Friday, 16 May 2014
Blake, Rutherford, Kilty and Porter quotes - pre-event interviews, Manchester
QUOTES COMPILED ON BEHALF OF BRITISH ATHLETICS
Ahead of tomorrow's BT Great City Games Manchester, four of the world's greatest athletes spoke in pre-event interviews. Here is what Yohan Blake, Gre Rutherford, Richard Kilty and Tiffany Porter had to say:
Yohan Blake (JAM) – World 100m champion and Olympic 100m and 200m silver medallist -
This is your first return to the UK since London 2012 - what shape do you feel you’re in and what are your hopes in terms of times for the upcoming Diamond League season?
“I’ve wanted run here (in Manchester) since high school, seeing Usain (Bolt) and Tyson (Gay) running here before.
“I can’t wait to get on to the track in this street race – I love over-distance and I want to just go out there and have some fun.
“I feel good, anything is possible and if the weather’s good anything can happen.
“We do a lot of 150m’s in training – it will be interesting running it in a straight. It’s only an extra 50m so it will be good.”
“For the Diamond League season, I just want to run fast and win.”
There are some British sprinters coming through the ranks such as Gemili, Kilty and Dasaolu, what do you make of the talent coming through in this country?
“I like the way British sprinting is developing – (Adam) Gemili and (James) Dasaolu ran well last year and it’s taking off again with (Richard) Kilty – I can’t relax against them anymore.
“When Delano (Williams) came to the Racers Track Club, I took him under my wing and this summer, I think he will surprise the British people.
“We’re training really well, according to plan.”
Tell us about your hopes for the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas next weekend?
“I’ve ran some pretty good legs for Jamaica and the 4x200m will be really interesting and we’re ready. We haven’t done any training – we just use our natural talent.”
You are set to compete in London for the Anniversary Games in July – are you looking forward to returning to London to compete?
“I love running in London, it’s really nice and the support is amazing.
“Last year, I was dying to come back to run in London at the Anniversary Games so I’m excited to finally come back and give the fans what they want by running fast.”
Explain your love of cricket and whether you are still able to play the game around your training?
“I’m serious about cricket, it’s my first love over athletics. I was in a tough situation – my mom was poor when I was growing up and so I used my talent to make a career and to provide for my family.
“I play every Sunday but I have to stop now for the serious part of the track season.”
Greg Rutherford (GBR) – Olympic long jump champion
You had your injury problems last year, so to bounce back and jump so well this year, how much confidence has that given you?
“You never know when you’re going to get injured next and it’s part and parcel of being an athlete – I just always hope they don’t pop up at the worst time like they did last year.
“I’m feeling good within my body and in the training I’m doing – I spent most of last year travelling the world, trying to find that perfect combination and then rediscovered what I had in London (2012 Olympics) with my fantastic, young coach Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo that’s excited by the sport and is learning with me – that’s what I need at this stage of my career, it’s a great partnership and hopefully, I’ll have a great year and steer clear of injury.
“I took for granted just being able to go home – I travel for hour to get to training and live in such a beautiful setting to help me completely switch off with my dogs, which helps me to just be me. Joining Jonas almost seemed too easy, going back to my old training ground but it really works.
“I’ve always said I could jump far as I’ve had the fundamentals since day one.
“I never set a distance on my ability and I hope to become regular around the 8.40m’s and 8,50m’s – your body comes to remember how jumping those distances feels.
“It didn’t feel particularly nice, I was in quite a lot of pain afterwards from pushing my body to somewhere it’s never been before but I hope to feel like that again many more times.
“I certainly hope to upgrade my Commonwealth silver to gold and to win again at the European’s two weeks later.
“Lynn Davies was the first to hold the Olympic, Commonwealth and European titles and I hope to achieve that as well this summer.”
How do you feel you have developed since joining Jonas’ training group?
“He was my old coach, Dan Pfaff’s assistant and has a good understanding of jumping, we’re surrounded by lots of kids who are incredibly fast and who are aiming to become top British sprinters so I have to work hard to keep up with them. Dan still has an involvement in my life, which is great as well.”
You’ve also announced that you are expecting a baby - how do you feel knowing you’re going to be a dad and how do you envisage that changing your training competition dynamics?
“It’s pure excitement – I can’t wait for the baby to be here in October, everything that comes with you just get on with and it hasn’t changed my focus – it focuses me more as ultimately, I’ll need to provide for another mouth in a couple of months’ time, I’ll need to make sure I’m jumping well.
“I’ll stay training at home in Milton Keynes from when the baby’s born until Christmas so I’ll be around for them for a good ten weeks or so.
“I’ve tried not to go too crazy but have bought loads of baby bibs and grows etc. We might do something fun with baby grows on the Gravity range.”
“For the Gravity company, the annex on my house has been turned into a glorified garage, filled with Gravity stuff and obviously I don’t want to stress about it all too much with my training so I’ve got a couple of guys, Suzi – my girlfriend being one of them helping out.
“I have to test the market and the waters – I couldn’t invest everything I have in something that could fail but it’s turning into a good start-up business and hopefully, it will continue to be popular. I like the idea of having other avenues to put my energy into.”
“With so much going on in my life right now, it’s good that I can switch off from competing. A lot has happened – it’s all been really exciting and has been things that I’ve wanted to happen in my life and fills me with confidence and joy.”
Richard Kilty (GBR) – World indoor 60m champion
You’re going to face Adam Gemili, Kim Collins and Yohan Blake in Glasgow in the Diamond League in July. After your heroics in Poland, are winning races like these in your sights?
“Glasgow will be a great opportunity to race the likes of Yohan again, and Adam and Kim – it’s going to be great.
“Those meetings will never be an easy race so hopefully they’ll drag me to a fast time to become one of the best sprinters in the world.
“I love competing in the City Games races, especially the one in Gateshead at the end of the season but my coach and I have proven that we work at peaking at the major championships and the Commonwealth’s and European’s are the big picture.
“People are putting pressure on me to break ten seconds so hopefully I can do that at the big meetings.”
How much has life changed for you, if at all since winning the World Indoor Championships?
“This time last year, I wasn’t sponsored, had to buy my own kit and pay my own way to get to competitions.
“Now all the Diamond Leagues want me and I’m pretty high demand at the moment, so it’s a dream come true – it’s all I ever wanted since I was a kid and now it’s a reality, it’s a bit of a culture shock but I’m accepting it.
