More than 300 people attended the homecoming reception of World Championships marathon gold and silver medallists Abel Kirui and Emmanuel Mutai at the Eldoret International Airport on Thursday.At hand to receive the duo back home following their exploits in Berlin were their family members, relatives and senior Administration Police officers. Athletics fans flocked the edge of the airport’s runway as another group waited in the waving bay to catch a glimpse of the champions. The crowd broke into wild cheers as Mutai walked towards the plane that Kirui travelled in to welcome him. He was accompanied by Mosop MP David Koech and Iten-based athletics coach Brother Colm O’Connell.
Kirui’s mother, Romana Jeptum Koech, hugged her son and rubbed him with sinendet, a Kalenjin traditional plant used to bless the community’s heroes.
For close to thirty minutes there was pandemonium as journalists struggled to wade through the surging crowds to take photographs. Senior AP officers and the airport security personnel had a hard time controlling the large crowds. But the procession, which had police escort, blaring siren and all, melted into the farmlands without incident to a huge party at Kirui’s home.
Kirui, who was third at this years’ Amsterdam Marathon in April, said he was not only proud to be the world marathon champion but also for leading the team into clinching the overall marathon title.
“We managed to win our first team title ever. Our next task now is to team up and break Haile Gebrselassie’s world record and, I believe, together we can make it. I am privileged to serve in a force that recognises runners, and for those who are not aware, I am now Sergeant Abel Kirui,” said a visibly happy Kirui, who was promoted from the rank of constable as a reward for the victory, to the cheering guests.
With immense joy showing on her face, Mama Romana said: “I went into a frenzy as my son defeated the Ethiopian. I almost broke the television screen trying to convince him to keep the pace high as I prayed, let God give my son a chance to beat the tough Ethiopians this time. And since Abel is a child of God, he won the race. He has made us proud and I will reward him with a bull.”
Kirui’s coach, Amos Korir, said he was confident of the athlete’s victory as he had prepared the marathoner well. “I prepared him to race in the Amsterdam Marathon and he was third, posting his best time of 2:05.04, which is the sixth best time in the world. Because of that impressive show, I discovered that he had clear chances for the global glory in Berlin and it came. I am now preparing him to race in the Dubai Marathon where he will strive to dip under the 2:05 mark and can even break the national record of 2:04.27,” said Korir, who trains him in Kapsabet.
Kirui’s wife Stella and son Kipchumba, as well as niece Norah Jepng’etich, were also at the airport to welcome him back home.
Rashid Abudullahi, the Eldoret West AP Commander, said the force was impressed with Kirui’s performances. “We are happy as AP to have a World Championship marathon winner. It has been two years after Athletics Kenya registered the AP team. Initially we used to compete for Prisons and other forces. Now that we are recognised, we will do even better. Kirui is senior officer attached to Mombasa but he trains here. Boston Marathon winner Rodgers Rop also serves with AP.”
Mutai, who was second to Kirui in Berlin, said the championship was a good break for Kenya to win both individual and team titles. “My intention was to appear on the podium, having run a sub-2:06 in three races but missing the podium,” said Mutai, also a London Marathon fourth-place finisher last April. “We need to strategise well to bring home the world record, and that needs commitment.
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