Emmanuel Mutai hopes to beat strong field in London

By JONATHAN KOMEN

Emmanuel Mutai (right) with Geoffrey Mutai in New York City Marathon in 2011. [PHOTO: FILE / STANDARD]

His one finger salute victory trademark, mostly associated with the former ruling party Kanu, belies his apolitical mien.

Emmanuel Mutai, who has finished second in his seven major marathons, is not done just yet.

On Sunday, he will take on an elite field of marathoners that include his training mate and Uganda’s Olympic and world champion Stephen Kiprotich at the 34th Flora London Marathon contest.

Mutai, who holds the London Marathon course record (2:04:40), Kiprotich, (2:07.20), two-time world champion Abel Kirui and defending champion Tsegaye Kebede (2:04.23) of Ethiopia are the top stars to watch.

There is also Geoffrey Mutai, who is fresh from winning New York City half-marathon last month and will be making his second stab in London, having not finished last year and having won the ING New York and Chicago marathons in 2011.

But Emmanuel, who is based in Lessos in Nandi County, is keen to lower his London Marathon course record, which he set in 2011.

Cut from a different material, Emmanuel stands out from his opponents with his superb final kick.

“The field has many experienced marathoners. Mo Farah will be debuting in full marathon, but no one really knows what he is capable of. I will do my best to improve my personal best. I made a mistake last year and just went to London to give it a try,” Mutai said.

The shy looking Mutai is best remembered for breaking away from elite field at the 10km mark at the 2011 London Marathon and shattering the late Samuel Wanjiru’s London Marathon course record.

“I am a family man and a win in London is on top of my priorities. I have competed there improved my personal bests in the course many times,” he said.

Mutai, who trains with Kiprotich under coach Patrick Sang at Global Sports Communications in Kaptagat, juggles family affairs and athletics.