Underdog Peter Kirui Heading To Daegu In The 10,000m

He defeated the Kenyan record holder and this year’s Boston Marathon champion.

Prior to the 10,000m final at the Kenyan National Championships on Saturday, Peter Kirui, 24, had only won two major races in his career. Kirui, who was running for Administration Police, finished in an incredible 27:32, edging out a world-class, star-studded field that included the Kenyan record holder as well as last year’s champion, Wilson Kiprop.

Kiprop took second in 27:32.9. Martin Mathathi was third, while this year’s Boston Marathon champion, Geoffrey Mutai, was fourth.

“I attribute today’s victory to my coach Samuel Bii, who gave me vital tips this morning,” admitted Kirui. “I knew the race was going to be tough with all the big names around and my coach advised me to run specifically behind Wilson Kiprop and Geoffrey Mutai, then break off in the last 300m and it is exactly what I did and won the race.”

Prior to his victory on Saturday, Kirui had only won the Guatemala Half-Marathon in October last year and the CBC Half Marathon in Amsterdam, Netherlands in April.

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