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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{MedalTableTop|medals=
{{MedalTableTop|medals=
{{Medal|Sport | Women's athletics}}
{{Medal|Sport|Women's athletics}}
{{Medal|Country | {{KEN}} }}
{{Medal|Country | {{KEN}} }}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold |[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 Melbourne]]|[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games – Women's 10,000 metres|10,000 m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 Melbourne]]|[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games – Women's 10,000 metres|10,000 m]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze |[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 Melbourne]]|[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games – Women's 5000 metres|5000 m]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 Melbourne]]|[[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games – Women's 5000 metres|5000 m]]}}
}}
}}
'''Lucy Wangui Kabuu''' (born 24 March 1984) is a [[Kenya]]n [[long-distance runner]] who specializes in the [[5000 metres|5000]] and [[10,000 metres]] events. She has represented Kenya twice at the [[Summer Olympics]], finishing in the top ten of the 10,000 m race in both 2004 and 2008. Her personal bests of 14:33.49 minutes for the 5000 m and 30:39.96 minutes for the 10,000 m make her one of Kenya's fastest ever runners in the events.
'''Lucy Wangui Kabuu''' (born 24 March 1984) is a [[Kenya]]n [[long-distance runner]] who specializes in the [[5000 metres|5000]] and [[10,000 metres]] events. She has represented Kenya twice at the [[Summer Olympics]], finishing in the top ten of the 10,000 m race in both 2004 and 2008. Her personal bests of 14:33.49 minutes for the 5000 m and 30:39.96 minutes for the 10,000 m make her one of Kenya's fastest ever runners in the events.
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==Career==
==Career==
[[File:IAAF World Championships Moscow 2013 marathon women 23 AZ (9483617107).jpg|thumb|Lucy Wangui Kabuu during [[:en:2013 World Championships in Athletics – Women's Marathon|2013 World Championships in Athletics – Women's Marathon]] in [[Moscow]].]]
[[File:IAAF World Championships Moscow 2013 marathon women 23 AZ (9483617107).jpg|thumb|Lucy Wangui Kabuu during [[:en:2013 World Championships in Athletics – Women's Marathon|2013 World Championships in Athletics – Women's Marathon]] in [[Moscow]].]]
She was born in 1984 in [[Ichamara]] in the [[Mukurweini]]/[[Nyeri]] region of central Kenya. Her potential for long-distance running was identified when she was at primary school. [[John Kanyi]], a local runner who was based in Japan, encouraged her to try for an athletic scholarship to enable her to study and train there as well. She performed well in the scholarship selection races and, aged sixteen, won a place at [[Aomori Yamada High School]].<ref name=Focus>Wokabi, James & Mutuota, Mutwiri (2008-08-11). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/athletes/newsid=46698.html Focus on Athletes – Lucy Wangui KABUU]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref>
She was born in 1984 in [[Ichamara]] in the [[Mukurweini]]/[[Nyeri]] region of central Kenya. Her potential for long-distance running was identified when she was at primary school. [[John Kanyi]], a local runner who was based in Japan, encouraged her to try for an athletic scholarship to enable her to study and train there as well. She performed well in the scholarship selection races and, aged sixteen, won a place at [[Aomori Yamada High School]].<ref name=Focus>{{cite news|last=Wokabi|first=James|last2=Mutuota|first2=Mutwiri|date=11 August 2008|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/athletes/newsid=46698.html|title=Focus on Athletes – Lucy Wangui KABUU|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|accessdate=27 November 2011|archiveur=//web.archive.org/web/20111026020209/http://iaaf.org/news/athletes/newsid=46698.html|archivedate=26 October 2011}}</ref>


While in Japan, she won the [[1500 metres]] at the high school championships and, after graduation in 2002, she commenced training with the [[Suzuki]] Track and Field Club.<ref name=Focus/> She signed with [[PACE Sports Management]] and is coached by [[Ricky Simms]]. Wangui set a Kenyan junior record for the 10,000&nbsp;m in September 2003. She won the [[All-Japan Corporate Half Marathon]] title in [[Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi|Yamaguchi]] the following March.<ref name=Focus/>
While in Japan, she won the [[1500 metres]] at the high school championships and, after graduation in 2002, she commenced training with the [[Suzuki]] Track and Field Club.<ref name=Focus/> She signed with [[PACE Sports Management]] and is coached by [[Ricky Simms]]. Wangui set a Kenyan junior record for the 10,000&nbsp;m in September 2003. She won the [[All-Japan Corporate Half Marathon]] title in [[Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi|Yamaguchi]] the following March.<ref name=Focus/>


