×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Home To Bold Columnists
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Why top marathon names opted for individual races

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe crosses the line to win the men's race at the 2025 London Marathon in central London on April 27, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) /

With 2020 Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir and last year's Berlin Marathon runner-up Vincent Ngetich leading the 2025 World Athletics Championships squad to Tokyo, surprise names featured in the selected team.

Big names in the classic distance decided to compete in other well-oiled races, raising questions.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Fact-first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
Athletics
American dream: How youngsters battle for tickets to US universities
Football
Kenya selected to stage 2026 FIFA Women's Series matches in April
Athletics
Lewa Marathon: Lemayan to defend title as Kwambai out for three-peat
By Mike Kihaki 17 hrs ago
Football
Harambee Stars seek redemption in Rwanda after Senegal defeat, says McCarthy