This has now forced organisers of different disciplines to innovate so as to keep the athletes busy, hence the advent of virtual running or races. Closer home, World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge and world half marathon record holder Geoffrey Kamworor will compete in the virtual Lewa Safari Marathon on June 27 after the cancellation of the annual meet. VIRTUAL RUNNINGWorld 1,500 metres champion Timothy Cheruiyot and Commonwealth gold medallist Elijah Manang’oi will lead a Kenyan “Team Cheruiyot” charge against Norway’s “Team Ingebrigtsen”, featuring brothers Henrik, Filip and Jakob Ingebrigtsen, in a virtual run on June 11. New York Marathon have put together a virtual mile between May 29 and June 7, while Netherlands’ NN Running Team have also planned a virtual race next weekend where Kipchoge and Kamworor will feature. These virtual races are the way to go and athletes should embrace them as they wait for the resumption of normal activities later in the year.

Source: Daily Nation May 29, 2020 20:37 UTC