She came first in the [[5000 metres]] at the 2004 [[Japanese Athletics Championships]], competing as a guest. Following this she was the runner-up in the Kenyan Olympic trials over 10,000&nbsp;m.<ref>[http://www.pacesportsmanagement.com/athlete_profile.asp?id=202 Lucy Wangui]. PACE Sports Management. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> Her first major international appearance came at the [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Olympics]] in Athens, where she finished ninth in the 10,000 metres event.<ref name=SR>[http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wa/lucy-wangui-1.html Lucy Wangui]. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> She ran over that distance at the [[Hyogo Relays]] meet and had three straight wins from 2005 to 2007.<ref>Ota, Shigenobu & Larner, Brett (2011-04-25). [http://www.arrs.net/HP_HyogoOT.htm Hyogo Relays]. [[Association of Road Racing Statisticians]]. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> She finished tenth in 5000 metres at the [[2005 IAAF World Athletics Final|2005 World Athletics Final]].<ref name=IAAFBio/> Wangui made her international debut on grass that year at the [[2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships]], where her fifth-place finish in the short race made the Kenyan team a close second to Ethiopia in the team rankings.<ref name=Focus/>
She came first in the [[5000 metres]] at the 2004 [[Japanese Athletics Championships]], competing as a guest. Following this she was the runner-up in the Kenyan Olympic trials over 10,000&nbsp;m.<ref>[http://www.pacesportsmanagement.com/athlete_profile.asp?id=202 Lucy Wangui]. PACE Sports Management. Retrieved 27 November 2011.</ref> Her first major international appearance came at the [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Olympics]] in Athens, where she finished ninth in the 10,000 metres event.<ref name=SR>[http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wa/lucy-wangui-1.html Lucy Wangui]. Sports Reference. Retrieved 27 November 2011.</ref> She ran over that distance at the [[Hyogo Relays]] meet and had three straight wins from 2005 to 2007.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ota|first=Shigenobu|last2=Larner|first2=Brett|date=25 April 2011|url=http://www.arrs.net/HP_HyogoOT.htm|title=Hyogo Relays|publisher=[[Association of Road Racing Statisticians]]|accessdate=27 November 2011}}</ref> She finished tenth in 5000 metres at the [[2005 IAAF World Athletics Final|2005 World Athletics Final]].<ref name=IAAFBio/> Wangui made her international debut on grass that year at the [[2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships]], where her fifth-place finish in the short race made the Kenyan team a close second to Ethiopia in the team rankings.<ref name=Focus/>


In March 2006 she won the women's 10,000 metres event at the [[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 Commonwealth Games]] with a time of 31 minutes, 29.66 seconds. She also finished third in the 5000 metres. Towards the end of the season she finished tenth in 3000 metres at the [[2006 IAAF World Athletics Final|World Athletics Final]].<ref name=IAAFBio>[http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/letter=0/athcode=186225/index.html Lucy Wangui]. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> In November she was selected for the Kenyan women's team at the [[International Chiba Ekiden]]. She was slower than [[Maria Konovalova]] on the final leg, but maintained Kenya's lead to win the women's title.<ref>Nakamura, Ken (2006-11-23). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=36827.html Kenya dominate at Chiba Ekiden]. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> The team's time of 2:13:35 hours was later ratified as an [[List of African records in athletics|African record]] for the [[ekiden]] marathon relay.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/records/inout=o/discType=5/disc=EKID/detail.html Ekiden Records]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref>
In March 2006 she won the women's 10,000 metres event at the [[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 Commonwealth Games]] with a time of 31 minutes, 29.66 seconds. She also finished third in the 5000 metres. Towards the end of the season she finished tenth in 3000 metres at the [[2006 IAAF World Athletics Final|World Athletics Final]].<ref name=IAAFBio>{{cite web|title=Lucy Wangui|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=27 November 2011 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/letter=0/athcode=186225/index.html}}</ref> In November she was selected for the Kenyan women's team at the [[International Chiba Ekiden]]. She was slower than [[Maria Konovalova]] on the final leg, but maintained Kenya's lead to win the women's title.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nakamura|first=Ken|date=23 November 2006|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/kenya-dominate-at-chiba-ekiden|title= Kenya dominate at Chiba Ekiden|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=12 May 2016}}</ref> The team's time of 2:13:35 hours was later ratified as an [[List of African records in athletics|African record]] for the [[ekiden]] marathon relay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/records/inout=o/discType=5/disc=EKID/detail.html|title=Ekiden Records|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=27 November 2011|archivedate=3 November 2011 |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20111103014908/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/records/inout=o/discType=5/disc=EKID/detail.html}}</ref>


