Will Kenyans beat South African standard marathon record holder in Cape Town?

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

A selected group of Kenyan runners will challenge the standard marathon record holder; Ethiopia’s Asefa Negewo at Sanlam Cape town marathon.

The Kenyan athletes have confirmed that they will participate in the marathon which will be held in South Africa on September 17^th.

 “In the women’s competition, last year’s winner Tish Jones will be back to defend her title. The race will be packed with international stars including Agnes Kiprop from Kenya who has the fastest Gold label time in the women’s field. Irvette Van Zyl is the fastest South African in the field with a personal best of 2:31.39.,” said an official from the organizing committee.

The race organizers also added that last year’s Women’s and Men’s winners, Britain’s Tish Jones and Ethiopia’s Asefa Mengstu Negewo have already confirmed that they will be defending their titles in this year’s marathon.

Speaking at the Sanlam Kenya headquarters in Nairobi, Group CEO Mr. Mugo Kibati said the Kenyan runners will be flying the Kenyan flag high at the Sanlam Cape town marathon, which is sponsored by Africa’s largest non-bank financial service provider.

 “At Sanlam Kenya, we are excited that Kenyan athletes have been selected to participate in Africa’s elite event which is the only IAAF Gold label status marathon in the continent,” Kibati said and added that the event celebrates the national and corporate standing as underpinned by the company’s commitment to deliver value based financial services locally and in the continent.

Given the top form currently enjoyed by the Kenyan selected elite runners, Kibati also expressed optimism that Kenyans will clinch the top prizes on both the Men’s and women’s races.

“The route this year has been modified to make it even faster with the elimination of several turns, thereby giving both local and international athletes the chance to chase record times and personal bests. Pacers, introduced last year, will once again play an integral role in enabling runners to achieve record-breaking times,” said the South African organizers.

 

MEN’S INTERNATIONAL ELITE FIELD:

       Laban Mutai (KEN) 2.08.01

        Asefa Negewo (ETH) 2.08.41

       Samuel Maswai (KEN) 2.08.51

       Seboka Nigusse (Erre) 2.09.14

       Duncan Maiyo (KEN) 2.09.25

       Motlokoa Nkhabutla (LES) 2.09.47

        Abraham Habte (ER) 2.11.56

        Sintayehu Legese (ETH) 2.11.07

        Thomas Ayeko (UGA) Debut

 

WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL ELITE FIELD:

         Agnes Jepkembpi Kiprop (KEN) 2.23.54

         Betelhem Moges (ETH) 2.24.29

        Fantu Eticha (ETH) 2.26.14

        Lisa Hahner (GER) 2.28.39

       Doris Chepkwemoi Changeywo (KEN)2.31.50

       Tish Jones (UK) 2.33.56

       Genet habela abdurkadir (ETH) Debut

       Meseret (Asefaw) Taye (ETH) Debut