04/25/24
September 04, 2009
Kenyan Runners Break Oldest World Record: Kenyan runners William Biwott, Gideon Gathimba, Geoffrey Rono and Augustine Choge set a time of 14 minutes 36.23 seconds in the 4x1500 meter relay Friday in Brussels, breaking the oldest official IAAF world record. The previous mark of 4:38.8 was set by West Germans in 1977. "The record earned every adult member of the crowd a free beer," writes David Powell. "No wonder they were cheering."
Who? OK, to be fair, Rono and especially Choge are somewhat big names in distance running, but it's amazing the sheer volume of crazy fast Kenyans there are.
posted by dusted at 07:41 PM on September 04, 2009
Yeah, but have you ever had a Kenyan beer?
We made a port call in Mombasa over the New Year in 1987 - 88. I remember sitting around the pool watching the European tourists while inhaling large amounts of Tusker Lager. Nice picture of an elephant on the label. The beer wasn't bad either. Of course, when you've been out at sea for about 3 months straight, almost anything alcoholic would taste good.
posted by Howard_T at 02:59 PM on September 05, 2009
The relay was in Brussels and they have some awesome beer there.
posted by billsaysthis at 04:30 PM on September 05, 2009
In case it needs spelling out, the 4x1500m has probably been run no more than a handful of times since 1977, but it's an IAAF-ratified distance. You'll get the occasional non-standard event at the grand prix meets, and the organisers choose them when there's a good chance that a record will be broken. So, stunt scheduling (presumably with a good insurance policy as part of the deal) but high entertainment.
posted by etagloh at 08:23 PM on September 05, 2009
Yeah, but have you ever had a Kenyan beer? I'll wait until the tests come out before I cheer.
cynically