worked in Brazil, England and other African countries is a UEFA B License holder specialising in tactical, technical and fitness coaching.

Ndubuisi who beat Sofapaka 2-1 in his last assignment, was appointed at the start of the season and has won two matches, drawn three and lost twice as City Stars sit 10th in the KPL log.

He left the club two days before City Stars invite Chemelil in a mid-week fixture at Nairobi’s World Hope Center.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 8- World governing body, IAAF has ratified the women senior 20km and 21km world records ran by Berlin Marathon champion, Florence Kiplagat on Tuesday.

In a brief statement on their website the world body confirmed that Kiplagat who is lined up for Sunday’s stellar London Marathon, is now the standard bearer at both distances following her storming triumph at the February 18 Barcelona Half Marathon.

Kiplagat crossed the 20km mark in 1:01:56 before completing the half in 1:05:12 to displace compatriot Mary Keitany who held the previous standards of 1:02:36 and 1:05:50 in that order winning the 2011 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon.

The two-time Berlin titleholder will face a world class field that has three runners who have ran under 2:20, including herself in the streets of London after making a flying start to 2014.

Returning champion and World Marathon Majors winner, Priscah Jeptoo and the debutant multi-world record breaker, Tirunesh Dibaba, are among the stars assembled for the race.

Olympic champion, Tiki Gelana (Ethiopia) who was tripped by wheelchair rider, Josh Cassidy, last year returns as well as double world champion Edna Kiplagat, who caught the bouquet from Jeptoo in 2013.

Ethiopian pair, Aberu Kebede (2013 Tokyo Marathon champion) and Feysa Tadesse (2013 Paris winner) as well as European star Tetyana Hamera-Shmyrko (Ukraine/2013 Osaka titleholder) are also in the field.

In Barcelona, Kiplagat, the 2010 World Half gold winner, sliced 38 seconds off the previous mark after leading the race in the Catalan city from the start and actually finished fourth overall, beaten only by a trio of male runners.

She passed 10km in 31.08, which was actually more than a minute faster than her official personal best for the distance in a 10km race, and 15km in 46:35.

Her world record was more than a minute faster than she had ever run before over the distance, her previous best of 1:06:38 coming in the 2012 Rome-Ostia race.

Kiplagat won the 2013 Berlin Marathon in 2:21:13 last September and built on that base in order to launch her assault on the record, helped by almost perfect still conditions and a temperature hovering around 13 degrees Celsius.

“This is a not a day I will forget, I’m so happy! The circuit was very fast and I really want to thank my pace makers, Marc Roig and Stanley Siroro, they did a great job.

“I felt so well from the beginning and the weather was perfect, so I had the feeling that this could be a special day,” the delighted Kiplagat said at the time.

The next woman was more than seven minutes in arrears, with Great Britain’s Nicola Duncan taking second place in 1:12:15.

The ratification of her record gives her a great boost as she prepares for the next chapter of what has thus far been a stellar distance running career.

NAIROBI, April 8- Britain’s double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah makes his eagerly-awaited marathon debut in London on Sunday, but has his work cut out with the jump-in distance and competition from top Kenyans and Ethiopians.

Kenya’s elite runners say they have little to fear from the newcomer to the distance, predicting a baptism of fire for Farah as he grapples with uncharted racing territory coupled with seasoned marathon veterans setting a punishing pace.

The 32-year-old 5,000 and 10,000m track star spent the better part of the winter training in Kenya’s high-altitude Rift Valley region in a bid to raise his game and compete against the world’s best.

Leading the elite field is Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, who holds the world record after clocking a spectacular 2:03.23 in Berlin last year and has won London in 2012. Observers of the sport see Farah as being capable of running a time of around 2:06.

“It’s not going to be easy (for Farah) and he’s not likely to win,” Kipsang told AFP.

Farah caused a scare last month when he collapsed after the New York City Half Marathon, in which he came in second behind Kenya’s Geoffrey Mutai and failed again to break the one hour mark for 21.1km (13.1 miles), something his competitors manage on a regular basis.

Mutai, who regularly trains with Kipsang, will also be racing London and will also be a fearsome competitor having won the New York marathon twice, as well as Berlin and Boston, where he clocked an unofficial world best of 2:03.02.

Still, Mutai said the Somalia-born Farah will be something of a dark horse in the pack.

“He’s actually very fit and he will give us a big push in London,” Mutai said, adding: “We are ready for his challenge.”

Fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai, another rival who holds the London marathon course record of 2:04.40, said Farah’s only hope would be if the Kenyans and Ethiopians set out at too fast a pace and hit the wall — repeating what happened a year ago.

“I’m only hoping the runners do not try to break each other down in the fight for the lead during the early part of the race like we did last year, to our own detriment,” he said.

Early pace-setting will be provided on Sunday by the legendary Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, who is under instruction to take the athletes through the first 30km at the world record pace.

The elite Ethiopian contingent is also strong: the diminutive but gritty racer Tsegaye Kebede will be there to defend his London title, sub-2:05 runners Ayele Abshero and Tsegaye Mekonnen will be in the pack while 10,000m world champion Ibrahim Jeilan will also be making his marathon debut.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 8 – Champions Gor Mahia have been lifted by the return of Harambee Stars duo stopper David ‘Calabar’ Owino and left back Musa Mohammed when they host struggling KCB at Nairobi’s City Stadium in one of the eight Kenyan Premier League (KPL) mid-week fixtures lined up for Wednesday.

The duo will be making a come back after missing Tusker and Bandari ties with Owino picking a knock during their 2-0 loss at Top Fry Nakuru while Mohammed was out of the country for trials in South Africa.

However, it’s not yet a full house for K’Ogalo because holding midfielder Anthony Akumu, is still sidelined after missing a couple of training sessions but coach Bobby Williamson, is under no stress ahead of Wednesday’s tie despite going four matches without victory.

“Pressure is always there, it’s just finding players who can handle it but for me I’m an experienced coach and having managed a national team that had a lot of pressure, I can leave with it as long as players put to practice in the game what we teach them.

“Some fans need to support the team when we are loosing too, and if they do that we will work hard and make sure we don’t disappoint them. I’m not happy with the results at the moment since our desire was to win all seven matches but since we have already lost two, there is no harm. We will build on that and hopefully register victory against KCB,” the former Uganda Cranes tactician told Capital Sport after conducting training at Nairobi’s City Stadium Tuesday.

“It’s unfortunate we have lost our matches to bottom teams and we are facing another struggling team, that makes it tricky since they might be motivated by our loss. So we are taking no chances but to win the match since anyone can beat anyone in the competitive league,” he added.

Both teams enter the match wounded having lost their last encounters where reigning champions were humbled 2-1 at Bandari as the bankers went down 3-0 to visiting Western Stima.

The Scotsman is expected to field a strong first XI with the defence standing tall after all their back four (Godfrey Walusimbi, Mohammed, Haron Shakava and Owino) available for selection with Ugandan Geoffrey Kizito, stepping in for Akumu alongside teenager Timona Wanyonyi, Kevin Omondi and Innocent Mutiso in the midfield.

Winger Shaban Kenga and talisman Dan Sserunkuma, will be up front.

On the other hand the bankers who are yet to win a match will highly depend on former K’Ogalo forward Paul Kiongera, Andrew Murunga, Francis Ouma and Ezekiel Odera for their first win of the season.

Apart from winning, Gor will also be going for revenge after KCB beat them 2-0 in their last encounter as they celebrated winning the title after 18 years in their last game of last season.

