Africa

The duo of Tosin Adeloye and Dare Ifemosu were the star performers, with both bettering the IAAF World Juniors qualification standards, at the two-day 2nd AFN/D.K Olukoya National U-18 Athletics Championship which concluded at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Centre in Lagos on Saturday.

Adeloye from Ekiti State won the girls 200m and 400m double on the last day of the U-18 championships organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

The 16-year-old talent took the 400m in a championships time of 53.46 seconds ahead of Chinonye Chukwu of Abia State (56.06) and Oluchi Offorma of GEJ Athletics Club (57.37). She had earlier ran 53.90 seconds in the semis.

Adeloye also won the girls 200m gold medal in 24.52 (+1.0) seconds ahead of Aderonke Ademosu (Buka Tiger) second in 25.03 seconds and Chinonye Chukwu (Abia State) third in 25.16 seconds.

Ifemosu won the boys 100m in 10.70 seconds ahead of Ekiti State's Yusuf Ismaila (10.92) and Tobi Akintomide (11.05) of DOAP Track Club on the opening day of the championships.

The Ogun state born athlete, who turns 17 on Wednesday, earlier ran an impressive 10.62 (+1.9) seconds in the semi-finals.

Ismaila, 16, who settled for silver in the 100m on the opening day, fiercely fought to win the 200m gold from Ifemosu in 22.24 seconds. The 100m metres champion settled for silver this time around in 22.29 seconds with Buka Tiger’s Akintoye Adeyemi (22.71) winning the bronze medal.

In the girls 100m, Margaret Bolufawi of Kwara State won a tightly contested race on the line from Nkem Ezealah of Lagos State (12.07 to 12.09 seconds). Doris Iwundu of Osheku Track Club took the bronze medal in 12.20 seconds.

The National U-18 Athletics championships was used as a selection trial for the Nigerian team to the 14th IAAF World Junior championships in Barcelona, Spain from July 10-15, 2012.

RESULTS:

• IAAF World Junior Championships
• Nigeria
• athletics

The Cross-River state government has appointed the deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham, as the chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 66th Cross River State/All-Nigeria Athletics Championships which holds June 21-23, 2012 in Calabar, the state capital.

Other members of the LOC are: the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Patrick Ugbe; the state director of sports, the state security adviser, office of the chief of staff to the governor, the state chief of protocol as well as the consultant on sports to the state, former international track and field star, Bruce Ijirigho.

The Committee is charged with the responsibility of organizing a world class championship in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Commissioner for Sports, Patrick Ugbe disclosed that the committee is determined to host a championship that will serve as the benchmark for future championships.

''His Excellency, Governor Liyel Imoke wants the LOC to organize a world class event and that is why he named the deputy governor as the head of the committee," said Ugbe.

"This is a clear demonstration of His Excellency's resolve that the culture of excellence his administration has been known for is sustained."

Ugbe also pointed out that the committee has been meeting, mapping out plans for a hitch-free and successful event.

''There are various sub-committees set up to ensure every detail of the championship is covered. The championship is the biggest in the calendar of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria and it is used annually to select Nigeria's representatives to various international championships and games.”

This year's edition will be used to select the Nigerian track and field team to this summer's Olympic Games in London.

• Nigeria
• AFN

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has charged athletics coaches in the African country to concentrate on grassroots development and monitoring of school sports competitions to groom young athletes for the nation.

AFN President, Solomon Ogba, stated this whilst speaking to journalist in Lagos just before the 2nd edition of the Pastor D.K Olukoya National U-18 Athletics Championship began at the Sports Complex of the Yaba College of Technology.

Ogba emphasized that it is now a challenge for coaches to monitor these young athletes as, considering the size of the country, national coaches cannot do it alone.

He said athletes like Mary Onyali and others were discovered during an inter house sports competitions and were monitored by coaches that discovered them and most of them became African champions and also have national records today.

“In other to discover and monitor young athletes, Athletics coaches should start attending schools inter house sports. There are some athletes today that are heard off who are good but with the monitoring of athletes by grassroots coaches, these athletes can be the rulers of tomorrow’s track and field in Nigeria.”

“Today, the likes of former African champion, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi and the current African champion, Damola Osayomi were discovered when they were young and they were monitored by their coaches, with the monitoring, they became African champions,” Ogba stated.

The Pastor D.K. Olukoya National U-18 Athletics championships would be used to select the Nigerian team for the IAAF World Junior championships in Barcelona this July.

According to the President of the athletics Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Ogba, the national U-18 championship is for young athletes under the age of 18 as no Para-military athletes will be allowed to compete.

Ogba, who is the second Vice President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), said junior championships, has so far produced at least four junior athletes that will make it to the London 2012 Olympics in July.

He said to determine the ages of the athletes; International passports will be used to avoid persons above 18 competing while physical observation will also be applied.

The former Delta State Sports Commissioner also stated that from the third edition, there will be states preliminaries to really curb the menace of age cheat.

• AFN
• IAAF World Junior Championships
• Nigeria
• Solomon Ogba

Kenyans scored an early season victory over arch-rival Ethiopians at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Doha as Vivian Cheruiyot, Pamela Jelimo, David Rudisha, Augustine Choge, Silas Kiplagat and Paul Kipsiele Koech all stormed to world leading times in the Qatari capital last night.

The World 5000 and 10,000m champion, Vivian Cheruiyot, held off the desperate charge of Ethiopian ex-Olympic 5000m champion Meseret Defar to win the women's 3000m in 8:46.44. Defar had to settle for second place in 8:46.49 with Sylvia Kibet (Kenya) third in 8:47.49 and Gelete Burka (Ethiopia) fourth in 8:48.92.

Cheruiyot's compatriot Augustine Choge won the men’s 3000m in 7:30.42, the world’s fastest time this year, with countryman Eliud Kipchoge second in 7:31.40 and Ugandan Moses Ndiema Kipsiro third in 7:31.88. Race favourite, Ethiopian star Kenenisa Bekele struggled home seventh in 7:40.00.

In the women's 800m, reigning Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo fought back in the last 50m to beat young Fantu Masigo (Ethiopia) clocking a world leading and a meeting record time of 1:56.94. The 19-year-old Ethiopian was second with an Ethiopian record of 1:57.90 with reigning Olympic silver medallist Janeth Jepkosgei (Kenya) a distant third in 1:58.50.

World 800m record-holder, David Rudisha, cruised to a commanding victory in the men’s race smashing his own world lead in 1:43.10. Job Kinyor (Kenya)  was second in 1:43.76 and Andrew Osagie (Great Britain) third in 1:44.64.

Silas Kiplagat led four Kenyans across the line to win the men's 1500m in a race that produced the season’s first two sub-2:30 times. Kiplagat clocked 3:29.63 to hold off the world and Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop who settled for a lifetime best time of 2:29.78. Bethwell Birgen (3:31.17) and Nixon Kiplimo Chepseba (3:31.32) were third and fourth respectively.

Kenya's Paul Kipsiele Koech won the men's 3000m steeplechase in 7:56.58, a meeting record and world lead, ahead of compatriot Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong (7:56.81). Ethiopian Roba Gari was third with a national record 8:06.16. And 17-year-old Kenyan Conseslus Kipruto became the fastest ever for his age after crossing the line in 8:08.92 for fifth place.

Elsewhere...

South Africa’s Olympic silver medallist Godfrey Khotso Mokoena lost out in final round in the men's Long Jump to Russia’s Aleksandr Menkov, who won with a leap of 8.22m in his fourth and final effort. Mokoena had to settle for second with a best mark of 8.10m and Ndiss Kaba Badji of Senegal took third with 8.04m.

Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare shows early signs of improvement in her technique and form since she moved to Los Angeles to train with the NIKE group under John Smith.

Okagbare was only hundreth of a second outside her personal best to finish fourth in 11.01 in the women's 100m ahead of Jamaica’s joint Olympic silver medallists Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, who finished seventh and eighth in 11.16 and 11.22 respectively.

The race was won by American Alyson Felix in a meeting record and a personal best time of 10.92 ahead of Jamaicans, Veronica Campbell-Brown - the World and Olympic 200m champion and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce - the Olympic 100m champion, who were second and third in 10.94 and 11.00 respectively.

Former Olympic champion, Justin Gatlin (United States) won the men's 100m after out-leaning Jamaica’s former World record holder Asafa Powell on the line clocking 9.87 – the third fastest run this season. Powell settled for second in 9.88, with fellow Jamaican Lerone Clarke equalling his personal best of 9.99 in third place.

Doha Diamond League Results

Men's 100m                                                     
1.   Justin Gatlin (U.S.)                        9.87    
2.   Asafa Powell (Jamaica)                      9.88    
3.   Lerone Clarke (Jamaica)                     9.99    
4.   Michael Rodgers (U.S.)                      10.00   
5.   Nesta Carter (Jamaica)                      10.05   
6.   Darvis Patton (U.S.)                        10.11   
7.   Jacques Harvey (Jamaica)                    10.14   
8.   Jimmy Vicaut (France)                       10.28   
Men's 200m                                                     
1.   Walter Dix (U.S.)                           20.02   
2.   Churandy Martina (Netherlands)              20.26   
3.   Jaysuma Saidy Ndure (Norway)                20.34   
4.   Marvin Anderson (Jamaica)                   20.42   
5.   Mario Forsythe (Jamaica)                    20.53   
6.   Rasheed Dwyer (Jamaica)                     20.60   
7.   Aziz Ouhadi (Morocco)                       20.70   
8.   Rakieem Salaam (U.S.)                       DNF     
Men's 400m                                                     
1.   LaShawn Merritt (U.S.)                      44.19   
2.   Luguelin Santos (Dominican Republic)        44.88   
3.   Angelo Taylor (U.S.)                        44.97   
4.   Martyn Rooney (Britain)                     44.99   
5.   Tabarie Henry (Virgin Islands (U.S.))       45.20   
6.   Rabah Yousif (Sudan)                        45.42   
7.   Calvin Smith (U.S.)                         45.62   
8.   Thomas Schneider (Germany)                  47.12   
Men's 800m                                                     
1.   David Lekuta Rudisha (Kenya)                1:43.10 
2.   Job Kinyor (Kenya)                          1:43.76 
3.   Andrew Osagie (Britain)                     1:44.64 
4.   Antonio Reina (Spain)                       1:44.65 
5.   David Mutinda Mutua (Kenya)                 1:44.66 
6.   Michael Rimmer (Britain)                    1:44.86 
7.   Andreas Bube (Denmark)                      1:44.99 
8.   Jakub Holusa (Czech Republic)               1:45.12 
Men's 1500m                                                   
1.   Silas Kiplagat (Kenya)                      3:29.63 
2.   Asbel Kiprop (Kenya)                        3:29.78 
3.   Bethwell Birgen (Kenya)                     3:31.17 
4.   Nixon Kiplimo Chepseba (Kenya)              3:31.32 
5.   Collins Cheboi (Kenya)                      3:32.64 
6.   Ilham Tanui OEzbilen (Turkey)               3:33.32 
7.   Mekonnen Gebremedhin (Ethiopia)             3:33.38 
8.   Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (Kenya)            3:33.43 
Men's 3000m                                                   
1.   Augustine Choge (Kenya)                     7:30.42 
2.   Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)                      7:31.40 
3.   Moses Ndiema Kipsiro (Uganda)               7:31.88 
4.   Isiah Kiplangat Koech (Kenya)               7:32.43 
5.   Thomas Longosiwa (Kenya)                    7:33.68 
6.   Edwin Cheruiyot Soi (Kenya)                 7:38.45 
7.   Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia)                  7:40.00 
8.   Abera Kuma (Ethiopia)                       7:40.85 
Men's 3000m Steeplechase                                      
1.   Paul Kipsiele Koech (Kenya)                 7:56.58 
2.   Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong (Kenya)         7:56.81 
3.   Roba Gari (Ethiopia)                        8:06.16 
4.   Jairus Kipchoge (Kenya)                     8:06.72 
5.   Conseslus Kipruto (Kenya)                   8:08.92 
6.   Bernard Nganga (Kenya)                      8:11.00 
7.   Gilbert Kiplangat Kirui (Kenya)             8:11.27 
8.   Elijah Chelimo Kipterege (Kenya)            8:12.84 
Men's High Jump                                               
1.   Dimitrios Chondrokoukis (Greece)            2.32    
2.   Jesse Williams (U.S.)                       2.30    
3.   Mickael Hanany (France)                     2.30    
4.   Samson Oni (Britain)                        2.27    
5.   Trevor Barry (Bahamas)                      2.27    
5=.  Donald Thomas (Bahamas)                     2.27    
7.   Zhang Guowei (China)                        2.27    
8.   Jaroslav Baba (Czech Republic)              2.24    
Men's Long Jump                                               
1.   Aleksandr Menkov (Russia)                   8.22    
2.   Khotso Mokoena (South Africa)               8.10    
3.   Ndiss Kaba Badji (Senegal)                  8.04    
4.   Greg Rutherford (Britain)                   7.98    
5.   Tommi Evilae (Finland)                      7.92    
6.   Salim Sdiri (France)                        7.79    
7.   Tyrone Smith (Bermuda)                      7.69    
8.   Andrew Howe (Italy)                         7.16    
Men's Discus Throw                                            
1.   Piotr Malachowski (Poland)                  67.53   
2.   Ehsan Hadadi (Iran)                         66.32   
3.   Zoltan Koevago (Hungary)                    65.77   
4.   Gerd Kanter (Estonia)                       65.57   
5.   Benn Harradine (Australia)                  64.29   
6.   Vikas Gowda (India)                         64.10   
7.   Virgilijus Alekna (Lithuania)               63.99   
8.   Maert Israel (Estonia)                      62.82   
Women's 100m                                                  
1.   Allyson Felix (U.S.)                        10.92   
2.   Veronica Campbell-Brown (Jamaica)           10.94   
3.   Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica)           11.00   
4.   Blessing Okagbare (Nigeria)                 11.01   
5.   LaShauntea Moore (U.S.)                     11.13   
6.   Mikele Barber (U.S.)                        11.13   
7.   Kerron Stewart (Jamaica)                    11.16   
8.   Sherone Simpson (Jamaica)                   11.22   
Women's 800m                                                  
1.   Pamela Jelimo (Kenya)                       1:56.94 
2.   Fantu Magiso (Ethiopia)                     1:57.90 
3.   Janeth Jepkosgei (Kenya)                    1:58.50 
4.   Yuneysi Santiusti (Cuba)                    1:59.26 
5.   Emma Jackson (Britain)                      1:59.37 
6.   Molly Beckwith (U.S.)                       1:59.51 
7.   Eunice Sum (Kenya)                          1:59.94 
8.   Tintu Lukka (India)                         2:01.09 
Women's 3000m                                                 
1.   Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya)                    8:46.44 
2.   Meseret Defar (Ethiopia)                    8:46.49 
3.   Sylvia Kibet (Kenya)                        8:47.49 
4.   Gelete Burka (Ethiopia)                     8:48.92 
5.   Priscah Jepleting Cherono (Kenya)           8:50.04 
6.   Viola Kibiwot (Kenya)                       8:50.63 
7.   Janet Kisa (Kenya)                          8:51.63 
8.   Pauline Chemning Korikwiang (Kenya)         8:52.04 
Women's 100m Hurdles                                          
1.   Brigitte Foster-Hylton (Jamaica)            12.60   
2.   Kellie Wells (U.S.)                         12.72   
3.   Phylicia George (Canada)                    12.79   
4.   Nia Ali (U.S.)                              12.93   
5.   Perdita Felicien (Canada)                   12.95   
6.   Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (Canada)            12.95   
7.   Yvette Lewis (U.S.)                         13.08   
8.   Nikkita Holder (Canada)                     20.81   
Women's 400m Hurdles                                          
1.   Melaine Walker (Jamaica)                    54.62   
2.   Kaliese Spencer (Jamaica)                   54.99   
3.   Perri Shakes-Drayton (Britain)              55.25   
4.   Lauren Boden (Australia)                    55.75   
5.   Hayat Lambarki (Morocco)                    56.29   
6.   Jasmine Chaney (U.S.)                       56.55   
7.   Anna Jesien (Poland)                        56.89   
8.   Stephanie McPherson (Jamaica)               58.61   
Women's Pole Vault                                            
1.   Anastasiya Savchenko (Russia)               4.57    
2.   Silke Spiegelburg (Germany)                 4.57    
3.   Nikolia Kiriakopoulou (Greece)              4.50    
4.   Vanessa Boslak (France)                     4.50    
4=.  Kate Dennison (Britain)                     4.50    
6.   Lacy Janson (U.S.)                          4.40    
7.   Yuliya Golubchikova (Russia)                4.30    
8.   Mary Saxer (U.S.)                           4.30    
Women's Triple Jump                                           
1.   Olga Rypakova (Kazakhstan)                  14.33   
2.   Keila Costa (Brazil)                        14.31   
3.   Francoise Mbango (France)                   14.09   
4.   Dana Veldakova (Slovakia)                   14.00   
5.   Tatyana Lebedeva (Russia)                   13.84   
6.   Aleksandra Kotlyarova (Uzbekistan)          13.78   
7.   Marija Sestak (Slovenia)                    13.56   
8.   Malgorzata Trybanska (Poland)               13.55   
Women's Shot Put                                              
1.   Nadezhda Ostapchuk (Belarus)                20.53   
2.   Jillian Camarena-Williams (U.S.)            19.81   
3.   Nadine Kleinert (Germany)                   19.67   
4.   Anita Marton (Hungary)                      18.33   
5.   Cleopatra Borel-Brown (Trinidad and Tobago) 18.30   
6.   Josephine Terlecki (Germany)                17.71   
7.   Jessica Cerival (France)                    16.49   
Women's Javelin Throw                                         
1.   Maria Abakumova (Russia)                    66.86   
2.   Barbora Spotakova (Czech Republic)          66.17   
3.   Christina Obergfoell (Germany)              64.59   
4.   Du Xiaowei (China)                          61.43   
5.   Goldie Sayers (Britain)                     61.03   
6.   Kim Mickle (Australia)                      60.87   
7.   Martina Ratej (Slovenia)                    60.80   
8.   Madara Palameika (Latvia)                   58.01

