Big field for Houston Marathon show

10000m runner Bedan Karoki in training session ahead of Rio Olympics 2016 at Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on July 21, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

The 2016 World Half marathon silver medalist Bedan Karoki and Fancy Chemutai are stars attractions at the 2019 Houston Marathon on Sunday.

The duo will feature in half marathon race while Dominic Ondoro, Albert korir, Justus Kimutai will square it out in men’s full marathon. Sarah Kiptoo and Gladys Kipsoi will race in women’s 42km event.

However, the main highlight of the 2019 Houston will be half marathon where organizers have assembled quality field with five men boasting sub 60:00 led by Karoki whose personal best over the distance stands at 58:42 and will face up against Ethiopian Shura Kitata, runner-up in London and New York City marathons last year.

Ethiopian Jemal Yimer and Kenyan Bernard Negno are other runners with under 60 minutes marks.

Last year, Karoki produced his best showing at Ras Al Khaimah RAK Half Marathon where  he broke the course record by running 58:42.

Chemutai whose 64:52 personal best is one second off the world record, reigning major marathon champions Gladys Cherono (Berlin) and Brigid Kosgei (Chicago) and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Sally Kipyego, who will race for the first time since declaring that she’ll be representing the US, not Kenya will square it out in the women’s half field.

Last year, Chemutai came close to breaking the half marathon world record when her 1:04:52.