Athletes should take advantage of virtual races

As the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the globe, it is becoming difficult to tell when sports personalities will get back to competitive action. This means most athletes could slip into unfitness as they wait for the Government to issue new protocols.

Recently, Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei said it is not automatic that marathoners who had been picked for the Tokyo Olympic Games will retain their slots as they should remain in good shape in time for the Olympics.

This means the athletes have no option, but take part in virtual races to keep their fitness up. Next Thursday, Team Cheruiyot led by world champion Timothy Cheruiyot will compete against Norwegian brothers in a virtual race dubbed ‘Impossible Games’ that will no doubt send adrenaline levels running high. Cheruiyot will team up with 2017 world 1,500m Elijah Manangoi, Edwin Melli, Timothy Sein and Vincent Keter in a 2,000m race at Nyayo Stadium.

At the same time, Ingebrigtsen brothers in Henrik, Filip and Jakob will test their mettle in Oslo, Norway. World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge will also take part in a virtual race organised by English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur this weekend. The race is a free virtual relay where athletes can register in either teams or individuals.

It will help as he prepares to take on Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele in London Marathon in October. We urge Kenyan athletes to embrace the virtual races although monetary gains are not so attractive.