Record holders head to SA

Kimetto covered the 42.2km Berlin Marathon course in 2:02:57, smashing the previous record set by his compatriot, Wilson Kipsang, in Berlin last year, by 26 seconds.

Both Kimetto and Kipsang will have an opportunity to engage South Africans when they address the Global Athletics Conference 2014 that takes place in Durban on November 14-15.

Hosted by Kwazulu-Natal Athletics and Athletics South Africa, the Global Athletics Conference (@GAC_2014) will bring some of the foremost athletics and sports business professionals to Durban to engage with delegates from across Africa.

“I’ve competed all over the world against very, very talented runners. From the US to Berlin the competition is incredible. It would be an immense opportunity for my career to have this level of competition in Africa,” said Kimetto.

“I do believe that this is possible.”

Kimetto said he planned to talk about performance and training at the GAC 2014.

“I felt very good running in Berlin and felt that I could break the record. There is much talent in Africa and I do believe that with the right mentality and knowledge we can achieve much more on the world stage.”

Fellow Kenyan Kipsang agreed saying that empowering the African athletics community would go a long way to improving the sport on the continent.

“African countries could benefit from having world class international events. Not only would it create opportunities for local runners and unearth new talent. These events would also have economic benefits for the cities and countries that host them,” he said.

KZN Athletics president Sello Mokoena said the benefit of learning from two of the world’s greatest runners was an opportunity of a lifetime for South African sport.

“We in the athletics fraternity know exactly how much commitment and dedication go into what the likes of Kimetto and Kipsang have achieved. We know that their skill and passion will not only upskill us but inspire us to reach for greatness in the sport we love,” said Mokoena.

“We are counting down the days to GAC 2014 in what should be an exciting new era for athletics in South Africa and indeed Africa.”