“It’s been pretty difficult – my mind’s been all over the place with being worried of the pressure people are putting on me – before the was no expectation and I had the hunger to succeed behind me.
“Mentally it’s been tough but I’ve accepted it and I thrive on it.
“Hopefully I can feed off the energy and live up to the mantle of being a world champion by continuing forward this season.”
British sprinting is fast becoming one of the major forces on the international stage, how does it feel to be a part of that progression?
“The fact that we’ve got James (Dasaolu), Adam (Gemili), James (Ellington), Harry (Aikines-Aryeetey) and Dwain (Chambers), the talent is absolutely unbelievable so to even make a team is a challenge.
“We’ve got seven or eight athletes who would be regularly on the British team but since 2013, British sprinting’s exploded. You always have to be on top of your game and the British championships will be very tough.
“I’ve always studied the sport and researched what could go wrong at championships like with Asafa Powell, for some reason it comes naturally to me to perform when it matters.”
Tell us how your winter training went and how your spring training has been?
“The winter didn’t go as well as I’d planned – rather than hard training, it was about improving my technique and my mentality, not actually training as hard as in the past.
“I only started training in December and hooked up with my new coach in January – I had a month out in South Africa and I learned and improved so much in the two months before the indoor season.
“I’ve just spent seven weeks out in America, which was great – I’ve missed a bit of training due to the long indoor season but things are going very well.”
Explain what your training group is like in Loughborough under Rana Reider?
“We’ve got a great group with Tiffany (Porter), Christian (Taylor), Shara (Proctor) – some great athletes and we all learn and rub off on each other.
“I wasn’t professional in the past but they all train good, live good, eat good – being surrounded by those guys is positive and makes me a better athlete.”
What are your aims for tomorrow’s race in Manchester?
“Tomorrow – rather than saying I’m going to run a massive PB and run away from the field – is about showing the crowd what we’ve about, having an enthusiastic race.
“It’s only my second race of the season – I’d love to win but it’s more about enjoying myself and seeing what shape I’m in – it’s like a homecoming for me after Sopot.”
Tell us about your relay training with the British team and your hopes for the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas next weekend?
“We’ve been working on the relay but haven’t had the best of luck getting into competitions and had a makeshift team out in the US, but we’ll bring Dwain in for the IAAF World Relays and we’re aiming for nothing less than the bronze.
“We can’t have any more failures after Moscow, we just need to get the baton round.
“Myself, Danny (Talbot), Harry (Aikines-Areeytee) and James Ellington were out in Dayton, Florida –we’re all committed to the relay programme and train for it twice a week – we have confidence and should be safe – we’ll come together to deliver and qualify for the (2015 Beijing) World Championships.
“We the flat speed we all have, no other teams apart from Jamaica should get close to us.”
Will you be focusing on the 100m this season?
“All the Diamond Leagues want me in the 100m so I’ll focus on that distance for the major champs this summer. I missed a lot of speed endurance recently but my coach and I know it will come.
“I’d love to run fast in the 200m this year. I’m still learning the 100m but naturally, I’ll be better over the shorter sprint.”
Tiffany Porter (GBR) – World indoor and outdoor 100m hurdles bronze medallist
There are interesting battles in the hurdles developing with the likes of yourself, Brianna Rollins, Sally Pearson to name a few - what do you feel you need to ensure that you finish top of the pile at major championships?
“It’s just a matter of continuing to develop as an athlete and trusting in my training and abilities.
“I’m very confident that the day (of beating them) will come if I juts hone my technique and stay in my lane. There’s so many different things hurdles can perfect all of the time.
You’re a part of a large group mentored by Rana Reider - what impact do you feel he has had on British sprinting since coming into the role?
“Rana’s a really good coach and is world-renowned. I made the decision to join his coach in 2013 and have won two world bronze medals so it’s working well and I’m really excited to see what the future holds for us working together.
“We all get on really well and spur each other on. We’re all in different disciplines but come together in one common goal, I really like training with my training partners.
Tell us what your aspirations for the summer are?
“I go into every competition looking to win so that won’t be any different tomorrow. There’s a couple of technical changes we’ve been working on and I want to win both the Commonwealth’s and European’s, and I definitely want a PB this year.”
Will you spend much of the summer back home in the USA, and explain what it’s like to be married to a fellow world-class athlete?
“I’ll be based in Loughborough from the trials (in Birmingham in late June) until September but until then, I’ll be going back and forth.”
“Since we (with husband, Jeff Porter) both spend so much time in athletics, we try not to talk track at home. We definitely have a good partnership.”
Wilson Kipsang and Kenenisa Bekele pre-race quotes, Manchester
Ahead of Sunday's Bupa Great Manchester Run, two of the world's finest marathon runners spoke at a pre-event interview. Here is what they had to say:
Wilson Kipsang (KEN) – marathon world record holder
In reflection, how do you remember your recent London Marathon victory?
“London was very nice for me – it was fantastic for me to win and in a course record, it was a really great race. The plan was to run at world record pace as I knew I would be very strong – I prepared very well and felt very good from the start, I controlled the race the whole way.”
What is your plan for tomorrow’s big head-to-head clash with Bekele?
“I don’t really have a race plan – for me, I need to be ready for anything as he may be planning to do something so I have to be ready from the start.”
Do you have a race schedule planned for the summer yet?
“I have one half marathon next month and then I will prepare for the next marathon, which is not confirmed yet.”
You are known for your strong faith in God – do you feel this benefits your racing?
“I am a God-fearing guy, I really believe in God and I believe my faith has really contributed to my success and my way of living.”
Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) – two-time Olympic and four-time world 10,000m champion
Do you feel you have recovered well since your victory in your debut marathon in Paris last month?
“This is a short time since the marathon but this race is only 10km and I have prepared despite the short recovery, it is very tough to recover but we will see what happens on Sunday.”
It’s a real clash of the titans with yourself and Kipsang on Sunday, what are your aspirations?
“Winning is very important, I’m not focused on the time. If I can control the race, maybe a good time – that is my plan. Manchester is a great place, I’m very happy to run here.”
Has multiple Manchester 10km winner (and two-time Olympic and four-time world 10,000m champion), Haile Gebrselassie given you any advice on the course?
