October 7th, 2001

Kenyan Ben Kimondiu Does the Totally
Unexpected. He Finishes the Race.

by Dave McCauley, RunMichigan.com

Chicago, Illinois

I overheard another coach once saying to his runner before a college cross country race: "Don't do anything stupid, like lead the whole way."

Well, Ben Kimondiu of Kenya obviously wouldn't have heeded that advice. One of the paid pacers, or rabbits, brought in to set the pace for a previously determined distance, Kimondiu ended up winning this year's Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:08:52.

A record field of 37,500 runners were registered for the event.

The fact that the hired pacer ended up winning was as much of a surprise to race organizers as it was to everyone else. "I have no explanation for what happened.", were the words of race director Carey Pinkowski, after the unexpected events that took place in the men's race.

"There is extensive discussion and negotiations we go through on the rabbits and the pacing". Pinkowski commented after the race. Kimondiu's job was to pace the field through the 18 mile mark. He did just that, and while he was at it, he went ahead and won the race, turning a relatively meager 5000 dollars or so pacesetter's fee into the winner's share of $90,000.

"Ben obviously did what he was supposed to. And then he did a whole hell of a lot more than he was supposed to." Pinkowski said.

Up until now, Kimondiu's fastest marathon was 2:15:13 at this past spring's LA Marathon. He has been used as a pace setter in numerous marathons. Other p.r.'s for Kimondiu include 13:50 for 5k, 28:18 for 10k and 1:02:21 for the Half Marathon. Obviously he was happy at what he had just accomplished. "This is a big day for me." He said calmly, as if stunned himself at what he had done.

Kimondiu actually at one point slowed down and waited for the pack to catch up with him. Who knows what he could have done if that had not happened.

Paul Tergat, also of Kenya, and who most likely has the potential to run a sub 2:05 marathon, never really showed that promise as Kimondiu held him off down the stretch. Tergat finished with a time of 2:08:56. Only four seconds back in third place was Peter Githuka of Kenya in 2:09:00.

Fourth overall went to Mohamed Ouaadi in 2:09:26 and fifth to Noriaki Igarashi of Japan in 2:09:35. The first American finisher on the day was Rod Dehaven of Madison, Wisconsin, taking sixth place in a time of 2:11:40.

This is just Tergat's 2nd marathon as he transitions to the 26.2 mile distance after one of the most successful careers in track history. He is a two time silver medalist in the Olympic 10,000 and has won five consecutive World Cross Country Championships to go along with a World Record in the half marathon at 59:06. Tergat is also the former world record holder at 10,000 meters with a time of 26:27.8, which he ran in Brussels, Belgium in 1997.

Tergat's first marathon was at this year's London Marathon, where he finished 2nd in 2:08: 15. Although Tergat is one of the most feared distance runners in history, the marathon distance still seems to be a somewhat confusing one for him. Speaking after the race, his comments were spoken with the tone of someone who may be still just a bit intimidated by this distance.

"The marathon is a very different kind of sport. It's not like running the 10k or cross country. It's really a totally different kind of race." Tergat stated that he is still adapting to the tactical aspects of the marathon.

But, he also definitely sounded as though he is not ready to give in to this challenge and that he is more than motivated to prove that he can dominate the marathon world as well.

"The time is coming." Tergat said. Maybe in a frustrated way, but also in a way that says he will prove he can accomplish what many think possible from him. "I know now that I am a marathoner."

For Kimondiu, winning a race over a Kenyan racing legend like countryman Paul Tergat was something he had never dreamed of before. Up until now, the 23 year old Kimondiu could have only envisioned competing in the same race as the 32 year old Tergat, and maybe being close to him.

"I've never dreamed of beating him." Kimondiu said after the race.

Kimondiu, who is sponsored by Saucony, is a native of Makuebi, Kenya and trains both in Kenya and in Philadelphia.

Kimondiu was brought in by race organizers to be a pace setter for this marathon and has proven himself at that job in other marathons. But after shattering his own p.r. by close to seven minutes, and beating legendary Paul Tergat and turning a relatively small pacer's pay day of around $5000 into $90,000 in the process, it just may be time for him to change his priorities.

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