Beware of the big climb, says Kipyego

Published on Wednesday 14 January 2009 09:19

KENYAN star Bernard Kipyego, who has confirmed that he will defend his Great Edinburgh Run title in the Capital on May 3, has warned would-be competitors to practice their hill work: "There's a big climb," he promised.

Despite the disappointment of finishing only sixth in the Great Edinburgh Cross Country in Holyrood Park last Saturday, Kipyego is undaunted, adding: "I'm looking forward to returning to the city."

In the cross country, Kipyego planned to go with the main group until the final lap and see how the race was turning out but he was unable to cope with the finishing pace unleashed by winner Abebe Dinkesa of Ethiopia, even though he had displayed a fair turn of speed to outsprint Commonwealth 10,000 metres champion Boniface Kiprop (Uganda) in last year's road event.

"When Dinkesa put his foot down I noticed my speed work didn't have the fine tuning but it's early days yet – the Kenyan trials for the World Championships are not till February 21 and I have time to improve."

If Kipyego makes the Kenyan team he will continue to concentrate on cross country events in the run-up to Amman at the end of March, but if not he will seek some early road races before bidding for a place in the track 10k for the World Championships in Berlin in August.

Failing that he may be back in Britain for the World Half Marathon Championship in Birmingham in October.