Moving to Kenya as an inexperienced 17-year-old is starting to pay-off in a big way for New Zealand’s Zane Robertson. The 25-year-old set a national half marathon record of 59:47 to place second behind Kenyan Paul Kuira at the Marugame Half over the weekend in Japan, becoming the first Kiwi to run under 60 minutes. The two men dueled over the final 100m before Kuira used a massive surge to just nip Robertson at the line. 

 

Robertson is also the first person from an Oceanic country to dip under the one hour barrier, as Australia’s Darren Wilson was the former record holder (60:02). The African-based Robertson is just the fourth non-African to break 60 minutes over 13.1 miles.  

 

Zane and Jake Robertson’s decision to leave the comforts of home and move to Kenya’s Rift Valley in 2007 was well-documented. Skipping the traditional route of other top foreign athletes who have chosen to compete at American universities, the Robertsons began to train and live in Iten, without a shoe contract or a permanent residence. Things that Westerners have grown up taking for granted like running water and electricity were not always guaranteed for two teenagers trying to keep up with the best distance runners on the planet. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah, who trains annually in Kenya, said “I would’ve never imagined them guys, coming out here for such a long time, and living an African life. I don’t know how they manage it.” Not only have Zane and Jake managed, they’ve thrived in recent years. Zane won bronze in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games in July, while Jake ran 13:15.54 for 5,000m in 2013. In November 2013, we featured a two-part documentary on the Robertson's journey on Flotrack. Here is the trailer: 

Next up for the Robertson brothers is a shot at Adrian Blincoe’s 5,000m national record (13:10.19) at the Auckland Track Challenge on February 26th. Joining them there will be Olympic silver medalist and sub-3:30 1500m man Nick Willis.