Wangui began her 2008 season with a win at the [[Chiba International Cross Country]].<ref>Larner, Brett & Nakamura, Ken (2011-02-14). [http://www.arrs.net/HP_ChbXC.htm Chiba International Crosscountry]. [[Association of Road Racing Statisticians]]. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> At the [[2008 African Championships in Athletics]] she finished fourth in 10,000&nbsp;m behind a trio of Ethiopian's led by [[Tirunesh Dibaba]].<ref>[http://www.addis2008.org/Results/Data/at/asf/014/004/cgcgr3atasf014l004001.html Addis 2008 results]. 2008 Addis Ababa. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> At the national Olympic trials she won the 10,000&nbsp;m and came second over 5000&nbsp;m. Despite her wish to compete in both events, the Kenyan selectors instead chose her just for the 10,000&nbsp;m, choosing [[Vivian Cheruiyot]] for the shorter distance instead.<ref name=Focus/> In her second outing on the Olympic stage at the [[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 10,000 metres|2008 Beijing Games]] she finished seventh in the 10,000 metres, running a personal best time of 30:39.96 minutes.<ref name=SR/>
Wangui began her 2008 season with a win at the [[Chiba International Cross Country]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Larner|first=Brett|last2=Nakamura|first2=Ken|date=14 February 2011|url=http://www.arrs.net/HP_ChbXC.htm|title= Chiba International Crosscountry|publisher=[[Association of Road Racing Statisticians]]|accessdate=27 November 2011}}</ref> At the [[2008 African Championships in Athletics]] she finished fourth in 10,000&nbsp;m behind a trio of Ethiopian's led by [[Tirunesh Dibaba]].<ref>[http://www.addis2008.org/Results/Data/at/asf/014/004/cgcgr3atasf014l004001.html Addis 2008 results]. 2008 Addis Ababa. Retrieved 27 November 2011.</ref> At the national Olympic trials she won the 10,000&nbsp;m and came second over 5000&nbsp;m. Despite her wish to compete in both events, the Kenyan selectors instead chose her just for the 10,000&nbsp;m, choosing [[Vivian Cheruiyot]] for the shorter distance instead.<ref name=Focus/> In her second outing on the Olympic stage at the [[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 10,000 metres|2008 Beijing Games]] she finished seventh in the 10,000 metres, running a personal best time of 30:39.96 minutes.<ref name=SR/>


After a competitive break in 2009 and 2010, due to an [[Achilles tendon]] injury then pregnancy,<ref>Mutuota, Mutwiri (2011-11-05). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=62852.html Kabuu continues her triumphant return – AK XC series, Meet 1]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref> she returned to action on the [[road running]] circuit. She had wins at the [[Great North Run]] half marathon and the [[Great Edinburgh Run]] 10K in September and October.<ref>Martin, David (2011-10-02). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=62654.html Mathathi clocks course record in Edinburgh 10Km]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-10-02.</ref> She then travelled to the [[Delhi Half Marathon]] and won in a personal best of 1:07:04 hours ahead of fellow Kenyan [[Sharon Cherop]].<ref>Krishnan, Ram. Murali (2011-11-27). [http://www.iaaf.org/LRR11/news/newsid=63005.html In close races, Desisa and Kabuu prevail in New Delhi Half]. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2011-11-27.</ref>
After a competitive break in 2009 and 2010, due to an [[Achilles tendon]] injury then pregnancy,<ref>{{cite news|last=Mutuota|first=Mutwiri|date=5 November 2011|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/kabuu-continues-her-triumphant-return-ak-xc|title=Kabuu continues her triumphant return – AK XC series, Meet 1|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=12 May 2016}}</ref> she returned to action on the [[road running]] circuit. She had wins at the [[Great North Run]] half marathon and the [[Great Edinburgh Run]] 10K in September and October.<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=David|date=2 October 2011|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=62654.html|title=Mathathi clocks course record in Edinburgh 10Km|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=2 October 2011|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20111004140158/http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=62654.html|archivedate=4 October 2011}}</ref> She then travelled to the [[Delhi Half Marathon]] and won in a personal best of 1:07:04 hours ahead of fellow Kenyan [[Sharon Cherop]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Krishnan|first=Ram. Murali|date=27 November 2011|accessdate=12 May 2016|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/in-close-races-desisa-and-kabuu-prevail-in-ne|title=In close races, Desisa and Kabuu prevail in New Delhi Half|publisher=IAAF}}</ref>