Newcomers KRA invite AFC Leopards in a match originally scheduled for Safaricom Stadium although the ongoing vetting of youth arrested by police to ascertain nationality could yet see the fixture played elsewhere.

With only two points separating them, both sides will be eying for victory with Leopards being under the cosh after only managing two wins.

Coach James Nandwa, will not be making any changes despite keeper Wycliffe Kasaya resuming training on Monday since other injured players (forward Allan Wanga, captain Martin Imbalambala, winger Noah Wafula and defender Anthony Kimani) are still out.

On the other hand Ken Kenyatta’s side will miss the services of dependable midfielder Roy Okal and forward Collins Tiego, who sneaked out of the country to go for trials but the former Leopards custodian says he is upbeat for a win.

At Ruaraka Sports Ground, league leaders Tusker will hope to continue with their unbeaten run when they welcome Sony Sugar.

Both teams recorded draws last time out with Brewers coach Francis Kimanzi, forced to rest some of his players in their Sunday KPL Top 8 match where they beat Sofapaka 6-5 on post-match penalties.

In other fixtures, Sofapaka battle out with Mathare United at Machakos’ Kenyatta Stadium while Muhoroni Youth will be away to take on Thika United at City.

New Nairobi City Stars coach Tim Bryett will make his debut against Chemelil Sugar at Nairobi’s World Hope Center as Top Fry Nakuru play Bandari at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

In Mumias, Western Stima will square it out with  Ulinzi Stars.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 9 – Champions Gor Mahia moved up to second after edging out a five goal thriller 3-2 to pile more woe on KCB as arch rivals AFC Leopards slumped to a shock 1-0 to promoted KRA on a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) bumper Wednesday.

Leaders Tusker stretched the lead to four points after humbling Sony Sugar by a solitary goal to buy breathing space on an action packed midweek programme across the country.

With unease creeping in the ranks of the titleholders after four games without a win, K’Ogalo exacted revenge on the Bankers who marred their trophy party on the last game of the season with a 2-0 reverse to leave them rooted at the bottom.

In the first of a televised double header at Nairobi’s City Stadium, Rama Salim opening the scoring in the 11th minute for Gor before Harambee Stars defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino, returned from sitting out two games injured with a bang to double in the 47th.

Innocent Mutiso hammered the what proved to be the winner with a spectacular volley in the 61st but Chrispinus Onyango and former K’Ogalo forward Paul Kiongera gave the champions a nervous ending to the match by pulling two back but in the end, they prevailed 3-2.

Gor turned out for the match for the first time in three years without a sponsor’s logo on their jerseys after their partnership with Brookside Dairy’s brand Tuzo lapsed last month.

Coming from a 2-1 loss to Bandari in their last KPL match, coach Bobby Williamson, said his charges deserved to win though he was not happy with the last penalty the visitors were awarded.

“We should have scored many goals since we created a lot of chances that we wasted but I didn’t see them come back to the game when we were leading 3-0.

“The referee gave them a second chance by awarding them the penalty but I’m very pleased with the performance of the boys and the goals that we scored,” the Scotsman said after the match.

His opposite number Abdalla Juma, was also not happy with the center referee Israel Mpaima, saying he could have awarded them a penalty in the first half when Onyango was hacked down by defender Haron Shakava.

“I’m not happy with the results and the referee giving us the penalty in the last minute did not help us since it was too late. He could have awarded us in the first half when Onyango was brought down so that we could head to half-time 1-1, but he ignored it something that broke my players morale.

“In the second-half we played well and we came back in the game after I introduced two strikers who joined the other two to attack and it worked since they piled pressure on Gor. I will now focus on our next match against Bandari which will be difficult but my aim is to seek for the first win and the rest will go well from there.”

K’Ogalo showed intent to return to their winning ways just after kick-off with Mutiso attempting the first shot with a volley after Dan Sserunkuma set for him in the box but he blasted, only for the attacking midfielder to threaten once again with a cross from the left flank but the Bankers keeper Sammy Okinda rescued the danger.

In the 10th Sserunkuma set up Salim but he squandered the chance but 20 minutes later the former Congo United forward finally found the back of the net, heading home after Okinda spilled Sserunkuma’s strike on the rebound from Geoffrey Kizito’s thunderbolt from range.

Four minutes to half-time Kiongera could have leveled after he found himself unmarked but keeper Jerim Onyango’s palmed out his header for a fruitless corner.

In first half added time, Onyango pleaded for a penalty after he was brought down by Shakava in the box but Mpaima waved for a goal kick.

KCB resumed action firing with Kiongera attempting to score his first goal of the season in the 46th with a well taken free-kick that sailed slightly over the bar.

One minute later Owino headed home Mutiso’s corner to double the advantage, sending the Green Army to raptures and 14 minutes later, it was 3-0 after Mutiso connected with left back Musa Mohamed’s cross to volley in an early contender for goal of the season.

Juma brought in Elvis Ayany and former Gor forward Ezekiel Odera with 20 minutes to full time and his changes paid off in the 78th when Onyango beat K’Ogalo’s defence off-side trap to easily place the ball on the far corner leaving his namesake watching the ball roll over his net to pull one back.

Odera added a second with a minute of added time remaining after he was pushed by man of the match Godfrey Walusimbi in the box and Mpaima did mot hesitate to point at the spot for Kiongera to convert.

In the early kick-off played at the same venue, 10 men Muhoroni Youth held Thika United to a goalless draw in a match that saw visiting keeper Shaban Ouma, deny John Kamau’s charges to earn the player of the match.

Muhoroni had to finish the game one man less after forward Ezekiel Otuoma, was sent-off in the 59th for punching Simon Mbugua.

The host were the first to threat in the 30th through Joseph Kuria’s 20 yard free-kick that hit the cross bar.

Otuoma responded four minutes later getting a chance in the box but he ended blazing wide before captain Abbas Akinyemi was stretched off after aggravating a shoulder injury.

The visiting side had their last chance on the stroke of half-time when substitute Mike Khaduli flicked a header to Jeremiah Wanjala in the box to unleash a cracker only to be denied by Ugandan and Thika custodian Hamuza Muwonge who was at the right position to calmly handle the ball as center referee George Mwai, waved for the final whistle for both sides to share the spoils.

“We deserved to do better than a draw since we created many chances than them but I think my players were affected by the hot weather that made the artificial turf uncomfortable to play on. Our composure came a little bit late after they were reduced down to one man and that’s why we did not score but I’m satisfied with one point,”  Thika United coach Kamau who also serves as the Harambee Stars under-20 coach expressed after the match.

Muhoroni tactician Francis Barasa, on the other hand was a happy man after achieving his target in this match.

“I came to this match with one intention and that was to pick a draw and I’m very happy for having achieving that. I congratulate my players for holding Thika on their home ground especially playing one man down in better part of the second-half,” the former Harambee Stars defender who has not lost any match since joining Muhoroni stated.

At the Ruaraka Grounds, Tusker continued with their unbeaten run to open a four point gap at the top following their slim 1-0 victory over Sony Sugar.

Goal poacher Jesse Were, notched the lone goal in the 25th picking a fine pass from Luke Ochieng, to dribble past the Sugar Millers defenders to slot home his fourth goal of the season and see Sony drop to sixth on the log with 12.

Elsewhere, Leopards lost their second match of the season, after they were taxed 1-0 by newcomers KRA at Safaricom Kassarani Stadium that was hosting its first match this season.

Geoffrey Omusula, netted the lone goal on the stroke of half-time to lift Ken Kenyatta’s side two places to ninth on the log with 11 points while Leopards dropped by the same margin to10th.