• Asbel Kiprop
• Godfrey Mokoena
• Kenya
• Moses Kipsiro
• Samsung DL

Ethiopian Ayele Abshero, already being tipped to become the next world record holder for the marathon, will face compatriot Haile Gebrselassie and Kenyan Patrick Makau, the past and present incumbents of the title, at the Bupa Great Manchester Run next weekend.

Abshero first showed his vast potential for the future with his 2009 IAAF World Cross Country junior title, before steering a different career pathway from that normally adopted by Ethiopian athletes, including Gebrselassie, the world's greatest ever distance athlete.

Instead of chasing global titles on the track which Gebrselassie, a two-time Olympic 10,000m gold medallist did so successfully before stepping up to the marathon, the 21-year-old Abshero has already committed himself to a road running career.

That decision saw the young rookie become the world's fourth fastest ever marathoner on his debut at the distance, when clocking a superb time of 2:04:23 to win the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon at the end of January.

His time, in the heat of the United Arab Republic venue, was only 45 seconds slower than the performance achieved by Kenya's Makau when breaking Gebrselassie's three-year-old mark of 2:03:59 at the Berlin Marathon last September.

Now Abshero, along with Gebrselassie, Makau and Ethiopia's 2008 Olympic Marathon bronze medallist Tsegaye Kebede will step down in distance and head the line up for an intriguing 10k contest at the Bupa Great Manchester Run, which is an IAAF Gold Label event.

The 10th staging of the event, which was created as a legacy to Manchester staging the highly successful 2002 Commonwealth Games, will also see Kenya's former World 10,000m champion Linet Masai in action.

Masai, 22, who also has three IAAF World Cross Country silver medals to her credit, should bring the best out of Great Britain's Mara Yamauchi, who is presently preparing in the United States for her second successive Olympic marathon appearance.

However the strongest domestic challengers will be Gemma Steel, who has come on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months having beaten top Britons Paula Radcliffe and Jo Pavey over the 10k distance and the vastly talented Charlotte Purdue.

The Bupa Great Manchester Run will be broadcast live on BBC2 from 10am to 12.30 on Sunday May 20, 2012.

(With information from the Organisers)

• Ethiopia
• Kenya
• Ayele Abshero
• Haile Gebrselassie
• Patrick Makau

Athletics South Africa (ASA) President, James Evans, has been re-elected for a further four-year term as the Area Representative for Africa and Oceania on the Executive Council of the International Association of Ultra runners (IAU).

He was first elected to the position in 2008. During his first tenure on the Council the number of countries from Africa affiliated to the IAU doubled, with Kenya being the latest member to join.

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon was awarded Gold Label Status in 2012 and a number of South African races were also awarded IAU labeled status. The label association means that performances at South African events are included on the international statistics lists.

The net effect of this inclusion is that results from Africa, specifically Southern Africa, and Australia have started to dominate the 50km international lists.

South Africa also participated at the 2011 World 100km Championships in 2011, where Lindsey van Aswegen won the bronze medal.

Evans re-election adds to the growing number of positions which South Africans are filling on World and African Athletics bodies.

• RSA
• Athletics South Africa
• James Evans

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has reopened the IAAF Fantasy Athletics game on IAAF.Org for the 2012 Samsung Diamond League series.

IAAF Fantasy Athletics is an exciting online game which will run through the 14 meeting series of the Samsung Diamond League from May to September.

The goal of Fantasy Athletics is to assemble a team of champion athletes which you believe will be as successful as possible during the Samsung Diamond League.

The Fantasy Athletics game will begin with the opening Samsung Diamond League meeting in Doha this Friday with each of the 14 Samsung Diamond League meetings crowning one (1) Fantasy Athletics winner who will be awarded one authentic IAAF Centenary Polo Shirt.

So why not give it a go and join in?

To register simply visit the IAAF home page and click on the Fantasy Athletics banner or click here.

Samsung Diamond League - 2012 Calendar

1. Doha, QAT - 11 May
2. Shanghai, CHN - 19 May
3. Rome, ITA - 31 May
4. Eugene, USA - 2 June
5. Oslo, NOR - 7 June
6. New York, USA - 9 June
7. Paris, FRA - 6 July
8. London, GBR - 13 / 14 July
9. Monaco, MON - 20 July
10. Stockholm, SWE - 17 August
11. Lausanne, SUI - 23 August
12. Birmingham, GBR - 26 August
13. Zurich, SUI - 30 August
14. Brussels, BEL - 7 September

• Samsung DL
• IAAF
• athletics

Kenyans Mary Keitany and Wilson Kipsang destroyed two of the best fields ever assembled to win the 2012 Virgin London Marathon titles with the former retaining her crown from 12 months ago.

