Kenya’s Evans Chebet and Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma are expected to renew their rivalry in the 2024 Great North Run scheduled for Sunday 8 September.
Lemma and Chebet have raced against each other several times in the Abbott World Marathon Majors with Lemma having a better head-to-head record over Chebet.
The duo met for the first time at the 2021 London Marathon where the Ethiopian secured the coveted title in 2:04.01 as Chebet settled for a fourth-place finish in 02:05.43.
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However, in their second clash at the 2022 Boston Marathon, Chebet had the last laugh, winning the title in 2:06.51 while Lemma did not finish in that particular road race.
In their most recent meeting earlier this year in the Boston Marathon, Lemma ran a well-calculated race to break the tape in 2:06.17, denying Chebet a chance of becoming the fifth person to win the oldest road race three consecutive times in the process.
Chebet, who trains in Kapsabet with the likes of Amos Kipruto and Benson Kipruto, finished third in that race in 2:07.22.
2024 Great North Run contender Evans Chebet
On Sunday, the two rivals will be among the favorites to win the Great North Run half marathon title.
Some of the other elite athletes that are set to take part in the event are Great Britain’s Marc Scott, Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi and Iten-based Abel Kipchumba.
Chebet, who has struggled with injuries in recent months, heads to the United Kingdom with a personal best of 1:01.59, which is 0.50 seconds slower than Lemma’s.
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According to the runner who hails from Kondabilet, Elgeyo Marakwet County, he will use the half marathon race to gauge his fitness.
“I want to test my body in England and see how it responds. This race will be part of my preparations for the New York Marathon. I am confident of positive results in both races,” he was quoted by The Star.
The 35-year-old will be seeking to win a second title in the 53rd edition of the New York City Marathon which will go down on Sunday, November 3.
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