She made her debut over the [[marathon]] distance in January 2012 at the [[Dubai Marathon]]. In one of the fastest races ever at that point, she completed the race in 2:19:34 hours to take second place just three seconds behind defending champion [[Aselefech Mergia]].<ref>Butcher, Pat (2012-01-27). [http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/LRR12/News/NewsDetail.aspx?id=63419 Abshero stuns with 2:04:23 debut, Mergia clocks 2:19:31 in Dubai]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref> This was among the fastest ever debuts by a woman and ranked her eighth in the all-time lists.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=0/sex=W/all=y/legal=A/disc=MAR/detail.html Marathon All Time]. IAAF (2012-01-27). Retrieved on 2012-02-04.</ref> She placed fifth at the [[2012 London Marathon]] in April, but missed out on the [[2012 London Olympics]] as she failed to finish in the 10,000&nbsp;m trial race at the [[Prefontaine Classic]]. In her third marathon of the year, she reached the podium with a third-place finish at the [[2012 Chicago Marathon]].<ref>Gugala, Jon (2012-10-07). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/course-record-for-kebede-baysa-dethrones-shob Course record for Kebede, Baysa dethrones Shobukhova – Chicago Marathon report]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2013-02-02.</ref> She won the 2013 [[Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon]] with a new personal best of 1:06:09, just 19 seconds off [[Mary Keitany|Mary Keitany's]] world record.<ref>Williamson, Norrie (2013-02-15). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/kabuu-and-kipsang-triumph-in-high-quality-rac Kabuu and Kipsang triumph in high-quality races at Ras al-Khaimah Half]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2013-02-15.</ref>
She made her debut over the [[marathon]] distance in January 2012 at the [[Dubai Marathon]]. In one of the fastest races ever at that point, she completed the race in 2:19:34 hours to take second place just three seconds behind defending champion [[Aselefech Mergia]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Butcher|first=Pat|date=27 January 2012|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/abshero-stuns-with-20423-debut-mergia-clocks|title=Abshero stuns with 2:04:23 debut, Mergia clocks 2:19:31 in Dubai|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|accessdate=12 May 2016}}</ref> This was among the fastest ever debuts by a woman and ranked her eighth in the all-time lists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=0/sex=W/all=y/legal=A/disc=MAR/detail.html|title=Marathon All Time|publisher=IAAF|date=27 January 2012|accessdate=4 February 2012|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20120224063329/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=0/sex=W/all=y/legal=A/disc=MAR/detail.html|archivedate=24 February 2012}}</ref> She placed fifth at the [[2012 London Marathon]] in April, but missed out on the [[2012 London Olympics]] as she failed to finish in the 10,000&nbsp;m trial race at the [[Prefontaine Classic]]. In her third marathon of the year, she reached the podium with a third-place finish at the [[2012 Chicago Marathon]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Gugala|first=Jon|date=7 October 2012|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/course-record-for-kebede-baysa-dethrones-shob|title=Course record for Kebede, Baysa dethrones Shobukhova – Chicago Marathon report|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=2 February 2013}}</ref> She won the 2013 [[Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon]] with a new personal best of 1:06:09, just 19 seconds off [[Mary Keitany|Mary Keitany's]] world record.<ref>{{cite news|last=Williamson|first=Norrie|date=15 February 2013|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/kabuu-and-kipsang-triumph-in-high-quality-rac|title=Kabuu and Kipsang triumph in high-quality races at Ras al-Khaimah Half|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=15 February 2013}}</ref>