While Kipsang led a Kenyan one-two in the men's race, defending London champion Keitany spearheaded a medal sweep in the women's - the first ever for women in London. Indeed, Kenyans filled the first five places.

Keitany made the most of perfect conditions to kick away from a clutch of highly talented rivals in the last four miles before powering home in 2:18:37, which is an African record, improving the mark of compatriot Catherine Ndereba, who had run 2:18:47 back in 2001.

Keitany's time is also a world leading time this year, making her the third quickest woman of all time and the fifth fastest ever.

"The time was OK," she said. "The weather here all week has not been good but when I saw the sunshine this morning I knew it would be all right for me."

Keitany and World champion Edna Kiplagat both passed the 35K point in 1:56:01, a sub 2:20 pace, putting them in pole position for fighting for Olympic qualification.

Kiplagat challenged the defending champion until 23 miles and maintained her form over the closing miles to record her first sub-2:20 time, crossing the line in 2:19:50, a personal best by nearly a minute.

There was a lifetime best for third place Priscah Jeptoo too, the world silver medalist running 2:20:14, more than two and half minutes inside her previous best. Other Kenyans Florence Kiplagat (2:20:57) and Lucy Kabuu (2:23:12) finished fourth and fifth place respectively.

Earlier in the race, Ethiopian Ejegayehu Dibaba dropped out before the 10K mark.

Kipsang delivers

Wilson Kipsang missed Emmanuel Mutai's course record on his London debut by just four seconds

Kipsang came to London as the second fastest man in history and he stamped his authority on a heavily loaded field with two bold surges in the second half of the race.

Breaking free after 33K, the two-time Frankfurt Marathon champion crossed the line more than two minutes clear in 2:04:44 followed by Martin Lel (Kenya) - the three-times London champion repeating his second place from 2011.

"I knew when I went away they would have to work very, very hard to beat me as I was feeling so good in myself," said Kipsang.

"I am so sorry I didn't ditch the record but winning is the most important thing for me. I feel little tired now, but I am happy and tired."

By the 40K mark, World Champion Abel Kirui was on course for second place after passing the mark in 1:59:23 and was 33 seconds ahead of Ethiopian Feyisa Lilesa. However, there was a late drama as Abel Kirui faded badly on the final few kilometres and dropped back into sixth (2:07:56).

Lel came through for second position in 2:06:51 winning a sprint finish by a second from Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede (2:06:52).

Moroccans Adil Annani (2:07:43) and Jaouad Gharib (2:07:44) finished in fourth and fifth places respectively with defending champion Emmanuel Mutai (Kenya) finishing seventh (2:08:01).

Lilesa ended up in tenth clocking a disappointing time of 2:08:20 and World record-holder, Patrick Makau from Kenya dropped out of the race throwing his Olympic selection in doubt.

Selected Top Results

Men:

1. Wilson Kipsang KEN 2:04:44

2. Martin Lel KEN 2:06:51

3. Tsegaye Kebede ETH 2:06:52

4. Adil Annani MAR 2:07:43

5. Jaouad Gharib MAR 2:07:44

6. Abel Kirui KEN 2:07:56

7. Emmanuel Mutai KEN 2:08:01

8. Marilson Gomes dos Santo BRA 2:08:03

Women:

1. Mary Keitany KEN 2:18.37

2. Edna Kiplagat KEN 2:19:50

3. Priscah Jeptoo KEN 2:20:14

4. Florence Kiplagat KEN 2:20.57

5. Lucy Kabuu KEN 2:23:12

6. Aberu Kebede ETH 2:24:04

7. Irina Mikitenko GER  2:24:53

8. Jessica Augusto POR 2:24:59

• Kenya
• London Marathon
• Mary Keitany
• Wilson Kipsang

Fast times are expected this weekend as Nigerian athletes arrive Nsukka for the 2nd AFN/NDDC Golden League 2012 which will take place on Saturday April 21 at the University of Nigeria (UNN) Sports Complex.

With the first leg winners already on ground, other athletes are ready to go for the kill in the six series event, especially those still chasing the Olympic standards in their events.

The Secretary of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Maria Wophil said Thursday that almost all the athletes that won in Port Harcourt are on ground at the university town to consolidate their positions.

Bamidele Taiwo from Immigration Track and Field club who won the 100m event in 10.36, will be expecting a stiff fight from Jonathan Nmaju (10.38) of Abia and Elvis Ukale (10.48) of Delta who placed second and third respectively.

In the women version of the sprint, Civil Defense Academy's Josephine Omaka may also not find it easy. Both Susan Akene Obehi of the NSCDC and Margaret Benson of Delta will be aiming for revenge.

Meanwhile, Athletics Nigeria has confirmed that instead of the usual All Comers, the Nsukka leg will have some events for athletes not competing for the Golden League jackpot.

"These events are open and not scoring for athletes not on the Golden League trail. These events will hold before the League events," observed Worphil, who is also a member of IAAF Women Committee.

• AFN Classics
• Nigeria
• Olympics

Want to become better acquainted with your favourite Olympians? Tired of not knowing if the athletes you are following online are the real deal? Looking for a unified status-update stream that integrates Facebook and Twitter so you can get the entire conversation and not just part of it? If you said yes to any or all of these questions, then the Olympic Athletes’ Hub is the place for you.

Officially launched online this week to coincide with 100 days to go to London 2012, the Hub is the latest initiative by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to make the Olympic experience more personal and interactive for Olympic fans worldwide by substantially increasing engagement between them and the athletes.

The Hub is a searchable directory of Olympians that provides posts from their Facebook and Twitter accounts and other information designed to connect people with their favourite athletes. Using the Hub’s search function, users can effortlessly locate athletes by country or by sport. Over 1,000 verified Olympians have already joined the Hub, and the number will continue to grow as the countdown to London 2012 continues and word of the Hub spreads.

Fans can unlock secret training tips from Olympic legends, including Nadia Comaneci (gymnastics, ROM), Edwin Moses (athletics, USA), Mark Spitz (swimming, USA), Yelena Isinbayeva (athletics, RUS) and Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (figure skating, GBR). The more athletes users “like” on Facebook or follow on Twitter through the site, the more points they receive, accumulating prizes such as virtual gold, silver and bronze medals from past Olympic Games in the process. Many other prizes will also be awarded on the road to London 2012.

During the London 2012 Olympic Games, a special section will be created on the Hub where users can view in real time what the athletes competing at the Games are saying on social media sites. In addition, for the first time ever at the Olympic Games, chats with athletes will take place from within the Athletes’ Village, connecting fans and Olympians in real time.

“The Olympic Athletes’ Hub was born out of our desire to connect Olympic athletes and their fans more intimately than ever before,” said Alex Huot, Head of Social Media for the IOC. “With the launch of the Hub, we are creating a paradigm shift in the communication around the Olympic Games, and we are excited to offer this opportunity for greater engagement and interaction between Olympians and their fans.”

• Olympics
• Paralympics
• International Olympic Committee

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) on Wednesday hosted the celebration of the important 100 days-to-go landmark for the much anticipated 2012 Olympics Games in London.

Broadcast live exclusively on SABC 2′s Morning Live television programme, the 100 days extravaganza took place at Golf Reef City, Johannesburg early on Wednesday morning, and featured a most apt theme of ‘Going for Gold’ with award-winning journalist turned world renowned commentator Duane Dell’oca in charge of the proceeding as the MC.

Among the dignitaries who joined in the celebrations were the Deputy Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Gert Oosthuizen; Ms Hajera Kajee and Mr Les Williams, respectively first and second Vice-Presidents of SASCOC; SASCOC Chief Executive Officer, Tubby Reddy as well as Presidents from various National Federations.

