Kenyan Kosgei ready to battle it out for women’s world one-hour record in Brussels

Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei is ready to have a dip at the women’s world one-hour record in Brussels on Friday.

JOHANNESBURG, September 4 (ANA) –  Kenyan Brigid Kosgei and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands will push each other in search of a new women’s world one-hour record (most distance run in an hour) on the track at the Wanda Diamond League in Brussels on Friday evening.

Neither has had an easy preparation for their latest test as they seek to better the world record of 18,517 metres set by Ethiopia’s Dire Tune at the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting in 2008.

Hassan, who failed to finish her race at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Monaco last month, spent five months in her native Ethiopia, much of it in lockdown, while Kosgei’s normal training routine was also severely curtailed.

“I spent five months in Ethiopia this year, without my coach,” Hassan said told worldathletics.org.

“I took a break in March. For three months we were scared – we couldn’t even go outside. It was very hard, I didn’t practice at all.

“Seven weeks ago – that is when I started. I ran three weeks ago in Monaco, but that did not go well. This time I am more prepared and in better shape. I think I will manage to run a better time.”

Kosgei said: “My training has been changed because of the pandemic. Since lockdown I ran only with my pacemaker, and sometimes me alone. I did my best there in Kenya. It was not like earlier on where we were with my friends and training partners.

“We were in the training camp in January and February. Then we had the coronavirus pandemic and we just left the camp. I went to my home to stay with my kids up to two months ago. I started to train because I have my London Marathon title to defend.

“When I was in Kenya I was just doing speed work in the field. But I hope to do well tomorrow because I have prepared well. Now I say let me try a half marathon and for tomorrow I want to try my best to look how my body will be in the London Marathon.”

Hassan was enthusiastic about the Wavelight technology that will be available for pacing in the stadium, with lights running round the edge of the track

“Personally I am very happy to run with it because I am always unprepared!” she said.

“It is good for the athlete to know where they are. Sometimes the coach tells you that you are running this time, you are close to a record, but with the crowd it is sometimes hard to hear. In Monaco last year I didn’t know if I was close to the world record or not. I tried to do my best and suddenly got it. I think this is really fantastic for spectators and athletes.

Kosgei said: “I have never run with this – never experienced such things, because I have never been in the field since I created my marathon career.” – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman