Tag: Micah Kogo

2014 TD BEACH TO BEACON 10K PREVIEW

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11B2Blogo

The 2014 TD Beach to Beacon 10K professional fields gathered at the elegant Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine this morning to be introduced to the media one day before the 17th running of the classic road race founded by local girl made good Joan Benoit Samuelson. Three times in its first 16 years the rolling B2B 10K has produced the fastest road 10K of the year, including in 2003 when Gilbert Okari of Kenya established the standing course record of 27:28. This year the best mark for the distance is held by Wilson Kiprono Too of Kenya while winning the Laredo 10K in Spain March 22nd in 27:39.

With defending champion and 2008 Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist Micah Kogo (28:02) leading another strong east African contingent, depending on how aggressive the field is, that world-leading time may again come under pressure on the rolling, but net downhill layout. (more…)

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WATCH OUT FOR THE WHITE GUY

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Kogo with Ben True on his heels
Kogo with Ben True on his heels (Boston Herald photo)

Falmouth, Ma.  —  Charming, but telling, comments yesterday by Kenya’s Micah Kogo after his New Balance Falmouth Road Race sprint finish win over a determined Ben True of Hanover, New Hampshire (not to mention fellow Americans Abdi Abdiraham and Ben Bruce who took places four and five after joining Kogo and fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai through the 10K mark of the seven-mile race).

Asked to go through the race from his vantage point to see how it compared with my view from the lead vehicle calling the race, the 2013 Boston Marathon runner-up described trying to push the pace after three miles as the historic course spilled out of the wooded section onto Surf Drive along Vineyard Sound.

“But my body was not moving,” he explained.  “So I held on through miles four and five.  But I saw that everyone was still there, even the white guy who was second.”

Oh, Micah, Micah, Micah. The humanity.  Imagine, even the white guy was still there. (more…)

BRIAN OLINGER STEPS OUT IN FALMOUTH

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     No surprises on the men’s podium at today’s 39th New Balance Falmouth Road Race, as the three Kenyan favorites prevailed for the second week in a row on the New England road circuit.  The only change from last weekend’s TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth, Maine was that 21 year-old Lucas Rotich turned the tables on 25 year-old countryman Micah Kogo to take the win.  His 31:37 winning time tied third best ever on the classic seaside course, and was four seconds up on the B2B champ.   2009 Falmouth champion and B2B third-placer, Ed Muge, followed in 32:02 to cop his second straight show trophy.

Not to say there wasn’t any surprise. There was a big one flying down into Falmouth Heights in fourth place as top American finisher in the person of Columbus, Ohio’s Brian Olinger.

Steeplechaser Brian Olinger

Running head up against the Kenyan stars throughout the seven-mile race, 25 year-old Olinger came across in 32:16 to become the third fastest American ever on the Falmouth course.  Only Alberto Salazar’s two wins (1981- 31:55, 1982 – 31:51), and Craig Virgin’s runner up to Alberto in `82 (32:12) have been faster by U.S. runners. (CORRECTION:  Meb Keflizighi ran 32:09 in 2008 (2nd), 32:12 in 2009 (5th), and 32:13 in 2007 (2nd).

Brian’s effort was well remunerated.  He pocketed $11,500, including the separate $10,000 payday that went to the top American finisher.  Arizona’s Abdi Abdirahman finished in fifth in 32:43. (more…)