Running News Daily

Soi eyes Bogota Half Marathon course record on Sunday

The 2008 Olympic 5,000m bronze medalist Edwin Soi will on Sunday attempt Geoffrey Mutai's Bogota Half Marathon 1:02:20 course record.

Mutai, a two-time New York Marathon champion set the time at the 2011 edition followed by Ethiopia’s Deriba Mergat (1:04:49) and Wilson Chebet (1:04:57).

Soi believes the competitive field and favorable weather conditions make the record within reach.

“I believe the competitive field assembled this year and favorable weather make it possible to go for the record,” Soi remarked.

He will be joined by compatriots Philemon Kiplimo, the 2022 Prague Half Marathon champion, Cali 10km Road race champion Ezra Tanui and Yangzhou Half Marathon champion Edward Koonyo.

The Kenyans will face stiff competition from Venice Marathon champion Solomon Mutai of Uganda, 2023 Belgrade Marathon champion Chakib Lachgar of Spain and 2022 Hannover Marathon champion Hendrik Pfeiffer of Germany.

“I did not do so well in the race last year. With my preparations this year, I am confident about running well and achieving my target,” added Soi.

He clocked 1:04:55 for third place, trailing Tanui (1:04:50) and Morocco’s Omar Chitachen (1:03:50).

“I have run here three times, winning once. I want to add another win this year,” he revealed.

Soi claimed his first title in 2022 in 1:05:27, ahead of Uganda’s Andrew Kwemoi (1:05:29) and Daniel Muindi (1:06:45).

Napoli City Half Marathon champion Angela Tanui will seek to reclaim her crown in the women's edition.

“I was not 100 per cent ready last year. My preparations before the race were not good either,” Tanui noted.

Tanui placed fifth in 1:16:31 in a race she was bested by Daisy Kimeli (1:15:12), Ethiopia’s Anchialem Haymanot (1:15:34) and Colombia’s Angie Orjuela (1:15:40).

She won the title in 2022 in 1:13:29 with Veronicah Wanjiru (1:15:26) and Ecuador’s Rosa Chacha (1:16:43) trailing.

“I am ready this year. My preparations have been good,” she said.

Tanui will face defending champion Kimeli and the Ethiopian duo of Aberu Ayana, the Lisbon Marathon champion, and Frankfurt Marathon champion Buzunesh Getachew.

World champion Kiplangat to lead Uganda marathon team in Paris

World marathon champion Victor Kiplangat will lead Uganda’s athletics team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Dominic Otuchet, President of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), confirmed in an interview with Xinhua on Monday that despite multiple athletes meeting the qualifying standards, only the top three men and women have been selected for the team.

The 24-year-old Kiplangat, who clinched gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, will be joined by Stephen Kissa and Andrew Kwemoi.

“I continue to work hard because there is still some time left before the Olympics,” said Kiplangat, who finished 15th at the Tokyo Marathon in March.

The women’s team has Stella Chesang, the 2019 Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion, Mercyline Chelangat and Rebecca Cheptegei.

“I am very happy that I have made the team. This will be my first time to compete in such a highly formidable race,” said Chesang.

Otuchet expressed confidence in the selected athletes, noting their extensive experience and ongoing preparations. He emphasised that the six marathon runners representing Uganda are all seasoned athletes capable of winning medals at the Olympics.

Barnabas Kiptum eyeing grand return at Abu Dhabi Marathon after disappointment in 2021

Barnabas Kiptum will be seeking redemption as he returns to the Abu Dhabi Marathon scheduled for December 16.

Barnabas Kiptum will be out to finish what he started when he heads to the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon scheduled for Sunday, December 16.

The 36-year-old was in action during the 2021 edition of the race but unfortunately failed to finish after some challenges and he will be keen to rewrite the script when he takes on the tough opponents.

Kiptum has had a soft 2023 season, competing in one race, the New Taipei City Wan Jin Shi Marathon, and winning it. He will be hunting for his second win when he takes on the tough opponents.

He lines up as the fastest in the field with a Personal Best time of 2:04:17 and he will be banking on past experience to outshine his challengers.

The race has also attracted Uganda’s Andrew Kwemoi, also an able athlete. The Ugandan has enjoyed a great season too that saw him clinch the Miano Marathon title earlier this year.

He was also in action at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary but failed to finish the race. However, he will use the experience from the global stage to vie for a podium finish as he competes in the marathon in the streets of Abu Dhabi for the first time.

Another athlete to watch will be Kiptum’s compatriot, Leonard Barsoton. He lines up as the third-fastest in the field with a PB time of 2:09:06 and he will be looking to outshine his opponents too.