“I have only met Haile once since the Bupa Great North Run (in Newcastle last September) – we are both busy with training and with our businesses.”
What are your racing plans for the summer and will you go back to racing on the track?
“There is no (race) programme yet but depending on my training, I would like to go back to the track.”
Wilson Kipsang (KEN) – marathon world record holder
In reflection, how do you remember your recent London Marathon victory?
“London was very nice for me – it was fantastic for me to win and in a course record, it was a really great race. The plan was to run at world record pace as I knew I would be very strong – I prepared very well and felt very good from the start, I controlled the race the whole way.”
What is your plan for tomorrow’s big head-to-head clash with Bekele?
“I don’t really have a race plan – for me, I need to be ready for anything as he may be planning to do something so I have to be ready from the start.”
Do you have a race schedule planned for the summer yet?
“I have one half marathon next month and then I will prepare for the next marathon, which is not confirmed yet.”
You are known for your strong faith in God – do you feel this benefits your racing?
“I am a God-fearing guy, I really believe in God and I believe my faith has really contributed to my success and my way of living.”
Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) – two-time Olympic and four-time world 10,000m champion
Do you feel you have recovered well since your victory in your debut marathon in Paris last month?
“This is a short time since the marathon but this race is only 10km and I have prepared despite the short recovery, it is very tough to recover but we will see what happens on Sunday.”
It’s a real clash of the titans with yourself and Kipsang on Sunday, what are your aspirations?
“Winning is very important, I’m not focused on the time. If I can control the race, maybe a good time – that is my plan. Manchester is a great place, I’m very happy to run here.”
Has multiple Manchester 10km winner (and two-time Olympic and four-time world 10,000m champion), Haile Gebrselassie given you any advice on the course?
“I have only met Haile once since the Bupa Great North Run (in Newcastle last September) – we are both busy with training and with our businesses.”
What are your racing plans for the summer and will you go back to racing on the track?
“There is no (race) programme yet but depending on my training, I would like to go back to the track.”
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
PREVIEW: Bupa Great Manchester Run
Europe’s biggest 10km road race will arrive in Manchester city centre on Sunday morning, and both the men’s and women’s elite fields are set to feature a plethora of world-class stars.
Following the BT Great CityGames held on Deansgate the previous day, the Bupa Great Manchester Run will witness a mouth-watering clash of two male marathon titans as well as a predicted demonstration event from the most accomplished female distance runner in the world.
In a thrilling head-to-head battle, the men’s race will focus between Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele and Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang, whilst the women’s event sees Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba compete against many of Europe’s finest.
Bekele, the winner of the Paris marathon last month and the 10,000m world record holder and four-time world champion on the track, makes his debut in Manchester, and the three-time Olympic champion will have his work cut out against Kipsang.
The marathon world record holder and winner of the Virgin Money London Marathon last month, Kipsang too has never raced in Manchester before and the Olympic marathon bronze medallist appears evenly-matched in this mouth-watering duel.
Other names to watch out for include Stephen Mokoka, the 2012 Great South Run winner from South Africa and Spain’s Ayad Lambassem, the 2011 European cross country runner-up.
Morpeth Harriers’ Nick McCormick is expected to lead the British entrants alongside Fife AC’s Andrew Lemoncello.
Meanwhile in the women’s race, three-time Olympic champion, Dibaba should enjoy a comfortable run-out.
The five-time world champion took victory in 2013 and arrives following a third-place finish in her 26.2-mile debut in the Virgin Money London Marathon.
In a fiercely-competitive field, Charnwood AC’s Gemma Steel looks set to offer the closest challenge, with the 2012 world half marathon seventh-placer joined by French duo, Christelle Daunay and Sophie Duarte.
World 10,000m finalist, Daunay finished third in the 2013 event, whilst Duarte will be aiming to replicate the form which saw her claim the European cross country title over Steele back in December.
Additional names likely to impress are topped by world marathon silver medallist, Valeria Straneo of Italy, world fifth-placer, Alessandra Aguilar of Spain, Kenya’s 2013 Great South Run winner, Polline Wanjiku of Kenya and Portugal’s Ana Dulce Felix, the 2012 European 10,000m champion.
Preston’s Helen Clitheroe – the 2011 winner and European indoor 3,000m champion in the same year – clocked a 15:31.76 British V40 best in California a fortnight ago and she is joined by fellow Brits – and marathon runners - Alyson Dixon and Susan Partridge.
Full coverage of the event will be broadcast on BBC Two from 10am on Sunday.
Following the BT Great CityGames held on Deansgate the previous day, the Bupa Great Manchester Run will witness a mouth-watering clash of two male marathon titans as well as a predicted demonstration event from the most accomplished female distance runner in the world.
In a thrilling head-to-head battle, the men’s race will focus between Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele and Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang, whilst the women’s event sees Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba compete against many of Europe’s finest.
Bekele, the winner of the Paris marathon last month and the 10,000m world record holder and four-time world champion on the track, makes his debut in Manchester, and the three-time Olympic champion will have his work cut out against Kipsang.
The marathon world record holder and winner of the Virgin Money London Marathon last month, Kipsang too has never raced in Manchester before and the Olympic marathon bronze medallist appears evenly-matched in this mouth-watering duel.
Other names to watch out for include Stephen Mokoka, the 2012 Great South Run winner from South Africa and Spain’s Ayad Lambassem, the 2011 European cross country runner-up.
Morpeth Harriers’ Nick McCormick is expected to lead the British entrants alongside Fife AC’s Andrew Lemoncello.
Meanwhile in the women’s race, three-time Olympic champion, Dibaba should enjoy a comfortable run-out.
The five-time world champion took victory in 2013 and arrives following a third-place finish in her 26.2-mile debut in the Virgin Money London Marathon.
In a fiercely-competitive field, Charnwood AC’s Gemma Steel looks set to offer the closest challenge, with the 2012 world half marathon seventh-placer joined by French duo, Christelle Daunay and Sophie Duarte.
World 10,000m finalist, Daunay finished third in the 2013 event, whilst Duarte will be aiming to replicate the form which saw her claim the European cross country title over Steele back in December.
Additional names likely to impress are topped by world marathon silver medallist, Valeria Straneo of Italy, world fifth-placer, Alessandra Aguilar of Spain, Kenya’s 2013 Great South Run winner, Polline Wanjiku of Kenya and Portugal’s Ana Dulce Felix, the 2012 European 10,000m champion.
