Kenya won the men’s 4 X 800m started Kenya’s medal hunt on a sound note when they won the event in a time of 7:08.40 . The time was almost six seconds off the world record that was set by a Kenya team in 2006.

Though Kenya were the favourites in this event, they were not overwhelming favourites. Kenya’s strategy consisted of running two scorching first legs. Kenya seemed to put their strongest runners in the first two legs. As such even at the first leg, Kenya had built what looked like a 20m lead, which further lengthened in the second leg. By the time Kipketer received the baton for the final leg, he was well ahead of the rest of the field and a Kenya gold medal seemed a certainty. He held that lead until there was 150m to go upon which he started to run out of steam. As he tired, the rest of the reeled him in. There were a few some nervous moments in the last 50m as it looked like Kenya was going to loose the gold medal. Luckily Kenya had set a large enough gap in the first 3 legs that they were able to hold on to the lead. They won by only 0.29 seconds ahead of second placed Poland.

Uganda were dead last, 45 seconds behind Kenya. Indeed Uganda had a horrendous race. And it started at the opening gun. Their lead-off runner failed to react to the gun and took off when other runners were alreadt five metres ahead. He never recovered and neither did his team.

Splits

Kenya’s splits were as follows:

Ferguson Cheruiyot : 1:46.0
Job Kinyor: 1:45.3,
Sammy Kirongo: 1:47.9,
Alfred Kipketer : 1:48.0

Manchester United

Kenya’s lead 800m runner in this race Ferguson Cheruiyot changed his name from Simon to Ferguson in honour of legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson. He (Cheruiyot) is a huge Manchester United fan. (As if it was not obvious).