Daniel Ebenyo, Benson Kipruto confirmed for high-profile race in India
Daniel Ebenyo and Benson Kipruto are among top runners scheduled to compete in India this weekend.
If you think athletes are taking a break from running since the festive season is here, maybe you should fasten up your seat belt because things are just getting started.
The track season is now over and the runners have shifted focus to the road races to continue chasing the bag and staying in the loop as far as fitness is concerned. Top athletes have since been confirmed for the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, the World’s 1st Gold Label 25K scheduled for December 15.
Daniel Ebenyo is not resting on his laurels and he is just fresh from racing in the senior men’s race at the Athletics Kenya cross-country leg in Bomet. Ebenyo has had a mixed season and he was just taking some time off before coming back into the grind, ready to show the world what they have missing out on.
He was hoping to make his Olympic debut in Paris, France but a tragic fall during the 10,000m trials at the Prefontaine Classic saw him miss out on a podium finish, something that still haunts him to date. Daniel Ebenyo insisted that he was in the form of his life and would have won Kenya a medal.
The world 10,000m silver medallist made a huge milestone later in the season, making his full marathon debut at the Chicago Marathon where he placed fifth. He returns to a familiar course where he threatened the 25km world best last year with his dominant win. He won the race in a new course record time of 1:11:13.
“The Kolkata roads are fast, and conditions are ideal; it is a perfect opportunity for me to defend my title and better my timing,” the reigning champion Daniel Ebenyo revealed.
He will be challenged by Benson Kipruto, a master in road running who will be out to continue his dominant form in India. Kipruto won the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year, beating Eliud Kipchoge and then proceeded to claim the bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, the women’s defending champion, Sutume Kebede also returns after winning last year’s race dominantly in 1:18:47. Kebede has been impressive this season, improving her personal best times in the half marathon (1:04:37) and marathon (2:15:55) to take initial world leads in both events this season.
US $142,214 prize money has been set aside for the top finishers. The top three finishers will win $15000, $10000, and $7000, respectively.
posted Tuesday December 3rd
by Abigael Wafula