Shura Kitata

Shura Kitata Tola (born 9 June 1996) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in the marathon and half-marathon. Quotes “I wanted a fast time, When no one was willing to run with me, I just pushed the pace as hard as I could. I would rather win than run a fast pace, If the pace is fast, fine, I will go with the leaders. But if it is slow, I will be patient and run my own race. I would rather win than run a fast pace. Even before I started running, I knew about the marathon, and thought it very exciting. I am happy because I always do the work I am supposed to do, and always prepare well, Sometimes the results are good, and sometimes they are not, but I always accept them with grace. I am content that I have done my best. Haven’t Heard of Shura Kitata? You’ll Probably See Him up Front on Sunday, November 3 2018 First, I had a Covid test with my coach [in Ethiopia], On that day, my coach is with me. We are together. Nothing is happening. But after that test, I didn’t see him physically. He called every day, speaking to me and the assistant coaches, but I did not see him. Up until the flight day [to London], nobody told me that he was affected. Before, he told me that we would go together, no problem. Maybe he thought that I would be shocked because at the airport I called him and he told me he had a problem with his family, kids. He said to me, ‘I can’t fly with you. Maybe I will come to London on Saturday or Friday. Even among the athletes here [in London], most of them had heard about it and yet nobody told me he was affected by coronavirus. Nobody told me until after the race. The first thing he [Kenenisa] told me was, ‘Don’t push like you did in other races in the beginning. Try to wait for the last parts of the race. This course is very strange and maybe if someone is pushing you, you can fall down. Please don’t run at the front until after 35 kilometres. After 35 kilometres, try to push it depending on how you feel. If somebody runs with you, don’t push again until the last part of the race. What he advised me, I tried my best to do. This year, in the morning, I had porridge, banana and bread. What I learned last year gave me the chance to prepare myself. My family are farmers in a rural area and my home was five or six kilometres from my school, When I went there in the morning, and when I went home in the evening, I would run. I started from that point, and the school organised some races. Most of those races I won, and more of my teachers and my family members were encouraging me to run as a member of a club. But I did not think for one day that I would arrive in this situation. Now I am in this position, I am very happy. I am willing to say that Kipchoge is the greatest person in this world and he did in his life more than science, He ran sub-two hours, and science says that nobody can run sub-two. If you look at his life, he took our sport to another level. I appreciate what he did before and he is still my hero. He is in my heart and I say to him, ‘No problem. We are together. We can work together again for more years. Kipchoge is still the king of us. He is always the king to us, even when he is beaten. Inspired and advised by legends, Kitata’s rise continues with London Marathon triumph, October 6 2020 The last 15km, I felt my right ear was blocked. I had cramp in my hip and leg. It just happened in the race. I started well. It's really cold but I don't blame the conditions. I prepared very well for this race, Kenenisa Bekele helped me. I am very happy to win the race. London Marathon 2020: Eliud Kipchoge beaten as Shura Kitata takes title, October 4 2020 I am very happy to win this race against a very strong field for my country and for my group of teammates,” Kitata said. “I will bring back my medals for my coach, who is back in Ethiopia. Strangest ever' London Marathon is a virtual hit with 43,000 runners, October 4 2020 I was disappointed to have to pull out of the Olympic Games marathon but I just did not adapt to the weather well, It was very cold in Ethiopia prior to leaving for Tokyo and when we got there the weather took its toll on my body and made my breathing very hard. But I’m healthy and looking forward to racing in the Virgin Money London Marathon again. I am preparing very well and my coach has me very ready to defend my title in London. Winning last year was an unforgettable memory and it gave me huge excitement to bring back such a big victory to my country and to make my family and coaches proud. I have set my mind on how I can run fast and better than last year and I’m looking forward to seeing if I can repeat the victory and make history in the race. Kosgei and Kitata to defend London Marathon titles, August 13 2021 External links Category:1996 births Category:Sportspeople from Ethiopia Category:Track and field athletes Category:Living people Category:Marathon runners