Kenyan coaches are worried about the standards of the country’s once stronghold steeplechase as the Paris 2024 Olympics fast approaches.
The coaches are also in a dilemma as to why the country’s steeplechasers are not able to transition to any other distance once they are through with the specialty, unlike other events.
Coaches Edward Moti, Boniface Tiren, and Alex Sang agree that the race is very technical and needs courage and technique compared to the other flat track races.
Veteran coach Tiren said no one is born to specifically run the steeplechase and the lack of facilities at both primary and secondary schools makes it even more complicated.
“The event is introduced at the regional level with the majority transitioning from the 1,500m and 5,000m to the seven-and-a-half lap event,” Tiren explained.
“The 3,000m steeplechase is a very technical event, which requires a very technical coach, especially at the introductory level. It is an event where one must develop courage unlike in the 1,500m, 5,000, and even 10,000m."
"The athlete has to understand the risks involved including hitting the barrier, falling, or colliding with other competitors at the water jump. One must attack the barrier and land in a good way,” stated Tiren.
He said very few steeplechase runners ventured into other events like the late Ben Jipcho, Kipchoge Keino, and Moses Kiptanui. Tiren said the likes of Bernard Barmasai, Richard Mateelong, Mathew Birir, and Ezekiel Kemboi did go far despite trying their legs in other distances.
“This race doesn’t have progression into the slower races like the 5,000m or 10,000m. Once you compete in the 3,000m steeplechase, that marks the end of you unlike those in 1,500m, who can progress into slower races including 10,000m and road running,” he said.
“Kemboi and Jairus Birech tried to go into road races but they did not succeed. But look at athletes like Ibrahim Hussein, who started in 800m, moved to steeplechase, and did well in the marathon. Legendary Kipchoge did well up to 10,000m but never went into the marathon, as well as Jipcho,” he said.
Tiren said steeplechase is the most-feared race since involves jumps, which subject athletes to injuries.
“Perhaps the kind of training may be the main reason why they do not transition. Some of the specific exercises some of us coaches subject them to may not be the correct technique for steeplechase,” said Tiren.
Just the other day, Moti said he is behind junior runner Johana Erot as he switches from steeplechase to 5,000m and 10,000m.
“The boy used to compete in steeplechase but I looked at the future and decided to move him to 5,000m and 10,000m and he is well on course," said Moti.
“Most steeplechase runners don’t run in other races and, honestly, I don’t know the reasons. Maybe the injuries they pick over the barriers and the technicalities involved in the race impact badly on them,” said Moti.
“Why steeplechasers cannot transition successfully to other events is a question we continue to ask ourselves as coaches but I am sure experts in the race can explain better,” said Moti, who is based at the Siyoi Training Camp in West Pokot county.
Sang, a former 800m runner, said steeplechase running is more complicated and technical than many may think.
“Let us just say steeplechase is a painful event. One must calculate well and run with his head. This is because one feels the ground whenever he or she is running and pain each time you are landing,” said Sang.
He said once an athlete gets used to clearing barriers, it becomes a challenge to compete in a flat race.
“Steeplechase runners apply more while competing compared to runners competing in a flat race. Barriers are very exhausting and the body tends to get used to this kind of running,” said Sang.
"There is also the issue of age. By the time someone is retiring from the race, it becomes so hard to venture into other interests (distances)."
