Kipsiro hopes for big marathon season

Moses Kipsiro has not had the same kind of success on the road as he experienced on the track since switching genres three years ago.

In fact, Kipsiro, one of Uganda’s most celebrated athletes on the track and in cross country, is yet to make a significant mark in the marathons.

The 2009 World Cross Country Silver medalist is hoping for a change soon. “I have had a bit of injuries and the adjustment has not been that fast,” Kipsiro told Daily Monitor on Sunday.

The two-time African 5,000m champion had just won the 21km event at the World Wildlife Marathon that finished at the Uganda Museum.

The event held every year by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) was organized under the theme “Creating a Safe Environment for the Survival of Uganda’s Big Cats.”

It was attended by a multitude of runners, schools, embassies, private organizations and individuals to mark the end of the Uganda Tourism Week aimed at boosting the number of Ugandans touring their own country.

Kipsiro, also a four-time national cross country champion and 5000m bronze medalist at the 2007 World Athletics Championships, is a member of the UWA athletics team.

“This is part of my training. After this, my manager Rick Simms will see what to do and hopefully I will run in one or two of the big marathons this year,” the two-time 10,000m Commonwealth Games Gold medalist added.

Having switched codes from the track to the road, Kipsiro will not be able to defend the title he won in India (2010) and Scotland (2014) at this year’s event in Australia.

“(Uganda Athletics Federation) UAF have spoken to be about running in Australia but I am unable,” he said.
Adding; “Of course, it’s an honour to represent my country but my attention is to do well in the big marathons. I wish the youngsters the very best in Gold Coast.”

His best-placed finish in one of the ‘big city’ marathons came in New York two years ago when Kipsiro touched the tape seventh.

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