Preston’s Helen Clitheroe – the 2011 winner and European indoor 3,000m champion in the same year – clocked a 15:31.76 British V40 best in California a fortnight ago and she is joined by fellow Brits – and marathon runners - Alyson Dixon and Susan Partridge.
Full coverage of the event will be broadcast on BBC Two from 10am on Sunday.
PREVIEW: BT Great City Games Manchester
The annual festival of city athletics returns to the streets of Manchester this weekend, as the BT Great City Games overtakes the city centre for an afternoon of exhilarating athletics action.
Kick-starting the weekend-long programme of sport which culminates with the Bupa Great Manchester Run taking centre stage on Sunday morning - will be Saturday’s BT Great City Games, which will celebrate its sixth year in the north-west.
Taking place on a purpose built track on Deansgate and around Albert Square, many of the world’s finest track and field athletes will gather to compete in the unique urban environment, as spectators enjoy the action at close proximity.
Here are some tips on the top athletes to watch out for -
Men’s 150m
Top billing in the 2014 edition goes to Jamaica’s Yohan Blake. The Olympic 100m and 200m silver medallist will chase the 14.35 150m meeting record, set by his countryman and triple Olympic and world sprint champion, Usain Bolt in 2009.
The Olympic relay champion and 2011 world 100m victor will face team-mate, Kemar Bailey-Cole who placed fourth over 100m in last year’s World Championships in Moscow.
2004 Olympic 4x100m champion, Mark Lewis-Francis heads the British interest, whilst world indoor 400m runner-up, Chris Brown of the Bahamas is an intriguing entrant.
Men’s long jump
Fresh from his British record-breaking display in the USA last month, Greg Rutherford looks set to comfortably repeat his 2013 win.
The closest challenger to the Olympic champion is Ignisious Gaisah of the Netherlands. The world silver medallist and 2006 world indoor champion is joined by Britain’s Olympic finalist and 2008 world indoor runner-up, Chris Tomlinson.
Men’s 100m
Richard Kilty, arguably one of the biggest surprises of the winter courtesy of his world indoor 60m victory, opened his outdoor campaign with a promising 10.12 in Florida last weekend and he will face Qatar’s Femi Ogunode – the bronze medallist behind Kilty in Sopot, Poland in March.
The USA’s Trell Kimmons, the 2012 Olympic 4x100m relay silver medallist, also contests.
Women’s 200m
World 400m champion, Christine Ohuruogu has not competed since anchoring the British squad to the 4x400m relay bronze medal in Sopot, but the 2008 Olympic champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist should make light work of her toughest competitor, Shana Cox – her team-mate from Poland.
Men’s 200m hurdles
The Dominican Republic’s Felix Sanchez also steps down in distance, as the Olympic 400m hurdles champion goes up against Jamaica’s Ledford Green and British duo, Andy Turner – a three-time winner in this event and the meeting record-holder with 22.10 - and Sebastian Roger.
Women’s 100m hurdles
USA pair, Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells – the Olympic silver and bronze medallists, respectively – will line up in a tight battle with Britain’s Tiffany Porter, the world bronze medallist indoors and out for company.
Men’s 110m hurdles
Turner, the 2011 world bronze medallist will, as usual, compete both the hurdles disciplines and he is in fine form following long-term injury.
In a solely domestic field, Turner’s nearest rival should be Lawrence Clarke, who is in his best shape since the 2012 season when he finished fourth in the Olympic final.
Women’s 200m hurdles
The USA’s world runner-up, Dalilah Muhammed competes against Britain’s European indoor 400m silver medallist, Eilidh Child.
The Czech Republic’s Denisa Rosolova, the European outdoor runner-up also contests, as will Britain’s global semi-finalist, Meghan Beesley.
Women’s pole vault
Olympic fourth placer, Silke Speigelburg of Germany takes on Greece’s Nikoleta Kiriakopoulou, the European bronze medallist, whilst Sally Peake leads the British challenge.
IPC races
In the International Paralympic Committee races, world 100m and 200m champion Marlou Van Rhijn of the Netherlands starts as favourite in the women’s T44 100m.
In the men’s T44 200m, Australia’s world champion, Jarryd Wallace faces world 400m victor, David Prince of the USA.
Full coverage of the event will be broadcast on BBC One from 1:15pm on Saturday.
Kick-starting the weekend-long programme of sport which culminates with the Bupa Great Manchester Run taking centre stage on Sunday morning - will be Saturday’s BT Great City Games, which will celebrate its sixth year in the north-west.
Taking place on a purpose built track on Deansgate and around Albert Square, many of the world’s finest track and field athletes will gather to compete in the unique urban environment, as spectators enjoy the action at close proximity.
Here are some tips on the top athletes to watch out for -
Men’s 150m
Top billing in the 2014 edition goes to Jamaica’s Yohan Blake. The Olympic 100m and 200m silver medallist will chase the 14.35 150m meeting record, set by his countryman and triple Olympic and world sprint champion, Usain Bolt in 2009.
The Olympic relay champion and 2011 world 100m victor will face team-mate, Kemar Bailey-Cole who placed fourth over 100m in last year’s World Championships in Moscow.
2004 Olympic 4x100m champion, Mark Lewis-Francis heads the British interest, whilst world indoor 400m runner-up, Chris Brown of the Bahamas is an intriguing entrant.
Men’s long jump
Fresh from his British record-breaking display in the USA last month, Greg Rutherford looks set to comfortably repeat his 2013 win.
The closest challenger to the Olympic champion is Ignisious Gaisah of the Netherlands. The world silver medallist and 2006 world indoor champion is joined by Britain’s Olympic finalist and 2008 world indoor runner-up, Chris Tomlinson.
Men’s 100m
Richard Kilty, arguably one of the biggest surprises of the winter courtesy of his world indoor 60m victory, opened his outdoor campaign with a promising 10.12 in Florida last weekend and he will face Qatar’s Femi Ogunode – the bronze medallist behind Kilty in Sopot, Poland in March.
The USA’s Trell Kimmons, the 2012 Olympic 4x100m relay silver medallist, also contests.
Women’s 200m
World 400m champion, Christine Ohuruogu has not competed since anchoring the British squad to the 4x400m relay bronze medal in Sopot, but the 2008 Olympic champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist should make light work of her toughest competitor, Shana Cox – her team-mate from Poland.
