This weekend we have the opportunity to witness the first ever World Road Running championships hosted in Riga the capital of Latvia. This championships will be a one day competition beginning on Sunday, October 1st. It will consist of a men’s and women’s race in the mile, 5km, and the half marathon distances.

Athletes to watch for

Sam Prakel

The recently ratified World Record holder in the men’s road mile, Sam Prakel is one athlete you should watch for. Prakel who has a PR in the track mile of 3:50, and a 1500m PR of 3:34 is used to running fast. Along with his track success Prakel has won the USATF mile championships and he has also won the Adidas Atlanta City games mile. In Riga, Sam Prakel is one to watch for in the men’s mile.

Faith Kipyegon

The dual World Record holder in the 1500m and the Mile, Faith Kipyegon will be an athlete to keep an eye out for. As you may or may not know Kipyegon has had a great year breaking three World Records (she broke the 5km record as well but it has since been broken) and winning two world titles in the 1500m and the 5km. Kipyegon like always is an athlete you need to watch for this weekend.

Yomif Kejelcha

One of the runners representing Ethiopia in Riga will be Yomif Kejelcha. Kejelcha is ranked number one in the world in the 5km on the track. Kejelcha will be running the 5km in Riga, to end a great year. Just recently, at the PRE Classic he placed second to Jakob Ingebrigsten and ran a time of 7:23.64, the fourth fastest time of all time. Kejelcha also is no stranger to the road 5km, running the second fastest time of all time, with a time of 12:50. Kejelcha will for certain be one of the favorites to win the 5km in Riga and he will certainly be an athlete to watch for.

What times could be run?

Now I’m going to talk about what times could be run this weekend in Riga. Well, the two times that I have circled as times to go down are the World Records in the men’s and women’s miles. On the women’s side I definitely think that the field will go under 4:20 and maybe even go sub-4:15. On the other side, in the men’s mile, I think they will go sub-4 and possibly under 3:55. In another event, the men’s 5km, I think they can go under 13 minutes and possibly 12:55.

The schedule of events?

Riga Time/CDT

11:50am/3:50am: Women’s 5km

12:15pm/4:15am: Men’s 5km

1:00pm/5:00am: Women’s Mile

1:10pm/5:10am: Men’s Mile

1:30pm/5:30am: Women’s Half Marathon

2:15pm/6:15am: Men’s Half Marathon