Good Week:
The Birmingham Half Marathon was won by Kenyan Joel Kimutai, who finished the 13.1mile course in a time of 1:01.39. The outsider stopped the watch a full 54 seconds ahead of pre-race favourites Emmanuel Bett and 2013 winner Thomas Ayeko.
Bad Week:
The 34th Beijing Marathon will be remembered for numerous runners pulling out due to severe air pollution. Those hardcore enough to continue through the thick smog, donned facemasks, as the local US Embassy recorded pollution levels 13 times over the recommended standard set by the World Health Organisation.
Stat of the week:
58:48 – 21-year-old Abraham Cheroben set the fastest time in almost two years at the Half Marathon Valencia Trinidad Alonso on Sunday.
Statement of the week:
Chief Executive of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tygart, has rushed to defend drug cheat Justin Gatlin’s nomination for IAAF World Athlete of the Year, arguing, ‘if somebody commits a violation, serves a ban and comes back to the sport, part of the rule is this idea of redemption’. This follows on from Olympic Discus Champion Robert Harting’s request to be withdrawn for the award in protest at the American’s inclusion.
Video of the week:
Runners in Beijing talk about the smog