Men’s 200m hurdles
The Dominican Republic’s Felix Sanchez also steps down in distance, as the Olympic 400m hurdles champion goes up against Jamaica’s Ledford Green and British duo, Andy Turner – a three-time winner in this event and the meeting record-holder with 22.10 - and Sebastian Roger.
Women’s 100m hurdles
USA pair, Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells – the Olympic silver and bronze medallists, respectively – will line up in a tight battle with Britain’s Tiffany Porter, the world bronze medallist indoors and out for company.
Men’s 110m hurdles
Turner, the 2011 world bronze medallist will, as usual, compete both the hurdles disciplines and he is in fine form following long-term injury.
In a solely domestic field, Turner’s nearest rival should be Lawrence Clarke, who is in his best shape since the 2012 season when he finished fourth in the Olympic final.
Women’s 200m hurdles
The USA’s world runner-up, Dalilah Muhammed competes against Britain’s European indoor 400m silver medallist, Eilidh Child.
The Czech Republic’s Denisa Rosolova, the European outdoor runner-up also contests, as will Britain’s global semi-finalist, Meghan Beesley.
Women’s pole vault
Olympic fourth placer, Silke Speigelburg of Germany takes on Greece’s Nikoleta Kiriakopoulou, the European bronze medallist, whilst Sally Peake leads the British challenge.
IPC races
In the International Paralympic Committee races, world 100m and 200m champion Marlou Van Rhijn of the Netherlands starts as favourite in the women’s T44 100m.
In the men’s T44 200m, Australia’s world champion, Jarryd Wallace faces world 400m victor, David Prince of the USA.
Full coverage of the event will be broadcast on BBC One from 1:15pm on Saturday.
Thursday, 10 April 2014
British Marathon Greats Reminisce Ahead of London Marathon
A trio of British marathon greats gathered near the capital’s Tower Bridge to reminisce about their careers and reveal their thoughts on Sunday’s Virgin Money London Marathon at an official press conference this afternoon.
Women’s world record holder, Paula Radcliffe, men’s British record holder, Steve Jones and the last British male winner of the race, Eamonn Martin spoke to a fascinated audience during an insightful occasion.
Radcliffe, the 2005 world champion and record holder with an astonishing 2:15.5 clocking from her 2003 London victory, revealed her thoughts on double Olympic and world 5,00m and 10,000m champion, Mo Farah’s chances on his debut over the 26.2-mile distance:
“Mo’s in very good shape coming into the race – the race will be extremely tough but why not test yourself if you can compete against the very best, he knows he is capable of winning.
“There will be unanswered questions in his mind about how he will take to the marathon, you never really know until you get out there.
“You’ve got to look at all of the little details that can make a difference – you have to put the work in as there are no short-cuts.”
The 40-year-old mother of two recalled her early marathon days, explaining:
“I felt I had nothing to lose in my first marathon and I gained confidence with each one.
“You have to be mentally strong to attack it. I came into London in 2003 a year after loving my debut there
and I knew I could beat the world record.
“It’s a fast course and with a huge advantage of having the extra special London crowd. I kept under world record target pace and had a few tough spots but it was great to capitalise on my form and break the record.
“At the time, I thought I was invincible and that the purple patch would last forever so I’m glad I ran as hard as I could on the day.”
The three-time world cross-country champion, who is based in Monaco offered her thoughts on the women’s race on Sunday:
“I think Dibaba (Tirunesha, Ethiopia’s three-time Olympic and five-time world champion)’s coming in very well prepared.
“There’s a lot of focus on the men’s race but the women’s is a very strong field and it will be a fast race, too.
“I think there’s three or four capable of running under 2:20, it’s just a question of whether Dibaba can translate her form from the track.”
Having battled injury in recent years, Radcliffe maintained her desire to return to the race herself:
“I was barely running this time last year – it felt like a pipe-dream to come back to racing but now, my foot’s improving - who knows whether I’ll be able to run as fast again as I’d like, though.
“The foot’s improving so I’m working hard and trying to be patient – I’m being cautious and listening to it. I’m certainly a lot more hopeful than I was four or five months ago.”
Former world record holder and current British record holder, Steve Jones meanwhile, spoke of his belief that Farah will take his 2:07.13 national mark:
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he shattered the record and even won, he can get my record without doubt,” the Welshman revealed.
“It’s a surprise the record’s lasted this long – why, I don’t know but I’m also glad I still have it as it’s my connection to the sport.”
The 58-year-old Colorado-based Jones set his finest mark when storming to victory in the Chicago marathon in 1985, just a few months after winning the London event.
“Mo has confidence in his training and will take that into the race,” he continued.
“I had no fear myself – I always tried to dominate and was never afraid, I had 15-years of 100-miles per week behind me.
“Our training is miles apart – Mo’s approach is so scientific and it works for him, he pushes himself to the limit.
“When I set the record, the pace wasn’t much different to what these guys do today. It wasn’t about how fast I ran, my motivation was to beat my biggest rival, Rob de Castella (the Australian 1983 world champion).”
Also with New York marathon win under his best, Jones finished by saying:
“I’m not running much at the moment but I’ll never say never about returning to the London race.”
1993 winner, Martin took the London honours on his debut at the distance and hopes to see Farah replace him as the last British male winner of the event:
“I’m surprised I’m still the last British winner – my performance is history to me and I don’t like that it’s not moved on, we need it to happen again,” the 55-year-old stated.
“If I were Mo, I wouldn’t be doing it yet but he knows his own mind. He’s incredibly versatile, running his 1500m best (3:28.81 European record) only last year and he’s great on the track but there’s no hiding place in the marathon, there’s lots of great athletes against him.
“It’s do-able (winning the race) - with Mo’s quality, why do a smaller marathon? If you’re going to have a good day, you may as well do it on the big stage.
“He’s capable of winning but a lot can go wrong – we’ll learn a lot about Mo from the 30km point of the race. He has all the tools to do well.”
The 1990 Commonwealth 10,000m champion and 1995 New York marathon winner continued:
“I did my first marathon at 34 as I enjoyed racing on the track so much but when I saw there were no more improvements to be made, I thought of London as an opportunity and preparing for it excited me, it gave my running more impetus, doing something different.
“26-miles was the unknown but running was what I did and so I looked at it like that.”
