Record-holder Dennis Kimetto sets sights on double world titles
What you need to know:
- The 30-year-old wants to make two trips to China next year with the intentions of winning the World Cross Country Championships title in March and the World Marathon title later in August.
- The feat saw him nominated for the 2014 IAAF male Athlete of the Year Award before making to the final three.
- Kimetto’s record immediately sparked wild speculation from fellow athletes, journalists and fans on one of the race's last remaining iconic barriers: the sub-two hour marathon.
World marathon record-holder Dennis Kimetto has said his focus is on clinching two major championship titles next year.
The 30-year-old wants to make two trips to China next year with the intentions of winning the World Cross Country Championships title in March and the World Marathon title later in August.
Kimetto, who set a new world marathon record on September 28 this year when he won the Berlin Marathon in 2:02:57, will compete in a 10km race on December 7 in The Netherlands. Kimetto made history in the race when he became the first man to run under 2 hours and three minutes.
The feat saw him nominated for the 2014 IAAF male Athlete of the Year Award before making to the final three.
“From there I want to fine-tune at the local cross country championships before seeking a place in the national team,” said Kimetto. “It will now be upon Athletics Kenya to select me for the World Championships if they think it’s wise.”
“I am yet to represent Kenya in a championship race hence my hunger to make the trip to China twice next year,” said Kimetto adding that his options for next year remain open with improving his own record a top priority.
ICONIC BARRIER
Kimetto’s record immediately sparked wild speculation from fellow athletes, journalists and fans on one of the race's last remaining iconic barriers: the sub-two hour marathon.
For Kimetto, it’s less a question of if the barrier will be broken, than when.
“Yeah,” he said bluntly when asked if it was possible. “I believe if they train very hard someone will be able to do it. It’s all about the training. With good preparation you can do any time you want. If you’ve done the training and are prepared mentally, it can be done.”
Kimetto believes it a Kenyan who will break the barrier. “If not me, I believe Kenya has enormous talent. Everybody has stepped up training,” said Kimetto.
