For 20 years, the Global Sports Communication Camp in Kaptagat has gripped tightly the mantle of the world’s best distance group.
From Eliud Kipchoge since his first world title in 2003, Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto and his assault on the 3000m Steeplechase world record, to Olympic and world champions Stephen Kiprotich, Geoffrey’s Kirui and Kamworor. Faith Kipyegon and her domination of the greatest set of female milers in history. Even Joshua Cheptegei has spent time in its confines.
But in 2024, sitting in its serene manicured gardens, there’s clouds overhead, more than just those that bring the afternoon rain.
Kipchoge bids for Olympic triple glory, testy, focused all consumed in his pursuit of back-to-back-to-back marathon titles, but all too aware of how great that challenge is. The indomitable confidence has faded to a relatable mortality.
Questions in the camp?
Even Kipyegon seems to have some question marks around her. Three weeks ago I stood in lane eight at the Kipchoge Keino stadium and watched as the double Olympic champion followed the feet of her pacemaker of 15 years, Bernard Soi.
A year before she had knocked out a session of 2k, 3x1km, 7x400m with relative ease. 6:18 for the beginning, 3:00 for the kilometres then seven single laps cutting down from 66 seconds to 64. All at the 2100m altitude of Eldoret, on the clay track of the Moi University.
But this day in early May 2024, things appeared that bit harder. Nine repetitions of one kilometre, mostly all at 3:06 with ample recovery. An onlooker who spends much of his time with the group even offered at times she looked like she was limping.
Halfway through a coughing fit saw Kipyegon wretch into the bushes and, despite rallying to finish the session, and even speeding up towards the end, I got the impression I was witnessing something that her management would rather have not shared.
Challenges elsewhere
The Kipchoge Keino stadium, a vast sea of red, black, green and white is now generally closed to the public. Security guards monitor the professional athletes that come through its gates.
And that day the GSC group weren’t training alone. Chased for most of her laps, Kipyegon will have heard the creeping steps of Emmaculate Anyongo Achol. Only the second ever woman to break the 29-minute barrier, her name may have gone unheralded due to the fact Agnes Ngetich was 11 seconds in front that morning in Valencia, but she is a reminder that talent also lies elsewhere in Kenya.
The Adidas group in Nandi can now claim to be the strongest. London and reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, Tokyo winner Benson Kipruto, world half-marathon champion Sebastian Sawe, 800m world silver medallist sensation Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Evans Chebet all call that setup their home.
With Kamworor injured, Kipchoge seemingly in his final pursuit, GSC eyes will be keenly aware of the need to find the next in line.
Hillary Chepkwony has shown some promise in that respect, running 59:20 to set the Weir Venloop course record in his first outing in Europe in 2023 but he’s an athlete still early in his time at the camp, and has endured a more difficult 2024. Budapest bronze-medallist Faith Cherotich is promising but the steeplechase is becoming an increasingly competitive landscape.
Enter Mateiko
There was another that was always seen as that next potential star.
Barely a month ago, Daniel Mateiko stepped into a tunnel in London and didn’t come out the other side. For 30km he had held his own with the leading pack, believing that the finish line would bring with it a place in the Kenya marathon team for the Paris Olympics. But by 35km it was all over, in his own words the ‘cold’ of London finally taking its toll.
Many media outlets reported that his participation in the 44th London Marathon represented a debut for the 2024 RAK Half marathon winner, an exciting introduction to the 26.2 miles he reiterates will always be his favourite. Yet the reality is different.
Last fall, when Kelvin Kiptum took chunks out of Kipchoge’s official world record in Chicago, many again reported that Mateiko was his unofficial pacer, running side by side for the opening 30km.
It’s been a long time, however, since Mateiko has offered his services in setting the tone. The 25-year-old has a humble confidence that has for a while believed himself to be the main event. The truth was he was competing, matching stride for stride as beating Kiptum was the day’s only objective. Of course that morning he fell short too, stepping off before 35km as his compatriot accelerated into the record books.
Wear you defeats light and your victories lighter
Two disappointments on arguably his biggest appearances to date may, you would expect, take some shine off his belief but sitting down with him in May, Mateiko remained bullish.
He would go and run the Olympic standard in Highgate at the Night of 10,000m PBs, four weeks after stepping off in London, he boldly stated. That of course changed with team Kenya’s decision to set the trials at the Prefontaine Classic one week later but regardless the goal was clear. Sub-27 minutes or bust.
Mateiko’s whole winter and spring had geared around the marathon and after a few days to recover from London time was ticking on any chance of specific 10,000m work. The ambition was admirable but as he stated his objective, I’d be lying if I said I had faith in his ability to carry it through.
As one day later he ripped some 400m reps with Ronald Kwemoi, everything had the impression of a desperate attempt for some last minute speed.
Desperate measures
In a camp and coach in Patrick Sang that has developed such a reputation for carefully shaping a season, for working with cutting edge science to break barriers that have never been done before, Mateiko’s Paris back-up mission seemed rash in the extreme.
Three weeks later Mateiko stood on the startline in Eugene, a stadium that holds fond memories as the venue for his World Championship debut in 2022. That day he managed eighth in the world but to make the Kenya team for Paris, he would likely have to better that performance.
The world silver medallist from Budapest, Daniel Ebenyo, led the entrants. Benson Kiplangat took World Cross-Country bronze earlier this year. Stanley Mburu won world silver in the very same race where Mateiko was eighth. Two more in the field have already run under 13 minutes for 5000m this year.
“A 10,000 you have to be tactical in your mind. You need to have your own tactics and be patient.” Mateiko had told me that day in the GSC camp.
Eyes in front
For 24 laps in Eugene Mateiko hugged the inside lane. Jostling in front, the contenders eyed each other up, a nervous tension clear for all to see.
Each time four places behind Mateiko looked straight ahead biding his time as the seconds passed by.
At 8000m Ebenyo slipped, his race run as the leading pack whittled down to six. Still Mateiko looked ahead, glancing from time to time to the boards above.
With the bell ringing, six went into three Olympic places. Edwin Kurgat made the first move, stringing out the Paris contenders on the back straight and with 100m Mateiko seemed trapped on the inside.
Cold and calculated throughout, logic would not have Mateiko winning that sprint. A marathon man with little specific work, others had greater claims. But you get the sense Mateiko might just be different.
With Paris calling Kaptagat may have uncovered one more star. You get the impression they might just need him.
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Featured image and all other images courtesy of the NN Running Team.
