The Golden rush: Real games start for Kenya targeting marathon conquest

Caroline Kilel celebrates as she crosses the finish line at the 2011 Boston Marathon. Kilel will lead Kenya's quest for gold in today's marathon in Glasgow. [PHOTO:FILE/STANDARD]

The Commonwealth Games focus shifts to Kenya as the athletics programme starts with men’s and women’s marathon race here this morning.

John Kelai Ekiru, the men’s defending champion, is gunning for a second bite at the cheery as he leads national team debutants Stephen Chemlany and Eric Ndiema at 13:47pm (Kenyan time).

The trio have been nicknamed ‘civilians’ since they don’t serve in disciplined forces like many other athletes.

Despite having battled numerous challenges at the cattle-rustling prone area of Katilu in Turkana, Kelai cuts a different image in the athletics world – he uses prayer as a guide to ensure he stays ahead of the curve in distance running.

Coming from a hardship region, Kelai beat huge odds at his rural home to the pinnacle of global athletics, where he won the Commonwealth Games marathon in New Delhi in 2010.

“My parents passed on when I was 13 and my uncle took care of me. That has always inspired me and that is why I do the sign of the cross after every race. I dedicate my success to them as I struggle to go one better here,” said Kelai.

Superb form

“I thank God that since winning the Commonwealth Games marathon, I have never had an injury. I appreciate life, especially while competing.”

Kelai is best remembered for leading athletes to Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) in Eldoret.

“I am back to defend my title and be the first man to win back to back marathons in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

“It motivates and excites to be here. We missed a podium sweep in India and here we can make it. But we should be cautious of Ugandans, who have a new breed of athletes,” said Kelai, whose personal best time is 2:09.0, which he set in Eindhoven Marathon in The Netherlands.

But Ndiema and Chemlany, from Mt. Elgon, who have never had the chance to represent Kenya at the international arena, likened themselves to the biblical Sarah — who conceived after a long time — and said that their time to do duty for Kenya is now.

Long wait

“We have been waiting in the wings for our turn to come. We will do something special,” said Chemlany, who holds a master’s degree from the Iona University in New Rochelle, New York.

Ndiema, who comes from Chesito Village in Mt Elgon County, is equally keen to perform well.

“We will take the race with all the passion. We will assess the course today (Saturday). I know all our opponents will have their eyes on Kelai but we will push the race and then leave it open in the final stages to decide the winner,” said Ndiema, a father of two.

Caroline Kilel, the 2011 Boston Marathon winner, will spearhead the bid to retain Irene Jerotich’s title when the women’s race starts at 14:50pm here.

The Kericho-born athlete will team up with 32-year-old Philemena Cheyech, the 2012 winner of the Porto-Alegre Marathon in Brazil.

She returns to the United Kingdom, just five years after competing in the IAAF World Half Marathon in Birmingham in 2009.

Athletics team manager Paul Mutwii said Philes Ongori, who pulled out of the team over sickness recently, might compete as she has been decleared fit by the doctor.