Sporting hopefuls for the London 2012 Olympic Games, including track and field athletes and members of the national men’s hockey team, who will be leaving for their Olympic Qualifier tournament in Japan on Thursday, were also in attendance.

Wednesday’s celebration saw Cecil Africa (Springbok Sevens star), former Bafana Bafana captain and now retired football legend Lucas Radebe, golf sensation Ernie Els, retired international cricket ace Makhaya Ntini and Cynthia Tshaka – one of the first Laureus Ambassadors in South Africa as well as the founder of the Sports Hero’s walk against HIV/Aids – were unveiled as Team South Africa Ambassadors.

“The role of the Team SA Ambassador is to inspire and mentor the Team SA athletes competing at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while encouraging young and old people worldwide to become more active in sport”, said Reddy .

Already a star in his own right, the recently announced Team SA mascot, Chukuru, once again showed why he is the fans’ favourite, especially when he has his dancing boots on. Members of the public recently voted for the rhino-like mascot as the most popular mascot for Team SA going forward to all multi-coded sports events.

Following Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula’s Magnificent Friday initiative before the Soccer, Cricket and Rugby World Cups, where South Africans were encouraged to wear green and gold on Fridays, SASCOC also launched a supporter’s shirt for Team SA Fridays.

Predominately green, the (supporters) shirt will be available in selected stores around the country, ahead of the regular staging of Team SA Fridays which kick off this weekend and are sure to drum up more popular support for Team SA at the world’s biggest global sports event.

• London
• Olympics
• RSA
• SASCOC

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) today unveiled the motto for the Games – ‘Inspire a generation’, reflecting the promise made when London won the bid, as part of the celebrations marking 100 days to go to the Olympic Games.

The Committee also launched the latest ‘spectacular’ installation of the Olympic Rings at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, west London. The rings are 50m long, made up of 20,000 plants and are visible from the Heathrow flight path.

LOCOG also announced that the world-famous Red Arrows aerobatic display team will perform a nine-ship flypast in Big Battle formation to symbolically link the whole of the UK and provide a quintessential British welcome on the day of the Olympic Opening Ceremony (July 27th).

Across the UK, thousands of people will be marking 100 days to go.  At Weymouth and Portland, the venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing competitions, a giant sandcastle has been built featuring the Olympic Rings.  There will also be activities including have a go sessions and interactive video games at many Live Sites throughout today. 

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: "With 100 days to go to the start of the Games, millions of people  are getting ready to do the best work of their lives and welcome the world this summer.

"There is a groundswell of support and excitement, not just in the UK, but internationally as the final countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games begins."

"Whether it’s the competing athletes or people getting ready to join their communities in supporting Torchbearers on the streets of the UK, the whole world is getting ready for London. Expectations are high, and we won’t disappoint," he added.

On his part, IOC President Jacques Rogge said: "Organising the Olympics is a team effort and over the next hundred days, people from all walks of life and from all around the world will play their part in helping to make London 2012 a Games that will inspire a generation.

"From the athletes refining their technique, to the volunteers learning about their roles, to the torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame and the people supporting them as they go, each and every one of them is playing their part in making these a Games to remember.

"Around the world, the excitement is growing and expectations are high but I am confident that Britain and London will deliver a great sporting event and a warm welcome too."

(Photos courtesy - LOCOG)

• Olympics
• London
• International Olympic Committee
• LOCOG

Kenyan Henry Sugut won the 29th edition of the Vienna City Marathon, clocking an Austrian all-comer record of 2:06:58 whilst Ethiopian Fate Tola defended her women's title in a time of 2:26:39.

However, in the much anticipated OMV Champions Race Haile Gebrselassie clearly beat Paula Radcliffe despite the latter having a head start.

The British world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe got a 7:52 minutes head start in the half marathon chase race against Ethiopia’s superstar Haile Gebrselassie.

The advantage was based on the personal best times of the two athletes (those times counted that were run on courses eligible for records). Radcliffe and Gebrselassie had two runners each going into the race with them.

When Haile Gebrselassie started the chase he quickly closed the gap significantly. At the 9 k point the advantage of Paula Radcliffe had been cut to 3:42 minutes. And in the following five kilometres Haile closed in even more. Already after 15.3 k he then overtook Paula Radcliffe, who had suffered of a bronchitis in the past two weeks and was clearly not at her best.

“I shouted at her to hurry up,” said Haile Gebrselassie, who waved his hand when passing, trying to drive her on. But then the Ethiopian was soon out of sight and crossed the line in 60:52 minutes. Paula Radliffe visibly struggled and could only manage 72:03, which means the actual time difference was 11:11 minutes.

“Clearly Paula has been ill, otherwise she would not have run so slow. I had expected that I could perhaps catch her around the 20 k mark. She had a bad day today, but this can happen. For me it was a nice race in tremendous atmosphere. I enjoyed it although I had hoped to run a bit faster,” said Haile Gebrselassie.

“It was not good at all for me. I had hoped for a time of around 69 minutes, but already after six, seven kilometres my legs felt very heavy,” said Paula Radcliffe, who apologised to the organisers for not being able to do better.

“There is nothing to say sorry for – Paula still put on a great show,” said Race Director Wofgang Konrad. “I don’t know at this point what the reason is, it might be the bronchitis. This was supposed to be a test for the Olympic marathon, but in the end it was no test,” added Paula Radcliffe.

While the OMV Champions Race drew a lot of attention the performance of the day clearly came in the men’s marathon. Here Henry Sugut clocked the first sub 2:07 time in the history of the race and a personal best. He significantly improved the course record set by the current World Champion Abel Kirui (Kenya) in 2008 with 2:07:38.

Henry Sugut, who had won the Vienna City Marathon already in 2010, finished in 2:06:58. The 26 year-old is the first man to repeat a victory in Vienna since 1992. Regarding the depth of the elite results Vienna saw the best marathon in the history of the event.

Behind Sugut two Kenyans ran inside 2:08 and another two finished inside 2:09. Gilbert Yegon (2:07:38), defending champion  John Kiprotich (2:07:44), Gilbert Kirwa (2:08:09) and Willy Kibor (2:08:32) took the places behind Henry Sugut. Poland’s Artur Kozlowski was the best non-Kenyan runner. He finished eighth with 2:10:58.

After a more conservative first half with a split time of 64:18 minutes the pace was picked up afterwards. At the 30k mark (1:30:19) Sugut, Kiprotich, Kirwa, Yegon and Kibor formed the leading group.

The decisive moment came around the 38k mark, when Sugut, who had entered the race with a personal best of 2:08:21, left behind Yegon and Kiprotich.

“It was my aim to run sub 2:08, now I even achievd a sub 2:07. So I am very happy. What really helped me running so fast was the strong opposition,” said Henry Sugut.

In the women’s race Fate Tola (Ethiopia) was in the lead from the start. The 24 year-old, who is a training partner of Germany’s marathon record holder Irina Mikitenko and lives in Germany, clocked 2:26:39. The defending champion, who had run her personal best in Vienna last year with 2:26:21, ran an even pace throughout.

When Fate Tola passed the half way mark in 73:17 she had built a lead of 49 seconds. Running next to each other for the whole race Olga Glok (Russia) and Helalia Johannes (Namibia) followed in 74:06.

At 30k it looked as if the chasing pair could still have a chance of catching Tola, because they had reduced the gap to 18 seconds. But at 35k (2:01:19) Fate Tola, who speaks some German, had increased her advantage to 30 seconds again.

In a close fight for second place Olga Glok finished in 2:27:18 two seconds ahead of Helalia Johannes.

