‘We take a lot of risks’- Sifan Hassan’s coach opens up about bold move to train in Kenya ahead of London Marathon

Sifan Hassan’s coach, Tim Rowberry, has revealed that their bold approach to training in Kenya and taking risks each year is key to her marathon success and pursuit of history.

Tim Rowberry, Sifan Hassan’s coach has opened up about the risks they take each year to make the best out of her.

At the moment, Sifan Hassan is training in Iten, Kenya, in preparation for the London Marathon scheduled for Sunday, April 27.

The Dutch woman has plans to reclaim the title she won in her full marathon debut in 2023, in one of the most dramatic races.

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Tim Rowberry revealed that they try different things each year and this year, they decided to move to Kenya and train there, with a different routine from last year.

He is confident that with such an approach, Sifan Hassan is highly likely to excel in her events other than doing the same thing over and over again.

“We take a lot of risks in like the type of races we choose and the different types of training we try every year is completely different,” Tim Rowberry said in an interview with NOS.

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“So, I think that makes it so much more rewarding than if we were just doing the same thing every year or just repeating the same training, in the same place. It’s always exciting and nerve-wracking too but I think the more nervous you get, the greater the reward is at the end.”

One thing is certain, the different approaches have made Sifan Hassan one of the most decorated distance runners.

In her marathon debut in 2023 in London, Sifan Hassan was not a favourite to win since she was competing against very strong opponents including Peres Jepchirchir, Sheila Chepkirui and Alemu Megertu but she managed to snatch the win.

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She went on to the Chicago Marathon and ran the second fastest marathon ever at the time, just behind Tigst Assefa’s world record time at the Berlin Marathon. Her time is now the third fastest following Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

In 2024, Sifan Hassan was also successful, finishing fourth at the Tokyo Marathon before heading to the Paris Olympic Games where she made history, winning the Olympic marathon title along with the bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m.

In 2025, Sifan Hassan will open her season in London and she has also openly spoken about attacking Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record time of 2:09:56.

With such great dedication to training and the sacrifices she has made, Sifan Hassan is getting closer to making history.