byJustin Lagat
Eliud Kipchoge, photo by PhotoRun.net
Justin Lagat wrote this column on some of the fine moments in our sport in 2017. We like Justins’ list and approach. We think that you will enjoy it too!
Some of the greatest athletic moments to remember in 2017
2017 has been a wonderful year of athletics. There were so many exciting athletic moments from the track up to the roads and below are just but a few of what I believe will most likely remain in the minds of many fans for a long time:
Usain Bolt retired from track running in August
World athletic fans got to watch the legendary “Lightning Bolt” run his last races on track during the IAAF world championships in London. Being his last appearance on track, fans expected him to end his career on a high note, but, the two races he participated in did not go so well as he finished 3rd in the 100m individual race and fell down, due to an hamstring injury, while anchoring his national team in the 4 by 100m relay race.
Eliud Kipchoge almost ran a marathon under 2 hours in May.
At the Monza track in Italy, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge together with Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea and Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia raced purposely to run under 2 hours for the marathon in ideal conditions.
It was Eliud Kipchoge who came so close to breaking the two hour mark by running it in 2 hours and 25 seconds.
Joyceline Jepkosgei broke six world records within six months.
During the Prague Half Marathon, she broke four world records; three of them on way to breaking the half marathon world record of 1:04:52, recording 30:05 at 10K, 45:37 at 15K and 61:25 at 20K.
At the Prague Grand Prix in September, Jepkosgei lowered her 10K world record time further to 29:43. Then at the Valencia half marathon in October, she lowered her world record time in half marathon to 1:04:51.
A successful and exciting IAAF World Championships were done in London
London staged another exciting athletics event, just like it did while it hosted the Olympic Games in 2012. Huge crowds turned out in large numbers to cheer the athletes. There were exciting races to watch including the men’s 10,000m and 5,000m race that Mo Farah was participating in, and the women’s 3000m steeplechase race that had surprise winners, among others. The mischievous Mascot for the world championships was also particularly interesting to watch.
USA was placed top on the championship medal table, followed by Kenya on second and South Africa coming third.
Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Nafissatou Thiam of Belgium became the IAAF athletes of the year in November
Barshim was dominant in the men’s high jump competitions throughout the year including winning the IAAF World Championships title and the IAAF Diamond League Trophy. His best jump of the year happned at the Birmingham Diamond League event when he jumped 2.40m.
23 year old, Thiam on the other hand also had an impressive year becoming a world champion in London and the European world indoor champion in Belgrade.
Mary Keitany broke the women’s marathon world record in London in April
Keitany won the London marathon in an historic women-only marathon world record time of 2:17:01. She broke the record that was previously held by Paula Radcliffe in 2:17:42, a time she also ran at the London marathon in 2005.
Shalane Flanagan won the New York City Marathon in November
On 5th November, Flanagan became the first US female athlete to win the New York City marathon since 1977. This will definitely remain as a major achievement for her in all her career in running, not unless she breaks the world record in future.