In Machakos, Sofapaka bounced back to their winning ways following their 2-1 over Mathare United.

Collins Shivachi opened the scores in the seventh before Enock Agwanda, doubled in the 51st as Noah Abich netted the consolation for the slum boys through a spot kick in the 60th.

Back in Nairobi, new coach Briton Tim Bryett, was welcomed with a draw after his charges fired blanks against unbeaten Chemelil Sugar at World Hope Center in Kawangware.

Meanwhile, Stephen Waruru’s 12th minute goal gave Ulinzi Stars a first win of the season to hand new coach Robert Matano his first victory since taking over the military side at the Mumias Sports Complex away to Western Stima.

Waruru broke the deadlock with a well executed free kick from the edge of the box after Evans Amuoka was brought down by the host defender.

Debutants Top Fry Nakuru continued with their winless streak after they were held to a barren home draw by Bandari at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

NAIROBI, April 9- Time will be the propelling factor for Kenya’s former world 5000m titleholder and Olympics silver medallist, Eliud Kipchoge when he lines up the streets of Rotterdam on Sunday for the 42.195km distance race.

Kipchoge, 29, is a big name in long distance running, but according to him, he is a novice in marathon.

He threw himself at the deep end in 2003, then aged 18, when he surprised the world to win the Paris World Championship 5,000m gold ahead of Kenenisa Bekele and Hicham el Guerrouj.

That was on track. His transition to marathon has also been embellished. He debut at the marathon distance last year in Hamburg and won in a fast time of 2:05:30.

Five months down the line, he returned to Germany and was unlucky to lose out to Wilson Kipsang (2:03:23) in a world record run.

He was second in 2:04:05, which made him the sixth fastest marathoner in history. Yet he still views himself as a novice.

“I might have taken a while to move to the marathon world. But remember Rotterdam will be my third marathon and I still need more time to learn the trade. Many experienced athletes will be out to conquer the course and I and I respect that,” Kipchoge told Xinhua on Wednesday in Nairobi.

But he will be eyeing to hit two birds with one stone, if the third, world record falls in place and so be it.

“I want to run a fast time in Rotterdam and hopefully win. That is my target. The course in Rotterdam is flat and will fit well with my running style. I will push hard and am sure it will not burn me out. I want to give it my best shot,” he said.

“If the world record falls within, then that will be a bonus. But I am not making an attempt on Kipsang’s record.”

Behind Kipchoge’s mind will be a quest to catch the selectors’ eye, after he was overlooked for the World Half Marathon team and the World Championships in Moscow last year.

“I want a good run in Rotterdam, which will be able to prove to the selectors that I can do well at the World Championships. But for now I want a call to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland,” said Kipchoge.

The current record of 2:04:27 was set in 2009 by Kenyan runners Duncan Kibet and James Kwambai, who, after a thrilling finish, crossed the finish line dead heat.

After examining the course last month, Kipchoge suggested there was a good chance that time would be beaten.

The Kenyan, one of the very best road athletes around at the moment, will face tough competition from fellow-countryman Bernard Koech, 26, who trains in the same group, is only 48 seconds slower on paper. Koech made his debut in 2013 in Dubai with a time of 2:04:53.

Koech beat Kipchoge in June 2013 during the Rock & Roll Half Marathon in San Diego in a direct duel, in the very fast time of 58:51 minutes.

A couple of months later, despite back problems, he came third in the Amsterdam marathon (2:06:29).

Kenyans Albert Matebor and Jafred Kipchumba and the Ethiopian Birhanu Gebru are among the strong field. These top athletes all have a personal best of 2:05.

Matebor (33), who already has 18 marathons under his belt, put in his best performance three years ago in Frankfurt: 2:05:25. Since 2011, he has always finished in the top 10 of this highly competitive event.

Kipchumba, 30 won the Eindhoven marathon in 2011. In Brabant, he knocked almost two and a half minutes off his PB, with a time of 2:05:48.

Gebru 27, ended second in the Amsterdam marathon, in 2:06:06. Two months ago, he excelled himself in Dubai. His time of 2:05:49 won him third place on the victory podium.

Kipchoge however, is not focusing on his opponents’ strength but his won.

“The secret of winning in any race is preparing to win the same race. Your work hard, keep focus and commit yourself when necessary. It kept me afloat on the track now the marathon distance will be waiting. In Rotterdam, I want to win,” he said.

LONDON, England, April 10- With less than 72 hours to her date with destiny, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and her team continued training and making final preparations for the 42.195km London Marathon on 13th April.

On Wednesday, the team that includes members of her security detail ran for 5km at the Kensington Park, London where they were also briefed on the dietary regime to follow ahead of their debut in Sunday’s race where Ms Kenyatta is bidding to become the first First Lady in history to complete the classic distance.

According to the team’s physiotherapist, Japheth Kariakim, the initial high altitude training at Iten and Sagana prepared them to run longer distances for the purpose of developing endurance and resilience.

He said professionally, the intensity of training is normally expected to be high at the initial stages but as the race day approaches one needs to slow down in order to avoid injuries and muscle exhaustion.

Kariakim and the team coach, former world marathon and London champion, Douglas Wakiihuri, said they are taking the First Lady and the team through a process of ensuring that they achieve their goal of lasting the distance.

The team coach said the squad needs to take more carbohydrates and reduce intake of proteins and vitamins as the day of competition approaches.

Wakiihuri, the 1989 world and London titleholder said the strategy helps in preserving energy levels before the Marathon day.

He said another measure usually employed at this stage is manipulation of muscles by doing massage to reduce lactic acids and to improve blood circulation.

The First Lady and her team are participating in the marathon to raise awareness and funds for the ‘Beyond Zero Campaign’ which she launched on 24 January this year.

The initiative is aimed at improving maternal and child health care in Kenya as well as accelerating implementation of the national plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections from mothers to children.

On March 9, Ms Kenyatta, who will be supported by spouse and Head of State, Uhuru on Sunday, clocked 3:46:00 to complete the First Lady’s Half Marathon to become the first holder of her office to achieve the feat.

“I want to thank the Government of Kenya and the President who gave authority for First Lady to do the marathon. She has run in her heart and she gets up very early in the morning more than us; at 5am. How many can wake up at 5am? So she’s teaching us not to be lazy and to be a country of runners,” former women’s world marathon record holder, Tegla Loroupe, who ran alongside Ms Kenyatta, said after the race.

Another former record holder and two-time world champion, Catherine Ndereba, also ran alongside the First Lady, was full of effusive praise for her effort.

“To have that company of running with the First Lady it means a lot and how supportive our leaders are. She knows the pride of being a woman and a mother. I know what it means to hold a healthy baby after delivery and as long as this initiative will be there I will continue supporting it.

“It was nice pacing here and giving here morale. She is so energetic and has a lot of passion and I can say she is a marathoner coming up. What stood out today is when I saw our President waiting the First lady at the finishing line, it reminded me the way my husband used to wait me in front of the finish line of Chicago or Boston Marathon,” the four-time Boston Marathon winner told of the experience with running with the First Lady.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 10 – Limping giants, AFC Leopards have sacked head coach James Nandwa and appointed former Harambee Stars custodian and their goalkeeper trainer, Washington Muhanji, on an interim role.

Club Secretary General George Aladwa confirmed the development Thusday announcing they are set to unveil their new coach next week.

“I confirm that Nandwa and his assistant Mickey Weche have been sacked and will immediately be replaced by Muhanji who will be in charge on Saturday when we host Nairobi City Stars.

“I call upon fans to maintain patience and turn out in large numbers in Mumias to support our team,” Aladwa told Capital Sport.

This comes barely less than 24 hours after the Harambee Stars assistant coach slumped to his second Kenyan Premier League defeat of the season following their 1-0 loss to newcomers KRA at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium.

Nandwa has been under pressure with fans demanding his departure after only chalking two wins in eight KPL games played, drawing four and losing two to see Ingwe sitting 10th on the log with 10 points.

He failed to take Ingwe past the first round of the CAF Confederations Cup after they were eliminated by South Africa’s SuperSport United on 4-2 goal aggregate.

Nandwa was appointed on interim basis last September, replacing Belgian Luc Eymael, who was shown the door after a series of poor performances that saw the entire technical bench that comprised of assistant Nicholas Muyoti and Team Manager Francis Xavier fired.

Xavier was later reinstated in Nandwa’s technical line-up while club’s former playing hero Mickey Weche, was named his assistant.

He was confirmed head coach after leading Leopards to the GOtv Shield title and a second finish in the league as arch rivals Gor Mahia lifted the title for the first time in 18 years.

However, things turned sour for Nandwa as he went four consecutive matches without victory at the start of the KPL season.

This ignited Ingwe fans who waited the soft spoken coach to pick a draw against Chemelil Sugar in KPL’s round six match at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium and demand for his resignation while chanting ‘Nandwa must go’ forcing the club’s stewards to escort him away from the charged supporters.

Nandwa’s second victory against debutants Top Fry Nakuru, muted the volume but it did not take long before they piled pressure on the Executive Committee to sack him after their loss to KRA.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 10 – James Nandwa boarded the luxurious state of art AFC Leopards coach and travelled to Mumias with the team, no doubt, taking a seat close to the front as the club boss as his charges eased on the back to enjoy the on board entertainment that includes a 42 inch LED screen.

On his mind as the bus snaked from Nairobi, through the beautiful Rift Valley and finally to their second home in western Kenya, the shock of a stunning midweek 1-0 defeat to promoted KRA, a second in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), was still weighing on his mind when a phone call came after they had just disembarked in Mumias.

It was his club chairman, Allan Kasavuli, at the end of the line… after the usual pleasantries and a polite request for him and his deputy to step away from the rest of the squad came the bombshell…. ‘You’re fired,’ a bolt Nandwa did not expect when he rounded his squad and boarded the bus earlier in the morning.

It went beyond the famous Apprentice shows franchise where contestants are fired for failure but at least, they are given the chance to sit down in a boardroom.

Once again, the Harambee Stars assistant head coach who led Ingwe to the GOtv Shield last season had unceremoniously been bundled out of a top domestic side in a flash. It was reminiscent of how he was booted out of Tusker FC despite leading them to the title a few months earlier in 2008.

Speaking to Capital Sport, Nandwa, who was still in Mumias trying to pick up the pieces of his latest career low, explained how the dramatic Thursday unfolded.

He woke up as Leopards boss only to be forced to hand over the team to his goal keeping coach, Washington Muhanji, by late afternoon.

To him, the unfolding events were a local rendition of the popular Hollywood series, 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland as he waits for official communication from the club on Monday prolonging the uncertainty.

His assistant and club legend, Mickey Weche, who also travelled with the squad was not spared the axe either on the Day of Long Knives at the Den.

“It’s okay life must go on, as coaches we are used to it and we expect anything anytime and this is not the first time I have been to this situation.

“I encountered the same when I was at Tusker FC so its normal especially to big clubs like AFC and Gor Mahia where fans want a coach to perform always for them they don’t know what a draw or loss is,” the soft-spoken coach said with a tinge of regret as the project he intended to announce his return to the big time unraveled in disgrace.

But the manner he was hounded out of his job left a sour taste in his mouth having spent the better part of the past eight months attempting to revive the club that was stalling when he succeeded Luc Eymael, the Belgian who fell foul of the club after a three month stint last year.

“Its unfortunate the chairman informed me late when I had traveled with the team to Mumias, though I understand its pressure from fans. I received a call from our chairman today (Thursday) who told me that I, my assistant Weche and Team Manager Francis Xavier should step aside and wait for the Executive Committee to decide our fate in a meeting on Monday.

“So I’m just waiting to be given the official termination letter and if they give me my dues well and good I will just leave the club peacefully,” the Harambee Stars assistant coach narrated how his turbulent reign at the club came to an undignified end.

The deposed boss maintains he does not harbour sour grapes, wishing the team victory in his absence when they host Nairobi City Stars on Saturday at the Mumias Complex in the KPL, urging the players to give their all to Muhanji.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) we did not play well and during half-time I told the players to give their best since its all about their life and time to build their career but for us coaches we come and go. I’m happy they took it positively.

“I have no problem with Muhanji in fact I’m happy for him and I’ve already handed over everything to him, I wish him all the best for Saturday’s game and I’m sure the players will deliver so that they can shock the impatient fans.”

He delivered a parting shot to supporters who hailed him a hero only to turn against him when they hit rough waters this season, even going ahead to chant funeral dirges aimed at him using his native Luhya dialect from the stands.

“Its also good I step aside since the fans were saying bad things about me which is not good. Some sang for me ‘Luwere’ (a Luhya song sung during funerals). In our tribe it means they were wishing death upon me, which is a curse in itself,” Nandwa decried after ending weeks where he was literally, with no pun intended, a dead man walking in the Leopards hot seat.

The soft spoken coach leaves with the pride of leading Leopards to the GOtv Shield title and a second finish in the league as arch rivals Gor Mahia lifted the title for the first time in 18 years.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 11- Leaders Tusker FC face the sternest test this weekend when they visit title pretenders Sofapaka in Machakos as champions Gor Mahia travel to Nakuru to take on former winners Ulinzi Stars in the glamour ties of the ninth round of the Kenyan Premier League.

Stuttering giants AFC Leopards who sacked their coach James Nandwa on Thursday entertain Nairobi City Stars in Mumias as the first battle between promoted sides, KRA and Top Fry Nakuru unfolds at Nairobi’s City Stadium in other intriguing ties.

The Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos will see Francis Kimanzi come up his former side Sofapaka keen to maintain the four point gap they opened at the summit by downing Sony Sugar 1-0 in midweek in yet another examination of their credentials to reclaim the crown they held in 2011 and 12.

Tusker’s first big encounter three weeks ago yielded a 1-1 draw against champions Gor with Kimanzi’s side surviving playing with nine men for the last 12 minutes to force the stalemate.

The former Harambee Stars coach boasts of having a depth in midfield that will be led by Khalid Aucho, 2013 KPL midfielder of the year who is returning after serving his suspension for a red card against Gor, Brian Osumba, Kevin Kimani and Andrew Tololwa.

His opposite number, Ugandan Sam Timbe, will be looking upon his forwards Enock Agwanda, Humphrey Mieno and Mustapha Kasolo to fire for goals in what is proving to be a season they are blowing hot and cold although the Batoto ba Mungu are coming from their 2-1 win over Mathare United in the ‘Machakos’ derby midweek.

K’Ogalo in tough Nakuru test

In Nakuru, Gor will come up against the tactical choker block that is Robert Matano who is keen on inspiring his new side Ulinzi to a second win on the spin after their 1-0 success over tricky Western Stima at the same Afraha Stadium.

The champions who held on for a 3-2 win over basement side KCB to stem a run of four games without victory are however, reported to be in disarray with financial constraints hitting them hard following the lapse of their sponsorship with Brookside Dairies last month.

K’Ogalo chairman, Ambrose Rachier, is said to have coaxed the players to play against KCB with a fraction of their pay after they went without their dues in March as they shop around for another sponsor, hardly the environment their Scottish coach, Bobby Williamson, wants to operate under.

