Athlete Spotlight: Kirubel Erassa

After struggling with handling higher mileage weeks and not racing as well as he expected to, Kirubel Erassa of Grayson County High School in Georgia and his coach decided to alter their training approach this fall with less mileage and more speed work. The changes in training have produced positive results as shown with Kirubel's stellar fall of races in Georgia and most recently capped off with a Foot Locker Nationals berth.

In the South regional race, Erassa (pictured left by John Olson of https://sc.milesplit.com) garnered a runner-up finish to eventual Nike Cross Nationals champion and Foot Locker Nationals favorite Craig Lutz of Texas with one of the top 10 all-time performances ever at McAlpine (14:43) and fastest ever by a runner from the state of Georgia in meet history. Erassa will attempt to be one of the highest finishers ever from Georgia at Balboa Park and follow in the footsteps of recent stars Girma Mecheso and Ben Hubers, who finished 9th and 11th respectively in the 2006 national race. His 14:43 performance at McAlpine actually ties him with two past Foot Locker National runners-up in Alan Webb (2000) and Bobby Lockhart (2001) on the course all-time list.

 

Interview with Kirubel Erassa

 

MileSplit US: Congratulations on qualifying for your first Foot Locker Nationals. How thrilled are you about advancing on to compete at this prestigous race?

 

Kirubel Erassa: Very excited.

 

MileSplit US: How did you feel about your race at Foot Locker South? Were you racing to win or just to qualify?

 

Erassa: I felt great at Foot Locker South and had lots of fun. I was racing to win and break the course record.

 

(pictured right by Walter Pinion for https://ga.milesplit.com)

 

MileSplit US: You had a very dominant season in Georgia finishing well ahead of your competition in virtually all of your races. Were you concerned about how you would respond with a bunch of competition in the Foot Locker regional race considering you had not been tested all season long?



Erassa: Yes. I was concerned a little bit becuase I knew South region has some fast runners. I knew I was going to get challenged. I was very excited to run with faster people.

 

MileSplit US: You have a very special and close relationship with in your coach, Coach Blaszkiewicz. How much of an impact and influence has he made on your running?

 

Erassa: Coach is an amazing guy. I don`t know words can explain it. He has been there for me all the time whenever I needed help. I have close relationship with my coach more than my own family. He made me a better 5K runner.

 

 

MileSplit US: Last year at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, your coach pulled you entirely out of the meet after wagging your finger at the runner you passed to win your 2 mile heat. What did you learn out of that experience?

 

Erassa: From the experience I learned so many things including respecting people.

 

(pictured left by Bruce Taylor of https://ga.milesplit.com)

 

MileSplit US:  How did you first get involved with running?

 

Erassa: I thought I'm was gong to become a better soccer player.

 

MileSplit US:  It was reported that last year you were running 100+ miles week, but now have dropped down to 80 miles. Why did you make the mileage drop and what changes have you seen in your running and training?

 

Erassa: I dropped the mileage becuase I was I was losing and running bad times. After I change the mileage, I have seen a huge difference from last year. All I have been doing this year is some fast workouts and the training is shorter and includes more speed. I really like it.

 

MileSplit US: The South regional race was one of the fastest ever with 10 guys under 15 minutes. Normally the region as a team in the national race is not as competitive, but do you feel this group of guys could do well in San Diego?

 

Erassa: We are going to do very well and I hope the South is going to win.

 

Photo by Chris Bligh for https://ga.milesplit.com

 

MileSplit US: How much are you looking forward to meeting and becoming friends with many of the top high school runners in the country next weekend?

 

Erassa: I am looking forward to be around the runners. I am very excited to be with them and have fun.

 

MileSplit US: The state of Georgia had a great pair of national caliber runners a few years ago in Girma Mechesco and Ben Hubers. You are clearly the best runner that the runner has had since those two Foot Locker All-Americans. Have you been comparing yourself to them and similar courses this season? You were only 8 seconds off Mechesco's 15:01 at the state meet, so are you anxious to see if you can run up to their level in a national race?

 

Erassa: I have never compared myself to them. I always thought that I could run one of fastest times ever in Georgia. I am not anxious, but I'm just excited to go to college and get better in my training and possibly race those guys.

 

MileSplit US: What are your goals for the Foot Locker national race in San Diego?



Erassa: My goal for San Diego is to win.