India have long way to go in distance running
NEWDELHI: Jos Hermens is synonymous with the distance running world. The 69-year-old, who won a number of 5,000m and 10,000m races in his heydays, retired in the late 1970s but still exercises considerable influence over the world’s leading distance runners.
The Dutchman took part at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and also set the world record for covering the maximum distance in an hour—20,907m—in 1975. However, his running career came to a premature end due to an Achilles heel injury.
After retirement Hermens founded Global Sports Communication (GSC), where he is now CEO, which manages over 100 of the world’s top athletes, including reigning Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya. Hermens was also actively involved in Kipchoge recently breaking the two-hour marathon barrier. GSC is also guiding young runners in Bhopal in collaboration with SAI and Procam International. In an interview during his visit here, Hermens opened up on how Kipchoge broke the two-hour barrier, his thoughts about Indian athletes and how he discovered two-time Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie. Excerpts:
When would the two-hour marathon barrier be broken officially?
It might take another 5 years. A track runner who moves up to marathons has better chances.
Who do you potentially see breaking the record?
I have three names—ethiopia’s former world junior champion Yomif Kejelcha (22), Uganda’s world 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei (23) and Geoffrey Kamworor (26) of Kenya. Kamworor is Kipchoge’s training partner and won the New York Marathon in 2:08:13.
When did you initiate the idea of someone running sub two hours?
December 2014. Then Ethiopia’s 10,000m Olympic and world champion Haile Gebrselassie was the key runner in mind. In 2008, Gebrselassie set the world marathon record of 2:03:59 at Berlin but the project didn’t take off. Three years later Kipchoge made an attempt to break the two-hour barrier in Monza.
What did you observe in Monza?
The carbohydrate intake during the race was inadequate. There were no spectators and the weather wasn’t as good as expected. All these factors affected the performance. So it was decided to try again.
What changes were made to break the two-hour barrier in Vienna?
The pacemakers ran in V-formation and Kipchoge was at the end (tip of V). So there was minimum air resistance. There were 150, 000 spectators to cheer the runners. The lead vehicle was positioned at 50m from the athletes while it was 10m in Monza.
You have been managing east African athletes for some time...
I first visited Ethiopia in 1981. Then there were hardly any roads. A 10km road journey would take six hours and at night I would only see one light in Addis Ababa. My first trip to Kenya was in 1983. Since it was a British colony, things were a bit different.
What’s the system of scouting talent in Kenya?
School competition is the foundation of distance running. A talented 16-17-year-old can be easily spotted during local school competitions.
And in Ethiopia?
There is a club culture. Clubs are run by companies and they field teams in national competitions held annually in Addis Ababa. It’s easier to scout talent during the meet.
How did you spot Gebrselassie?
I saw him during the 1990 national championships in Addis Ababa. He finished third in the (10,000m) track race but had a good, impressive running style. Because he was highly disciplined, he could win backto-back Olympic gold medals in 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney.
Despite good facilities Europeans aren’t good in distance running...
There might a few exceptions but a kid in Europe will use a car to go to school while in Kenya students will walk. That makes the difference.
Doping has become a big issue in east Africa?
It’s more in Kenya. Some use EPO (Erythropoietin) which stimulates RBCS and enhances performance in distance running. There’s a big war against doping and it is working. Dope cheats are being caught.
You have a centre in Bhopal too...
The academy has 20 juniors. We’re trying to give young Indians exposure by periodically sending a selected few to Kenya and Europe for exposure.
How long will it take them to make an impact?
In the next 5-6 years they should be able to reach a good level. We are supporting Gavit Murli Kumar, who won a 10,000m bronze at the Doha Asian Championships in 28:38.34 in April. But Uganda’s world champion Joshua Cheptegei had clocked 26:48.36—the world’s leading time—in October. The gap is too big and it’ll take time. It’s not that easy. Good exposure will help them improve and narrow the gap.
Can someone from the Bhopal academy excel at the world level?
That wouldn’t be possible in the next 10-15 years as there is a big gap between the top Indians and the world’s best. The numbers of African runners is also growing and it’s difficult to beat them. It’s a big challenge for Europeans and other nations.
Some top athletes are running more than three marathons a year
For good results not more than two! To avoid injuries, train on soft surfaces and good shoes are beneficial.