Kip Kemei wins the Christchurch half-marathon in 65:01.
Kip Kemei has made a big impression in a short time in New Zealand.
The 21-year-old Kenyan runner from Rift Valley, who has been based in Wellington since he arrived in February, has won four half-marathon titles in nonchalant fashion around the country.
Time in New Zealand is running out for the likeable African, who has applied for an extension on his visitor's visa which expires at the end of next month.
Kemei is applying for residency here, but before all of that he is resolved to leave on a high.
He wants to beat his personal best time of 64min at the Wellington Half Marathon in his adopted hometown.
"I would love to run my best time for a half-marathon here in Wellington," said Kemei, who speaks English well after taking evening classes twice a week.
"If I can do this then I would go home happy. It all depends on the weather. Some days it is nice and fine and then I can go fast, but other days it is wet and windy and terrible to run in," he said.
The weather has been a huge adjustment for Kemei, who had not run outside of Kenya before coming to New Zealand.
The hilly training runs in the wet and cold are a far cry from the dusty roads of Rift Valley at altitude.
"Sometimes it is hard to get out and train because it is raining and it is always really windy in Wellington. I am finding it hard to run on the tarmac because it is harder on my legs and my body. But I like it. It is toughening me up."
Kemei said running at altitude in Kenya was a different challenge.
"It is really hard to breathe. After 90 minutes of running I am very short of breath and need oxygen, but here it is much easier. I can run for the same amount of time in New Zealand and I am fine with my breathing, so that has helped in the races because I have been able to push myself at the end of the race."
It has shown in his results. He has run 66min at Rotorua, 65min at Huntly and 65:01 at Christchurch to claim all of the half-marathons, and feels like he is working back to his best racing condition.
Kemei's best times before coming to New Zealand were 64.32 in the half marathon, 14.26 in the 5000m and 8.48 in the 3000m steeple. They are good times on the New Zealand domestic scene. Not world class but bear in mind all of these times were run at altitude on dusty roads. Kemei is a young talent with stacks of potential. He sees his future in the marathon but wants to achieve some goals in the 21.1km race first.
"I am planning to run the marathon in a few years' time. I love running long distances in a pack or [with] runners. I don't know why I just love running all day. I want to develop for the 2015 Olympics. But first I am waiting to run 61min for a half-marathon and then I'll do it. I can do it. I need to have serious training and stick to a proper programme. I can run a 61."
Kemei has also been working on his running with triathlete Martin Van Barneveld, building up to the Olympic triathlon trials.
He met Van Barneveld when he was in Kenya building up for this year's triathlon campaign.
"Working with Martin has been great. He is a fast learner. He was saying that he had never done any speed work on the track before we have trained together. He is seeing the difference of adding some speed work to his running.
"He was trying to qualify for the Olympics and missed out in Sydney so he has been trying to get faster on the run leg. He did a 2:51 for 1000m, which is good going, and that should help him in his triathlon."
Unfortunately the Olympics didn't work out for Van Barneveld, so Kemei has been pursuing his own running races. "I love New Zealand. Everyone is really friendly and welcoming to me. If I had the chance I would love to stay here."
He has also applied to scholarships at American universities. If these options don't work out he will return to Kenya.
Before he goes, a personal best in his adopted hometown would be the ideal send-off. "I love to run around Wellington and I want to give it my best."