Limo brings laser focus to Fifth Season Race

CEDAR RAPIDS - Just less than one month ago, professional runner Cynthia Limo made a trek to the United States that changed her life completely.

The 24-year-old native of Iten, Kenya, now lives in Lansing, Mich., where she trains with coach and manager Owen Andersen and competes regularly. Friday, Limo will be taking on the streets of Cedar Rapids.

In the Health Solutions Fifth Season 8K, the elite, sponsored race at the Fourth of July road races, will have a chance to do something not many runners have been able to do here.

'She's got a pretty good chance at breaking the female event record,” race director Colin Flynn said. 'We don't see that much anymore, because the times are getting so fast.”

The female 8K record is 25:50, set two years ago by Diane Nukuri-Johnson.

Limo arrived in this country June 4 and has been taking down race after race. She is undefeated in 2014, with her most recent success at the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon in Duluth, Minn.

Limo said she is focused on only one thing when race day rolls around.

'For me, I have to fight for that day,” Limo said of having the possibility of breaking the event record. 'I have to run my own race and fight for the race.”

Andersen credits a lot of Limo's success to a flexible schedule and core determination.

'She is the ultimate professional,” Andersen said. 'She loves to plan everything out, from travel to workouts to meals. She's really serious about the big picture.”

Limo said she won't be bothered by the red, white and blue atmosphere on the Fourth. Andersen agreed and said Limo is one of the most focused runners he's ever seen.

'When the gun goes off, every cell in her body is just focused on one thing and that is going all out,” Andersen said. 'She's also not bothered by anything. She prepares and gets into the race.”

As Limo steps up to the line Friday morning, she said, the only thing running through her mind will be racing. For fans lined up along the 8K course, it should be a real treat.

'People will really enjoy watching her race,” Andersen said. 'She's fast and totally into it. She's amazing to watch and really a joy to watch running.”

l Comments: stephen.koenigsfeld@thegazettecompany.com