Champion Mwangangi to take on G. Mutai in Valencia

John Mwangangi and Beata Naigambo will return to defend their titles at the Valencia Trinidad Marathon Alfonso, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, in the eastern Spanish city on 20 November.

But both Mwangangi of Kenya, who clocked a career best and Spanish all-comers record of 2:06:13 last year, and Naigambo, who prevailed in 2:26:57, will face strong fields.

The men’s race will feature 16 runners with sub-2:10 bests, led by Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai who won the 2012 Berlin Marathon in 2:04:15 as the main challenger to Mwangangi.

Slowed by injury the past three years, the 35-year-old is targeting a strong performance in his first marathon of 2016. Getu Feleke of Ethiopia, who holds a 2:04:50 career best, will also be in the field.

Other sub-2:07 men in the field include Gilbert Yegon of Kenya, at 2:06:18 from 2009, Kenyan Peter Cheruiyot Kirui, who clocked 2:06:31 in 2011, and Matthew Kisorio with a lifetime best of 2:06:33 who finished second in this race last hear.

Others to watch include Solomon Kirwa Yego of Kenya, who clocked 58:44 at the Roma Ostia Half Marathon this year and his compatriot Cosmas Kiplimo Lagat, this year’s Seville Marathon winner who are out to dethrone Mwangangi.

In the women’s contest, Naigambo will be chasing a third a straight victory, but will also face stiff competition.

Taking on the favourite’s role will be Kenyan Lucy Wangui, whose 2:19:34 lifetime best from 2012 ranks her as the tenth fastest marathoner of all-time. She ran nearly as fast last year, also in Dubai, clocking 2:20:21.

The pair will lead a field that consists of eight other runners who have clocked better than 2:30. Ethiopians Betelhem Moges Cherenet, who has run 2:24:29, and Aberu Mekuria Zennebe, with a 2:25:30 best, are expected in the chase.

Valary Jemeli Aiyabei of Kenya, who sports a 2:25:26 best, is also expected in the hunt.

-Report by Organisers for the IAAF