by Alfonz Juck
Happy #GlobalRunningDay!
Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of my world record run at @FBKGamesHengelo. I would like to wish all the athletes competing there this Sunday all the best!
Will you go for a run today?#TeamGSC pic.twitter.com/EStWtFsYRO
— Haile Gebrselassie (@HaileGebr) June 5, 2019
The FBK Games, held in Hengelo, Netherlands is one of the wonderful gems on the European circuit. The stadium is wonderful, with good seats abounding. The shot put has been held in the city center before, and the city abounds with good food and Grolsch beer. You have choices of pilsner and dark. Two hours by car/bus from Amsterdam, Hengelo reminds me of the dairy country around my home in Wisconsin.
Hengelo has many memories for me. I met Greg Rutherford there. I saw Haile Gebresleassie’s last 10,000m there. I enjoyed a fascinating multi event battle by shot putters, post event with pool, land darts, table tennis, among other events.
We will be watching FBK Games from afar, but hoping to visit again in the next couple of seasons!
Sifan Hassan is going for the European record at 5000m on June 9 in Hengelo.
Haile Gebrselassie, his last 10,000m, May 2012, photo by PhotoRun.net
Ik ga tijdens de @FBKGamesHengelo mijn Europees record aanvallen en ik kan je support goed gebruiken! Kom je me aanmoedigen? De code: FBKSIFAN25 geeft je 25% korting op je tickets! Koop ze op https://t.co/ejfeZkmUQu.
Tot zondag! pic.twitter.com/gxNwJA5HGf
— Sifan Hassan (@SifanHassan) June 5, 2019
HENGELO (NED): The long distance events should provide some of the highlights at the FBK Games in Hengelo on Sunday (IAAF World Challenge). European champion Sifan Hassan competes over 5000m in which she will face a strong Kenyan contingent including Caroline Kipkirui, Margaret Chelimo and Alice Aprot while Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha looks set to target a fast time in the men’s 5000m. Seven sub-10 competitors will line up for the men’s 100m including US veteran Mike Rodgers and former European champion Churandy Martina while teammate and two-time world 200m champion Dafne Schippers headlines the women’s 100m. Olympic champion Brianna McNeal is also confirmed for the 100m hurdles. Elsewhere, world champion Sam Kendricks is confirmed for the pole vault and world champion Jeff Henderson faces Olympic champion Luvo Manyonga in the long jump.
