Fans await Berlin marathon without Kipchoge; Cherono tipped to win

The BMW Berlin Marathon takes place tomorrow with Kenyan elite athletes set to attempt to hold on to the Kenyan title set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2018.

Attention will be on Felix Kandie and Jonathan Korir as they seek to retain the Kenyan title in the absence of 2018 winner Eliud Kipchoge who finished in 2:01:39. The pressure is on the elite team against Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele whose best time is 2:03:03. 

The men’s elite team will have attention on Felix Kandie who currently holds the best time on the team at 2:06:03. Other strong names in the men’s race include Kennedy Naibei, Willy Ngelel, Abel Kipchumba and Bethwel Yegon.

In the women race, triple champion Gladys Cherono has her eyes on a record fourth title.

A win for the Kenyan, which is anticipated in a thrilling fashion, will put her a class above the rest as she will be sole record winner of Germany’s biggest road running marathon. The Kenyans will be required to shake off stiff competition from Ethiopians Mare Dibaba, the 2015 World Marathon champion and double Olympic 5,000m champion Meseret Defar, to bag the accolades.

Locally, Bank Of Africa (BOA) will host the 2019 “BMW Berlin Viewerthon” series with the race being aired live at Toby’s Tavern Hotel in Eldoret.

The “BOA Marathon Viewing” creates a forum that brings together athletes and marathon fans as they cheer the Kenyan team to victory. It is also a platform used to educate athletes.

“Bank of Africa Kenya believes that Kenyan Athletes are an integral part of the country’s heritage. In line with the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility pillar of Sports, Arts and Culture, we are committed to growing and enhancing their craft as well as their lives,” said Bank of Africa’s Head of Marketing, Jimmi Wanjohi.