Geoffrey Kamworor hangs his Running Spikes

The Holy book in Ecclesiastes 3 1-15 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…” these are the powerful words that have encouraged me as I tend to make a life changing decision of hanging my spikes for once and for all,” said the multiple champion.

17 years- ago, the 2015 Beijing Olympics 10,000m silver medallist, Geoffrey Kamworor shot to International limelight when he first raced at the  Äänekoski, Finland, where he set track bests of 3:48.15 for the 1500m and 7:54.15 over 3000m distsnce.

The man who was born and raised in Chepkorio, in Keiyo South Constituency, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, started off his career of running in the 1500m races where he spent three quality years. Kamworor who is revered by his management, Global Sport Communication as a man with a golden touch, made the hard decision of officially dropping his running spikes and picking up the road running shoes for the remainder of his career.

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The three time world cross country champion has gone through a lot of difficulties and career threatening tackles but he has always prevailed. Four years ago, he was hit by a motorcycle while training near his home and suffered a fractured tibia. The impact was so strong that he initially thought he’d been hit by a car. He underwent surgery and spent two months on crutches and then in October of last year, he sustained a pelvic stress fracture while training that ruled him out for seven weeks.

Kamworor got back to his feet’s and did a lot of controlled training to avoid injuries with his main focus of coming back strong.

The injuries were big setback as it forced him to with withdraw from last year’s New York City Marathon and this year’s London Marathon, but managed to recovered in time and take part in this year’s New York City Marathon, where he stayed with the leading group of three that comprised of Abdi Negeeye and Evans Chebet till the 40km, where he was dropped and finished in fifth place in 2:08.50.

While speaking exclusively to Athletics News in Eldoret during the launch of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country championships, the soft spoken runner said that he has quit track and will never wear the Spikes shoes again.

“ Even if my employer (Kenya Police Service) requests me to compete for them in the coming National Cross Country Championships, I won’t wear spikes, I will rather wear my training road shoes,” said the ever snilling Kamworor.

The three times world half marathon champion, who trains with established names such as the marathon legend, Eliud Kipchoge and the three times Olympic 1500m champion, Faith Kipyegon and coached by renown Patrick Sang, has shifted his focus on the roads and has bid farewell to the track as he shifts his gears to compete with the world best on the roads.

“My body shape is back to where I wanted it to be, and now I have to trade careful to avoid any injury that might hinder my set goals. I won’t participate in any cross country meetings because I want when the next season starts to be injury free,” he concluded.