“To come back as the defending champion and win again means a lot to me,” said Fate Tola, who had trained with Irina Mikitenko in Albuquerque (USA) recently.

“When I saw that Irina ran well in a German 10k race last week that was a good sign for me.” Next year Fate Tola could become the first woman to win the Vienna City Marathon three times in a row.
 

• Ethiopia
• Fate Tola
• Henry Sugut
• Kenya
• Vienna City Marathon

South African distance runner, Stephen Mokoka, set his first Olympic qualifying time in the men's 10,000 metres race on the opening day of the SA Senior Athletics Championships in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

Mokoka crossed the finish line in a time of 27 minutes, 40.73 seconds (20:40.73), dipping below the Olympic qualifying standard of 27:45.00.

Gladwin Mzazi was second in 28:20.18 and Xolisa Tyali secured the bronze medal in 28:29.20.

The pint-sized Mokoka had already qualified for the marathon event at the London Olympic Games -- one of five South Africans who have met the standard over the classic distance.

While Mokoka is equally adept in the marathon and the 10 000m, he said he was leaning towards the longer distance.

"For now I am doing my speed work," he said.

"My coach (Michael Seme) and I haven't decided yet, but initially we decided that I was going to do the marathon .

"We still have time because if I prepare for the marathon I will take about three months, so I will go sit down with my coach.

"I think the marathon would be better but he will decide."

Mokoka ran himself into the record books, recording the third fastest time by a South African over 10,000m on the track, with only Hendrick Ramaala (27:29.94) and Xolile Yawa (27:39.69) ahead of him.

Mokoena beaten

Meanwhile, SA long jump champion Khotso Mokoena was dethroned by young pretender Zarck Visser, who leaped to a personal best of 8.21 metres to take the spoils.

Visser was, however, assisted by a tailwind of 2.2 metres per second which made the jump null and void in terms of Olympic qualifying.

His second best jump of 8.07m was registered as legal and proved to be a new personal best for the 22-year-old.

"I guess it is just one of those things, and it was just a good day," Visser said.

"We all knew that the wind would play a big factor."

Visser's coach, Ammerie Fouche, said the wind-assisted jump of 8.21m was significant as it was the same distance her husband, former SA long jump record holder Francois Fouche, set in 1990.

"I think even last night I knew I was going to jump big, it was just a matter of time," said Visser.

While Visser was walking on air, Mokoena struggled to find the right rhythm, recording only two jumps over the eight-metre mark, with a best of 8.13m with a tailwind of 4.5 metres per second.

He was once again bothered by his run-up as his first two leaps were no-jumps.

Ruswahl Samaai clinched the bronze medal with a distance of 7.61m.

Earlier, Rene Kalmer won her 32nd national title when she crossed the line first in the women's 5,000m in a time of 15:55.05.

She was followed by Irvette van Blerk in 16:25.89 in second place, with Mpho Mabuza clocking 16:45.40 for third.

"I don't think one can have too many titles," said Kalmer, who will run the marathon at the London Games.

"I didn't really know what to expect because it was my first track race , but I am satisfied."

Kalmer confirmed she would be back in action on Sunday, this time on the road, at the Spar Women's Challenge 10km race in Cape Town.

South African hammer thrower Chris Harmse continued his reign in his specialist event, winning the title for the 17th consecutive time.

Double amputee Oscar Pistorius, a former silver medallist at the able-bodied nationals, reached the final of the men's 400m event, finishing fourth in his semifinal in 47.91.

Selected Results

MEN:

10,000m:

1 Steven Mokoka 27:40.73
2 Gladwin Mzazi 28:20.18
3 Xolisa Tyali 28:29.20

Long jump:

1 Zarck Visser 8.21m
2 Khotso Mokoena 8.13m
3 Ruswahl Samaai 7.61m

Javelin throw:

1 Robert Oosthuizen 76.32m
2 Jason Henning 76.12m
3 Hardus Pienaar 72.04m

Hammer throw:

1 Chris Harmse 70.41m
2 Kristiaan Bekker 65.11m
3 Johan Kruger 64.47m

Pole vault:

1 Heinrich Smit 4.90m
2 Migael Cilliers 4.80m
3 Armand Lotter 4.80m

Shot put:

1 Orazio Cremona 19.68m
2 Burger Lamprechts 19.63m
3 Jaco Engelbrecht 18.62m

WOMEN:

5,000m:

1 Rene Kalmer 15:55.05
2 Irvette van Blerk 16:25.89
3 Mpho Mabuza 16:45.40

Hammer throw:

1 Magdaleen Louw 52.50m
2 Nanette Stapelberg 52.42m
3 Karin le Roux 51.62m

Long jump:

1 Nicholeen McLaren 6.60m
2 Carla Marais 6.40m
3 Lynique Prinsloo 6.37m

Pole vault:

1 Deone Joubert 3.60m
2 Jeannie van Dyk 3.60m
3 Mar-leze Vos 3.50m

• RSA
• Stephen Mokoka
• Rene Kalmer

Kenya's 800m World record holder and World champion, David Lekuta Rudisha, has become the latest global superstar of the sport to commit himself to the 2012 Samsung Diamond League.

Rudisha disclosed this whilst speaking to journalists via an IAAF international media conference call marking the one month countdown to the opening meeting on Friday May 11th in Doha, Qatar, yesterday.

Calling from his domestic training base at the famous St Patrick's School in the Kenyan town of Iten, Rudisha looked ahead to his race in Doha which will be his first outing over two laps of the track following his 1:44.33 in Melbourne in March.

“I want to win the Diamond Race for a third time. I am always wanting to compete in the Diamond League and it's my aim to be the winner of the Diamond League at the end of the season.

“Last year, I was a little bit worried because I missed some races in the early season because of injury; but I was lucky, I managed to come good at the right time and did well in the remaining races which took me to the top of the 800m rankings.

“This year I will be running in the Diamond League meetings before and after the Olympic Games. Racing in the Diamond League is part of my preparations this year, just like in the other years; racing in the Diamond League was part of my preparations for breaking the World record (in 2010) and for the World Championships last year.

“My training so far has been going well, I've just come back from Australia where I was running in two meetings. Last year I came back from there and then I got injured but this time there has been no problems, I feel good.

“This year I'm feeling very comfortable at the moment and I don't want to change anything. I've been competing in Doha since 2007, apart from last year when I was injured, it's a good place to go early in the season and it's been part of my regular programme and I like to compete there.”

Samsung Diamond League - 2012 Calendar

1. Doha, QAT - 11 May
2. Shanghai, CHN - 19 May
3. Rome, ITA - 31 May
4. Eugene, USA - 2 June
5. Oslo, NOR - 7 June
6. New York, USA - 9 June
7. Paris, FRA - 6 July
8. London, GBR - 13 / 14 July
9. Monaco, MON - 20 July
10. Stockholm, SWE - 17 August
11. Lausanne, SUI - 23 August
12. Birmingham, GBR - 26 August
13. Zürich, SUI - 30 August
14. Brussels, BEL - 7 September

• Kenya
• David Rudisha
• Samsung DL

Nigeria’s Esther Obiekwe, also known as "the Running Banker", is the sole Nigerian representative at the 116th Boston Marathon on Monday April 16, 2012.

Obiekwe will rub shoulders with 34 Elite Athletes from around the world, majority of them Africans in Boston. Reigning champions from Kenya, Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel, will defend their titles, but will be challenged by the fastest men’s and women’s fields ever assembled for the Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest marathon, and also one of only 3 marathons in the world which require a qualifying time (along with the Olympics and World Championships). With 31 contenders setting their personal best time in the past two years, including eight men under 2:07 and ten women under 2:24, the race will prove highly competitive.

