Pfc. Susan Tanui (left), DENTAC, and Spc. Samuel Kosgei, a combat medic assigned to DHHB, 1st Inf. Div., pose at the division's headquarters building Feb. 3. Tanui and Kosgei, both members of the Fort Riley running team, will take part in the USA Cro...
Two Soldiers from the Fort Riley running team will again put their skills to the test, this time at the USA Cross Country Championships Feb. 7 in Boulder, Colorado.
Pfc. Susan Tanui, Dental Activity, and Spc. Samuel Kosgei, a combat medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, will take part in the race along with more than 600 other participants.
"It's rare you find one runner who has the talent to run on the All-Army team from one installation," said Lt. Col Sean Ryan, 1st Inf. Div. public affairs officer and coach of the Fort Riley team. "Having both Kosgei and Tanui run in the Cross Country Championships in Boulder, representing both the Army and Fort Riley, is special occurrence. Both train hard and have the internal drive and dedication to excel. The race kicks off what I expect to be a great racing season for both of them in 2015."
Ryan said Kosgei had a banner year in 2014, taking first place in the international division of the Army Ten-Miler on Oct. 12 and winning the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 25.
"The Cross Country Championships will be Kosgei's third race with the All-Army team in one year, the first time anyone has done that from Fort Riley," the coach said. "Kosgei has shown he will not be outworked by other runners and he is putting in the time and effort to be an Olympic marathon qualifier."
The Feb. 7 race also serves as the trials race to select the Team USA squad will compete at the 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships March 28 in Guiyang, China. Ryan said he expects Kosgei to place in the world championships and move on to the Olympic trials held in Los Angeles in February 2016.
"Tanui finished seventh overall in the Army Ten-Miler in October, but I see her doing greater things," Ryan said of the dental specialist. "With continued coaching, a smart training and racing plan in 2015, I believe she can place in the top 3 this year at the Army Ten-Miler, move up to the marathon distance and win the Marine Corps Marathon as well. I have that much faith in her and I believe in her abilities."
Originally from Eldama-Ravine, Kenya, Tanui said she ran in school growing up, but fell out of practice. After graduation, she took up the sport again in hopes of earning a college scholarship.
Her resolve paid off, and Tanui attended Dallas Baptist University and the University of Alaska before joining the Army last year.
"It just changed my life," she said of running.
When Tanui found out she would be stationed at Fort Riley, she started looking into the post's running team.
"It's been a great experience," she said of running on the Fort Riley team. "It's a great opportunity, and I'm really happy to be part of that team."
The Soldier said the USA Cross Country Championships will be one of the toughest races she has participated in, due both to the number of skilled runners who will race and to the higher altitude in Colorado.
"I know I've trained, and I've pushed myself harder," she said. "Even though it looks the way it is, always I encourage myself to stay stronger. Everything is not easy; you just have to push. You have to work for it."
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