Simbu told to up game after struggle in Bogota
Tanzania's long distance runner Alphonce Simbu crosses the finish line during the 2017 Mumbai Marathon. The 25-year old competes at the London Marathon today.
What you need to know:
The London 2017’s bronze medalist winner run just for 11 kilometres in the race that saw Feyisa Lilesa from Ethiopia winning a gold medal clocking 1 hour 4 minutes and 30 seconds, while Kenyan Peter Cheruiyot Kirui came second with 1:04.39, and the third place went to Shura Kitata from Ethiopia who clocked 1:05.40.
Dar es Salaam. Athletics Tanzania (AT) has cautioned long distance runner Alphonce Felix Simbu to work hard in order to regain his top form.
Simbu recently failed to finish the Bogota International Half Marathon in Colombia and caused mixed reactions among stakeholders of the game in the country.
The London 2017’s bronze medalist winner run just for 11 kilometres in the race that saw Feyisa Lilesa from Ethiopia winning a gold medal clocking 1 hour 4 minutes and 30 seconds, while Kenyan Peter Cheruiyot Kirui came second with 1:04.39, and the third place went to Shura Kitata from Ethiopia who clocked 1:05.40.
Speaking with The Citizen yesterday, AT Secretary General Wilhelm Gidabuday said Simbu’s failure was a lesson to him and other runners that it was very tough to maintain top honours and that it was easy to lose it.
Gidabuday urged Simbu to take the results as a challenge to regain his top position, saying failure to do so would make things hard for him.
He said that lack of training was the main problem for Simbu who dominated the media after finishing in the third position in the London marathon last year.
“Even Bogota marathon organisers’ were very interested in Simbu and expected the runner to perform better, but what happened left them surprised. We told them what faced the runner and they understood us,” said Gidabuday.
Apart from Simbu, Tanzania was represented by Gabriel Geway (Men) and Jacqueline Sakilu (Ladies) who finished fifth and ninth in their respective categories. The race saw Kenyan Bridgite Jepchirchir Kosgei win gold after clocking 1:12.17 while the second position went to Veronicah Wanjiru also from Kenya who clocked 1:12.43 and Ruth Chepngetich won third position with 1:13.57. Mary Wacera also from Kenya came fourth with 1:14.36.
Simbu admitted defeat in the race but promised to train hard before competing in the next international competition.
“I made efforts to at least finish the race, I found myself facing a hard time and decided to quit. I have to start afresh with intensive training before I compete again; it is a big lesson to me,” said Simbu.
