THE YEAR RECORDS FALL
12:35.36
Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei sets the new 5,000m world record at the Wanda Diamond League in Monaco on 14 August . Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey sets the women ’ s world record in the 5,000m at the 2020 NN Valencia World Record Day on 7 October ( her time : 14.06.62 ).
2020
1991 COMRADES CHAMP NICK BESTER ATTACKED
Nick is running close to his home in the Magaliesberg mountains in August , where he has been training for 30 years , when three men attack him from behind , hitting him with rocks , breaking three of his ribs , his cheekbones , his jaw , his toe , and causing trauma to his head and cuts all over his body . Then they take off his clothes and shoes , tie his hands behind his back and his feet together and leave him lying face-down in the dirt .
2:26.51 Gerda Steyn runs the London Marathon , narrowly missing the national women ’ s standard marathon record of 2:26.35 , set by Colleen De Reuck at the 1996 Berlin Marathon .
1:05.16
On a cold , breezy morning in Poland , Peres Jepchirchir breaks the women ’ s-only half-marathon world record at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships .
14:21.23 Skyrunning Champion Ragna Debats sets a new course record at the 2020 K-Way Skyrun . Spaniard Pere Aurell Bove tops the podium ( his time : 13:56.43 ), becoming the first foreign athlete to do so in the race ’ s 24-year history .
He manages to escape by dragging himself down the side of the mountain on his back using his heels until he reaches the fence of someone ’ s house to signal for help .
Nick , who loves training outdoors and being healthy , refuses to change his life , posting photographs of his injuries and an honest account of his attempted murder on social media as a warning to runners to be vigilant when training in isolated areas . He is also instrumental in helping local police to catch his attackers , as well as criminals who have assaulted many sportspeople recently .
Read about the running groups keeping women safe , on page 82 .
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE | 23