Another battle of titans at Sunday’s London marathon where former world half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkokosgei, Frankfurt marathon champion Valary Jemeli Aiyabei and world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei will be chasing the title.
Jepkosgei wo missed world half marathon title won by Peres Jepchirchir will be up against Jemeli, who missed the Olympic Games team to Tokyo and Olympic gold medalist Kosgei who will be chasing her hat0-trick on the course after winning the 2019, 2020 and now in search of the third title in a row.
Jemeli will be returning to the London marathon with an aim of securing top position after finishing 10th last year.
“My training progress has been good and having 40kg, it is the best way to carry me to the tape in good time and position,” said Jemeli.
Jemeli, who enjoys a Frankfurt Marathon course record of 2:19.10, failed to finish the Tokyo Marathon early in March last year after picking a hip injury to drop 25km.
Aiyabei, who trains alongside her husband Kennedy Tarus, is fully prepared and optimistic of posting good results in London
She also won the Barcelona Marathon, third at the 2017 Berlin Frankfurt Marathon among others.
According to the classy line-up, Jemeli is ranked based on her personal best of 2:19.10 she set at the 2019 Frankfurt marathon. Kosgei leads the stellar line with her world record of 2:14.04 followed by Ethiopia’s Roza Derege (2:18.30), Birham Dibaba (2:18.35), Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:18.40), Degitu Asimeraw (2:19.26), Zeineba Yimer (2:19.28), Togist Girma (2:19.52) and Ashete Bekere (2:20.14).
Others in the list are Alemu Megertu, Australian Sinead Diver (2:24.11), American Allie Keffer (2:28.12) and Czech Republic’s Moira Stewartova who has 2:29.28.