Kabuu ran the third fastest ever time over 25 kilometres to win the [[BIG 25 Berlin]] in May, crossing the line in 1:21:37 hours.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/sigei-and-kabuu-clock-2013-world-leading-25km Sigei and Kabuu clock 2013 world-leading 25km times in Berlin]. IAAF (2013-05-05). Retrieved on 2013-05-06.</ref> She was selected for the Kenyan marathon team at the [[2013 World Championships in Athletics]] but performed poorly in Moscow, finishing 24th in a time of 2:44:06 hours. He last outing that year was a third-place finish at the [[Delhi Half Marathon]].<ref>Mulkeen, Jon (2013-12-15). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/delhi-half-marathon-atsedu-tsegay-florence-ki Tsegay breaks course record at Delhi Half Marathon]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2014-02-22.</ref>
Kabuu ran the third fastest ever time over 25 kilometres to win the [[BIG 25 Berlin]] in May, crossing the line in 1:21:37 hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/sigei-and-kabuu-clock-2013-world-leading-25km|title=Sigei and Kabuu clock 2013 world-leading 25km times in Berlin|publisher=IAAF|date=5 May 2013|accessdate=6 May 2013}}</ref> She was selected for the Kenyan marathon team at the [[2013 World Championships in Athletics]] but performed poorly in Moscow, finishing 24th in a time of 2:44:06 hours. He last outing that year was a third-place finish at the [[Delhi Half Marathon]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mulkeen |first=Jon|date=15 December 2013|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/delhi-half-marathon-atsedu-tsegay-florence-ki|title=Tsegay breaks course record at Delhi Half Marathon|publisher=IAAF|accessdate=22 February 2014}}</ref>


== Personal bests ==
==Personal bests==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 37: Line 37:
! Date
! Date
|-
|-
| [[3000 m]] || 8:46.15 || [[Gateshead]], England || 2008
|[[3000 m]] || 8:46.15 || [[Gateshead]], England || 2008
|-
|-
| [[5000 m]] || 14:33.49 || [[Oslo]], Norway || 2008
|[[5000 m]] || 14:33.49 || [[Oslo]], Norway || 2008
|-
|-
| [[10,000 m]] || 30:39.96 || [[Beijing]], China || 2008
|[[10,000 m]] || 30:39.96 || [[Beijing]], China || 2008
|-
|-
| 10&nbsp;km (road) || 31:41 || [[Glasgow]], Scotland || 2008
|10&nbsp;km (road) || 31:41 || [[Glasgow]], Scotland || 2008
|-
|-
| [[Half marathon]] || 66:09 || [[Ras Al Khaimah]], UAE || 2013
|[[Half marathon]] || 66:09 || [[Ras Al Khaimah]], UAE || 2013
|-
|-
| [[Marathon]] || 2:19:34 || [[Dubai]], UAE || 2012
|[[Marathon]] || 2:19:34 || [[Dubai]], UAE || 2012
|}
|}
*<small>All information taken from IAAF profile.</small>
*<small>All information taken from IAAF profile.</small>


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{IAAF name|id=186225}}
*{{IAAF name|186225}}


{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 10000m Women}}
{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 10000m Women}}

Revision as of 14:26, 12 May 2016

Lucy Wangui Kabuu
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  Kenya
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2006 Melbourne 10,000 m
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Melbourne 5000 m

Lucy Wangui Kabuu (born 24 March 1984) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 5000 and 10,000 metres events. She has represented Kenya twice at the Summer Olympics, finishing in the top ten of the 10,000 m race in both 2004 and 2008. Her personal bests of 14:33.49 minutes for the 5000 m and 30:39.96 minutes for the 10,000 m make her one of Kenya's fastest ever runners in the events.

She was based in Japan for her early career. Internationally, she was a team silver medallist at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 2005 and was a double long-distance medallist at the 2006 Commonwealth Games (where she was the 10,000 m champion and 5000 m bronze medallist). Since 2011 she has competed on the road and has won at the Great North Run and the Delhi Half Marathon. She made her marathon debut in 2012 and became the eighth fastest woman ever with a time of 2:19:34 hours for second place at the Dubai Marathon.

Career

Lucy Wangui Kabuu during 2013 World Championships in Athletics – Women's Marathon in Moscow.

