by Justin Lagat
Faith Kipyegon, photo by Etienne Fiacre
This piece, by Justin Lagat, tells us about the exciting athletes in the distance events in Doha. I love this meet, the stadium, the event, the excitement, all kept me excited. The Doha Diamond League is ending the outdoor track season.
The diamond league season almost ended before we got to watch Conseslus Kipruto in action this year. He had failed to travel to the Monaco Diamond League event after getting infected with the COVID 19 virus earlier in August and had instead gone into isolation.
The 3000m steeplechase World and Olympic champion will be taking part in the men’s 1500m race in the final diamond league meeting in Doha. Interestingly, he will run against his fellow 2019 world medalists and long-time rivals; Sofiane El Bakkali and Lamecha Girma.
Despite the caliber of the runners on the men’s 1500m start list, none of them has a personal best time of under 3:30. Bethwel Birgen has the best personal best time of 3:30.77. Most of the stars won’t be running in their special events. Selemon Barega who is a force to reckon with in the 5000m event will be moving down to race here as well.
Timothy Cheruiyot would have easily won the 1500m race, but he will instead be running in the 800m event. Having remained unbeaten this year, except in a virtual run during the “Impossible games” in Oslo, his chances to get beaten will be higher in the 800m race. His personal best time of 1:43.11 is the fastest on the start list, but he will be up against runners who have been specializing in this event. Hoppel Bryce, Wiclyffe Kinyamal, and Ferguson Rotich will be some of the runners to watch out for here.
Just like Cheruiyot, Faith Kipyegon will also be running in the women’s 800m race.
There is a tendency among track and field organizers to put the most exciting race to be the last one on the time-table. Arguably, the most star-loaded field of the evening will be the women’s 3000m event, which will be the last event of the evening. There are two reigning world champions; Hellen Obiri and Beatrice Chepkoech on the start list. Other big names here include Hyvin Kiyeng, Margaret Kipkemboi, Gudaf Tsegay, and Agnes Tirop, among others.
