Daniel Ebenyo at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga (© Guntis Berzins)
Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo competed at three global championships in 2023 and claimed a medal at each one. He aims to build on those performances this year and a major target is the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 on 30 March.
There he would line up as a reigning gold medallist, following the team victory he secured alongside Geoffrey Kamworor, Kibiwott Kandie and Sabastian Sawe in Bathurst 12 months ago. In a busy year, he went on to secure 10,000m silver at the World Championships in Budapest and a medal of the same colour in the half marathon at the World Road Running Championships in Riga.
He ended the year by setting a world 25km best of 1:11:13 at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K.
Ebenyo has already experienced victory in 2024, winning the World Cross Country Tour Gold events in San Giorgio su Legnano and Eldoret as he works his way towards the global competition in Belgrade.
You finished fourth in the 3000m at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade in 2022. What memories do you have from Belgrade and are you looking forward to returning for the cross country?
“I really enjoyed racing in Belgrade in 2022 and was happy with my performance, so the city has fond memories for me. I am really looking forward to competing in the beautiful city again.”
What are your expectations for the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade and what are your plans and goals in 2024?
“I really want to just give my best effort and continue the form I had at the end of 2023 and the beginning of this year. This year I also want to build on my performances from last year to improve my times. This is of course also an Olympic year, and so I am hoping to be able to represent my country at the Paris Games.”
Which competition has been the hardest for you, and which has been the best?
“There have been many challenging times and disappointments along the way, but I try to just learn from them and use it as motivation for next time. There were a few really exciting races for me, but last year winning silver in the 10,000m at the World Championships was really special and showed me what I was capable of.”
Do you have a message for kids taking up running?
“Keep focused on training hard – nothing comes without hard work.”
If you were to start your career again now, what would you change?
“I don’t think I would change anything, otherwise I wouldn’t be where I am today. I feel blessed to have had the journey I have had so far and can’t wait to keep learning and improving.”
Who is your favorite athlete?
“Geoffrey Kamworor is someone I have always looked up to.”
What are your goals for the future?
“My goals are to keep improving and taking on more challenges in my career, and to be an athlete that is respected by those he competes against.”
