Run, Hayle, Run!

This was a bit unexpected, to say the least.  Most people around here don’t really even understand the concept of distance running.  You should see the looks I get when I run in Lənkəran.  It turns out that Azerbaijan spotted a distance runner in the 5k at the European Championships, in Barcelona, this year.  And he got a medal!  And a national record!  At first, I couldn’t believe it.  But then I found out he’s actually an Ethiopian.  That makes more sense.  Be careful with that particular Wikipedia page, though.  Whoever made it is accusing Hayle of running an 8-minute 5k.  That would be a crime if ever there were one (and Hayle would be in severe pain).  The IAAF has a bit more reliable information.  From that article above, though, this is my favorite quote:

The women’s marathon where Azerbaijani sprinter Gezashin Safarov took the 32nd place with 2:51:59 was also held on Saturday.

That’s quite a sprint.

Azeris are also making waves in another sport of mine, rowing.  This is a little more believable.  There are some other PCVs who know Azeris that row on the reservoir lake in Mingəçevir.  Azeri rowers also made a splash at the World Cup championships in May.  Though, I would like to note that the headline here leading you to believe they were champions is a bit misleading.  They took third.  And I also like how the rowers are referred to as canoeists.  Brilliant.