On a possible return to the race which brought him his happy memories, Martin insisted:
“I won’t run it again – I have too many niggles and problems so I accept it.
“I ran the British masters record (2:17.22) here in 1999 at aged 40 but I’ve no interest in hobbling round.”
Women’s world record holder, Paula Radcliffe, men’s British record holder, Steve Jones and the last British male winner of the race, Eamonn Martin spoke to a fascinated audience during an insightful occasion.
Radcliffe, the 2005 world champion and record holder with an astonishing 2:15.5 clocking from her 2003 London victory, revealed her thoughts on double Olympic and world 5,00m and 10,000m champion, Mo Farah’s chances on his debut over the 26.2-mile distance:
“Mo’s in very good shape coming into the race – the race will be extremely tough but why not test yourself if you can compete against the very best, he knows he is capable of winning.
“There will be unanswered questions in his mind about how he will take to the marathon, you never really know until you get out there.
“You’ve got to look at all of the little details that can make a difference – you have to put the work in as there are no short-cuts.”
The 40-year-old mother of two recalled her early marathon days, explaining:
“I felt I had nothing to lose in my first marathon and I gained confidence with each one.
“You have to be mentally strong to attack it. I came into London in 2003 a year after loving my debut there
and I knew I could beat the world record.
“It’s a fast course and with a huge advantage of having the extra special London crowd. I kept under world record target pace and had a few tough spots but it was great to capitalise on my form and break the record.
“At the time, I thought I was invincible and that the purple patch would last forever so I’m glad I ran as hard as I could on the day.”
The three-time world cross-country champion, who is based in Monaco offered her thoughts on the women’s race on Sunday:
“I think Dibaba (Tirunesha, Ethiopia’s three-time Olympic and five-time world champion)’s coming in very well prepared.
“There’s a lot of focus on the men’s race but the women’s is a very strong field and it will be a fast race, too.
“I think there’s three or four capable of running under 2:20, it’s just a question of whether Dibaba can translate her form from the track.”
Having battled injury in recent years, Radcliffe maintained her desire to return to the race herself:
“I was barely running this time last year – it felt like a pipe-dream to come back to racing but now, my foot’s improving - who knows whether I’ll be able to run as fast again as I’d like, though.
“The foot’s improving so I’m working hard and trying to be patient – I’m being cautious and listening to it. I’m certainly a lot more hopeful than I was four or five months ago.”
Former world record holder and current British record holder, Steve Jones meanwhile, spoke of his belief that Farah will take his 2:07.13 national mark:
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he shattered the record and even won, he can get my record without doubt,” the Welshman revealed.
“It’s a surprise the record’s lasted this long – why, I don’t know but I’m also glad I still have it as it’s my connection to the sport.”
The 58-year-old Colorado-based Jones set his finest mark when storming to victory in the Chicago marathon in 1985, just a few months after winning the London event.
“Mo has confidence in his training and will take that into the race,” he continued.
“I had no fear myself – I always tried to dominate and was never afraid, I had 15-years of 100-miles per week behind me.
“Our training is miles apart – Mo’s approach is so scientific and it works for him, he pushes himself to the limit.
“When I set the record, the pace wasn’t much different to what these guys do today. It wasn’t about how fast I ran, my motivation was to beat my biggest rival, Rob de Castella (the Australian 1983 world champion).”
Also with New York marathon win under his best, Jones finished by saying:
“I’m not running much at the moment but I’ll never say never about returning to the London race.”
1993 winner, Martin took the London honours on his debut at the distance and hopes to see Farah replace him as the last British male winner of the event:
“I’m surprised I’m still the last British winner – my performance is history to me and I don’t like that it’s not moved on, we need it to happen again,” the 55-year-old stated.
“If I were Mo, I wouldn’t be doing it yet but he knows his own mind. He’s incredibly versatile, running his 1500m best (3:28.81 European record) only last year and he’s great on the track but there’s no hiding place in the marathon, there’s lots of great athletes against him.
“It’s do-able (winning the race) - with Mo’s quality, why do a smaller marathon? If you’re going to have a good day, you may as well do it on the big stage.
“He’s capable of winning but a lot can go wrong – we’ll learn a lot about Mo from the 30km point of the race. He has all the tools to do well.”
The 1990 Commonwealth 10,000m champion and 1995 New York marathon winner continued:
“I did my first marathon at 34 as I enjoyed racing on the track so much but when I saw there were no more improvements to be made, I thought of London as an opportunity and preparing for it excited me, it gave my running more impetus, doing something different.
“26-miles was the unknown but running was what I did and so I looked at it like that.”
On a possible return to the race which brought him his happy memories, Martin insisted:
“I won’t run it again – I have too many niggles and problems so I accept it.
“I ran the British masters record (2:17.22) here in 1999 at aged 40 but I’ve no interest in hobbling round.”
Thompson and Overall Follow Farah as Top British Interest in London
Training partners, Chris Thompson and Scott Overall spoke of their route to Sunday’s Virgin Money London Marathon at the official press conference near the capital’s Tower Bridge this afternoon.
The duo - guided by Alan Storey in South-West London - enter the event from very different angles, with Thompson making his much-anticipated 26.2-mile debut as Overall seeks to cement his early marathon promise.
With double Olympic and world 5,000m and 10,000m champion, Mo Farah also making his debut in the event as he chases victory and the 2:07.13 British record, Thompson and Overall have been quietly going about their business and are confident of strong performances at the weekend:
“I feel training’s gone as well as it could and I’ve had less hiccups than I thought I would,” 32-year-old Thompson explained.
“Whatever happens, I don’t think I would have changed much of the training going into the race.
“I have ambitions in the marathon beyond this weekend but I have to be realistic about what I can achieve in the first one.
“I’m treating it like me versus the event, as it’s my debut so the aim’s to have another go and hopefully, the experience will drive me to continue.”
31-year-old Overall added:
“I came into London last year with a bit of an injury but this time, training’s gone well with my new training partner so we’ll see how it goes.”
Thompson, the European 10,000m silver medallist in 2010, has enjoyed success on the roads with recent top-ten position at the New York half and the Great North Run, and he broke the course record at the adidas Silverstone half marathon this March with 65:08 despite strong winds.
Additionally coached by Mark Rowlands in the US, the injury-plagued Thompson continued:
“Going into my first marathon, it’s a big worry to be able to train without injury.