Already, there is unease among their Green Army supporters following the dire state the club finds itself in and police had to lobby teargas at the end of their KCB game to disperse dissenting fans.

A reverse to Matano’s new charges will only stoke more flames in what is shaping up to be an uncertain defense to their title but on the bright side, K’Ogalo, who moved up to second, are only four points off the lead. A win coupled with Tusker slipping up could put them in a position to challenge the front runners with the Green Army planning to travel to Nakuru in their droves.

Williamson, is expected to make no major changes from the squad that fell the bankers with Rama Salim who combined well with their top scorer Dan Sserunkuma, regaining the form that endeared him to the Green Army in 2012 after opening his account on Wednesday.

The return of Harambee Stars defenders, stopper David ‘Calabar’ Owino and left back Musa Mohammed, provided assurances at the back and they are set to combine with bubbling teenager Haron Shakava and Cranes right back Godfrey Walusimbi in defense.

For Leopards, Nandwa’s turbulent spell in charge that has yielded two wins, four draws and two losses ended and interim boss, Washington Muhanji, has the task of lifting a team that stood in awe as their previous head coach was axed as they travelled to Mumias.

Ingwe who have managed to beat City Stars only once in their last four encounters will face opposition from forwards Jimmy Bagaye, George Abege and veteran Justus Basweti, a former Ingwe favourite.

Under Englishman Tim Bryett, City Stars battled for a point against Chemelil Sugar midweek and will be seeking to pile more pressure on Leopards as they prepare to name a new foreign head coach in the coming week.

New boys take centre stage

In the tussle between the KPL new boys; KRA, who are coming from a high of sinking Ingwe 1-0 on Wednesday will be without dependable midfielders Philemon Omondi and Barrack Odhiambo, when they host Top Fry Nakuru at Nairobi’s City Stadium.

The duo are sidelined after picking injuries during the Leopards match where they won 1-0 with the debutants locking horns in the early televised fixture before struggling KCB welcome Bandari at the same venue later Saturday.

Both sides have kicked-off their top flight in contrasting fashion with the taxmen chalking three wins, two draws and three losses while Nakuru are languishing in the relegation zone after winning once, drawing one and falling six time.

“I’m happy with my team’s performance so far though it has not been an easy ride to reach where we are at the moment. The challenge is to maintain the good run and make sure we are not relegated. Winning against big team like AFC Leopards is a huge achievement not only to me but to the entire playing Unit.

“Top Fry has good players and coach so I will not underrate them but we are motivated by the Leopards win as we head to Saturday’s match though we expect a tough game since the league is getting tough every day,” Ken Kenyatta, who joined the taxmen as head coach in 2006 told Capital Sport Friday.

“My win depends on the players since the ball is in their court, my work is only to train then the rest is upon them to perfect during the game,” the former Harambee Stars and AFC Leopards shot-stopper added.

Midfielder Roy Okal and forward Collins Tiego are still missing for KRA after sneaking out of the country for trials but in their places will be taken by Philip Odhiambo, Geoffrey Omusula, Geoffrey Kataka, Ivan Anguyo and Douglas Okumu.

Elsewhere, Mathare United play away to Chemelil Sugar while Muhoroni invite Western Stima as Thika United travel to  take on Sony Sugar at Awendo’s Green stadium to round off the eight fixtures on the cards.

FIXTURES

Saturday

14:00 KRA vs Top Fry Nakuru City (TV)
15:00 AFC Leopards vs City Stars Mumias
15:00 Chemelil Sugar vs Mathare United Chemelil
16:15 KCB vs Bandari City (TV)

Sunday

14:00 Sofapaka vs Tusker Machakos
15:00 Muhoroni Youth vs Western Stima Muhoroni
15:00 Ulinzi Stars vs Gor Mahia Afraha
15:00 Sony Sugar vs Thika United Awendo

LONDON, England, April 12- It’s been a week of reflection and prediction in the build-up to the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, which takes place on Sunday.

The traditionally stellar fields of proven stars have been supplemented by a pair of intriguing debutants, and the most prestigious pacemaker ever to set off from south east London.

Having, yet again, put together two elite line-ups to match any in the history of marathon racing, the organisers have thrown in extra spice for the British public in the shape of marathon neophyte Mo Farah, and added intrigue for global track fans with the presence of another 26.2-mile first-timer, Tirunesh Dibaba.

To cap it off they’ve lured Haile Gebrselassie to run as a pacemaker for the leading men; his task to take them through to 30km on world record schedule before stepping aside to let the drama to unfold.

And what drama there could be.

Gebrselassie himself has called this year’s pair of races “the best ever”, claiming he agreed to do the pacing duties merely so he could have a role in such a “special” event.

“I’ve never seen such big names in one race,” said the former world record holder this week.

“Both the men’s and women’s are fantastic. I’m just happy to be part of it. At least now I can be there at the start of the race.”

The runners who’ll follow in his famous footsteps include four of the fastest 10 men in history, and seven from the all-time top 20, not counting the great man himself.

Three in the line-up have run the distance in under 2:04, and no fewer than seven have sub-2:05 times to their name.

Kebede and Kipsang confident

Among the athletes who’ll be on his heels on Sunday morning are world record holder Wilson Kipsang, World and Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich, defending London champion Tsegaye Kebede, and London course record holder Emmanuel Mutai, not to mention the two-times New York Marathon champion Geoffrey Mutai, and a batch of swift young Ethiopians led by their latest rising star Tsegaye Mekonnen.

Both Kebede and Kipsang have returned to London bouncing with confidence: Kebede after winning in such dramatic fashion 12 months ago, when he fought back from fifth place and a minute down at 35km to reclaim the title he’d taken three years before; Kipsang after breaking Patrick Makau’s world record at the Berlin Marathon last September.

The diminutive and ever-smiling Kebede went on to finish fourth at the IAAF World Championships last summer and then second in New York last November, bagging the lucrative World Marathon Majors prize in the process, and is now aiming to become only the fourth man to win the London title three times.

“Last year was amazing for me. I couldn’t believe it. After running in New York I have focused only on the London Marathon. I am in good shape and I will win again,” announced Kebede boldly.

Kipsang is in similar mood. The Kenyan was disappointed to finish fifth in 2013 when he faded in the closing stages, having dominated in 2012 when he missed Mutai’s course record by just four seconds.

Now, he perches proudly at the top of the tree as the world record holder. He is the only man with two sub-2:04 times, two of the three quickest times ever, and four runs under 2:05.

“I sit here today as the marathon world record holder so I feel full of confidence compared to last year,” he said on Thursday.

“We have a more experienced pacemaker in Haile this year. He will take us through halfway in 61:45. It won’t be easy, but I believe it’s possible to set another world record.”

As for the Mutai namesakes, who are unrelated, they both have something to prove in London: Emmanuel because he just missed out last year when he was overhauled by Kebede in the last half-mile, and Geoffrey because he dropped out on his London debut.

Emmanuel went on to join the exclusive sub-2:04 club when he was second in Chicago last October, while Geoffrey, of course, ran the quickest marathon ever seen in Boston in 2011, although it was not on a world record-eligible course.

Ethiopia’s emerging stars

Kebede leads an equally strong Ethiopian contingent that includes three young marathon runners who have all burst on to the scene in the last few years, plus the 2011 World Championships 10,000m gold medallist Ibrahim Jeilan who is making his debut.

