[11] However, he established himself as a world class runner at the Rotterdam Half Marathon – he placed second with a time of 59:08 minutes.

[15] His 2011 season was relatively low key, with just two major outings: fourth at the Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon and runner-up at the Great North Run.

He moved in with fellow runner Abel Kirui (a marathon world champion) and training with Italian coach Renato Canova's group.

At the Dubai Marathon he ran a time of 2:04:56 hours to enter at tenth on the all-time lists for the event, but such was the strength in depth this only brought him fourth place at the high-prize money race.

[19][20] That March he moved up to ninth on the all-time lists for the half marathon, running a time of 59:02 minutes as runner-up at the CPC Loop.

[22][23] He was one of the fastest entrants at the 2012 Berlin Marathon in September, but fell away from the lead pack and ended in seventh place (2:09:19 hours).