Interview with Ben Maiyo

By Matt Taylor

Ben Maiyo returns to the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon after a sub-par performance in 2006--but his second-place finish in 2005 is still fresh in his mind. So is his 2006 runner-up performance in Boston. After these two second-place finishes in major marathons, Maiyo wants nothing more than to hit the top spot. He arrived in the States earlier this week, after training in Iten and Eldoret, Kenya. We caught up with him in Concord, Massachusetts, after his final tune-up workout - a hard 5K effort.

MensRacing.com: How did you feel in your final workout?

Ben Maiyo: Everything was fine. It was very humid, so I'm glad I only went 5 kilometers.

MR: Do you feel rested after your long journey from Eldoret to Nairobi to London to Boston?

BM: Yes. Traveling was very nice. And of course, Bob [Gusmini, who is hosting Ben for his two days in Boston] takes very good care of me. Chai [tea], ugali [a traditional Kenyan dish]—it's like being in Kenya.

MR: Speaking of Kenya, how are your wife and kids [Maiyo has three young children]?

BM: Oh, they are very good. Anna [his oldest daughter] is now eight.

MR: Are they in school now?

BM: Yes, they are all in school. Two more months and then they have December off.

MR: Was it nice to be training near your home this season?

BM: I was near home, but not often at home. The last few weeks I have trained in Iten and Eldoret. Even when training in Kenya, I have to train away from home so that I can focus. I had some athletes - Laban [Kipkemboi] - to train with.

MR: So what are your expectations for the Chicago race? How fast do you think it will go?

BM: I think the race will go like last year—63:15 or 63:30 at halfway.

MR: And is that a pace you'd like?

BM: Yes. That is a good pace for Chicago.

MR: And it was just announced that [Robert] Cheruiyot is running. I remember after Boston you told Dieter (his coach) that you "wanted to beat Mwafrika" [Cheruiyot’s nickname, which refers to his unusually dark skin]. Do you still feel that way?

BM: Definitely. Robert is the best competitor right now. I want to beat him.

MR: Do you have any goals in terms of time?

BM: No specific time. I want to run fast and stay at the front.

MR: You finished second here two years ago. Will you be happy with another podium finish this year?

BM: Of course. Any time you finish in the top three, you ran a great race. This is a strong field with very strong athletes. Top three will not be easy. I will be very happy with a podium finish...

MR: But you want to win?

BM: Of course. Training is very difficult and requires many sacrifices. We all want to win.

MR: I'm sure. I'll let you get some breakfast. Good luck in Chicago, Ben.

BM: Thanks, Matt.

Interview conducted October 3, 2007, and posted October 5, 2007.