She was born in 1984 in Ichamara in the Mukurweini/Nyeri region of central Kenya. Her potential for long-distance running was identified when she was at primary school. John Kanyi, a local runner who was based in Japan, encouraged her to try for an athletic scholarship to enable her to study and train there as well. She performed well in the scholarship selection races and, aged sixteen, won a place at Aomori Yamada High School.[1]

While in Japan, she won the 1500 metres at the high school championships and, after graduation in 2002, she commenced training with the Suzuki Track and Field Club.[1] She signed with PACE Sports Management and is coached by Ricky Simms. Wangui set a Kenyan junior record for the 10,000 m in September 2003. She won the All-Japan Corporate Half Marathon title in Yamaguchi the following March.[1]

She came first in the 5000 metres at the 2004 Japanese Athletics Championships, competing as a guest. Following this she was the runner-up in the Kenyan Olympic trials over 10,000 m.[2] Her first major international appearance came at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, where she finished ninth in the 10,000 metres event.[3] She ran over that distance at the Hyogo Relays meet and had three straight wins from 2005 to 2007.[4] She finished tenth in 5000 metres at the 2005 World Athletics Final.[5] Wangui made her international debut on grass that year at the 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, where her fifth-place finish in the short race made the Kenyan team a close second to Ethiopia in the team rankings.[1]

In March 2006 she won the women's 10,000 metres event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games with a time of 31 minutes, 29.66 seconds. She also finished third in the 5000 metres. Towards the end of the season she finished tenth in 3000 metres at the World Athletics Final.[5] In November she was selected for the Kenyan women's team at the International Chiba Ekiden. She was slower than Maria Konovalova on the final leg, but maintained Kenya's lead to win the women's title.[6] The team's time of 2:13:35 hours was later ratified as an African record for the ekiden marathon relay.[7]

Wangui began her 2008 season with a win at the Chiba International Cross Country.[8] At the 2008 African Championships in Athletics she finished fourth in 10,000 m behind a trio of Ethiopian's led by Tirunesh Dibaba.[9] At the national Olympic trials she won the 10,000 m and came second over 5000 m. Despite her wish to compete in both events, the Kenyan selectors instead chose her just for the 10,000 m, choosing Vivian Cheruiyot for the shorter distance instead.[1] In her second outing on the Olympic stage at the 2008 Beijing Games she finished seventh in the 10,000 metres, running a personal best time of 30:39.96 minutes.[3]

After a competitive break in 2009 and 2010, due to an Achilles tendon injury then pregnancy,[10] she returned to action on the road running circuit. She had wins at the Great North Run half marathon and the Great Edinburgh Run 10K in September and October.[11] She then travelled to the Delhi Half Marathon and won in a personal best of 1:07:04 hours ahead of fellow Kenyan Sharon Cherop.[12]

She made her debut over the marathon distance in January 2012 at the Dubai Marathon. In one of the fastest races ever at that point, she completed the race in 2:19:34 hours to take second place just three seconds behind defending champion Aselefech Mergia.[13] This was among the fastest ever debuts by a woman and ranked her eighth in the all-time lists.[14] She placed fifth at the 2012 London Marathon in April, but missed out on the 2012 London Olympics as she failed to finish in the 10,000 m trial race at the Prefontaine Classic. In her third marathon of the year, she reached the podium with a third-place finish at the 2012 Chicago Marathon.[15] She won the 2013 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon with a new personal best of 1:06:09, just 19 seconds off Mary Keitany's world record.[16]

Kabuu ran the third fastest ever time over 25 kilometres to win the BIG 25 Berlin in May, crossing the line in 1:21:37 hours.[17] She was selected for the Kenyan marathon team at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics but performed poorly in Moscow, finishing 24th in a time of 2:44:06 hours. He last outing that year was a third-place finish at the Delhi Half Marathon.[18]

Personal bests

Event Time (h:m:s) Venue Date
3000 m 8:46.15 Gateshead, England 2008
5000 m 14:33.49 Oslo, Norway 2008
10,000 m 30:39.96 Beijing, China 2008
10 km (road) 31:41 Glasgow, Scotland 2008
Half marathon 66:09 Ras Al Khaimah, UAE 2013
Marathon 2:19:34 Dubai, UAE 2012
  • All information taken from IAAF profile.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wokabi, James; Mutuota, Mutwiri (11 August 2008). "Focus on Athletes – Lucy Wangui KABUU". IAAF. Retrieved 27 November 2011. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Unknown parameter |archiveur= ignored (help)
  2. ^ Lucy Wangui. PACE Sports Management. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  3. ^ a b Lucy Wangui. Sports Reference. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  4. ^ Ota, Shigenobu; Larner, Brett (25 April 2011). "Hyogo Relays". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Lucy Wangui". IAAF. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
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External links