Posted: July 19, 2004

Athletics: Korir Kicks at Crazy 8's, Skvortsova Defends Women's Crown

By Hank Brown, Running USA wire

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - (July 17, 2004) - John Korir unleashed his patented kick with a little less than 1K to go to defeat countryman and defending champion Linus Maiyo to win the Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8K Run here Saturday night. Korir's winning time was 22:16, 15 seconds ahead of Maiyo, but 13 seconds short of Peter Githuka's world record of 22:03 set here in 1996.

Some confusion among the lead pack over the mile 1 split may have thrown a detour in an otherwise well-organized plan to make a serious run at Githuka's mark. Joseph Mwai and Reuben Chebii of Kenya had been designated to lead the pack through the first few miles ahead of world record pace, setting the table for Korir, Maiyo and 19-year-old Shadrack Kosgei. Mwai led the charge up Ft. Henry Drive to the first mile in 4:30, about 4 seconds slower than the needed 4:26. The digital clock at mile 1, however read 4:10, which sent a bit of shockwave through the leaders.

"I tried to look at my watch, but I couldn't see it," said Korir, the 2003 Road Racer of the Year. "It was too dark."

Maiyo, because he had been to Kingsport and run on the candle-lit streets, knew to bring a lighted watch, so he was aware of the correct time. Nonetheless, there was enough doubt in the lead group that the second mile was also run in 4:30, or 9:00 for two miles, 8 seconds in the red on Mr. Githuka. The pre-race plan was out, so some good old-fashioned racing instincts took over the rest of the way.

"We fell behind at the first mile," said Maiyo, "and fell several more seconds behind at the second mile and I knew there was not going to be a record."

Maiyo, Korir and Kosgei, wearing bib numbers 1, 2, 3 respectively, took the steering wheel and turned up the intensity several decibel levels. As they turned back onto Eastman Road, and the middle part of this figure 8 course, the trio were met with the volume and enthusiasm of the thousands who line the streets to catch a glimpse of their running heroes. The three Kenyan stars responded with a memorable battle over the second half of course.

Maiyo, knowing full well of Korir's lethal kick, tried to put some daylight, or darkness if you will, between Korir and himself. Maiyo picked up the pace, and also swerved from one side of the road to the other, trying everything in his strategic bag to shake his rival. Korir stuck to every move like the sweat on his singlet, as Kosgei tried to keep contact in third. Mile 3 passed in 13:27, a 4:27 mile. The racing was now in full gear.

Everyone knows about the hill on mile 4. Renamed Peter Githuka Hill by race organizers last year, it has derailed many attempts at Githuka's world record. Maiyo himself was in the middle of a valiant solo effort last year until he ran into the hill. This year, Maiyo took Githuka Hill much more fluently, but Korir was speaking the same language. Kosgei dropped off the pace and it was now down to two.

"They were too strong for me tonight," said Kosgei. "They just took off up the hill."

Maiyo and Korir were inseparable through mile 4 (18:04). There was no doubt that one of these two would win, but all bets were on Korir. They were now entering Korir's territory, the final kilometers and meters of the race. Everyone knew The Kick was coming, it was just a matter of when.

Just past the 9K mark, just in front of J. Fred Johnson Stadium, Korir edged ahead of Maiyo and took his first lead of the evening. He put down the throttle, and the race was over. His final split for .97 miles (8K = 4.97 miles) was 4:12, or roughly 4:19 for a full mile.

"Next year I will come back," said Korir. "Next year I will go for the record."

In the women's race, there was no serious attempt at Asmae Leghzaoui's world record of 24:28 set here in 2002, but there was some serious racing between Russia's Silvia Skvortsova and Tatyana Chulakh. Skvortsova successfully defended her Crazy 8's title, crossing under the balloon decorated finish line in 26:12, 8 seconds slower than last year. Chulakh followed in 26:27, with Lyudimilla Biktasheva completing a Russian 1-2-3 sweep in 27:05.

In the Cardiovascular Associates 3K Heart Walk, U.S. Racewalking team member Ian Whatley from South Carolina outclassed the field in 13:46. Donna Cope from North Carolina easily won the women's competition in 18:51.

Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's - Kingsport, TN, Saturday, July 17, 2004

Men
1. John Korir, KEN, 22:16
2. Linus Maiyo, KEN, 22:31
3. Shadrack Kosgei, KEN, 22:47
4. Eric Chirchir, KEN, 23:22
5. Reuben Chebii, KEN, 23:22
6. Joseph Koskei, KEN, 23:46

Women
1. Silvia Skvortsova, RUS, 26:12
2. Tatyana Chulakh, RUS, 26:27
3. Lyudimila Biktasheva, RUS, 27:05
4. Agnes Ngunjiui, KEN, 27:44
5. Kelly Keane, TX, 27:58

Complete results can be found at: www.crazy8s.org.