 Betsy Saina in August 2014 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1988-06-30)30 June 1988 (age 37) Kenya |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Sport | |
| Country |  United States |
| Sport | Athletics |
Event(s) | 5000 metres,10,000 metres,Half marathon,Marathon |
| College team | Iowa State Cyclones |
| Turned pro | 2013 |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Olympic finals | 2016 |
| Personalbests |
|
Betsy Saina (born 30 June 1988) is aKenyan-American athlete inlong distance running. She was born in Kenya and now competes for the United States.
Saina was born inKenya on 30 June 1988.[1] She began running as a teenager inEldoret, Kenya with hopes to pursue education at Itigo Girls High School.[2] Her family had success in distance running, so her sisters mentored her as a youth to prepare her for a national stage of running. Her performance at the African juniors national championship caught the attention of scouts and recruiters.[3] "Saina grew up in Kenya's middle class – "not poor, or rich," she says – with a father who worked as an elementary-school teacher and mother who operated a small business."
In her five years[4] atIowa State University inAmes, Iowa, Saina earned an agriculture and life sciences degree with a focus onnursing. She won the 2012[5]National Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA) Cross Country Championship, 5,000 meters at the 2012NCAA Indoor Championship and 10,000 meters at the2013 Outdoor NCAA Championship under the guidance of coach Corey Ihmels.[6]
Saina ran at the 2009 NCAA cross country championships and finished 141st in 21:35. Three years later, she has improved her 6K time by two minutes – and everyone is following behind Saina. In her final year of eligibility, Saina took the top spot at this year's NCAA championships in a time of 19:27.9"[5]
She set at the time world-leading[7] marks of 31:15.97 in the 10 km and school records of 15:12.05[8][9] in the 5k. Saina was the 2011–2012Iowa State Cyclones Female Student-Athlete of the year and received this honour in front of 61,000 fans at the football home opener on 1 September 2012.[10] Saina was also a nine-timeBig 12 Champion[11] and an 11-time All-American runner. She was also named Athlete of the Year by the Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association her senior season in 2013.[12] Betsy Saina was honoured on 31 August 2013 as the 2013 Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year![13] She won theHonda Sports Award as the nation's best female collegiate cross country runner in 2013.[14][15]
Saina competed on the roads and on the track based out ofColorado Springs for the professional training group American Distance Project elite 2013 through October 2015[16] under the guidance of coach[17]Scott Simmons.[18]
2014
In January 2014, she ran a world leading indoor 5,000 meters time.[19]
In March 2014, Saina finished second in 15:22 at theCarlsbad 5000 five kilometre road race behindJulia Bleasdale.[20] Saina is the only person based in the US who ranks in the top 15 of the world in the 10,000 meters in 2013[21][22] exceptShalane Flanagan.
Competing in the 10,000 meters at thePayton Jordan Invitational on 4 May 2014, she improved her personal best 10 km time to under 31 minutes running 30:57.30.[23] Saina is one of seven women living in the United States includingDeena Kastor,Kim Smith,Shalane Flanagan,Kara Goucher,Sally Kipyego andMolly Huddle to have run a 10 km race under 31 minutes. Only 69 women have ever run under 31 minutes.[24][25]
On 18 July, Competing in the 5,000 meters at theDiamond LeagueHerculisMonaco, Saina improved her personal best 5 km time to under 14:40 minutes running 14:39.49 [43rd all-time best performer.[26][27]
In August 2014, Saina won the woman's division of the 42ndNew BalanceFalmouth Road Race with a time of 35:56 on the 7-mile (11 km) course.[28]
On 8 September 2014, Saina won a road 10k inTilburg, the Netherlands running 30:45[29] and her time is the fastest road 10 km in 2014.[30]
On 12 October 2014, Saina finished 4th in her debut at the Boston half marathon in a time of 1:09:27.[31] 69:27 was the 46th fastest in the world as of 17 October.[32]
2015
On 14 February, competing in the 3,000 meters at theNYRRMillrose Games Betsy was runner-up toSally Kipyego[33]
On 1 March, competing in the 10,000 meters at the World Best 10 km inSan Juan, Puerto Rico. Betsy finished 3rd in 32:07 only 10 second behind the win.[34]
Competing in the 5,000 meters at thePayton Jordan Invitational[35] on 2 May 2015, she ran a world and Olympic trials qualifying time of 15:00.48[36] and was runner-up toSally Kipyego.2015 World Championships in Athletics &Athletics at the 2016 Summer OlympicsAthletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Qualification[37]
On July 4, Betsy finished 10th in 15:07.90 in the 5,000 metersParisMeeting ArevaIAAF Diamond League.[38]
Friday 31 July 2015 Betsy punched her ticket toBeijing, China 10,000 meters2015 World Championships in Athletics at Kenya national trials.[39] Betsy placed8th in 31:51.35 in China.[40] Betsy's time qualifies her forAthletics at the 2016 Summer OlympicsAthletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Qualification (if selected).[37]
On September 6, Betsy placed 3rd in road Rabobank Tilburg Ladies Run 10 km in Netherlands in 32:21[41] whereShalane Flanagan set American record.
In October 2015, Betsy joined Nike Bowerman Track Club;[42][43][44][45] leaving American Distance Project in Colorado Springs.
On 20 February 2016 Saina finished first in theMillrose Games women's indoor 5000 meters in 14:57.18, edging outMolly Huddle in the final stretch.[46][47][48]
On 27 May 2016 Saina placed 8th in 14:44.67 inPrefontaine Classic.[49]
On August 12, Saina placed 5th in 30:07.78 in the 10,000m at the2016 Olympic Games.