The young guns include the 2012 Dubai Marathon champion, Ayele Abshero, and the 2011 World Championships bronze medallist, Feyisa Lilesa, who finished third and fourth respectively last year; while youngest of all is the 18-year-old Mekonnen, who set a world junior best for the distance on his debut in Dubai this January.

As for Kiprotich, he returns to the British capital after adding the World title in Moscow last August to his London 2012 Olympic Games crown.

Now a proven championship racer, the Ugandan was only 12th in New York last November and is still looking to make his mark in a big city event.

Quite what mark Mo Farah will make on his marathon debut has been the subject of much media debate over the last few days.

Great Britain’s double Olympic and world track champion is doing his best to play down expectations, officially setting his sights on Steve Jones’s long-standing British record of 2:07:13 which has survived for more than 28 years.

The women’s race is almost as strong with the 2012 Olympic champion Tiki Gelana, the double world champion Edna Kiplagat, and the twice Berlin champion and newly-minted world half marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat among defending champion Priscah Jeptoo’s main opponents.

No jitters for Jeptoo

Like Kebede, Jeptoo returns for her title defence full of confidence after a near-perfect year in 2013.

The 2012 Olympic silver medallist beat Dibaba to win the Great North Run in September, and then added the New York Marathon title two months later to secure half a million dollars as 2012-13 World Marathon Majors champion.

The Kenyan claims her focus is her own personal best of 2:20:14, but there’s been much talk of a threat to Paula Radcliffe’s women-only world record of 2:17:42 if wind and will power are blowing the women’s way.

One athlete who could get close on her day is Gelana, the fastest woman in the field with her best of 2:18:58.

The Ethiopian, who beat Jeptoo to the Olympic title in pouring rain at London 2012, claims to be in better shape than ever and has added motivation to do well this year following her collision with a wheelchair racer 12 months ago.

Gelana ended up sprawling, eventually finished 16th, with bruises to body and spirit, and a few months later dropped out of the World Championships marathon with a knee injury.

“The incident last year hurt me, it hurt my pride as well as physically,” said Gelana. “It has given me a lot of motivation to win this time, to show that I am still a good competitor. I’m prepared to run under 2:20 if I have to.”

The two Kiplagats also have a point to prove in London.

Edna has been runner-up here for the last two years, and was third in 2011, while Florence has yet to produce her best after finishing fourth and sixth on her two appearances so far.

Two other Ethiopians are also likely to be among the leading group – Aberu Kebede, who has twice won the Berlin Marathon, and Feysa Tadese, who won the Shanghai Marathon in 2012 and the Paris Marathon last April.

The experienced marathon runners will all keep a wary eye on another Ethiopian, as Dibaba steps up to the classic distance after a glittering career on the track.

Like Farah, Dibaba will carry a heavy burden of expectation as she sets off for her first marathon foray. She was due to make her debut in London last year but withdrew with a shin injury just a month out.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 12- AFC Leopards defender Jackson Saleh scored a late header to salvage a point against visiting Nairobi City Stars in a battling 1-1 draw at Mumias Sports Complex in one of four Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches played Saturday.

After sacking their head coach James Nandwa on Thursday, former keeper Washington Muhanji took charge on the interim but he could not lead the flailing giants to collect maximum points and bounce back from going down 1-0 to debutants KRA in mid-week.

Playing at Mumias for the second time this season, Ingwe were forced to come from a goal down to level in the 80th minute after Dennis Okoth handed City Stars the opener in the 52nd.

With Muhanji starting with Harambee Stars speedy winger Paul Were and midfielder Charles Okwemba on the bench, the visitor’s forwards had a chance to terrorizs Ingwe’s defence with former striker Jimmy Bagaye threatening with a shot in the 14th but his effort was easily picked by keeper Martin Musalia.

Ezekiel Seda could have opened the scoring for the hosts in the 33rd when Jacob Keli put him through with one defender to beat but his shot was deflected for a fruitless corner.

City Stars had a chance to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Bagaye was hacked down by Edwin Wafula, but the resultant free kick was blasted wide as the sides went in for the breather at 0-0.

Muhanji did double substitution in the second half introducing Were for Khalid Jumaan, and Okwemba for Seda, but that did not stop City Stars from attacking with George Abege coming close when he went one on one with Musalia who thwarted him in the 49th.

The visitors then went ahead 13 minutes later with Okoth, breaking Ingwe hearts when he tapped in a Moses Odhiambo pass.

With City Stars intent on holding on to the advantage, Leopards chased and got the equaliser with ten to go when Saleh headed in from a corner from Were for his second goal of the season to rescue the point.

In other results, Chemelil Sugar maintained their unbeaten run when they fought to a goalless draw with visiting Mathare United at Chemelil Sports Complex.

The slum boys threatened first on the half hour mark with Noah Abich unleashing a powerful shot that forced keeper Jairus Adira, to repel back to the field of play.

Substitute Tony Nyangor, wasted two chances that could have sealed the win when he found space from the lose ball with just keeper to beat but he fumbled and allowed defenders to clear the danger.

The forward was at it again when Innocent Wafula, brought in a cross that beat Mathare defence but once again Nyangor headed wide as both sides shared the spoils.

In the battle for the new boys, ten-man KRA humbled Top Fry Nakuru by a solitary goal at Nairobi’s City Stadium in one of the televised double header.

Substitute Joseph Emeka netted the winning goal in the 63rd, heading home Douglas Okumu’s pass with Top Fry captain Anthony Ng’ang’a spurning a great opportunity to equalise when he blazed a Peter Nganga through pass wide with the goal at his mercy.

It almost got better for the taxmen a minute later when Geoffrey Omusula, beat three defenders and keeper Ronny Kagunzi, only for him to hold on the ball too long for defender Bernard Odhiambo to clear the danger.

KRA were later reduced to ten men when Kevin Ochieng fouled Peter Kihungi to pick a second yellow card to mar what was a good afternoon’s work.

“I’m happy I have won the game even if we did not play well. The team is responding well but we were exhausted after playing AFC match so we only had two days to recover and that’s why my players did not play well the way they are supposed to,” KRA head coach, Ken Kenyatta said after notching his second win on the spin.

“We played well but we did not utilize our chances so we will go back to the drawing board and work on that. We have improved since we are not losing by big margin as we used to when we started the league. If we don’t score we will make sure we don’t concede,” Peter Okidi, the stand in Top Fry coach stated as the side slumped to their seventh defeat of the campaign to instal them as early candidates for a swift return to Division One.

Also in deep trouble are KCB, who exceeded expectations last season to finish fourth as they remained stuck in the bottom following a 2-1 reverse to visiting Bandari who notched their third win of 2014 to steer clear of the relegation zone after a bad start to the campaign.

Kasim Mohammed, broke the deadlock from the spot after Sosthenes Idah handled the ball in the box before Kepha Aswani doubled the lead three minutes later from Ibrahim Kitawi’s cross.

Peter Wainaina, pulled one in the 21st through a long range shot after Omar Islam’s poor clearance but the Dockers held on for victory.

“We are going home with three points. We expected to perform well since we were physically and tactically fit although we missed Ali Bai, on the right flank but we had to give the chance to other players like Victor Ndinya, who has proved himself he is worth the position,” Bandari coach, Twahir Muhiddin said after his team camp in Nakuru for four days to prepare for the tie.

The league continues on Sunday with champions Gor Mahia in a tricky test away to Ulinzi Stars at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru while table toppers Tusker FC will be in Machakos’ Kenyatta Stadium to face Sofapaka.