The Boston Athletic Association, which is the race organizer, has reviewed its records, and verifies Miss Obiekwe as the sole Nigerian participant this year, as she has been since 2000.

"I am deeply honoured to represent Nigeria after the country's extended absence in the Boston Marathon, and am excited to run a personal record," Obiekwe said.

She clocked 3:36:40 at the 42km Dubai Marathon early last year to improve on her previous time of 3:49:55. And at the 38th Berlin Marathon in September 2011, she lowered her personal best (PB) further to 3:28:00. At the 2012 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon in January, she made some mistakes and finished at 3:49:40.

Obiekwe's coach, James Lafferty, a former CEO of Nigerian Bottling Company who now resides in The Philippines, said: "It is not reflective of the amazing breadth of talent in Nigeria that Esther is the sole participant from Nigeria this century.

"I believe it is more a matter of continuing to develop distance running in the country and to find more sponsors to defray the significant costs to send each athlete to Boston."

"Nigerians are strong and resilient and with proper support can compete with the East Africans that currently dominate the sport," he added.

Obiekwe's story indeed is impressive. The 36-year-old Banker, whose hobby is running, currently works at Fidelity Bank Plc, Lagos and uses her annual vacations to run marathons.

"I love running and I am lucky to run with other professionals in a local running club based in Ikoyi." Obiekwe stated.

"Most of us use our vacations to run marathons and I am thankful for my organization which also supports my active lifestyle. I was also discovered by the club Coach Jim Lafferty".

After adopting an early morning training regimen, she finished as the top Nigerian in the 2010 Athens Marathon, followed by continual improvements in Dubai and Berlin in 2011.

She is presently the top ranked Nigerian Female marathoner on the international circuit, on top of her demanding role as a corporate banker.

As Obiekwe says, "it’s a challenge to juggle a career and elite running career, but I thrive on challenges".

• Boston Marathon
• Esther Obiekwe
• Nigeria
• Running

Three-times Comrades marathon winner, Stephen Muzhingi from Zimbabwe won the 56km Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon 2012 in Cape Town on Easter Saturday, along with the R250,000 prize money.

The 36-year-old, who slipped and fell on the muddy grass at the University of Cape Town, battled the wet and windy conditions to become the first man since Derek Preiss in 1974 to hold the Comrades (marathon) and Two Oceans titles concurrently.

Muzhingi said that pace was the key to his victory. “I maintained my pace until the end," he said.

"I’ve been training for Comrades (to be held on Sunday, June 3, 2012). I was training with guys from Lesotho and that helped a lot.”

Henry Moyo from Malawi came second in 3:08.35 with Muzhingi compatriot, Collen Makaza, settling for third place in 3:08.45 and Gert Thys from South Africa fourth in 3:09:42.

Russian Elena Nurgalieva triumphed in the women's race in a time of 3:41.55 ahead of her compatriot Natalia Volgina (3:45.29) and American Devon Crosby-Helms (3:47:30).

South Africans Xolisa Tyali (1:04:54) and Rene Kalmer (1:15:02) won the men's and women's 21km Half Marathon races respectively.

The 56km Ultra Marathon is in it's 43rd consecutive edition and the 21km Half Marathon marked it's 15th consecutive edition.

A record 25,000 runners, from 78 different countries, took part in this year's Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, with some 16,000 running the half-marathon - the highest number in event's history.

Selected Results:

Men's 56km

1. Stephen Muzhingi (Zimbabwe, 3:08:08)
2. Henry Moyo (Malawi, 3:08:35)
3. Collen Makaza (Zimbabwe, 3:08:45)
4. Gert Thys (South Africa, 3:09:42)

Women's 56km

1. Elena Nurgalieva (Russia, 3:41:55)
2. Natalia Volgina (Russia, 3:45:29)
3. Devon Crosby-Helms (USA, 3:47:30)
4. Mamorallo Tjoka (Lesotho, 3:48:50)
5. Samukeliso Moyo (Zimbabwe, 3:49.10

Women's 21km

1. Rene Kalmer (South Africa, 1:15:02)
2. Irvette Van Blerk (South Africa, 1:16:22)
3. Rutendo Nyahora (Zimbabwe, 1:18:30)
4. Zintle Xiniwe (South Africa, 1:19:39)

Men's 21km

1. Xolisa Tyali (South Africa, 1:04:54)
2. Joel Mmone (South Africa, 1:05:01)
3. Lucky Mohale (South Africa, 1:05:09)
4. Tshamano Setone South Africa, 1:05:22)

See Complete 2012 Results

• Marathon
• Old Mutual
• RSA
• Stephen Muzhingi
• Zimbabwe

Nigeria's Track Diva, Gloria Asumnu, a medal prospect at the London 2012, bares her mind on her preparation for the Olympics, the switch to Team Nigeria and her experience at last month's World Athletics Championship in Istanbul, Turkey in this exclusive interview with Athletics Africa's Oke Oluku.

AA: Nigerians would want to know who Gloria Asumnu is.
GA: I was born in Houston, Texas. But my parents (Rosaline Nnadozie and Christian Asumnu) were born in Nigeria and are from Imo State. They moved to the states for college and have raised me here but have always let me know where I am from.

AA: In your debut for Nigeria in Last year’s All Africa Games in Mozambique, you won a medal. What were the feelings like?
GA: The All African Games was a different experience for me. Yes, I won a medal but it was no where near my best performance. I was excited to win it for the country but just not happy with my performance.

AA: When you were disqualified by IAAF on your eligibility to run for Nigeria last year, what was on your mind?
GA: When I was told that I couldn't compete for Nigeria last year, I initially just shut down because it felt everything I worked for I just lost. Luckily, things turned around, I wish it was resolved sooner; I thank God for that.

AA: Can you share your experience with Nigerians on the World Indoors in Turkey, What went wrong?
GA: My experience in Turkey was fun. I was excited to compete in my first world indoors and also make the final. Nothing went wrong, what most of you don't know is prior to competition, two days after I ran a Personal Best (PB) of 7.07, I had a light strain to my hamstring. This was six days before competition. But I did my best through all the pains I was feeling. I had a great chance at getting a medal but three rounds on a hurt hamstring was tough, but I did what I could. Unfortunately it wasn't enough. The one thing I can say is that at a major championship we didn't have a physio like other countries and our athletes definitely needed one there.

AA: Before now you were running for the United States, what made you decide to run for Nigeria?
GA: I considered it out of college as well as back in 2009, but there were a lot of external factors that didn't allow me to make the switch, but also due to how poorly Nigeria is represented then and even now people don't have good things to say. I am hoping things will change and get better for us as a country.

AA: This is an Olympic year, and you hope to be there, what should Nigerians expect from you?
GA: You should expect from every athlete representing Nigeria to compete at their best ability. My primary focus is making sure that I am healthy and fit so that I am able to give my best performances in the sprints and relays.

AA: Talking about preparations for athletes and coaches, do you think Nigeria is doing enough?
GA: As far as preparations go no, I think more needs to be done.

AA: Running in the 100m, 200m and relay in London will pitch you against Carmelita Jeter, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and others, any chance of picking a medal from this group?
GA: It’s going to be a talented group of ladies in the sprints at the Olympic Games. As far as medals goes, you have to make the final first. Then show up and compete in that final. So I'm not picking a winner at this point.

AA: With the preparation going on right now in athletics, do you think Nigeria athletics have a chance at medals in London?
GA: I think we have a chance at medals in the relay, but there is so much lack of communication. If we are able to pull together and run the relay, more than once then expect good things. But If we just show up with no preparation then, well you know the rest.