“I hoped to run a marathon in 2013 after the Olympics but injuries got in the way so I was nervous about the training.
“I’ve had some stomach problems but physically, I’m feeling good – marathon training’s about volume and threshold running, it has helped me to stay injury-free by staying away from the real speed-work.”
Having run 2:10.55 on debut at the distance in Berlin in 2011, Overall has since endured mixed fortunes with 61st position in the 2012 Olympic marathon and dropped out of the 2013 race after 25km with a knee injury.
A former training partner of Farah’s – like Thompson – he recently won the Mizuno Reading half marathon in 64:44 and revealed:
“I went into Berlin with a bit of naivety as it was the unknown, but it went well and I was selected for the Olympics off the back of it.
“It has made every marathon from then on a bit difficult, though. In the Olympics, I tried to focus on position rather than time but I over-trained before it.
“I want to get back on track with a solid performance – hopefully a personal best.”
Having joined alliances back in the autumn, the pair were complimentary of their training partnership en route to the London race:
“Working with Scott - with the experience and time he has under his belt - has been good,” Thompson declared.
Meanwhile, Overall added:
“I did a lot of my training alone in previous marathons and got stale so then I changed coach and joined Chris.
“We went to Colorado (for high altitude training) for five weeks and Chris taught me to eat salad. It’s nice to have someone there for the long miles and the sessions.”
Both intend to tackle the track in the summer season, with Thompson aiming for a swift 10,000m and Overall returning to the surface for the first time in several years.
As the trial race for the European 10,000m championship in Zurich this August is only four weeks away, the duo may have continental marathon berths in mind as the the 2:15.30 qualifying time is within reach – alternatively, spots on England’s Commonwealth Games team in Glasgow this July may be a possibility.
With the British interest fully focused on Farah in the lead up to the race and on Sunday, Thompson explained:
“It’s been a massive help – there’s no hiding from the fact that he’s doing it so it’s put my debut less under the radar.
“There’s lots of expectation and attention on him so we’re in our own little world so it’s been good.”
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, British hopes lie with Amy Whitehead and Emma Stepto, who have worked their way up from the mass field in recent years to claim their places among the marathon’s elite.
A former junior cross country international, Whitehead returned to national attention in 2011 when she was the first woman to finish from the mass field, a performance which re-started her injury-hit career.
The Sale Harrier then ran a personal best of 2:33:44 in 2012 and last year ranked third in the UK courtesy of her 2:34:14 London clocking, which was good enough for 13th place - her highest finish in five appearances.
42-year-old Stepto finished fourth in the mass field on her London debut two years ago to finish 30th overall.
The Cornish athlete went on to finish ninth in Toronto later that year, and eighth in Amsterdam last autumn, lowering her best by nearly eight minutes to 2:35:05.
That made her the third fastest British veteran in history behind running legends Priscilla Welch and Joyce Smith, and the quickest over-40s runner for 36 years - not bad for a woman who only took up running in her 30’s.
Having broken Welch's British vets' 5000m record last summer, Stepto now has her sights set on her over 40s marathon mark of 2:26:51.
The duo - guided by Alan Storey in South-West London - enter the event from very different angles, with Thompson making his much-anticipated 26.2-mile debut as Overall seeks to cement his early marathon promise.
With double Olympic and world 5,000m and 10,000m champion, Mo Farah also making his debut in the event as he chases victory and the 2:07.13 British record, Thompson and Overall have been quietly going about their business and are confident of strong performances at the weekend:
“I feel training’s gone as well as it could and I’ve had less hiccups than I thought I would,” 32-year-old Thompson explained.
“Whatever happens, I don’t think I would have changed much of the training going into the race.
“I have ambitions in the marathon beyond this weekend but I have to be realistic about what I can achieve in the first one.
“I’m treating it like me versus the event, as it’s my debut so the aim’s to have another go and hopefully, the experience will drive me to continue.”
31-year-old Overall added:
“I came into London last year with a bit of an injury but this time, training’s gone well with my new training partner so we’ll see how it goes.”
Thompson, the European 10,000m silver medallist in 2010, has enjoyed success on the roads with recent top-ten position at the New York half and the Great North Run, and he broke the course record at the adidas Silverstone half marathon this March with 65:08 despite strong winds.
Additionally coached by Mark Rowlands in the US, the injury-plagued Thompson continued:
“Going into my first marathon, it’s a big worry to be able to train without injury.
“I hoped to run a marathon in 2013 after the Olympics but injuries got in the way so I was nervous about the training.
“I’ve had some stomach problems but physically, I’m feeling good – marathon training’s about volume and threshold running, it has helped me to stay injury-free by staying away from the real speed-work.”
Having run 2:10.55 on debut at the distance in Berlin in 2011, Overall has since endured mixed fortunes with 61st position in the 2012 Olympic marathon and dropped out of the 2013 race after 25km with a knee injury.
A former training partner of Farah’s – like Thompson – he recently won the Mizuno Reading half marathon in 64:44 and revealed:
“I went into Berlin with a bit of naivety as it was the unknown, but it went well and I was selected for the Olympics off the back of it.
“It has made every marathon from then on a bit difficult, though. In the Olympics, I tried to focus on position rather than time but I over-trained before it.
“I want to get back on track with a solid performance – hopefully a personal best.”
Having joined alliances back in the autumn, the pair were complimentary of their training partnership en route to the London race:
“Working with Scott - with the experience and time he has under his belt - has been good,” Thompson declared.
Meanwhile, Overall added:
“I did a lot of my training alone in previous marathons and got stale so then I changed coach and joined Chris.
“We went to Colorado (for high altitude training) for five weeks and Chris taught me to eat salad. It’s nice to have someone there for the long miles and the sessions.”
Both intend to tackle the track in the summer season, with Thompson aiming for a swift 10,000m and Overall returning to the surface for the first time in several years.
As the trial race for the European 10,000m championship in Zurich this August is only four weeks away, the duo may have continental marathon berths in mind as the the 2:15.30 qualifying time is within reach – alternatively, spots on England’s Commonwealth Games team in Glasgow this July may be a possibility.
With the British interest fully focused on Farah in the lead up to the race and on Sunday, Thompson explained:
“It’s been a massive help – there’s no hiding from the fact that he’s doing it so it’s put my debut less under the radar.