Muhoroni Youth will welcome Western Stima while Sony Sugar will wrap up the day’s fixture when they host Thika United at Awendo’s Green Stadium.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 13- Once again, the might of Kenya’s distance running majesty ruled the streets of London with record holder, Wilson Kipsang and two-time world champion, Edna Kiplagat, completing crushing victories in the men and women races of the blue riband race on Sunday.

Kipsang outlasted dark horse, Stanley Biwott, over the last two kilometres to shatter the course record in the men’s race when he stopped the clock in 2:04:29 for his second London win as the 2012 Paris Marathon winner came home in a lifetime best of 2:04:55.

Earlier, it was third time lucky for Kiplagat who edged out a gruelling battle with compatriot and Berlin champion, Florence Kiplagat to arrive at the tape in 2:20:21, three seconds ahead of her closest challenger as Kenya celebrated the 1-2.

Defending champion and pre-race favourite, Priscah Jeptoo, was forced out at around the 32km with what was reported to be a knee injury.

Kipsang reclaims the crown

With all pre race talk centred on the sparkling debut of British track star, Mo Farah, it was Kipsang, the world record holder (2:03:24) who ran away with the honours by deploying a front running master class in a field that boasted seven of the all time fastest marathoners.

The only major shock was it was Biwott, the veritable outsider, who stuck with the majestic running of the tall thoroughbred but even he could not stop the Berlin winner when he accelerated away for victory with 2km to go.

With a second victory after his maiden triumph in 2012 assured at that point, attention turned to the clock and by what margin he would lower the previous standard set by compatriot Emmanuel Mutai of 2:04:40 in 2011.

In the end, the clock stopped at 2:04:29, an 11 second improvement of the previous route best as Kipsang with Biwott being rewarded with a career best of 2:04:55, the time legend Paul Tergat owned the world record in 2003.

Behind the pair, defending champion Tsegay Kebede led the challengers’ home in third with 2:06:30, a second ahead of compatriot Ayele Abshero in what turned out to be an internal Ethiopian competition for bronze.

As for Farah, hard lessons on respecting the distance were handed out by the frenetic pace Kipsang set about attacking the course from the start as he finished eighth in 2:08:21, well outside his prime target of breaking the 29 year-old British record of 2:07:13 set by Mike Jones in 1989.

Former world marathon record holder, Ethiopian legend, Haile Gebrselassie, was among those signed up to pace the British star in a strategy that involved keeping Farah some distance behind the main contenders before attacking from behind.

“I will be back,” Farah told the BBC. “I’m not going to finish it like this. I gave it my all but I’m disappointed I didn’t go out there and give what the crowd deserve.”

“It was pretty tough. I’m disappointed but you try things and sometimes it doesn’t work, but you have to give it a go. You learn — life goes on,” he added.

Edna edges Kiplagats’ battle

With the spotlight on the maiden bow over the 42.195Km by Ethiopian track queen, Tirunesh Dibaba, commanding the headlines, the last ten kilometres turned out to be an intriguing battle between namesakes Edna and Florence Kiplagat.

It was the two-time champion, who finished third in the 2012 event before going a place better last year, who out sprinted her younger compatriot to breast the tape in 2:20:20 as the Berlin champion who came to race after breaking the world half marathon record four seconds in arrears.

Tirunesh, the multiple Olympics and world champion finished a respectable third after stopping at a water point at 35km that knocked some of the pace out of her in 2:20:35.

Jeptoo who was in the reckoning suddenly pulled out as the came for the last ten in what was reported to be a knee injury.

LEADING RESULTS

Men

1. Kipsang, Wilson (KEN) 2:04:29
2. Biwott, Stanley (KEN) 2:04:55
3. Kebede, Tsegaye (ETH) 2:06:30
4. Abshero, Ayele (ETH) 2:06:31
5. Mekonnen, Tsegaye (ETH) 2:08:06
6. Mutai, Geoffrey (KEN) 2:08:18
7. Mutai, Emmanuel (KEN) 2:08:19
8. Farah, Mo (GBR) 2:08:21
9. Lilesa, Feyisa (ETH) 2:08:26
10. Vail, Ryan (USA) 2:10:57

Women

1. Kiplagat, Edna (KEN) 2:20:21
2. Kiplagat, Florence (KEN) 2:20:24
3. Dibaba, Tirunesh (ETH) 2:20:35
4. Tadese, Feyse (ETH) 2:21:42
5. Kebede, Aberu (ETH) 2:23:21
6. Augusto, Jessica (POR) 2:24:25
7. Gamera-Shmyrko, Tetyana (UKR) 2:25:30
8. Felix, Ana Dulce (POR) 2:26:46
9. Gelana, Tiki (ETH) 2:26:58
10. Kovalenko, Liudmyla (UKR) 2:31:31

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, April 13- Pre-race favorite Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya won the Rotterdam Marathon on Sunday, but failed in his bid to break the course record on a windy day in the port city.

Kipchoge ran the final seven kilometers on his own through the streets of Rotterdam to finish in exactly 2 hours, five minutes. Fellow Kenyan Bernard Koech was second in 2:06.07.

Organizers had hoped to break the course record of 2:04.27 set in 2009 by the Kenyans Duncan Kibet and James Kwambai, but pacemakers dropped out regularly as wind hindered the runners.

“I’m happy to win the race,” Kipchoge said. “Next time, I will come for the course record.”

Meanwhile, Getu Feleke of Ethiopia overcame stomach problems in the closing kilometers of the Vienna City Marathon to win the event in a course-record time on Sunday.

Feleke accelerated and left behind a leading group after 30 kilometres.

He finished in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 41 seconds and beat the best mark, set by Henry Sugut of Kenya two years ago, by 1:17.

“In the last two kilometres I had problems with my stomach.

“I could have been faster,” said Feleke, who earned his second career marathon victory after winning in Amsterdam in 2010. Feleke became the first non-Kenyan winner of the Vienna event since 2007.

Alfred Kering finished second in 2:08:28 and fellow Kenyan Philip Sanga came another 30 seconds behind in third.

In cloudy conditions and with temperatures up to 12 degrees, three-time winner Sugut lost touch with the leading group after 20 kilometers and quit the race shortly afterward.

2011 champion John Kiprotich, the only other former winner in the field, couldn’t keep up with the leading pace from the ninth kilometer.

“It was a very good race except for the wind,” Feleke said.

“There was strong wind between the 24th and 26th kilometre and when I was running alone after 30 kilometres.”

Feleke, who set his personal best of 2:04:50 in Rotterdam three years ago, made his debut on the marathon distance in Vienna five years ago.

“This is my lucky city,” Feleke said. “It’s not my best time but it is a great win.”

Anna Hahner of Germany won the women’s race after overtaking leader Caroline Chepkwony of Kenya 300m before the finish.

Hahner came 1:04 short of her personal best as she timed 2:28:59 and beat Chepkwony by 20 seconds. Marta Lema of Ethiopia was third in 2:31:10.

“I just can’t believe it,” Hahner said.

“I was running in fourth and started thinking that reaching the podium could be possible.

“When I was in second, people along the road shouted that Caroline had almost come to a standstill.

“I passed her and just didn’t look back.”

Hahner became the first European winner of the event since Andrea Mayr of Austria five years ago.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 13 – Sofapaka stunned league leaders Tusker FC 4-2 to end Francis Kimanzi’s eight match unbeaten run as champions Gor Mahia came from behind to neutralise hosts Ulinzi Stars 2-1 and move up to second in crucial Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches featuring the last four titleholders on Sunday.

At Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, it was swift cold revenge for Batoto Ba Mungu who left the Brewers, who eliminated them 6-5 on post-match penalties in the KPL Top 8 quarter-finals a week ago, flat in a six-goal blitz where Dan Kago stole the headlines with a clinical hat-trick for the 2009 champions.