Meanwhile, the women’s field will also bring up a huge challenge having assembled very strong women. Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba leads the charge with a PB time of 2:17:56.

The Ethiopian will be running her first marathon this year, after coming out of her maternity leave. She took a break in 2018 and has come back into competitive running this season.

She will be challenged by Kenya’s Maureen Chepkemoi who will be running her fourth marathon this season. Another one to watch will be Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa who has enjoyed a great 2023 season and will be keen to extend her winning streak in Abu Dhabi.

Elite runners confirmed for 5th Abu Dhabi Marathon

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Sports Council has announced the star-studded line-up of international runners for the fifth ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon 2023.

An estimated 23,000 runners are expected to take part in the Dec. 16 event competing in the marathon (42.195 km), marathon relay, 10 km, 5 km, and 2.5 km races.

All races will commence at different locations near the ADNOC headquarters on Corniche Road and finish at the ADNOC Campus, near Bainuna public park.

Uganda’s Andrew Kwemoi, winner of the 2023 Milano Marathon — where he hit a personal best of 2:07:14 — will be joined by Kenya’s Kiptum Barnabas, who finished first in both the 2019 Hong Kong Marathon and the Buenos Aires Marathon in 2017. Barnabas’ compatriot, Leonard Barsoton, will also be competing in this year’s race, having set his own personal best of 2:09:06 in 2023.

The women’s race will feature Ethopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba, the 10 km Olympic champion 2017 Chicago Marathon winner. Joining her in the strong elite female line-up, also from Ethiopia, will be Hawi Feysa (2:23:38), and Maurine Chepkemoi from Kenya, the 2022 Enschede Marathon winner.

Suhail Al-Arifi, executive director of the events sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are thrilled to welcome a group of top international runners for the upcoming fifth edition of the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon next month.

“Their participation highlights the event’s significance locally and globally. The presence of well-known runners in this year’s line-up reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s and the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon’s success in gaining international recognition in long-distance running.

“We’re delighted to invite people from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us in celebrating physical fitness.

“Regardless of your fitness level, there’s a distance tailored just for you. We encourage everyone to be part of this enriching sports day on the streets of Abu Dhabi, the global capital of sports,” Al-Arifi added.

This year’s Marathon Village will again be located at ADNOC headquarters and will be accessible from Dec. 12 up until race day on Dec. 16.

Kipkorir and Jebichi triumph at Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon

Brimin Kipkorir and Purity Jebichi are the winners of the 17th edition Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon held on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium.

Kipkorir from Elgeyo Marakwet and the 2017 event winner outsmarted Steven Kipchirchir, his main challenger in the men’s 42km to win the race in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 42 seconds.

The Kaptagat-based Kipchirchir settled for the second slot in 2:11:53 as Victor Serem closed the podium in 2:12.00.

"I was in good form coming into the race and also confident of recapturing the title. The weather conditions were great. After this victory, I will take two to three weeks recovery before embarking on training for another race probably in abroad,” said Korir.

In the women’s 42km event, Jebichi, the 2015 Standard Chartered Marathon half marathon winner stepped up to the full marathon event in style.

Jebichi took command of the race just after covering 21km of the race to emerge victorious in 2:30:33, beating Chemtai Rionotukei to second place in 2:33:03 as Shelmith Muriuki settler for the third position in 2:34:39.

“I’m just returning from maternity break and to come here to win the main marathon is a great achievement for me. I’m proud of my performance because I wasn’t sure of victory but I was confident of finishing within podium bracket. At 28km, I could feel that I was in good shape to win the race,” said Jebichi.

Both Jebichi and Kipkorir walked home with Sh2 million prize money from increased Sh1.5 million.

Andrew Kwemoi and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya Defence Forces were the winners of half marathon event.

Kwemoi, 20, who finished third at the Bank Half Marathon brush off his opponents to win in one hour, one minute and 51 seconds.

Kiprono Koech edged out Edmond Kipng'etich to secure the second slot in 1:02:01 as Kipng’etich clocked 1:02:06 in third.

Former African 5000m Champion Chepkirui won the women’s half marathon race in her marathon debut just a few weeks after winning Durban 10km in South Africa.

hepkirui clocked 1:11:51 to win the race ahead of Deborah Serum (1:12:10). Cynthia Kosgei was third in 1:13:45.

"I enjoyed the race and it felt good this being my first half Marathon race, I think I will be winning races as I continue gaining experience on the roads,” said Chepkirui.

In 10km, Daniel Simiu won the race in 28 minutes and 22 seconds while Nancy Jelegat won the corresponding women race in 32minutes and 03 seconds