Kenyan road race runners will be aiming to shine in several races that will be held in different parts of the world this weekend.
The likes of the reigning London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao and Rosemary Wanjiru are expected to feature in the Bangsaen21 while others like Lilian Kasait and Reynold Cheruiyot will be in action in Saudi Arabia.
Here is a brief list of the high-profile road races that Kenyan athletes will take part in on Saturday December 14 and Sunday, December 15.
Bangsaen21 Half Marathon
The stage is set for big names to battle it out at the eagerly anticipated 2024 Bangsaen21 Half Marathon race scheduled to take place in Thailand on Sunday, December 15.
Mutiso, who represented Kenya in the recently held Paris Olympic Games, headlines the entries in the men’s category with a personal best of 57:59.
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Some of the other stars that will be in contention include the Ethiopian duo of Nibret Melak and Leul Gebresilase and Mutiso’s fellow countryman Geoffrey Toroitich.
Melak and Gebresilase have personal bests of 59:06 and 59:18 respectively while Toroitich’s mark stands at 59:13.
In the women’s category, former full marathon world record holder Tigst Assefa is one of the stars who are set to compete for the prize money.
The Ethiopian will go head to head with a number of Kenyan speedsters including Rosemary Wanjiru (1:05:34), Gladys Chepkurui (1:05:46) and Winfridah Moraa (1:05:59).
Mersin Marathon
The sixth edition of the international Mersin Marathon is scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 15 in Turkey.
Organizers of the event have assembled a talented pool of athletes led by Kenya’s Abraham Kiptum and Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Mekonen.
Bethwell Kipkemboi, Boaz Kipkemei, Tanui Özbilen, and the ever-green 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 that has the likes of Hildah Jepkogei (2:28:31) and Truphena Chepchirchir of Kenya.
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Generali Maraton Malaga
A number of Kenyan runners will competed in the 2024 Generali Maraton Malaga that is set to go down 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 above heavyweights will face stiff competition from Uganda’s Andrew Rotich Kwemoi, whose lifetime best stands at 2:07:14.
Kenyan-born United States runner Paul Chelimo, who is associated with Kiprun, is also set to make his full marathon debut in Malaga.
In the women’s category, some of the notable names that are set to feature 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, who has a personal best of 2:04:53 is the fastest runner in the deep field that has his compatriot Douglas Chebii (2:06:31).
Ethiopia’s Gadisa Birhanu and Eritrea’s Okubay Tsegay are also expect to assemble themselves 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 the favorites to dominate the women’s race.
Al Sharqiyah International Race
Several Kenyan runners will be in action in the 2024 Al Sharqiyah international Race in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, December 14.
They include Alex Nzioka Matata, Patrick Mosin and Reynold Cheruiyot. The Ethiopian quartet of Muktar Edris (58:40), Gemechu Dida (58:39), Solomon Berihu (59:17) and Tadese Worku (58:47).
In the women’s Half Marathon, Kenyans Irine Cheptai and Miriam Chebet are among the favorites to walk away with the prize money.
However, they have to be at the best to beat the likes of Girmawit Gebrzihair (Ethiopia), Yalemget Yaregal (Ethiopia), Aberash Shilima (Ethiopia) and Violah Jepchumba (Bahrain).
Finally, Daniel Ebenyo, Benson Kipruto, and Uganda’s Stephen Kissa will be in action in the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata road race in India on Sunday, December 15.
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