US-based Kenyan Betsy Saina hopes to maintain her steady rise on roads as she lines up for this weekend’s Paris Marathon.
The 29 year old is been fantastic on her transition from the track to roads. Since her debut at the New York Marathon late last year, Saina has not looked back.
Born into an athletic family, Saina keen to make an impact on the roads thanks to her mentors in Mary Keitany and Edna Kiplagat.
The Colorado based athlete was scouted way back in 2009 while running at the African Junior Championship. Life has never been the same for the athlete born in Nandi County.
After joining Iowa University where she pursued Nursing, she displayed a brilliant show in collegiate athletics life and stole the hearts of many athletics fans around the world.
She was 2011/12 Female Athlete Of The Year which was followed by NCAA outdoor school records (31.15.97) in 10km among other laurels while at Iowa.
Things have proceeding fast and splendid for Saina who in 2014 was the only person in the USA ranked 15 in the World besides Shalane Flanagan.
Coach Scott Simmons had spotted her talent and he quickly enrolled her for American Distance Project. She posted posted the World Leading time (5000m) in 2014 Indoors.
Mid 2014, Saina arrived on Diamond League stage in Monaco where she posted her PB of 14.40 in 5Km.
With an impressive show in Europe, Saina was called for Beijing World Championship selection where she qualified. Her time of (31.51.35) at position 8 in Beijing saw her qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics, where she finished 5th in 10,000m timed (30.07.78).
After leaving American Distance Project, Saina joined NIKE Oregon project in 2015; That’s NIKE Bowerman Track Club.
However, Saina never liked her lonely training mood in Oregon, instead made a bold move to come to Kenya for a high altitude climate in Elgeyo Marakwet County. And perhaps to join her mentors Keittany and Kiplagat.
“Yes I temporarily left Oregon for Kenya, so that I could concentrate more. To be with other athletes here also motivates me. Not [like] in the US where you are doing drills, speed work and long runs alone ,” she explained sometime last year before New York Marathon debut.
She admires being closer to particularly Kiplagat noting that she is experienced in the 42-kilometre distance running.
“Yes I have always admired Edna and [I’ve] normally been seeking advice from her on running marathon races. She is a great friend” Saina summed.
Saina who now eyes a ticket to 2019 World Championship in Qatar had an impressive 2018, winning the Marugame Half Marathon in 1.09.17
She had preceded that win with a good a experience in Great North event coming in 5th with 1.11.25 in a race won by her compatriots Keittany and followed by Olympic champ Vivian Cheruiyot.
She is now keen to making her amends for finishing 8th at the recent United Airline New York Half Marathon.
