Nyahururu-based long-distance runner, Emmanuel Kiprop, will this Friday join a list of pacesetters who turn out to be competitors in the same race.

Kiprop has been added as a pacemaker in 5000m, the longest race, in the Brussels leg of Diamond League where he will set the pace for elite athletes including his training mate Stanley Waithaka who is the World’s 10,000m silver medallist.

Kiprop’s coach Francis Kamau said he had advised him to do his pacing duties and then continue with the race to the end.

Normally, pacemakers drop out of the race after taking the runners through the distance allocated for them.

“I have urged him to allow the competitors to pass after he covers his distance and rejoin the race from behind the group.

“Pacemakers are allowed to go all the way and win the race provided they rejoin the race from behind after doing their duty,” Kamau said.

Big time competition

Kamau expects Kiprop to use the race as exposure to big-time competition to achieve next year’s World Championship qualification time.

World Athletics has reviewed the qualifications standards and most coaches are craving for meets where their athletes can achieve entry times for next year’s Championships set for August 19-27 in Budapest, Hungary.

Meanwhile, the 2015 All African Games 5000m silver medalist Rosemary  Wanjiru is happy to debut at BMW Berlin Marathon scheduled for Sunday, September 25. 

Wanjiru is excited about the invitation to compete at one of the world’s major marathons in German Capital City.

Recently Wanjiru won Boilermaker 15km in the United States to gauge her speed work and endurance ahead of the marathon.

“ I’m very happy to be invited to the race, it will be my first time running a marathon and I am looking to get a good time to prosper my running career, “ said Wanjiru.

The Iten-based runner has taken her training session a notch higher by covering 30km to gain endurance.

“ I have already started my preparations towards the event. I have added a long run of more than 30km in the training session,” added Wanjiru.