Kipsang leads Kenyan Berlin Marathon glory hunt

Expectations will be high for London Olympics bronze medalist and former world record holder (2:03:23), Wilson Kipsang, as he heads a cast of other Kenyans to the 43rd edition of the BMW Berlin Marathon on September, 25; a showpiece where the Kenyans have always thrived.

Last years’ winner, Gladys Cherono, will be looking to defend her crown after securing her first marathon victory in 2:19:25 on her second appearance over the distance.

Kipsang will battle it out with Emmanuel Mutai (02:03:13) who is 10 seconds faster than him and five other men who have a personal bests of below 02:06:00 including Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele to break the 02:02:57 world record set by compatriot Dennis Kipruto Kimetto in 2014 in Berlin Marathon.

Kimetto broke Kipsang’s record of 02:03:23 in 2013 to become the first man to run under02:03:00 ahead of Emmanuel Mutai (2:03:13) and Abera Kuma (02:05:56) of Ethiopia.

Mutai who trains alongside Rio Olympics gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge at Global Sports Communications camp in Kaptagat, Usain Gishu County, is confident of an impressive performance in race that is expected to be very fast.

“I have trained and selected my competitions with advice from my coaches. For now, I just want to run. What I know without contradicting myself is that the race will be fast,” Mutai told Athletics Kenya.

It will be Kipsang’s first race in the German streets after breaking the record. Earlier this year in April, Kipsang stopped the timer at 2:07:52 for fifth place.

Two-time London Marathon champion Kipchoge took the top honours in 02:03:05 missing the world record by two seconds, while New York City Marathon champion Stanley Biwott finished second in 02:03:51 while three-time Olympics gold medalist Kenenisa Bekele settled for third place in 02:06:36. World record holder Kimetto clocked 2:11:44 for the ninth position.

Race favourite Kipchoge will not be defending Berlin his title, having bagged the coveted Rio Olympics title in less than a month ago. Despite the shoe hiccup that caused Kipchoge to slow down at last year’s berlin Marathon, he won the race in 02:04:00 followed by 2010 Prague Marathon Champion Eliud Kitanui in 02:05:21 as Rio Olympics silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa stopped the timer for third place in 2:06:57 denying Kenya a one, two, three finish with Emmanuel Mutai clocking 2:07:46.

Kenyans have shattered four world records over the years at the annual showpiece and it is on the same grounds that Dennis Kipruto Kimetto set the current world of 2:02:57 in 2014 after Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich shed off 15 seconds from compatriot Patrick Makau Musyoki record of 2:03:38 which he set in 2011 after breaking, Ethiopia’s, Haile Gebrselassie record of 2:03:59 which he had set in 2008.

Legendary Paul Tergat was the first man to run under 02:05 to smash Brazilian Ronaldo da Coasta’s five-year record of 02:06:05 to set a world record of 02:04:55 in 2003 before Before the legendary Gebrselassie broke it in 2007 and 2008.

ELITE FIELD

Men

Emmanuel Mutai (KEN) 2:03:13

Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 2:03:23

Tsegaye Mekonnen (ETH) 2:04:32

Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 2:05:04

Vincent Kipruto (KEN) 2:05:13

Eliud Kiptanui (KEN) 2:05:21

Evans Chebet (KEN) 2:05:33

Mark Kiptoo (KEN) 2:06:00

Jacob Kendagor (KEN) 2:07:47

Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) 2:08:14

Women

Aberu Kebede (ETH) 2:20:30

Amane Beriso (ETH) 2:20:48

Birhane Dibaba (ETH) 2:22:30

Reina Iwade (JPN) 2:24:38

Ruti Aga (ETH) 2:25:27

Janet Ronoh (KEN) 2:26:03