“There’s lots of expectation and attention on him so we’re in our own little world so it’s been good.”
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, British hopes lie with Amy Whitehead and Emma Stepto, who have worked their way up from the mass field in recent years to claim their places among the marathon’s elite.
A former junior cross country international, Whitehead returned to national attention in 2011 when she was the first woman to finish from the mass field, a performance which re-started her injury-hit career.
The Sale Harrier then ran a personal best of 2:33:44 in 2012 and last year ranked third in the UK courtesy of her 2:34:14 London clocking, which was good enough for 13th place - her highest finish in five appearances.
42-year-old Stepto finished fourth in the mass field on her London debut two years ago to finish 30th overall.
The Cornish athlete went on to finish ninth in Toronto later that year, and eighth in Amsterdam last autumn, lowering her best by nearly eight minutes to 2:35:05.
That made her the third fastest British veteran in history behind running legends Priscilla Welch and Joyce Smith, and the quickest over-40s runner for 36 years - not bad for a woman who only took up running in her 30’s.
Having broken Welch's British vets' 5000m record last summer, Stepto now has her sights set on her over 40s marathon mark of 2:26:51.
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Farah in Confident Mood Ahead of Marathon Test in London
On the track, he has won almost every major championship title on offer but the marathon distance remains an unknown quantity for Mo Farah, as he makes his 26.2-mile debut in a real baptism of fire in Sunday’s Virgin Money London Marathon.
Speaking at the official pre-race press conference near the capital’s Tower Bridge, the double Olympic and World 5,000m and 10,000m champion appeared in a relaxed mood and spoke confidently about his chances on his eagerly anticipated introduction to the event:
“The Virgin Money London Marathon is the biggest marathon in the world, I’ve been really looking forward to it racing it since I was a kid,” Farah explained.
“I’ve achieved a lot on the track but I wanted to test myself in the marathon.”
Despite harbouring the immense pressure from British fans to succeed on home turf and to continue his dominance of the distance-running world, the 31-year-old revealed his intentions without hesitation:
“My main target’s to go after the British record (2:07.13 held by Steve Jones from 1985) then see what else could happen, if I could go any faster and where I can finish.
“Whatever happens, it’s a great field. Every race is a risk (to my reputation) – I want to win but I’m not guaranteed to win.”
Indeed, with the field boasting most of the world’s greatest marathon runners in history, Farah still hopes to become the first British male winner of the race for 21-years and joked about the strength of his opposition:
“I want to thank Dave Bedford (the elite athlete coordinator and head of international relations) for making it
an easy race for me!” he jested.
“I’m straight in at the deep end but that’s what world champions do. I respect the distance and I want to test myself as that’s what makes a real champion.”
Having run the 2013 event to the halfway mark as a test, many are relieved to see the London-raised runner in healthy and confident form following a fall in last month’s New York City half marathon.
“Training’s gone reasonably well, it wasn’t smooth all of the time but hiccups are part of it so overall, it’s gone well,” Farah insisted.
“I felt fine after New York – it was hard mentally and physically as I was so tired from giving 110% after the fall. I was really feeling it and seeing stars but I’m glad it happened there and not here.
“I didn’t miss any training, I just had a few scratches. It’s completely different preparing for the track to the road, it’s such a long way. It’s all about finding out if I’ll be any good at the distance or not.”
With the three-time Olympic and six-time World champion, Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia recently transferring his track pedigree over to the marathon event with success in Paris last weekend courtesy of a 2:05.04 debut, Farah is in a positive frame of mind:
“I’d like to congratulate Bekele on his good marathon run – it gives me confidence that if he can do it, I can even in the toughest field ever,” he said.
Having only returned from a stint of high-altitude training in Kenya the previous evening, the US-based athlete continued:
“I honestly don’t know what they (his rivals) are thinking, I only know what I’m thinking.
“I’m just going to go with the group, try to be patient and not waste too much energy early on.”
Speaking at the official pre-race press conference near the capital’s Tower Bridge, the double Olympic and World 5,000m and 10,000m champion appeared in a relaxed mood and spoke confidently about his chances on his eagerly anticipated introduction to the event:
“The Virgin Money London Marathon is the biggest marathon in the world, I’ve been really looking forward to it racing it since I was a kid,” Farah explained.
“I’ve achieved a lot on the track but I wanted to test myself in the marathon.”
Despite harbouring the immense pressure from British fans to succeed on home turf and to continue his dominance of the distance-running world, the 31-year-old revealed his intentions without hesitation:
“My main target’s to go after the British record (2:07.13 held by Steve Jones from 1985) then see what else could happen, if I could go any faster and where I can finish.
“Whatever happens, it’s a great field. Every race is a risk (to my reputation) – I want to win but I’m not guaranteed to win.”
Indeed, with the field boasting most of the world’s greatest marathon runners in history, Farah still hopes to become the first British male winner of the race for 21-years and joked about the strength of his opposition:
“I want to thank Dave Bedford (the elite athlete coordinator and head of international relations) for making it
an easy race for me!” he jested.
“I’m straight in at the deep end but that’s what world champions do. I respect the distance and I want to test myself as that’s what makes a real champion.”
Having run the 2013 event to the halfway mark as a test, many are relieved to see the London-raised runner in healthy and confident form following a fall in last month’s New York City half marathon.
“Training’s gone reasonably well, it wasn’t smooth all of the time but hiccups are part of it so overall, it’s gone well,” Farah insisted.
“I felt fine after New York – it was hard mentally and physically as I was so tired from giving 110% after the fall. I was really feeling it and seeing stars but I’m glad it happened there and not here.
“I didn’t miss any training, I just had a few scratches. It’s completely different preparing for the track to the road, it’s such a long way. It’s all about finding out if I’ll be any good at the distance or not.”
With the three-time Olympic and six-time World champion, Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia recently transferring his track pedigree over to the marathon event with success in Paris last weekend courtesy of a 2:05.04 debut, Farah is in a positive frame of mind:
“I’d like to congratulate Bekele on his good marathon run – it gives me confidence that if he can do it, I can even in the toughest field ever,” he said.
Having only returned from a stint of high-altitude training in Kenya the previous evening, the US-based athlete continued:
“I honestly don’t know what they (his rivals) are thinking, I only know what I’m thinking.
“I’m just going to go with the group, try to be patient and not waste too much energy early on.”
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