KIMbia’s Elva Dryer Takes Bolder-Boulder

Elva Dryer celebrated one of her greatest wins on Monday (30^th May). The 33-year-old took the famous Bolder-Boulder 10-kilometer road race. With an estimated 50,000 runners the event is one of biggest worldwide. At a high altitude of 1,650 meters Elva Dryer crossed the finishing line in 32:51 minutes and helped winning the team event for the US. This was a great win for KIMbia. And there was more success in recent weeks.

Additionally Uta Pippig had a fine run in the Bolder-Boulder. In the open race she finished sixth from 22,000 women. Uta clocked 37:32 minutes and was happy with her time. “It was a great atmosphere, and I had much fun competing here again,” Uta said.

Taking into account that Elva Dryer had been asked to run the Bolder-Boulder just one week before the start this is quite an achievement by the US runner. She had replaced Deena Kastor (USA) who was out due to a stress fracture.

While Japan’s Masako Chiba took an early lead setting a very fast pace, Elva Dryer wisely had chosen a more conservative approach. She then worked her way through and took the lead at about half way. The experience concerning running in high altitude probably helped her to choose the right tactics. Elva Dryer then constantly increased her lead and opened a big gap to second placed Ethiopian Merima Hashim (33:17). Jennifer Rhines (USA) finished third while Colleen de Reuck (USA) took fourth place. Elva Dryer confirmed her recent good form. On 1^st May she had run a personal best at 10,000 meters (31:21.92 minutes).

In the men’s race in Boulder Thomas Kiplitan (KEN) finished third in 29:31 minutes. He was ten seconds behind Ethiopia’s winner Gudisa Shentema. Gilbert Okari (KEN), who had taken the lead at one stage of the race, finished sixth with 29:39. It was the first race outside Kenya for KIMbia’s youngster Titus Kimani. He finished tenth with 30:08. Defending champion Paul Koech (KEN) had been unable to compete because of a hip problem.

John Korir Misdirected But Winning Again

Despite being misdirected John Korir has won another major international road race. The Kenyan took the Medio Maraton de Coban on Sunday (22^nd May). In difficult conditions with hot and humid weather at an altitude of nearly 1,400 meters he ran 63:45 minutes for the half marathon distance. In the end his kick was stronger than that of Reuben Cheruiyot (Kenya) who was given the same time for second place. To make things even tougher, the race in Guatemala is held on a hilly course. Despite all this John Korir kept his clean sheet this season. He has won all of his four races in 2005.

When leading the race in front of fellow Kenyan Reuben Cheruiyot John Korir was misdirected. Cheruiyot had followed him but realized earlier that they were heading towards the wrong direction. He turned and was suddenly leading the race. But in a strong effort John Korir came back and closed the gap. In the end he managed to outkick Reuben Cheruiyot and won the race. There was no danger from behind for the two since third placed Benson Barus (Kenya) was 51 seconds adrift. John Korir’s winning time is the second fastest ever run in this event!

While Grace Momanyi (Kenya) won the women’s race with 73:10 minutes, KIMbia’s Sharon Cherop came in fifth clocking 79:07.