Kenyan road race runners are aiming to shine in several races to be held in various parts of the world this weekend.
Defending London Marathon champions Alexander Mutiso Munyao and Rosemary Wanjiru are expected to feature at Bangsaen21 while others such as Lilian Kasait and Reynold Cheruiyot will be in action in Saudi Arabia.
Below is a short list of high-level road races that Kenyan athletes will be taking part in on Saturday 14 December and Sunday, 15 December.
Nation21 Half Marathon
The stage is set for big names to battle it out in the highly anticipated 2024 Bangsaen21 Half Marathon race scheduled to take place in Thailand on Sunday, December 15.
Mutiso, who represented Kenya at the recently held Paris Olympics, headlined the entry in the men’s category with a personal best of 57:59.
Some of the other stars set to compete include Ethiopian duo Nibret Melak and Leul Gebresilase as well as Mutiso’s compatriot Geoffrey Toroitich.
Melak and Gebresilase have best records of 59:06 and 59:18 respectively while Toroitich’s record stands at 59:13.
In the women’s category, former full marathon world record holder Tigst Assefa is one of the stars who will compete for the prize money.
Rosemary Wanjiru (1:05:34), Gladys Chepkurui (1:05:46) and Winfridah Moraa (1:05:59) would be the winners.
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Mersin Marathon
The sixth edition of the international Mersin Marathon is scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 15 in Türkiye.
The event was hosted by Abraham Kiptum from Kenya and Tsegaye Mekonen from Ethiopia.
Bethwell Kipkemboi, Boaz Kipkemei, Tanui Özbilen and the evergreen Mark Kosgey Kiptoo have also been confirmed for the race.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s Juliet Chekwel (2:23:13) is among the pre-race favorites in the women’s category alongside Hildah Jepkogei (2:28:31) and Kenya’s Truphena Chepchirchir.
General Marathon Malaga
A number of Kenyan runners will compete in the Generali Marathon Malaga 2024 which will take place on Sunday, December 15 in Spain.
Some of these athletes are Josphat Kiprono Menjo (2:06:44), Vincent Kipkorir, Micah Kipkosgei Chemweno, and Benard Kibet Lagat.
The heavyweights above will face stiff competition from Uganda’s Andrew Rotich Kwemoi, whose lifetime best is 2:07:14.
Kenyan-born American runner Paul Chelimo, who has been linked with Kiprun, will also make his full marathon debut in Malaga.
In the women’s category, several well-known names who will appear include Emmaculate Chepkirui (Kenya), Tsegaye Enyew, and Mesfen Mekonnen.
Taipei Marathon
A record 4380 foreign runners including Kenyans will participate in the 2024 Taipei Marathon on Sunday, December 15 in Taiwan.
Kenya’s Brimin Kipkorir, whose best time was 2:04:53, was the fastest runner in the inner field of compatriot Douglas Chebii (2:06:31).
Ethiopia’s Girlsa Birhanu and Eritrea’s Okubay Tsegay are also expected to meet at the starting line.
The Ethiopian contingent led by Gebeyanesh Ayele (2:21:22), Beyenu Degefa (2:23:04) and Fozya Jemal (2:21:53) are favorites to dominate the women’s event.
Al Sharqiyah International Competition
Several Kenyan runners will be in action at the 2024 Al Sharqiyah International Race in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, December 14.
They include Alex Nzioka Matata, Patrick Mosin and Reynold Cheruiyot. Ethiopian Quartet Muktar Edris (58:40), Gemechu Dida (58:39), Solomon Berihu (59:17) and Tadese Worku (58:47).
In the women’s Half Marathon, Kenyan athletes Irine Cheptai and Miriam Chebet are the favorites to win the prize money.
Girmawit Gebrzihair (Ethiopia), Yalemget Yaregal (Ethiopia), Aberash Shilima (Ethiopia) and Violah Jepchumba (Bahrain) were the top three players in the tournament.
Finally, Uganda’s Daniel Ebenyo, Benson Kipruto and Stephen Kissa will be in action at the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata road race in India on Sunday, December 15.
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