Reigning Honolulu marathon champion Brigid Kosgei will face off with world half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei, Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, Berlin half marathon champion Joan Chelimo among other Kenyan contingent to next month’s Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) half marathon race.
Kosgei, who on Sunday won the 27th edition of Discpvery Kenya cross country in Eldoret, said her focus is to use RAK as part of her preparations for April’s London marathon.
“I will be running in RAK as part of my preparations for London marathon. Today (Sunday) I came to gauge my speed and am in good shape for RAK,” said the Chicago marathon second placed runner.
The 9th February event in the United Arab Emirates has who is who in the world of half marathon.
Former world half marathon record Mary Keitany is also in the mix on the fastest course where she broke her world half marathon record before it was lowered by Florence Kiplagat, Peres Jepchirchir and now Joyciline.
The course will now host one of its strongest ever fields in history, will see Jepkosgei who finished third last year behind the 65:06 then world record Jepchirchir will clash out with three-time winner Keitany who was second last year.
As defending champion Jepchirchir, who won with a world record is out on sabbatical leave, a new champion will be found. Jepchirchir became the fourth fastest of seven women in history.
Keitany set a 65:50 world record in RAK in 2011.