AA: What has been your career highlights to date?
GA: World indoor championships and finishing 6th, but also, I have Personal Records (PRs) of 11.03 in the 100m. Also I did 22.70 in the 200m and ran 10.95 seconds wind 2.5 and 7.07seconds in the 60m. I was a 4 time all American at Tulane University. You can confirm it through Google.

AA: Raising the standard of Nigeria athletics, what do you think should be done?
GA: I think we all know what should be done, but first and foremost we need better communication and also people who are in it for the love of the sport and not just financial gains.

AA: Who is your role model in Nigeria athletics?
GA: My role models aren't limited to the Nigerian athletics but I hold a lot of respect for Mary Onyali because of what she stands for and has done previously. But also because she stands up and believes in us and understands what we are trying to accomplish because she has done it herself. So she knows our struggles, battles, and the hard work we have to put in.

AA: If not athletics, what would you have been into?
GA: Well I am a mother so with or without athletics, that part of me remains. Everyone knows I love fashion and glamour so I see myself working in those avenues. But I also have a strong passion for children. So nursing, working in Labour and Delivery is what I would be doing.

AA: Advice for upcoming athletes
GA: I would tell them to continue to give 100% at all times and even when you don't feel good. Stay positive and keep positive people around you. Also, learn to have short term memory in the sport. If you have a bad race its ok. Learn from it and move on and keep a positive mindset. They can achieve anything they want as long as they put in the work and believe they can do it.

You can Follow Gloria Asumnu on Twitter @Trackdiva_Glo

Video: Asumnu at the Mixed Zone after the 60m Women Qualification Heat in Istanbul 2012
 

• Gloria Asumnu
• Nigeria

Gilbert Yegon hopes Vienna’s recent tradition of no second time winners will continue and play in his favour. The Vienna City Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label Race.

Since 1993 the men’s race of the Vienna City Marathon has produced 19 different winners. No one was able to take Austria’s biggest sporting event for a second time.

This year might be different since the organisers have invited four former winners back to their event. But as announced today plenty of talent has been added to the field. One of those hoping that the recent tradition of no second time winners will continue and play in his favour is Gilbert Yegon.

With a personal best of 2:06:18 the Kenyan will be the second fastest in the field on 15th April. He hopes to be winner number 20 since 1993.

Party spoiler

Former Kenyan winners Gilbert Kirwa (2009/PB: 2:06:14), John Kiprotich (2011/2:07:08), Henry Sugut (2010/2:08:22) and Luke Kibet (2007/2:08:52), whose starts had been announced earlier, hope to become Vienna’s first double winner since Karel David (Czech Republic/1991 and ’92), but Gilbert Yegon is one of those who could spoil the party.

The 23 year-old won the Amsterdam Marathon 2009 with his personal best. It had been his marathon debut and Gilbert Yegon broke Haile Gebrselassie’s course record by two seconds.

After suffering of a cramp in the final stages he said that without the problem he would have run a sub 2:06 time. While Gilbert Yegon is the second fastest in the elite field of the Vienna City Marathon John Komen takes fourth spot on this list.

The 34 year-old Kenyan has put together a series of fine marathon results in France. Last year he took the marathon in La Rochelle with a personal best of 2:07:13. Before he competed in Paris (2:08:12 in 2009) and Reims (2:08:06 in 2008). Having missed a Vienna City Marathon victory by only twelve seconds last year, Patrick Ivuti wants to go one better now.

The Kenyan, who had won the Chicago Marathon in very warm weather conditions in 2007, had placed second with 2:08:41 in 2011. Taking the Prague Marathon in 2009 with 2:07:48 Patrick Ivuti had missed his personal best by just two seconds in this race. The 33 year-old again placed second last year, when he ran the Honolulu Marathon.

Three more Kenyans will also be in with a chance of taking the 29th edition of the Vienna City Marathon: Wilson Kigen has a personal best of 2:08:16 from Frankfurt in 2008 while Geoffrey Ndungu and Lusapho April had more recent success in 2001: Ndungu won the Dublin Marathon with 2:08:35 and April took the Hannover race in 2:09:25.

Two of the fastest European runners of recent years will hope to achieve good placings on 15th April. Iaroslav Musinschi (Moldova) had shown a great performance in Düsseldorf two years ago. Running alone for long parts of the race he won with a course record of 2:08:32. Russia’s Dmitriy Safronov is the bronze medallist from the European Championships in Barcelona 2010. He then improved to 2:09:35 in London a year ago.

Women's Race

A Russian could also play a role in the women’s race, for which defending champion Fate Tola (Ethiopia/2:26:21) and two time winner Luminita Talpos (Romania/2:26:43) had already been announced. Olga Glok won the Prague Marathon in 2009 with a personal best of 2:28:27.

The Russian then took second in the Athens Marathon 2010, when the unique 2,500 year jubilee of the marathon was celebrated.

Aberesh Bedasa (Ethiopia/2:29:47) and the Dublin Marathon winner from last year, Helaria Johannes (Namibia/2:30:37), have been added to the field as well.

But the favourites in the women’s race will have to keep an eye on a debutant: Pauline Kahenya Njeri (Kenya) has shown very promising form a few weeks ago. The 26 year-old won the Paris Half Marathon with a personal record of 67:55 minutes, which was a course record as well.

• Vienna City Marathon
• Kenya

Nigeria’s 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) champion, Josephine Omaka of the CDA and Immigration Track Club Bamidele Taiwo who were some of the athletes that won their events at the All Comers in Ibadan and Sagamu last month shown brightly at the 1st AFN-NDDC Golden League in Port Harcourt.

Both sprinters won their 100m events at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State last weekend.

Omaka (11.58) repeated her victory over returnee Susan Akene Obehi in the All Comers. Akene clocked 11.75 for the second position while Delta athlete, Margaret Benson (11.86) was third.

In the men’s race, Taiwo posted a fairly encouraging 10.36 secs to leave Abia athlete Jonathan Nmaju (10.38) and Elvis Ukale of Delta (10.48) struggling for the second and third positions respectively.

In the quarter mile, Police athlete, Segun Ogunkole dusted all to claim the first position with a 47.23 while another police athlete, Chukwuma Madunta (47.36) placed second. Isah Saliu (47.49) of Custom was third.

In the 110m hurdle, Samuel Okon restated his resolve to return to the top again after the distraction caused his career at the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India two years ago. He was head and shoulder above the field in experience and easily won the event in 13.90secs.

Martins Oghiriakhi (14.13) and Tosin Ogedengbe (14.23) both of the Police were second and third respectively.

Benue athlete, Agber Shimeniger clocked 2. 11;39 to win the 800m while Bunmi Odejobi (2.13;55) Police and Rivers athlete, Bukola Pereirra (2.16;16) were second and third respectively.

Chinazom Amadi claimed the women long jump event top position with average 6.36m jump. The closest next jumper to Amadi was Megarock Track Club athlete, Mary Otoaruoh (6.22) while Adewunmi Ademuwagun (6.15) of the Police was third.

In the men shot put, veteran Kenechukwu Ezeofor of the Prisons Track Club was the only thrower who made the 16m mark with a 16.77m. Delta athlete, Augustine Nwoye (15.54) was second while Osi Sunday Denis (14.74) of the Defenders Club was third.

In the relays, the Police men team won the 4x100m and the 4x400m events while the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (4x100m) and the Defenders Club (4x400m) shared the women version of the two events.

Meanwhile, the next league of the Golden League has been scheduled to hold at the University of Nigeria Sports Complex in Nsukka on April 21.

It was originally scheduled to hold at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri but had to be moved to UNN due to the renovation work currently going on at the Imo State owned facility.

See Complete Results

• AFN Classics
• Josephine Omaka
• Nigeria
• Port-Harcourt