Peter Some in action during the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. PHOTO/IAAF
NAIROBI, OCTOBER 8 – At last year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Peter Some found himself at the front 30km into the IAAF Gold Label Road Race. Confident and empowered by the appearance of his rivals, the Kenyan pushed on expecting to win the race.
But within the next two kilometres his compatriot Laban Korir appeared on his shoulder and then went on to a surprise victory in 2:08:15.
Some faded to sixth place in 2:10:07. Despite being in top shape, he left Canada’s largest city disappointed with his performance, vowing to learn from the experience.
But the 25-year-old will have his chance at revenge on 18 October as the pair will renew their rivalry at this year’s event.
“Like last year, my fitness is very good,” said Some from his training camp in Kenya. “Last year I was pushing too early. I am more experienced now and hope to be better.
“I felt very good and decided to push it. Later on I realised that it was too early. I was disappointed that I lost. I don’t care who was beating me; I just wanted to win myself.”
Some has a personal best of 2:05:38 from his victory at the 2013 Paris Marathon, making him the fastest man in the elite field in Toronto.
And any man who can keep up in training with world record-holder Dennis Kimetto and two-time New York Marathon winner Geoffrey Mutai is himself a talented athlete.
He is the son of Some Muge, winner of Kenya’s first individual medal at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships when taking the bronze in Gateshead in 1983.
“Unfortunately, my dad passed away when I was eight years old,” said Some. “My mother encouraged me to run and she always watched and inspired me when I was running in training or races.”
Inspiration these days comes closer to home. Some and his wife have a two-year-old daughter, named Sheerlen Jebet, and he runs to ensure a bright future for his family. The winner’s prize in Toronto is $20,000.
He also has his eyes on Deressa Chimsa’s course record of 2:07:05 and the accompanying $35,000 bonus that comes with it.
Until this week, Chimsa had also been expecting to run in Toronto, but illness has hampered his preparations and he withdrew at the beginning of the week. Some knows the field will be strong, nonetheless.
“Like in past years, Toronto always has some great athletes running,” said Some. “I hope we can work together and do something special. I was happy with the 2:07:22 I ran in Tokyo (in February). I tried my best and hope to improve now in Toronto.”
Preparations for Toronto have been going as well as expected and he has interrupted his build-up only once and that was to race the Chemususu Dam Half Marathon in Kenya two weeks ago.
He finished third in a strong field that included other leading Kenyans preparing for an autumn marathon. Now he begins the tail-off in mileage to ensure he is primed and fit for the battle with Korir as well as an outstanding support cast – any of whom could be dangerous on the day.
“I like the Toronto marathon,” he said. “That is why I am happy to be back again.”
Of course he will be much happier if he can cross the finish line first on 18 October.
