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Kenyan legend Charles Kamathi attributes Kenya's recent struggles in the 10,000m to a shift toward road racing, which he believes has eroded essential sprinting speed and track specialization in Kenyan athletes.
The 2001 world 10,000m champion Charles Kamathi has spoken out about the reasons behind Kenya’s fading dominance in the men’s 10,000m.
Kamathi, the only Kenyan to ever defeat Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie at the World Championships, believes that Kenya’s shift toward road racing has undermined the critical sprinting speed required to finish strong in the 25-lap event.
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Reflecting on his historic win at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, where he out-sprinted Gebrselassie in a thrilling final lap, Kamathi revealed that his victory was largely due to careful observation and analysis of his competitor’s tactics.
“We studied his races and noticed that he would often out-kick everyone with 400m to go,” Kamathi said in an interview with The Star.
Kamathi’s preparation for the Edmonton Championships involved an intense focus on cross-country events to sharpen his speed and endurance, a training approach he believes is fading among current Kenyan athletes.
“I had done sufficient build-up before the World Championships. I started with Cross Country to build up my speed and endurance. Before going to Edmonton, I clocked the fastest time in the 10,000m in the country,” Kamathi explained.
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According to Kamathi, Kenya’s recent poor showings in the 10,000m stem from a widespread focus on road racing among younger athletes, who no longer specialize in track events.
“A lot of our young athletes are turning to the roads, and we no longer have specialists in the 10,000m,” he lamented.
This trend is apparent even during Athletics Kenya (AK) meetings where participation in the 10,000m has waned.
“We do not have as many athletes competing in the 10,000m at the AK meetings. And those who compete will find themselves taking part in road races the following day,” he said.
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Kamathi highlighted the specific impact of road racing on an athlete’s ability to execute a strong finishing kick in the 10,000m, stressing that the demands of road racing diminish the fast-twitch muscle power required for the final sprint.
“When you take part in many road races, you lose the stamina to sprint. You may have the endurance but lack the sprint which is important more so in the final laps,” he pointed out, referencing how the lack of a decisive sprint cost Kenyan runners key positions at recent events, including the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kamathi believes Kenya’s 10,000m athletes still have untapped potential but urges Athletics Kenya to conduct research on current global strategies in the event, calling for a new level of adaptability.
“Countries like the USA did not have athletes in the 10,000m, but they took everyone by surprise in Paris. What has given them the edge is moving with the times,” he observed.
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Kamathi stressed that Kenya can no longer assume it holds dominance in middle and long distances, as other countries have intensified their preparations to challenge Kenya’s position on the world stage.
“We need to move with the times because we can’t assume we are still the kings of the middle and long distances. Other countries are hot on our heels looking to dethrone us."
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