Interview with Stephen Kiogora

By Matt Taylor

In 2006 Stephen "Baba" Kiogora of Kenya beat Paul Tergat, Hendrick Ramaala, and Rodgers Rop at the ING New York City Marathon. But he's not the defending champion. Brazilian Marilson Gomes dos Santos surprised everyone with a late-stage surge that was strong enough to hold off the charging Kiogora and Tergat. "I thought we could catch [Gomes], but he got too far away," said Kiogora after last year's race.

Having learned from experience, Kipgora, 32, will not make the same mistake this year. His training in Boulder, Colorado, is very similar to his preparation last year, which gives him confidence going into the race on November 4. With less than three weeks to go, we sat down with Kiogora outside the Habitat Apartment Complex where his KIMbia group keeps its camp in Boulder.

MensRacing.com: Everyone here calls you Baba. I looked it up in my Kiswahili dictionary and baba means "father." Are you a father?

Stephen Kiogora: I am a father, but that's not where I get the nickname Baba.

MR: So, what does Baba mean as it relates to your nickname?

SK: Baba is a nickname given to me by my friends. It is more like "friend" or "good guy."

MR: So you're a good guy?

SK: [smiling] I guess so.

MR: Last year in New York, do you think that you were too much of a nice guy?

SK: I don't know what you mean.

MR: Well, you waited and waited and waited, just watching Tergat and Ramaala. Meanwhile, Gomes was increasing his lead. Did your instincts tell you to go after Gomes, but your "good guy" nature told you to just wait for Tergat or Ramaala?

SK: [laughing] Oh, I see now... No, me, I just looked around and saw Tergat, Ramaala, Baldini—those were the best guys in the race. I did not know the Brazilian. So I looked and I waited for those guys.

MR: When did you realize that Gomes was too far ahead?

SK: When we entered the park, I said, "Wow, there is not much race left. I don't think we will catch him." But we tried. I pushed very hard in the park. Finally Tergat could not push anymore and I was on my own, but [Gomes] was too far ahead.

MR: Will you be more careful this year if someone pulls away after 25K?

SK: Yes. I don't think any of us who ran last year will make the same mistake.

MR: How do you feel about the competition this year? It's going to be a great race.

SK: Yes, there are very strong guys this year. More than last year. Baldini, Ramaala, [Martin] Lel, Rop, [Gomes], and the Moroccan... I forget his name...

MR: Abderrahim Goumri?

SK: Yes, that guy. So it is going to be a very strong race.

MR: Your teammates—Evans Rutto, James Koskei, Christopher Cheboiboch, and Ben Maiyo—were expecting better results in Chicago. Does that affect the way you prepare for New York?

SK: No, because I can only control my own training. Although we are teammates, we do not train together because our races are at different times. Last year Chicago results were not very good, but I ran good in New York. I just concentrate on my own training and racing.

MR: And this year is different because you've been training with a young American runner, Fasil Bizuneh. How has that been going?

SK: Fasil is a great guy. Fasil and I have become good friends. I like training with Fasil.

MR: He hasn't run as fast as you at the marathon. Has he been able to keep up with you in training?

SK: Sometimes, but Fasil is a smart athlete. He knows that he cannot push too hard just to stay with me. That will be pushing too hard for him. He trains very smart and knows what paces he should run.

MR: Will you watch him race on Saturday at the Olympic Trials?

SK: Yes. I will be cheering very loud. I hope Fasil can make your team.

MR: And what are your goals for the race this year?

SK: I cannot say how fast I can run. The training is still going on. But I feel very confident and hope to be at the front for as long as I can.

MR: Well good luck, Baba. I know you'll have a lot of people cheering for you in New York.

SK: Thank you.

Interview conducted October 16, 2007, and posted October 18, 2007.