East Africa

Africans ready to break Mo Farah’s challenge at London Marathon

African top marathon runners are ready to break Mohammed (Mo) Farah’s challenge, and the course record, at the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday, April 13.

Wilson Kipsang wins in Berlin in 2013

African top marathon runners are ready to break Mohammed (Mo) Farah’s challenge, and the course record, at the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday, April 13.

Leading the elite field is [link id=”299″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Wilson Kipsang” target=”_blank”] from Kenya, who holds the Marathon’s world record after clocking a spectacular 2:03:23 at 2013 Berlin Marathon and won the [link id=”365″ tax=”post_tag” text=”London Marathon” target=”_blank”] in 2012.

Others top elite runners from Kenya include: [link id=”324″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Geoffrey Mutai” target=”_blank”], who had twice won the New York marathon, as well as Berlin and Boston, where he clocked an unofficial world best of 2:03.02; and Emmanuel Mutai who holds the London marathon course record of 2:04:40.

The elite contingent from Ethiopia is also strong: [link id=”325″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Tsegaye Kebede ” target=”_blank”]will be there to defend his London title, sub-2:05 runners Ayele Abshero and Tsegaye Mekonnen will be in the pack while Moscow 2013 world 10,000m silver medallist Ibrahim Jeilan will also be making his marathon debut.

Another strong contender from Africa is the world and Olympic marathon champion [link id=”265″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Stephen Kiprotich”] from [link id=”264″ tax=”category” text=”Uganda”].

Pace-setting will be provided by the distance running legend [link id=”76″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Haile Gebrselassie” target=”_blank”] of Ethiopia, who is under instruction to take the athletes through the first 30km at the world-record pace.

“It’s not going to be easy (for Farah) and he’s not likely to win,” said Wilson Kipsang. His training partner, Geoffrey Mutai noted that the Somalia-born Mohammed (Mo) Farah is “actually very fit and he will give us a big push in London”  but added that “we are ready for his challenge.”

Mo Farah caused a scare when he collapsed after the New York City Half Marathon on Sunday March 16 [link id=”7737″ text=”after finishing second behind Geoffrey Mutai” target=”_blank”].

You May Also Like

Kenya

The renowned Kenyan athlete, aged 38, will be competing in the prestigious road race for the sixth time.

Kenya

As an ambassador for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23, Tergat will play a crucial role in promoting and supporting the prestigious...

Kenya

World record holder and seven-time World Marathon Majors winner Mary Keitany from Kenya retires from the sport.

Features and Reports

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge’s aim at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on September 16 this year is clear cut: to break his personal best. Given that Kipchoge...

©2004-2024 All Rights Reserved / Powered by Yomog Sports + Media | AthleticsAfrica.com is the leading source for track and field athletics, road and mountain running news, events information, analysis, results, images and videos from Africa.

Exit mobile version