Hopeful Kipruto aims to break Amsterdam Marathon record

Seoul Marathon champion Amos Kipruto hopes to smash the 2:05:21 course record set by compatriot Daniel Wanjiru at the fourth coming TCS Amsterdam Marathon on October 15 in the Dutch capital.

Kirputo who has a personal best of 2:05.59 from his Seoul triumph, is confident of a podium finish in the IAAF Gold Label Road Races, after a disappointing outing in last year’s race where he stopped the timer at 02:09:08 for a 12th place, while his colleagues went ahead to take top eight places led by London Marathon champion Wanjiru.

However, it will be no easy task for the former Rome Marathon winner as the 2016 Dubai Marathon title holder Tesfaye Abera of Ethiopia who is the fastest in the race with a PB of 2:04 24 prepares to give him a run for his money.

“I have prepared well and I’m just waiting for the D-day to come. I have seen Abera will be there but that does not worry me at all. The level of our training will determine one’s performance in Amsterdam.

Podium finish

“My preparations for Amsterdam and Seoul races are similar. I’m optimistic that I will have a podium finish. Hopefully if the weather will be great and if I team up with my fellow athletes I shall be able to break the course record,” said Kirputo, the Seoul Marathon champion.

Debut

Abera will not be Kipruto’s only headache. Country man Edwin Kiptoo who played the pace maker’s role in last year’s race will be making his marathon debut. Kiptoo who is well versed with the course and has a half-marathon PB of 59:26 and finished fourth at the recent Dam tot Damloop, feels positive ahead of his quest.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, the 25 year-old Kipruto revealed that shedding off more than two minutes from his PB 2:08:12 set in Rome to 2:05.59 boosted his confidence and is planning on a more experienced approach as he goes for his fourth road race.

Personal best

Olympian and home favorite Abdi Nagyee will also be in the race with his eyes focused on improving his PB of 2:09:34 and Kamiel Maase’s national record of 2:08:21. The Global Sport Communication athlete, who trains at Kaptagat, Usain Gishu County alongside Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, Olympics silver medalist and two-time World champion Abel Kirui, will be hoping to book a slot for next year’s Commonwealth Games. Also, the 27 year old, Zane Robertson of New Zealand, who lives in Kenya too, will also be making his marathon debut.​