In Nakuru, Gor averted further inquest into their title defence capabilities when the resurgent Rama Salim cancelled out an Eric Apul early opener for the soldiers who took the honours in 2010 before Harambee Stars defender, David ‘Calabar’ Otieno netted the decider with the three goals coming in the first half.

Kago netted his treble against the 2011 and 12 champions in the 6th, 12th and 60th minutes before Enoch Agwanda stretched the advantage in the 80th while defender Lloyd Wahome notched a brace in the 70th and 81st for Tusker in reply as the winners moved to third on 16 points, two behind the vanquished Brewers.

The hat-trick hero gratefully struck the opener when he powered home John Baraza’s rebound after keeper Samuel Odhiambo spilled the 2009 KPL player of the Year’s shot to his path.

It took Kago a further six minutes to notch his brace after receiving a cross from Agwanda to calmly place the ball beyond Odhiambo’s reach as Sofapaka went in for half time 2-0 to the good.

Their Ugandan head coach Sam Timbe introduced Clifton Miheso for Patrick Kagogo in the second period and the former Thika United forward made a telling first contribution with an assist to Kago to complete his hat-trick on the hour mark.

Five minutes later, Wahome pulled one back, heading home Osborne Monday’s cross before the former Mathare United claimed his double after connecting an Athman Buki’s rebound to beat keeper Barnabas Tiema.

Sofapaka had the last laugh when Agwanda picked a pass from Mieno to hammer home five minutes to full time to register his fourth goal as the early pacesetters came unstuck in spectacular fashion in the first severe jolt to the Francis Kimanzi-led side’s title ambitions.

At Afraha Stadium, the Green Army who populated Nakuru by the busload were reduced to silence when Apul put Ulinzi ahead in the 25th but in Salim, they have a player reborn as he brought them level 11 minutes later before Owino put them ahead for good as K’Ogalo reduced the gap at the top to a solitary point.

Bobby Williamson made only one change, starting with David Juma in goal in place of captain Jerim Onyango but sat back as the military men dominated initial proceedings, Enoch Mogire coming close to open the scores after six minutes but his effort hit the post and Musa Mohammed to cleared the danger.

Salim could have broke the deadlock in the 23rd when Geoffrey Kizito’s free-kick found him unmarked in the box only for the former Congo United forward to head wide and two minutes later Apul capitalised K’Ogalo’s defensive frailties to slot home from a tight left angle for his first goal of the season.

In the 31st, Robert Matano’s charges who had their tails up, could have doubled their lead when Oliver Ruto brought in a cross but Kevin Amwayi’s planted the ball wide when he was presented with a free header.

Against the run of play, Salim leveled five minutes later after Uganda Cranes forward, Dan Sserunkuma, sent him through with a long range pass that left him with the easy task of tapping home from close range past keeper Francis Ochieng for his second successive goal.

On the stroke of half-time, the visitors turned the game on its head through their stand in captain Owino who connected home after Ochieng spilled Haron Shakava’s powerful header for 2-1 at halftime.

Heavy downpour slackened the pace in the second half of the televised tie but the military side had a chance to restore parity in the 77th when Owino missed Mogire’s shot only for Amwayi to blast over with only Juma to beat.

“The boys worked and fought hard and thankfully, we picked the three points. In the first half we showed a lot of integrity and effort when we conceded the first goal and came back to lead into half time, that was very important.

“The second half was a joke since we failed to pass the ball but it was okay because in the last 15 minutes we were exhausted but the boys had to dig deep and held on for the win. I’m happy for that,” Williamson offered after the match.

Ulinzi coach Robert Matano who registered his first loss since he was appointed last month, laid on his troops for conceding easy goals that ultimately denied them reward.

“We lost the match but we tried to fight back in the second half but we lost concentration in midfield that cost us. I’m working so hard to unite the team since I found it divided lacking cohesion. We are trying to do some technical organisation and I hope in mid-season we will do a few changes but for now I will work with what I have.

“Gor is in top form so I lost to a better side but we will still win matches since this is not the end of the road for my side. We are looking forward to rectify our mistakes,” the former Tusker, AFC Leopards and Sofapaka tactician observed.

Victory in what was a potential banana skin for the champions went a long way to quash talk of unease in their camp due to the cash crunch brought by lack of a sponsor that saw the players not receive their full dues for March with the administration buying more time to shop around for a successor to Brookeside Dairies who jumped ship at the end of last month without the added pressure from their passionate demanding fans.

Elsewhere, Sony Sugar were forced to come one goal down to salvage a point after battling to a 1-1 draw with Thika United at their Awendo Green Stadium backyard.

Bernard Meki, put the visitors ahead in the 29th before Naftali Okombo equalised in the 58th to see Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno’s side drop down to eighth on 13 points in what is developing to be a closely fought opening to the season.

The last fixture of the weekend saw Muhoroni Youth beat Western Stima 1-0 and climb sixth on the log on 14 as Francis Baraza turned the tables on the side that made him the first coaching casualty of the campaign.

Skipper Abbas Akinyemi, scored the lone goal in 60th through a spot-kick.

LONDON, April 14- Ahead of Mo Farah’s much-hyped marathon debut in London on Sunday, few expert observers believed he stood any chance of winning.

But his lacklustre eighth place finish and modest time of 2hr 8min 21sec, which only puts him in the second-tier elite category and failed to even threaten a nearly 30-year-old British record, will be leaving the track star questioning if he has a future on the roads.

The lessons from his debut appear to be two-fold: firstly, the double Olympic and Worlds champion over 5,000 and 10,000m seems to be better built for speed, illustrated last year when he clocked the sixth fastest 1500m of all time.

Even his 5,000 and 10,000m golds have been more down to his wily racing tactics closed off with a staggering finishing kick, something that counts for little over 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometres).

Secondly, east African distance powerhouses Kenya and Ethiopia have raised the bar so high over the distance — their top runners regularly clocking times below 2:05 — that what was a good time a decade ago will now only leave you in the also-ran category.

On any given day, for every eight elite Kenyans and Ethiopians, one or two of them stand a chance of being in aggressive, record-breaking form — as was the case in London on Sunday for Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang.

“I will be back,” Farah told the BBC after the race. “I’m not going to finish it like this. I gave it my all but I’m disappointed I didn’t go out there and give what the crowd deserve.”

However, the 31-year-old Farah — who trained with the Kenyans at altitude for two months to prepare for London — refused to be rushed into a decision on his future, saying: “I’m disappointed but you try things and sometimes it doesn’t work, but you have to give it a go.”

Analysts, however, see Farah temporarily ditching his marathon ambitions and returning to the track for the time being, perhaps seeking to defend his track titles in Rio in 2016.

“It is a disappointing debut,” wrote Ross Tucker, a leading South African sports scientist who runs the influential sportsscientists.com website.

“What would be most concerning to Farah is that he ran pretty conservatively, and was on 2:06 pace for most of the race, and he still dropped substantially off that.”

He said the result “probably signals a delay in Farah’s marathon aspirations for a while. Back to the track for now, I would assume.”

Distance running site LetsRun.com said Farah’s performance “wasn’t awful” and gave him credit for making his marathon debut in London, which had which arguably assembled the greatest field in men’s marathon history.

But it also dismissed any chance of Farah ever being in contention for the race, and contrasted the performance with that of Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele — whose 2:05:03 debut in Paris the previous weekend, a course record, sets him apart as a 10,000m champion who has made the succesful leap to the marathon distance.